Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biscuits, sausage, gravy, milk, and orange juice: school breakfast environment in 4 rural Appalachian schools.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess the school breakfast environment in rural Appalachian schools to inform school environment intervention and policy change. METHODS A total of 4 rural schools with fourth- and fifth-grade students in East Tennessee were assessed. A cross-sectional descriptive examination of the school food environment where food service managers submitted school menus, production sheets, and vendor bid sheets as part of the dietary data collection protocol for a school-based nutrition intervention study. The school breakfast environment was characterized in terms of calories, fat, saturated fat, and fiber from foods served on a per person basis using menus entered into Nutrient Data Systems for Research and production sheets for amounts of each food item served. Food items were grouped by the meal components of the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and ranked according to the items served most frequently. RESULTS Total fat provided slightly less than half the calories (43%); 15% of calories were from saturated fat. The top-ranked foods for each meal component were biscuits, sausage, 2% milk, orange juice, and gravy. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that clearer policies or regulations for the SBP are warranted to support policy efforts to promote childhood health. These should include technical assistance and provision of resources for school food service managers to provide low-fat meal options. Further research is needed to determine whether what is offered at school breakfast is actually consumed and how that might affect children's weight because of the high fat content.
Graduation Exam Participation and Performance, Graduation Rates, and Advanced Coursetaking Following Changes in New Mexico Graduation Requirements, 2011-15. REL 2018-277.

In 2009 New Mexico introduced new graduation requirements beginning with the 2013 cohort (the cohort of students who were in grade 9 in 2009/10 and expected to graduate from high school in 2013): a new graduation exam and advanced math and science coursework requirements. The new exam was introduced for the 2012 cohort, but the 2013 cohort was the first cohort that was required to pass it to graduate. Among the key findings: • About 25 percent of the 2011 cohort scored proficient or better on the reading, math, and science sections of a prior graduation exam. That percentage did not change substantially among the 2012 cohort (the first to take the new graduation exam) but increased to more than 30 percent among the 2013–15 cohorts. • The percentage of students who took Algebra II and two lab science courses by grade 12 increased 3 percentage points from the 2014 cohort (63 percent) to the 2015 cohort (66 percent)—and to more than 70 percent among American Indian and White students. • The four-year graduation rate was higher among students who took Algebra II and two lab science courses than among students who did not.
Cognitive Development in School-Age Children With Vertically Transmitted HIV Infection

We examined a broad range of neuropsychological functioning in school-age children with vertically transmitted HIV infection and a control group made up of siblings of children with HIV infection. Fourteen children with HIV (2 asymptomatic, 8 mildly symptomatic, and 4 with AIDS) and 11 control children were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests assessing intelligence, receptive language, expressive language, visual and verbal memory, visual-motor speed and coordination, visual-motor and visual-spatial processing, fine motor skill, and academic achievement. Results revealed that school-age children with vertically transmitted HIV infection show many areas of cognitive function within the normal range. Despite normal cognitive development, subtle motor impairments were documented in children with vertically transmitted HIV infection. Our results are the first report of fine motor and motor strength deficits in school-age children with vertically transmitted HIV. Lastly, computed tomography (CT) results suggest that children with HIV who have documented structural anomalies in the brain may be at risk for deficits in visual-motor and visual-spatial processing. This finding should be explored with larger samples and other measures to determine its generalizability.
High Prevalence of Diabetic Polyneuropathy in a Group of Brazilian Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of diabetic polyneuropathy (DNP) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), and to compare the diagnostic criteria for DNP proposed and most widely utilized in the literature. METHODS Forty-eight patients with DM1 with a mean age of 12.9 years and mean duration of DM1 of 7 years, and 14 controls, were compared. Results of clinical neurological examination and nerve conduction (NC) were compared by means of diagnostic criteria proposed at the San Antonio Conference and by Dyck et al. RESULTS Twenty-two patients (46%) had DNP by the San Antonio criteria, and 25% according to those of Dyck et al. Three patients (6.3%) presented neurological complaints, such as lower limb pain, paresthesia and hyperhidrosis, and 31 (64.6%) presented peripheral nervous system changes upon clinical examination. Twenty-nine patients (60.4%) presented changes in motor and sensory nerve conduction. Motor NC changes were the most prevalent, above all in the median (86.2%) and fibular (55.2%) nerves. CONCLUSIONS A high percentage of neurological changes were detected in this young population, with 5-10 years duration of DM1. Prevalence of DNP in the pediatric age group ranges from zero to 54% in published studies, mainly using the criteria of Dyck et al. or similar criteria. In the present study we found that roughly one-quarter of patients would be misdiagnosed according to the criteria utilized. We propose that neurological evaluation must be included in routine care for children with DM. Further studies leading to a more accurate diagnosis of DNP in children and adolescents are still necessary.
The Impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Adoption and IFRS Renouncement on Audit Fees: The Case of Switzerland

