Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epilepsy, employment and the Disability Discrimination Act. Does legislation make a difference?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 confers limited but significant rights on people with disabilities in the United Kingdom. In this article we focus on the protection that the Act offers to people with epilepsy in the sphere of employment. We examine the exempt categories of employment and the extent to which epilepsy qualifies as a disability for statutory purposes. We go on to explore the impact of the new law on the recruitment and employment experience of people with epilepsy. The shortcomings of the legislation are highlighted and improvements, which would benefit people with epilepsy, are recommended. Claims featuring epilepsy, brought under the Act, are analysed to illustrate how the legislation is being interpreted and applied.
Using Transformation and Formation Maps to Study the Role of Air-Sea Heat Fluxes in North Atlantic Eighteen Degree Water Formation

Abstract The Walin water mass framework quantifies the rate at which water is transformed from one temperature class to another by air–sea heat fluxes (transformation). The divergence of the transformation rate yields the rate at which a given temperature range is created or destroyed by air–sea heat fluxes (formation). Walin’s framework provides a precise integral statement at the expense of losing spatial information. In this study the integrand of Walin’s expression to yield transformation and formation maps is plotted and used to study the role of air–sea heat fluxes in the cycle of formation–destruction of the 18° ± 1°C layer in the North Atlantic. Using remotely sensed sea surface temperatures and air–sea heat flux estimates based on both analyzed meteorological fields and ocean data–model syntheses for the 3-yr period from 2004 to 2006, the authors find that Eighteen Degree Water (EDW) is formed by air–sea heat fluxes in the western part of the subtropical gyre, just south of the Gulf Stream. The f.
Developing linguistic literacy: a comprehensive model

This is a position paper modelling the domain of linguistic literacy and its development through the life span. It aims to provide a framework for the analysis of language development in the school years, integrating sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic notions of variation, language awareness, and literacy in a comprehensive model. The paper focuses on those aspects of literacy competence that are expressed in language as well as aspects of linguistic knowledge that are affected by literacy competence, tracing the route that children take in appropriating linguistic literacy as part of their cognitive abilities and examining the effect of literacy on language across development. Our view of linguistic literacy consists of one defining feature: control over linguistic variation from both a user-dependent (‘lectal’) and a context-dependent (modality, genre, and register) perspective; of one concomitant process: metalanguage and its role in language development; and of one condition: familiarity with writing and written language from two aspects: written language as discourse style – the recognition that the kind of language used for writing is essentially different from the one used for speech; and written language as a notational system – the perception and growing command of the representational system that is used in the written modality. Linguistic literacy is viewed as a constituent of language knowledge characterized by the availability of multiple linguistic resources and by the ability to consciously access one's own linguistic knowledge and to view language from various perspectives.
Outsourcing in higher education: an empirical examination

Purpose – To measure the degree of implementation and satisfaction level with the outsourcing initiatives from higher education institutions.Design/methodology/approach – Uses a survey questionnaire to measure the levels of satisfaction with the institutions’ services and the questionnaire was based on six factors that are deemed significant in making a privatization decision. It was tested for validity and was then e‐mailed to a total of 138 presidents and/or vice‐presidents of all private and public schools in the states of Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia in the USA.Findings – It was observed that the vast majority of institutions in all three states surveyed hold on to the concept of outsourcing according to their position in the system. The research shows that the possible motivations for outsourcing are cost savings and budgetary constraints, improvement of quality of services and staffing, lack of capability, safety concerns or liability of service, command from governing bodies, and pressure.
Optimization of Vancomycin Dosing Regimens in Critically Ill Patients : Focus on Early Individualization

