Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Intake of Children and Adolescents with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in Crete, Greece

Background/Aims: The incidence of childhood insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is rapidly increasing in Greece. The aim of this study was to examine nutrient patterns of children and adolescents with IDDM in Crete. Methods: A case-control survey of eating habits was conducted among 41 children and adolescents, aged 6–17 years, with IDDM (cases) and healthy sex- and age-matched controls, recruited from Heraklion University Hospital and the village of Rouvas, Crete, respectively. Dietary data was based on 24-hour recall records. Results: Dietary intake was similar between the groups. Both groups exceeded the recommendations for total and saturated fat and consumed lower than recommended amounts of dietary fibre and total carbohydrates. Children with IDDM consumed more dairy products and vegetables and less meats and cereals. Vegetables were consumed by a relatively high proportion of children and adolescents in both groups, but there was a higher proportion of fruit consumers amongst the IDDM group. For those who ate fruit and vegetables, intake approximated current recommendations of 400 g/day. Conclusions: The need to increase complex carbohydrates and reduce the consumption of total and saturated fat, in order to approach the traditional dietary pattern of Crete for this population, should be addressed via appropriate nutrition education programmes.
Realised volatility estimators

This dissertation is an investigation into realised volatility (RV) estimators. Here, RV is defined as the sum-of-squared-returns (SSR) and is a proxy for integrated volatility (IV), which is unobservable. The study focuses on a subset of the universe of RV estimators. We examine three categories of estimators: historical, high-frequency (HF) and implied. The need to estimate RV is predominantly in the hedging of options and is not concerned with speculation or forecasting. The main research questions are; (1) what is the best RV estimator in a historical study of S&P 500 data? (2) What is the best RV estimator in a Monte Carlo simulation when delta hedging synthetic options? (3) Do our findings support the stylized fact of ‘Asymmetry in time scales’ (Cont, 2001)? In the answering of these questions, further avenues of investigation are explored. Firstly, the VIX is used as the implied volatility. Secondly, the Monte Carlo simulation generates stock price paths with random components in the stock price and the volatility at each time point. The distribution of the input volatility is varied. The question of asymmetry in time scales is addressed by varying the term and frequency of historical data. The results of the historical and Monte Carlo simulation are compared. The SSR and two of the HF estimators perform best in both cases. Accuracy of estimators using long term data is shown to perform very poorly.
Risk and Returns of Income Producing Properties: Core versus Noncore

This article empirically analyzes whether core and noncore private income producing properties have different investment returns, using a large sample of about 5,000 individual properties during the 1997–2014 period. We use a holding‐period factor model to control for both systematic risk, including loadings of both public equity factors and a real estate factor, and nonsystematic risk. We find that core properties have lower systematic risk but higher returns than noncore properties before and after adjusting for both systematic and nonsystematic risk.
Efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation with natural irrigants (Morinda citrifolia juice, Aloe Vera and Propolis) in comparison with 1% sodium hypochlorite for removal of E. faecalis biofilm: an in vitro study.

AIM Present study evaluated the efficacy of natural derivative irrigants, Morinda citrifolia juice (MCJ), Aloe Vera and Propolis in comparison to 1% sodium hypochlorite with passive ultrasonic irrigation for removal of the intraradicular E. faecalis biofilms in extracted single rooted human permanent teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS Biofilms of E. faecalis were grown on the prepared root canal walls of 60 standardized root halves which were longitudinally sectioned. These root halves were re-approximated and the samples were divided into five groups of twelve each. The groups were, Group A (1% NaOCl), Group B (MCJ), Group C (Aloe vera), Group D (Propolis) and Group E (Saline). These groups were treated with passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) along with the respective irrigants. The root halves were processed for scanning electron microscopy. Three images (X2.5), coronal, middle and apical, were taken for the twelve root halves in each of the five groups. The images were randomized and biofilm coverage assessed independently by three calibrated examiners, using a four-point scoring system. RESULTS 1% NaOCl with passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) was effective in completely removing E. faecalis biofilm and was superior to the natural irrigants like MCJ, Aloe vera and Propolis tested in this study. CONCLUSION 1% NaOCl used along with passive ultrasonic irrigation was effective in completely removing E. faecalis biofilm when compared to natural irrigants (MCJ, Aloe Vera and Propolis).
HMGB1 inhibits cell death in yeast and mammalian cells and is abundantly expressed in human breast carcinoma

