Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BLACK WOMEN PURSUING DOCTORATES IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION: AN EXAMINATION OF STORIES OF THEIR MATHEMATICAL EXPERIENCES

The research shows a lack of representation of Black women in mathematics education. The purpose of this study was to explore Black women’s perspectives on how their mathematical experiences influenced their decisions to pursue a doctoral degree in mathematics education. To address this issue the following research questions were explored: What perspectives do Black women who are in pursuit of a doctorate of philosophy degree in mathematics education have about their mathematical experiences? How have those perspectives of their experiences influenced their pursuit of a doctorate of philosophy in mathematics education? For this study purposeful sampling was used to select seven participants, that classify themselves as Black women and are currently in a doctoral program in mathematics education. Individual and group interviews conducted with the participants were analyzed using a grounded theory approach to gain an understanding of their mathematical experiences as learners with respect to their trajectories in becoming doctoral students in mathematics education. The Black women that participated in this study had positive feelings about their mathematical abilities. This resulted in confident mathematical identities. The mathematical environment included classrooms with supportive teachers, classmates that were mainly Black, and an even split between the genders. Once this environment was challenged a crisis occurred which caused them to lose confidence in themselves. All of the participants began teaching secondary mathematics as a career change from their initial undergraduate degree. Their initial graduate degrees were in conjunction with their decision to pursue a career as a mathematics educator. The decision to pursue a doctoral degree was out of a personal desire to advance academically as well as desire to effect change within their community. The findings of this study support an achievement motivation framework. This research presents an initial understanding of how perspectives of mathematical experiences influence their decision to pursue doctoral degrees in mathematics education. INDEX WORDS: Black, Women, Mathematics, Mathematics education BLACK WOMEN PURSUING DOCTORATES IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION: AN EXAMINATION OF STORIES OF THEIR MATHEMATICAL EXPERIENCES by Nathalie Nicholle Dames
Lipid Profiles of Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States. CVD pathology, including abnormal lipid levels, may begin in childhood. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors have increased risk of abnormal lipid levels, but there is limited information in children post-HSCT. The study aimed to describe lipid levels and identify the factors associated with dyslipidemia in pediatric HSCT survivors during the first 3 years post-HSCT. This descriptive research study used a retrospective chart review to assess lipid profiles among 31 pediatric HSCT patients. Mean lipid levels were within normal limits but contained large ranges in values. There was no statistically significant change over time; however, there was an increased trend of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels and a decreased trend of high-density lipoprotein levels. The majority of patients had one abnormal lipid level at 1 and 2 years post-HSCT. Body mass index was the only factor significantly associated with dyslipidemia. An awareness of dyslipidemia among HSCT survivors may allow for early identification and treatment of abnormal lipid levels.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the Monitoring of Multiple Sclerosis

In addition to providing information on tissue structure, magnetic resonance (MR) technology offers the potential to investigate tissue metabolism and function. MR spectroscopy (MRS) offers a wealth of data on the biochemistry of a selected brain tissue volume, which represent potential surrogate markers for the pathology underlying multiple sclerosis (MS). In particular, the N‐acetylaspartate peak in an MR spectrum is a putative marker of neuronal and axonal integrity, and the choline peak appears to reflect cell‐membrane metabolism. On this basis, a diminished N‐acetylaspartate peak is interpreted to represent neuronal/axonal dysfunction or loss, and an elevated choline peak represents heightened cell‐membrane turnover, as seen in demyelination, remyelination, inflammation, or gliosis. Therefore, MRS may provide a unique tool to evaluate the severity of MS, establish a prognosis, follow disease evolution, understand its pathogenesis, and evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, which complements the information obtained from the various forms of assessment made by conventional MR imaging.
Depression and cancer: an appraisal of the literature for prevalence, detection, and practice guideline development for psychological interventions

