Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnesium Sulfate Reduces Intra- and Postoperative Analgesic Requirements

In a randomized, double-blind study with two parallel groups, we assessed the analgesic effect of perioperative magnesium sulfate administration in 46 ASA physical status I or II patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery with total IV anesthesia. The patients received either magnesium sulfate 50 mg/kg preoperatively and 8 mg [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] h-1 intraoperatively or the same volume of isotonic sodium chloride solution IV. Anesthesia was performed with propofol (2 mg/kg for induction, 6-8 mg [center dot] kg- 1 [center dot] h- 1 for maintenance), fentanyl (3 [micro sign]g/kg for induction), and vecuronium (0.1 mg/kg for intubation). Intraoperative pain was defined as an increase of mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate of more than 20% from baseline values after the induction of anesthesia and was treated with bolus fentanyl (1-2 [micro sign]g/kg). Postoperative analgesia was achieved with fentanyl (0.5 [micro sign]g/kg) and evaluated using the pain visual analog scale for 4 h. During the intraoperative and postoperative periods, patients in the magnesium group required significantly less fentanyl than those in the control group (control group 0.089 +/- 0.02 [micro sign]g [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] min-1 versus magnesium group 0.058 +/- 0.01 [micro sign]g [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] min- 1; P < 0.05 and control group 0.021 +/- 0.013 [micro sign]g [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] min-1 and magnesium group 0.0031 +/- 0.0018 [micro sign]g [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] min-1; P < 0.01 for intraoperative and postoperative periods, respectively). We conclude that, in a clinical setting with almost identical levels of surgical stimulation, IV magnesium sulfate administration reduces intraoperative and postoperative analgesic requirements compared with isotonic sodium chloride solution administration. Implications: The perioperative administration of IV magnesium sulfate reduces intra- and postoperative analgesic requirements in patients with almost identical levels of surgical stimulus. Our results demonstrate that magnesium can be an adjuvant to perioperative analgesic management. (Anesth Analg 1998;87:206-10)
Risks and Risk Management in Software Architecture Evolution: An Industrial Survey

The effort that has been made to study risk management in the context of software architecture and its evolution, has so far focused on output from structured evaluations. However, earlier research shows that formal, structured evaluation is not commonly used in industry. We have performed a survey among software architects, in order to capture a more complete picture of the risk and management issues in software architecture evolution. Our survey is specifically about their current knowledge of actual challenges they have anticipated and experienced, as well as strategies they have employed in response. We received completely filled questionnaires from 82 respondents out of a total distribution of 511 architects from the software industry in Norway. While many of the risks we have identified can be aligned with results from earlier studies, we have also identified several risks which appear not to fit these risk categories. Additionally, we found a direct link to business risks, as well as a relatively low level of awareness that lack of software architecture evaluation represents a potential risk.
MOSSBAUER-EFFECT AND X-RAY-ABSORPTION SPECTRAL STUDY OF SONOCHEMICALLY PREPARED AMORPHOUS IRON

The Mossbauer spectra of amorphous iron, prepared by using sonochemical methods, exhibit a broad magnetic hyperfine sextet at both 78 and 295 K. The spectra do not change with time if the amorphous iron is not exposed to oxygen or moisture. An analysis of the spectra with the method of Lines and Eibschutz yields average magnetic hyperfine fields of 29.1 and 25.9 T at 78 and 295 K, respectively. The corresponding moments of 1.9 mu(B), and 1.7 mu(B), agree well with values obtained from earlier magnetization studies and, further, provide strong experimental support for earlier calculations of the magnetic moments in amorphous iron. The observed average isomer shifts of 0.27 and 0.14 mm/s obtained at 78 and 295 K, respectively, correspond to a decrease in the s-electron density at the iron-57 nucleus as compared to that of alpha-iron, a decrease which is consistent with the decreased coordination number of amorphous iron. The similarity of the 295 K iron K-edge x-ray-absorption spectrum of amorphous iron and alpha-iron, up to 7130 eV, indicates that the d-electron density of states just above the Fermi level is similar in both forms of iron. The absence of structural details above 7130 eV in the spectrum of amorphous iron indicates, in agreement with multiple-scattering calculations, that long-range order does not extend beyond the third shell of neighbors in amorphous iron. Greatly reduced extended x-ray-absorption-fine-structure scattering is observed at the iron K edge of amorphous iron as compared to alpha-iron. An analysis of the weak observed scattering reveals both a decrease in the average coordination number from 14 in alpha-iron to 10 in amorphous iron, and an asymmetric radial distribution function of the iron neighbors in the first shell. This asymmetric distribution yields for amorphous iron a minimum iron-iron distance of 2.40 Angstrom and an average iron-iron distance of 2.92 Angstrom. [S0163-1829(98)08817-1].
The Effect of Cataract on Early Stage Glaucoma Detection Using Spatial and Temporal Contrast Sensitivity Tests

