Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of dyslexia on pupils' self‐esteem

This study investigates the factors that affect the self-esteem of learners with dyslexia. It provides a brief overview of some of the key literature in this area and then describes a small-scale study conducted in two mainstream secondary schools in the north of England. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with secondary-aged pupils who had received an official diagnosis of dyslexia. Nine pupils volunteered to be interviewed. The study considers the impact of factors such as comparisons made against other students and the impact of teachers, peers and family on pupils' self-esteem. The results of the study indicate that these factors contribute significantly to self-esteem for pupils with dyslexia. However, the study found that the most significant factor that contributed to students' self-esteem was a positive diagnosis of ‘dyslexia’ and ownership of the label. The study concludes that an early diagnosis of dyslexia is essential for creating a positive self-image and recommends that further research is necessary into the significance of the diagnosis for these learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Effect of Acidic Agents on Surface Roughness of Dental Ceramics

Background: An increase in surface roughness of ceramics may decrease strength and affect the clinical success of ceramic restorations. However, little is known about the effect of acidic agents on ceramic restorations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness of dental ceramics after being immersed in acidic agents. Methods: Eighty-three ceramic disk specimens (12.0 mm in diameter and 2.0 mm in thickness) were made from four types of ceramics (VMK 95, Vitadur Alpha, IPS Empress Esthetic, and IPS e.max Ceram). Baseline data of surface roughness were recorded by profilometer. The specimens were then immersed in acidic agents (citrate buffer solution, pineapple juice and green mango juice) and deionized water (control) at 37°C for 168 hours. One group was immersed in 4% acetic acid at 80°C for 168 hours. After immersion, surface roughness was evaluated by a profilometer at intervals of 24, 96, and 168 hours. Surface characteristics of specimens were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using two-way repeated ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). Results: For all studied ceramics, all surface roughness parameters were significantly increased after 168 hours immersion in all acidic agents (P < 0.05). After 168 hours in 4% acetic acid, there were significant differences for all roughness parameters from other acidic agents of all evaluated ceramics. Among all studied ceramics, Vitadur Alpha showed significantly the greatest values of all surface roughness parameters after immersion in 4% acetic acid (P < 0.001). SEM photomicrographs also presented surface destruction of ceramics in varying degrees. Conclusion: Acidic agents used in this study negatively affected the surface of ceramic materials. This should be considered when restoring the eroded tooth with ceramic restorations in patients who have a high risk of erosive conditions.
A Proposed Test for Determining Physical Working Capacity at the Oxygen Consumption Threshold (PWCVO2

&NA; Miller, J.M. , T.J. Housh, J.W. Coburn, J.T. Cramer, and G.O. Johnson. A proposed test for determining physical working capacity at the oxygen consumption threshold (PWCSymbolO2). J. Strength Cond. Res. 18(3):618–624. 2004. —The purpose of this study was 3‐fold: (a) to determine if the mathematical model used to estimate the electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) and physical working capacity at the heart rate threshold (PWCHRT) could be applied to SymbolO2 measurements, (b) to propose a new fatigue threshold called the physical working capacity at the oxygen consumption threshold (PWCSymbolO2), and (c) to compare the power output at the PWCSymbolO2 to those of the EMGFT, PWCHRT, and ventilatory threshold (VT). Fifteen adult volunteers (mean age ± SD = 22 ± 2 years) performed a maximal cycle ergometer test to determine SymbolO2peak and VT as well as 4 8‐minute submaximal work bouts for the determination of PWCHRT, EMGFT, and PWCSymbolO2. A 1‐way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey post hoc comparison indicated that PWCHRT (84 ± 36) was significantly (p < 0.05) less than EMGFT (126 ± 51), but there were no differences for PWCSymbolO2 (111 ± 44) and VT (111 ± 60) versus PWCHRT or EMGFT. The results of this study indicated that (a) the mathematical model used to determine the PWCHRT and EMGFT was applicable to the measurement of SymbolO2 and could be used to estimate the PWCSymbolO2 during cycle ergometry, (b) there was a difference in the mean power outputs that corresponded to the fatigue thresholds determined from EMG and heart rate measurements, and (c) the PWCSymbolO2 test may provide a useful submaximal technique for estimating the VT. Symbol. No caption available.
Playing and affective time-spaces

