Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal Age of Menarche and Blood Pressure in Adolescence: Evidence from Hong Kong’s “Children of 1997” Birth Cohort

Background Age of puberty has declined substantially in developed settings and is now declining in the rest of the world with economic development. Early age of puberty is associated with non-communicable diseases in adulthood, and may be a long-term driver of population health with effects over generations. In a non-Western setting, we examined the association of maternal age of menarche with blood pressure in late childhood/adolescence. Methods We used generalised estimating equations to estimate the adjusted association of maternal age of menarche with age-, sex- and height-adjusted blood pressure z-score from 10 to 16 years in Hong Kong’s population-representative birth cohort, “Children of 1997” (n = 8327). We also assessed whether associations were mediated by body mass index (BMI) or pubertal stage. Results Earlier maternal age of menarche was associated with higher systolic blood pressure in adolescence [-0.02 z-score per year older maternal age of menarche, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.04 to -0.003]. The association of maternal age of menarche with systolic blood pressure was mediated by adiposity and/or pubertal stage at 11 years. Maternal age of menarche was not associated with diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion Earlier maternal age of puberty was associated with higher systolic blood pressure, largely mediated by adiposity, highlighting the importance of tackling childhood obesity as a public health priority in view of the secular trend of declining age of puberty.
The Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear: Is Acromioplasty without Repair Sufficient?

We evaluated the clinical outcome of arthroscopic acromioplasty and debridement in 162 patients who had either normal rotator cuffs, grade 1 (frayed tendon) partial-thickness tears, or grade 2 (less than 50% of the tendon) partial-thickness tears. The mean time from surgery to the response to the L'Insalata outcome questionnaire was 52.7 months (4.5 years) among the 105 respondents (107 shoulders). The mean score was 90 points; eight patients (8%) scored less than 70 points (range, 30 to 65.5), and their treatment failed early on. The patients with grade 2B (bursal) partial-thickness rotator cuff tears had a significantly higher failure rate (38%). Although the clinical outcome of patients with partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff comprising less than 50% of the tendon (grade 1 and 2) was not significantly different from that of patients without partial rotator cuff tears, the subgroup of patients with grade 2B partial tears had a statistically significantly higher failure rate and may have been better served with primary repair. With follow-up to 10 years, there was no evidence that clinically relevant or symptomatic intrinsic rotator cuff pathologic conditions progress in those patients with partial-thickness tears treated with arthroscopic anterior acromioplasty.
A psychological point of view: Violations of rational rules as a diagnostic of mental processes

The target article focuses exclusively on System 2 and on reasoning rationality: the ability to reach valid conclusions from available information, as in the Wason task. The decision-theoretic concept of coherence rationality requires beliefs to be consistent, even when they are assessed one at a time. Judgment heuristics belong to System 1, and help explain the incoherence of intuitive beliefs.
The Contribution of Africentric Values and Racial Identity to the Prediction of Drug Knowledge, Attitudes, and Use among African American Youth

This study investigated the relative contribution of cultural variables, in particular Africentric values and racial identity, to the prediction of drug use, drug knowledge, and drug attitudes in conjunction with individual, peer, and family domain variables. Data collected from 195 African American youth were used in this study. The results indicate that Africentric values were a significant, yet modest predictor of drug knowledge accounting for approximately 4% of the variance. Similarly, racial identity was a significant predictor of drug use and of drug attitudes accounting for approximately 2% and 8% of the variance, respectively. Also, gender, an individual domain variable, was a significant predictor of drug use, attitudes, and knowledge. Males reported more drug use, had attitudes more tolerant of drugs, and had less drug knowledge than females.
Infectious Diseases What is the potential for bisexual men in China to act as a bridge of HIV transmission to the female population ? Behavioural evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China has rapidly increased in recent years. It is suggested that MSM could be a potential bridge of HIV transmission to the general female population. We investigated the bisexual behaviour of MSM in China through systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses on published peer-reviewed Chinese and English literature during 2001-2010 according to the PRISMA guidelines. Marital status and sexual behavioural indicators of MSM were presented graphically using forest plots. The pooled effect rates with 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. Meta-regression analyses were performed to examine the factors associated with high heterogeneities across the studies. Results: Forty-three eligible articles (11 in English and 32 in Chinese) were identified. Our results showed that 17.0% (95% CI: 15.1-19.1%) of MSM in China are currently married to a woman and 26.3% (95% CI: 23.6-29.1%) of MSM had female sexual partners in the last six months. The pooled estimates for condom use rate between MSM and female sex partners was 41.4% (95% CI: 35.5-47.5%) at the last sex act; and 25.6% (95% CI: 23.0-28.4%) in the last six months. The consistent condom use rates with regular, non-commercial, casual and commercial female sex partners in the last six months were 23.3% (95% CI: 11.25-42.1%), 39.0% (95% CI: 28.8-50.3%) and 55.8% (95% CI: 41.4-69.4%), respectively. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of Chinese MSM is currently married or had sexual relations with a female in the past six months. In addition, low condom usage was common between married MSM and their wives, hence posing a higher risk of transmitting HIV. Harm-reduction programs targeting married MSM and their female partners are necessary to curb the further spread of HIV infection to the general female population.
Service with the Smile

