Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trend of hospital utilization for encephalitis

SUMMARY Encephalitis generally results in a serious illness requiring hospitalization. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of hospitalization for encephalitis in Italy, taking into account the geographical distribution, aetiology, seasonality and evolution of hospitalization rates over recent years. The mean hospitalization rate was 5·88/100 000. For most of these hospitalizations (n=13 119, 55·6%), no specific cause of encephalitis was reported. The most common aetiological category was ‘viral’, which accounted for 40·1% (n=4205) of such hospitalizations (rate 1·05/100 000). Within this category, herpes virus was the leading causative agent (n=1579, 0·39/100 000). This report highlights a significant increase of ‘viral encephalitis not otherwise specified’ (ICD-9 code 049·9) vs. a reduction of all other causes. A seasonal pattern was noted in people aged ⩾65 years in this group. Specific surveillance of encephalitis without known origin should be reinforced in order to identify the potential role of emerging pathogens and to design preventive interventions.
Voxel-based morphometry in Alzheimer’s disease

Recent morphometric MRI studies have investigated brain volume abnormalities associated with the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). This technique allows the assessment of gray matter volumes in subjects with AD or related conditions compared with healthy controls in an automated fashion, across the whole brain. This article reviews VBM findings related to different AD stages and its prodrome, mild cognitive impairment. These findings include not only gray matter deficits in medial temporal structures as seen in former MRI studies of AD conducted using manual region-of-interest measurements, but also volume changes in several other brain regions not assessed in previous MRI studies. We also discuss potential applications of VBM to improve AD diagnostic accuracy in routine clinical practice. Finally, we highlight future research directions in this field, including: investigations on the relationship between VBM findings of multifocal gray matter deficits and changes in white matter tracts that interconnect such regions; the need for population-based VBM studies using large AD samples; and the potential of studies combining VBM measurements with other potential biological markers (such as brain imaging indices of amyloid-β deposition and cerebrospinal fluid AD markers) to further advance our knowledge about the physiopathology of AD.
Walking compared with vigorous exercise for the prevention of cardiovascular events in women.

BACKGROUND The role of walking, as compared with vigorous exercise, in the prevention of cardiovascular disease remains controversial. Data for women who are members of minority racial or ethnic groups are particularly sparse. METHODS We prospectively examined the total physical-activity score, walking, vigorous exercise, and hours spent sitting as predictors of the incidence of coronary events and total cardiovascular events among 73,743 postmenopausal women 50 to 79 years of age in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. At base line, participants were free of diagnosed cardiovascular disease and cancer, and all participants completed detailed questionnaires about physical activity. We documented 345 newly diagnosed cases of coronary heart disease and 1551 total cardiovascular events. RESULTS An increasing physical-activity score had a strong, graded, inverse association with the risk of both coronary events and total cardiovascular events. There were similar findings among white women and black women. Women in increasing quintiles of energy expenditure measured in metabolic equivalents (the MET score) had age-adjusted relative risks of coronary events of 1.00, 0.73, 0.69, 0.68, and 0.47, respectively (P for trend, <0.001). In multivariate analyses, the inverse gradient between the total MET score and the risk of cardiovascular events remained strong (adjusted relative risks for increasing quintiles, 1.00, 0.89, 0.81, 0.78, and 0.72, respectively; P for trend <0.001). Walking and vigorous exercise were associated with similar risk reductions, and the results did not vary substantially according to race, age, or body-mass index. A brisker walking pace and fewer hours spent sitting daily also predicted lower risk. CONCLUSIONS These prospective data indicate that both walking and vigorous exercise are associated with substantial reductions in the incidence of cardiovascular events among postmenopausal women, irrespective of race or ethnic group, age, and body-mass index. Prolonged sitting predicts increased cardiovascular risk.
GEOSTATISTICAL BASED MONITORING OF SOIL WATER NO3 −-N: A POTENTIAL NONPOINT SOURCE OF GROUND WATER CONTAMINATION

