Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early mathematical competencies and later outcomes: Insights from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

International research suggests that early mathematical competences predicts later mathematical outcomes. In this paper, we build on our previous study of young children’s mathematical competencies (MacDonald & Carmichael, 2015) to explore the relationship between mathematical competencies at 4-5 years, as measured by teacher ratings, and later results on Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 NAPLAN numeracy tests. Data from a nationally-representative sample of 2343 children participating in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) are examined. In line with overseas studies, we report moderate correlations between pre-entry mathematics and later NAPLAN results. However, analysis of individual growth trajectories suggests that in fact early mathematics predicts the initial (Year 3) level, but not subsequent growth. This suggests that early mathematical competences are important for enhancing outcomes in early schooling, but that the quality of mathematics education provided in the schooling years is critical for future development.
In Vivo Reactivation of DNases in Implanted Human Prostate Tumors After Administration of a Vitamin C/K3 Combination

Human prostate cancer cells (DU145) implanted into nude mice are deficient in DNase activity. After administration of a vitamin C/vitamin K3 combination, both alkaline DNase (DNase I) and acid DNase (DNase II) activities were detected in cryosections with a histochemical lead nitrate technique. Alkaline DNase activity appeared 1 hr after vitamin administration, decreased slightly until 2 hr, and disappeared by 8 hr after treatment. Acid DNase activity appeared 2 hr after vitamin administration, reached its highest levels between 4 and 8 hr, and maintained its activity 24 hr after treatment. Methyl green staining indicated that DNase expression was accompanied by a decrease in DNA content of the tumor cells. Microscopic examination of 1-μm sections of the tumors indicated that DNase reactivation and the subsequent degradation of DNA induced multiple forms of tumor cell death, including apoptosis and necrosis. The primary form of vitamin-induced tumor cell death was autoschizis, which is characterized by membrane damage and the progressive loss of cytoplasm through a series of self-excisions. These self-excisions typically continue until the perikaryon consists of an apparently intact nucleus surrounded by a thin rim of cytoplasm that contains damaged organelles.
Rehabilitation of Convicts in Nigerian Prisons: A Study of Federal Prisons in Kogi State

The Federal prisons in Nigeria are charged with the uncompromising responsibility of ensuring that offenders are reformed and rehabilitated. Although prisons in recent times are considered as centres for rehabilitation, some factors have made this difficult in Nigeria. In view of this background, this study has empirically examined the rehabilitative and reformative roles of Federal prisons in Kogi state. The findings of the study have clearly shown that despite the official claims that these prisons are operating on the principles of rehabilitation and reformation, abundant evidence indicate that these institutions are still largely retributive in nature. Retributive traits are expected to be similar in other Nigerian prisons. The study made useful suggestions that could ameliorate this ugly trend. Keywords: Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Programmes, Retribution, and Recidivism
Species‐specific double‐strand break repair and genome evolution in plants

Even closely related eukaryotic species may differ drastically in genome size. While insertion of retroelements represents a major source of genome enlargement, the mechanism mediating species‐ specific deletions is fairly obscure. We analyzed the formation of deletions during double‐strand break (DSB) repair in Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco, two dicotyledonous plant species differing >20‐fold in genome size. DSBs were induced by the rare cutting restriction endonuclease I‐SceI and deletions were identified by loss of function of a negative selectable marker gene containing an I‐SceI site. Whereas the partial use of micro‐homologies in junction formation was similar in both species, in tobacco 40% of the deletions were accompanied by insertions. No insertions could be detected in Arabidopsis, where larger deletions were more frequent, indicating a putative inverse correlation between genome size and the average length of deletions. Such a correlation has been postulated before by a theoretical study on the evolution of related insect genomes and our study now identifies a possible molecular cause for the phenomenon, indicating that species‐specific differences in DSB repair might indeed influence genome evolution.
The risk factors and spread of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in intubated patients in a medical intensive care unit

