Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of classroom walkthroughs on middle school teacher motivation

The purpose of this pretest-posttest control group experimental study was to see the effect of classroom walkthroughs on middle school teacher motivation. The independent variable was; classroom walkthroughs and the four dependent variables were teachers’ self-concept of the ability to affect student achievement, teachers’ attitude toward the principal, teachers’ beliefs of the principal’s value and expectations for achievement, and teachers’ belief about future utility of efforts. The instrument used in this study was the Teacher Motivation Diagnostic Questionnaire. Sixty-eight language arts and reading participants from the grades 5-8 at 6 middle schools in Southwest Virginia were used. Six diverse public schools were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A, the treatment group, received walkthrough treatment with conferences while Group B, the control group, did not receive any treatment. The participants were given a posttest to determine existing levels motivation the teachers had on the four factors of the Teacher Motivation Diagnostic Questionnaire while controlling for teacher motivation pre-test scores. An ANCOVA was used to evaluate the adjusted means between each of the groups. No significant difference was found on any of the dependent variables. The researcher recommends that this study be repeated for a longer period of time with a more diverse population and provide more training about the purpose of walkthroughs for teachers and administrators.
Analysis of Morphology and Morphometry of Human Placenta and Its Clinical Relevance

In the idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction where there are no clear maternal or fetal causes, the placenta may hold the key to its etiology. So, this study was undertaken to look for any placental and umbilical cord abnormality and to establish the relationship of fetal birth weight with placental measurements. In this study, 100 freshly delivered placentae were collected. The placenta and the umbilical cord were examined to look for any abnormalities in the shape, cord insertion, and vessels in the cord; placenta weight, its circumference, diameter, volume, and thickness at the level of cord insertion were also noted. Baby's weight at birth and age in weeks, maternal history about diabetes and hypertension were also noted down. In the present study, placenta weight, volume, diameter, and circumference show a strong correlation with fetal weight. We found placenta of round and abnormal shapes in 89% and 11% of cases, respectively. In 76% of cases, we got normal cord insertion and in 24% of cases, abnormal cord insertion. Statistical analysis of all the parameters of the placenta was done. In our study, placenta weight, volume, diameter, and circumference showed a strong correlation with fetal weight. The knowledge of these measurements on the placenta and umbilical cord will be helpful to the pediatrician and obstetrician in clinical practice.
TEACHER TEAMS AND SCHOOLS BECOME LEADERS TO DISSEMINATE INNOVATIVE PRACTICE

We will introduce a study about teachers taking part in networking for personal development and becoming teacher leaders. In 2011 a multilevel national joint collaboration network of schools with innovative experience was created to foster dissemination of new teaching and learning experiences among teachers. In order to organize learning for teachers, a lesson based collaborative continuous teacher professional learning model was implemented. The research shows that conducting and analyzing lessons has helped participants become more competent professionals and develop skills that are crucial for a good leader. Categories characterizing teacher leaders and lead schools were identified. Factors that facilitate or limit teachers or schools to become leaders are discussed.
Tests of Predictive Ability for Vector Autoregressions Used for Conditional Forecasting

Summary Many forecasts are conditional in nature. For example, a number of central banks routinely report forecasts conditional on particular paths of policy instruments. Even though conditional forecasting is common, there has been little work on methods for evaluating conditional forecasts. This paper provides analytical, Monte Carlo and empirical evidence on tests of predictive ability for conditional forecasts from estimated models. In the empirical analysis, we examine conditional forecasts obtained with a VAR in the variables included in the DSGE model of Smets and Wouters (American Economic Review 2007; 97: 586–606). Throughout the analysis, we focus on tests of bias, efficiency and equal accuracy applied to conditional forecasts from VAR models. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Work-related risk factors for specific shoulder disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to examine which work-related risk factors are associated with specific soft tissue shoulder disorders. We searched the electronic databases of Medline and Embase for articles published between 2009 and 24 March 2016 and included the references of a systematic review performed for the period before 2009. Primary cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were included when outcome data were described in terms of clinically assessed soft tissue shoulder disorders and at least two levels of work-related exposure were mentioned (exposed vs less or non-exposed). Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed study quality. For longitudinal studies, we performed meta-analyses and used GRADE (Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) to assess the evidence for the associations between risk factors and the onset of shoulder disorders. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 16 300 patients with specific soft tissue shoulder disorders from a population of 2 413 722 workers from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany and Poland were included in the meta-analysis of one case–control and six prospective cohort studies. This meta-analysis revealed moderate evidence for associations between shoulder disorders and arm-hand elevation (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.47) and shoulder load (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.90 to 2.10) and low to very low evidence for hand force exertion (OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.87), hand-arm vibration (OR=1.3, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.77), psychosocial job demands (OR=1.1, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.25) and working together with temporary workers (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.2). Low-quality evidence for no associations was found for arm repetition, social support, decision latitude, job control and job security. Moderate evidence was found that arm-hand elevation and shoulder load double the risk of specific shoulder disorders. Low to very-low-quality evidence was found for an association between hand force exertion, hand-arm vibration, psychosocial job demands and working together with temporary workers and the incidence of specific shoulder disorders.
Testing the effect of firm performance on growth for the Chilean agribusiness

