Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Early Post-anesthetic Chest Physiotherapy Nursing Intervention on Patients Undergoing Upper Abdominal Surgery

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of early post an-esthetic chest physiotherapy nursing intervention (Breathing exercises ) on ventilatory functions, pulmonary complications and Length of postoperative hospitalization) in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery (UAS). Subjects and Methods: Sixty consecutive patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery were recruited into the study. They were divided into two groups of equal number, both received the routine physical therapy (early ambulation ),while those only in the study group received breathing exercises after surgery, while still in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) . The patients in both groups were evaluated on the day before surgery and on the second postoperative day. Pulse oximetry and spirometric tests were performed twice; before beginning intervention and on the second day after surgery. Information regarding Surgery duration, length of hospital stays and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) were gathered from patients’ medical records. Results: The study group showed significant improvement in FEV1 (P<0.001), FVC (P<0.05) as compared to the control group. There was an obvious reduction in occurrence of PPCs among study group compared to the control group. The length of postoperative hospitalization was significantly shorter in the study group (P<0.05) than control group. Conclusion: The results of this research concluded that breathing exercises during the immediate postoperative period following upper abdominal surgery seem to provide some benefit in improving ventilatory function, reducing pulmonary complications and postoperative hospital stay.
Rapid Multiplexed Genotyping of Simple Tandem Repeats using Capture and High‐Throughput Sequencing

Although simple tandem repeats (STRs) comprise ∼2% of the human genome and represent an important source of polymorphism, this class of variation remains understudied. We have developed a cost‐effective strategy for performing targeted enrichment of STR regions that utilizes capture probes targeting the flanking sequences of STR loci, enabling specific capture of DNA fragments containing STRs for subsequent high‐throughput sequencing. Utilizing a capture design targeting 6,243 STR loci <94 bp and multiplexing eight individuals in a single Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing lane we were able to call genotypes in at least one individual for 67.5% of the targeted STRs. We observed a strong relationship between (G+C) content and genotyping rate. STRs with moderate (G+C) content were recovered with >90% success rate, whereas only 12% of STRs with ≥80% (G+C) were genotyped in our assay. Analysis of a parent‐offspring trio, complete hydatidiform mole samples, repeat analyses of the same individual, and Sanger sequencing‐based validation indicated genotyping error rates between 7.6% and 12.4%. The majority of such errors were a single repeat unit at mono‐ or dinucleotide repeats. Altogether, our STR capture assay represents a cost‐effective method that enables multiplexed genotyping of thousands of STR loci suitable for large‐scale population studies.
The Impact of Racial and Ethnic Segregation on the Achievement Gap in California High Schools

This study examines the extent and impact of racial and ethnic segregation in California high schools during the 1988–1989 school year. We find that racial and ethnic segregation is widespread in California and that the extent of segregation varies widely among ethnic groups and among the six largest school districts. We also find significant differences in achievement levels across school districts and across schools within school districts, even after adjusting for differences in the background characteristics of students. The analysis suggests that segregation can, but does not always, lead to achievement differences across schools and among ethnic groups.
An investigation of single sand particle fracture using X-ray micro-tomography

Particle breakage is of fundamental importance for understanding the mechanical behaviour of sands and is relevant to many geotechnical engineering problems. In order to gain new insights into the mechanism of breakage of individual sand particles under single-particle compression, this study combines mechanical tests with three-dimensional X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) performed ‘in situ’, that is, during loading. A novel mini-loading apparatus was developed to perform in-situ compression testswithin a laboratory nanofocus X-ray CT. The testswere performed on eight particles, four Leighton Buzzard sand (LBS) particles and four highly decomposed granite (HDG) particles, to study their different fracture mechanisms. A series of image processing and analysing techniques was utilised to obtain both qualitative and quantitative results. The most important factors in determining the fracture patterns of the LBS and HDG particles were found to be particle morphology and initial microstructure, respectively. Versatile fracture patterns deviating from simple vertical splitting were observed, particularly in HDG particles. The change of morphology parameters during loading was found to depend on the fracture mechanisms and material properties, independently of their initial values. The fragments of both the LBS and HDG particles satisfy the fractal distribution, which indicates that the fragmentation is scale invariant. Different energy dissipation mechanisms were found. The energy dissipation by friction gradually prevails against the energy dissipated in generating new surfaces.
The Development of English as a Second Language With and Without Specific Language Impairment: Clinical Implications.

