Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ischemia-Modified Albumin, a Novel Predictive Marker of In-Hospital Mortality in Acute Aortic Dissection Patients

Background This work explored the prognostic prediction capabilities of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in patients suffering from acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using electronic health records. This study included AAD patients admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2015 to December 2018 in ≤24 h from the onset of symptoms to hospital admission. The levels of IMA were recorded upon admittance and the final was the all-cause mortality during hospitalization. Results This study enrolled 731 AAD patients. Among who, 160 passed away in the course of medication while 571 of them survived. Those who passed away exhibited higher levels of IMA (94.35 ± 26.84 vs. 69.14 ± 14.70, p < 0.001) than the survivors. Following the adjustment confounders, the fully adjusted model showed IMA to be an independent forecastor for in-hospital mortality for AAD patients (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.08–1.13, p < 0.001). Analysis based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) revealed that 79.35 μ/ml was the best threshold of IMA level. The area under the curve (AUC) based on this IMA level was 0.854 (95% CI 0.822–0.898) while the specificity and sensitivity to anticipate in-hospital death were 84.8 and 80.6%, respectively. Conclusion Admission IMA was an independent forecastor for in-hospital mortality among people suffering from AAD.
Age at menarche and menopause : their correlates and association with selected cardiovascular disease risk factors among 300,000 Chinese women in the China Kadoorie Biobank

Age at menarche and menopause: their correlates and association with selected cardiovascular disease risk factors among 300 000 Chinese women in the China Kadoorie Biobank Dr Serini Murugasen MSc by Research Green Templeton College Trinity Term 2010 Background: Age-standardised mortality rates for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are generally higher among men than women, prompting suggestions that reproductive factors may be partly responsible. Moreover, there have been major changes in women’s reproductive patterns and CVD rates in China over the last few decades, but the association between them is still poorly understood. Objectives: To start addressing these issues, this thesis examines the secular trends and correlates of age at menarche and menopause (the major physiological events defining a woman’s reproductive window), as well as their association with blood pressure and anthropometry in 302 180 women born in 1930-74 from 10 areas across China using crosssectional demographic, behavioural, physical and reproductive data from the China Kadoorie Biobank. Results: Mean age at menarche decreased by 2 years over a 44-year period (1930-1974), with the exception of an increase of about 1 year for women exposed to the Great Chinese Famine in early adolescence. No other factor showed as large an effect on age at menarche. Among women aged ≥57 years at the baseline, mean age at menopause increased by 1.4 years over a 21-year period (1930-1951) and was significantly associated with several reproductive and behavioural factors, notably gravidity (2 years later menopause) and smoking (6 months earlier menopause). Blood pressure and anthropometry were weakly inversely associated with age at menarche (0.2mmHg and 0.2kg/m lower per year later menarche) and even more weakly positively associated with age at menopause (0.06mmHg and 0.04kg/m higher per year later menopause). These trends and associations all varied to some extent by area and socioeconomic status. (All pvalues <0.0001) Conclusion: This study adds new information on the secular trends and correlates of age at menarche and menopause in a large Chinese population born around the mid-20 century and provides a basis for further prospective work on the association of reproductive history with the incidence of CVD in China.
Novel Players in the Aging Synapse: Impact on Cognition

While neuronal loss has long been considered as the main contributor to age-related cognitive decline, these alterations are currently attributed to gradual synaptic dysfunction driven by calcium dyshomeostasis and alterations in ionotropic/metabotropic receptors. Given the key role of the hippocampus in encoding, storage, and retrieval of memory, the morpho- and electrophysiological alterations that occur in the major synapse of this network-the glutamatergic-deserve special attention. We guide you through the hippocampal anatomy, circuitry, and function in physiological context and focus on alterations in neuronal morphology, calcium dynamics, and plasticity induced by aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We provide state-of-the art knowledge on glutamatergic transmission and discuss implications of these novel players for intervention. A link between regular consumption of caffeine—an adenosine receptor blocker—to decreased risk of AD in humans is well established, while the mechanisms responsible have only now been uncovered. We review compelling evidence from humans and animal models that implicate adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) upsurge as a crucial mediator of age-related synaptic dysfunction. The relevance of this mechanism in patients was very recently demonstrated in the form of a significant association of the A2AR-encoding gene with hippocampal volume (synaptic loss) in mild cognitive impairment and AD. Novel pathways implicate A2AR in the control of mGluR5-dependent NMDAR activation and subsequent Ca2+ dysfunction upon aging. The nature of this receptor makes it particularly suited for long-term therapies, as an alternative for regulating aberrant mGluR5/NMDAR signaling in aging and disease, without disrupting their crucial constitutive activity.
A Case Report of Congenital Hallux Valgus from an Incomplete Preaxial Polydactyly without a Supernumerary Digit