Soil water NO3 −-N concentrations were monitored for an alfalfa-oat-bean rotation and an alfalfa–bean–bean rotation in the Idaho Snake River Plain as part of the USEPA Section 319 National Monitoring Program. This monitoring study was conducted to evaluate potential beneficial impacts of a USDA recommended crop rotation on subsurface NO3 −-N concentrations at a 4.9 hectare (ha) farm test field. Soil water monitoring was conducted in cooperation with the USDA Snake River Plain Water Quality Demonstration Project. Geostatistical and statistical analyses of NO3 −-N data collected from a network of soil water solution samplers (lysimeters) coupled with hydrogeological characterization of the field indicated that alfalfa followed by oats reduced soil water NO3 −-N concentrations at least temporarily compared to alfalfa followed by beans which is the traditional practice in the area. Soil water NO3 −-N sample data showed a unimodal distribution, through the first two months of the split field rotations, that changed to a distinct bimodal distribution three months into the rotations. Development of the bimodal distribution of soil water NO3 −-N appeared to correspond directly to the rotational split of the field. The median soil water NO3 −-N value calculated from the sample data was approximately 50 mg L−1 greater in the field half planted in beans as compared to the field half planted in oats. Geostatistical spatial mapping results using sequential Gaussian simulations (SGS) supported these findings. SGS results suggested that elevated concentrations of NO3 −-N in the soil water were related to both stratigraphic factors as well as the rotational split.
Scaling Tennis Racquets During PE in Primary School to Enhance Motor Skill Acquisition

Purpose: Research supporting the skill acquisition benefits of scaling sports equipment for children in a real-world setting where child-to-coach ratios are high is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of scaling the tennis racquet on children's skill acquisition in a primary school setting. Method: Children aged 6 to 7 years old practiced for 5 weeks during physical education classes using either a small racquet (SR group; n = 23) or a large racquet (LR group; n = 23). Measures of hitting technique, hitting performance, and general hand–eye coordination were administered before and after the practice period. Results: The high child-to-coach ratio (22:2) seemingly led to a small number of practice opportunities for children. Despite this finding, children in the SR group displayed greater improvements in hitting technique for the forehand and backhand. This finding did not translate to better hitting performance (i.e., skill outcome), however, with similar results found for both groups during the pretest and posttest. Conversely, the LR group showed greater improvements in the hand–eye coordination measure of bouncing the ball on the ground. Conclusion: Scaling equipment for children enhanced the acquisition of a more desirable technique in a real-world setting. We speculate that this technique acquisition would also lead to improved hitting performance following a longer practice period, whereby children are exposed to more practice opportunities.
Education and ‘human capitalists’ in a classical-Marxian model of growth and distribution

A simple classical-Marxian model of growth and distribution is developed in which education transforms low-skilled workers into high-skilled ones and in which high-skilled workers save and hold capital, therefore receiving both high-skilled wages and profit income. We analyze the implications for class divisions, growth and distribution, of the transformation of the modern capitalist economy from one in which the main class division is between capitalists who own capital and workers who only receive wage income into one in which education and human capital play a major role. We show than an expansion in education can have a positive effect on growth but by altering the distribution of income rather than by fostering technological change, and that it yields some changes in income distribution and the class structure of the capitalist economy, but need not alter its fundamental features.
Perceived Health Benefits from Yoga among Breast Cancer Survivors

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to describe the health benefits reported by breast cancer survivors following an 8-week yoga intervention. Design. This phenomenological study employed three focus groups with six breast cancer survivors each (n = 18) following the yoga intervention. Setting. The focus groups and yoga classes were conducted in a large hospital in a midsized town in the Midwest. Subjects. Eighteen female breast cancer survivors who were at least 9 months posttreatment participated in the focus groups following the 8-week yoga intervention. Intervention. An 8-week yoga intervention designed specifically for this population was led by a yoga therapist. Measures. A semistructured interview guide was utilized to guide each focus group. Analysis. Interpretative phenomenological analysis methods were employed to explore breast cancer survivors' experiences after participating in an 8-week yoga intervention. Results. The findings revealed that the women in the study found health promoting benefits in the areas of physical health and healing, mental health and healing, and social health and healing. Conclusions. Yoga may be an important tool in the healing process for breast cancer survivors.
Mechanism of altered Sindbis virus neurovirulence associated with a single-amino-acid change in the E2 Glycoprotein

The mechanism by which amino acid changes in the E1 and E2 surface glycoproteins of Sindbis virus affect neurovirulence is unknown. We have studied two recombinant viruses which differ in virulence. One (TE) contains Gly and the other (TES) contains Arg at position 172 in E2. TE causes more rapid death than TES in newborn mice. Both viruses replicate similarly in nonneuronal cells, but TE replicates more rapidly in the brains of newborn mice and in neuroblastoma cells. TE also induces earlier viral RNA synthesis in neuroblastoma cells. 35S-labeled TE binds more efficiently to brain and neuroblastoma cells, but not to nonneuronal cells, than TES. We propose that a region of the E2 glycoprotein affected by the amino acid occupying position 172 is important for binding to an alphavirus receptor on neurons and influences neurovirulence by this mechanism.
Non-deterministic Characterisations

