Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Type of Family and its Relationship to Metabolic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To estimate the association between familiar function and metabolic control in patients with T2DM treated in a DiabetIMSS module in a first-level medical unit in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective and analytical study was conducted. In patients with T2DM and the target population included patients with T2DM who attended the module DiabetIMSS in Cancun, Quintana Roo. Included patients with T2DM between 20 and 80 years of age who received attention in a control module DiabetIMSS for a period of time greater than 3 months. All patients underwent an interview where general data (sex, age, date of diagnosis of T2DM, treatment, family characteristics) were collected. The metabolic control described by the criteria of the Latinamerican Diabetes Association (ALAD). The independent variable (familiar function) was assessed by questionnaire FACES III (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales) adapted and validated in Spanish. Statistical analysis: The association between metabolic control and degrees of familiar dysfunction were performed using the chisquare test statistic. Results: A total population of 169 patients was included, 109 females (65%), with a mean age of 57 ± 3 years. 66 of patients (39%) were categorized as controlled. Patients with T2DM without metabolic control, live in dysfunctional family units, less fit and inflexible. Conclusion: There is a relationship between family type and metabolic control in patients with T2DM.
EVALUATION OF SUBACUTE SODIUM FLUORIDE TOXICITY ON SPERMATOZOA AND TESTICULAR TISSUE OF MALE WISTAR RATS

The adverse influence of fluorides on male reproductive system has become a major concern in many countries. The present study was focussed to determine the effect of daily oral administration of sodium fluoride for 28 days on seminal characteristics of male Wistar rats at three dose levels. Intoxication of sodium fluoride to Wistar rats of group II (5 mg/kg body weight, orally), group III (25 mg/kg body weight, orally) and group IV (50 mg/kg body weight, orally) caused dose dependent decrease (p ≤ 0.01) in epididymal sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, sperm concentration and live spermatozoa along with simultaneous increase in dead spermatozoa as compared to the rats of group I (control). There was a dose dependent increase (p ≤ 0.01) in percent morphological abnormalities (head, tail and multiple) of spermatozoa in group III and group IV as compared to rats of control group and group II. Overall, the maximum mean values for various sperm abnormalities were recorded in group IV rats. Hence, sodium fluoride exerts significant cytotoxicity to spermatozoa at higher doses adversely affecting the male reproductive system.
Finding Your Way Home: A Systematic Investigation of Shadowboxes on Room Recognition in Memory Care

Dementia care residents frequently experience difficulty locating their bedrooms, which creates challenges for both residents and staff. Previous research suggests that hanging items outside individual bedrooms can help facilitate room finding. This project involved a multiphase study designed to systematically investigate whether recognition and personal relevance of showcased items facilitates better room finding. Participants (n = 6) included older adults (Mage = 89.67, SD = 3.20) with moderate to severe cognitive impairment living in dementia care communities; data collection was terminated before evaluation of the intervention was possible with 1 participant due to adverse health events. Accuracy of room selection was measured through direct observation in a baseline condition (i.e., empty shadow box), then participants were randomly assigned to either personalized (i.e., well-recognized pictures, names, and items) or landmark (i.e., distinctive but not self-referent items) experimental conditions. Nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants single-subject research methodology was used to empirically evaluate the intervention. Significant improvements in room finding were observed for 50% of participants across experimental conditions. The results suggest that distinctive landmark properties of shadow boxes are critical in improving room finding and that landmarks alone (without personal identifiers) are sufficient for some people. Anecdotal evidence suggests that personalization of boxes is preferred by families and staff and is more congruent with person-centered care.
Crystallization and melting behavior of nanoclay-containing polypropylene/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) blends

This contribution concerns preparation and characterization of polypropylene (PP)/poly(trimethylene terephtha- late) (PTT) melt-mixed blends in the presence of organically-modified montmorillonite nanoclays and functional compati- bilizers. Immiscibility and nanocomposite formation were confirmed via transmission electron microscopy. An intercalated structure was observed by wide angle X-ray diffraction technique. Crystallization, and melting characteristics were studied by differential scanning calorimetry in both isothermal and non-isothermal modes, supplemented by temperature modu- lated DSC (TMDSC). A concurrent crystallization was found for both polymeric components in the blends. Whereas blend- ing favored PP crystallizability, it interrupted that of PTT. The addition compatibilizers interfered with rate, temperature, and degree of crystallization of PP and PTT. On the contrary, nanoclays incorporation increased crystallizability of each individual component. However, as for blend nanocomposite samples, the way the crystallization behavior changed was established to depend on the type of nanoclay. Based on kinetic analysis, isothermal crystallization nucleation followed athermal mechanism, while that of non-isothermal obeyed thermal mode. Addition of nanoclays shifted nucleation mecha- nism from athermal to thermal mode.
The Price of Ethics: Evidence from Socially Responsible Mutual Funds