Abstract In this paper I have two objectives. The first is to critically explore definitions of playing that have underpinned a great deal of research in children's geography. In so doing I want to highlight some of the assumptions that various authors within geography have made (often implicitly) about the ontological status of playing. This will in turn, lead me to work with, between and sometimes against three authors who have tried to theorize playing. In following this route, I hope to come to some tentative conclusions about the status of playing, which paradoxically will eschew any (strong) ontological commitment at all. This leads to my second objective, which is to explore four particular aspects of playing—embodiment, affect, objects and time-space—to examine how they are interleaved with spaces and spacing. In necessarily situating this work within my research at Hilltop Primary School1 in the summer of 2001, I hope to show that geographical studies can contribute to definitions of playing as much as playing can inflect certain notions of space.
Myeloperoxidase aids prognostication together with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in high-risk patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Inflammation plays a critical role in acute myocardial infarction (MI). One such inflammatory marker is myeloperoxidase (MPO). Its role as a predictor of death or MI in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear. Aim: To investigate the role of MPO as a predictor of death or MI in patients with STEMI and to compare it with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-BNP). Method: 384 post STEMI patients were studied. Patients were followed up for the combined end point of death or readmission with non-fatal MI. Results: There were 40 deaths and 37 readmissions with MI. Median MPO was raised in patients experiencing death or MI than in survivors (median (range), 50.6 (15.3–124.1) ng/ml vs 33.5 (6.6–400.2) ng/ml, p = 0.001). Using a Cox proportional hazards model, log median MPO (HR 6.91, 95% CI 1.79 to 26.73, p = 0.005) and log median NT-BNP (HR 4.21, 95% CI 1.53 to 11.58, p = 0.005) independently predicted death or non-fatal MI. MPO had predictive power in both below and above median NT-BNP levels (log rank 5.60, p = 0.020 and log rank 5.12, p = 0.024, respectively). The receiver-operating curve for median NT-BNP yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.79, p<0.001); for median MPO, the AUC was 0.62 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.69, p = 0.001). The logistic model combining the two markers yielded an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.82, p<0.001). Conclusion: MPO and NT-BNP may be useful tools for risk stratification of all acute coronary syndromes, including patients with STEMI at higher risk.
Sociocultural Stress, Smoking Risk, and Cessation Among African American Women

The common explanation as to why individuals smoke is that the act of smoking relieves psychological stress, yet very few studies have examined the association between stress and smoking from a sociocultural perspective among African American women. The current study examined the paradigm of sociocultural stress and its association between smoking risk and likelihood of quitting among African American women. One hundred ninety-eight African American women, approximately half of whom were current smokers, completed a battery of questionnaires that included a smoking risk survey and measures of acculturation, stress, and coping. A theoretically based path analytic model revealed that the acculturative stress factors of cultural mistrust (β = .39) and socialization (β = .17) were predictive of perceptions of race-related stress (R 2 = .18), which were predictive of the number of race-related events experienced (R 2 = .51), which contributed to reports of general life stress (R 2 = .07), which was subsequently associated with smoking risk (R 2 = .03). The findings suggest that smoking cessation intervention programs for African American women should be tailored to address sociocultural issues related to stress that impacts their smoking.
Graphite under pressure: Equation of state and first-order Raman modes.