Background To investigate the effect of cataract on the ability of spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity tests used to detect early glaucoma. Methods Twenty-seven glaucoma subjects with early cataract (mean age 60 ±10.2 years) which constituted the test group were recruited together with twenty-seven controls (cataract only) matched for age and cataract type from a primary eye care setting. Contrast sensitivity to flickering gratings at 20 Hz and stationary gratings with and without glare, were measured for 0.5, 1.5 and 3 cycles per degree (cpd) in central vision. Perimetry and structural measurements with the Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph (HRT) were also performed. Results After considering the effect of cataract, contrast sensitivity to stationary gratings was reduced in the test group compared with controls with a statistically significant mean difference of 0.2 log units independent of spatial frequency. The flicker test showed a significant difference between test and control group at 1.5 and 3 cpd (p = 0.019 and p = 0.011 respectively). The percentage of glaucoma patients who could not see the temporal modulation was much higher compared with their cataract only counterparts. A significant correlation was found between the reduction of contrast sensitivity caused by glare and the Glaucoma Probability Score (GPS) as measured with the HRT (p<0.005). Conclusions These findings indicate that both spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity tests are suitable for distinguishing between vision loss as a consequence of glaucoma and vision loss caused by cataract only. The correlation between glare factor and GPS suggests that there may be an increase in intraocular stray light in glaucoma.
An Analytic Derivation of the Efficient Portfolio Frontier

The characteristics of the mean-variance, efficient portfolio frontier have been discussed at length in the literature. However, for more than three assets, the general approach has been to display qualitative results in terms of graphs. In this paper, the efficient portfolio frontiers are derived explicitly, and the characteristics claimed for these frontiers are verified. The most important implication derived from these characteristics, the separation theorem, is stated and proved in the context of a mutual fund theorem. It is shown that under certain conditions, the classic graphical technique for deriving the efficient portfolio frontier is incorrect.
Conformational changes affecting the V3 and CD4-binding domains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 associated with env processing and with binding of ligands to these sites

Two neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) directed against epitopes located near the tip of the V3 loop of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env protein recognized solubilized gPr160, but not gp120, in radioimmunoprecipitation assays. Efficient immunoprecipitation of solubilized gp120 by these antibodies did occur in the presence of HuMAb 1125H, directed against a conformational epitope overlapping the CD4-binding site, or its F(ab')2 fragment. In contrast to the inability of the anti-V3 antibodies to immunoprecipitate solubilized gp120, these HuMAbs did bind to gp120 in intact virions; this level of binding increased severalfold in the presence of the F(ab')2 fragment of 1125H. These results demonstrate that neutralization epitopes in the V3 loop are sequestered in soluble gp120 but partly exposed in gPr160 and in virion-associated gp120 and that binding of antibodies to the discontinuous CD4-binding site leads to conformational changes that result in the exposure of V3 epitopes in soluble gp120 and their enhanced accessibility in gPr160 and in virion-associated gp120. Enhanced binding of suboptimal concentrations of 1125H to soluble gp120 was also induced by the presence of an anti-V3 HuMAb, indicating the occurrence of reciprocal allosteric interactions between the V3 loop and the CD4-binding site. It is likely that these effects contribute to the synergistic neutralization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 previously reported for antibodies directed against these two regions.
The Self-concept of Spanish Young Adults with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative disease of the retina that causes the severe impairment of visual functioning similar to low vision, leading, in many cases, to blindness (Geruschat & Turano, 2002; Rundquist, 2004). The disease induces the breakdown of the photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the retina. Because these structures are highly specialized, any defect in their function, no matter how slight, can affect vision. Changes in the structure and metabolism of the photoreceptors are the result of alterations in genes, and the failure of any of the many genes that are involved in the functioning of the photoreceptors can lead to changes in vision (Adler, 2002).
Long term predictive validity of diagnostic models for personality disorder: Integrating trait and disorder concepts

See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: http://wesscholar.wesleyan. edu/div3facpubs Part of the Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Psychiatry Commons, Psychological Phenomena and Processes Commons, and the Quantitative Psychology Commons
Making It to the Top: Specific Leadership Skills

Discusses general skills clusters identified by other researchers as necessary for leadership success. Reports a US study by questionnaire survey on the specific skills viewed by male and female managers as essential for top management posts. Reveals a great deal of agreement, but women as well as men harbour stereotypes of women as being less able to handle their emotions under stress, less career‐committed and not such good team‐players.
Practical lessons learned from use of rasch analysis in the assessment of outcome measures