PURPOSE The purpose of this research forum article is to provide an overview of typical and atypical development of English as a second language (L2) and to present strategies for clinical assessment with English language learners (ELLs). METHOD A review of studies examining the lexical, morphological, narrative, and verbal memory abilities of ELLs is organized around 3 topics: timeframe and characteristics of typical English L2 development, comparison of the English L2 development of children with and without specific language impairment (SLI), and strategies for more effective assessment with ELLs. RESULTS ELLs take longer than 3 years to converge on monolingual norms and approach monolingual norms asynchronously across linguistic subdomains. Individual variation is predicted by age, first language, language learning aptitude, length of exposure to English in school, maternal education, and richness of the English environment outside school. ELLs with SLI acquire English more slowly than ELLs with typical development; their morphological and nonword repetition abilities differentiate them the most. Use of strategies such as parent questionnaires on first language development and ELL norm referencing can result in accurate discrimination of ELLs with SLI. CONCLUSIONS Variability in the language abilities of ELLs presents challenges for clinical practice. Increased knowledge of English language learning development with and without SLI together with evidence-based alternative assessment strategies can assist in overcoming these challenges.
Visual prognostic value of the pattern electroretinogram in chiasmal compression

BACKGROUND/AIMS The visual loss associated with compression of the optic chiasm by pituitary tumours may be transient or permanent, possibly related to the extent of irreversible retrograde degeneration to the retinal ganglion cells. The pattern electroretinogram (PERG) N95 component is thought to rise in relation to retinal ganglion cell function and hence may be a potential prognostic indicator for visual function following decompressive surgery. METHODS The notes and electrodiagnostic records of 72 eyes from 36 patients with chiasmal compression were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS The postoperative change in visual field was found to be associated with the PERG N95:P50 ratio (p=0.01). Improvement in visual field was shown by a greater proportion of eyes with a normal N95:P50 ratio (65%) than with an abnormal ratio (27%). No change in visual field occurred in 26% of the eyes with a normal N95:P50 ratio compared with 67% of those with an abnormal ratio. Only 8% of eyes showed a worsening of visual field following surgery, in similar proportions for eyes with normal and abnormal N95:P50 ratios. There was no significant relationship with visual acuity. CONCLUSION The PERG is a useful visual prognostic indicator in the preoperative assessment of chiasmal compression.
Lived Experiences of Novice Male Nurses in Taiwan

Purpose: Nursing remains a female-dominated profession around the world. The masculinity and male identity of men who choose nursing careers is questioned by the general public in many countries. Few studies report the situation of novice male nurses at their first year. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of novice male nurses when they first enter the workplace. Design and Method: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using purposive and snowball sampling for recruitment. Fourteen participants, 21 to 25 years old, were recruited, all of whom had at least 5 months of work experience. On average, in-depth, face-to-face interviews lasted 1 hour, with more than one follow-up telephone interview per participant. Findings: The following six themes emerged from the transcribed verbatim data based on content analysis: choosing appropriate work departments based on personality and needs, facing the pressure and frustration of independent work, getting help, obtaining acceptance among female cliques, reflecting on the relationship between gender and profession, and concerns about dependents and financial needs. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: This study addresses masculinity issues and gender stereotyping. In addition, male nurses were very concerned about their career options and development and the likelihood of promotion. This research not only has implications for better understanding of novice male nurses’ needs and the challenges in their social life but also makes suggestions for nursing practice to attract and keep more male nurses in the nursing profession. The results illustrate how culturally congruent nursing care can be achieved when we more concern male nurses’ role pressure and address traditional gender sensitivity to promote male nurses’ career development.
Progesterone secretion from the ovary in the ewe following infusion of uterine venous plasma.

Summary. The luteolytic activity of uterine venous plasma collected from donor ewes at different stages of the oestrous cycle was tested by observing the change in the rate of progesterone secretion from the CL of recipient ewes with the ovary autotransplanted to the neck. The mean percentage depression of rate of progesterone secretion was 9\m=. \6% in four experiments when plasma was infused from ewes on Days 9, 10 or 11 of the cycle compared to 33\m=. \0% during seven experiments with plasma from Days 14, 15 or 16. The mean PGF2\g=a\ concentration (1\m=.\38ng/ml) as measured by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in uterine venous plasma collected around the time of luteal regression was greater than that in plasma collected on Days 9, 10 or 11 (0\m=.\47 ng/ml). These findings confirm the increase in luteolytic activity of uterine venous plasma collected at the time of expected luteal regression.
The plastid-encoded PsaI subunit stabilizes photosystem I during leaf senescence in tobacco

