Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Swedish nurses' perception of nursing research and its implementation in clinical practice: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND Nowadays, nursing research is seen as an integral part of professional nursing although implementing knowledge derived from nursing research into the practice setting is still problematic. Current research, conducted mainly with a descriptive quantitative design, highlights the struggle experienced by Registered Nurses (RNs) to use and implement research findings in clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this naturalistic inquiry was to explore nurses' perception of nursing research and its implementation in a clinical context. METHOD AND SAMPLE A qualitative approach was chosen, and four focus group discussions were conducted. The groups comprised a total of 16 RNs (three men and 13 women) working in a secondary care setting. The transcribed texts were analysed, inspired by Burnard's description of content analysis. FINDINGS The texts were interpreted as representing three predominant themes: scholastic, individual and contextual influences highlighted as influential components impacting on the RNs' views on research and its implementation as well as on their readiness to accept and support it. However, the most influential aspect permeating our themes was their educational background--the type of qualification they held. In general, the RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing viewed research and the implementation of knowledge in practice more favourably than those RNs with a diploma. CONCLUSION Our findings, although based on a small qualitative study, are congruent with others, indicating that further research is warranted concerning the impact of education on RNs' views of nursing research and its implementation. Hence, it might well be that the RNs' educational point of departure needs to be stressed more than what so far have been anticipated. In the meanwhile, it is possible that a number of strategies could be tested to promote a more favourable view in these issues and where the nursing education has the possibility to influence this endeavour.
Cardiac remodelling and RAS inhibition

Risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes are known to augment the activity and tissue expression of angiotensin II (Ang II), the major effector peptide of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). Overstimulation of the RAS has been implicated in a chain of events that contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular (CV) disease, including the development of cardiac remodelling. This chain of events has been termed the CV continuum. The concept of CV disease existing as a continuum was first proposed in 1991 and it is believed that intervention at any point within the continuum can modify disease progression. Treatment with antihypertensive agents may result in regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, with different drug classes exhibiting different degrees of efficacy. The greatest decrease in left ventricular mass is observed following treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), which inhibit Ang II formation. Although ACE-Is and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) provide significant benefits in terms of CV events and stroke, mortality remains high. This is partly due to a failure to completely suppress the RAS, and, as our knowledge has increased, an escape phenomenon has been proposed whereby the human sequence of the 12 amino acid substrate angiotensin-(1-12) is converted to Ang II by the mast cell protease, chymase. Angiotensin-(1-12) is abundant in a wide range of organs and has been shown to increase blood pressure in animal models, an effect abolished by the presence of ACE-Is or ARBs. This review explores the CV continuum, in addition to examining the influence of the RAS. We also consider novel pathways within the RAS and how new therapeutic approaches that target this are required to further reduce Ang II formation, and so provide patients with additional benefits from a more complete blockade of the RAS.
Intra-sheath versus extra-sheath ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection for trigger finger: a triple blinded randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to compare clinical results of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection, intra-sheath versus extra-sheath of the finger flexor tendon. Methods: A total of 166 patients with trigger finger were evaluated in a triple blind randomized clinical trial study. All the patients were injected with 1ml of 40mg/ml methyl prednisolone acetate, under the guidance of ultrasound. Half the patients were injected extra sheath, while the other half were injected intra sheath at the level of first annular pulley. Results: The two groups were comparable in baseline characteristics (age, gender, dominant hand, involved hand and finger, and the symptoms duration). No significant difference was observed in the two groups with regards to Quinnell grading. In the final visit, 94% of patients from each group were symptom free. Conclusion: Results of corticosteroid injection intra-sheath or extra-sheath of the finger flexor tendon under ultrasound guidance in patients with trigger finger are comparably alike. Extra-sheath injection at the level of A1 pulley is as effective as an Intra-sheath administration.
Zeus robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy in comparison with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND The robotic surgical system overcomes many technological obstacles of conventional laparoscopic surgery, and possesses enormous clinical applied potential. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of Zeus robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS Forty patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group A (n=20) underwent Zeus robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and patients in group B (n=20) received conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The parameters on operative field, operative time, the number of actions, the rate of operative errors and minimal trauma were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS The number of clearing camera (1.1+/-1.0 times) and the time of adjusting the operative field (2.2+/-0.7 minutes) in group A were significantly less than those (4.5+/-1.5 times) and (7.5+/-1.2 minutes) in group B. The number of dissection actions (337+/-86 times) and the rate of operative errors (10%) in group A were less than those (389+/-94 times), (25%) in group B. The total operation time (104.9+/-20.5 minutes) and setup time (29.5+/-9.8 minutes) in group A were significantly longer than those (78.6+/-17.1 minutes), (12.6+/-2.5 minutes) in group B. Blood loss and postoperative hospitalization were similar. No postoperative complications occurred in both groups, and open cholecystectomy was performed in each group. CONCLUSIONS Zeus robot-assisted cholecystectomy inherits the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. The Zeus robotic surgical system is better than conventional laparoscopic technique in controlling the operative field and can be manipulated precisely and stably though it requires more operative time.
Validating explanatory qualitative research: enhancing the interpretation of interviews in urban planning and transportation research