Several studies have shown that International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption is associated with higher audit fees. We provide additional evidence on this issue by analyzing the Swiss context, which is particularly suitable for two reasons. First, it allows a better estimation of the impact of IFRS adoption on audit fees because the choice of accounting standards (IFRS, US generally accepted accounting principles [GAAPs] or Swiss GAAPs) is left to companies. Accordingly, comparisons can be made within the same institutional context. Second, it is also possible to measure the impact of IFRS renouncement on audit fees because Swiss companies following IFRS can switch back to Swiss GAAPs at any time. Based on a hand&#8208;collected database including 1,651 firm&#8208;year observations over 15&#160;years, we show that, with the exception of very large companies, firms using IFRS pay higher audit fees. We also find that firms switching to IFRS incur additional audit fees in the year preceding the change. By contrast, the return to local GAAPs does not result in lower audit fees, which confirms the stickiness of audit fees reported by several prior studies.
Can Perhexiline Be Utilized Without Long-Term Toxicity? A Clinical Practice Audit

Background: Perhexiline, originally used as a first-line prophylactic antianginal agent, is now regarded primarily as a treatment for otherwise refractory myocardial ischemia. Recent studies have also demonstrated its short-term utility in heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and inoperable aortic stenosis. Its benefits on myocardial energetics state are potentially counter-balanced by risk of hepatotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy during long-term treatment if drug accumulation occurs. Since perhexiline exhibits complex pharmacokinetics with wide inter-individual variability, its long-term use requires regular plasma concentration monitoring. In this study, the risk of neuro- and hepato-toxicity during long-term perhexiline therapy in relation to the intensity of therapeutic drug monitoring was investigated. Furthermore, determinants of mortality during perhexiline treatment were evaluated. Methods: In 170 patients treated with perhexiline for a median of 50 months (interquartile range: 31–94 months), outcomes and relationship to plasma drug concentrations were documented. Results: Rationale for treatment with perhexiline included myocardial ischemia in 88% and severe systolic heart failure in 38%. Plasma concentrations were within the therapeutic range of 150–600 ng/mL on 65% of assay occasions and toxic levels accounted for 8.8% of measurements. No patient developed hepatotoxicity attributable to perhexiline while 3 developed peripheral neuropathy possibly induced by treatment. Actuarial 5-year survival rate was 83% overall, and 76.3% in patients with associated systolic heart failure. Conclusions: This first audit of a large population treated long-term perhexiline demonstrates the following: (1) Although the frequency of monitoring is less than ideal, therapeutic drug monitoring effectively limits occurrence of toxic drug concentrations and virtually eliminates long-term hepato- and neuro-toxicity and (2) Mortality rates during long-term therapy, notably for patients with concomitant heart failure, are surprisingly low.
The EU, Russia and the Manichean Trap

Abstract Conceptualizing the EU as a postmodern cooperative power that “transcends realism” provides ideological scaffolding for an exclusive conception of “Europe” and veils a zero-sum geopolitical project as “European integration”. Neoclassical realism considers assigning morally opposite political identities to the EU and Russia to be “rational” to the extent it strengthens internal cohesion and mobilizes resources to enhance security in accordance with the balance of power logic. Yet, the artificial binary construction can also produce a Manichean Trap when compromises required to enhance security are depicted as a betrayal of indispensable virtues and “Europe”. The ability to harmonize competing security interests diminishes as the conceptual space for comparing the EU and Russia is de-constructed. Competition is framed in uncompromising terms as “European integration” versus Russian “spheres of influence” and democracy versus authoritarianism.
Favourable long-term outcome by repeated percutaneous coronary revascularization in diabetic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Diabetic haemodialysis patients have a high prevalence of coronary events and very high mortality rates. Percutaneous coronary intervention has become a well-established and routine procedure for coronary revascularization. This study investigated the long-term outcome of multiple repeated interventions in diabetic haemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS A retrospective study compared 37 type II diabetic haemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease and 26 non-diabetic patients matched for age, angiographic morphology, and devices of percutaneous intervention. All patients had undergone successful percutaneous intervention prior to enrollment. Percutaneous interventions were repeated in the event of restenosis or the development of a de novo lesion. RESULTS Diabetic and non-diabetic patients were similar in terms of the number of follow-up angiograms (2.3+/-1.6 vs 2.4+/-1.5/patient) and interventions (2.2+/-1.4 vs 2.2+/-1.5/patient), incidence of target lesion revascularization (85 vs 82%), and number of de novo lesions (15 vs 17%). The cumulative survival rates after the initial percutaneous intervention were similar in the groups (42% vs 31% at 80 months). Cardiac death occurred in 33% of diabetic patients and 42% of non-diabetic patients. Repeated intervention (regression coefficient=16.0, P<0.001) and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (regression coefficient=-12.9, P=0.047) were determined for the important clinical factors associated with the survival duration after initial coronary intervention. CONCLUSIONS Multiple repeated percutaneous interventions reduce the long-term mortality of diabetic and non-diabetic haemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease similarly. Multiple repeated percutaneous coronary interventions are a viable option for controlling myocardial ischaemia and improving the long-term outcome in high-risk diabetic haemodialysis patients.
Improved assessment of bone turnover by the PTH-(1-84)/large C-PTH fragments ratio in ESRD patients.