We have measured lattice parameters and Raman spectra of hexagonal graphite at pressures up to the structural phase transition near 14 GPa (T=300 K). The frequencies of the ${E}_{2g}$(1) rigid-layer shear mode at 44 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ and the ${E}_{2g}$(2) in-plane mode at 1579 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ increase sublinearly under pressure with initial pressure coefficients of 4.8(5) and 4.7(3) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$/GPa, respectively. Using the a- and c-axis compression data, we determine the dependence of phonon frequencies on intralayer and interlayer separation. For the high-frequency ${E}_{2g}$(2) mode we find d ln \ensuremath{\omega}/3 dlna=1.06(10), which is in the range of bond-length scaling parameters of phonon frequencies in three-dimensional covalent structures. For the low-frequency ${E}_{2g}$(1) mode we obtain d ln \ensuremath{\omega}/3d ln c=1.4(1), which indicates a stronger anharmonicity of this mode.
Production of bromoform and dibromomethane by Giant Kelp: Factors affecting release and comparison to anthropogenic bromine sources

Macrocystis pyrifera (Giant Kelp), a dominant macroalgal species in southern California, produced 171 ng per g fresh wt (gfwt) per day of CHBr3 and 48 ng gfwt−1 d−1 of CH2Br2 during laboratory incubations of whole blades. Comparable rates were measured during in situ incubations of intact fronds. Release of CHBr3 and CH2Br2 by M. pyrifera was affected by light and algal photosynthetic activity, suggesting that environmental factors influencing kelp physiology can affect halomethane release to the atmosphere. Data from H2O2 additions suggest that brominated methane production during darkness is limited by bromide oxidant supply. A bromine budget constructed for a region of southern California indicated that bromine emitted from the use of CH3Br as a fumigant (1 × 108 g Br yr−1) dominates macroalgal sources (3 × 106 g Br yr−1). Global projections, however, suggest that combined emissions of marine algae (including microalgae) contribute substantial amounts of bromine to the global cycle, perhaps on the same order of magnitude as anthropogenic sources.
Is this Injury Reasonable? Do Psychological Injury Expectations Affect Mock Jurors' Legal Decisions in a Sexual Harassment Case?

The experiments examined the viability of a proposed decision-making process to explain how jurors' expectations for a sexual harassment complainant's psychological injury affect their legal decisions. Two experiments provided undergraduate mock jurors with a sexual harassment allegation that manipulated their range of expectations for reasonable psychological injuries (mild vs. mild to severe) and the severity of the complainant's alleged psychological injury (from minimal to extreme). Experiment 1 (N = 295) found that participants expecting mild injuries found the complainant's psychological injury allegations to be less reasonable and credible than participants expecting mild to severe injuries. Experiment 2 (N = 202) investigated whether these expectations influenced liability and compensatory damage decisions. As the injury increased from minimal to moderate severity, participants expecting mild injuries found less liability, whereas participants expecting mild to severe injuries found significantly more liability. Both expectations and injury severity independently impacted damage decisions, but not in an interactive fashion. We discuss the applicability of the proposed decision-making process to explain legal decisions in sexual harassment cases.
Dual-source dual-energy CT evaluation of complex cystic renal masses.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the value of dual-source dual-energy CT in the evaluation of complex cystic renal masses. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Seventy patients underwent contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT that included true unenhanced images acquired in single-energy mode, corticomedullary phase images acquired in dual-energy mode, and nephrographic phase images acquired in single-energy mode. Virtual unenhanced, blended weighted-average, and color-coded iodine overlay images were reconstructed. The acceptance level and image quality of virtual and true unenhanced images were evaluated. Contrast enhancement on both true unenhanced or blended weighted-average images and color-coded iodine overlay images was evaluated with both calculation in regions of interest and use of confidence level scales. Radiation dose parameters were estimated. RESULTS Virtual unenhanced images of 70 lesions (97.2%) and true unenhanced images of 72 lesions (100%) were judged acceptable (p = 0.5). The mean quality score of virtual unenhanced images was 2.0 ± 0.7 and of true unenhanced images was 1.5 ± 0.5 (p < 0.001). Mean contrast enhancement measured on true unenhanced and blended weighted-average images was 45.9 ± 15.9 HU (range, 21-78 HU) and on color-coded iodine overlay images was 47.3 ± 16.8 HU (range, 22-75 HU) with no significant differences. Enhancement was excluded on color-coded iodine overlay images with a significantly (p < 0.03) higher level of confidence than it was on true unenhanced and blended weighted-average images. The mean dose reduction with use of a combined dual- and single-energy dual-phase CT protocol was 29.1% ± 11.9% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Dual-source dual-energy CT is a reliable imaging technique in the evaluation of complex cystic renal masses. True unenhanced images can be replaced by virtual unenhanced images with considerable radiation dose reduction. The color-coded iodine overlay technique is a useful tool for both excluding and identifying endocystic enhancement.
Psychosocial risk, attachment, and behavior problems among school-aged children