This paper estimates the price of ethics by studying the risk-return relation in socially responsible investment (SRI) funds. Consistent with investors paying a price for ethics, SRI funds in many European and Asia-Pacific countries strongly underperform domestic benchmark portfolios by about 5% per annum, although UK and US SRI funds do not significantly underperform their benchmarks. The underperformance of SRI funds does not seem to be driven by the loadings on an ethical risk factor. SRI funds do not suffer a cost of reduced selectivity nor do SRI funds managers time the market. There is mixed evidence of a smart money effect: SRI investors are unable to identify the funds that will outperform in the future, whereas they show some fund-selection ability in identifying ethical funds that will perform poorly. The screening activities of SRI funds have a significant impact on funds’ riskadjusted returns and loadings on risk factors: corporate governance and social screens generate better risk-adjusted returns whereas other screens (e.g. environmental ones) yield significantly lower returns.
Globalization and financial crises in Latin America

This article focuses on the financial and currency crises that have occurred in the context of financial globalization in Latin America. It is divided into four sections. The first provides an overview of financial globalization in the last three decades. The second offers a model applicable both to the 1990s crises and those of the early 1980s. The third examines other experiences of globalization that did not lead to crises and analyses preventive measures in the light of these. The fourth reviews the routes that lead to segmented financial integration and touches on the problems of international coordination. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Baseline physical fitness as a determinant of resting neuro-psychological profile in students undergoing stressful professional course

Background: Several reports indicate that exercise has a positive impact on mental health. However, studies on whether altered physiological status in high fit individuals is reflected in their baseline neuro-psychological profile remains to be ascertained. The aim was to compare the EEG profile and their ability to handle stress in young adult students of high physical fitness with those of low physical fitness. Methods: To achieve this objective, healthy adult male students (18-22 years age) undergoing stressful professional course were grouped into High fitness group (GI: PFI>80) and Low fitness group (GII:PFI<50) as per their Physical Fitness Index (PFI) scores in Harvard Step Test. Thereafter, their state and trait anxiety scores (STAI) were obtained and resting EEG were recorded for ten minutes. Results: No significant difference in the STAI scores between these groups (State: 34.8±4.26 vs 37.57±7.89; Trait: 39.1±6.21 vs 40.29±8.77 in GI vs GII) were observed, supported by absence of significant cerebral lateralization in anterior alpha power band in either group (Right vs Left Frontal GI: 5.56±2.10 vs 6.55±2.12 uV 2 ; GII: 5.03±1.14 vs 4.51±1.83 uV 2 ) in addition to lack of right anterior dominance, thereby nullifying the cerebral lateralisation hypothesis as an indicator of anxiety level. However, there was a generalized predominance of alpha power in the anterior (GI vs GII: 6.05±1.82 vs 4.77±1.28 uV 2 ), temporal (GI vs GII: 23.89±11.87 vs 19.10±12.41 uV 2 ) and posterior (GI vs GII: 25.00±2.18 vs 18.37±0.72 uV 2 ) regions in GI mainly in the right hemisphere. Conclusions: Thus anxiety alone may not be a determinant of mental health in the high fit subjects who may have other dominant characteristics as envisaged by alpha predominance in their EEG profile.
Conquering math anxiety : a self-help workbook

Arem's CONQUERING MATH ANXIETY is a comprehensive workbook that provides a variety of exercises and worksheets along with detailed explanations of methods to help "math-anxious" students deal with and overcome math fears. The author offers tips on specific strategies, as well as relaxation exercises. The book's major focus is to encourage students to take action. Expertly constructed hands-on activities help readers explore both the underlying causes of their problem and viable solutions. Many activities are followed by illustrated examples completed by other students. This edition now comes with a "free" relaxation CD-ROM, and a detailed list of Internet Resources.
Putting the S Back in Corporate Social Responsibility: a Multi-Level Theory of Social Change in Organizations