Background: Despite the current clinical guideline recommendation, the optimal dosing regimen of intravenous vancomycin remains controversial. Achievement of therapeutic trough early in the course of illness may be beneficial. Objective: Our objective was to assess and validate the effectiveness of first dose adjustment in achieving target recommended goal in critically ill patients. Methods: Twenty critically ill patients with sepsis received loading dose of 25 mg/kg of vancomycin and then randomly assigned to 2 groups. Group 1 received maximum empirical doses of vancomycin as 15 mg/kg every 8 hours for a maximum of 24 hours. In the group 2, the doses were individualized based on serum concentrations of vancomycin. First dose non-steady state sampling was used to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters of the patients within 24 hours. Vancomycin doses were adjusted to achieve AUC=400−600 mg·hr/L and avoiding peak serum concentration higher than 40 mg/L. Results: Significantly more patients in group 2 had a trough higher than 15mg/L in day-3 and day-5, compared with group 1 (P=0.043, P=0.015). Also trough serum concentrations in day-3 SCIENTIFIC COOPERATIONS MEDICAL WORKSHOPS 21-22 July, 2015, Istanbul TURKEY SCIENTIFIC COOPERATIONS MEDICAL WORKSHOPS was significantly higher in group 2 (19.4 ± 4.4) comparing group 1 (14.4 ± 4.3) respectively while it was not statistically significant in day-5 between two groups (12.3 ± 5.6 vs. 17.1 ± 1.8). AUCs in day-3 were significantly higher in group 2 (665.9 ± 136.5) comparing group 1 (490.7 ± 101.1) while it was just marginally higher in day-5 (606.1 ± 76.0 vs. 484.0 ± 130.4). Conclusions:With early individualized dosing (within 48 hours) significantly more patients achieved peak and trough steady state concentrations without additional venous sampling. Also in the context of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic goal of AUC/MIC 400, it seems if pharmacokinetic goal is achievement to trough serum concentration 15 mg/L and AUC 400 mg.hr/L, maximum empirical doses of vancomycin can be used to achieve these goals. However, according to the differences of MIC in various centers, it is necessary to individualize doses of vancomycin in critically ill patients if pharmacokinetic target is to obtain trough serum concentration of vancomycin of 15 mg/L and AUC 600 mg.h/L.
Variable Increased Expression of Program Death-1 and Program Death-1 Ligands on Peripheral Mononuclear Cells Is Not Impaired in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) was shown to deliver an inhibitory signal after binding to its ligands, PD-L1 (B7-H1) or PD-L2 (B7-DC). Recently, up-regulated expression of PD-1 molecule and/or its ligands was demonstrated in human diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory colitis. The study aimed to investigate the expression and function of PD-1 and PD-1 ligands on circulating T cells, B cells and monocytes from patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The results showed that patients with SLE had significantly increased percentages of PD-1-expressing CD3+T cells and CD19+B cells, PD-L1-expressing CD19+B cells and PD-L2-expressing CD14+B monocytes. In selected SLE patients and normal subjects, functional study of PD-1/ PD-1 ligands pathway on the production of cytokines by stimulated PBMC was examined. Blockages of PD-1 or PD-1 ligands substantially increased the production of IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-10, the amplitude of increase roughly ranged from one to three times. There were no significant differences of the enhancing effects on cytokine production by blockage of PD-1/PDL pathway between SLE patients and normal subjects. The study indicates that there are no intrinsically defective expression and function of PD-1 and PD-1 ligands on PBMC in patients with SLE.
Earnings Management in Malaysian IPOs: The East Asian Crisis, Ownership Control and Post-IPO Performance

We find evidence of income-increasing earnings management in Malaysian IPOs, which occurs primarily for IPOs during a period of severe economic stress (the East Asian crisis). Within the high-ownership-concentration Malaysian market, post-IPO control concerns also appear to constrain IPO earnings management: owners seem willing to accept reduced IPO proceeds and signaling opportunities to increase the likelihood of retaining control of the company post-IPO. The requirement to provide a profit guarantee does not seem to greatly affect earnings management. IPO companies engaging in aggressive income-increasing earnings management have significantly worse market-based performance than their more conservative counterparts, but again only for IPOs issued during the economic crisis period. Overall, the results suggest that personal liquidity concerns are an important factor in IPO decisions during the economic crisis.
SiC Varactors for Dynamic Load Modulation of High Power Amplifiers

SiC Schottky diode varactors with a high breakdown voltage, a high tuning ratio, and a low series resistance have been designed and fabricated. These characteristics are particularly necessary for the dynamic load modulation of high power amplifiers (PAs), which is an attractive alternative to other efficiency enhancement techniques. For a SiC Schottky diode varactor with a 50- radius fabricated by using a graded doping profile, a breakdown voltage of 40 V, a tuning range of 5.6, and a series resistance of 0.9 were achieved. The results show the great potential of this type of varactors for the use in the dynamic load modulation of high power amplifiers.
Physical education, sport and hyper-masculinity in schools

Among widening social anxieties about practices and performances of contemporary masculinity are questions about the place of hyper-masculine (contact) sports, such as games of football. Foremost are concerns about some of the values and attitudes that appear to circulate within such contexts. With their historical leaning towards character attributes aligned to hardness, solidarity and stoicism, there is growing pressure on coaches and teachers to manage and mediate the participation of young males in this arena. Against this backdrop, this paper explores some of the tensions that emerge in schools when the codes and mores frequently associated with a hyper-masculine sporting identity are seen to flourish. Foremost here is the emergence of cultures of entitlement, abuse and exclusion. Following the illumination of such cultures across three research narratives, this paper discusses the sorts of reforms that are needed to promote more educative and responsible engagement with hyper-masculine sports in, and beyond, schools.
EFFECT OF VEHICLE AND CRASH FACTORS ON OLDER OCCUPANT INJURY

