Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Student Musicians' Personality Styles, Stresses, and Coping Patterns

This study concerns the sources of stress which music students perceive to be most debilitating to them as music students and prospective musicians. Students at three very different kinds of music schools in three geographical areas of the United States were surveyed. The questionnaire used in the survey listed 22 sources of stress which were identified through a review of the literature on the subject and a review of similar instruments. Fifty per cent of the students at the three institutions were randomly selected to receive mailed questionnaires and the 201 respondents represented 35 per cent of the original sample. The 22 identified stressors were rated for severity by the 201 students at the three schools. A rank order of stress sources for each school was derived. In addition to the general undifferen- tiated items labelled "stress" and "burnout" as major stressors, "music progress impatience" was identified as a particularly important source of stress. "Preperformance nervousness" was also ranked high by all groups. "Job insecurity" and "musical versus personal life conflicts" were also high, especially at specific schools. Ninety-six per cent of the students sought help with their music-related stresses. However, these sources of support were informal and not professional. Friends were most often the support net- work. Formal counselling was seen as a last resort. However, a majority indicated that they would seek the counsel of "specialised" counsellors with knowledge of the music profession and the ability to relate to the unique problems of music students. The question remains as to whether faculty and administrators of music education programmes will recognise and alter undue stressors created for students by the programmes themselves, especi- ally those related to conflicts between the programme and outside work and personal concerns.
Analysis of overridden alerts in a drug-drug interaction detection system.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the relevance of the signals generated by a computerized drug-drug interaction detection system and to design a classification of overridden drug-drug interaction alerts. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study over two months. SETTING Five hundred and ten-bed university paediatric hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES In Robert Debré Hospital physicians generate drug orders online using a computerized physician order entry system that also detects drug-drug interactions in real time. We analysed the relevance of a sample of alerts overridden by physicians. RESULTS We analysed a sample of 613 overridden alerts. We defined three categories of overridden alerts: informational errors (35); system errors (244) and accurate alerts (334). Two reasons account for 40% of false-positive alerts: an inability of the system to recognize real conflicts between drug treatments and guidelines stating that the two drugs can be used together, because the benefit outweighs the risk of side effects due to the drug-drug interaction. CONCLUSIONS We created a classification of overridden alerts, in the context of computerized physician order entry system coupled with a drug-drug interaction detection system. There is clearly room for improvement in the development of drug-drug interaction software. This classification should make it possible to break this work down into smaller tasks, making it possible to decrease the sensitivity to background noise of drug-drug interaction detection systems.
Small languages and school: the case of Catalonia and the Basque Country

Abstract From a legal and institutional point of view, the current situation of the various languages in Spain has a dual basis: the recognition of the country's multilingual and multicultural character in the Spanish Constitution, and the country's organization into autonomous communities. Such a constitutional framework has made it possible for bilingual education to develop remarkably during the last twenty years in Spain. The fact that the autonomous communities have languages of their own and have exclusive authority over education has generated an important number of bilingual educational programs. Therefore, it may be said that, unlike other territories, both Catalonia and the Basque Country organize their education on the basis of bilingual-education criteria. In the light of these facts, we analyze the legal basis and the social context in which minority languages are dealt with in the curriculum. Special emphasis is placed on the Catalan and Basque cases. The steps undertaken are assessed and some challenges for the future are put forward.
For the Many or the Few: The Initiative, Public Policy, and American Democracy

For the Many or the Few: The Initiative, Public Policy, and American Democracy. By John G. Matsusaka. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2004. 206p. $29.00. In the most recent wave of initiative use in the American states, citizens have passed an eclectic range of ballot measures. Voters have banned gay marriage, punished negligent doctors, prohibited the confinement of pregnant pigs, limited the taxation and spending powers of state governments, funded stem cell research, and ended affirmative action. Critics of the process claim that this plebiscitary system is out of control, with special interests dominating the process and threatening democratic governance. Defenders, in contrast, claim that ballot measure outcomes reflect the will of the people and are certainly more representative of public opinion than legislative bodies.
Saudi Arabian educational history: impacts on English language teaching

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the history of education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its impact on modern teaching practices. It explores the relationship between traditional practices, teacher identity and English language teaching within an increasingly complex context.Design/methodology/approach – The authors undertake a critical review of education in Saudi Arabia utilising critical reflexivity and their local social knowledge as a means of interrogating practice, research of the field, and related texts.Findings – The paper indicates a direct link between historical teaching practices in early Saudi Arabia and the current teaching of English. It suggests the concept of “hybridity” as one way for local English teachers to construct identities that meet the contextual challenges.Practical implications – This paper has implications both locally and internationally. It provides insight into teaching practices preferred by teachers and students in an Arabian context. Th.
Antenatal screening

