Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Multiple Meanings of (In)Equity: Remaking School District Tracking Policy in an Era of Budget Cuts and Accountability

How do school district administrators make sense of educational equity as they undertake reform? This study examines tracking policymaking in two urban school districts. Using case studies and an interpretive approach, the study highlights school district leaders’ shifting ways of making sense of tracking and (in)equity while facing achievement gaps, accountability pressures, budgets cuts, and support for tracking. Even after the emergence of powerful opposition, we find that district administrators continued to rethink the meaning of equity in relation to tracking and they pursued policies that expanded access to high-track classes and gifted education. While potentially widening educational opportunity, these moves fundamentally reinscribed the inequity of tracking in their schools.
Latent Factor Structure of DSM-5 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The current study examined the latent factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on DSM-5 criteria in a sample of participants (N = 374) recruited for studies on trauma and health. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were used to compare the fit of the previous 3-factor DSM-IV model of PTSD to the 4-factor model specified in DSM-5 as well as to a competing 4-factor “dysphoria” model (Simms, Watson, & Doebbeling, 2002) and a 5-factor (Elhai et al., 2011) model of PTSD. Results indicated that the Elhai 5-factor model (re-experiencing, active avoidance, emotional numbing, dysphoric arousal, anxious arousal) provided the best fit to the data, although substantial support was demonstrated for the DSM-5 4-factor model. Low factor loadings were noted for two of the symptoms in the DSM-5 model (psychogenic amnesia and reckless/self-destructive behavior), which raises questions regarding the adequacy of fit of these symptoms with other core features of the disorder. Overall, the findings from the present research suggest the DSM-5 model of PTSD is a significant improvement over the previous DSM-IV model of PTSD.
Circulating levels of VCAM and MMP-2 may help identify patients with more aggressive prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Prostate adenocarcinoma is generally characterized by slow progression although some phenotypes have a more aggressive behavior with tendency to local invasion and distant metastases, mainly to bones. Better specific care could be provided to the aggressive phenotype-group of patients if pre-surgical identification were available. MATERIAL AND METHODS Correlations between pre-surgical levels of 6 blood molecules and pathological tumour staging, post-surgical Gleason score and disease-free survival have been observed. Plasma and sera from 162 men affected by prostate adenocarcinoma were analysed with ELISA to assess levels of neovascularization-related molecule (VEGF), endothelial cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), extracellular matrix destruction-related molecules (MMP-2, MMP-9), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2). RESULTS The median values of serum determinations were for VEGF 279 pg/ml, VCAM 633 ng/ml, MMP-2 206 ng/ml and MMP-9 614 ng/ml. Plasma medians (ng/ml) were 94 for TIMP-1 and 90 for TIMP-2. Patients with VCAM values > 633 ng/ml had a worse disease-free survival than patients with values <633 ng/ml with an adjusted Hazard Ratio of 2.1, significant (95% confidence interval 0.8-5.6). Patients with levels of MMP-2 < 206 ng/ml showed an increased risk of progression (adjusted HR 1.7; 95% C.I. 0.6-4.8). CONCLUSIONS Levels of VCAM and MMP-2 should be checked in patients with prostate adenocarcinoma, because distant spread is more likely to occur in patients with high levels of VCAM and low levels of MMP-2. The scientific community should further investigate impact on prognosis of VCAM and MMP-2.
Disturbed microstructural integrity of the frontostriatal fiber pathways and executive dysfunction in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is recognized as an early-onset neuropsychiatric disorder with executive dysfunctions and neurobiological deficits. The authors compared executive functions and microstructural integrity of the frontostriatal circuit in children with ADHD and typically developing children. Method We assessed 25 children with ADHD and 25 age-, sex-, handedness- and intelligence-matched typically developing children by using psychiatric interviews, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – third edition, and the tasks involving executive functions in the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. The frontostriatal tracts were reconstructed by diffusion spectrum imaging tractography and were subdivided into four functionally distinct segments, including dorsolateral, medial prefrontal, orbitofrontal and ventrolateral tracts. Tract-specific and matched case-control analyses were used and generalized fractional anisotropy values were computed. Results Children with ADHD had lower generalized fractional anisotropy of all the bilateral frontostriatal fiber tracts and poorer performance in verbal and spatial working memory, set-shifting, sustained attention, cognitive inhibition and visuospatial planning. The symptom severity of ADHD and the executive functioning performance significantly correlated with integrity of the frontostriatal tracts, particularly the left orbitofrontal and ventrolateral tracts. Children with ADHD also demonstrated loss of the leftward asymmetry in the dorsolateral and medial prefrontal tracts that was present in typically developing children. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate disturbed structural connectivity of the frontostriatal circuitry in children with ADHD and add new evidence of associations between integrity of the frontostriatal tracts and measures of core symptoms of ADHD and a wide range of executive dysfunctions in both groups.
Do changing levels of maternal exercise during pregnancy affect neonatal adiposity? Secondary analysis of the babies after SCOPE: evaluating the longitudinal impact using neurological and nutritional endpoints (BASELINE) birth cohort (Cork, Ireland)

