Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Neuromuscular Effects and Tracheal Intubation Conditions After Small Doses of Succinylcholine

Succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg usually produces excellent tracheal intubation conditions in 60 s. Recovery of respiratory muscle function after this dose, however, is not fast enough to forestall oxyhemoglobin desaturation when ventilation cannot be assisted. In this study, we investigated whether smaller doses of succinylcholine can produce satisfactory intubation conditions fast enough to allow rapid sequence induction with a shorter recovery time. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl/propofol and maintained by propofol infusion and N2O in O2. After the induction, 115 patients were randomly allocated to five groups according to the dose of succinylcholine (0.3 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 0.6 mg/kg, or 1.0 mg/kg). Evoked adductor pollicis responses to continuous 1-Hz supramaximal ulnar nerve stimulation were recorded using acceleromyography. Tracheal intubation conditions were graded 60 s after succinylcholine administration. Onset time, maximal twitch depression, time to initial twitch detection after paralysis, and to 10%, 25%, 50%, and 90% twitch height recovery were recorded. Time to initial diaphragmatic movement as well as time to resumption of regular spontaneous respiratory movements were calculated. Onset times ranged between 82 s and 52 s, decreasing with increasing doses of succinylcholine but not differing between 0.6 and 1 mg/kg. Maximum twitch depression was similar after 0.5, 0.6, and 1 mg/kg (98.2%–100%). Recoveries of twitch height and apnea time were dose-dependent. Intubation conditions were often unacceptable after 0.3- and 0.4-mg/kg doses. Acceptable intubation conditions were achieved in all patients receiving a 0.5, 0.6, and 1 mg/kg dose of succinylcholine. Intubation conditions in patients receiving 0.6 and 1 mg/kg were identical, whereas times to T1 = 50% and 90% and time to regular spontaneous reservoir bag movements were significantly shorter in the 0.6-mg/kg dose group (5.78, 7.25, and 4.0 min, respectively) versus patients receiving 1 mg/kg (8.55, 10.54, and 6.16 min, respectively). The use of 0.5 to 0.6 mg/kg of succinylcholine can produce acceptable intubation conditions 60 s after administration. The conditions achieved after 0.6 mg/kg are similar to those after 1.0 mg/kg. These smaller doses are associated with faster twitch recovery and shorter apnea time.
Drug Trafficking and Ethnic Minorities in Western Europe

Popular media as well as law enforcement agencies throughout Europe routinely identify members of ethnic minorities, and recent migrants in particular, as responsible for selling a large proportion of the illegal drugs that are consumed in Europe. Examination of the existing and modest research literature, as well as a careful reading of the official data, does indeed indicate that certain sectors of the drug market are dominated by a small number of specific immigrant groups. Turkish and Albanian ethnic groups largely control the importation, high-level trafficking and open-air retailing of heroin; Colombian groups dominate the importation of cocaine. However, there are other major sectors of the drug market, notably those for cannabis and synthetic drugs, in which native populations seem to be more important. We offer an explanation for this configuration in terms of the advantages conferred on specific immigrant groups by tighter connections to source and transhipment countries as well as by the lesser ability of police to gain cooperation within those immigrants' communities in the consuming countries.
Measuring Group Climate in a German Youth Prison: A German Validation of the Prison Group Climate Instrument

The Prison Group Climate Instrument (PGCI) was developed to investigate group climate quality in forensic psychiatric institutions and secure residential treatment facilities for delinquent juveniles. The present study examined construct validity, convergent validity, and reliability of the German version of the PGCI. A confirmatory factor analysis with four first-order factors—“support,” “growth,” “group atmosphere,” and “repression”—and “overall group climate” as a second-order factor showed a good fit to the data and indicated construct validity of the German version of the PGCI. Preliminary support was found for convergent validity. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients were sufficient for all scales. The instrument can be used to improve service quality and gives inmates a voice.
Responsibility and nanotechnology