This paper tries to review the extant research in term of the “service with the smile” in accordance with managerial and psychological concepts. For this case, we used many articles and books and the results of this review have been mentioned in different sections. It should be noted that behind this subject, there are some relevant theories.
First Report of the Mating Behavior of a Species of Frog-Biting Midge (Diptera: Corethrellidae)

Abstract Swarming is a common mating behavior present throughout Diptera and, in particular, in species of lower flies (Nematocerous Diptera). Mating aggregations have been observed in the wild and in laboratory colonies of mosquitoes (Culicidae) and phantom midges (Chaoboridae), but have been assumed to be absent in their sister taxon, the frog-biting midges (Corethrellidae). Corethrellidae is a monogeneric family that includes over 100 species of frog-biting midges (Corethrella Coquillett spp.). In contrast to mosquitoes, female frog-biting midges find their host by eavesdropping on the mating calls of anurans to obtain a blood meal for egg development. Here we report the previously unknown mating swarms of frog- biting midges based on a laboratory study of Corethrella appendiculata Grabham. Contrary to previous speculations, we report that frog-biting midges aggregate in mating swarms. We thoroughly characterize such formations describing size and duration of the aggregation, sex ratio of the swarm, flight patterns of individual midges, influence of light intensity on the formation of swarms and use of swarm markers. In addition, we determine pairing and copulation patterns. Males and females copulate in venter to venter position. During the swarm, females and males meet in the air and most pairs fall together out of the aggregation onto the floor. We confirmed that virgin females are inseminated at the swarm excluding alternative hypotheses to explain the aggregations. Overall, we reveal the mating behavior of frog-biting midges for the first time filling critical gaps in information about the reproductive biology of this family.
Continuous simultaneous monitoring of intraventricular and cervical subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid pressure to indicate development of cerebral or tonsillar herniation.

✓ A simultaneous continuous recording of intraventricular and cervical subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid pressures was made in each of 20 patients who were comatose or decerebrate. All patients with a pressure gradient greater than 10 mm Hg died and at autopsy were found to have evidence of severe transtentorial and/or tonsillar herniation.
The Janus Head of T Cell Aging – Autoimmunity and Immunodeficiency

Immune aging is best known for its immune defects that increase susceptibility to infections and reduce adaptive immune responses to vaccination. In parallel, the aged immune system is prone to autoimmune responses and many autoimmune diseases increase in incidence with age or are even preferentially encountered in the elderly. Why an immune system that suboptimally responds to exogenous antigen fails to maintain tolerance to self-antigens appears to be perplexing. In this review, we will discuss age-associated deviations in the immune repertoire and the regulation of signaling pathways that may shed light on this conundrum.
A Phase I, Randomized, Controlled Trial to Study the Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity of a Nasal, Inactivated Trivalent Influenza Virus Vaccine in Healthy Adults

We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating clinical trial to evaluate thesafety and immunogenicity of an inactivated, split virion, trivalent, nasal influenza vaccine usinglipid/polysaccharide molecules as carriers. A total of 64 adults (mean age 29; range 19-69 years)were randomly allocated to receive a mixture of lipid/polysaccharide carrier molecules and 7.5,15, or 30 µg hemagglutinin antigen of each of the three influenza strains (A/Johannesburg/82/96[H1N1], A/Nanchang/933/95 [H3N2], B/Harbin/07/94) or placebo via nasal spray on twooccasions separated by 28 days. Adverse events were assessed immediately after immunizationand for 14 days after each dose. Nasal and serum antibodies were measured before and twoweeks after each dose. All but three participants completed the study; no withdrawals werebecause of adverse events. Adverse events were similar immediately after immunization exceptfor anterior nasal dripping after the first dose which was more common in the combined vaccinegroups (64.4%) than in the placebo group (31.3%; p
Vascularity in Human Breast Cancer Relationship of Endothelial Cell Proliferation to Tumor