Abstract The literature on qualitative interview methodology includes little guidance on how to use interviews for explanatory purposes. Still, within many fields of research, explanatory interview research could play an important role, sometimes in combination with quantitative methods on research topics where the latter methods have traditionally been dominant. Using a study of influences of built environment characteristics on travel as a case, this paper shows an example of how such explanatory interviewing and interview interpretation could be done within a mixed-methods framework. A key tool in the study used as an example was an interpretation scheme developed for explanatory purposes. The interpretation scheme requested the researchers to write down what could be inferred from each interview as answers to each sub-question derived from the main research questions of the study. The scheme was at the same time flexible, allowing sub-questions to be included if new aspects relevant to the topic were discovered during the interviews. While obviously not being the only way to carry out explanatory qualitative interview research, the method has proven to be fruitful in a number of studies on built environment and travel over the last fifteen years.
Mineralization of p-nitrophenol by a new isolate Arthrobacter sp. Y1

Arthrobacter sp. Y1, capable of metabolizing p-nitrophenol (PNP) as the sole carbon, nitrogen and energy source was isolated from activated sludge. The bacterium could tolerate concentrations of PNP up to 600 mg L− 1, and degradation of PNP was achieved within 120 h of incubation. PNP and its metabolites were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The metabolite formed indicated that the organism followed the 4-nitrocathechol (4-NC) pathway for metabolism of this compound. The relevant degrading-enzyme was extracellular. Addition of other carbon source (glucose 0∼ 30 g L− 1) led to accelerated degradation. If the glucose concentration exceeded 30 g L− 1, however, degradation was repressed. Spectrophotometry assay of the nitrite and genotoxic study showed that strain Y1 could detoxify PNP. Therefore, the present study may provide a basis for the development of the bioremediation strategies to remedy the pollutants in the environment.
A Quantitative Assessment of the Risk for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Introduction into Spain via Legal Trade of Live Poultry

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is considered one of the most important diseases of poultry. During the last 9 years, HPAI epidemics have been reported in Asia, the Americas, Africa, and in 18 countries of the European Union (EU). For that reason, it is possible that the risk for HPAI virus (HPAIV) introduction into Spain may have recently increased. Because of the EU free‐trade policy and because legal trade of live poultry was considered an important route for HPAI spread in certain regions of the world, there are fears that Spain may become HPAIV‐infected as a consequence of the legal introduction of live poultry. However, no quantitative assessment of the risk for HPAIV introduction into Spain or into any other EU member state via the trade of poultry has been published in the peer‐reviewed literature. This article presents the results of the first quantitative assessment of the risk for HPAIV introduction into a free country via legal trade of live poultry, along with estimates of the geographical variation of the risk and of the relative contribution of exporting countries and susceptible poultry species to the risk. The annual mean risk for HPAI introduction into Spain was estimated to be as low as 1.36 × 10−3, suggesting that under prevailing conditions, introduction of HPAIV into Spain through the trade of live poultry is unlikely to occur. Moreover, these results support the hypothesis that legal trade of live poultry does not impose a significant risk for the spread of HPAI into EU member states.
Factors affecting the central corneal thickness of Hong Kong-Chinese.

