Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life in Australian adults with renal insufficiency: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND Health-related quality of life is increasingly recognized as an important outcome in clinical research and patient care. Although there are a large number of reports of quality of life in the setting of end-stage renal disease, the impact of lesser degrees of renal impairment in the general population has not been described. METHODS Data relating to quality of life measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) was available for 10,525 participants (93.6%) of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study, a randomly selected representative sample of the Australian population aged 25 years or older. Results are examined by category of renal function (Cockcroft-Gault estimated glomerular filtration rate: normal, > or =60 mL/min/1.73 m2; renal insufficiency, <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). RESULTS Significant impairment in health-related quality of life was seen with renal insufficiency for all SF-36 scales except Vitality and Mental Health. Adjusting for the substantial comorbidity associated with renal insufficiency, scores for Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, General Health, Vitality, and Role-Emotional were significantly lower. Examination of age-specific effects on health-related quality of life showed that mental health was particularly impaired in the younger age group, and Physical Functioning, in the older age group with renal insufficiency. Patterns of impairment were similar in men and women. CONCLUSION Results from this study indicate that the current emphasis on clinical interventions aimed at preserving renal function are likely to improve the negative impact of kidney disease on health-related quality of life; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Narrative Approaches to Working with Adult Male Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse: The Clients', the Counsellor's and the Researcher's Story

Prologue. 1. Introduction. Part 1 - The Client's Story: The Elephant in the Living Room. 2. Stephen's story. 3. Mike's story. Part 2 - The Counsellor's Story. 4. The Iceberg. 5. Beginnings assessment, contracting, evaluation. 6. Therapeutic relationship. 7. Transference and counter-transference. 8. Post-traumatic stress disorder. 9. Healing trauma. 10. Writing as therapy. 11. Writing to and from the inner child. 12. Body work. 13. Collaborative working. 14. Stories within stories. 15 More stories within stories. 16. Traumatic sexualisation. 17. What helps? 18. Endings. Part 3 - The Researcher's Story. - 9. The Swamp. 20. Research process. 21. Ethics. 22. Research methods. 23. Doing the research. 24. Writing and sorting data. 25. Where three streams meet. Appendix 1. Appendix 2. Bibliography. Index.
Myth and Multiple Readings in Environmental Rhetoric: The Case of An Inconvenient Truth

Contesting interpretations of An Inconvenient Truth that treat it as political jeremiad, autobiography, or science documentary, we contextualize the film within Joseph Campbell's monomyth and argue that its rhetorical efficacy arises in part because Al Gore's personal transformation animates the documentary footage with jeremiad advocacy. In turn, this fusion of genres enhances Gore's credibility to assess the dangers of global warming and to advise viewers how to respond to them effectively. Our reading has implications for understanding environmental discourse and for critical practice.
Inhibition of Elastase-Pulmonary Emphysema in Dominant-Negative MafB Transgenic Mice

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We previously demonstrated upregulation of the transcription factor MafB in AMs of mice exposed to cigarette smoke. The aim of this study was to elucidate the roles of MafB in the development of pulmonary emphysema. Porcine pancreatic elastase was administered to wild-type (WT) and dominant-negative (DN)-MafB transgenic (Tg) mice in which MafB activity was suppressed only in macrophages. We measured the mean linear intercept and conducted cell differential analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells, surface marker analysis using flow cytometry, and immunohistochemical staining using antibodies to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-12. Airspace enlargement of the lungs was suppressed significantly in elastase-treated DN-MafB Tg mice compared with treated WT mice. AMs with projected pseudopods were decreased in DN-MafB Tg mice. The number of cells intermediately positive for F4/80 and weakly or intermediately positive for CD11b, which are considered cell subsets of matured AMs, decreased in the BAL of DN-MafB Tg mice. Furthermore, MMP-9 and -12 were significantly downregulated in BAL cells of DN-MafB Tg mice. Because MMPs exacerbate emphysema, MafB may be involved in pulmonary emphysema development through altered maturation of macrophages and MMP expression.
Age-related differences in repeated-sprint ability in highly trained youth football players