This paper reviews the current literature concerning the prevalence and incidence of depression in the general population and within the population of people living with cancer where depression is defined using current standards and guidelines. Reviews of recent work where the treatment of depression was the focus of study are also presented. Finally, studies that have specifically addressed the psychological treatment of depression among cancer patients are critically reviewed. Suggestions for practice guideline development of psychological interventions are offered based on the review. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antagonism of adenosine A2A receptor expressed by lung adenocarcinoma tumor cells and cancer associated fibroblasts inhibits their growth

Recently it has become clear that the cost associated with the Warburg effect, which is inefficient production of ATP, is offset by selective advantages that are produced by resultant intracellular metabolic alterations. In fact tumors may be addicted to the Warburg effect. In addition these alterations result in changes in the extracellular tumor microenvironment that can also produce selective advantages for tumor cell growth and survival. One such extracellular alteration is increased adenosine concentrations that have been shown to impair T cell mediated rejection and support angiogenesis. The expression of the A2A receptor in non-small cell cancer (NSCLC) tissues, cell lines and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) was determined by performing immunohistrochemistry and immunoblot analysis. The efficacy of the A2A receptor antagonists in vivo was evaluated in a PC9 xenograft model. To determine the mode of cell death induced by A2A receptor antagonists flow cytometry, immunoblot, and cytotoxic analysis were performed. We found that a significant number of lung adenocarcinomas express adenosine A2A receptors. Antagonism of these receptors impaired CAF and tumor cell growth in vitro and inhibited human tumor xenograft growth in mice. These observations add to the rationale for testing adenosine A2A receptor antagonists as anticancer therapeutics. Not only could there be prevention of negative signaling in T cells within the tumor microenvironment and inhibition of angiogenesis, but also an inhibitory effect on tumor-promoting, immunosuppressive CAFs and a direct inhibitory effect on the tumor cells themselves.
Dexamethasone Influences Human Clock Gene Expression in Bronchial Epithelium and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in vitro

We determined whether human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) could be used to analyze clock genes by studying their mRNA expressions in human bronchial epithelium (BEAS‐2B) and PBMCs following stimulation by the glucocorticoid homologue dexamethasone (DEX) in vitro. PBMCs were obtained at 10:00 h from two diurnally active (∼07:00 to 23:00 h) healthy volunteers and were evaluated for hPer1 mRNA expression following DEX stimulation in vitro using real time‐PCR analysis. DEX stimulation of human BEAS‐2B cells and PBMCs in vitro led to a remarkable increase of hPer1 mRNA. The glucocorticoid rapidly affected the expression of hPer1 mRNA in PBMCs, suggesting that human PBMCs may be a useful surrogate marker for the investigation of drug effects on clock genes.
Functional and physiological effects of yoga in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.

CONTEXT Stress, both psychological and physiological, has been implicated as having a role in the onset and exacerbations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether neuroendocrine and physical function in women with RA can be altered through a yoga intervention. DESIGN Exercise intervention. SETTING University research conducted at a medical clinic. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen independently living, postmenopausal women with an RA classification of I, II, or III according to the American College of Rheumatology functional classification system served as either participants or controls. INTERVENTION The study group participated in three 75-minute yoga classes a week over a 10-week period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES At baseline and on completion of the 10-week intervention, diurnal cortisol patterns and resting heart rate were measured. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Test. Participants completed the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HIQ), a visual analog pain scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS Yoga resulted in a significantly decreased HAQ disability index, decreased perception of pain and depression, and improved balance. Yoga did not result in a significant change in awakening or diurnal cortisol patterns (P = .12).
Factors Affecting Warfarin-Related Knowledge and INR Control of Patients Attending Physician- and Pharmacist-Managed Anticoagulation Clinics