Apoptosis is a fundamental biological process used to eliminate unwanted cells in a multicellular organism. An increasing number of regulatory proteins have been identified that either promote or inhibit apoptosis. For tumors to arise, apoptosis must be blocked in the transformed cells, for example by mutational overexpression of anti‐apoptotic proteins, which represent attractive target proteins for molecular therapy strategies.
Impact of response shift on longitudinal quality-of-life assessment in cancer clinical trials

The assessment of longitudinal change in subjective patient-reported outcomes such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a key component of many clinical and research evaluations. A major goal of measuring patient-reported HRQoL is to determine to what extent changes in HRQoL reports over time represent true changes in HRQoL due to treatment or cancer and to what extent they reflect measurement error. Indeed, the subjective assessment of HRQoL change is subject to response-shift effects, whereby health changes lead to shifts in internal standards (i.e., ‘recalibration’), values (i.e., ‘reprioritization’) and conceptualization (i.e., ’reconceptualization’) of key HRQoL domains. Response shift is a naturally occurring process that could distort the interpretation of change in HRQoL scores over time in interventional studies. Assessing response shift may therefore be needed to obtain a valid and sensitive assessment of change over time. Several methods to detect and measure the size and the direction of response shift are available. In this article, we summarize the methods used to assess and adjust for the response-shift effect in clinical trials. Nevertheless, our understanding of the parameters and processes associated with response shift is very limited. Further research is still needed to better understand how to measure the different components of response shift and how to take them into account in cancer research.
Viruses Associated With Acute Respiratory Infections and Influenza-like Illness Among Outpatients From the Influenza Incidence Surveillance Project, 2010–2011

Abstract Background. The Influenza Incidence Surveillance Project (IISP) monitored outpatient acute respiratory infection (ARI; defined as the presence of ≥2 respiratory symptoms not meeting ILI criteria) and influenza-like illness (ILI) to determine the incidence and contribution of associated viral etiologies. Methods. From August 2010 through July 2011, 57 outpatient healthcare providers in 12 US sites reported weekly the number of visits for ILI and ARI and collected respiratory specimens on a subset for viral testing. The incidence was estimated using the number of patients in the practice as the denominator, and the virus-specific incidence of clinic visits was extrapolated from the proportion of patients testing positive. Results. The age-adjusted cumulative incidence of outpatient visits for ARI and ILI combined was 95/1000 persons, with a viral etiology identified in 58% of specimens. Most frequently detected were rhinoviruses/enteroviruses (RV/EV) (21%) and influenza viruses (21%); the resulting extrapolated incidence of outpatient visits was 20 and 19/1000 persons respectively. The incidence of influenza virus-associated clinic visits was highest among patients aged 2–17 years, whereas other viruses had varied patterns among age groups. Conclusions. The IISP provides a unique opportunity to estimate the outpatient respiratory illness burden by etiology. Influenza virus infection and RV/EV infection(s) represent a substantial burden of respiratory disease in the US outpatient setting, particularly among children.
Surgery to cure the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS The role of surgery in patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is controversial. To determine the efficacy of surgery in patients with this syndrome, we followed 151 consecutive patients who underwent laparotomy between 1981 and 1998. Of these patients, 123 had sporadic gastrinomas and 28 had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 with an imaged tumor of at least 3 cm in diameter. Tumor-localization studies and functional localization studies were performed routinely. All patients underwent surgery according to a similar operative protocol, and all patients who had surgery after 1986 underwent duodenotomy. RESULTS The 151 patients underwent 180 exploratory operations. The mean (+/-SD) follow-up after the first operation was 8+/-4 years. Gastrinomas were found in 141 of the patients (93 percent), including all of the last 81 patients to undergo surgery. The tumors were located in the duodenum in 74 patients (49 percent) and in the pancreas in 36 patients (24 percent); however, primary tumors were found in lymph nodes in 17 patients (11 percent) and in another location in 13 patients (9 percent). The primary location was unknown in 24 patients (16 percent). Among the patients with sporadic gastrinomas, 34 percent were free of disease at 10 years, as compared with none of the patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. The overall 10-year survival rate was 94 percent. CONCLUSIONS All patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome who do not have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 or metastatic disease should be offered surgical exploration for possible cure.
The impact of social media and collaboration on Gen Y employees’ engagement

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relationship between workplace use of social media, collaboration and Gen Y employees’ engagement. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 209 Indian Gen Y employees from information technology industry participated in the survey. Structural equation modelling is used to test the research hypotheses. Findings Findings reveal that social media has a significant positive effect on collaboration, which leads to Gen Y employees’ perceived learning, in turn impacting Gen Y employees’ engagement. Research limitations/implications Findings suggest a social media-enabled approach of collaboration to satisfy Gen Y employees’ perceived learning leading to their engagement. However, this study only examines the employees’ perspective; it will be prudent to examine management perspective as well in future studies. Practical implications Organisations must integrate social media into their talent management strategy. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature in human resources pertaining to social media as an asset to promote collaboration and develops a linkage between social media and Gen Y employees’ engagement via perceived learning.
Interleukin-1 and IL-1 receptor antagonist in gingival crevicular fluid.