PURPOSE The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of age, intraocular pressure, refractive error (spherical equivalent) and corneal curvatures on the central corneal thickness of Hong Kong-Chinese. We also compared the central corneal thickness of Hong Kong-Chinese with those previously reported for other national/ethnic groups. METHODS The central corneal thicknesses of 151 subjects of age 10-60 yrs were measured using an ultrasound pachometer. Intraocular pressure, refractive error and the corneal curvatures of these subjects were also recorded. RESULTS The mean +/- SD central corneal thickness of the right eye and left eye were 575 +/- 32 microm and 574 +/- 31 microm respectively. No significant difference in central corneal thickness was found between the right and left eyes or between male and female subjects. Central corneal thickness decreased with increasing age but the effect appeared to be due to differences in female subjects only. The maximum decrease in central corneal thickness occurred in subjects in the age group of 10-25 yrs, and in this age group, central corneal thickness and age was significantly correlated in both male and female subjects. Intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness was significantly correlated. There was no correlation between central corneal thickness and refractive error or between central corneal thickness and corneal curvatures. CONCLUSIONS Central corneal thickness decreased with increasing age but this appeared to be due to female subjects only. Central corneal thickness was significantly correlated with intraocular pressure, but not with refractive error or corneal curvatures. Our subjects also had significantly thicker corneas than those reported for Caucasian subjects.
Comparison of Cobb-Douglas and Translog frontier models in the analysis of technical efficiency in dry-season tomato production

There has been contradiction among researchers regarding similarity or otherwise of technical efficiency estimate obtained from Cobb-Douglas and Translog frontier models. While some researchers believe that results obtained from the two functional forms, given the same data, were essentially similar, others disagreed. This study compared both functional forms to analyze technical inefficiency in dry-season tomato production in Jos-South Area of Plateau State. Data were collected from 60 dry-season tomato farmers sampled through three-staged random sampling technique. The analyses of the data were done using both Cobb-Douglas and translog frontier models. The results showed that the estimated elasticities, efficiency scores and inefficiency effects from Cobb-Douglas and Translog functional forms differ significantly. Therefore, the choice of functional form for efficiency analysis should be based on convenience, meeting selection criteria premise on the value of variance-parameters and objective of the study. Keywords : Efficiency, comparison, Cobb-Douglas and Translog models
100 Cases of Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: Breast Approach

Neck surgery is one of the newest fields of endoscopic surgical application. One hundred patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy. We used 3 incisions: 1 on both upper circumareolar areas and 1 approximately 3 cm below the clavicle on the tumor side. Subplatysmal and subcutaneous operative space was created with CO2 insufflation at 6 mm Hg of pressure. The thyroidal vessels and the parenchyma of the gland were dissected and divided with ultrasonic scalpel and commonly used laparoscopic instruments. The mean (±SD) operation time was 136 ± 10 minutes before the year 2000 and 67 ± 9 in the year 2000 (P < 0.05). There were six cases of conversion to conventional thyroidectomy. Postoperative complications occurred in five cases. There was no subcutaneous emphysema. The patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result. On the basis of our experience with these 100 patients, we believe that endoscopic thyroidectomy is feasible and safe for resection of thyroid tumors. Thus, this procedure will provide another surgical technique for treatment of thyroid tumors, with maximized cosmetic effect.
Deals and Development : The Political Dynamics of Growth Episodes

If development is predicated upon sustained economic growth, how can this be achieved? In Deals and Development: The Political Dynamics of Growth Episodes, editors Lant Prichett, Kunal Sen and Eric Werker bring together country experts to examine how businesses have engaged with the state to both constrain and enable growth episodes across ten African and Asian countries. While the book draws on global expertise and actual practices of state-business engagement to superbly illustrate the importance of sustained growth, Alice Evans explores three fundamental questions that the text raises.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Isolated Sulfite Oxidase Deficiency

Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency is a rare genetic neurometabolic disease. The first symptoms of this disorder (similar to symptoms of ischemic events) may lead to misdiagnosis and to subsequent birth of affected children in these families. This study characterizes the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and (for the first time, to our knowledge) the MR spectroscopy features of isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency to provide a means for early and correct diagnosis. Three patients with isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency are studied who manifested intractable seizures and severe hypotonia in the immediate postnatal period with an unknown diagnosis, despite extensive workup. MR imaging and proton MR spectroscopy examinations were performed early in the neonatal period in 2 infants and after 5 months in the third infant. The prominent MR features were early cystic white matter damage, accompanied by profound cerebral atrophy in the third infant. Compared with hypoxic-ischemic disorder, MR findings in isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency demonstrate a more severe condition, without subsequent recovery. The MR spectroscopy studies indicate early onset of energetic and metabolic imbalance. Urine stick findings demonstrated high sulfite levels in 2 patients, and the final diagnosis was subsequently made based on molecular, biochemical, and genetic findings. Magnetic resonance imaging and MR spectroscopy measurements may help differentiate isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency from hypoxic-ischemic condition in patients in whom this diagnosis is not clinically suspected and may lead to further genetic antenatal inquiry that might prevent the birth of other infants affected with this severe and incurable congenital disease.
A Universal Childcare Expansion, Quality, Starting Age, and School Performance