Objectives: To assess the anticoagulation knowledge and international normalized ratio (INR) control among patients on warfarin. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 156 randomly sampled patients from physician- (non-medication therapy adherence clinic [non-MTAC]) and pharmacist (MTAC)-run anticoagulation clinics using a validated interviewer-administered questionnaire. Patients' INR readings from 2008 to 2010 were recorded. Results: Patients on warfarin scored an average of 66.5% ± 36.0% for their knowledge on how warfarin works, 42.9% ± 44.9% for interaction between warfarin and alcohol, and 49.2% ± 21.1% for adverse effects. No significant differences were found between MTAC and non-MTAC patients on their knowledge. There was a negative correlation between patients' knowledge and age (P = .001, r s = −.293) and a positive correlation between patients' knowledge and education level (P = .001, r s = .365). MTAC patients were found to have better INR control than non-MTAC when compared for mean percentage days in range (63.4% ± 18.9% vs 52.5% ± 18.2%; P = .006) and mean percentage visits in range (58.8% ± 17.9% vs 46.8% ± 18.6%; P = .001). Conclusions: MTAC patients were found to have better INR control compared to non-MTAC patients. A joint cooperation between physicians, pharmacists, and nurses should exist to achieve desired therapeutic outcomes.
Insulin is a superior antidote for cardiovascular toxicity induced by verapamil in the anesthetized canine.

Because of its positive inotropic effects that are independent of cyclic AMP, insulin was compared to epinephrine and glucagon as a novel treatment for cardiac toxicity from verapamil. Twenty-four alpha-chloralose-anesthetized mongrel canines of either sex were instrumented to monitor standard hemodynamic and cardiodynamic parameters and maximum elastance at end systole, via the transit-time technique, as our index of contractility. Toxicity was induced by 0.1 mg/kg/min of verapamil (i.v.), until 50% reduction in mean arterial blood pressure or complete AV dissociation for 30 min. This was followed by continuous infusion of 1.0 mg/kg/hr of verapamil during one of four treatment protocols: 1) control (0.9% NaCl, 2.0 ml/min); 2) epinephrine (1.0 micrograms/kg/min); 3) hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic (HIE) clamp (recombinant insulin at 4.0 U/min with 20% dextrose, arterial glucose clamped); or 4) glucagon (0.2-0.25-mg/kg bolus infusion followed by 150-micrograms/kg/min infusion). Treatments were continued until death or 240 min after which time surviving animals received a 3.0-mg/kg additional bolus of verapamil. Verapamil decreased all hemodynamic parameters during titration. All controls died within 85 min. All treatments tended to improve hemodynamics; however, HIE significantly improved maximum elastance at end systole, left ventricular end diastolic pressure and coronary artery blood flow vs. other treatments (P < .05, repeated measures). Glucagon transiently restored sinus rhythm (four animals), but in all cases reverted to A-V dissociation, coincident with sharp decreases in circumflex artery blood flow and contractility. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Information Technology and Firm Profitability: Mechanisms and Empirical Evidence

Do information technology investments improve firm profitability? If so, is this effect because such investments help improve sales, or is it because they help reduce overall operating expenses? How does the effect of IT on profitability compare with that of advertising and of research and development? These are important questions because investments in IT constitute a large part of firms' discretionary expenditures, and managers need to understand the likely impacts and mechanisms to justify and realize value from their IT and related resource allocation processes. The empirical evidence in this paper, derived using archival data from 1998 to 2003 for more than 400 global firms, suggests that IT has a positive impact on profitability. Importantly, the effect of IT investments on sales and profitability is higher than that of other discretionary investments, such as advertising and R&D. A significant portion of the impact of IT on firm profitability is accounted for by IT-enabled revenue growth, but there is no evidence for the effect of IT on profitability through operating cost reduction. Taken together, these findings suggest that firms have had greater success in achieving higher profitability through IT-enabled revenue growth than through IT-enabled cost reduction. They also provide important implications for managers to make allocations among discretionary expenditures such as IT, advertising, and R&D. With regard to IT expenditures, the results imply that firms should accord higher priority to IT projects that have revenue growth potential over those that focus mainly on cost savings.
People with dementia and carers’ experiences of dementia care and services: Outcomes of a focus group study