This paper provides a multi-level theoretical model to understand why business organizations are increasingly engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and thereby exhibiting the potential to exert positive social change. Our model integrates theories of micro-level organizational justice, meso-level corporate governance and macro-level varieties of capitalisms. Using a theoretical framework presented in the justice literature, we argue that organizations are pressured to engage in CSR by many different actors, each driven by instrumental, relational and moral motives. These actors are nested within four "levels" of analysis: individual, organizational, national and transnational. After discussing the motives affecting actors at each level and the mechanisms used at each level to exercise influence, as well as the interactions of motives within levels, we examine forces across levels to propose the complex web of factors, which both facilitate and impede social change by organizations. Ultrimately, this proposed framework can be usd to systematize our understanding of the complex social phenomenon of increasing CSR engagement, and to develop testable hypotheses. We conclude by highlighting some empirical questions for future research, and develop a number of managerial implications.
Farmers’ Views on the Factors Inhibiting the Implementation of Soil Conservation Practices in Koohdasht, Iran

One of the dangers that constantly threatens agricultural sector is soil erosion. The purpose of this study was to investigate and categorize farmers’ views on the factors inhibiting the implementation of soil conservation practices in Koohdasht Township, Iran. The study was fulfilled by using descriptive-correlation method. A stratified random sample of 377 farmers was drawn from a population of 19531 farmers in the township, based on Krejcie and Morgan Table for determining sample size from a finite population. The research questionnaire was validated by a panel of faculty members of agricultural extension and education at Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) and found to have sufficient content and face validity. Using a pilot study, internal consistency reliability was demonstrated with satisfactory alpha coefficient (0.73). Descriptive and inferential statistics, i.e., factor analysis, were used to analyze the data. Factor analysis produced four factors: “economic-extension”, “ecological-farming”, “social-structural”, and “organizational-management” which accounted for 49% of the total variance. The factors that emerged suggest the need for some executive measures to overcome the problems inhibiting the implementation of soil conservation practices in future programs.
Efetividade da ultrassonagrafia na puncao venosa periferica: revisão integrativa Efectividad de la ultrasonografía en la punción venosa periférica: revisión integradora Effectiveness of ultrasonography- guided peripheral venous access: an integrative review

Objective: This study aims to identify the found evidence in the literature on the effectiveness of ultrasound technology for success in venipuncture compared to the traditional method for puncture. Method: An integrative review of literature in Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs) – (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences) and Publicações Médicas (PubMed) – (Medical publications) databases was made from January 2009 to February 2015. Publications in Portuguese, English, or Spanish were included addressing the objectives and/or the research question in the title or abstract and that used systematic reviews, clinical essays, or observational studies as methodology. Results: Sixteen publications were reviewed presenting a high level of evidence that reinforce the effectiveness of ultrasound for peripheral venipuncture difficult. There was reduction of number of puncture attempts when using ultrasound. The success rate with the use of ultrasound ranged from 70 to 99% and varied with demographic characteristics (sex, age, and skin color), clinical characteristics (diameter and depth of the vein,) and operational characteristics (choice of catheter and skill of the professional performing the procedure). Conclusion: Ultrasound can increase the success of this procedure, requiring yet more evidence as to the spent time and number of essays for success. The operator ability of the ultrasound equipment as well as clinical, technical, and operational characteristics showed up important factors to be considered for a more effective and safe venipuncture.
Virulence properties and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting of Candida albicans isolates obtained from Monastir dental hospital, Tunisia

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization as well as studies on the virulence factors of Candida albicans isolates obtained from oral cavity of patients was carried out using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting and epithelial cells adherence assay, respectively. RAPD patterns revealed the presence of 13 C. albicans genotypes separated into two clusters at 75% of similarity when they were combined. Results also showed the presence of haemolytic protease activity as virulence factors with 88% of the C. albicans strains been able to adhere to Caco-2 cells and only 64% to Hep-2. RAPD-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular tool used to differentiate the isolates into various genotypes based on their virulence properties. Key words : Candida albicans, stomatitis, random amplified polymorphic DNA, Hep-2, Caco-2 cells.
Introduction: PPPs – theoretical challenges and directions forward

We do not subscribe to a goal of unconstrained development for its own sake; but assuring an adequate supply of civic infrastructure (including housing, roads and public transport, power, water supply and sanitation) is essential to meet the needs of developing countries where populations are growing and becoming more urbanized, as well as those of developed countries where infrastructure is aging and in need of repair and/or replacement. Important as it is, however, providing the necessary infrastructure confronts severe difficulties. Governments of emerging market countries face enormous shortfalls in financial and governance capacity in delivering sorely needed new infrastructure for their growing populations. At the same time, financially strapped governments of mature market economies are struggling to upgrade and retrofit their aging and obsolete infrastructure. Societies at both ends of the development spectrum need more robust project governance structures that can enable new forms of financing coupled with improved systems of managerial oversight and control. Infrastructure is central to societal welfare, and the high cost of replicating the “last mile of pipe or wire” often requires a monopolistic state provision or regulated private provision strategy. We would thus ordinarily expect that the state would play a major role in its prioritization, funding, development and operation. However, historically this has not always been the case. Specific countries vary in their experience, but the United States (US) is not atypical. As Miller and Floricel (2000) point out, during much of the nineteenth century US transportation systems and power networks were built by private entrepreneurs, with minimal public involvement. Toward the end of the century, large corporate groups replaced the entrepreneurs but still experienced only modest public oversight. However, during the Progressive era of the early twentieth century, private initiatives were increasingly regulated and, over time, nationalized as public
Gender differences in views on ageing in elderly people living in Vilnius