Objective To investigate whether changing levels of exercise during pregnancy are related to altered neonatal adiposity. Design Secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. Setting Cork, Ireland. Participants 1200 mother–infant pairs recruited as part of a prospective birth cohort, Babies After SCOPE: Evaluating the Longitudinal Impact Using Neurological and Nutritional Endpoints (BASELINE). Main outcome measures Neonatal adiposity was assessed within several days of birth using air displacement plethysmography (PEAPOD). Per cent body fat (BF%) as a continuous outcome and a pair of dichotomous variables; high or low adiposity, representing BF% >90th or <10th centile, respectively. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between exercise and the respective outcomes. Results Crude analysis revealed no association between a changing level of exercise (since becoming pregnant) at 15 weeks’ gestation and any of the outcomes (BF%, low adiposity and high adiposity). At 20 weeks’ gestation, analyses revealed that relative to women who do not change their exercise level up to 20 weeks, those women who decreased their exercise level were more likely to give birth to a neonate with adiposity above the 90th centile (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.46). This association was maintained after adjustment for putative confounders (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.47). Conclusions We observed a possible critical period for the association between changing exercise levels and neonatal adiposity, with no association observed with exercise recall for the first 15 weeks of gestation, but an association with a decreasing level of exercise between 15 and 20 weeks. These results should be interpreted in line with the limitations of the study and further studies utilising objectively measured estimates of exercise are required in order to replicate these findings. Trial registration number NCT01498965.
Ownership structure and financial performance in European football

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the relationship between ownership structure and financial performance in the five major European football leagues from 2007-2008 to 2012-2013 and examine the impact of the financial fair play (FFP) regulation. Design/methodology/approach The sample used comprises 94 teams that participated in the major European competitions: German Bundesliga, Ligue 1 of France, Spanish Liga, English Premier League and the Italian Serie A. The estimation technique used is panel-corrected standard errors. Findings The results confirm an inverted U-shaped curve relationship between ownership structure and financial performance as a consequence of both monitoring and expropriation effects. Moreover, the results show that after FFP regulation, the monitoring effect disappears and only the expropriation effect remains. Research limitations/implications The lack of transparency of the information provided by some teams has limited the sample size. Practical implications One of the main issues that the various regulating bodies of the industry should address is the introduction of a code of good practice, not only for aspects related to the transparency of financial information but also to require greater transparency in the information concerning corporate governance. Social implications Regulating bodies could also consider other additional control instruments based on corporate governance, such as for example, corporate governance practices, corporate governance codes, greater transparency, control of the boards of directors, etc. Originality/value This study tries to provide direct evidence of the impact of large majority investors in the clubs and FFP regulation on the financial performance of football clubs.
The cross-sectional areas of normal equine digital flexor tendons determined ultrasonographically.