An ageing population and an associated increase in the prevalence of dementia are of increasing concern in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Recently, the United Kingdom and other European countries implemented national dementia strategies to address this. This paper reports on the outcomes of a focus group study involving people with dementia and carers on their experiences of dementia care and support services in relation to government and third sector agencies’ objectives and recommendations. Three focus groups comprising carers and people with dementia (n = 27) were undertaken covering topics related to experiences, service receipt, information sharing and service development. Some participants experienced difficulties or delays in receiving a dementia diagnosis and in accessing appropriate care. The provision of training, timeliness of information, access to appropriate advice, and consistent and flexible services were deemed important. The findings suggest that some issues raised by participants were highlighted in earlier policy objectives and recommendations but remain of central concern. The projected growth in the number of people with dementia coupled with reduced availability of informal care and increased demand for services emphasises the need to transform dementia care in the United Kingdom.
Parent and professional reports of the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy and associated intellectual impairment

To examine parent‐professional agreement in proxy‐reports of child quality of life (QoL) and the factors associated with low child QoL in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and associated intellectual impairment. Professional (teacher, therapist, or residential carer) and parent reports of QoL for 204 children (127 males, 77 females, mean age 10y 4mo [SD 1y 6mo]; range 8–12y) with CP and IQ≤70 were obtained in 2004 to 2005 in nine European regions, using the KIDSCREEN questionnaire. Parent‐professional agreement was studied using correlation and mean differences; multilevel logistic regression was used to determine factors influencing QoL reports and agreement. The mean parent‐reported scores of child QoL were significantly higher than the professional reports in the Psychological well‐being domain and significantly lower for Social support. The average frequency of disagreement (parent‐professional difference >0.5SD of scores) over all domains was 62%. High levels of stress in parenting negatively influenced parent reports of child QoL compared with professional reports, while child pain was associated with professionals rating lower than parents. Proxies do not always agree when reporting the QoL of children with severe disabilities. Parental well‐being and child pain should be taken into account in the interpretation of QoL reports in such children.
Mechanical influences on long‐lasting human muscle fatigue and delayed‐onset pain.

1. The influence of three mechanical factors, force, muscle length and passive lengthening, on long‐lasting changes in voluntary force generation, the force:frequency relationship and the development of tenderness has been studied in healthy human skeletal muscle. The elbow flexors were used in all studies. The effect of muscle length was also investigated in the quadriceps and adductor pollicis muscles. Eighty maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) were performed: one contraction, lasting approximately 2 s, every 15 s. The MVC and force:frequency relationships were measured before and immediately after the exercise and, together with an assessment of tenderness, at 24 h intervals thereafter. 2. In a series of experiments designed to investigate the effects of force, eccentric (lengthening) contractions were found to cause greater fatique and delayed‐onset muscle pain than either isometric or concentric (shortening) contractions. There were, however, no substantial differences between the effects of isometric and concentric contractions. Changes in MVC took 24‐48 h to return to normal while the low‐frequency fatigue required 3‐4 days to recover. 3. Passive lengthening with a comparable number of movements over the full range had no effect on the force generation of the muscle, nor did it cause any muscle pain. 4. In the series of experiments designed to investigate the effects of length, isometric MVCs were performed at either short or long length and the muscles subsequently tested at an intermediate length. The contractions at long length resulted in greater low‐frequency fatigue and pain, despite the fact that they generated less force than those at the short length. 5. The results demonstrate that there is no simple relationship between the force generated during exercise and the development of long‐lasting muscle fatigue and pain. Furthermore, there is a length‐dependent component in the generation of low‐frequency fatigue and muscle pain.
The Diadenosine Homodinucleotide P18 Improves In Vitro Myelination in Experimental Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth Type 1A