In this paper, we extend Jones' result -- that cons-free programming with $k^{th}$-order data and a call-by-value strategy characterises EXP$^k$TIME -- to a more general setting, including pattern-matching and non-deterministic choice. We show that the addition of non-determinism is unexpectedly powerful in the higher-order setting. Nevertheless, we can obtain a non-deterministic parallel to Jones' hierarchy result by appropriate restricting rule formation.
Health‐related quality of life and postoperative recovery in fast‐track hysterectomy

Objective. To determine whether health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and postoperative recovery of women who undergo abdominal hysterectomy in a fast‐track program under general anesthesia (GA) differ from women who receive spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine (SA). Design. Secondary analysis from an open randomized controlled multicenter study. Setting. Five hospitals in south‐east Sweden. Population. One hundred and eighty women admitted for abdominal hysterectomy for benign disease were randomized; 162 completed the study, 80 with GA and 82 with SA. Methods. The HRQoL was measured preoperatively using the EuroQoL EQ‐5D and the Short‐Form‐36 health survey (SF‐36) questionnaires. The EQ‐5D was used daily for 1 week; thereafter, once weekly for 4 weeks and again 6 months after operation. The SF‐36 was completed at 5 weeks and 6 months. Dates of commencing and ending sick leave were registered. Main Outcome Measures. Changes in HRQoL; duration of sick leave. Results. The HRQoL improved significantly faster in women after SA than after GA. Sick leave was significantly shorter after SA than after GA (median 22.5 vs. 28 days). Recovery of HRQoL and duration of sick leave were negatively influenced by postoperative complications. In particular, the mental component of HRQoL was negatively affected by minor complications, even 6 months after the operation. Conclusions. Spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine provided substantial advantages in fast‐track abdominal hysterectomy for benign gynecological disorders by providing faster recovery and shorter sick leave compared with general anesthesia.
Duloxetine Does Not Relieve Painful Physical Symptoms in Depression: A Meta-Analysis

Background:Duloxetine inhibits both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and is marketed as a treatment for both the core emotional symptoms and painful physical complaints that often accompany depression. Some studies have found that duloxetine is efficacious in treating painful symptoms associated with depression but these findings have been inconsistent. Several narrative review articles have reached positive conclusions about the efficacy of duloxetine as an analgesic in depression but there has been no quantitative systematic review regarding the impact of duloxetine on pain among this population. A meta-analysis of data pertaining to duloxetine’s purported analgesic effects on depressed patients was thus undertaken. Methods:Studies were selected through searching Medline and Cochrane Trial databases as well as examining Lilly’s public clinical trial database. A random effects model was used. Results: Across five trials, the results indicate a very small (d = 0.115) and statistically nonsignificant (p = 0.057) analgesic effect for duloxetine. Additionally, some of the relevant data on duloxetine’s effects have not been reported fully, making it likely that the obtained results reflect an overestimate of its true impact on painful physical symptoms in depression. Discussion:The current analysis is based on a small number of studies; further trials may yield significant results favoring duloxetine. Based upon the currently available evidence, the marketing of duloxetine as an antidepressant with analgesic properties for people with depression does not appear to be adequately supported.
Factors influencing beliefs about intimate partner violence among adults in South Korea

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify factors influencing beliefs about intimate partner violence among Korean adults. DESIGN AND SAMPLE This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that analyzed data from 466 adults. MEASURES Beliefs about intimate partner violence were measured using a self-report questionnaire with a total of 28 items consisting of four subscales: perpetrator's justification for beating women, blaming women for violence against them, perpetrator's responsibility for violence, and giving help to victims. RESULTS Men and women had significantly different beliefs about intimate partner violence (t = -7.19, p < .001). Some characteristics were identified that led to unhealthy beliefs about intimate partner violence. Four variables-gender, age, educational level, and witnessing parental violence-had an explanatory power of 20% with regard to beliefs about IPV (F = 10.50, p = .000). CONCLUSIONS In South Korea, men, older individuals, and those with less formal education or who have witnessed parental violence need education to foster healthier beliefs about intimate partner violence. Nurses can play a vital role in efforts to decrease intimate partner violence.
Endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: logistics and short-term results.