In this paper we argue that the concept and practice of responsibility is being transformed within science and engineering. It tells the story of attempts by nanotechnologists to make responsibility ‘do-able’ and calculable in a setting where the established language and tools of risk and risk analysis are seen as inadequate. The research is based on ethnographic participant-observation at the National Science Foundation-funded Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) at Rice University in Texas, during the period 2003 to 2007, including the controversies and public discussions it was engaged in and the creation of the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON). CBEN began as a project to study ‘applications’ of nanotechnology to environmental and biological systems, but turned immediately to the study of ‘implications’ to biology and environment. We argue here that the notion of ‘implications’ and the language of risk employed early on addressed two separate but entangled ideas: the risks that nanomaterials pose to biology and environment, and the risks that research on this area poses to the health of nanotechnology itself. Practitioners at CBEN sought ways to accept responsibility both as scientists with a duty to protect science (from the public, from defunding, from ‘backlash’) and as citizens with a responsibility to protect the environment and biology through scientific research. Ultimately, the language of risk has failed, and in its place ideas about responsibility, prudence, and accountability for the future have emerged, along with new questions about the proper venues and ‘modes of veridiction’ by which claims about safety or responsibility might be scientifically adjudicated.
Weight regain after slimming induced by an energy-restricted diet depends on interleukin-6 and peroxisome-proliferator-activated-receptor-γ2 gene polymorphisms

Weight-loss maintenance after following an energy-restricted diet is a major problem that a number of studies are trying to characterise. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of IL-6 -174G > C and PPAR-γ2 Pro12Ala variants on weight regulation in obese subjects receiving a low-energy diet and at 1 year after the acute slimming period. Sixty-seven volunteers (age 34·7 (sd 7·0) years; BMI 35·8 (sd 4·8) kg/m2) were enrolled in a 10-week dietary intervention and were contacted again 1 year after the end of this period. Body composition was measured at three times during the study. Also, PPAR-γ2 Pro12Ala and IL-6 -174G > C polymorphisms were analysed in the participants. No statistical differences were observed depending on the genetic variants at baseline for anthropometric variables, or after the intervention. However, the C allele of the -174G > C IL-6 gene polymorphism was more frequently observed (P=0·032) in subjects with successful weight maintenance (<10 % weight regain). In fact, the C allele partially protected against weight regain (odds ratio 0·24; P=0·049), while the conjoint presence of both gene variants (C+ and Ala+) further improved the ability for weight maintenance (odds ratio 0·19; P=0·043). The present study demonstrates that the C allele of the -174G > C polymorphism gives protection against regain of weight lost. Moreover, the presence of the Ala allele of the PPARγ-2 together with the C allele strengthens this protection. These findings support a role for these polymorphisms on weight regulation and suggest a synergetic effect of both variants on weight maintenance after following a diet to lose weight.
A survey of health care practitioners’ knowledge of the QT interval

OBJECTIVE: To assess health care practitioners’ ability to correctly measure the QT interval, and to identify factors and medications that may increase the risk of QT-interval prolongation and torsades de pointes.DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of a survey administered between April 2002 and March 2003.PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Health care practitioners attending Grand Rounds Conferences at 6 academic institutions in the United States in internal medicine and psychiatry and at 6 community hospitals in the same geographical areas as the academic institutions.INTERVENTION: Anonymous, self-administered questionnaire that included 20 questions on the QT interval.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of approximately 826 attendees, 517 (63%) completed the survey. Of about 608 attendees of internal medicine conferences, 371 (61%) responded, and of about 208 attendees of psychiatry conferences, 146 (67%) responded. Of a total number of 20 questions, the median number of correct answers for the whole group was 10 (interquartile range 7–13). The median number of correct answers for internists was 12 (interquartile range 9–13), for psychiatrists 10 (interquartile range 7–13), and for other specialists 10 (interquartile range 5–13). Respondents who graduated between 1990 and 1999 and academicians performed significantly better overall than other respondents. Of the 517 respondents, 224 (43%) measured the QT interval correctly. Physicians in training and academicians were more likely to measure the QT interval correctly.CONCLUSION: The majority of health care practitioners cannot correctly measure the QT interval and cannot correctly identify factors and medications that can prolong the QT interval. Our findings suggest that greater attention to the QT interval is warranted to ensure safer use of QT prolonging medications.
Selected Topics in Peritoneal Pathology