Abstract In this study, we investigated the age-related differences in repeated-sprint ability and blood lactate responses in 134 youth football players. Players from the development programme of a professional club were grouped according to their respective under-age team (U-11 to U-18). Following familiarization, the participants performed a repeated-sprint ability test [6 × 30-m sprints 30 s apart, with active recovery (2.0–2.2 m · s−1) between sprints]. The test variables were total time, percent sprint decrement, and post-test peak lactate concentration. Total time improved from the U-11 to U-15 age groups (range 33.15 ± 1.84 vs. 27.25 ± 0.82 s), whereas no further significant improvements were evident from U-15 to U-18. No significant differences in percent sprint decrement were reported among groups (range 4.0 ± 1.0% to 5.5 ± 2.1%). Post-test peak lactate increased from one age group to the next (range 7.3 ± 1.8 to 12.6 ± 1.6 mmol · l−1), but remained constant when adjusted for age-related difference in body mass. Peak lactate concentration was moderately correlated with sprint time (r = 0.70, P > 0.001). Our results suggest that performance in repeated-sprint ability improves during maturation of highly trained youth football players, although a plateau occurs from 15 years of age. In contrast to expectations based on previous suggestions, percent sprint decrement during repeated sprints did not deteriorate with age.
Alpine and cross-country skiing after total hip replacement: 2 cohorts of 50 patients each, one active, the other inactive in skiing, followed for 5-10 years

2 groups of 50 patients each, matched for age, weight, height, gender and type of implant, were clinically and radiographically examined after THR. Group A regularly carried out alpine skiing and/or cross-country skiing, while group B did no winter sports. At 5 years, no signs of loosening were found in group A, whereas 5/60 implants in group B had signs of loosening, mostly of the femoral component (p < 0.05). At 10 years, 30 patients remained in group A and 27 in group B. No new cases of loosening were found in group B, but 2/30 cases in group A. There was a higher (p < 0.05) average wear rate in group A (2.1 mm) than in group B (1.5 mm). The wear rate was particularly high (3-4 mm) in physically very active patients in group A with localized osteolysis at the interface. It seems likely that in an even longer follow-up, the number of cases of aseptic loosening would be greater in group A than group B. Our findings, combined with the results of previously-published biomechanical studies, do not provide any evidence that controlled alpine and/ or cross-country skiing has a negative effect on the acetabular or femoral component of hip replacements. The results of the biomechanical studies indicate, however, that it is advantageous to avoid short-radius turns on steep slopes or moguls.
Stressful life events and Rorschach content.

This study investigated the construct validity of Elizur's (1949) Rorschach Content Test anxiety score. The study compared the Rorschach protocols of subjects experiencing high and low life-stress conditions. The Rorschach test was administered to 56 college students, half men and half women, who were selected from a larger group on the basis of their extreme scores on a measure of stressful life events, the College Schedule of Recent Experience (Anderson, 1972). Subjects in the high stress condition responded to the Rorschach with significantly (p less than .05) more anxious content than did subjects in the low stress condition. The findings of the study add support to the construct validity of Elizur's anxiety score. Implications for future research are discussed.
Social Dominance Orientation and the Political Psychology of Gender: A Case of Invariance?

Social dominance theory assumes transsituational and transcultural differences between men and women in social dominance orientation (SDO), with men showing higher levels of SDO than women. SDO is a general individual-difference variable expressing preference for superordinate in-group status, hierarchical relationships between social groups, and a view of group relations as inherently 0-sum. Data from a random sample of 1,897 respondents from Los Angeles County confirmed the notion that men have significantly higher social dominance scores than women and that these differences were consistent across cultural, demographic, and situational factors such as age, social class, religion, educational level, political ideology, ethnicity, racism, region of national origin, and gender-role relevant opinion. The theoretical implications are discussed.
An Initial Study of the Effects of Cooperative Learning on Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary Acquisition, and Motivation to Read

This study investigated the effects of the Jigsaw II cooperative learning (CL) model and whole class instruction in improving learners' reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and motivation to read. Forty-four grade five English as a foreign language learners participated in the study, and a posttest-only control group experimental design was employed. The results did not indicate any statistically significant differences between the control and experimental group on the dependent variables of reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. However, the results revealed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group on the dependent variable of motivation to read and its dimensions, the value of reading, and reading self-concept. The pedagogical implications of the findings and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Statistics Education Research in Malaysia and the Philippines: A Comparative Analysis.