Current studies of tumor angiogenesis rely on the concept that endothelium proliferates . '(Iâ€”10 times faster in tumors than in normal tissues. This evidence is based on histolÃ3gica! autoradiographic data largely from animal studies. To assess endothelial cell proliferation in human cancer we used the more sensitive and specific technique of immunohistochemistry. We measured the frequency and distribution of endothelial cell prolifera tion and examined their relationship to tumor cell proliferation. For the first time, we also correlated endothelial and tumor cell proliferation with tumor vascularity. Twenty breast carcinomas from patients exposed to bromodeoxyuridine 3-8 h prior to surgery were double immunostained using antibodies to CD31 (as a marker of endothelium) and bromodeoxy uridine (as a marker of proliferation). The labeling index (LI) for both tumor and endothelial cells was determined and tumor vascularity was assessed by counting the number of CD31 positive vessels. Endothelial cell proliferation was predominantly at the tumor periphery while tumor cell proliferation occurred throughout the lesion. The mean Lis for endothe lium and tumor were 2.2% (range, 0.8-5.3) and 7.3% (range, 1.3-17.1), respectively. There was no correlation between tumor and endothelial cell LI (/* = 0.414) or between the tumor LI or endothelial cell LI and tumor vascularity (P = 0.08 and P = 0.39, respectively). These findings suggest that previous studies in animal tumors have significantly overestimated endothelial cell proliferation and that its importance in tumor angiogen esis may be related more to continual remodeling and migration of vessels than to proliferation alone.
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Accessory Atrioventricular Connections in 250 Patients: Abbreviated Therapeutic Approach to Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome

Background The purpose of this study was to report the results and complications of radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular (AV) connections by using an abbreviated approach aimed at minimizing the duration of the procedure. Methods and Results Two hundred fifty consecutive patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia involving a concealed accessory AV connection underwent catheter ablation with the use of radiofrequency current. In 179 of the 250 patients, catheter ablation was performed at the time of an initial electrophysiology test. Two hundred thirty-five patients had one accessory AV connection and 15 patients had two or more. One hundred eighty-three accessory AV connections were manifest and 84 were concealed. One hundred sixty-one were located in the free wall of the left ventricle, 47 were in the right free wall, 44 were posteroseptal, 10 were anteroseptal, and five were intermediate septal. The time required for catheter placement, the diagnostic component of the electrophysiology test, and the ablation procedure was recorded for each patient, as was the total duration of fluoroscopy. A follow-up electrophysiology test was performed 2–3 months after the ablation procedure. Ninety-four percent of patients had all accessory AV connections successfully ablated and remained free of symptomatic tachycardia during a mean follow-up of 10±4 months. Two hundred nineteen patients (88%) had all accessory AV connections ablated during the initial attempt at catheter ablation. Mean duration of the entire procedure was 134±75 minutes. Procedure duration was longest in patients with multiple accessory AV connections, shortest in patients with intermediate septal accessory AV connections, and similar in all other locations. A nonfatal complication occurred in nine patients (4%). Conclusions The results of this study indicate that catheter ablation of accessory AV connections with radiofrequency current can be performed safely and expeditiously in a majority of patients and confirm in a large series the feasibility of catheter ablation at the time of an initial diagnostic electrophysiology test. This abbreviated therapeutic approach avoids the need for electropharmacological testing, long-term antiarrhythmic drug therapy, and surgical therapy in the majority of patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or with symptomatic tachycardias involving accessory AV connections.
On the stability of input-queued switches with speed-up

We consider cell-based switch and router architectures whose internal switching matrix does not provide enough speed to avoid input buffering. These architectures require a scheduling algorithm to select at each slot a subset of input buffered cells which can be transferred toward output ports. We propose several classes of scheduling algorithms whose stability properties are studied using analytical techniques mainly based upon Lyapunov functions. Original stability conditions are also derived for scheduling algorithms that are being used today in high-performance switch and router architectures.
THE DERMATOPHYTIC FLORA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. A SURVEY OF 1819 CASES OF TINEA STUDIED BETWEEN 1954 AND 1964

In 1969 we pulblislied a five-year survey of 581 dermatophytes wMch. had been identified in South Australia. We can now add a further 1238 dermatophyte cultures obtained between 1959 and 1964. This larger number of isolates may reflect an increased awareness of the value of laboratory investigation, but it is also probable that a larger number of cases have been referred for investigation and treatment because of the advent of griseofulvin. During 1959 and 1960 a number of long-standing cases of chronic dermatophytosis became available for treatment, but we have noticed that the number of such cases during the past year or two has been considerably less. The additional cases reported in this study represent the mycological investigations carried out at the Elder Laboratory of the Adelaide Children's Hospital, the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, and in the dermatological practice of one of us (G.E.D.) and his partner Dr. W. C. T. Upton. In addition, routine mycological investigations have been carried out in the skin clinic of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital since its estabhshment in 1959 and are included in the figures presented. The methods used in the earlier part of our study have been modified from time to time and these modificatious are discussed elsewhere (Brown, 1965). Erom our study of 1819 positive cultures obtained from patients in South Australia during the past 10 years, the relative importance of the different dermatophytes can be estimated.
“An Impediment to Living Life”: Why and How Should We Measure Stiffness in Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