In a time of increasing use of outcome measures in clinical practice, quality control and audit procedures, physiatrists need to acquire the necessary expertise to be able to select the appropriate tools, administer them thoughtfully, and interpret correctly the results(1) . An outcome measure is essentially an evaluative tool for assessing the magnitude of some longitudinal change (in impairment, functioning, activities, participation, etc.) in an individual or group(2) ; in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine what is subject to change often is a ‘latent trait’, ‘trait’ meaning a hypothetical construct, domain, ability or other (e.g. functional independence, manual dexterity, locomotor capability) and ‘latent’ meaning that it cannot be measured directly but is ‘hidden’ within the person, who may manifest it through a set of behaviours assessed by a series of questions (items) (3) . In order to be useful for their intended purposes, the rating scales and questionnaires measuring ‘latent traits’ must provide information that allows valid inferences and decisions to be made. Basic classical test theory is still widely used in peer-reviewed, indexed journals for validating these tools, in both original and translated versions. These papers are based mainly on analysis of internal consistency [using Cronbach’s alpha, well known for its limits (4) ], reproducibility, and criterion-related validity (usually the demonstration of a moderate to good correlation with some other measure of the trait under study). This is a superficial approach that neglects standard criteria and practical attributes that need to be considered when evaluating the psychometric properties of a measurement tool (5-11) , and it does not provide information about many essential psychometric characteristics, such as the evaluation of how well an item performs in terms of its relevance or usefulness for measuring the underlying construct, the amount of the construct targeted by each question, the possible redundancy of the item relative to other items in the scale, and the appropriateness of the response categories (12)
A mealtime observation study; obesity, ethnicity and observed maternal feeding styles

The escalating trend of childhood obesity within genetically stable populations indicates that environmental, and therefore modifiable, factors must be contributing. Infancy (when parents largely determine child-feeding), has been highlighted as a critical time for the development of maladaptive eating behaviours. Despite interest in early interventions, there is no research on child-feeding styles from UK non-white communities. Born in Bradford (BiB) aims to identify factors that contribute to differences in health outcomes between people in South Asian (S. Asian) and European origin. This birth cohort provides a valuable opportunity to explore feeding interactions that may contribute to risk of obesity in a bi-ethnic sample. The current study recruited thirty eight mother-child dyads, according to maternal weight status and ethnicity and observed them during a typical mealtime. A range of positive and negative interactions were coded using the Mealtime Observation Schedule (MOS, Sanders & LeGrice, 1993). Data was also collected regarding mealtime organisation. Observed interactions were compared to mother‟s self-reports on questionnaire assessments of feeding, parenting styles and infant characteristics. The differences found between the mealtimes of obese and healthy weight mothers were limited compared to the differences observed between S. Asian and non-Asian mothers. Obese mothers were observed to use a greater amount of positive eating comments. They were most likely to report Indulgent parenting, whereas healthy weight mothers were most likely to report Authoritarianism. This difference was not observed in the mealtime interactions. There were several differences between S. Asian and non-Asian mothers in both the meal structures and mother-child interactions. S. Asian mothers used negative parenting behaviours more frequently, and less positive behaviour. In the healthy weight S. Asian group, this was paralleled by greater levels of negative child behaviour. Both maternal and child age also influenced these outcomes. Differences in mealtime interactions may contribute to differences in obesity rates across different ethnicities. However, research regarding parenting styles is mostly based on white European samples. It is argued that current measures are not culturally appropriate for S. Asian families living in the UK. More research is needed in order to develop culturally appropriate interventions regarding child feeding.
Stance leg control: variation of leg parameters supports stable hopping

The spring-loaded inverted pendulum describes the planar center-of-mass dynamics of legged locomotion. This model features linear springs with constant parameters as legs. In biological systems, however, spring-like properties of limbs can change over time. Therefore, in this study, it is asked how variation of spring parameters during ground contact would affect the dynamics of the spring–mass model. Neglecting damping initially, it is found that decreasing stiffness and increasing rest length of the leg during a stance phase are required for orbitally stable hopping. With damping, stable hopping is found for a larger region of rest-length rates and stiffness rates. Here, also increasing stiffness and decreasing rest length can result in stable hopping. Within the predicted range of leg parameter variations for stable hopping, there is no need for precise parameter tuning. Since hopping gaits form a subset of the running gaits (with vanishing horizontal velocity), these results may help to improve leg design in robots and prostheses.
New frontiers in circulating tumor cell analysis: A reference guide for biomolecular profiling toward translational clinical use

