Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANATOMICAL STUDY OF SACRAL HIATUS FOR CAUDAL EPIDURAL BLOCK

Introduction: Anatomy of the sacral hiatus is having clinical importance during caudal epidural block. Present study is aimed at determining anatomy of sacrum specially sacral hiatus for caudal epidural block, with the help of morphometric measurements of the sacrum in relation to sacral hiatus in dry sacral bones. Material & method: Total 103 complete and undamaged adult, dry sacral bones were measured with Vernier caliper (accuracy 0.1 mm) and anatomical measurements were obtained. Results: Three bones were excluded because of total posterior closure defect. Agenesis of the sacral hiatus was detected in three sacral bones. Right and left superolateral sacral crests of the sacrum were taken as two points on dorsal surface of sacrum (forming the base of a triangle) because posterior superior iliac spines impose on the superolateral sacral crests. The distance between the two superolateral sacral crests (base of a triangle), the distances between the right and left superolateral sacral crest and the sacral apex were on average 60.61(SD 6.71), 61.95 (11.71) and 61.4 (11.98) mm respectively. Summary: An equilateral triangle formed between the apex of the sacral hiatus and right and left superolateral sacral crests. This equilateral triangle will help in determining the location of the sacral hiatus during caudal epidural block.
Survey of Serum Levels of Magnesium in Type 2 Diabetics Attending Clinics in Bayelsa State

The aim of this study was to determine the serum magnesium levels in Type 11 diabetics attending clinics in Bayelsa state. A randomized, cross sectional study was adopted with 50 healthy non diabetic subjects, mainly blood donors (mean aged 48.88±1.46) as control group and 100 diabetics attending clinics in Bayelsa state (mean aged 49.42±2.42) as study group. Blood samples were obtained after at least 8 hours of fasting in plain tubes and serum glucose levels were determined by glucose oxidase method and serum magnesium using xylidyl blue reagent. Height and weight were measured using a tapeline to the nearest 0.5cm and a bath scale to the nearest 0.1kg respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m) 2 . Statistical analyses were conducted using graph prism pad 5.0 statistical software versions and Microsoft excel 2003. Mean serum magnesium value among diabetics was 1.18± 0.06mmol/l and 0.7± 0.06mmol/l among controls (p <0.05). Magnesium values were statistically significant between sexes (p<0.05) in both diabetics and non-diabetics. The study established that hypomagnesaemia was not found in the diabetics attending clinic in Yenagoa. Therefore we recommend that serum magnesium levels be determined in diabetics attending clinic periodically as symptoms may occur long before it can be established in the laboratory. Keywords : type 2 diabetes, serum magnesium, fasting blood sugar (FBS), body mass index (BMI).
Pupil attitudes: a longitudinal study of children's attitudes to science at transfer from primary to secondary school

This thesis examines pupils' attitudes to science as they move from primary to secondary school, and seeks to identify any factors that might influence these attitudes. A review of the literature on attitudes to science research finds that existing studies with similar aims have tended to use cross-sectional samples, many of which were small or unrepresentative, and furthermore that there has often been inadequate control of potentially influential variables. The present work employs a longitudinal study of over 3000 children, between 10 and 12 years old, from schools in Essex. Data has been collected by means of questionnaires, supplemented by a free response section, and by interviews. Information was also collected from over 300 primary and secondary teachers by means of questionnaires, supplemented by a free response section, and interviews. Information was collected, by interviews and from statistical data in the public domain, about all participating schools. The integrated data from the children, their teachers and their schools has been analysed in three different ways: the quantitative data was subjected to a variety of statistical techniques to compare the two sets of data from primary and secondary school as two cross-sections, and to investigate changes for individual pupils taking a longitudinal approach. The qualitative data was subjected to textual analysis and it was also integrated with the quantitative data. These analyses yield conclusions, which inform pedagogy, school management, teacher training, and social justice.
Signs of fertility transition in Nigeria.