Introduction: While hallux valgus is a common deformity occurring in adults and adolescents, congenital hallux valgus is rare. There is a paucity of information available about the deformity and even less information about its cause. In fact, discrepancies exist within literature as to its etiology. This is a case report of bilateral congenital hallux valgus that appears to have been caused by preaxial polydactyly of the great toe, without a supernumerary digit, which to date has not been reported in literature. Markedly increased intermetatarsal and hallux valgus angles were present in both feet. Furthermore, bilateral interval improvement of the angulation occurred spontaneously without operative or non-operative intervention. This case reveals another potential cause of congenital hallux valgus not previously described. Our patient demonstrates that preaxial polydactyly could be another possible etiology of congenital hallux valgus. This case also demonstrates that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be required for accurate diagnosis. Case Report: The subject of this case report is a 6-month-old boy who presented with what appeared to be severe bilateral congenital hallux valgus. However, an MRI was suggestive of preaxial polydactyly without a supernumerary digit. At 26 months of age, clinical follow-up demonstrated that the deformity had improved and the patient was doing well clinically without intervention. Conclusion: Congenital hallux valgus is an uncommon deformity. Our patient demonstrates that the etiology may be incomplete preaxial polydactyly without a supernumerary digit. Overtime, even without treatment, the deformity appeared to improve, and the patient had no clinical complaints. The lack of an accessory ossicle or supernumerary digit makes our patient’s case unique.
Developing content to promote desistance in men who have committed intimate partner violence in same-sex relationships

This article provides an overview of service development processes used to design a therapeutic approach that promotes desistance amongst men who have committed acts of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against their male partner or ex-partner. The article aims to explore how inclusive therapeutic service provision can be developed using the best available evidence, stakeholder consultation, co-production and technology. It does so by presenting a two-part study that draws upon a review of inclusive IPV theory alongside responses to a consultation designed to canvas stakeholder opinions (n = 14) of a proposed IPV service. It also provides a case study (n = 1) of the co-production of digital media with someone from the target group for that service. Implications for future service design for marginalised groups in the Criminal Justice System and provisions for people who have committed IPV are discussed. This article represents the views of the authors’ and not those of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
Students’ Attitudes Towards Learning, A Study on Their Academic Achievement and Internet Addiction

Examining attitudes of students towards learning, their academic achievements and internet addictions is the mainfocus of this study. With the institution permission obtained from the Provincial Directorate of National Education ofİstanbul Governorship dated: 21.04. 2016 and No: 59090411-20-E.4519158, a descriptive study in relationalscreening model was conducted. By evaluating the data of 355 students (158 male and 176 female), from 370students studying in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades attending public high schools in the region of Kadıköy, İstanbulduring 2015-2016 academic year the outcome results were obtained. "Personal Information Form", "AttitudesTowards Learning" and “Computer Addiction for Adolescents” scales were used in order to collect research data. Byanalyzing the data with t test, one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) and correlation statistical research techniques inthe SPSS 22.0 program, findings were obtained. A significance level of 0.05 was taken as the basis in the appliedstatistics. As per the findings, a difference was found in terms of internet addiction according to gender, academicachievement, homework habits, family activity frequency variables. Furthermore, a negative relationship was foundaccording to the correlation analysis result between students' attitudes towards learning and internet addiction. Inconclusion, in the light of the the research findings, it is possible to express that differentiation of students' attitudestowards learning can support effective and efficient use of information technologies. However, the negativedifferentiation of the attitudes towards learning can generate Internet addiction as a result of inefficient use of theinformation technologies.
Young children’s multimodal participation in storytelling

In what ways do young children use talk and gesture to participate in conversational storytelling with family members? This paper addresses this question by examining the interactions between Japanese-speaking children (ages one year and ten months to two years and five months) and their parents at the dining table. In focusing on children’s use of talk and gesture in inhabiting the dynamic and shifting roles of ‘recipient’ and ‘speaker’, the analysis shows how children (1) display their understanding of parents’ tellings and (2) animate the activities, social actions, and stances of characters (self and other). It also shows how parents respond to children’s talk and gesture, through practices such as alignment, assessment and repair. The findings shed light on children’s multimodal participation in conversational storytelling, and their abilities to engage in action and make relevant contributions to interaction.
A Comprehensive Spatial Mapping of Muscle Synergies in Highly Variable Upper-Limb Movements of Healthy Subjects