Editor—McFayden et al stated that first trimester ultrasound screening “should include the accurate presentation of all available information before screening to ensure that consent is truly informed. ”1 In 1997 we evaluated the content and readability of the leaflets used in 14 centres offering first trimester nuchal translucency screening using a number of predefined variables.2 Only one of the leaflets met all of the criteria deemed necessary for an informed choice to be made. Thirteen of the leaflets indicated that ultrasound scanning was used to screen for Down’s syndrome and chromosomal abnormalities, although only two leaflets gave any description of the syndrome, and this was limited to “mental handicap. ” Few of the leaflets gave information on the sensitivity or specificity of the test, or on interpreting results. Eight mentioned diagnostic testing, and two referred to the option of termination. Nine leaflets explained that nuchal translucency screening was separate from other elements of the early pregnancy scan, and four leaflets indicated that written consent was required. The content and readability of the leaflets used to inform women of the aims and limitations of screening for nuchal translucency varied widely but the majority could be considered as failing to meet the criteria for informed choice. Even under conditions of informed choice, however, uptake of ultrasound screening is markedly above that which would be expected for other prenatal screening tests. This high uptake has been attributed to expectant couples’ overwhelming desire to “see the baby. ”3 Since the first centre was accredited by the Fetal Medicine Foundation (a charity established to provide training and audit of first trimester ultrasound screening) in 1993, uptake of nuchal translucency screening has fallen from 96.9% to 86.6% of all women having ultrasound screening (R Snijders, personal communication). This decline shows that offering the option of “selective consent” has the potential to overcome the previously reported high uptake of ultrasound screening. Selective consent can be easily accommodated by the early pregnancy scan because its pregnancy monitoring functions (assessing gestation and viability, and identifying multiple pregnancies) are distinct from its screening functions. Therefore, couples who wish to decline screening for chromosomal abnormalities do not have to forgo “seeing the baby” or accurately dating the pregnancy. The data suggest that an increasing, albeit small, percentage of women who have ultrasound scans are making an informed choice to selectively decline screening for chromosomal abnormalities. It may be that the way forward in facilitating informed choice for ultrasound screening is to separate “scanning” (to monitor the pregnancy) from “screening” (for fetal abnormality).
Effect of Physical Activity on Functional Performance and Knee Pain in Patients With Osteoarthritis: Analysis With Marginal Structural Models

Background: A previous analysis of the Osteoarthritis Initiative study reported a dose-response relationship between physical activity and improved physical function in adults with knee osteoarthritis, using conventional statistical methods. These methods are subject to bias when confounders are affected by prior exposure. Methods: We used baseline and 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative study of 2545 US adults with knee osteoarthritis recruited between 2004 and 2006 from 4 clinical sites. Physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, and outcomes were functional performance measured by the timed 20-meter walk test and self-reported knee pain measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. We estimated the effect of physical activity on each outcome using inverse probability-weighted (IPW) estimators of marginal structural models. For each outcome, we fitted 2 separate IPW models adjusting for concurrent or lagged confounders. Results: The mean differences in walking speed for the second, third, and fourth quartiles of physical activity relative to the first were 0.48 (95% confidence interval = −0.12 to 1.08), 0.45 (−0.23 to 1.13), and 0.46 (−0.29 to 1.22) meters/min based on the IPW model adjusting for concurrent confounders. When adjusting for lagged confounders, the results were 1.35 (0.64 to 2.07), 1.33 (0.54 to 2.14), and 1.26 (0.40 to 2.12). Both IPW models indicated that physical activity did not affect knee pain. Conclusions: Physical activity has no effect on knee pain and may have either a very small effect or no effect on functional performance in adults with knee osteoarthritis.
Effects of pectin on diarrhea in critically ill tube-fed patients receiving antibiotics.