The 2000 United States Census counted 35 million residents aged 65 years old or older. Projections indicate that this number will increase to 63 million by 2025. This increase is important for those concerned about vehicle safety because older drivers and passengers are vulnerable road users. Much of the previous research concentrates on the role of the aging process on crash involvement among older drivers, but these lines of questioning overlook the fact that vehicle and crash factors may be a significant part of why older occupants suffer higher injury and fatality rates. This paper demonstrates the role that vehicle and crash factors play in explaining differences in injuries across age groups. Important vehicle and crash characteristics include the number of vehicles involved, the body type of the occupant's vehicle as well as body type of the other vehicle in two vehicle crashes, the initial point of impact, and the total change in velocity experienced by the occupants. The types of vehicles driven by the coming older generation, together with higher average speeds and the recent shifts in vehicle mix on the road, are cause for even greater concern for the protection of older occupants. The results demonstrate that variation in the types of crashes and vehicles across age groups is important for explaining injuries. Examination of these factors provides information for consideration of possible regulatory changes needed to protect older drivers and passengers. The results also may be informative to automotive manufacturers who are considering modifications to accommodate older occupants. For the covering abstract see ITRD E825082.
Utilization of Contemporary Literature in Human Behavior and Social Justice Coursework

Social work educators on both the undergraduate and graduate levels are constantly challenged with the need to convey general knowledge and theoretical frameworks concerning social justice and human behavior to students, while helping them to develop empathy and understanding of individuals in specific situations. Although textbooks adequately convey the general and theoretical, they often do not provide comprehensive discussion of the individual situation making it difficult for students to acquire empathy for, and an understanding of, individuals in diverse situations. Thus, educators must find creative methods of engendering not only the necessary breadth of theoretical knowledge, but also an adequate depth of understanding of the individual in his or her unique situation. One innovate educational method of particular relevance to social work educators is the incorporation of contemporary fiction and non-fiction literature into social justice and human behavior courses. The use of contemporary literature facilitates student understanding of the general and theoretical by bringing both to life in the stories told.
Social support and newcomer adjustment in organizations: Attachment theory at work?

Social support has been suggested as important for newcomer adjustment to an organization. The present paper reports a longitudinal study of 91 newcomers to three separate organizations. The effects of availability and helpfulness of 10 sources of social support on newcomers reports of psychological distress, satisfaction, intention to leave, and their supervisors assessment of their performance rating (N of supervisors = 41; n of ratings = 91) were examined. The availability of support activities such as offsite training sessions and business trips were found to be associated with decreased psychological symptoms. Helpfulness of various relationship supports were associated with positive adjustment. These results are discussed within the context of attachment theory and our knowledge of social support in work settings.
Regulation of parasite-induced eosinophilia: selectively increased interleukin 5 production in helminth-infected patients

Production of the eosinophilogenic cytokines interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-5 by mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells was compared between 11 noneosinophilic individuals and seven patients with helminth- induced eosinophilia. Both the kinetics and quantities of IL-3 and GM- CSF were similar in the two groups. In contrast, IL-5 production at both the protein and the mRNA level was markedly greater in the eosinophilic patients, an observation suggesting that IL-5 may be particularly important in mediating the selective eosinophilia seen in filarial and other helminth infections.
A Return to Methodological Commitment: Reflections on Narrative Inquiry

In the 25 years since narrative inquiry emerged as a social science research methodology, it has been rapidly taken up in the social sciences. In what is sometimes called a “narrative revolution,” researchers with diverse understandings have co-opted the concept of narrative inquiry and used narrative inquiry or narrative research to name their methodology. In this paper, we lay out more clearly the ontological and epistemological commitments that underlay the methodological commitments of narrative inquiry. Within narrative inquiry, experience is viewed narratively and necessitates considerations of relational knowing and being, attention to the artistry of and within experience, and sensitivity to the overlapping stories that bring people together in research relationships. Working within the relational three-dimensional narrative inquiry space with dimensions of temporality, sociality, and place, we attend to the living, telling, retelling, and reliving of stories of experience.
beta 2-Microglobulin in clinical medicine.