&NA; PsaI is the only subunit of PSI whose precise physiological function has not yet been elucidated in higher plants. While PsaI is involved in PSI trimerization in cyanobacteria, trimerization was lost during the evolution of the eukaryotic PSI, and the entire PsaI side of PSI underwent major structural remodelling to allow for binding of light harvesting complex II antenna proteins during state transitions. Here, we have generated a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) knockout mutant of the plastid‐encoded psaI gene. We show that PsaI is not required for the redox reactions of PSI. Neither plastocyanin oxidation nor the processes at the PSI acceptor side are impaired in the mutant, and both linear and cyclic electron flux rates are unaltered. The PSI antenna cross section is unaffected, state transitions function normally, and binding of other PSI subunits to the reaction centre is not compromised. Under a wide range of growth conditions, the mutants are phenotypically and physiologically indistinguishable from wild‐type tobacco. However, in response to high‐light and chilling stress, and especially during leaf senescence, PSI content is reduced in the mutants, indicating that the I‐subunit plays a role in stabilizing PSI complexes.
Substance abuse amongst the medical graduate students in a developing country

Background & objectives: Substance abuse is found worldwide including among students. We carried out this study to estimate the prevalence of substance abuse among medical student studying in a medical college in north India. Methods: Using a validated questionnaire a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 230 undergraduate and postgraduate medical students in a private medical college. Results: The prevalence of substance abuse was 20.43 per cent (47/230) among medical students. An increase in substance abuse was observed in the latter years of medical education. A total of 43 of 47 (91.7%) students using these substances were aware of the ill effects. The most common reasons for substance use were relief from psychological stress (34/47, 72.4%) and occasional celebration (34/47, 72.4%). Of the 47 substance users, 28 (59.6%) made past attempts to quit the substance abuse. Interpretation & conclusions: Nearly one-fifth of medical students abuse at least one substance despite knowing the ill effects with the main predisposing factor being the psychological stress.
A Fractionally Cointegrated VAR Analysis of Price Discovery in Commodity Futures Markets

In this paper we apply the recently developed fractionally cointegrated vector autoregressive (FCVAR) model to analyze price discovery in the spot and futures markets for five non-ferrous metals (aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc). The FCVAR model allows for long memory (fractional integration) in the equilibrium errors, and, following Figuerola-Ferretti and Gonzalo (2010), we allow for the existence of long-run backwardation or contango in the equilibrium as well, i.e. a non-unit cointegration coefficient. Price discovery can be analyzed in the FCVAR model by a relatively straightforward examination of the adjustment coefficients. In our empirical analysis we use the data from Figuerola-Ferretti and Gonzalo (2010), who conduct a similar analysis using the usual (non-fractional) CVAR model. Our first finding is that, for all markets except copper, the fractional integration parameter is highly significant, showing that the usual, non-fractional model is not appropriate. Next, when allowing for fractional integration in the long-run equilibrium relations, fewer lags are needed in the autoregressive formulation, further stressing the usefulness of the fractional model. Compared to the results from the non-fractional model, we find slightly more evidence of price discovery in the spot market. Specifically, using standard likelihood ratio tests, we do not reject the hypothesis that price discovery takes place exclusively in the spot (futures) market for copper, lead, and zinc (aluminium and nickel).
Antiproliferative compounds of Artabotrys madagascariensis from the Madagascar rainforest

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of Artabotrys madagascariensis led to the isolation of the new compound artabotrene (1), two butenolides (2 and 3), and the tetracyclic triterpene polycarpol (4). Structure elucidation was determined on the basis of one and two-dimensional NMR, and absolute configuration of compounds 2–4 was verified by analysis of CD and optical rotation spectra. Two of the isolates, melodorinol (2) and acetylmelodorinol (3), were found to display antiproliferative activity against five different tumour cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 2.4 to 12 µM.
Examination of Houston's QuickRide Participants by Frequency of QuickRide Usage

QuickRide is an innovative project designed to more effectively use the capacity of the high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes on the Katy (I-10) and Northwest (US-290) freeways in Houston. Under this project, two-person carpools could pay $2 to use the HOV lanes during the peak period, even though the lanes were normally restricted to vehicles with three or more occupants. This form of HOV lane is typically termed a high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane and can be an effective travel demand management and congestion mitigation tool. However, relatively little is known about drivers who choose to use the HOT lane option. The commute and socioeconomic characteristics of Houston's QuickRide participants are examined by their frequency of QuickRide usage. The study is based on a survey of QuickRide enrollees conducted in March 2003. It was found that QuickRide participation increases with increasing trip length, perceived time savings, and frequency of trips in the travel corridor. Participation decreases with increasing carpool formation times but is generally irresponsive to minor changes in the $2 toll. QuickRide is also more likely to be used for commute trips than other trips. Socioeconomic characteristics such as age, household type, and education also have significant effects on QuickRide trip frequency. However, household size, occupation, and hourly wage rate were not good indicators of the frequency of QuickRide usage.
Categories for classifying language in psychotherapy.