This essay considers selected peritoneal lesions many of which were the subject of studies coauthored by Dr Robert E. Scully. His article on multilocular peritoneal inclusion cysts has largely led to these lesions being considered non-neoplastic, eschewing the term cystic mesothelioma. These cysts are often associated with reactive mural mesothelial proliferations that can potentially lead to a misdiagnosis of mesothelioma. Clinical findings, such as a common association with endometriosis or prior operations, can prompt consideration of a reactive lesion. Mesothelial hyperplasia may be difficult to distinguish, when florid, from mesothelioma but a variety of gross and microscopic features will aid their recognition. Nodular peritoneal aggregates of histiocytes (sometimes admixed with mesothelial cells) may occasionally be a striking finding that can be misdiagnosed as a metastasis if the patient has a known neoplasm. Appreciation of their bland nuclear features and histiocytic nature, confirmed by immunohistochemical markers, facilitate the diagnosis. Various forms of peritonitis are briefly considered including sclerosing peritonitis, a process sometimes associated with luteinized thecomas (thecomatosis) of the ovaries, an entity first appreciated by Dr Scully. Mesotheliomas are briefly reviewed emphasizing the caution that should be used in applying the designation “well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma. ” Many interpret the latter as benign, but multifocal lesions must be thoroughly examined histologically because of potential overlapping features with malignant mesothelioma. The morphologic spectrum of malignant mesothelioma and its usually straightforward distinction from müllerian neoplasms is considered, as is its occasional presentation as a dominant ovarian mass. The spectrum of low-grade serous peritoneal neoplasms including the “psammocarcinoma” is reviewed. Finally, various benign müllerian lesions, particularly endometriosis and endosalpingiosis, may be conspicuous in peritoneal specimens and sometimes are grossly striking. The usual presence of benign endometrioid epithelium and stroma should facilitate the correct diagnosis of endometriosis, but in cases in which the stroma is atrophic or the sole component (stromal endometriosis), diagnostic problems may arise.
Planification stratégique rationnelle et performance de l’entreprise : une étude internationale

L’etude du lien entre la planification strategique rationnelle et la performance a occupe une place importante dans la recherche en management strategique durant ces quatre dernieres decennies. Bien qu’une litterature abondante suggere une relation positive, plusieurs auteurs defendent la these inverse. Cet article contribue a ce debat important aussi bien pour les chercheurs que pour les managers en accordant une importance particuliere a l’operationnalisation des notions de planification strategique rationnelle et de performance. Une etude empirique quantitative internationale conduite aupres d’entreprises europeennes, nord-americaines, asiatiques, du Moyen-Orient revele l’existence d’une association positive entre la planification strategique rationnelle et la performance.
The New Media and Older Adults

This article discusses the potential impact of new media on older adults. It outlines trends in population aging and in the use of computers and the Internet. The potential demands of new media on older adults are characterized, and physical and psychological changes in older adults that may affect new media use are briefly reviewed. Finally, the article provides design suggestions that may help attenuate the effects of aging on access to new media.
The Formulation and Atmospheric Simulation of the Community Atmosphere Model Version 3 (CAM3)