Objectives To explore patients’ concepts of stiffness in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and how they think stiffness should be measured. Methods Eight focus groups were held at three centres involving 50 patients with current/previous PMR. Each group had at least one facilitator and one rapporteur making field notes. An interview schedule was used to stimulate discussion. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Results Major themes identified were: symptoms: pain, stiffness and fatigue; functional impact; impact on daily schedule; and approaches to measurement. The common subtheme for the experience of stiffness was “difficulty in moving”, and usually considered as distinct from the experience of pain, albeit with a variable overlap. Some participants felt stiffness was the “overwhelming” symptom, in that it prevented them carrying out “fundamental activities” and “generally living life”. Diurnal variation in stiffness was generally described in relation to the daily schedule but was not the same as stiffness severity. Some participants suggested measuring stiffness using a numeric rating scale or a Likert scale, while others felt that it was more relevant and straightforward to measure difficulty in performing everyday activities rather than about stiffness itself. Conclusions A conceptual model of stiffness in PMR is presented where stiffness is an important part of the patient experience and impacts on their ability to live their lives. Stiffness is closely related to function and often regarded as interchangeable with pain. From the patients’ perspective, visual analogue scales measuring pain and stiffness were not the most useful method for reporting stiffness; participants preferred numerical rating scales, or assessments of function to reflect how stiffness impacts on their daily lives. Assessing function may be a pragmatic solution to difficulties in quantifying stiffness.
Multiliteracies in the classroom: An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach to teachers' and students' perspectives toward integration of technology

An increased number of students graduating from high school lack college and career readiness skills to earn credit in entry-level college courses or begin a career in an entry-level position. Many schools across America have prepared to address students’ college and career readiness with the adoption of Common Core State Standards. Twenty-five teachers and 92 students participated in this dissertation study conducted at a high school (grades 10-12) in the southern United States. The purpose of this study was to describe and explain teachers’ and students’ perspectives toward the integration of technology that enhances multiliteracies in the classroom. An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was used to guide this study. Data were collected from surveys to describe teachers’ and students’ beliefs, perceived barriers, and technology skill levels associated with multiliteracies enhanced by technology in the classroom. Descriptive statistics and independent t-tests were used for analysis of the quantitative data. Open thematic coding and axial coding were used for analysis of the qualitative data. Teachers’ and students’ interviews and classroom observations were used to further explain, clarify, and enhance the data collected from the surveys. Data results indicated that teachers and students strongly support the integration of technology in the classroom. Teachers and students indicated a statistically significant difference in technology skills associated with social literacy and multimedia. Teachers perceived time as the most significant barrier to integrating technology into the classroom; students viewed the school filter as the most significant barrier. Teachers viewed the role of technology as a tool to support students’ cognitive development, to obtain and maintain students’ attention, to facilitate administrative tasks, and to facilitate and promote students’ college and career readiness. Students viewed the role of technology as a tool to gather information from the Internet and to enhance students’ cognitive learning processes. This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council Dissertation Director: __________________________________________ Dr. Christian Z. Goering Dissertation Committee: __________________________________________ Dr. Barbara C. Gartin __________________________________________ Dr. Janet Penner-Williams __________________________________________ Dr. Michael J. Wavering DISSERTATION DUPLICATION RELEASE I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this dissertation when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agreed ___________________________________________ Laura Janine Chitty Disagreed ___________________________________________ Laura Janine Chitty
Noise Trader Risk in Financial Markets

We present a simple overlapping generations model of an asset market in which irrational noise traders with erroneous stochastic beliefs both affect prices and earn higher expected returns. The unpredictability of noise traders' beliefs creates a risk in the price of the asset that deters rational arbitrageurs from aggressively betting against them. As a result, prices can diverge significantly from fundamental values even in the absence of fundamental risk. Moreover, bearing a disproportionate amount of risk that they themselves create enables noise traders to earn a higher expected return than rational investors do. The model sheds light on a number of financial anomalies, including the excess volatility of asset prices, the mean reversion of stock returns, the underpricing of closed-end mutual funds, and the Mehra-Prescott equity premium puzzle.