Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Assessment of Multicultural Education Programs in Reducing Islamophobia on a College Campus

An Empirical Assessment of Multicultural Education Programs in Reducing Islamophobia on a College Campus by Amin Asfari MS, East Carolina University, 2010 BS, Campbell University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University January 2017
A Comparison of Two Nursing Program Exit Exams That Predict First-Time NCLEX-RN Outcome

This retrospective descriptive correlational study compared the predictive accuracy of the Health Education Systems, Inc, Exit Exam (Elsevier) and Assessment Technologies Institute’s RN Comprehensive Predictor, both of which were administered to nursing students in an upper-division baccalaureate nursing program during their final semester of study. Using logistic regression analyses, it was determined that the two examinations were statistically significant but weak predictors of success on the RN licensure examination. The RN Comprehensive Predictor had a slightly better odds ratio; however, both examinations had similar sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy. Because the RN Comprehensive Predictor was included in the Assessment Technologies Institute’s Comprehensive Assessment and Review Program already being used by the BSN program, based on the results of this study, the nursing faculty decided to use only the RN Comprehensive Predictor during its NCLEX-RN preparation course.
Author ’ s Accepted Manuscript DETERMINATION OF PHTHALATES IN BOTTLED WATER BY AUTOMATED ON-LINE SOLID PHASE EXTRACTION COUPLED TO LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH UV DETECTION

An on-line solid phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography with UV detection (SPE/LC-UV) method was automated by the multisyringe flow-injection analysis (MSFIA) system for the determination of three phthalic acid esters (PAEs). The PAEs determined in drinking water stored in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) -2bottles of ten commercial brands were dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). C18-bonded silica membrane was used for isolation and enrichment of the PAEs in water samples. The calibration range of the SPE/LC-UV method was 2.5-100 g L for DMP and DEP and 10-100 g L for DBP with correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9970 to 0.9975. Limits of detection (LODs) were between 0.7 and 2.4 g L. Inter-day reproducibility performed at two concentration levels (10 and 100 g L) expressed as relative standard deviation (%RSD) were found in the range of 0.9 to 4.0 %. The solvent volume was reduced to 18 mL with a total analysis time of 48 min per sample. The major species detected in bottled water samples was DBP reaching concentrations between 20.5 and 82.8 g L. The recovery percentages for the three analytes in drinking water were 80-115 %. The migration test showed a great variation in the sum of migrated PAEs level (10.2 50.6 g L) among the PET bottle brands analyzed indicating that the presence of these contaminants in the plastic containers may depend on raw materials and the conditions used during their production process.
Testing of fluorescent lamps for its flickering susceptibility towards interharmonic voltages

Light flickering was traditionally associated with incandescent lamps as the lamp luminance fluctuates with the RMS values of the supplied voltage. Fluorescent lamps, with ballast maintaining the current relatively constant, were largely regarded to be free of perceptible flicker. However, the increasing level of interharmonic voltages in the power systems has resulted in several reports of flickering by fluorescent lamps. This paper describes the results from an experimental investigation into the susceptibility of fluorescent lamps to flickering. The tests look into the three broad categories of fluorescent lamps widely in use, namely the conventional fluorescent tubes with separate magnetic or electronic ballasts and the compact all-in-one fluorescent lamps.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Ticks, China–Russia Border

To the Editor: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an emerging human pathogen of public health importance, is transmitted to humans most commonly by tick bites (1). The agent has been detected in various species of Ixodes ticks around the world (2) and in Dermacentor silvarum ticks in northeastern People’s Republic of China (3), where 3 A. phagocytophilum strains were isolated from wild and domestic animals (4). In the Asiatic region of Russia adjacent to China, A. phagocytophilum was identified in Ixodes persulcatus ticks, and A. bovis in Haemaphysalis concinna ticks (5). Human granulocytic anaplasmosis was reported in the southern area of the Russian Far East that borders China (6). The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in ticks collected from the China–Russia border and to characterize the agent by molecular biology techniques.
Pore collapse underlies irreversible inactivation of TRPM2 cation channel currents