Background Recently, muscle synergy analysis has become a standard methodology for extracting coordination patterns from electromyographic (EMG) signals, and for the evaluation of motor control strategies in many contexts. Most previous studies have characterized upper-limb muscle synergies across a limited set of reaching movements. With the aim of future uses in motor control, rehabilitation and other fields, this study provides a comprehensive characterization of muscle synergies in a large set of upper-limb tasks and also considers inter-individual and environmental variability. Methods Sixteen healthy subjects performed upper-limb hand exploration movements for a comprehensive mapping of the upper-limb workspace, which was divided into several sectors (Frontal, Right, Left, Horizontal, and Up). EMGs from representative upper-limb muscles and kinematics were recorded to extract muscle synergies and explore the composition, repeatability and similarity of spatial synergies across subjects and movement directions, in a context of high variability of motion. Results Even in a context of high variability, a reduced set of muscle synergies may reconstruct the original EMG envelopes. Composition, repeatability and similarity of synergies were found to be shared across subjects and sectors, even if at a lower extent than previously reported. Conclusion Extending the results of previous studies, which were performed on a smaller set of conditions, a limited number of muscle synergies underlie the execution of a large variety of upper-limb tasks. However, the considered spatial domain and the variability seem to influence the number and composition of muscle synergies. Such detailed characterization of the modular organization of the muscle patterns for upper-limb control in a large variety of tasks may provide a useful reference for studies on motor control, rehabilitation, industrial applications, and sports.
The effect of Content and Language Integrated Learning on the development of English reading comprehension skills

This action-research study analyzed the effect of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) on the development of reading comprehension skills in English of 21 students of eleventh-grade in Colombia. A diagnostic test and the Survey of Reading Strategies were administered in class in order to establish the students’ level of reading comprehension in English and the reading strategies they used. A series of interventions to develop reading skills were carried out through instructional material based on the CLIL approach. The data was collected using qualitative instruments, such as the researcher’s field journal, an observation protocol and a focus group. Initially, students used very few or no reading comprehension strategies effectively. Moreover, they had poor performance in reading comprehension tests. After the implementation, the students demonstrated a more controlled and monitored use of their comprehension strategies that significantly influenced the development of their reading ability.
A Sanitation Assessment of Food Contact Surfaces in Child Care Centers using Microbiological Analysis and Rapid Sanitation Assays

Food contact surfaces are a major concern for food service facilities in controlling the spread of foodborne pathogens. Food service areas within these facilities are considered critical to health, and therefore the microbiological quality of these surfaces within child care center food service areas must be surveyed and assessed. The main objectives of this study were: (1) to gather information as to the environmental microbiological quality of food service surfaces and a non-food contact surface in child care centers, and (2) to evaluate several rapid sanitation assays for determining the sanitation quality of food contact surfaces and to determine if the methods have potential for utilization within child care centers. A microbiological survey was conducted in six (6) Knoxville, TN area child care centers. The facilities represented three large (> 100 children) and three small (< 50 children) centers. Each child care center was tested twice monthly over the course of an eight (8) month period for a total of 16 sampling periods per center. Four areas, one food service area, one diaper changing area, and two food preparation areas (n=288), within each center was sampled. The food service area and the food preparation areas consisted of three food contact surfaces, two food preparation surfaces (i.e. kitchen counters) and one food service surface (i.e. children’s eating table), while the diaper changing area consisted of one non-food contact surface (i.e. diaper changing surface). All surfaces were tested three times daily, pre-opening, lunch time, and following final clean-up of the day, to monitor the microbiological quality of each surface throughout the day. For the microbiological analysis, results were expressed as the mean aerobic plate count (APC) and coliforms per 50 cm area and by prevalence rates of the presence of coliforms and E. coli, i.e., the percentage of total samples in which coliforms or E. coli were detected, per 50 cm area. Mean log APC counts over the survey period were 3.04, 3.93, 3.08, 4.50, 3.45 and 4.16 log10 CFU/50 cm for centers 1 through 6, respectively. Mean coliform counts were 1.35, 17.96, 5.59, 87.55, 10.22, and 20.43 CFU/50 cm for the same respective centers. There was a significant difference between counts for center
The nature of the ministry of school chaplains in Church of England secondary schools