Summary The paper describes gender differences in self-reports of aged people about their views on the process of their own ageing. Methods. The data are based on questionnaire data on a random sample of aged men and women living in Vilnius (N = 629). Results. The scores of the physical change scale were similar for men and women: there were no gender differences in scoring of all items of the physical change scale. Analysis of the mean values of the items for males and females on psychological scales showed that they were very similar for both genders, although statistically significantly differed in the scoring of two items. Conclusions. Self-reported views on physical changes caused by ageing are similar in aged men and women living in Vilnius. The study showed gender differences in the evaluation of psychological losses and achievements of ageing (p < 0.05). There were differences among older people whose perception of their health state was poor (p < 0.001).
Test Retest Reliability Of The Index Of Learning Styles For First Year Engineering Students

Several different inventories and assessment instruments have been used to characterize the learning styles of engineering students. While recent studies have examined the psychometric properties of the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) particularly the alpha reliability there is less information available on the test-retest reliability of the ILS. In this study, the ILS was administered to all engineering freshmen on the first day of class and again five weeks later to examine test-retest performance. Examination of the psychometric properties for each of the administrations of the ILS in terms of the alpha reliability (a measure of internal consistency of an instrument based on a single administration) revealed that the sensing/intuitor domain displayed the highest alpha reliability (0.76 in test and retest), and the lowest alpha reliability was associated with the sequential/global domain (0.48 in test). In terms of test-retest reliability (score stability over time), individual student scores in all domains were significantly correlated between the test and retest (p < 0.01). The sensor/intuitor domain displayed the highest correlation (Spearman’s rho = 0.80) and the sequential/global domain the lowest (Spearman’s rho = 0.60). On average, individual students repeated greater than 75% of their answers identically in the test and retest. These significant correlations provide additional support for the test-retest reliability of the ILS.
Why does some pollen lack apertures? A review of inaperturate pollen in eudicots

Apertures are key characters of pollen grains with systematic importance in angiosperms. They function as sites for pollen tube exit, water uptake, transfer of recognition substances and accommodation of volume changes. Not all pollen has apertures; inaperturate pollen (lacking obvious apertures) characterizes many angiosperm groups, especially in early divergent angiosperms and monocots, but also eudicots. In order to expand our knowledge of the systematic distribution, possible functional significance and development of inaperturate pollen in angiosperms, this review focuses on inaperturate and cryptoaperturate (with hidden apertures) pollen in the large eudicot clade, which comprises about 75% of present-day angiosperm species. It includes new TEM observations of inaperturate pollen from four exemplar taxa selected from different parts of the eudicot phylogeny. Two categories of inaperturate (including cryptoaperturate) pollen occur in eudicots. (1) Sterile attractant or feeding pollen associated with functional dioecy has evolved iteratively at least six times in conjunction with complex breeding systems in the core eudicots. (2) Fertile pollen has evolved numerous times independently throughout eudicots, though generally in a relatively small number of individual taxa. Notable exceptions are the petaliferous crotonoid Euphorbiaceae s.s. , in which fertile inaperturate pollen occurs in c. 1500 species, and two subfamilies of Apocynaceae s.l. (Secamonoideae and Asclepiadoideae) with c. 2500 species with fertile inaperturate pollen in pollinia. Fertile inaperturate pollen is sometimes (but not always) associated with an aquatic habit, parasitism, insectivory, heterostyly, anemophily or pollinia. Most fertile inaperturate pollen has a thin exine, or the exine is largely restricted to isolated components (muri, protuberances, subunits) separated by thinner areas which probably function as apertures. In cryptoaperturate pollen, the aperture is covered by continuous exine which probably has a protective function, similar to an operculum. Developmentally, inaperturate pollen is not associated with any particular tetrad type or meiotic spindle orientation (unlike some apertures) due to the absence of a colpal shield of endoplasmic reticulum or other organelles and hence is independent of microsporogenesis type. The lack of a colpal shield during the tetrad stage of development permits complete deposition of first primexine and then exine around each microspore, possibly mediated by the action of the DEX1 protein. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 29‐48.