Fifty-two animals, comprising 22 Irish Draught crosses (Group A), 15 Thoroughbreds (Group B) and 15 ponies (Group C) were examined ultrasonographically using a 7.5 mHz linear array probe and stand-off pad. All animals were free of tendon disease as determined from clinical and ultrasonographical examination. The superficial (SDFT) and deep (DDFT) digital flexor tendons were scanned at 7 transverse (axial) levels between the carpus and metacarpophalangeal joint. Each transverse image was digitised using a commercially available frame grabber and the cross-sectional areas of each tendon at each level measured using a dedicated software application. Excellent accuracy (averaging less than 5%) was demonstrated between the ultrasound generated areas and those measured from the tendons post mortem in 12 limbs. The mean, s.d. and tolerance intervals of both SDFT and DDFT cross-sectional areas at each level were determined for each group of horses. There was no statistically significant difference between Groups A and B and these 2 groups were, therefore, combined for further analysis. The cross-sectional areas of both tendons were statistically smaller for Group C when compared to Groups A and B. The ratio of SDFT to DDFT cross-sectional areas was calculated for each level and this demonstrated less variation between groups. The difference in measurements between limbs of the same horse was analysed. The mean differences for all groups were 9.13 mm2 for the SDFT and 11.64 mm2 for the DDFT. Upper limits (95% of the population) were 22.67 mm2 (SDFT) and 29.22 mm2 (DDFT). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A meta‐analysis of the educational effectiveness of three‐dimensional visualization technologies in teaching anatomy

Many medical graduates are deficient in anatomy knowledge and perhaps below the standards for safe medical practice. Three‐dimensional visualization technology (3DVT) has been advanced as a promising tool to enhance anatomy knowledge. The purpose of this review is to conduct a meta‐analysis of the effectiveness of 3DVT in teaching and learning anatomy compared to all teaching methods. The primary outcomes were scores of anatomy knowledge tests expressed as factual or spatial knowledge percentage means. Secondary outcomes were perception scores of the learners. Thirty‐six studies met the inclusion criteria including 28 (78%) randomized studies. Based on 2,226 participants including 2,128 from studies with comparison groups, 3DVTs (1) resulted in higher (d = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.02–0.62) factual knowledge, (2) yielded significant better results (d = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.20–0.80) in spatial knowledge acquisition, and (3) produced significant increase in user satisfaction (d = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.12–0.44) and in learners' perception of the effectiveness of the learning tool (d = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.14–0.43). The total mean scores (out of five) and ±SDs for QUESTS's Quality and Strength dimensions were 4.38 (±SD 1.3) and 3.3 (±SD 1.7), respectively. The results have high internal validity, for the improved outcomes of 3DVTs compared to other methods of anatomy teaching. Given that anatomy teaching and learning in the modern medical school appears to be approaching a crisis, 3DVT can be a potential solution to the problem of inadequate anatomy pedagogy. Anat Sci Educ 8: 525–538. © 2014 American Association of Anatomists.
Induction of the SOS response by hydrogen peroxide in various Escherichia coli mutants with altered protection against oxidative DNA damage

The induction of the SOS response by H2O2 was measured in Escherichia coli by means of a sfiA::lacZ operon fusion. The effects of mutations in genes involved in DNA repair or DNA metabolism on the SOS response were investigated. We found that in an uvrA mutant, H2O2 induced the SOS response at lower concentrations than in the uvr+ parent strain, indicating that some lesions induced by H2O2 may be repaired by the uvrABC-dependent excision repair system. A nth mutation, yielding deficiency in thymine glycol DNA glycosylase, had no detectable effect on SOS induction, indicating that thymine glycol, a DNA lesion expected to be induced by H2O2, does not participate detectably in the induction of the SOS response by this chemical under our conditions. H2O2 still induced the SOS response in a dnaC(Ts) uvrA double mutant under conditions in which no DNA replication proceeds, suggesting that this chemical induces DNA strand breaks. Induction of the SOS response by H2O2 was also assayed in various mutants affected in genes suspected to be important for protection against oxidative stress. Mutations in the catalase genes, katE and katG, had only minor effects. However, in an oxyR deletion mutant, in which the adaptative response to H2O2 does not occur, SOS induction occurred at much lower H2O2 concentrations than in the oxyR+ parent strain. These results indicate that some enzymes regulated by the oxyR gene are, under our conditions, more important than catalase for protection against the H2O2-induced DNA damages which trigger the SOS response.
Performance of a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry system for the identification of bacterial isolates in the clinical routine laboratory.