Department of LinguisticsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillWilliam B. StilesUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillA review of language analysis systems employed in psychotherapy research sug-gests a typology based on the combination of three category types with twocoding strategies. The types are (a) content categories, (b) intersubjective cate-gories, and (c) extralinguistic categories. They are denned by distinct sets oflanguage features. The coding strategies are (a) the classical coding strategy, inwhich categories describe the text, and (b) the pragmatic coding strategy, inwhich categories describe the speaker. A review of research results suggests thatthe content, intersubjective, and extralinguistic features constitute distinct chan-nels of communication and that (a) the content channel carries information per-taining to the speaker's psychodynamic process and personality structure, (b)the intersubjective channel carries information pertaining to the quality of thespeaker's relationship with the other, and (c) the extralinguistic channel carriesinformation pertaining to the speaker's transitory emotional state. System con-sistency criteria are suggested for use in conjunction with the typology to evalu-ate categories and category systems.If the first stage in the scientific study ofa phenomenon is naming and classifying, thestudy of verbal behavior in psychotherapy ismired in its first stage. Reviews of the psy-chotherapy content analysis literature (Auld& Murray, 1955; Kiesler, 1973; Marsden,1965, 1971; Meltzoff & Kornreich, 1970)display an ungainly proliferation of categoriesand systems of categories to describe theverbal behavior of therapist and client. Onereviewer (Kiesler, 1973) put it this way:
How to approach the QT interval in dogs - State of the heart: a review.

The QT interval has been the objective of exhaustive attention in the past and also in recent times. A number of conditions, congenital and acquired, can have a direct effect on cardiac repolarization. Also drug regulatory agencies have showed increasing interest in the topic because certain drugs can prolong the QT interval to a level that produces ventricular arrhythmias. The dog is a species that shares some similarities with the human electrical system and has been used in human and veterinary research. We here present the current recommenda- tions for QT measurement in dogs for use in clinical and experimental practice.
Quels impacts de la mise en œuvre de trames bleues sur les services rendus par les milieux aquatiques en zones urbaines

Si les differents milieux aquatiques presents dans les zones urbaines sont au centre des projets d’urbanisme, ils ne permettent que peu la preservation des ecosystemes. Dans quelle mesure la mise en place de la trame bleue peu pallier a ce manque ? Comment doit-elle etre envisagee ?
Morphological studies of the developing human esophageal epithelium

This article focusses on the structural development of human esophageal ciliated epithelium. A combination of transmission electron microscopic (TEM), scanning electron micro‐scopic (SEM), radioautographic, and light microscopic (LM) analyses were carried out using intact fetal tissues between 8 and 20 weeks of gestation as well as cultured esophageal explants. Up to the age of 10 weeks, the stratified esophageal epithelium consisted of two longitudinal primary folds. The surface cells were undifferentiated and contained large glycogen aggregates. Between 11 and 16 weeks, the primary folds (now up to four) had developed secondary folds. The thickness of the epithelium drastically increased (123%) in concomittance with a differentiation of surface columnar ciliated cells. These highly specialized surface cells exhibited junctional complexes and well‐developed organelles with numerous microvilli interspesed among the cilia. Transverse sections revealed the internal structure of the cilia with a consistent pattern of nine doublet microtubules surrounding a central pair of single microtubules. Freeze‐fracture studies illustrated the presence of a ciliary necklace composed of 6 ring‐like rows of intramembranous particles. They also revealed the structure of ciliary cell tight junctions consisting of up to nine anastomosing strands (P‐face) or complementary grooves (E‐face). Ultrastructural studies (LM, TEM, SEM) of the esophageal squamous epithelium obtained after 15 days of culture showed that the newly formed epithelium was similar to adult human epithelium. Finally LM and SEM observations established that the esophagogastric junction was not yet well delineated, consisting of a transitional area composed of a mixture of esophageal ciliated cells and gastric columnar mucous cells. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic testing for RAD51C mutations: in the clinic and community

Much of the observed familial clustering of breast and ovarian cancer cannot be explained by mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. Several other cancer susceptibility genes have been identified, but their value in routine clinical genetic testing is still unclear. Germline mutations in RAD51C have been identified in about 1% of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer families. RAD51C mutations are predominantly found in families with a history of ovarian cancer and are rare in families with a history of breast cancer alone. RAD51C is primarily an ovarian cancer susceptibility gene. A mutation is present in approximately 1% of unselected ovarian cancers. Among mutation carriers, the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is approximately 9%. The average age at onset is approximately 60 years; this suggests that preventive oophorectomy can be delayed until after natural menopause. Under current guidelines, genetic testing for RAD51C is expected to have a limited impact on ovarian cancer incidence at a population level. This is because the penetrance is 9% to age 80; the great majority of families with mutations would be represented by a single case of ovarian cancer, these are potentially preventable through population screening but not through screening of established ovarian cancer families.