Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Intelligibility of English in Global Contexts: Concepts, Methods, Findings and Implications

Intelligibility is considered key to successful and effective human communication. The intelligibility of the English used by its non-native speakers is the subject of much research enquiry, and as English continues to strengthen its foothold in international settings as the global lingua franca, the issue of mutual intelligibility has never been of greater importance. The paper begins by examining “intelligibility” as conceptualized by scholars in the fields of World Englishes (WE) and English as a lingua franca (ELF). While WE scholars approach the subject by investigating the international intelligibility of the new varieties of English, particularly to other non-native speakers of the language, ELF researchers seek to uncover how speakers negotiate and co-construct intelligibility in interaction, and the kinds of accommodation strategies employed in the process. Although the underlying assumptions and the methodologies associated with the 2 fields are not always congruent, the findings contribute towards developing a clearer picture of the subject of intelligibility in global communication. The paper ends by considering the pedagogical implications of the findings of intelligibility studies in WE and ELF.
Efficient sampling of protein conformational space using fast loop building and batch minimization on highly parallel computers

All‐atom sampling is a critical and compute‐intensive end stage to protein structural modeling. Because of the vast size and extreme ruggedness of conformational space, even close to the native structure, the high‐resolution sampling problem is almost as difficult as predicting the rough fold of a protein. Here, we present a combination of new algorithms that considerably speed up the exploration of very rugged conformational landscapes and are capable of finding heretofore hidden low‐energy states. The algorithm is based on a hierarchical workflow and can be parallelized on supercomputers with up to 128,000 compute cores with near perfect efficiency. Such scaling behavior is notable, as with Moore's law continuing only in the number of cores per chip, parallelizability is a critical property of new algorithms. Using the enhanced sampling power, we have uncovered previously invisible deficiencies in the Rosetta force field and created an extensive decoy training set for optimizing and testing force fields. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utility assessment of HIV/AIDS-related health states in HIV-infected Ugandans

Objective:To assess the psychometric performance of using standard gamble (SG), time trade-off (TTO) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in the evaluation of three predetermined HIV/AIDS health states in HIV-infected Ugandans, for use in cost-effectiveness analyses. Methods:We recruited participants with CD4 cells <200/μl from the Development of AntiRetroviral Therapy in Africa (DART) trial cohort [randomized trial evaluating antiretroviral therapy (ART) management strategies] in Uganda, before they initiated ART (n = 276). A comparison group of ART-naive HIV-infected individuals was recruited from the Entebbe Cohort study (n = 159). Participants were interviewed and asked to rate his/her own health state using VAS; rank and evaluate HIV/AIDS predetermined health states using TTO and SG relative to an improved health state. Tools were tested for psychometrical properties. Results:Women constituted 64% and 76% of the DART and Entebbe Cohorts. Mean age was 36.5 and 36.7 years, respectively. Participants could discriminate between predetermined HIV/AIDS health states. Deterioration in health status was associated with a reduction in rating scores (VAS), increased willingness to give up time (TTO) and acceptance of increased risk (SG) to achieve a better health state, independent of the participant's actual health state, as measured by CD4 cell counts. Conclusion:VAS, TTO and SG have good psychometric properties, making them good candidates for use in resource-constrained settings. Further research in a wider population is necessary to generate an evidence base with which to inform resource allocation decisions.
Role of Interferon Alpha in Endothelial Dysfunction: Insights Into Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase–Related Mechanisms

Abstract:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by the production of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens such as double-stranded DNA. Lupus predominantly affects women (ratio, 9:1). Moreover, premenopausal women with SLE are 50 times more likely to have a myocardial infarction. Although specific risk factors for advanced cardiovascular complications have not been identified in this patient population, endothelial dysfunction is highly prevalent. Recent studies show that the type I interferon signature gene expression coincides with impaired brachial artery flow–mediated dilation and diminished endothelial progenitor cell circulation, both markers of impaired endothelial function. Although many factors promote the development of vascular endothelial dysfunction, all pathways converge on the diminished activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and loss of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Studies examining the effects of type I interferons on eNOS and NO in SLE are missing. This literature review examines the current literature regarding the role of type I interferons in cardiovascular disease and its known effects on regulators of eNOS and NO bioavailability that are important for proper endothelial cell function.
Genetics of azoospermia: current knowledge, clinical implications, and future directions. Part II: Y chromosome microdeletions.