Results: Ninety-eight patients were evaluated for A. baumannii colonization during or at the end of their intubation; 44 (45%) of these patients were colonized by A. baumannii. The length of intubation (OR: 1.032, P = 0.014) and diabetes mellitus (OR: 4.140, P = 0.008) were the major risk factors for colonization of the respiratory tract by A. baumannii. During the study period A. baumannii infection developed in 35 (80%) of the 44 colonized patients. The important risk factors for A. baumannii infection were colonization (OR: 3.962, P = 0.006) and tracheostomy (OR: 4.857, P = 0.001). Genotyping analysis was performed for 59 isolates. Overall, 3 clones (clone A, B, and C) were identified in patients; 88% were clone A (52 isolates), 7% were clone B (4 isolates), and 5% were clone C (3 isolates). Conclusion: Length of intubation and diabetes mellitus were significant risk factors for A. baumannii colonization in intubated patients. Moreover, colonization and tracheostomy predisposed patients to infection. Additionally, this study documented the spread of multi-drug resistant A. baumannii in intubated patients in an MICU with limited resources.
Drugs and Cardiotoxicity in HIV and AIDS

Abstract: The advent of potent antiretroviral drugs in recent years has had an impressive impact on mortality and disease progression in HIV‐infected patients, so that issues related to long‐term effects of drugs are of growing importance. Hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and lipodystrophy are increasingly described adverse effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), in particular when protease inhibitors are used. Hyperlipidemia is strikingly associated with the use of most available protease inhibitors, with an estimated prevalence of up to 50%. Because of the short observation period and the small number of cardiovascular events, epidemiological evidence for an increased risk of coronary heart disease in HIV‐infected patients treated with HAART is not adequate at present; however, it is likely that shortly more data will accumulate to quantify this risk. Before starting HAART and during treatment it is reasonable to evaluate all patients for traditional coronary risk factors, including lipid profile. Among the drugs that are currently used in HIV+ patients, antibacterials, antifungals, psychotropic drugs and anti‐histamines have been associated with QT prolongation or torsade de pointe, a life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmia. Among the risk factors that may precipitate an asymptomatic electrocardiographic abnormality into a dangerous arrhythmia is the concomitant use of drugs that share the CYP3A metabolic pathway. Since most protease inhibitors are potent inhibitors of CYP3A, clinicians should be aware of this potentially dangerous effect of HAART. Anthracyclines are potent cytotoxic antibiotics that have been widely used for the treatment of HIV‐related neoplasms. Their cardiotoxicity is well known, ranging from benign and reversible arrhythmias to progressive severe cardiomyopathy. The increased survival and quality of life of HIV+ patients emphasize the importance of a high awareness of adverse drug‐related cardiac effects.
Características eloteras y de grano de variedades nativas de maíz de Chiapas

Se estima que ¾ partes de la superficie cultivada con maiz en Chiapas es de variedades criollas o nativas y de generaciones avanzadas de variedades mejoradas. Doce variedades nativas de maiz de diferente color de grano (blanco, amarillo, rojo y negro) proporcionadas por agricultores de autoconsumo de la region calida del estado de Chiapas, Mexico, mas dos testigos comerciales, fueron evaluadas en 2009 en dos localidades con el objetivo de conocer algunas caracteristicas como floracion femenina, altura, diametro, longitud y contenido de solidos solubles en el elote y rendimiento de grano. Las caracteristicas eloteras y el rendimiento de grano fueron estadisticamente superiores en Ocozocoautla, excepto en el contenido de solidos solubles, el cual fue mayor en Villaflores; tambien fueron significativamente diferentes entre las variedades, excepto el contenido de solidos solubles; en general, las plantas de las variedades criollas fueron mas tardias, mas altas y tuvieron elotes mas largos y mas gruesos que los hibridos; las variedades de diferente color de grano tuvieron elotes con igual contenido de solidos solubles y en rendimiento de grano, el hibrido testigo supero significativamente a las variedades nativas.
Association of early interferon-gamma production with immunity to clinical malaria: a longitudinal study among Papua New Guinean children.