BACKGROUND Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as a new tool for the fast and reliable identification of microorganisms. We evaluated the performance of a MALDI-TOF MS-system for the identification of various clinical isolates in the routine microbiology setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS For the evaluation study a set of 1116 bacterial isolates were collected in the routine microbiology laboratory. Additonally 108 isolates of strain culture collections (ATTC, DSMZ) were utilized. Identification of the bacterial isolates was perfomed with a Microflex LT mass spectrometer in combination with the MALDI-Biotyper 2.0 software (Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Bremen, Germany). The results of the MALDI-TOF MS were compared to phenotypic bacterial identification systems used in our routine laboratory. Discrepancies were resolved by 16 S rDNA-sequencing. RESULTS Of the 108 reference strains tested, 101 (93.5%) were correctly identified to species level. Overall, 1062 (95.2%) of the 1116 strains collected in the routine laboratory were correctly identified with the MALDI-Biotyper. Accuracy for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae, non-fermenting gram-negative rods, staphylococci, enterococci and streptococci with the MALDI-Biotyper was 95.5%, 79.7%, 99.5%, 100% and 93.7%, respectively. Results were available in 12 minutes for direct smear and in 20 min with an extraction method. CONCLUSIONS The MALDI-TOF method proves to be a fast and reliable method for the identification of the most important bacterial isolates in the clinical laboratory.
Novel roles of gastrin

The existence of the hormone gastrin in the distal stomach (antrum) has been known for almost 110 years, and the physiological function of this amidated peptide in regulating gastric acid secretion via the CCK2 receptor is now well established. In this brief review we consider important additional roles of gastrin, including regulation of genes encoding proteins such as plasminogen activator inhibitors and matrix metalloproteinases that have important actions on extracellular matrix remodelling. These actions are, at least in part, effected by paracrine signalling pathways and make important contributions to maintaining functional integrity of the gastric epithelium. Recent studies also provide support for the idea that gastrin, in concert with other hormones, could potentially contribute a post‐prandial incretin effect. We also review recent developments in the biology of other gastrin gene products, including the precursor progastrin, which causes proliferation of the colonic epithelium and in certain circumstances may induce cancer formation. Glycine‐extended biosynthetic processing intermediates also have proliferative effects in colonic mucosa and in some oesophageal cancer cell lines. Whether these additional gene products exert their effects through the CCK2 receptor or a separate entity is currently a matter of debate.
Social Development, Peacebuilding and Democratization through Community-based Sport: Perspectives of Global South Facilitators in Rural Namibia and South Africa

Sport can be an important tool to facilitate learning for transformative social development, as a catalyst for development and peace in post-conflict contexts. This research involves semi-structured interviews regarding the first-hand accounts and perspectives, in relation to facilitation of sport activities for social development, of local volunteer trained facilitators, working in two sport for development and peace projects in South Africa and Namibia. A review of theory and research literature on democratic citizenship and peacebuilding provides a context for hearing and understanding the facilitators’ voices. This thesis shows what selected facilitators experienced and learned through participation in these community based projects, and situates their perspectives on how their sport for development and peace projects facilitated global and local belonging, democratic citizenship engagement, and peacebuilding. These counternarratives based on lived experience contribute to critical anti-colonial approaches to understanding sport for development and peace in rural Southern Africa.
Visual functions of commercial drivers in relation to road accidents in Nigeria