The production of beta 2-microglobulin in normal subjects is quite constant, about 0.13 mg/h . kg. The catabolism almost exclusively through renal elimination. The protein readily passes the glomerular membrane; subsequently more than 99.9% of the filtered beta 2-microglobulin is reabsorbed and degraded in the proximal tubules, only about 5 micrograms/h of the protein appearing in the final urine. Proximal tubular dysfunction leads to an increased urinary concentration. The serum level of beta 2-microglobulin is determined by the glomerular filtration rate and the rate of synthesis. Increased production, with raised serum levels, is sometimes observed in malignancy--mainly at an advanced state, in conditions with neoplastic proliferation of lymphoid B-cells or in inflammatory disorders connected with an activation of the lymphopoetic system. In body fluids, other than plasma and urine, the content of beta 2-microglobulin seems to often reflect a local production. In this review a presentation of the current status and usefulness of beta 2-microglobulin measurements in clinical medicine is included.
The balance of Id3 and E47 determines neural stem/precursor cell differentiation into astrocytes

Adult neural stem/precursor cells (NSPCs) of the subventricular zone (SVZ) are an endogenous source for neuronal replacement in CNS disease. However, adult neurogenesis is compromised after brain injury in favor of a glial cell fate, which is mainly attributed to changes in the NSPC environment. Yet, it is unknown how this unfavorable extracellular environment translates into a transcriptional program altering NSPC differentiation. Here, we show that genetic depletion of the transcriptional regulator Id3 decreased the number of astrocytes generated from SVZ‐derived adult NSPCs in the cortical lesion area after traumatic brain injury. Cortical brain injury resulted in rapid BMP‐2 and Id3 up‐regulation in the SVZ stem cell niche. Id3−/− adult NSPCs failed to differentiate into BMP‐2‐induced astrocytes, while NSPCs deficient for the Id3‐controlled transcription factor E47 readily differentiated into astrocytes in the absence of BMP‐2. Mechanistically, E47 repressed the expression of several astrocyte‐specific genes in adult NSPCs. These results identify Id3 as the BMP‐2‐induced transcriptional regulator, promoting adult NSPC differentiation into astrocytes upon CNS injury and reveal a molecular link between environmental changes and NSPC differentiation in the CNS after injury.
The broad-range phospholipase C and a metalloprotease mediate listeriolysin O-independent escape of Listeria monocytogenes from a primary vacuole in human epithelial cells

Intracellular growth of Listeria monocytogenes begins after lysis of the primary vacuole formed upon bacterial entry into a host cell. Listeriolysin O (LLO), a pore-forming hemolysin encoded by hly, is essential for vacuolar lysis in most cell types. However, in human epithelial cells, LLO- mutants are capable of growth, suggesting that gene products other than LLO are capable of mediating escape from a vacuole. In this study, we investigated the role of other bacterial gene products in lysis of the primary vacuole in the human epithelial cell line Henle 407. Double internal in-frame deletion mutants were constructed by introducing a mutated hly allele into strains harboring deletions in either of the phospholipase C (PLC)-encoding genes or a metalloprotease-encoding gene. Bacterial escape from the primary vacuole, intracellular growth, and cell-to-cell spread were evaluated in Henle 407 cells. The results indicated that, in the absence of LLO, the broad-range PLC and the metalloprotease were both required for lysis of the primary vacuole in Henle 407 cells. Although phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC was not required, the efficiency of escape was reduced in an LLO phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC double mutant. These observations suggest that the relative importance of LLO, the phospholipases, and the metalloprotease may vary in different cell types or in cells from different species. In addition, these studies provide insight into the mechanisms of action of virulence determinants involved in the lysis of vacuolar membranes.
Quantitative Assessment of the SR Ca2+ Leak-Load Relationship

Abstract— Increased diastolic SR Ca2+ leak (Jleak) could depress contractility in heart failure, but there are conflicting reports regarding the Jleak magnitude even in normal, intact myocytes. We have developed a novel approach to measure SR Ca2+ leak in intact, isolated ventricular myocytes. After stimulation, myocytes were exposed to 0 Na+, 0 Ca2+ solution ±1 mmol/L tetracaine (to block resting leak). Total cell [Ca2+] does not change under these conditions with Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibited. Resting [Ca2+]i declined 25% after tetracaine addition (126±6 versus 94±6 nmol/L;P <0.05). At the same time, SR [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]SRT) increased 20% (93±8 versus 108±6 &mgr;mol/L). From this Ca2+ shift, we calculate Jleak to be 12 &mgr;mol/L per second or 30% of the SR diastolic efflux. The remaining 70% is SR pump unidirectional reverse flux (backflux). The sum of these Ca2+ effluxes is counterbalanced by unidirectional forward Ca2+ pump flux. Jleak also increased nonlinearly with [Ca2+]SRT with a steeper increase at higher load. We conclude that Jleak is 4 to 15 &mgr;mol/L cytosol per second at physiological [Ca2+]SRT. The data suggest that the leak is steeply [Ca2+]SRT-dependent, perhaps because of increased [Ca2+]i sensitivity of the ryanodine receptor at higher [Ca2+]SRT. Key factors that determine [Ca2+]SRT in intact ventricular myocytes include (1) the thermodynamically limited Ca2+ gradient that the SR can develop (which depends on forward flux and backflux through the SR Ca2+ ATPase) and (2) diastolic SR Ca2+ leak (ryanodine receptor mediated).