BACKGROUND Elucidating the cellular and molecular basis of naturally acquired immunity to Plasmodium falciparum infection would assist in developing a rationally based malaria vaccine. Innate, intermediate, and adaptive immune mechanisms are all likely to contribute to immunity. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) has been implicated in both protection against and the pathogenesis of malaria in humans. In addition, considerable heterogeneity exists among rapid IFN-gamma responses to P. falciparum in malaria-naive donors. The question remains whether similar heterogeneity is observed in malaria-exposed individuals and whether high, medium, or low IFN-gamma responsiveness is differentially associated with protective immunity or morbidity. METHODS A 6-month longitudinal cohort study involving 206 school-aged Papua New Guinean children was performed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected at baseline were exposed to live P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Early IFN-gamma responses were measured, and IFN-gamma-expressing cells were characterized by flow cytometry. IFN-gamma responsiveness was then tested for associations with parasitological and clinical outcome variables. RESULTS Malaria-specific heterogeneity in early IFN-gamma responsiveness was observed among children. High-level early IFN-gamma responses were associated with protection from high-density and clinical P. falciparum infections. Parasite-induced early IFN-gamma was predominantly derived from gammadelta T cells (68% of which expressed the natural killer marker CD56) and alphabeta T cells, whereas natural killer cells and other cells made only minor contributions. The expression of CD56 in malaria-responsive, IFN-gamma-expressing gammadelta T cells correlated with IFN-gamma responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS High, early IFN-gamma production by live parasite-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells is a correlate of immunity to symptomatic malaria in Papua New Guinean children, and natural killer-like gammadelta T cells may contribute to protection.
Detection of Isoniazid-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains by a Multiplex Allele-Specific PCR Assay Targeting katG Codon 315 Variation

ABSTRACT We describe a simple multiplex allele-specific (MAS)-PCR assay to detect mutations in the second base of the katG gene codon 315, including AGC→ACC and ACA (Ser→Thr) substitutions that confer resistance to isoniazid (INH) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates. The 315 ACC allele is found in the majority of Inhr strains worldwide, especially in areas with a high incidence of tuberculosis. The 315 ACA allele is characteristic of the New York City multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain W and its progenies in the United States. The mutations in katG315 are revealed depending on the presence or absence of an indicative fragment amplified from the wild-type allele of this codon. Initially optimized on the purified DNA samples, the assay was then tested on crude cell lysates and auramine-stained sputum slide preparations with the same reproducibility and interpretability of profiles generated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The MAS-PCR assay can be used for the detection of resistance to INH in clinical laboratories in regions with a high prevalence of MDR M. tuberculosis strains.
Perceptions of Conflict Management Styles in Chinese Intergenerational Dyads

We examined intergenerational communication and conflict management styles in China. Older and younger Chinese adults were randomly assigned to evaluate one of four conversation transcripts in which an older worker criticizes a young co-worker. The young worker's communication was varied across the transcripts to reflect four conflict management styles: competing, avoiding, accommodating, and problem-solving. As expected, older participants favored the accommodating style over the problem-solving style. Young adults either preferred the problem-solving style to the accommodating style, as predicted, or judged the two styles as equally positive. The results illustrate the juxtaposition of tradition and modernization/globalization in the changing Chinese cultural context, and demonstrate how such cultural changes are reflected in interpersonal communication between the generations.
Combined Use of GPS and Accelerometry Reveals Fine Scale Three-Dimensional Foraging Behaviour in the Short-Tailed Shearwater