PURPOSE To report our experience in establishing a treatment protocol for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA), including an investigation of the reasons for patient exclusion and a report of our short-term results. METHODS Between 1997 and July 2002, 21 patients with rAAA underwent endovascular repair according to our protocol and were followed prospectively. A retrospective analysis was also conducted of 23 rAAA patients treated with open repair from January 2001 through June 2002. Procedural and clinical data from this sample were compared to 14 contemporaneous emergent EVAR cases and analyzed to determine why the open repair patients were not treated with an endovascular approach. RESULTS Among the 21 patients treated with emergent EVAR since the beginning of this protocol, 6 (29%) procedures were performed under local anesthesia and 6 were performed percutaneously. Thirty-day mortality was 19%. In the comparison of 14 emergent EVAR cases to 23 open rAAA repairs, the mean duration of symptoms prior to intervention was 12 hours for the EVAR patients and <1 hour for OR patients. No significant difference was found in operating time, but the EVAR group had significantly less blood loss (p=0.0001) and transfusion needs (p=0.02); duration of intensive care unit stay was significantly shorter in the EVAR group (p=0.02). Thirty-day mortality was 29% (4/14) for EVAR and 35% for OR (8/23) (p>0.05). Reasons for not performing EVAR were unavailability of adequate equipment (n=11) or trained staff (n=7), hemodynamically unstable patient (n=2), mycotic aneurysm (n=2), and unfavorable anatomy in a 60-year old patient with a <5-mm-long, sharply angled infrarenal neck. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular repair of ruptured aortic aneurysms is feasible, and short-term results are promising. Good logistics, adequate training of physicians and staff in an elective setting, and versatile endografts are prerequisites for this type of treatment program.
Critical pegagogy in ELT: perspectives and praxis of western English teachers in Korean post-secondary education

Presently, there are numerous Native English Teacher (NETs) teaching in Korean post-secondary educational (PSE) institutions. The aim of this thesis is to explore the views held by NETs with regards to their self-perceived teaching perspectives while working in a Korean PSE setting. The thesis also aims to answer the assertion made in the literature that English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers are "acritical and atheoretical". To this end, the thesis intends to identify the extent of the NETs’ preference for social reform as a teaching perspective, the NETs stated reasons for identifying with roles as social reformers, how these views are reflected in the NETs’ practice (praxis), what the barriers impeding the adoption and enactment of social reform are, and how the NETs’ perspectives relate to critical pedagogy. The results reveal that NETs in Korean PSE do not align themselves with social reform, yet categorizing NETS as "acritical and atheoretical" may be overly-simplistic. The results show that there are three kinds of obstacles that prevent NETs from engaging more with social reform and being less acritical and atheoretical: 1) NETs teaching in Korean EFL are conflicted and/or confused about their roles as English teachers; 2) there are significant cultural constraints to teaching in Korean EFL as a NET; 3) there are significant pedagogical constraints to teaching in Korean EFL as a NET.
Tax Policy and Foreign Direct Investment: Empirical Evidence from Mauritius

This study demonstrates, through the use both qualitative and quantitative data, that there are several factors determining Foreign Direct Investment flows between two countries. A total of 180 accountants were surveyed in this study, whereby the majority of respondents agreed that Capital Gains Tax is an important factor determining FDI flow within a tax treaty but is not the only significant factor. The study also used regression analysis through a gravity equation to confirm the survey’s conclusion. Using Mauritius and a host of its tax treaty partners as proxies, it was found that Gross Domestic Product per capita, Capital Gains Tax, common language and distance were major factors affecting Foreign Direct Investment flow in a bilateral tax treaty. This study gives a good insight on the reasons why foreign investors use the Mauritian tax treaty network as a platform for investment. The main rationale for such investments was attributed to Mauritius offering a 0% Capital Gains Tax rate and being a low tax jurisdiction. However, this study sheds new light on this reasoning and provides evidence that investment does not depend solely on Capital Gains Tax levy but also a host of other important factors.
Multidisciplinary team care may slow the rate of decline in renal function.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES A multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to chronic kidney disease (CKD) may help optimize care of CKD and comorbidities. We implemented an MDT quality improvement project for persons with stage 3 CKD and comorbid diabetes and/or hypertension. Our objective was to decrease the rate of decline of GFR. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS We used a 4-year historical cohort to compare 1769 persons referred for usual nephrology care versus 233 referred for MDT care within an integrated, not-for-profit Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Usual care consisted of referral to an outside nephrologist. The MDT consisted of an HMO-based nephrologist, pharmacy specialist, diabetes educator, dietitian, social worker, and nephrology nurse. Both groups received usual primary care. The primary outcome was rate of decline of GFR. Secondary outcomes were LDL, hemoglobin A1c, and BP. RESULTS In multivariate repeated-measures analyses, MDT care was associated with a mean annual decline in GFR of 1.2 versus 2.5 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) for usual care. In stratified analyses, the significant difference in GFR decline persisted only in those who completed their referrals. There were no differences in the secondary outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS In this integrated care setting, MDT care resulted in a slower decline in GFR than usual care. This occurred despite a lack of significant differences for secondary disease-specific measures, suggesting that other differences in the MDT population or care process accounted for the slower decline in GFR in the MDT group.