The Ca2+-permeable cation channel transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) plays a key role in pathogen-evoked phagocyte activation, postischemic neuronal apoptosis, and glucose-evoked insulin secretion, by linking these cellular responses to oxidative stress. TRPM2 channels are coactivated by binding of intracellular ADP ribose and Ca2+ to distinct cytosolically accessible sites on the channels. These ligands likely regulate the activation gate, conserved in the voltage-gated cation channel superfamily, that comprises a helix bundle formed by the intracellular ends of transmembrane helix six of each subunit. For several K+ and TRPM family channels, activation gate opening requires the presence of phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate (PIP2) in the inner membrane leaflet. Most TRPM family channels inactivate upon prolonged stimulation in inside-out patches; this “rundown” is due to PIP2 depletion. TRPM2 currents also run down within minutes, but the molecular mechanism of this process is unknown. Here we report that high-affinity PIP2 binding regulates Ca2+ sensitivity of TRPM2 activation. Nevertheless, TRPM2 inactivation is not due to PIP2 depletion; rather, it is state dependent, sensitive to permeating ions, and can be completely prevented by mutations in the extracellular selectivity filter. Introduction of two negative charges plus a single-residue insertion, to mimic the filter sequence of TRPM5, results in TRPM2 channels that maintain unabated maximal activity for over 1 h, and display altered permeation properties but intact ADP ribose/Ca2+-dependent gating. Thus, upon prolonged stimulation, the TRPM2 selectivity filter undergoes a conformational change reminiscent of that accompanying C-type inactivation of voltage-gated K+ channels. The noninactivating TRPM2 variant will be invaluable for gating studies.
Association of bone mineral density with polymorphism of the estrogen receptor gene

PvuII and XbaI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of the estrogen receptor (ER) gene and its relation to bone mineral density (BMD) were examined in 238 postmenopausal healthy women aged 45–91 years (66.3 ± 0.6 years, mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]) in Japan. The RFLPs were represented as Pp (PvuII) and Xx (XbaI), with capital letters signifying the absence of and small letters the presence of restriction sites. In the PPxx genotype (n = 18), Z score values of BMD were significantly lower than those for other genotypes (n = 220) (lumbar spine, −0.746 vs. −0.065 [p = 0.022]; total body, −0.482 vs. 0.308 [p = 0.002]). We classified the subjects into three genotypes with allelic haplotype: homozygote of the Px haplotype was expressed as the 11 genotype, heterozygote of the Px haplotype as the 10 genotype, and the one lacking the Px haplotype as the 00 genotype. The PpXx genotype was not included in this analysis because the allelic haplotypes are uncertain. The Px haplotype was associated with a low BMD in postmenopausal women (Z score for the lumbar spine, −0.746 vs. −0.279 vs. 0.083, for the 11, 10, 00 genotypes, respectively [p = 0.029]; Z score for the total body, −0.482 vs. 0.164 vs. 0.427, respectively [p = 0.003]). We suggest that some variation of the ER gene linked to these RFLPs is associated with low BMD and that this at least partly explains the cause of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Japanese women.
Maternal analgesia during labor disturbs newborn behavior: effects on breastfeeding, temperature, and crying.