Previous studies of the industrial organization field find that the relationship between firm performance and growth is weak. The objective of this paper is to test this relationship at different quantiles of the firm growth distribution. We also explore the effect of technology gaps and export status on growth. For this, we use Penalized Quantile Regression with Fixed Effects on 420 Chilean agribusiness firms. Key results show that performance, measured as technical efficiency, has a significant and heterogeneous impact on revenue growth. The effect is stronger on slow growing firms: one point increase in technical efficiency increases revenue growth by 1.2 % at the 0.10 quantile, the effect is 0.4 % at the 0.90 quantile. Hence, two key aspects shall be considered in future studies of firm growth and performance: first, to use adequate indicators for performance which capture the entirety of the production process, and second, to consider the non-linearity of their relationship.
A Performance Study of IP and MPLS Traffic Engineering Techniques Under Traffic Variations

In this paper, a quantitative study of the benefits and shortcomings of IP and MPLS traffic engineering techniques under realistic traffic variation scenarios is presented. While both techniques can achieve similar degree of optimization under steady state conditions, our simulation results show the impact on each when realistic traffic variations are induced in the network. A detailed simulator has been developed to facilitate the study, and several new metrics of interest are analyzed to present a novel point of view.
The Hepatitis C Self-Management Program

Objective. Chronic hepatitis C infection afflicts millions of people worldwide. Although antiviral treatments are increasingly effective, many hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients avoid treatment, do not complete or respond to treatment, or have contraindications. Self-management interventions are one option for promoting behavioral changes leading to liver wellness and improved quality of life. Our objective was to evaluate whether the effects of the HCV self-management program were sustained at the 12-month follow-up assessment. Methods. Veteran Affairs patients with hepatitis C (N = 134; mean age = 54.6 years, 95% male, 41% ethnic minority, 48% homeless in last 5 years) were randomized to either a 6-week self-management workshop or an information-only intervention. The weekly 2-hour self-management sessions were based on a cognitive–behavioral program with hepatitis C–specific modules. Outcomes including hepatitis C knowledge, depression, energy, and health-related quality of life were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months later. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results. Compared with the information-only group, participants attending the self-management workshop improved more on HCV knowledge (p < .005), SF-36 energy/vitality (p = .016), and the Quality of Well-Being Scale (p = .036). Similar trends were found for SF-36 physical functioning and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale. Conclusion. Better outcomes were sustained among self-management participants at the 12-month assessment despite the intervention only lasting 6 weeks. HCV health care providers should consider adding self-management interventions for patients with chronic HCV.
Effect of biventricular pacing on the exercise pathophysiology of heart failure.

BACKGROUND Biventricular pacing (BVP) is used for cardiac resynchronization therapy in wide-QRS-complex heart failure. We sought to quantify the effect of BVP on the exercise pathophysiology of heart failure patients. METHODS Using cardiopulmonary exercise testing, we analyzed exercise data for a multicenter study sponsored by St. Jude Medical. Patients had pacemaker electrodes implanted in both ventricles in the standard manner and were randomized by St. Jude before exercise testing. Exercise measurements included peak oxygen uptake (Vo(2)), peak O(2) pulse, anaerobic threshold (AT), and ventilatory equivalent for CO(2) (reflecting change in peak exercise cardiac output, stroke volume, maximal sustainable exercise capacity, and ventilation-perfusion mismatching, respectively) at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. The studies included progressively and uniformly increasing work rate to maximum tolerance. The investigators were blinded both to sponsor-controlled randomization and pacemaker status. There were 239 paired 6-month studies, as follows: 47 studies served as the control with the pacemaker off (ie, the BVP-OFF group); and 192 patients received pacing (ie, the BVP-ON group). RESULTS The BVP-ON group significantly improved in all exercise parameters in contrast to the control group (p < 0.0001). When baseline measurements for the BVP-ON group were ranked in quintiles, only patients in the three functionally worst quintiles improved significantly at 6 months (peak Vo(2) < 11.6 mL/min/kg, AT < 7.6 mL/min/kg, peak O(2) pulse < 12.0 mL/beat, and minute ventilation/Vco(2) ratio at AT > 38.1) [p < 0.01 to < 0.0001]. CONCLUSION BVP benefited aerobic function and ventilation-perfusion mismatching most in those patients with the greatest physiologic impairment.
Regulation and function of sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase in Streptococcus mutans