Empirical evidence emanating from two nationally representative sample surveys in Nigeria 1981/82 Nigeria Fertility Survey and 1990 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey is used to argue that there may be signs of fertility decline in Nigeria particularly in the South. Further research in this area with more recent empirical information is highly recommended because the data used here are of poor quality. The results indicate that reproductive preferences in Nigeria have changed dramatically between the two periods particularly the proportion of currently married women who desire no more children. The severe economic situation in the country at the time may have given rise to some reassessment postponement and termination of childbearing by many couples. (authors)
Fatores associados ao excesso de peso em crianças brasileiras menores de cinco anos

The scope of the study was to identify factors associated with excess weight in Brazilian children less than five years of age. Data from a cross-sectional home-based study entitled the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2006 were used. The diagnosis of excess weight was performed using the weight-for-height greater than 2 z scores above the median anthropometric standard recommended by the World Health Organization in 2006. The population under study consisted of 4,388 children. The prevalence of excess weight in children was described according to socio-economic, demographic, anthropometric, and behavioral variables. Crude and adjusted analyses were carried out to assess statistical significance stratified by gender using Poisson regression. The prevalence of excess weight was 6.6%. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, maternal body mass index and birth weight were associated with excess weight. Furthermore, being overweight was associated with exclusive breastfeeding for boys and with the socio-economic level and marital status of the mother for girls. The need to implement public policies that act on the major determinants of excess weight since childhood is emphasized.
The Occurrence and Possible Aetiology of Spondylolysis in a Pre-contact California Population

The occurrence of spondylolysis (neural arch separation at the pars interarticularis) is reported in a pre-contact (720-550 Cal BP) Central California population, CA-CCo-647 (n=46). Spondylolysis was examined within this population to assess differences in sex, age, and possible relationships with biological affinity. Furthermore, prevalence rates of spondylolysis were compared across various populations to discern the aetiology of the defect. Within CA-CCo-647, spondylolysis was found in 17.4% (8/46) of the population. All occurrences are complete, bilateral separations of the neural arch in the lower lumbar (L4 and L5). The defect is not seen in individuals below the age of 18, and there is no correlation between adult age and spondylolysis. Male indivi- duals display the defect at a higher rate (30.8% - 4/13) than female individuals (12.1% - 4/33); however, this is not a statistically significant finding. There does seem to be a correlation between an individual' ss ex and the onset of the defect; male individuals display spondylolysis at a younger age than female individuals. This finding could represent differences in activity patterns among young male and female individuals. In a biological distance analysis using craniometric data, male and female individuals with spondylolysis clustered closely, suggesting a genetic component for the defect. Finally, significant differences were found in spondylolysis prevalence between various populations representing distinct geographic and temporal settings. Significant differences were found among Native pre-contact samples and even between two comparable pre-contact California skeletal samples. These populations all engaged in distinct activities and were likely composed of genetically distinct groups of individuals, which may account for the differences in spondylolysis prevalence. All of these findings, both within CA-CCo-647 and between the various samples, suggest that the aetiology of spondylolysis is likely an interaction of genes and activity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recurrence of Febrile Seizures in Yazd Shahid Sadoughi Hospital

Objective Febrile seizure is the most common problem in pediatric neurology that occurs in 3- 4 % of children. The purpose of this study was to determine febrile seizure recurrence frequency and to evaluate its risk factors. Materials & Methods In a descriptive prospective study, 139 children (6 months to 6 years) with first febrile seizure were admitted to Yazd Shaheed Sadoughi Hospital between March 2004 and August 2005 and were followed up for at least 15 months for febrile seizure recurrence. Results Seventy six boys and 63 girls with a mean age of 2.03 ± 1.21 years were followed up for 25.1±5.5 months. About 30% of them had complex febrile seizures and 37.4% had febrile seizure recurrence with a mean recurrence time of 6.7 ± 5.9 months. About 65% of the children younger than one year and 30% of those older than one year had febrile seizure recurrence. (P value= 0.0001) Recurrence of seizure was seen in 63% of those who had seizure within an hour from the onset of fever and in 33% of those who had seizure after one hour from the onset of fever. (P value = 0.005) Seizures in children younger than one year old and seizures occurring in association with a fever lasting less than an hour were risk factors of febrile seizure recurrence. Conclusion Febrile seizure is more disturbing in children younger than one year old. Antipyretic usage was not effective in preventing seizure recurrence but may reduce discomfort and is reassuring.
Characterization of Zinc Carboxylates in an Oil Paint Test Panel

ABSTRACT Zinc (carboxylate) soaps, formed by reactions between zinc oxide (ZnO) and fatty acids in a drying oil, are known to cause deterioration in the paint layers of modern and contemporary oil paintings. This study investigates zinc carboxylates that developed in an oil painting test panel designed to mimic the aging and degradation encountered in actual works of art. Following accelerated and natural aging, protrusions were noted on the surface of the test panel. A large protrusion with erupted gel features was extracted from the test panel, mounted in top view, and then cut to reveal the sample's cross section. The gel features, which resulted from the unreacted oil binder's separation from the paint matrix, facilitated zinc carboxylate formation. Using reflectance µ-FTIR and SEM-EDX analysis, the morphologies and spatial distributions of zinc carboxylates within the gel regions of the protrusion were studied. A concentration gradient of zinc within the gel material was observed in the cross-sectional view, indicating patterns of zinc carboxylate formation and migration.
A Prospective Study to use and Misuse of Benzodiazepines to Different Examined Groups by Education in R. Macedonia