Abstract A new version of the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) has been developed and released to the climate community. CAM Version 3 (CAM3) is an atmospheric general circulation model that includes the Community Land Model (CLM3), an optional slab ocean model, and a thermodynamic sea ice model. The dynamics and physics in CAM3 have been changed substantially compared to implementations in previous versions. CAM3 includes options for Eulerian spectral, semi-Lagrangian, and finite-volume formulations of the dynamical equations. It supports coupled simulations using either finite-volume or Eulerian dynamics through an explicit set of adjustable parameters governing the model time step, cloud parameterizations, and condensation processes. The model includes major modifications to the parameterizations of moist processes, radiation processes, and aerosols. These changes have improved several aspects of the simulated climate, including more realistic tropical tropopause temperatures, boreal winter land surfac.
Bisexuality, Quality of Life, Lifestyle, and Health Indicators

Abstract This study compared male (M) and female (F) homosexual (HOM) and heterosexual (HET) sexual orientation behavior (SORB) groups to bisexuals (BI) on demographic, social background, quality of life, lifestyle, and health variables in a series of seven national probability samples between the years 1988 and 1996. Sexual orientation was assessed behaviorally for two time periods using by respondents' report of the gender of their sexual partners since they were age 18 and in the last 12 months. Data for 11,536 interviews were collected by the National Opinion Research Center. Differences among SORB groups were minimal.
‘Lost solidarity’ or ‘changed solidarity’: a comparative European view of normative family solidarity

This paper discusses filial norms, personal preferences for care, and policy opinions about the proper role of the family and the welfare state in elder care, by drawing from a comparative study of urban populations in Norway, England, Germany, Spain and Israel. Support for filial norms has a north-south dimension in Europe, and is highest in Spain and Israel and lowest – but still substantial – in Norway, England and Germany. National differences in preferences and policy opinions are more substantial, and more or less congruent with national family and social policy traditions. Filial solidarity is, however, not incompatible with generous welfare state arrangements, nor do filial obligations necessarily imply that the family is seen as the ‘natural’ care provider. In fact, many in the countries with the highest scores for filial responsibility still find the welfare state to be the main source of care provision. Normative familism is correlated with expressed familism in individuals' preferences and in policy opinions, but the correlations are weak, implying that while filial solidarity may be resilient, as circumstances alter its expressions change.
Optimal control for maximizing link velocity of visco-elastic joints

Designing intrinsically elastic robots recently attracted significant attention. Inspired by the elasticity in biological muscles, these designs aim at enabling robots to imitate human or animal motions during various tasks such as hopping, running, etc. In particular, reaching peak velocities, using the stored energy in the according elasticities, is of great interest. Applying optimal control theory, we investigate the problem of maximizing link velocity for visco-elastic joints. The main contribution of the paper is thus isolating the effects of mechanical joint damping on the optimal control policy.
The Use of Authentic Texts with Postgraduate Students

Current language teaching pedagogy seems to give a lot of weight to the use of authentic materials. This article describes how a group of bilingual postgraduate students were assisted in improving their writing skills in English by means of a pedagogical approach that utilized a wide variety of texts published online. It discusses the methodology used as part of this approach and the outcomes of the action research study it formed part of. Despite its limitations, to a large extent this small-scale study confirms the idea that the use of authentic texts in ELT can prove beneficial, especially if students are empowered to choose the texts they would like to base their learning on.
The Aphasia Quotient: The Taxonomic Approach to Measurement of Aphasic Disability

SUMMARY 150 aphasiacs and 59 controls were examined with a scorable, comprehensive battery, designed to be used by the clinician and the research worker. The subtests of Fluency, Information, Comprehension, Repetition and Naming were added and compared to a hypothetical normal of 100 obtaining the “aphasia Quotient. ” This is a measurement of the severity of language impairment. On the basis of their performance on the subtests, the patients were classified according to taxonomic principles into Global, Motor (Broca’s), Isolation, Sensory (Wernicke’s), Transcortical Motor, Transcortical Sensory, Conduction and Anomic groups (in order of severity). This classification is considered a clinically valid baseline for research, diagnosis and prognosis.
Examination of the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory and Initial Validation of a Positive Scale