Sucrose catabolism by Streptococcus mutans is initiated by a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose phosphotransferase reaction that produces sucrose 6-phosphate the latter is then cleaved by a sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase reaction that yields glucose 6-phosphate and fructose. We have examined the regulation of the sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase and found that it was synthesized constitutively whereas sucrose phosphotransferase activity was inducible. However, the levels of both sucrose phosphotransferase and sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase were repressed when fructose was used as a growth substrate. The specific activity of sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase in permeabilized cells was approximately 30 mmol/min per mg (dry weight of cells), and it had an apparent Km for sucrose 6-phosphate of 0.3 mM. analysis of a mutant that was missing sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase activity revealed that its ability to hydrolyze sucrose was reduced.
Hypothalamic circuit regulating colonic transit following chronic stress in rats

Although acute stress accelerates colonic transit, the effect of chronic stress on colonic transit remains unclear. In this study, rats received repeated restraint stress (chronic homotypic stress) or various types of stress (chronic heterotypic stress) for 5 and 7 days, respectively. Vehicle saline, oxytocin (OXT), OXT receptor antagonist or corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonists were administered by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection prior to restraint stress for 90 min. Immediately after the stress exposure, the entire colon was removed and the geometric center (GC) of Na51CrO4 (a nonabsorbable radioactive marker; 0.5 μCi) distribution was calculated to measure the transit. Gene expression of OXT and CRF in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was evaluated by in situ hybridization. Accelerated colonic transit with the acute stressor was no longer observed following chronic homotypic stress. This restored colonic transit was reversed by ICV injection of an OXT antagonist. In contrast, chronic heterotypic stress significantly accelerated colonic transit, which was attenuated by ICV injection of OXT and by a CRF receptor 1 antagonist. OXT mRNA expression in the PVN was significantly increased following chronic homotypic stress, but not chronic heterotypic stress. However, CRF mRNA expression in the PVN was significantly increased following acute and chronic heterotypic stress, but not chronic homotypic stress. These results indicate that central OXT and CRF play a pivotal role in mediating the colonic dysmotility following chronic stress in rats.
An Intrinsically Linear Wideband Polar Digital Power Amplifier

This paper presents an intrinsically linear wideband polar digital power amplifier (DPA) operating in semi class-E/F<sub>2</sub> mode. Without using any type of digital pre-distortion (DPD), the proposed architecture achieves high linearity by accurately controlling its AM–AM and AM–PM characteristic curves through <italic>nonlinear sizing</italic>, <italic>overdrive-voltage control</italic>, and <italic>multiphase RF clocking</italic> without compromising the achievable output power or efficiency. Measurement results of the fabricated prototype in 40-nm bulk CMOS show −46 and −40 dBc adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) for 20- and 40-MHz orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals, respectively. The measured error vector magnitudes (EVM) are −36 dB and −33 dB, respectively. Measured results indicate a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm{ SAT}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, peak drain efficiency (DE), and power-added efficiency (PAE) of 14.6 dBm, 44%, and 26%, respectively, using a 0.5-V supply for the output stage at 2.2 GHz.
Clinical Review: Familial Mediterranean Fever—An Overview of Pathogenesis, Symptoms, Ocular Manifestations, and Treatment

Abstract Familial Mediterranean fever is an autoinflammatory multisystem disease, which most commonly affects patients from the Mediterranean basin. This review discusses the common polymorphisms in the MEFV gene as well as the role of pyrin in disease pathogenesis. Patients with familial Mediterranean fever typically develop peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis, and fever. In addition, a number of authors have reported ophthalmic features. These case reports and series are further explored in this review. Colchicine has transformed the prognosis for patients with familial Mediterranean fever. The rationale for the use of colchicine, as well as the evidence for newer biologic agents is also covered.
Myelodysplastic syndromes in patients younger than age 50.

PURPOSE Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) mainly occur in the elderly but can affect younger individuals too. The latter require special consideration to identify suitable candidates for allogeneic stem-cell transplantation, a potentially curative approach carrying a high risk of treatment-related complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS We report the largest series of young MDS patients as yet, including 232 patients younger than 50 years. Their clinical characteristics and prognosis are compared with 2,496 patients older than 50 years. RESULTS Survival was significantly longer in the younger versus older age group (40 v 23 months, respectively; P < .00005). The difference arose from patients belonging to the low- and intermediate-I-risk categories of the International Prognostic Scoring System (median survival not reached v 45 months, respectively; P < .00005). In contrast, survival was identical for both age groups (8 months for both younger and older patients; P = .81) in the intermediate-II-and high-risk categories. Established classification systems and risk scores were applicable to young patients with primary MDS. Interestingly, a particularly large difference in median survival time was seen between the intermediate-I-and intermediate-II-risk groups (176 v 8 months, respectively). For low-risk patients, the overall survival rate was more than 86% at 20 years. CONCLUSION According to these results, aggressive treatment approaches should rarely be recommended to younger MDS patients belonging to the low and intermediate-I risk groups.
Increases in Duration of First Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Over Time (1996–2009) and Associated Factors in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study