BACKGROUND/AIMS This study aimed to investigate the cytokine IL-1beta and its receptor antagonist IL-1ra in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), in patients with adult periodontitis. METHOD A total of 40 GCF samples were harvested from 10 subjects with moderate to severe adult periodontitis and 10 healthy controls. Subjects were selected from both genders, with all the upper anterior teeth present, and with no relevant systemic illness, pregnancy or recent medication. All subjects were non-smokers and had not received any periodontal therapy within the preceding 3 months. Deep bleeding sites, deep non-bleeding sites and healthy sites were investigated in relation to upper anterior teeth. Clinical measurements were recorded for each site, after obtaining a GCF sample. IL-1beta and IL-1ra were quantified using new commercially available ELISA kits (Quantikine), and could be detected in all samples. RESULTS The mean concentration for IL-1beta was 0.11 (SD 0.14) pg/microl for bleeding periodontitis sites, 0.04 (0.05) pg/microl for non-bleeding periodontitis sites, and 0.01 (0.03) pg/microl for healthy sites (p<0.001). In contrast, the mean concentration for IL-1ra was 6.99 (9.78) pg/microl for healthy sites, 0.59 (0.44) pg/microl for non-bleeding periodontitis sites, and 0.44 (0.36) pg/microl for bleeding periodontitis sites (p<0.001, except for comparisons between bleeding and non-bleeding periodontitis sites, p>0.05). For healthy sites, a strong inverse relationship was found between IL-1beta and IL-1ra levels in GCE. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a strong relationship between the severity of adult periodontitis and the increasing GCF levels of IL-1beta and decreasing levels of IL-1ra.
Factors Affecting Implementation of Practical Activities in Science education in Some Selected Secondary and Preparatory Schools of Afar Region, North East Ethiopia

The study aimed at assessing factors affecting implementation of practical activities in science education in some selected secondary and preparatory schools of Afar Region. Practical activity is at the heart of mastery of science discipline and it is believed that if there is no practice either individually or in a group, all what have been learnt become inert knowledge. The implementation process of practices in science education is limited in Ethiopian schools and students in Ethiopia generally perform poorly in science subjects at secondary schools. Academically less prepared students of secondary schools prefer humanities and social sciences than science and technology in higher education. The majority of students in schools of the study area join social science. Therefore assessing factors affecting implementation of practical activities in science education in study area is important to identify root cause and forward the way for the improvement. Of the total 404 respondents from all schools, 68.81% responded as teachers do not use practical activities in teaching science and (78.71%) of them respond as they do less than 5% of the practical activities on their text books. Absence of separate and well equipped laboratory for each science, absence of efforts made by science teacher to use local material for practice of basic activities and less attention of local government and school administrative to existing problem results in less student motivation to practical activity which have influence on student’s preference to science education in the study area. Therefore, attention should be given by all concerned bodies and stakeholders to solve the problem and encourage students to science practical activities to join science classes of future science and technology graduate.
Social capital and subjective well-being among university students in a South African context

27 Introduction . 29 Aim . 31 Method of Investigation . 32 Research Design and Procedure . 32 Research Participants . 33 Measuring Instruments . 34 Data Analysis . 36 Ethical Considerations . 37 Results . 38 Descriptive Statistics regarding Participants’ Self-Reported Levels of Subjective Well-being and Social Capital . 38 Assocation Between Social Capital and Subjective Well-being . 43 Discussion . 44 Conclusion . 51 Critical Reflection . 52 References . 61 Social capital and subjective well-being among university students in a South African context 1
The Effects of Board Structure Characteristics on Corporate Financial Performance in Developing Economies: Evidence from East African Stock Markets