BACKGROUND Newborns not exposed to analgesia, when placed on the mother's chest, exhibit an inborn prefeeding behavior. This study was performed to assess the effects of different types of analgesia during labor on the development of spontaneous breastfeeding movements, crying behavior, and skin temperature during the first hours of life in healthy term newborns. METHODS Video recordings were made of 28 newborns who had been dried and placed in skin-to-skin contact between their mother's breasts immediately after delivery. The video recordings were analyzed blindly with respect to infant exposure to analgesia. Defined infant behaviors were assessed every 30 seconds. Group 1 mothers (n = 10) had received no analgesia during labor, group 2 mothers (n = 6) had received mepivacaine via pudendal block, and group 3 mothers (n = 12) had received pethidine or bupivacaine or more than one type of analgesia during labor. RESULTS All infants made finger and hand movements, but the infant's massagelike hand movements were less frequent in infants whose mothers had received labor analgesia. A significantly lower proportion of group 3 infants made hand-to-mouth movements (p < 0.001), and a significantly lower proportion of the infants in groups 2 and 3 touched the nipple with their hands before suckling (p < 0.01), made licking movements (p < 0.01), and sucked the breast (p < 0.01). Nearly one-half of the infants, all in groups 2 or 3, did not breastfeed within the first 2.5 hour of life. The infants whose mothers had received analgesia during labor had higher temperatures (p = 0.03) and they cried more (p = 0.05) than infants whose mothers had not received any analgesia. CONCLUSIONS The present data indicate that several types of analgesia given to the mother during labor may interfere with the newborn's spontaneous breast-seeking and breastfeeding behaviors and increase the newborn's temperature and crying.
Physician responses to ambiguous patient symptoms

AbstractOBJECTIVE: To examine how primary care physicians respond to ambiguous patient symptom presentations. DESIGN: Observational study, using thematic analysis within a large cross-sectional study employing standardized patients (SPs), to describe physician responses to ambiguous patient symptoms and patterns of physician-patient interaction. SETTING: Community-based primary care offices within a metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three primary care physicians (internists and family physicians). METHOD: Participating physicians had 2 unannounced SP visits randomly inserted into their daily practice schedules and the visits were audiotaped and transcribed. A coding system focusing on physician responses to concerned patients presenting with ambiguous symptoms was developed through an inductive process. Thematic analyses were then applied to coded data. RESULTS: Physicians’ responses to ambiguous symptoms were categorized into 2 primary patterns: high partnering (HP) and usual care (UC). HP was characterized by greater responsiveness to patients’ expression of concern, positivity, sensitivity to patients’ clues about life circumstances, greater acknowledgment of symptom ambiguity, and solicitation of patients’ perspectives on their problems. UC was characterized by denial of ambiguity and less inclusion of patients’ perspectives on their symptoms. Neither HP physicians nor UC physicians actively included patients in treatment planning. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians respond to ambiguity by either ignoring the ambiguity and becoming more directive (UC) or, less often, by acknowledging the ambiguity and attempting to explore symptoms and patient concerns in more detail (HP). Future areas of study could address whether physicians can learn HP behaviors and whether HP behaviors positively affect health outcomes.
Generation of Transgenic Cattle by Lentiviral Gene Transfer into Oocytes1

Abstract The potential benefits of transgenic cattle range from the production of large quantities of pharmaceutically relevant proteins to agricultural improvement. However, the production of transgenic cattle is presently time-consuming and expensive because of the inefficiency of the classical DNA microinjection technique. Here, we report the use of lentiviruses for the efficient generation of transgenic cattle. Initial attempts to produce transgenic cattle by lentiviral infection of preimplantation embryos were not successful. In contrast, infection of bovine oocytes with lentiviral vectors carrying an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression cassette followed by in vitro fertilization resulted in the birth of transgenic calves. Furthermore, all of the calves generated by infection of oocytes were transgenic, and 100% of these animals expressed eGFP as detected by in vivo imaging and Western blotting. In addition, a transgenic calf was produced by infection of fetal fibroblasts followed by nuclear transfer into enucleated oocytes. Taken together, after adjusting lentiviral transgenesis to cattle, unprecedented high transgenesis and expression rates were achieved.
A Community College Model of Student Immigration, Language, GPA, and Course Completion.