Abstract The Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory (CMDI) was developed to improve accuracy in measuring depression symptoms in individuals with non-psychiatric medical illness. Earlier psychometric evaluation of the CMDI has emphasized properties of items that measure negative affect and experience. In this study, we provide an initial evaluation of an outcome scale of positive items that are also included within the CMDI but have previously been excluded from calculation of the total score. Psychometric data for the CMDI negative and positive item subscales were determined in healthy adults and patients with multiple sclerosis. Analysis included measurements of factor structure, reliability, and validity in comparison with other established measures of depression and affect. Study findings indicate that in healthy and patient samples, the CMDI Positive scale has very good reliability and validity. The Positive scale score also appears to predict depression symptoms beyond the negative item scale scores. The CMDI Positive scale could be a valuable clinical and research tool. Inclusion of the Positive scale in the CMDI total score appears to improve the measure by further capturing symptoms of affect and experience that are important to diagnosis of depression and are not covered by the negative scales alone. (JINS, 2016, 22, 76–82)
Multienvironment Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis for Photosynthate Acquisition, Accumulation, and Remobilization Traits in Common Bean Under Drought Stress

Many of the world’s common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) growing regions are prone to either intermittent or terminal drought stress, making drought the primary cause of yield loss under farmers’ field conditions. Improved photosynthate acquisition, accumulation, and then remobilization have been observed as important mechanisms for adaptation to drought stress. The objective of this study was to tag quantitative trait loci (QTL) for photosynthate acquisition, accumulation, and remobilization to grain by using a recombinant inbred line population developed from the Mesoamerican intragenepool cross of drought-susceptible DOR364 and drought-tolerant BAT477 grown under eight environments differing in drought stress across two continents: Africa and South America. The recombinant inbred line population expressed quantitative variation and transgressive segregation for 11 traits associated with drought tolerance. QTL were detected by both a mixed multienvironment model and by composite interval mapping for each environment using a linkage map constructed with 165 genetic markers that covered 11 linkage groups of the common bean genome. In the multienvironment, mixed model, nine QTL were detected for 10 drought stress tolerance mechanism traits found on six of the 11 linkage groups. Significant QTL × environment interaction was observed for six of the nine QTL. QTL × environment interaction was of the cross-over type for three of the six significant QTL with contrasting effect of the parental alleles across different environments. In the composite interval mapping, we found 69 QTL in total. The majority of these were found for Palmira (47) or Awassa (18), with fewer in Malawi (4). Phenotypic variation explained by QTL in single environments ranged up to 37%, and the most consistent QTL were for Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) leaf chlorophyll reading and pod partitioning traits. QTL alignment between the two detection methods showed that yield QTL on b08 and stem carbohydrate QTL on b05 were most consistent between the multilocation model and the single environment detection. Our results indicate the relevance of QTL detection in the sites in which bean breeding will be undertaken and the importance of photosynthate accumulation as a trait for common bean drought tolerance.
Romantic Beliefs: Their Influence on Relationships and Patterns of Change Over Time

The romantic ideology is a pervasive construct in Western culture, but we know relatively little about how it influences the unfolding of particular relationships. One purpose of this investigation was to examine how romantic beliefs are related to love for partner, other positive feelings in the relationship, and the stability of the relationship. A second purpose was to examine how romantic beliefs change with the passage of time and with relationship transitions. Longitudinal data from a sample of romantic couples were analyzed to examine these issues. At Time 1, romantic beliefs (Romantic Beliefs Scale) were associated positively with love, satisfaction, and commitment. However, very little evidence was found that romantic beliefs contributed to a change in these feelings over time. Furthermore, partners' romanticism scores were not predictive of whether the relationship lasted or broke up over the 4 years of the study. Participants' scores on the romanticism scale tended to decrease over time, although couples who became engaged during the study did not experience a decrease (or an increase) in their romanticism during the transition. Couples who broke up during the study experienced a substantial decrease in their endorsement of romantic beliefs from before to after the breakup.