This thesis argues that since in our increasingly secularised culture one of the very few direct points of contact between the Church of England and the young is the ministry of school chaplains, theirs is a vital ministry for the Church and its future. The study described in the thesis researched school chaplaincy in Church of England secondary schools to establish what chaplains do, how they understand their ministry and how school students themselves respond to chaplaincy. Originating in the researcher’s professional role in support of school chaplains, the research was undertaken on a multi-method basis. Initial scoping interviews were undertaken with school chaplains and headteachers in a range of schools. A full literature review located school chaplaincy within the conceptual contexts of missiology, ministry and chaplaincy. In-depth interviews with school chaplains explored their self-understanding as ministers. A national, internet-based survey of all contactable school chaplains was undertaken to explore issues identified earlier in the study, and a series of focus-group interviews was undertaken with senior school students. The research revealed that chaplains perceive little awareness within the Church of England of the missional significance of their ministry, although individual chaplains emerged as highly-motivated spiritual professionals committed to the pastoral welfare of their communities, and with a strong sense of their mission as ‘God people’. From a wide variety of ecclesial and personal backgrounds and working in very different school contexts, chaplains have multiple, significant functions which are well understood by school students, and exercise a ‘ministry of presence’. The research evidence highlights the need for greater recognition of the ministry of school chaplains and for structures of support and development to resource this vital ministry. The thesis concludes with an outline of policy proposals for the Church in the light of the recent development of a new ‘para-chaplaincy’.
Fecal Calprotectin as a Marker of the Gut Immune System Activation Is Elevated in Parkinson’s Disease

Introduction Alpha-synucleinopathy constituting a characteristic feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs at all levels of the brain-gut axis including the enteric nervous system (ENS). Lesions in the ENS may be connected with gut inflammation, increased intestinal permeability and dysmotility contributing to the pathogenesis of PD and its gastrointestinal manifestations. Aims To evaluate fecal calprotectin and zonulin as biomarkers of gut inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction in PD patients. Methods Quantitative evaluation of fecal biomarkers was performed by ELISA tests in 35 PD patients and 20 healthy controls. Additionally, patients filled out a short questionnaire concerning gastrointestinal symptoms. Results Median fecal calprotectin level (μg/g) was significantly higher in PD patients compared to the controls: 54.5 (29.0–137.9) vs. 9.7 (5.2–23.3), p < 0.0001. Applying age-related reference ranges, the increased fecal calprotectin level was found in 43% of PD patients and in none of the control subjects (p < 0.001). No correlation between fecal calprotectin level and PD duration was observed. No statistically significant difference between the groups regarding zonulin level was found. The most frequent bowel symptoms reported by PD patients included constipation (69% of subjects), feeling of incomplete evacuation (51%), bloating (51%), abdominal pain (20%), and alternating bowel movement pattern (17%). Conclusion The evaluation of fecal calprotectin level may be a useful tool to detect the signs of gut immune system activation present in a remarkable number of PD patients, also in the early stage of the disease. Calprotectin may constitute a critical link between amyloid formation and neuroinflammatory cascades serving as a prospective diagnostic and therapeutic target.
Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Integration Of Technology Into Pedagogy

The aim of this qualitative exploratory case study was to examine middle school teachers’ perceptions of the integration of technology into pedagogy. Data collection occurred from analyzing middle school teacher’s experiences, observations, and motivation following a technological implementation initiative into pedagogy. The evaluation of the study data included the analysis of surveys and interpretation of in-depth interviews of teachers. A pedagogical focus on teacher integration of technology supported by the self-determination theory as the research study’s theoretical framework examining human motivation was appropriated to the case study. As educational leaders face significant challenges in understanding the impact of teachers’ perceptions of the integration of technology into pedagogy, this study provides insight into confronting those difficulties. Though the case study, three emergent themes surfaced that included the importance of collaborative professional development, quality of student engagement, and teacher motivation to use technology. The findings may be useful to educational change agents who can use the case study to assist in understanding the importance of acknowledging the perception of teachers and the need for providing opportunities for teachers to engage in focused professional developments.
Gambling related harms – community and clinical comparisons

Abstract Background: Large scale gambling research has traditionally used screening instruments such as the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) to determine prevalence rates and inform policy. Implicit within this approach is the assumption that scores on screening instruments are a proxy for the presence and severity of harms associated with gambling. Method: A sample of 99 clients attending a specialist gambling treatment clinic, and 330 regular gamblers in the community were administered the Problem Gambling Severity Index and an instrument measuring severity of harm and its relationship to gambling. Results: Results suggested that gamblers in the community self-reported experiencing lower overall levels of harm across seven domains including psychological distress compared to the clinical sample. Similar patterns were observed when examining participants meeting PGSI criteria for problem gambling, and for those problem gamblers experiencing any level of harm. Conclusions: Results suggest that high levels of psychological and financial harm are a robust characteristic of individuals in treatment. Although overall rates of harm attributed to gambling were lower in the community, approximately a fifth of the sample failing to meet problem gambling cutoff scores reported harms. Exclusively using screening instruments may results in incorrect estimates of the number of gamblers experiencing harm.