California's population is expected to grow from 33.9 million in 2000 to 45 million by 2020. In addition, Latinos are expected to outnumber Caucasians by the year 2020. In Los Angeles County, the Latino population is already 45%, compared with 31% Caucasian, 13% Asian, 9% African American, and 1% other. This manuscript offers a new model of course completion for urban community college students who declare Hispanic/Latino as their ethnic group. It is based on an earlier model that included all the students in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). Hispanics lead all other ethnic groups with the percentage of 16-24 year olds who have dropped out of school, have historically been the lowest group in terms of SAT scores, and are least likely to go to college. California's community colleges represent a pivotal point of access for Latino students. This study utilized the Transfer and Retention of Urban Community College Students (TRUCCS) questionnaire, administering the final instrument during the spring 2000 semester to 5,000 students in 241 classrooms in 9 colleges in the LACCD. Ninety-six percent of the sample signed release forms. Of those 4,433, 2,461 reported their ethnicity as Latino/Hispanic. The results indicate that the only credible effects on course completion or GPA were age and academic attitude. (Contains 53 references.) (Author/NB) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. A Community College Model of Student Immigration, Language, GPA, and
Interactions between Sympathomimetic Amines and Antidepressant Agents in Man

Intravenous infusions of phenylephrine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and isoprenaline were given to healthy human volunteers after five to seven days on phenelzine, tranylcypromine, or imipramine, and cardiovascular responses were compared with those observed under control conditions. With monoamine oxidase inhibitors there was a 2-2½ fold potentiation of the pressor effect of phenylephrine, but no clinically significant potentiation of cardiovascular effects of noradrenaline, adrenaline, or isoprenaline. With imipramine there was potentiation of the pressor effects of phenylephrine (2-3 fold), noradrenaline (4-8 fold), and adrenaline (2-4 fold); there were dysrhythmias during adrenaline infusions, but no noticeable or consistent changes in response to isoprenaline. Noradrenaline and adrenaline in amounts contained in local anaesthetics used in dentistry are not likely to be significantly potentiated in otherwise healthy patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Hazardous potentiation of their cardiovascular effects might occur in patients receiving tricyclic antidepressants. Our observations do not indicate that the hazards associated with isoprenaline inhalation by bronchial asthmatics would be increased by coincident therapy with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or tricyclic antidepressant.
Evaluation of procollagen I deposition after intense pulsed light treatments at varying parameters in a porcine model

Several lasers and light sources have been reported to induce dermal collagen remodeling without damaging the epidermis. The intense pulsed light (IPL) system, which emits polychromatic light of wavelengths between 560 and 1200 nm belongs to this group of increasingly popular non‐ablative skin rejuvenation devices. Various IPL treatment parameters can be adjusted to achieve optimal dermal remodeling and clinical improvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate variations in IPL treatment parameters and the effect on procollagen I deposition. Marked areas of a live Yorkshire pig's flank skin were irradiated with a single or double pass of an IPL source using a fluence of 30 or 40 J/cm2 and a cut‐off wavelength filter of 590 nm. Skin biopsies were performed on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 42. A statistically significant increase in procollagen I in treated versus untreated sites was found on postoperative days 21 and 42, but not earlier. There was a uniformly significant increase in procollagen I on day 42 using the 590 nm filter at both 30 and 40 J/cm2 with either a single or double pass. The increase in procollagen was greater with a fluence of 40 J/cm2 compared with 30 J/cm2.
Tympanic temperature and heart rate changes in firefighters during treadmill runs performed with different fireproof jackets

Six well-trained firefighters performed six treadmill runs at 70% of the velocity at VO2max (Maximal aerobic velocity MAV = 13.26±0.3 km h-1). A recovery time of 1 week was allowed between trials. The first session was performed by subjects wearing only shorts (i.e. no fire jacket, J0). A similar protocol was applied subsequently to test the physiological eOEects associated with the wearing of one of five different fire jackets: one leather (J1) and four textile-type jackets: VTNTM with membrane (J2), VTNTM without membrane (J3), VidalTM with Kermel® HTA (Haute Teneur en Aramide i.e. high density in Aramide) (J4); and RollandTM with Kermel® HTA (J5). All sessions were performed in a randomized order and in laboratory conditions. Exercise with the fireproof jackets resulted in higher tympanic temperature (Tty), heart rate (HR) and body mass loss (BML) changes compared to J0 (p <0.001). The magnitudes of these changes depended on the type of the jacket. Exercise in the leather jacket (J1) resulted in the highest Tty and HR, which diOEered significantly from values in all other conditions (p<0.001). The exercise-induced increases in Tty wearing jackets J3 and J5 were also significantly (p<0.05) higher than those observed with jackets J2 and J4. In conclusion, textile jackets induced less HR and Tty stresses than the leather one. The magnitude of the physiological responses induced by textile jackets were correlated to jacket weight. J2 and J4 jackets were more effective in limiting hyperthermia and any potential detrimental effect on the exercise capacity.
Prevalence, Patterns, and Persistence of Sleep Problems in the First 3 Years of Life