Determining the foraging behaviour of free-ranging marine animals is fundamental for assessing their habitat use and how they may respond to changes in the environment. However, despite recent advances in bio-logging technology, collecting information on both at-sea movement patterns and activity budgets still remains difficult in small pelagic seabird species due to the constraints of instrument size. The short-tailed shearwater, the most abundant seabird species in Australia (ca 23 million individuals), is a highly pelagic procellariiform. Despite its ecological importance to the region, almost nothing is known about its at-sea behaviour, in particular, its foraging activity. Using a combination of GPS and tri-axial accelerometer data-loggers, the fine scale three-dimensional foraging behaviour of 10 breeding individuals from two colonies was investigated. Five at-sea behaviours were identified: (1) resting on water, (2) flapping flight, (3) gliding flight, (4) foraging (i.e., surface foraging and diving events), and (5) taking-off. There were substantial intra- and inter- individual variations in activity patterns, with individuals spending on average 45.8% (range: 17.1–70.0%) of time at sea resting on water and 18.2% (range: 2.3–49.6%) foraging. Individuals made 76.4 ± 65.3 dives (range: 8–237) per foraging trip (mean duration 9.0 ± 1.9 s), with dives also recorded during night-time. With the continued miniaturisation of recording devices, the use of combined data-loggers could provide us with further insights into the foraging behaviour of small procellariiforms, helping to better understand interactions with their prey.
Optimal release policy for hyper-geometric distribution software-reliability growth model

The hyper-geometric distribution software-reliability growth model (HGDM) can estimate the number of initial faults in a software program. An important problem in software development is to determine when to stop testing and then release the software. This paper mainly investigates the optimal software release policies which minimize the mean total software cost and satisfy the software-reliability requirement based on the HGDM. The optimal software release times are determined and shown to be finite. A numerical example illustrates these optimal software release policies.
Effect of a home-based end-of-life nursing service on hospital use at the end of life and place of death: a study using administrative data and matched controls

Objective To assess the effect of routinely delivered home-based end-of-life care on hospital use at the end of life and place of death. Design Retrospective analysis using matched controls and administrative data. Setting Community-based care in England. Participants 29 538 people aged over 18 who received Marie Curie nursing support compared with 29 538 controls individually matched on variables including: age, socioeconomic deprivation, prior hospital use, number of chronic conditions and prior diagnostic history. Intervention Home-based end-of-life nursing care delivered by the Marie Curie Nursing Service (MCNS), compared with end-of-life care available to those who did not receive MCNS care. Main outcome measures Proportion of people who died at home; numbers of emergency and elective inpatient admissions, outpatient attendances and attendances at emergency departments in the period until death; and notional costs of hospital care. Results Intervention patients were significantly more likely to die at home and less likely to die in hospital than matched controls (unadjusted OR 6.16, 95% CI 5.94 to 6.38, p<0.001). Hospital activity was significantly lower among intervention than matched control patients (emergency admissions: 0.14 vs 0.44 admissions per person, p<0.001) and average costs across all hospital services were lower (unadjusted average costs per person, £610 (intervention patients) vs £1750 (matched controls), p<0.001). Greater activity and cost differences were seen in those patients who had been receiving home nursing for longer. Conclusions Home-based end-of-life care offers the potential to reduce demand for acute hospital care and increase the number of people able to die at home.
Comparative study between nerve stimulator guided technique and ultrasound guided technique of supraclavicular nerve block for upper limb surgery

Background: Peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) has been the ‘gold standard’ for peripheral nerve blocks for determining adequate needle placement to produce regional anesthesia/analgesia. Modern ultrasound (US) machines can be used to guide the injection needle while minimizing the risk of injury of adjacent structures.the main objective of the study was to compare nerve stimulator guided technique and ultrasound guided technique of supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb surgery Methods: This prospective randomized single blind comparative study was conducted in eighty patients under supraclavicular brachial plexus block using 0.5% Ropivacaine at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Rajasthan after taking approval from ethical committee. These patients were randomly allocated in either group PNS (n=40) or group US (n=40). Both the groups were assessed for procedure time, onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade and complications. Results: The procedure time was 8.0±1.53 minutes in group PNS and 6.27±1.10 minutes in group US (p˂0.0001). The onset of sensory and motor block was 7.68±1.33 minutes and 9.94±1.28 minutes in group PNS and 6.46±1.02 minutes and 8.10±1.02 minutes respectively in group US (p˂0.0001). The time to achieve complete block was 16.11±1.54 minutes in group PNS and 13.74±1.11 minutes in group US (p˂0.0001). The duration of sensory and motor block was 7 hours and 6 hours for group PNS and 8 hours and 7 hours respectively in group US. The success rate was 90% in group PNS and 97.5% in Group US. Conclusion: Ultrasound guided technique was found significantly better than PNS for supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
Robert Hagiwara, Ph