BACKGROUND The "intact" parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay recognizes PTH-(1-84) as well as amino terminally truncated PTH fragments, that is, large carboxyterminal PTH fragments (C-PTH fragments). The present study investigated whether the use of the plasma PTH-(1-84)/C-PTH fragment ratio enhances the noninvasive assessment of bone turnover in patients on dialysis. METHODS Bone biopsies and blood samples for determinations of routine indices of bone turnover and PTH peptides were obtained in 51 adult patients on dialysis not treated with drugs affecting bone such as vitamin D or corticosteroids. Blood levels of large C-PTH fragments were calculated by subtracting PTH-(1-84) from "intact" PTH. Patients were classified according to their levels of bone turnover based on histomorphometrically obtained results of activation frequency. Prediction of bone turnover by the various blood indices was done by using proper statistical methods. In addition, hypercalcemia was induced by calcium gluconate infusion in a subset of patients, and levels of PTH-(1-84), "intact" PTH, and PTH-(1-84)/C-PTH fragment ratio were determined. RESULTS The PTH-(1-84)/C-PTH fragment ratio was the best predictor of bone turnover. A ratio> 1 predicted high or normal bone turnover (sensitivity 100%), whereas a ratio <1 indicated a high probability (sensitivity 87.5%) of low bone turnover. Calcium infusion resulted in decrease in PTH-(1-84)/C-PTH fragment ratio. CONCLUSIONS The PTH-(1-84)/C-PTH fragment ratio predicts bone turnover with acceptable precision for biological measurements. Moreover, a change in serum calcium levels is one of the regulators of the relative amount of circulating PTH-(1-84) and its large C-PTH fragments.
Macroeconomic Determinants Of Stock Market Development: Evidence From Borsa Istanbul

Stock markets have experienced significant improvements especially during the past 30 years, fostered economic growth and become one of the important leading indicators for the economies. Economic growth, saving rate, banking sector development, trade openness, foreign direct investments, institutional quality and stock market liquidity are found to be major determinants behind stock market development in the literature. This study investigates major macroeconomic determinants of stock market development in Turkey during the period 2005:Q1-2015:Q3 using ARDL cointegration, Toda and Yamamoto (1995) causality test and regression analysis. We also found that both economic growth and stock market liquidity had positive impact on stock market development in the long run, while inflation had negative impact on stock market development in the long run.
Detection and activity of lactacin B, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus

A total of 52 strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus were examined for production of bacteriocins. A majority (63%) demonstrated inhibitory activity against all members of a four-species grouping of Lactobacillus leichmannii, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Lactobacillus lactis. Four L. acidophilus strains with this activity also inhibited Streptococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus fermentum, suggesting a second system of antagonism. Under conditions eliminating the effects of organic acids and hydrogen peroxide, no inhibition of other gram-positive or -negative genera was demonstrated by L. acidophilus. The agent produced by L. acidophilus N2 and responsible for inhibition of L. leichmannii, L. bulgaricus, L. helveticus, and L. lactis was investigated. Ultrafiltration studies indicated a molecular weight of approximately 100,000 for the crude inhibitor. The agent was sensitive to proteolytic enzymes and retained full activity after 60 min at 100 degrees C (pH 5). Activity against sensitive cells was bactericidal but not bacteriolytic. These characteristics identified the inhibitory agent as a bacteriocin, designated lactacin B. Examination of strains of L. acidophilus within the six homology groupings of Johnson et al. (Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 30:53-68, 1980) demonstrated that production of the bacteriocin lactacin B could not be used in classification of neotype L. acidophilus strains. However, the usefulness of employing sensitivity to lactacin B in classification of dairy lactobacilli is suggested.
Eigenvalue Crossing Avoidance in Characteristic Modes