BACKGROUND Anaerobic colonic flora are necessary for the fermentation of fiber into short-chain fatty acids and constitute the bulk of fecal mass. Lack of dietary fiber in most enteral feedings, compounded by antibiotic therapy, suppresses normal colonic metabolism, resulting in diarrhea. Pectin, a water-soluble fiber, stimulates epithelial growth in the colon and thus reduces diarrhea. METHODS Forty-four critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition and antibiotic therapy were randomized to receive fiber-containing or fiber-free tube feedings and pectin or placebo. Data on frequency, consistency, and volume of fecal output; energy (caloric) intake; and administration of specific medications were collected for 9 days. Diarrhea was defined as 2 or more days with scores of 12 or higher on the Hart and Dobb diarrhea scale. RESULTS Subjects in the 4 groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, severity of illness, or energy intake. Twelve subjects (27.3%) experienced diarrhea. Significantly fewer subjects in the fiber-free/placebo and fiber/pectin groups experienced diarrhea than did subjects in the fiber/placebo group (P = .02). On the basis of repeated-measures analysis of variance of daily mean scores, the severity of diarrhea did not differ significantly among the study groups over time (P = .16). CONCLUSIONS The reduced rate of diarrhea found in this study may be related to the stringent definition of diarrhea used. The therapeutic dose of pectin for reducing diarrhea needs further exploration. The trend was toward less diarrhea in the fiber/pectin group, but the study needs to be replicated with a larger sample.
Comparison of the clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy and hepaticogastrostomy for bile duct obstruction with duodenal obstruction

Background and study aim: To date, only a few reports with small numbers of patients have described double stenting (biliary and duodenal), in particular endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage, for patients with obstructive jaundice. In addition, no reports have sought to determine which EUS-guided biliary drainage route has better outcomes. The aim of the current study was to investigate adverse events and stent patency in patients who underwent EUS-guided biliary drainage and duodenal stenting. Patients and methods: Patients who were admitted to the Osaka Medical College with obstructive jaundice caused by lower biliary obstruction and duodenal obstruction due to malignant tumor between June 2012 and April 2014 were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Results: A total of 39 patients were enrolled in the study; 13 underwent EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS), and 26 underwent EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS). Adjusted analyses for covariates using propensity scores showed that the EUS-HGS group had significantly longer stent patency than the EUS-CDS group (duodenal stent patency: median 113 vs. 34 days; hazard ratio [HR] 0.415, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.175 – 0.984; P = 0.046; biliary stent patency: median 133 vs. 37 days; HR 0.391, 95 %CI 0.156 – 0.981; P = 0.045). On logistic regression analysis, only EUS-CDS was associated with adverse events, in particular reflux cholangitis (OR 10.285, 95 %CI 1.686 – 62.733; P = 0.012). Conclusion: In cases of obstructive jaundice with duodenal obstruction, EUS-HGS may be better than EUS-CDS, with longer stent patency and fewer adverse events.
SKILLS GAPS, NOT TESTS, MAKE RACIAL PROPORTIONALITY IMPOSSIBLE

Recent bans on racial preferences in some states have increased the political pressure to abandon cognitive testing to raise rates of minority hiring and college admissions. However, general skills gaps, not tests, are the major remaining impediment to racial parity in outcomes. Data on the size, stability, and functional importance of racial gaps in cognitive skills show the futility of seeking racial parity without first closing skills gaps. Lowering mental standards for Blacks alone (double standards) or for all races (low common standards) far enough to produce Black-White parity in educational and occupational outcomes would lead to performance problems so conspicuous and so severe as to force a reversal of that effort to achieve proportionality. There is widespread reluctance to acknowledge that racial skills gaps are a serious national problem, but confronting them energetically offers the most hope.
Segmentation of three-dimensional images using non-rigid registration: methods and validation with application to confocal microscopy images of bee brains

This paper describes the application and validation of automatic segmentation of three-dimensional images by non-rigid registration to atlas images. The registration-based segmentation technique is applied to confocal microscopy images acquired from the brains of 20 bees. Each microscopy image is registered to an already segmented reference atlas image using an intensity-based non-rigid image registration algorithm. This paper evaluates and compares four different approaches: registration to an individual atlas image (IND), registration to an average shape atlas image (AVG), registration to the most similar image from a database of individual atlas images (SIM), and registration to all images from a database of individual atlas images with subsequent fuzzy segmentation (FUZ). For each strategy, the segmentation performance of the algorithm was quantified using both a global segmentation correctness measure and the similarity index. Manual segmentation of all microscopy images served as a gold standard. The best segmentation result (median correctness 91 percent of all voxels) was achieved using the FUZ paradigm. Robustness was also the best for this strategy (minimum correctness over all individuals 84 percent). The mean similarity index value of segmentations produced by the FUZ paradigm is 0.86 (IND, 0.81; AVG, 0.84; SIM, 0.82). The superiority of the FUZ paradigm is statistically significant (two-sided paired t-test, P<0.001).
Seeing the Full Picture? Technologically Enabled Multi-Agency Working in Health and Social Care