Background:Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens changes occur frequently among HIV-infected persons. Duration and type of initial highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and factors associated with regimen switching were evaluated in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. Methods:Participants were classified according to the calendar period of HAART initiation: T1 (1996–2001), T2 (2002–2005), and T3 (2006–2009). Kaplan–Meier curves depicted time from HAART initiation to first regimen changes within 5.5 years. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine factors associated with time to switching. Results:Of 1009 participants, 796 changed regimen within 5.5 years after HAART initiation. The percentage of participants who switched declined from 85% during T1 to 49% in T3. The likelihood of switching in T3 decreased by 50% (P < 0.01) compared with T1 after adjustment for pre-HAART ART use, age, race, and CD4 count. Incomplete HIV suppression decreased over time (P < 0.01) but predicted switching across all time periods. Lower HAART adherence (⩽95% of prescribed doses) was predictive of switching only in T1. In T2, central nervous system symptoms predicted switching [relative hazard (RH) = 1.7; P = 0.012]. Older age at HAART initiation was associated with increased switching in T1 (RH = 1.03 per year increase) and decreased switching in T2 (RH = 0.97 per year increase). Conclusions:During the first 15 years of the HAART era, initial HAART regimen duration lengthened and regimen discontinuation rates diminished. Both HIV RNA nonsuppression and poor adherence predicted switching before 2001 while side effects that were possibly ART related were more prominent during T2.
The role of HIWI in stem cell maintenance and sarcomagenesis.

e20500 Background: PIWI proteins comprise a highly conserved protein family that promote genomic integrity during early development via small RNA-mediated gene silencing and DNA methylation-mediated inhibition of transposon migration. Surprisingly, the human ortholog of Piwi - HIWI, is highly expressed at the mRNA level in soft tissue sarcomas (and other cancers) and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, the reason that high Hiwi levels would be associated with cancer promotion rather than genomic stability remains unknown. METHODS We have employed immunohistochemistry, PCR and western blotting techniques. RESULTS Our studies reveal that Hiwi expression inversely correlates with tumor grade/differentiation (i.e., expressed universally in poorly differentiated, high grade sarcomas). Exogenous over-expression of HIWI in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) prevents their in vitro maturation and transforms MSCs into undifferentiated sarcomas in a xenograft model. Functionally, over-expression of Hiwi in MSCs lowers transposon expression levels, increases global DNA methylation levels, and results in promoter hypermethylation and gene dowregulation of many tumor suppressor genes; all of which is reversible via treatment with DNA demethylating agents. Finally, inducible downregulation of endogenous Hiwi in a Hiwi-expressing undifferentiated sarcoma cell line inhibits its growth. CONCLUSIONS These studies identify a novel oncogenic role for Hiwi and support a model in which HIWI mediates tumorigenesis via global silencing of multiple tumor suppressors through DNA methylation of their promoter regions. These studies also provide a rationale for the use of epigenetic agents in Hiwi-expressing cancers.
Augmented paper maps: Design of POI markers and effects on group navigation

One popular and wide use of augmented-reality based application, is the projection of points of interests on top of the phones' camera view. In this paper we discuss the implementation of an AR application that acts as a magic lens over printed maps, overlaying POIs and routes. This method expands the information space available to members of groups during navigation, partially mitigating the issue of several group members trying to share a small screen device. We examine two aspects critical to the use of augmented paper maps: (a) Appropriate visualisation of POIs to facilitate selection and (b) augmentation of paper maps with route instructions for use in group situations. In this paper, we evaluate POI visualisation in a lab setting and augmented paper map navigation with groups of real tourists in a preliminary field trial. Our work complements existing literature introducing self-reporting questionnaires to measure affective state and user experience during navigation.
Income Inequality in Latin America: A Factor Component Analysis

The decline in inequality observed in most Latin American countries after 2002 was surprisingly good news, particularly given that most developed countries were experiencing a rise in inequality at that time. Various arguments have been put forward to explain this decline, but there is still no consensus on the most plausible explanation. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion by performing inequality decompositions by factor components. We estimate the importance of each source of income in explaining the observed decline in income inequality between 2002 and 2011 in five Latin American countries. Specifically, we explore the role of the process of formalization that has taken place in regional labor markets, separating formal and informal wages and considering self‐employment incomes. In the five countries studied here informal wages and self‐employment income contributed to decreasing inequality. Formal sector wages, on the other hand, fostered inequality in all countries except Bolivia.