Abstract The role of environmental risk and protective factors (attachment, verbal intelligence) in school-aged children's adaptation was examined. Subjects were 45 7-year-old children from low socioeconomic status environments. Security of attachment to mother was assessed by reunion behavior in the laboratory following an hour-long separation. Mothers and teachers reported on behavior problems using the Child Behavior Checklist. Results revealed a higher proportion of insecure attachments and behavior problems than in low-risk populations. Greater risk and less security were associated with poorer behavioral adaptation. Multiple regressions tested a model of protective processes; results demonstrated main effects of attachment security, even after controlling for extent of environmental risk.
Structural violence and environmental injustice: the case of a US–Mexico border chemical plant

As environmental burdens have shifted from the core towards the periphery of the world economic system, transnational environmental injustices have emerged. We examine a case of transnational environmental injustice related to a foreign-owned chemical plant located in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (Mexico), which borders El Paso, Texas (USA). We utilise interview data from former employees, current neighbouring residents, and emergency managers from El Paso and Juárez, as well as Spanish language newspaper articles (1979–2010). To emphasise several aspects of socio-environmental marginality relevant to this case that have been under-examined in the environmental justice literature, we employ Paul Farmer's structural violence lens to draw attention to the importance of global scale, historical processes in shaping local cases; the embodiment of suffering; issues of intentionality; and limits of resistance and agency. This lens enables us to better illuminate and expose the roots of injustice for the purposes of action. It helps us demonstrate how a powerful maquiladora can manipulate labour, regulatory agencies, and local people to achieve its aims while enacting a form of violence on others.
Present Psychiatric Postgraduate Education and Future Professional Trends in Canada: A Survey of the Opinions of Fourth-Year Residents: PART II — Future Career Intentions

Introduction Information on professional trends in psychiatry has tended to come from speculations by educational observers (4, 5, 15) and from retrospective studies (7, 13, 14). Yet, one of the most obvious and accurate sources of such information, would be the graduating residents, who have rarely been consulted. The knowledge of future career decisions of residents about to enter psychiatric practice is important for a number of reasons. For the government this knowledge can be used in planning for future manpower needs; for the educator this information reflects the orientation of residency training programs; and for the trainee it is of value in considering future career plans. In this the second part of the study, future career intentions of fourth-year Canadian psychiatric residents are presented and discussed in terms of how this may relate to the present orientation of psychiatric training programs, and how it may affect the future manpower situation.
Parent-Professional Relationships in Early Intervention

Many early intervention programs are attempting to shift from traditional models in which decisions are made primarily by professional staff to family-centered models that emphasize collaboration with parents. This article presents data on parent-professional relationships that emerged from a naturalistic study of Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) development in three early intervention programs. Parents and staff emphasized the importance and benefits of personal relationships. However, staff also reported significant concerns, especially doubts about whether all parents have the necessary skills for full participation. These concerns appeared to make it difficult for staff to support parental decision making fully. Relationship quality and control issues emerged as significant factors in parent-staff interactions. A model is presented that outlines the interplay between these factors; it can be used to monitor program progress in implementing family-centered approaches.
HAL fluorescence cystoscopy and TURB.One year of Romanian experience