Objective: To determine the effects of the visual functions on the occurrence of road traffic accidents (RTA) amongst commercial drivers in Ife central local government area (LGA) of Osun state of Nigeria. Design: A cross-sectional study. Settings: Four major motor parks located at Ife Central LGA. Materials and Methods: Of the estimated 270 commercial drivers in the four major parks of the LGA, 215 consecutive drivers were interviewed and had their eyes examined. Structured questionnaires were administered by an ophthalmologist. Results: The prevalence of visual impairment (visual acuity < 6/18) in the better eye without correction was 3.3% ± 2.4 and there was a significant association between uncorrected visual acuity impairment in the better eye and RTA (P = 0.0152). Refractive error was seen in 8.4% of the drivers, but none of these wear corrective glasses. Visual field defect, abnormal stereopsis and color vision impairment did not have any significant association with RTA. Conclusion: Poor visual acuity is strongly associated with RTA amongst Nigerian commercial drivers as opposed to visual field defect, abnormal color vision and stereopsis. A significant proportion of visual impairment was due to uncorrected refractive errors.
Persistent alterations in neuropeptide Y release in the paraventricular nucleus of rats subjected to dietary manipulation during early life

The aim of the present experiment was to determine the influence of nutritional manipulations during early life on feeding regulatory mechanisms. For this purpose, neuropeptide Y (NPY) release in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus was measured in male offspring born to dams fed either on a control (C) diet, on a high‐carbohydrate (HC) diet or on a high‐fat (HF) diet during gestation and lactation periods. In addition, we examined the development of dietary preferences in these rats. NPY release was measured in vivo through the push–pull technique after a stimulation with 2‐deoxy‐glucose (2DG), a blocker of carbohydrate metabolism. NPY release was significantly enhanced in the HC rats after 2DG (+89% vs. control and +54% vs. HF rats; P < 0.01). In a two‐bottle choice test, a clear preference for carbohydrate (62% vs. 38%; P < 0.01) was present as early as 30 days of age in control rats. The establishment of this preference in HC and HF rats was delayed by 2 and 3 months, respectively. Therefore, each type of dietary manipulation during early life has left a specific imprint in the offspring. The change in reactivity of the NPY system to glucopenia persisted in adulthood. When combined with the early changes in the dietary preferences, this can lead to adverse effects on body weight when abundant and palatable food is offered. These data support the hypothesis of an intrauterine and perinatal programming of the central regulatory mechanisms and reinforce the necessity of a preventive approach for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Criterion-related validity of perceived exertion scales in healthy children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION Physiological parameters used to measure exercise intensity are oxygen uptake and heart rate. However, perceived exertion (PE) is a scale that has also been frequently applied. The objective of this study is to establish the criterion-related validity of PE scales in children during an incremental exercise test. METHODS Seven electronic databases were used. Studies aimed at assessing criterion-related validity of PE scales in healthy children during an incremental exercise test were included. Correlation coefficients were transformed into z-values and assessed in a meta-analysis by means of a fixed effects model if I2 was below 50% or a random effects model, if it was above 50%. RESULTS wenty-five articles that studied 1418 children (boys: 49.2%) met the inclusion criteria. Children's average age was 10.5 years old. Exercise modalities included bike, running and stepping exercises. The weighted correlation coefficient was 0.835 (95% confidence interval: 0.762-0.887) and 0.874 (95% confidence interval: 0.794-0.924) for heart rate and oxygen uptake as reference criteria. The production paradigm and scales that had not been adapted to children showed the lowest measurement performance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Measuring PE could be valid in healthy children during an incremental exercise test. Child-specific rating scales showed a better performance than those that had not been adapted to this population. Further studies with better methodological quality should be conducted in order to confirm these results.