The implementation of local e-government in England touched all public services and affected front-line workers across local authorities and partner agencies. Professional ‘cultures’ are invoked rhetorically as barriers to the translation of this policy into practice. We propose that the concept of ‘street-level bureaucrats’ offers a more nuanced and grounded framework to think about local responses to centrally driven change.
Software Effort Estimation and Conclusion Stability

This paper revisits the conclusion instability problem identified by Kitchenham, Foss, Myrtveit et.al.; i.e. conclusions regarding which software effort estimation method is “best” is highly contingent on (1) the evaluation criteria and (2) the subset of the data used in the evaluation. Using non-parametric methods (the Mann-Whitney U test), we show how to avoid conclusion instability. This paper reports a study that ranked 158 effort estimation methods via three different evaluation criteria and hundreds of different randomly selected subsets. The same four methods were ranked higher than the other 154 methods regardless of which evaluation criteria or data subset was applied. Hence, we recommend non-parametric evaluation to evaluate and prune effort estimation methods. More specifically, when learning effort estimators from COCOMO-style data, we find that manual stratification defeats many complex algorithmic methods. However, we can do better than manual stratification by augmenting Boehm’s local calibration method with simple linear-time row and column pruning pre-processors. We also advise against model trees, linear regression, exponential time feature subset selection, and (unless the data is sparse) methods that average the estimates of nearest neighbors. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to offer stable conclusions regarding effort estimation across such a wide range of methods.
AIDS-related knowledge and sexual behaviour among married and previously married persons in rural central Mozambique

HIV prevalence in central Mozambique is the highest in the country with high urban rates impacting on the rural areas. To identify potential factors influencing the spread of HIV in three sparsely populated districts in southern Sofala province, 847 married and previously married persons were surveyed for their knowledge, practices and beliefs regarding HIV/AIDS and STIs. 21.9% and 6.5% of males and females, respectively, were engaged in casual sexual partnerships in the past year. Being male, married, educated, and having genital discharge and ulcers in the last year were significantly associated with risky sexual activity. Risky behaviour was significantly associated with being Catholic or Protestant when compared with those from Zionist churches. Knowledge of ABC prevention strategies and condom usage was significantly associated with being male, married, having an STI in the past year, and being educated, particularly at the secondary level (Grade 8+). Attitudes and behaviour were influenced by cultural and religious involvement, as well as sex and marital status. It is imperative that prevention strategies take into account the cultural, economic and religious conditions present in rural African settings to create HIV prevention programmes that are culturally relevant and acceptable to the participants.
Toward a More Useful Conceptualization of Populism: Types and Degrees of Populist Appeals in the Case of Slovakia

Shifting our understanding of populism from a question of core identity to a description of party appeals allows for a neutralization of the term’s negative connotations by allowing that all parties may use populist appeals to some extent. It is then possible to address a party’s use of populist appeals by measuring its distinctly nonpopulist appeals, which are usually less bound up with normative judgments. Although the preliminary analysis of Slovakia shows a relatively close empirical fit among the theoretical elements in the existing literature, two categories of populist appeals are identified: the outward-looking appeals that vary strongly with a party’s relationship to power, and inward-looking appeals that remain more stable over time. Use of these by politicians may offer clues to the origination, attractiveness, and longevity of populist and nonpopulist appeals.
Validation of Suitable Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Data in Achyranthes bidentata Blume under Different Experimental Conditions

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a sensitive technique for gene expression studies. However, choosing the appropriate reference gene is essential to obtain reliable results for RT-qPCR assays. In the present work, the expression of eight candidate reference genes, EF1-α (elongation factor 1-α), GAPDH (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase), UBC (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), UBQ (polyubiquitin), ACT (actin), β-TUB (β-tubulin), APT1 (adenine phosphoribosyltransferase 1), and 18S rRNA (18S ribosomal RNA), was evaluated in Achyranthes bidentata samples using two algorithms, geNorm and NormFinder. The samples were classified into groups according to developmental stages, various tissues, stresses (cold, heat, drought, NaCl), and hormone treatments (MeJA, IBA, SA). Suitable combination of reference genes for RT-qPCR normalization should be applied according to different experimental conditions. In this study, EF1-α, UBC, and ACT genes were verified as the suitable reference genes across all tested samples. To validate the suitability of the reference genes, we evaluated the relative expression of CAS, which is a gene that may be involved in phytosterol synthesis. Our results provide the foundation for gene expression analysis in A. bidentata and other species of Amaranthaceae.