General properties of the Canadian English vowel space are derived from an experimentalacoustic study of vowel production underway in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Comparing the preliminary Winnipeg results with similar data from General American English confirm previously described generalizations for Canadian English: the merger of low-back vowels, the relative retraction of /æ/ and the relative advancement of /u/ and /ʊ/. However, a similar comparison of the Winnipeg sample with comparable southern California data dispute the accuracy of the so-called Canadian Shift (Clarke et al. 1995) as features of ‘general’ Canadian and Californian English. The utility of acoustic analysis in uncovering subtle phonetic distinctions is further revealed in a discussion of Canadian Raising. The Winnipeg speakers produce a directional shift in both the nucleus and offglide of the diphthongs /aɪ, aʊ/, rather than just adjusting the height of the nucleus. This process applies to all three diphthongs (including /oɪ/).
Tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of atopic dermatitis is not associated with an increase in cutaneous infections.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of cutaneous infection in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with tacrolimus ointment. METHODS Data for 1554 patients with atopic dermatitis, treated with tacrolimus ointment in 5 clinical trials, were analyzed. RESULTS In 3 controlled studies, the 12-week adjusted incidence of all cutaneous infections in patients treated with the vehicle, 0.03%, and 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, respectively, was 18.0%, 24.8%, and 17.7% for adult patients, and 20.9%, 19.6%, and 23.6% for pediatric patients. The incidence of any individual cutaneous infection was not significantly higher in the tacrolimus group than in the vehicle group, with the exception of folliculitis in adults. In two open-label studies, there was no evidence of an increased risk of cutaneous infections with long-term use of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment (up to 1 year), based on the incidence of adverse events, incidence by cumulative length of exposure, or hazard rates. CONCLUSION Treatment with tacrolimus ointment (0.03% or 0.1%) does not increase the risk of cutaneous bacterial, viral, or fungal infections in patients with atopic dermatitis.
The effect of dummy-sucking on the occlusion: a review.

In the deciduous dentition continuous dummy-sucking is almost always associated with an anterior openbite and an increased prevalence of posterior crossbite. Dummy-sucking in older children is very rare. The effect of earlier dummy-sucking in the permanent dentition is not very marked. However, there is a tendency towards an anterior rotation of the mandible.
THE ROLE OF METABOLISM AND SPECIFIC METABOLITES IN BENZENE-INDUCED TOXICITY: EVIDENCE AND ISSUES

Benzene is a hematopoietic toxin that induces aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia, and acute myeloid leukemia in humans after chronic exposure (Aksoy, 1988a, 1988b). The leukemogenic activity of benzene was suggested over 100 yr ago (Santesson, 1897), and historical aspects of benzene toxicity have been reviewed (Snyder, 1984). Concomitant with a recognition of benzene toxicity, there has been intense interest in mechanisms underlying benzene toxicity at every step of the process toward hematological malignancy. In this review, potential metabolic mechanisms underlying benzene toxicity are summarized. A number of recent reviews have been published on benzene metabolism that provide an overview of the process (Snyder & Hedli, 1996; Ross, 1996). This review is not intended to be a comprehensive review of benzene metabolism but focuses on a critical appraisal of potential metabolic mechanisms underlying benzene toxicity, important questions that remain to be answered, and potential future directions for research.