This paper presents a comparative analysis of statistics education research in Malaysia and the Philippines by modes of dissemination, research areas, and trends. An electronic search for published research papers in the area of statistics education from 2000–2012 yielded 20 for Malaysia and 19 for the Philippines. Analysis of these papers showed that most were primarily empirical research published in national refereed journals or in conference proceedings. Statistics education research in Malaysia has focused on integration of technology and on affective aspects of statistics learning. In the Philippines, studies have investigated university-level statistics pedagogy, statistics academic programs and teachers’ professional development. Implications for future statistics education research and teaching practice in these two countries are identified.
POSTTRAUMATIC SYMPTOMS AND POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH AMONG ISRAELI YOUTH EXPOSED TO TERROR INCIDENTS

Abstract This study assessed the pathogenic and salutogenic effects of exposure to terror among Israeli youth. A total of 2,999 adolescents from grades seven through nine in four areas of differing exposure to terror were assessed for objective exposure and subjective exposure to terror, and for posttraumatic symptoms and posttraumatic growth. Two—thirds of the subjects faced at least one terror incident, and one—fourth were exposed to more than three different terror incidents. We found a low correlation between objective and subjective exposure. Results show that 41.1% of the participants report mild to severe posttraumatic symptoms, while 74.4% report feelings of growth. Objective and subjective measures of exposure were associated with both posttraumatic stress and psychological growth. Additionally, religious adolescents reported greater feelings of growth, and girls reported more feelings of growth than boys. The pathogenic and salutogenic effects of terror are discussed.
Masculinity, Intimate Partner Violence and Son Preference in India

In-depth research on gender power and masculinity and various programmatic efforts to engage men have made it abundantly clear that men and boys must be an integral part of efforts to promote gender equality. This is especially relevant in India where caste class and linguistic ethnicity have tremendous influence on how men construct their sense of masculinity and define what it means to be a “real man” or what is expected of them. Recent research suggests that men’s attitudes and more broadly masculinity perpetuate son preference and to some extent intimate partner violence in India. With this in mind ICRW conducted research surveying a total of 9205 men and 3158 women aged 18-49 in the following seven states across India: Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan Punjab and Haryana Odisha Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The study findings emphasize that in India masculinity i.e. men’s controlling behavior and gender inequitable attitudes strongly determines men’s preference for sons over daughters as well as their proclivity for violence towards an intimate partner -both of which are manifestations of gender inequality. Masculine control in women’s lives affects their own experiences of intimate partner violence and preference for sons. The study finds that ultimately eliminate son preference and intimate partner violence in India it is critical to develop and implement national policies and programs that involve men in promoting gender equity and diminishing socio-cultural and religious practices thatreinforce gender discrimination.
Comparison of the effectiveness and side‐effects of tolterodine and oxybutynin in children with detrusor instability

Background: Treatment with anticholinergic agents is the mainstay of therapy for detrusor instability (DI), a chronic and morbid condition characterized by urge urinary incontinence. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of tolterodine and oxybutynin in children with DI.
Variability in Community Characteristics and Spanish-Speaking Children's Home Language and Literacy Opportunities

Abstract Drawing on data from 14 communities in California and Texas, this paper examines the variability in language and literacy resources across communities with large numbers of Latino families. Spanish-speaking children live in communities that vary considerably with respect to language use, ethnic composition and education levels. Children's community experiences vary with respect to exposure to English and Spanish and in terms of access to print materials in one or both languages. Immigrant Spanish-speaking families residing in these communities also demonstrate variation with respect to home literacy practices. However, community-level characteristics only modestly predict a few aspects of children's language and literacy experiences. While this suggests that community characteristics can influence children's language and literacy opportunities (relative to Spanish-speaking children in other communities), the weak associations also show that educators should not presume to know children's home language and literacy experiences based on observable community characteristics. Overall, school-related literacy was the most common and frequent type of literacy activity in the home across communities. Schools provided literacy materials and activities to families in communities where they were lacking, thereby helping compensate for an overall scarcity of literacy opportunities for children in the low-income communities in which they resided.
Studies on the cell wall of Spirillum serpens. II. Chemical characterization of the outer structured layer.

The outer cell-wall layer of Spirillum serpens VHA, composed of a hexagonal array of macromolecules, was dissociated from 'cleaned' cell-wall fragments with 1.5 M guanidine hydrochloride, pH 7.0. The soluble material contained 98% protein, 2% carbohydrate, and no ethanolamine, phosphate, RNA, or DNA. Evidence for the homogeneity of the isolated cell-wall protein was obtained by sedimentation velocity, polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, molecular sieve chromatography on Sephadex G-200, and sucrose density gradients. The protein was acidic and had a minimum molecular weight of about 48 000 daltons calculated from the amino acid analysis. A molecular weight of between 125 000 and 150 000 daltons was obtained for the protein by polyacrylamide disc-gel electrophoresis, sucrose density gradients, and molecular sieve chromatography. The sedimentation rate of the protein was considerably less in 1.5 M guanidine hydrochloride, pH 7.0, than in its absence although the protein remained homogenous under both co.
Experiential learning, competence and critical practice in higher education