INTRODUCTION We reviewed the most recent advances in the genetics of male infertility focusing on Y chromosome microdeletions. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched the literature using the PubMed and skimmed articles published from January 1998 to October 2007. The keywords were the Y chromosome, microdeletions, male infertility, and azoospermia factor (AZF). The full texts of the relevant articles and their bibliographic information were reviewed and a total of 78 articles were used. RESULTS Three regions in the long arm of the Y chromosome, known as AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc, are involved in the most frequent patterns of Y chromosome microdeletions. These regions contain a high density of genes that are thought to be responsible for impaired spermatogenesis. In 2003, the Y chromosome sequence was mapped and microdeletions are now classified according to the palindromic structure of the euchromatin that is composed of a series of repeat units called amplicons. Although it has been shown that the AZFb and AZFc are overlapping regions, the classical AZF regions are still used to describe the deletions in clinical practice. CONCLUSION Y chromosome microdeletions are the most common genetic cause of male infertility and screening for these microdeletions in azoospermic or severely oligospermic men should be standard. Detection of various subtypes of these deletions has a prognostic value in predicting potential success of testicular sperm retrieval for assisted reproduction. Men with azoospermia and AZFc deletions may have retrievable sperm in their testes. However, they will transmit the deletions to their male offspring by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
An analysis of multidimensional poverty and its determinants in rural Nigeria

Human beings live to get happiness, livelihood, peace, security, safety, dignity and respect among others. Deprivation of any of these could be frustrating. Thus, attempts were made to determine multidimensional poverty index (MPI) of rural households and its decomposition by geo-political zones in Nigeria using the Alkire-Foster MPI approach. The result showed that the headcount poverty ratio H was 78.1% when K = 30 as compared to 58.8% for K = 40 and 23.6% for K = 60. The adjusted headcount ratio also suggested that 41% of the households were poor at K=30, whereas 34.2 and 16.7% of the households were considered poor for K=40 and K=60, respectively. The intensity of poverty from the result showed that the share of dimensions in which the poor were deprived increased with K, while the MPI of the households was decreasing with K. The result further revealed that living conditions contributed the largest value (59.9%) to the multidimensional poor, followed by education (14.3%), health (13.4%) and assets (12.4%). Therefore, the living condition and education of households should be prioritized in targeting poverty as it contributes largely to MPI across all the geopolitical zones in the country. Key words: Asset, multidimensional poverty, Nigeria, rural, wellbeing.
Physical fitness levels among European adolescents: the HELENA study

Objective To report sex- and age-specific physical fitness levels in European adolescents. Methods A sample of 3428 adolescents (1845 girls) aged 12.5–17.49 years from 10 European cities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece (an inland city and an island city), Hungary, Italy, Spain and Sweden was assessed in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study between 2006 and 2008. The authors assessed muscular fitness, speed/agility, flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness using nine different fitness tests: handgrip, bent arm hang, standing long jump, Bosco jumps (squat jump, counter movement jump and Abalakov jump), 4×10-m shuttle run, back-saver sit and reach and 20-m shuttle run tests. Results The authors derived sex- and age-specific normative values for physical fitness in the European adolescents using the LMS statistical method and expressed as tabulated percentiles from 10 to 100 and as smoothed centile curves (P5, P25, P50, P75 and P95). The figures showed greater physical fitness in the boys, except for the flexibility test, and a trend towards increased physical fitness in the boys as their age increased, whereas the fitness levels in the girls were more stable across ages. Conclusions The normative values hereby provided will enable evaluation and correct interpretation of European adolescents' fitness status.
Regulating casual employment in Australia

The rise of precarious and non-standard working arrangements has received substantial attention in recent times. In Australia precarious work has been particularly associated with the phenomenon of casual work, defined as employment without the leave benefits provided by the National Employment Standards. Casual employment status is at the employers' discretion. It may be long term and involve short shifts of less than 4 hours. In the recent Modern Awards Review by the Australian Fair Work Commission, the Australian Council of Trade Unions submitted proposals to limit employers' ability to unilaterally determine the employment relationship and to reduce the degree of precariousness associated with casual employment. The Australian Council of Trade Unions sought the right for long-term casuals to convert to permanent employment and to extend minimum hours for shifts. This article surveys the evidence, primary and secondary, regarding the extent and nature of Australian casual employment, including its impact on flexibility, earnings security and productivity. In this context, we explore the implications of the Australian Council of Trade Unions claims and Fair Work Commission decision, and present data from a survey of casual employees regarding employment preferences. Whilst some employees prefer casual status, we find that many would benefit from protective regulations, and that most casuals support such regulation.
Metabolic and monetary costs of avoidable parenteral nutrition use.