A conceptual multi-agent framework based on a knowledge-based collaborative decision support is proposed in this paper to design hybrid intelligent decision support systems (HIDSS) based on policy settings for the support of intelligent and pro-active decision making activities. An example of HIDSS has been developed to support the design and configuration of small wireless sensor networks (WSN). A WSN prototype is designed in this research to supply real time environmental and context related data and decision knowledge to emergency response applications specifically in the domain of civil defense. Its integration in the HIDSS is essential for the interactive support of all the decision making process phases, and will contribute to enhance the quality and the scope of automated individual and group decision making in emergency preparedness and response applications. This automation is based on the concept of Just In Time Knowledge Management (JITKM) enabled by the use of WSNs. The conceptual framework is firstly presented after a brief definition of the problem and design requirements focusing on both organizational and technical perspectives, in the context of inter-organizational activities performed in a complex and dynamic management environment. Then the solution developed for the design and configuration of the WSN is succinctly described. It consists of eliciting the sensing requirements translated into the homogenous sensor node specifications, localizing these sensor nodes using a pre-planning process and configuring them prior to their deployment. The configuration characteristics of the homogenous and heterogeneous sensor nodes are presented in terms of policy settings for the definition of the WSN architecture. Results from the case study are finally presented to illustrate the implementation of the solution in emergency preparedness for fire detection.
Low folic acid serum concentration as one of the factors leading to basal cell carcinoma development

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common neoplasm in Caucasian population, it represents over 80% of newly diagnosed tumors. Folic acid insufficiency has been recently considered as a risk factor for several cancers. Aim. To assess the contribution of folic acid metabolism in the process of carcinogenesis in patients with BCC by determining the concentration of folic acid in the serum of patients with BCC and in control group. Material and methods. Study group included 125 Caucasian subjects, 79 persons (41 women, 38 men, median age – 60.2 years, phototype: I/II – 20, III – 52, IV – 7) with BCC diagnosed on the basis of histopathological examination and 46 healthy volunteers (21 women, 25 men, median age – 58.4 years, phototype: I/II – 10, III – 28, IV – 8). In all patients serum folic acid concentration was measured with the use of Vitamin Folic Acid Test (DRG Vitamin Folic Acid, Mountainside, USA). Results. Folic acid concentration was significantly higher in a control group than in BCC patients (median 16.5 μg/l vs. median 9.6 μg/l; respectively; p < 0.001). In most of the subjects both from control group and with BCC folic acid serum concentration was within normal limit. Conclusions. Based on the obtained results and literature data we may conclude that the folic acid is involved in BCC development and its insufficiency may be concerned as one of the risk factors leading to skin cancerogenesis.
Father Involvement in Early Head Start Programs: A Practitioners Study.

Notes that most Early Head Start children have either a father who lives with them or an involved nonresident father. However, there is considerable variation across programs, with some programs serving a higher percentage of resident fathers, depending on the program setting or population served. Furthermore, programs vary in how they perceive their experience with father involvement, with most (72 percent) viewing themselves as novices in this area.
The effect of short-term vitamin D supplementation on lipid profile and blood pressure in post-menopausal women: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with a series of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, metabolic disorders, obesity, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke. Objective: To assess the effect of oral vitamin D3 on cardiovascular risk factors in post-menopausal women with vitamin D insufficiency. Materials and Methods: In this parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 76 healthy post-menopausal women with vitamin D insufficiency (defined as a 25-[OH] D level <75 nmol/L) were randomly assigned to receive vitamin D3 2000 IU once daily (n = 38) or placebo (n = 38). The trial was undertaken in the different health centers in Gorgan, north of Iran. Lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and blood pressure of the patients was assessed at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks after the trial. Data were entered into the computer using SPSS and analyzed by t-test. Results: FBS, lipid profile and blood pressure were not significantly different between the groups after 12 weeks (P > 0.05). No participant discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Conclusions: Vitamin D dietary supplementation is unlikely to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in post-menopausal women with vitamin D deficiency.
Concentric isokinetic dynamometry of the shoulder: Which parameters discriminate between healthy subjects and patients with shoulder disorders?