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are now routinely isolated from blood, and measurement of CTC concentrations appears to correlate well with survival in patients with cancer. Interrogation of the molecular profile of CTCs for expression of protein biomarkers, genetic variants and gene expression provides opportunities to use this information to guide personalized treatment, monitor therapy and detect emerging resistance. However, successful application of profiling techniques requires analyses that deliver a reliable and clinically relevant representation of a patient's cancer as it changes with time. Here, we comprehensively review the current knowledge of therapeutically relevant biomarkers in isolated CTCs obtained by fluorescence imaging and genomic profiling approaches. The reviewed data support the notion that molecular profiling of CTCs will provide a reliable representation or surrogate index of tumor burden. Large‐scale translational trials, many currently in progress, will provide critical data to progress CTC analysis toward wider clinical use in personalized treatment.
Sub-Gaussian tail bounds for the width and height of conditioned Galton--Watson trees

We study the height and width of a Galton--Watson tree with offspring distribution B satisfying E(B)=1, 0 < Var(B) < infinity, conditioned on having exactly n nodes. Under this conditioning, we derive sub-Gaussian tail bounds for both the width (largest number of nodes in any level) and height (greatest level containing a node); the bounds are optimal up to constant factors in the exponent. Under the same conditioning, we also derive essentially optimal upper tail bounds for the number of nodes at level k, for 1 <= k <= n.
‘What's a fixed‐term exclusion, Miss?’ Students' perspectives on a disciplinary inclusion room in England

Marginalised students in education are often formally excluded and further disadvantaged by school disciplinary approaches. This leads to school behaviour codes not being followed by students. This result is often linked to individualised student disciplinary responses. Further, formal student exclusion from schools remains a controversial international practice driven by eclectic government policy. Yet there is limited research on student perspectives within debates on the value of interventions designed to reduce fixed-term exclusion and promote children's participation in education. This study, by Gwen Gilmore of the College of Education at Victoria University, Melbourne, presents the perspectives of five Year 8 and 9 students who participated in a disciplinary inclusion room designed to reduce fixed-term exclusion in a secondary school located in England. The research methodology is framed by a cultural historical activity theory approach, and mixed methods reported include document analysis and student interviews. Students stated that the disciplinary inclusion room enabled them to continue their learning and that this discipline model complemented the processes of education. These students' perspectives challenge recent narratives on disciplinary provision and provide possibilities for schools to consider how discipline can be organised towards practices that are more inclusionary and potentially educative.
The bem Sex-Role inventory : Validation of a short version for french teenagers

Examined the validity and reliability of a French short version of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (S. Bem, 1974, BSRI) for adolescents, and the organization of gender-related self-schemata. Four studies involving 1,204 adolescents (average ages 14.91, 15.60, and 15.38 yrs) residing in France were carried out to translate BSRI items and evaluate their clarity; assess concurrent validity, construct validity, and reliability; and analyze the psychological construct correlates and produce statistical norms. Results show a positive linkage between masculinity and sports practice on the 1 hand, and self-esteem on the other. Femininity was negatively linked to self-esteem and sports practice. Factor analysis confirmed correlations between gathered data and theoretical constructs. There was a general lack of connection between the subscales. The questionnaire demonstrated sufficient internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
Use of De Novo Transcriptome Libraries to Characterize a Novel Oleaginous Marine Chlorella Species during the Accumulation of Triacylglycerols

Marine chlorophytes of the genus Chlorella are unicellular algae capable of accumulating a high proportion of cellular lipids that can be used for biodiesel production. In this study, we examined the broad physiological capabilities of a subtropical strain (C596) of Chlorella sp. “SAG-211-18” including its heterotrophic growth and tolerance to low salt. We found that the alga replicates more slowly at diluted salt concentrations and can grow on a wide range of carbon substrates in the dark. We then sequenced the RNA of Chlorella strain C596 to elucidate key metabolic genes and investigate the transcriptomic response of the organism when transitioning from a nutrient-replete to a nutrient-deficient condition when neutral lipids accumulate. Specific transcripts encoding for enzymes involved in both starch and lipid biosynthesis, among others, were up-regulated as the cultures transitioned into a lipid-accumulating state whereas photosynthesis-related genes were down-regulated. Transcripts encoding for two of the up-regulated enzymes—a galactoglycerolipid lipase and a diacylglyceride acyltransferase—were also monitored by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. The results of these assays confirmed the transcriptome-sequencing data. The present transcriptomic study will assist in the greater understanding, more effective application, and efficient design of Chlorella-based biofuel production systems.