BACKGROUND We prospectively collected data on in patients receiving parenteral nutrition to determine the magnitude of potentially preventable metabolic and monetary costs associated with parenteral nutrition. METHODS Parenteral nutrition was prescribed by the treating physicians with optional consultation from a multidisciplinary metabolic support service. Days on parenteral nutrition, appropriateness of parenteral nutrition, metabolic complications, and avoidable parenteral nutrition charges were determined. Parenteral nutrition use was considered "indicated" or "not indicated" based on the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines and "preventable" if the gastrointestinal tract was functional but not accessed when possible. RESULTS Of the 209 parenteral nutrition starts, 62% were indicated, 23% were preventable, and 15% were not indicated. Parenteral nutrition starts were deemed indicated in 82% of instances in which a metabolic support service consult was obtained, compared with 56% in which a consultation was not obtained (p = .004). Hyperglycemia was the most common metabolic complication, with an overall incidence of 20%. Metabolic complications occurred less frequently in patients who received a metabolic support service consultation compared with patients who did not (34% vs 66% of parenteral nutrition days, respectively; p = .004). Parenteral nutrition use of < or =5 days duration was significantly less frequent among patients who received metabolic support service consultation (16% vs 35%; p = .002). Parenteral nutrition that was not indicated or preventable resulted in excess annualized patient charges of more than one half million dollars not accounting for charges related to treatment of potentially avoidable parenteral nutrition complications. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrates that not-indicated and preventable parenteral nutrition initiation, short-term parenteral nutrition use, and metabolic complications are less likely when patients receive consultation by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in nutrition and metabolic support. Furthermore, the avoidance of inappropriate parenteral nutrition use translates into substantial cost savings.
Prevalence of hepatitis C and coinfection with HIV among United States veterans in the New York city metropolitan area

OBJECTIVES:The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its risk factors, as well as the prevalence of coinfection with HIV and its risk factors, among patients with confirmed HCV infection.METHODS:In a 1-day cross-sectional HCV survey at six Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in the New York City metropolitan area, all 1943 patients undergoing phlebotomy for any reason were asked to be tested for HCV antibody by enzyme immumoassay (EIA). A total of 1098 patients (57%) agreed to HCV testing, 1016 of whom also completed a questionnaire on demographics and HCV risk factors. All HCV EIA(+) samples were confirmed by HCV RNA and HCV recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) antibody testing and were also tested for HCV viral load, HCV genotype, and antibodies to HIV in a blinded fashion.RESULTS:The prevalence of confirmed HCV infection was 10.6% (95% CI = 8.7–12.4%), and the prevalence of HCV viremia was 8.2% (95% CI = 6.6–9.8%). The rate of HCV viremia among anti-HCV(+) patients was 77.6%, and HCV genotype 1 was present in 87.5% of viremic patients. Independent risk factors for HCV infection were injection drug use (OR = 35.6, 95% CI = 16.9–75.2), blood exposure during combat (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.2–5.7), alcohol abuse (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.2–4.8), and service in the Vietnam era (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.0–4.5). Coinfection with HIV was present in 24.8% of anti-HCV(+) patients. The only independent risk factor for coinfection was age <50 yr (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.1–12.1). CONCLUSIONS:U.S. veterans who are receiving medical care at VA medical centers in the New York City metropolitan area have a much higher rate of chronic hepatitis C than the general population, with a high frequency of genotype 1. Coinfection with HIV is very common in patients with confirmed HCV infection, and these patients should routinely be offered HIV testing.
Capital Structure Determinants Influence: A Comparative Study

The study investigate the determinants of capital structure in a developing economy considering the Pecking Order and the Trade-Off Theory. It uses data from two hundred and ten Ecuadorian firms from the top thousand companies of 2013 which considers myriad of industries. The independent variables chosen, according to data availability and literature review, are Tangibility measured by fixed assets over total assets; Profitability measured by return on assets (ROA) and Firm Size measured by the natural logarithm of sales. However, some of these regressors were dichotomycally divided to select the best ratio combination and obtain a more robust model. The dependent variable, leverage, is measured by total debt ratio. The research used cross-sectional methodology using Ordinary Least Square (OLS). The Multivariate regression analysis concludes that there is a statistically positive relationship between firm size and leverage as stated by both theories. However, tangibility and profitability are statistically negative related with debt level. Profitability behaves under the Pecking Order theory, while tangibility does not follow neither of the theories. These findings are compare and contrast against other authors researches following the same trend. We theorize that Ecuadorian firms combine both theories when deciding their capital structure. Moreover, the variable growth is found to be not statistically significant in this market. However, the variable Non-Debt Tax Shield was omitted from the model due to the lack of information.
Central noradrenergic mechanisms underlying acute stress responses of the Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis: Adaptations through pregnancy and lactation

Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to stress are attenuated perinatally, and may contribute towards conservation of energy stores and/or prevention of overexposure to glucocorticoid and its adverse effects in the developing fetus/neonate. Previous work has shown that reduced central drive to the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis is responsible, since parvocellular paraventricular nucleus neurone responses are reduced. One of the main input pathways to the paraventricular nucleus that is activated by the majority of stressors is the brainstem noradrenergic system. This review outlines key noradrenergic mechanisms that mediate hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to acute stress, and addresses aspects of their adaptation in pregnancy and lactation that can explain the stress hyporesponsiveness at that time. In summary, reduced noradrenaline release and adrenergic receptor expression in the paraventricular nucleus may lead to reduced sensitivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis to adrenergic antagonists and agonists and its responses to stress. While there are subtle differences in these changes between pregnancy and lactation, it would appear that reduced effectiveness of the noradrenergic input can at least partly account for the reduced hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis responses both pre- and post-natally.
Adverse Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Remediation in Schizophrenia: Results of the Treatment of Negative Symptoms Study

Abstract This study examined the frequency and extent of detrimental effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for psychosis. In a randomized clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of CBT for the reduction of negative symptoms as compared with cognitive remediation (CR) in schizophrenia patients (n = 198). Safety was addressed through assessment of severe adverse events (SAEs), which were defined as suicides, suicide attempts, suicidal crises, and severe symptom exacerbations over a period of 12 months after inclusion in the study. Monthly assessments with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms allowed for the analysis of symptom increases during the treatment. There were no suicides in the trial. SAEs were observed in 10 CBT and 5 CR patients. Increases in negative symptoms occurred in 64 CBT and 58 CR patients. These differences were not significant. The maximum increase in negative symptoms under treatment, as compared with the baseline, was equal to an effect size of −0.66 in CBT patients and −0.77 in CR patients. Thus, the SAE rate was comparable between both interventions and was relatively low, given the severity of the psychotic disorder. Therapists should be aware of a subgroup of patients who show symptom increases with large effect sizes and might require more intensive care.
Prognostic significance of ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients with history of cardiovascular disease

ObjectiveTo assess the prognostic significance of nighttime and daytime blood pressure (BP), their ratio and the nighttime dipping pattern for mortality and recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with CV disease at baseline. BackgroundThe prognostic value of ambulatory BP has not been reported in hypertensive patients with a history of CV disease. MethodsWe performed a meta-analysis on individual data of 302 patients with hypertension and CV disease from three prospective studies performed in Europe. ResultsAge of the patients averaged 69±9 years; 50% were men and 62% were under antihypertensive treatment at the time of ambulatory BP monitoring. Office, daytime and nighttime BP averaged 161±20/86±12, 144±16/83±11 and 132±18/72±12 mmHg. Total follow-up time amounted to 2049 patient – years. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that nighttime BP, but not daytime BP significantly predicted CV mortality (P≤0.05) and major CV events (P≤0.01) after adjustment for office BP and other confounders. When both nighttime and daytime BP were entered into the models, the predictive power of nighttime BP remained significant (P≤0.05); daytime BP did not add prognostic precision to nighttime BP. The systolic nightday BP ratio predicted all outcomes, and outcome was significantly worse in reverse dippers and nondippers than in dippers, both before and after adjustment for 24-h BP (P≤0.05). ConclusionNighttime BP is the better predictor of death and recurrent CV events in hypertensive patients with a history of CV disease. The night–day BP ratio and the dipping pattern significantly predict outcome, even after adjustment for 24-h BP.
Visual Hallucinations in Patients from an Ophthalmology Clinic and Medical Clinic Population

Although visual hallucinations have been associated with patients with visual disorders, no study has specifically examined whether visual hallucinations are indeed more prevalent than in a general medical population. In this study, 127 consecutive visual disorder patients and 100 consecutive general medical patients were screened for complex visual hallucinations. A total of 6.3% of visual disorder patients and 2% of general medical patients had visual hallucinations. Interestingly, the two medical patients with visual hallucinations also had visual disorders. Factors significantly associated with visual hallucinations were female sex (p=.029) and lower cognitive score (p=.001). Data from a previous study of patients with the visual disorder age-related macular degeneration were combined with this study to increase the sample size of visual hallucinators. Factors significantly associated with visual hallucinations in the combined sample were female sex (p=.015), living alone (p=.019), having hearing problems (p=.047), older age (p=.013), and lower cognitive score (p<.001). Implications and future research are discussed.