There is no consensus on the optimal isokinetic dynamometry parameters to clinically assess shoulder disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to establish which parameters are best able to discriminate between shoulder patients and healthy subjects, focusing on peak torques and peak torque ratios. Isokinetic dynamometric measurements of both shoulders were made in 20 healthy subjects and these data were compared with baseline measurements in 9 patients with shoulder disorders. The different outcome measures were compared by testing for significant group differences between patients and healthy subjects and by scoring how the patient data compared to the normal range of values found in healthy subjects. Significant differences between patients and healthy subjects were found for the peak torques, but not for the agonist-antagonist peak torque ratios. In addition, there were significant differences for the dominant/non dominant ratios of the peak torques but not for the dominant/non dominant ratios of the peak torque ratios. The percentage of patients with a standard deviation score outside the 90% normal distribution of healthy subjects was largest (>78%) for the involved/uninvolved (I/U) ratio of the peak torques. It was concluded that bilateral comparison of peak torques is the most appropriate outcome parameter to distinguish patients from healthy subjects.
Dietary calcium and body weight regulation

N. Boon, G.B. J. Hul, N. Viguerie, A. Sicard, D Langin, W.H. M. Saris. The effects of three diets with varying calcium contents on 24-hour energy-expenditure, 24-hour fat oxidation and adipose tissue mRNA expression. European congress of obesity, Athens 2005. N. Boon, L.L. J. Koppes, W.H. M. Saris, W. Van Mechelen. The relation between calcium intake and body composition in a Dutch population: The Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study (AGAHLS). European congress of obesity, Athens 2005. N.Boon, G.B. J.Hul, N.Viguerie, A.Sicard, D.Langin, W.H. M.Saris. The effects of dietary calcium and oral cholecalciferol supplementation on adipose tissue mRNA expression. NUGO annual meeting, Italy 2005.
Epidemiology of sleep disorders in school children of Delhi: A questionnaire based study

A questionnaire based survey was performed to determine the prevalence of sleep related disorders in Indian school-going children residing in Delhi. The questionnaire used for the purposes of this study was based on the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, University of Michigan, USA. A total number of 4000 questionnaires were distributed of which 2774 were received back. A total number of 2475 questionnaires were finally selected for analysis as they satisfied all criteria for acceptance. A sub-group of patients who were suspected as having sleep disordered breathing on the basis of the questionnaire were subjected to polysomnography.
Chlorine dioxide: An ideal preprocedural mouthrinse in dental set-up

Background: Aerosols generated during ultrasonic scaling is a potential risk factor for cross-contamination in dental settings. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of commercially available chlorine dioxide as preprocedural mouthrinses in reducing the level of viable bacteria in aerosols. Materials and Methods : This single-center clinical double-blinded study was conducted over a period of 4 months. A total of 80 patients were divided randomly into two groups (A and B) of 40 patients each to receive the chlorine dioxide mouthwash and water as preprocedural rinse. The aerosol produced by the ultrasonic unit was collected at five standardized location with respect to the reference point, that is, the mouth of the patient. The blood agar plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 h, and total number of colony-forming units (CFUs) was counted and statistically analyzed. Results: The results showed that CFUs in test group A were significantly reduced compared with control group B, P < 0.001 (analysis of variance). The numbers of CFUs were highest in the patient chest area and lowest at the patient front, that is, 6 o′ clock position. Conclusion: This study proves that a regular preprocedural mouthrinse with chlorine dioxide could significantly reduce aerosols generated during professional oral prophylaxis.
Progressive addition spectacle lenses: Design preferences and head movements while reading

In a subjective preference study, two key progressive addition lens parameters, near zone width and corridor length, were varied in a double-masked, randomized, clinical trial of 49 patients. Each subject received a complete eye examination and a new frame. Each wore 6 pairs of lenses for one week at a time and completed questionnaires relating to vision, adaptation, and satisfaction. The preferred lens was identified from the three near zone width lenses and from the three corridor length lenses. Patient characteristics were analyzed for their effect on design preference. Satisfaction ratings following a brief experience with each design were compared to ratings after one week of wear in order to ascertain the predictability of initial impressions. One lens design appeared twice in the preference trial, providing an assessment of the repeatability of the rating instrument The lens design with the widest near zone was rated significantly lower than the other near zone width designs for nearly every question relating to vision , adaptation, and satisfaction. This lens was also least preferred of all the designs. Preferences for corridor length were evenly distributed among the three designs. Of patient characteristics, years of progressive addition lens wear and gender significantly affected design preference in this population. Initial impressions were not predictive of satisfaction after a week of wear. The rating instrument was judged to have low repeatability.