The theory of characteristic modes (TCM) provides a set of eigenvalues and eigenvectors that are determined entirely by a structure's geometry at a particular frequency. When examining a design over a range of frequencies, consistent interpretation of the modal data is crucial. Here, we present a way of interpreting crossing avoidances observed when tracking characteristic-mode eigenvalue traces over frequency. Using the framework of coupled-mode theory, a method for decomposing a pair of characteristic modes into auxiliary modes is developed. The auxiliary modes have a degeneracy (eigenvalue crossing) and maintain continuity of modal current distributions through the coupling region of the original characteristic modes. We demonstrate several examples using our method on simple objects. Furthermore, we explore the effect of multiplicative noise and lumped reactive loading on induced crossing avoidance.
Coevolution of Parental Care, Parasitic, and Resistance Efforts in Facultative Parasitism

Here we develop a tug-of-war game theory model of mixed-strategy facultative parasitism. In this framework, individuals decide how to strategically invest in parental care effort, parasitism, and resistance to being parasitized, choosing their investments to respond optimally to their opponent’s behavior and vice versa. We have implemented the model in the well-studied case of mixed-strategy conspecific brood parasitism, which occurs when a female raises her own clutch of eggs and flexibly lays some eggs in a conspecific’s nest. However, the nest of a parasitic female in this case may also be parasitized. We model this as a tug-of-war, allowing parasitic and resistance efforts to strategically coevolve with each other. We then derive expressions for parasitism outcomes commonly observed in the field. The model also captures the trade-offs between parental care and parasitism when both are possible. We make a number of novel predictions about the rate of successful versus attempted parasitism as well as how parental care effort, resistance to parasitism, and fitness vary as functions of group size and individual differences between players in energy budget and production efficiency. Although we focus primarily on conspecific brood parasitism, the model is general enough to be extended to other systems in which facultative parasitism is possible, including the parasitism of food, fertilizations, nest sites, or other resources from conspecifics.
Gender Variation in Asylum Experiences in the UK: The Role of Patriarchy and Coping Strategies

Previous work suggests that female asylum seekers and refugees have more constraints on their actions than their male counterparts, as structural forces from the country of origin are reproduced in the host country. This paper explores the use of structuration theory in interpreting the impact of gender upon asylum seeker and refugee experiences in the UK. The experiences of, and coping strategies used by 8 male and 10 female asylum seekers and refugees from two different cities are analysed. Their experiences are examined in relation to different patriarchal forces. In comparison to the males, differences are apparent in the level and types of agency of the female asylum seekers and refugees. Within this study certain types of patriarchy are reproduced in British society particularly at the household level, whilst individuals are also influenced by institutional patriarchy within the wider society. The variation in experiences found here suggests the need for policy to recognise the heterogeneity of these groups, so as to provide the most appropriate support for individuals.
Involvement of vacuolar H+‐ATPase in killing of human melanoma cells by the sphingosine kinase analogue FTY720

Targeting the sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor (S1PR) signalling axis is emerging as a promising strategy in the treatment of cancer. However, the effect of such an approach on survival of human melanoma cells remains less understood. Here, we show that the sphingosine analogue FTY720 that functionally antagonises S1PRs kills human melanoma cells through a mechanism involving the vacuolar H+‐ATPase activity. Moreover, we demonstrate that FTY720‐triggered cell death is characterized by features of necrosis and is not dependent on receptor‐interacting protein kinase 1 or lysosome cathepsins, nor was it associated with the activation of protein phosphatase 2A. Instead, it is mediated by increased production of reactive oxygen species and is antagonized by activation of autophagy. Collectively, these results suggest that FTY720 and its analogues are promising candidates for further development as new therapeutic agents in the treatment of melanoma.
Psychometric Assessment of the Croatian Version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form

Background: Many mothers find it difficult to breastfeed exclusively for the recommended 6 months postpartum. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF) was developed to measure breastfeeding self-efficacy, an important predictor of breastfeeding outcomes. Objective: To translate and psychometrically assess the BSES-SF among women in Croatia. Methods: A convenience sample of 190 breastfeeding mothers was recruited from a Baby-Friendly hospital in Zagreb, Croatia. In-hospital mothers completed questionnaires that included the translated BSES-SF, Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13), and a demographic questionnaire. The follow-up questionnaires were administered to mothers at 1 and 6 months postpartum to determine their infant feeding method. Results: The mean total score of the Croatian version of the BSES-SF was 55 ± 7. The Cronbach α coefficient for internal consistency was 0.86, suggesting good reliability. In-hospital BSES-SF scores significantly predicted breastfeeding duration and exclusivity at 1 and 6 months postpartum, providing support for predictive validity. The BSES-SF scores were significantly correlated with the total SOC scores (r = 0.32, P < .001) and the SOC subscales of comprehensibility (r = 0.35, P < .001), manageability (r = 0.26, P < .001), and meaningfulness (r = 0.20, P = .005), providing support for construct validity. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the translated version of the BSES-SF may be a valid and reliable measure of breastfeeding self-efficacy among postpartum women in Croatia.