ABSTRACT The expanding influence of competence-based education (CBE) through the activities of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) now extends to all levels of the system, including the work of higher education institutions. The NCVQ approach is, however, ill-equipped to deal with education and training beyond the level of basic skills, and is largely irrelevant to the sort of learning that goes on in higher education. A critique of the NCVQ model of CBE is presented and, in place of the behaviourist obsession with performance outcomes, models of learning and development drawn from the cognitive and experiential tradition are recommended for higher education. Educators in this sphere need to maintain an attachment to critical practice and the humanistic tradition in order to resist the narrow utilitarian models of practice represented by CBE strategies.
ASSOCIATION OF AGGRESSION WITH SOCIO- DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY AMONG RURAL ADOLESCENTS

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of immense physical, mental and social changes. Aggression is very common feature in this period in the present day world. But very limited studies have been conducted regarding aggression among adolescents in rural India. The present study was conducted to find out different socio-demographic characteristics associated with aggression among adolescents. Materials and methods: The community based cross sectional study was conducted in Ramnagar, Jalapara and Rasulpur villages of Singur block of Hooghly district of West Bengal in Eastern India. The study included adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years of age. To assess aggression, Direct and Indirect Aggression Scale (DIAS) was used. Collected data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Results: A high proportion of adolescents scored very high in DIAS scale. Total aggression score was significantly higher among older adolescents (18-19 years of age), among males, among adolescents belonging to lower income groups and whose mothers were working. Physical aggression score was significantly higher in younger adolescents, but other types of aggression were found to be significantly higher among older group.
Impact of the Target Culture on Foreign Language Learning: A Case Study

This study provides the profile of college student of English in advanced levels of study in the English Department of a College of Languages & Translation, Saudi Arabia. Utilising qualitative data collection methods, the responses and scholastic history of the student provide insights into his personal qualities and aptitudes as a native-like speaker of English as proven by CEPA scores and direct communication with the case in English. The story of the student indicates a strong influence of the second language culture on the learning of this language. The case has been studied and presented against a rich research and literature backdrop that explored culture and language concepts and their interrelatedness from different perspectives, emphasising the significance of acculturation as part of second/foreign language acquisition/learning. The paper ends on notes and implications for pedagogy and further research in culture and language in EFL learning settings. Key words: Culture; Language; Acculturation; EFL; Sapir Whorf Hypothesis; Socio-linguistic identity; Case studyResume: Cette etude fournit le profil d'etudiant universitaire d'anglais dans les niveaux avances d'etude dans une universite de langues et la traduction du departement anglais,de l'Arabie Saoudite. En utilisant des methodes de collecte de donnees qualitatives, les reponses et l'histoire scolastique de l'etudiant fournit des apercus dans ses qualites personnelles et aptitudes comme un orateur semblable d'anglais comme prouve par le grand nombre CEPA et dirige la communication avec le cas en anglais. L'histoire de l'etudiant indique une influence forte de la deuxieme culture de langue en apprenant de cette langue. Le cas qui a ete etudie et presente contre une recherche riche et un fond de litterature qui a explore la culture et des concepts de langue et leur ete en correlation de perspectives differentes, soulignant la signification d'acculturation comme la partie d'acquisition de seconde langue etrangere. Le journal finit sur des notes et des implications pour la pedagogie et la nouvelle recherche dans la culture et la langue dans l’installation de l’enseignement de EFL. Mots-cles: Culture; Langue; Acculturation; EFL; Sapir Whorf Hypothese; Identite sociolinguistique; Etude de cas
Bilingual advantage in executive control when task demands are considered*

To examine how task demands influence bilingual advantage in executive control over monolinguals, we tested 32 Chinese monolinguals and 32 Chinese–English bilinguals with four versions of a color-shape switching task. During switching trials, the task required participants to suppress one set of conflicting (or non-conflicting) responses and simultaneously to activate another set of conflicting (or non-conflicting) responses. The results showed that compared to monolinguals, (i) when suppressing conflicting responses or (ii) activating non-conflicting responses, bilinguals had significantly smaller switching costs though similar mixing costs; (iii) when suppressing one set of conflicting responses and simultaneously activating another set of conflicting responses, bilinguals had significantly smaller switching costs though larger mixing costs; and (iv) when suppressing one set of non-conflicting responses and simultaneously activating another set of non-conflicting responses, bilinguals had similar switching costs and mixing costs. These findings indicate that task demands affect bilingual advantage in executive control.