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth 1A (CMT1A) is a demyelinating hereditary neuropathy whose pathogenetic mechanisms are still poorly defined and an etiologic treatment is not yet available. An abnormally high intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) occurs in Schwann cells from CMT1A rats (CMT1A SC) and is caused by overexpression of the purinoceptor P2X7. Normalization of the Ca2+ levels through down‐regulation of P2X7 appears to restore the normal phenotype of CMT1A SC in vitro. We recently demonstrated that the diadenosine 5′,5′′′‐P1, P2‐diphosphate (Ap2A) isomer P18 behaves as an antagonist of the P2X7 purinergic receptor, effectively blocking channel opening induced by ATP. In addition, P18 behaves as a P2Y11 agonist, inducing cAMP overproduction in P2Y11‐overexpressing cells. Here we investigated the in vitro effects of P18 on CMT1A SC. We observed that basal levels of intracellular cAMP ([cAMP]i), a known regulator of SC differentiation and myelination, are significantly lower in CMT1A SC than in wild‐type (wt) cells. P18 increased [cAMP]i in both CMT1A and wt SC, and this effects was blunted by NF157, a specific P2Y11 antagonist. Prolonged treatment of organotypic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cultures with P18 significantly increased expression of myelin protein zero, a marker of myelin production, in both CMT1A and wt cultures. Interestingly, P18 decreased the content of non‐phosphorylated neurofilaments, a marker of axonal damage, only in CMT1A DRG cultures. These results suggest that P2X7 antagonists, in combination with [cAMP]i‐increasing agents, could represent a therapeutic strategy aimed at correcting the molecular derangements causing the CMT1A phenotype. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 161–167, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pain on injection of propofol Methods of alleviation

A controlled randomised double‐blind design was used to study the effect of lignocaine on the pain produced by intravenous injection of propofol. Patients received a 2‐ml pretreatment solution with temporary venous occlusion, followed by an induction solution. One hundred and three patients were assigned to one of five groups: saline pretreatment, followed by induction with propofol plus saline 2 ml; lignocaine 20 mg pretreatment, followed by induction with propofol plus saline 2 ml; lignocaine 40 mg pretreatment, followed by induction with propofol plus saline 2 ml; saline pretreatment, followed by induction with propofol plus lignocaine 20 mg; or saline pretreatment, followed by induction with propofol plus lignocaine 40 mg. Pain was reduced significantly in all groups in which lignocaine was used and a dose of 40 mg was more effective than 20 mg. There were no significant differences in the incidence of pain among the groups which received lignocaine as pretreatment and the groups which received lignocaine mixed with propofol. Sixty‐eight percent of patients who experienced pain or discomfort recalled it in the postoperative period.
THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM IN THE NORMAL INFANT

There are several studies of electrocardiograms in children (Ziegler, 1951; Gros, Gordon, and Miller, 1951; Bengtsson, 1956; Sodi-Pallares et al., 1958), but the numbers of children under 1 year of age in these series are small. In Ziegler's monograph (1951), the numbers vary from 22 to 41 in different age-groups during the first year of life. Gros et al. (1951) include electrocardiograms from only nine infants in the age-group 1 week to 3 months and only six in the age-group 6 months to 1 year. The analysis of Bengtsson (1956) deals only with the terminal complex of the cardiogram and includes only nine children under 1 month of age; nine between 1 and 2 months; 15 between 3 and 5 months; and 22 between 6 and 11 months. Sodi-Pallares et a! (1958) do not specify the number of infants. There have been few studies of the electrocardiograms of infants during the first week of life, and in only one series (Datey and Bharucha, 1960) have records been taken daily from the same 44 infants. Michaelsson (1959) obtained records from 37 infants on the first, second, third, fifth, and seventh days of life. Richman and Master (1951) obtained daily records for the first four days of life but the number of infants is not stated. We have seen 600 infants with congenital heart disease in this clinic. In some of these infants where right ventricular hypertrophy was diagnosed on other grounds, the measurements of the R waves in the precordial leads V3R and VI of the electrocardiogram were below the normal values given in published reports.