This study examine the linkage between board structure characteristics and corporate financial performance in a developing market, East African stock markets. To achieve the objective of this study, we used a strongly balanced panel dataset of 240 observations including 30 non-financial listed firms in East African region covering the period from 2006-2013 (8 years period). Measures for corporate financial performance employed were return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) as dependent variables for econometric Model 1 and Model 2 respectively and explanatory (independent) variables for board structure characteristics were board size (BS), number of non-executive directors (NED), CEO duality (CD) and board and managerial shareholdings (BMS). furthermore, the effects of control variable such as firm size (SIZ) has been also examined. The panel corrected standard errors (PCSEs) and random effects (RE) regression models were employed for Model 1-ROA and Model 2-ROE respectively to analyze the data. Our results indicate a statistically significant positive effects of board size (BS), number of non-executive directors (NED) and CEO duality (CD) on East African listed firm’s financial performance while board and managerial shareholding (BMS) has a statistically significant negative effects on East African listed firm’s financial performance at 5% significance level. Finally, the study recommends East African listed firm’s to adopt a larger size of board of directors , large proportion of non-executive directors in the board, CEO-Chair position in their organization structure and a small portion of board and managerial shareholding on their ownership structure in order to improve their financial performance, but also securities markets regulatory authorities in East African region such as East African member states securities regulatory authority (EASRA) and their respective countries securities markets regulatory authorities to stimulates new efforts towards better corporate governance practices especially board structure characteristics due to its statistically significant effects on companies financial performance and future research can be extended after considering other board structure characteristics which were not included in this study like board meeting, board attendance, biography of board members and existence of the position of chief financial officer (CFO) in board of directors (BOD). Keywords: Board Structure Characteristics, Corporate Financial Performance, Panel Data, Developing Economies, East African Stock Markets.
A literature review of learning collaboratives in mental health care: used but untested.

OBJECTIVE Policy makers have increasingly turned to learning collaboratives (LCs) as a strategy for improving usual care through the dissemination of evidence-based practices. The purpose of this review was to characterize the state of the evidence for use of LCs in mental health care. METHODS A systematic search of major academic databases for peer-reviewed articles on LCs in mental health care generated 421 unique articles across a range of disciplines; 28 mental health articles were selected for full-text review, and 20 articles representing 16 distinct studies met criteria for final inclusion. Articles were coded to identify the LC components reported, the focus of the research, and key findings. RESULTS Most of the articles included assessments of provider- or patient-level variables at baseline and post-LC. Only one study included a comparison condition. LC targets ranged widely, from use of a depression screening tool to implementation of evidence-based treatments. Fourteen crosscutting LC components (for example, in-person learning sessions, phone meetings, data reporting, leadership involvement, and training in quality improvement methods) were identified. The LCs reviewed reported including, on average, seven components, most commonly in-person learning sessions, plan-do-study-act cycles, multidisciplinary quality improvement teams, and data collection for quality improvement. CONCLUSIONS LCs are being used widely in mental health care, although there is minimal evidence of their effectiveness and unclear reporting in regard to specific components. Rigorous observational and controlled research studies on the impact of LCs on targeted provider- and patient-level outcomes are greatly needed.
Impact of Ventilation Parameters and Duration of Ventilator Use on Non-Invasive Home Ventilation in Restrictive Thoracic Disorders

Background: Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is an accepted treatment option for chronic ventilatory failure due to restrictive thoracic disorders. Objective: The impact of ventilation setting and the duration of ventilator use on changes in physiological and functional parameters has not yet been evaluated. Methods: Effects of NPPV on body plethysmographic parameters, blood gas tension and inspiratory muscle function up to 12 months were analyzed in 44 patients with thoracic cage abnormalities in a clinical stable condition. Furthermore, the influence of ventilator parameters and the duration of ventilator use on these changes was determined. Results: A significant improvement in blood gas parameters (PaCO2, PaO2 and base excess; p < 0.001), lung volumes (VC, TLC and FEV1; p < 0.001) and inspiratory muscle function (PImax, P0.1; p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) was found after 3.8 ± 0.8 months of treatment. As shown by a subgroup analysis, changes were already achieved within the first 3 months of NPPV and then remained stable over time. Improvements in VC were positively correlated with IPAP (r = 0.55; p < 0.001). Reduction in PaCO2 was positively correlated with the quotient (IPAP – EPAP)/weight (r = 0.55; p < 0.001). No correlation could be detected between changes in functional parameters and the duration of ventilator use. Conclusions: NPPV can improve blood gas parameters, lung volume and inspiratory muscle function in thoracic restrictive disorders. To best utilize the potential of NPPV treatment, it seems to be more effective to optimize pressure levels than to extend the duration of ventilation.