Hexaminolevulinate blue light cystoscopy (HAL–BLC) represents an increasingly acknowledged method in bladder cancer diagnostic. We aimed to evaluate the importance of this procedure in cases of non–invasive bladder tumors (NIBT), to compare it with standard white light cystoscopy (WLC), and to establish the efficiency of blue light transurethral bladder resection (BL–TURB). Between December 2007 and December 2008, WLC and BLC were performed in 70 cases. WL–TURB was performed for all lesions visible in WL, and BL–TURB for those only detected in BL. Patients diagnosed with NIBT were followed–up after an average period of 5 months (between 18 and 22 weeks) by WLC and BLC. The control group included the same number of consecutive cases of NIBT, which underwent only WLC and WL–TURB, as well as the same follow–up protocol as the study group. WLC correctly identified 115 tumors, and BLC, 157 tumors. The detection rate was 68.8% for WLC, with a 9.4% rate of false–positive results, and 94% for BLC, with a 14.6% rate of false–positive results. The diagnostic accuracy in CIS lesions was 57.3% for WLC and 95% for BLC, while in pTa tumors; it was 68.8% for WLC and 94% for BLC. 62 cases of the study group diagnosed with NIBT emphasized a recurrence rate of 6.4% after 5 months. The control group described a recurrence rate of 24.2%. HAL fluorescence cystoscopy is a valuable diagnostic method for patients with NIBT, with considerably improved accuracy by comparison to WLC, and a significant impact upon the short–term recurrence rate.
Elsahy–Waters syndrome: Evidence for autosomal recessive inheritance

Elsahy–Waters or branchioskeletogenital syndrome is a rare MCA/MR syndrome characterized by moderate mental retardation, hypospadias and characteristic craniofacial morphology, which includes brachycephaly, facial asymmetry, exotropia, hypertelorism/telechantus, broad nose, concave nasal ridge, underdeveloped midface, prognathism, and radicular dentin dysplasia. Here we report on a 44‐year‐old woman and her 45‐year‐old brother, born to consanguineous parents, who show a striking resemblance to the earlier described patients. The hitherto reported patients were male and in one pedigree parents were consanguineous. The present report of an affected woman and her brother, born to consanguineous parents, supports autosomal recessive inheritance of this condition. We provide a short review of all previously reported patients with Elsahy–Waters syndrome and related entities. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nodular bronchiectatic Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease. Natural course on serial computed tomographic scans.

RATIONALE Existing literature is inconclusive regarding how the nodular bronchiectatic form of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease will progress without treatment and when treatment initiation should be considered. OBJECTIVES To assess the natural course of MAC pulmonary disease by serial thin-section computed tomography (CT). METHODS Of 339 patients with nodular bronchiectatic form of MAC disease, we selected 265 untreated patients who had serial CTs (mean observation period, 32 ± 21 mo). Two independent chest radiologists reviewed retrospectively all CT scans for the presence and extent of lung abnormalities (maximal total score, 30). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 265 patients, 126 patients (48%) had disease that had progressed and that needed treatment owing to radiologic deterioration or worsening symptoms, and the remaining 139 patients (52%) did not. On multivariate analysis, the presence of cavity (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.06; P = 0.004) and consolidation (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.55; P = 0.019) at initial CT remained as independent factors associated with disease progression and treatment requirement. The presence of cavitary lesions demonstrated the highest positive predictive value (61%) and significant correlation (P = 0.005) with smear positivity. Differences in the extent of each pattern and total CT score in the serial studies were significantly larger (P < 0.05) in patients requiring treatment. The total CT score increased by 2.41 in the treatment-requiring group compared with 0.25 in the group that did not receive treatment. CONCLUSIONS Without treatment, about half of patients demonstrate progressive disease on serial CT over a mean follow-up period of 32 months and, thus, required treatment. Patients showing cavities or consolidation on initial CT are more likely to have progressive disease and thus to require treatment eventually.