OBJECTIVE: Examine the prevalence, patterns, and persistence of parent-reported sleep problems during the first 3 years of life. METHODS: Three hundred fifty-nine mother/child pairs participated in a prospective birth cohort study. Sleep questionnaires were administered to mothers when children were 6, 12, 24, and 36 months old. Sleep variables included parent response to a nonspecific query about the presence/absence of a sleep problem and 8 specific sleep outcome domains: sleep onset latency, sleep maintenance, 24-hour sleep duration, daytime sleep/naps, sleep location, restlessness/vocalization, nightmares/night terrors, and snoring. RESULTS: Prevalence of a parent-reported sleep problem was 10% at all assessment intervals. Night wakings and shorter sleep duration were associated with a parent-reported sleep problem during infancy and early toddlerhood (6–24 months), whereas nightmares and restless sleep emerged as associations with report of a sleep problem in later developmental periods (24–36 months). Prolonged sleep latency was associated with parent report of a sleep problem throughout the study period. In contrast, napping, sleep location, and snoring were not associated with parent-reported sleep problems. Twenty-one percent of children with sleep problems in infancy (compared with 6% of those without) had sleep problems in the third year of life. CONCLUSIONS: Ten percent of children are reported to have a sleep problem at any given point during early childhood, and these problems persist in a significant minority of children throughout early development. Parent response to a single-item nonspecific sleep query may overlook relevant sleep behaviors and symptoms associated with clinical morbidity.
Work domain analysis for enhancing collaborations: a study of the management of microsystems design

Collaboration is an important process that enables organisations to achieve goals or solve problems and, in design processes, is an important factor for accomplishing interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary tasks. An understanding of the functional configuration of organisations could therefore offer a useful insight into collaborations of designers. This study makes use of work domain analysis (WDA) to analyse the management of design by organisations within the microsystems technology (MST) domain. The WDA considers the functional configuration of MST companies in terms of management constraints and boundaries. This study also makes use of the WDA to suggest ways of establishing collaborative design and enhancing collaboration between organisations. Practitioner Summary: The results of this methodical analysis offer useful insights for managing design functions. This study also presents recommendations for enhancing collaboration in organisations. The ability to manage and collaborate in design functions is valuable for improving the productivity, cost-effectiveness and time-to-market systems.
Presence of Anomalous Coronary Seen on Angiogram Is Not Associated with Increased Risk of Significant Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract It is unclear if anomalous coronary arteries are at higher risk for atherosclerosis. The link between anomalous coronary artery and early coronary artery disease has been suggested. The aim of this study is to determine whether the coronary artery anomaly predisposes to development of significant coronary disease. Using retrospective chart review, patients with documented anomalous coronary arteries recognized during coronary angiography between years 2000 to 2007 were analyzed. Prevalence of significant atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (defined as more than 50% luminal narrowing) was compared between normal and anomalous coronaries. A total of 147 patients with anomalous coronary arteries were found. Right coronary artery was the most common anomalous artery 128 of 148 (86.5%) in our dataset. There was no difference in the occurrence of atherosclerosis between anomalous and nonanomalous coronaries. Significant atherosclerosis was present in 59 of the 148 anomalous coronary arteries (37.8%), and 112 of the 293 nonanomalous coronary arteries (38.2%, p = 0.9). On the basis of our study, there is no evidence that anomalous coronary arteries predispose to significant coronary artery disease in comparison to normal coronary arteries.