In the first decade of the 2000s, the proportion of children aged one or two attending formal childcare in Norway more than doubled, from 38% to 79%. There was an especially large increase in public funding to childcare centers starting in 2003, which accelerated this attendance growth. The consequences of this expansion on children`s outcomes remain largely unknown. This paper study the effects of attending childcare on school performance by using the fact that the childcare expansion was greater in municipalities that had low prereform childcare coverage. The results do not indicate any average effect of the childcare expansion on test scores at age 10. Dividing the municipalities into groups by childcare quality as measured by pre-reform observables, the results show a positive effect on school performance in municipalities with high pre-reform quality and a negative effect in municipalities with low pre-reform quality. Further analyses suggest that not only quality differences between municipalities but also the age of entering formal childcare explain the findings.
The Relation of Socioeconomic Status to Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer

We assessed the relation between socioeconomic status and risk or oropharyngeal cancer in a population-based interview study of 762 male cases and 837 male controls in tour areas of the United States. Three primary indicators of socioeconomic status were evaluated: education, occupational status, and percentage of potential working life spent in employment. With adjustment for the effects of established risk factors, such as use of tobacco products, alcohol consumption, and poor dentition, a relatively low percentage of years worked was also a risk factor. Educational attainment and occupational status were not independently related to risk of oropharyngeal cancer. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that behaviors that lead to social instability, and/or social instability itself, are linked to an increased risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers
Effects of a Controlled Program of Moderate Physical Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity in Nonobese, Nondiabetic Subjects

Objective:To study the effect of a moderate, aerobic physical exercise program on insulin resistance and its accompanying metabolic changes in a group of healthy, middle-age, nonobese subjects, without modifying oxygen consumption and body weight. Design:The inclusion of subjects was carried out among volunteers from the health personnel of our center, who complied with the inclusion criteria. Participants:Twelve subjects (age 30-60 years, 5 females), nonsmokers, body mass index (BMI) <27 kg/m2 and fasting plasma glucose <6.1 mmol/L. Interventions:Insulin resistance was assessed using the Bergmann minimal model modified with insulin, and basal and maximum metabolic rate were measured with standard methods. All subjects completed a 2-month program of aerobic exercise using the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines, consisting of aerobic exercise of moderate, regular, and continual intensity (3 times per week), with a duration of 45 to 50 minutes per session. Results:Following controlled exercise, no significant differences in BMI, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, lipids, free fatty acids, and leptin plasma values were observed. Plasma glucose and insulin values decreased significantly (−0.37 mmol/L and −16.5 pmol/L, respectively). Insulin sensitivity showed an increase of 2.1 × 10−4 mU L−1 min−1 (P = 0.001). Basal and maximum metabolic rate showed no significant differences after the exercise program. Conclusions:Moderate aerobic exercise increases insulin sensitivity in nonobese, nondiabetic subjects in the absence of significant changes in weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio, lipid profile, and oxygen consumption.
Private vs. Business Customers in the Sharing Economy - The implications of Trust, Perceived Risk, and Social Motives on Airbnb

The sharing economy is continuously changing the hospitality industry while competing with incumbent businesses over the available market share. This study examines the peer-to-peer renting service Airbnb. In particular, we investigate how social motives, trust, and perceived risk of private and business customers, alter the accommodation provider’s intention to accept a booking request. Understanding the implications of private and business customers is key – not only for platform providers, but also for researchers investigating the sharing economy. In this article, we develop a questionnaire for assessing the influence of the respective customer type on trust, perceived risk, and the provider’s intention. Our pretest employs survey data (n = 53) and principal component analysis (PCA) to prepare a clean structural equation modeling.
Regulatory avoidance in the temporary work agency industry: Evidence from Australia

Within the context of the Australian Senate’s Inquiry into corporate avoidance of the Fair Work Act 2009, this research examines regulatory avoidance in the temporary work agency industry. The findings highlight that regulatory avoidance in Australian temporary work agencies has intensified and expanded, normalising exploitation and further exacerbating precarious work and its detrimental outcomes. The study contributes to debates regarding regulation of temporary work agencies and illustrates the importance of examining how regulatory avoidance is constructed and played out in national contexts.