Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Questionnaire in Dupuytren's Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Dupuytren's Disease (DD) is a fibroproliferative disease which affects the hands and can produce progressive and irreversible flexion contractures. Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) is a minimallyinvasive treatment option for it. Hand function and patient´s satisfaction were commonly measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. The Spanish QuickDASH is the only validated Spanish region-specific questionnaire can be employed for the clinical assessment of patients with pathologies of the hand, such as Dupuytren's Disease. The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of the abbreviated Spanish version of the QuickDASH, as an effective tool for evaluation of Dupuytren's disease treatment outcomes and their correlation with objective outcomes measuring improvement in residual contracture following treatment. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study from April 2016 to June 2017 involving the selection of patients from three different hospitals. The measurement of the clinical results was made by calculating the difference between prior and post-treatment degrees of contraction (Thomine´s coefficient) and QuickDASH questionnaire was self-administered by patients pre- and post-treatment. Results: 46 patients (66.1 ± 1.1 years) completed the study. The mean correction for the metacarpophalangeal joint was -26.67 degrees (p<0.001) and -23.39 degrees for the proximal interphalangeal joint. The mean change in QuickDASH score was 8.88 (p<0.001) at a mean 34.6-day follow-up. The study showed a low correlation between the QuickDASH scores and the improvement in mobility, showing a weak relation between the scores (r<0.2). Conclusion: In our study, QuickDASH questionnaire scores for the treatment of Dupuytren´s disease did not correlate with clinical outcomes.
Assessing the health outcomes of the family members of disabled individuals

The health utilization and death rates were captured for the family members of disabled individuals over a fifteen-year period to determine if exposure to disability in the family manifests poor health outcomes. Data from the Newfoundland Adult Health Survey (1995) was linked to fifteen years, 1995- 2010, of provincial health administrative data including hospital data, physician claims, and death records from the provincial health care system. The health records and survey data were analyzed in relation to the disability exposure burden experienced when a family member is disabled. The level of disability exposure burden was quantified based on the addition of individual disability scores for each family member. Disability exposure burden was associated with increased number of hospital separations, total hospitalization days and the number of physician visits, both General Practitioner and Specialist (p<0.1) but there was no association between death (p>0.1) and disability exposure burden. Family members of disabled individuals experienced increased rates of hospital separations, hospitalization days, and physician visits suggesting that deleterious health outcomes may be introduced when individuals are exposed to disability in the family unit.
Go for a Woman if you Feel Risky: Evidence from Gender Diversity in MFIs

This paper contributes to the literature on management and corporate governance in microfinance institutions. The microfinance market is one of the rare markets with a large representation of women in management and governance roles. The objective of our paper is to reveal the effects of women’s presence on the financial and social performance of microfinance institutions. <br><br>To achieve this, we develop a model that allows for capturing the influence of gender diversity in the microfinance field whilst controlling for risks. We focus on the role of women as loan officers, on boards of directors, and involved in managing the creation of microfinance institutions. Our model utilises two sets of panel data regressions, one for social performance and one for financial performance, and is tested on data from 193 microfinance institutions across Eastern Europe and Central Asia for the financial years 2010 through 2014. <br><br>The results of our investigation indicate that the activity of female members of management, CEOs, and boards of directors could increase performance indicators for riskier microfinance institutions. This is illustrated particularly in the case of projects with greater stakes in portfolios that are more than 90 days in arrears. We also provide evidence that women on boards tend more towards promoting a strategy utilising large quantities of small loans with greater interest. The social performance of microfinance institutions is crucially determined by the microfinance institutions’ size. For the largest microfinance institutions, questions of social performance lie in the field of boards of directors, while smaller institutions’ social performance is mostly driven by CEOs and staff, with significant evidence of a positive female influence on performance indicators. <br><br>The novelty of this study is demonstrated the scope of our research. We combine several contemporary issues of peculiar cross-disciplinary interest, and offer succinct and compelling results which will be of immediate applicability in a wide range of academic and professional fields. Our results will be of interest to scholars of gender, social studies, psychology, business, corporate structure, and more. More specifically, we add to the evolving sub-field of study of microfinance institutions, which has the potential to develop rapidly in the near future. This paper represents a cross-section of commercial and business research across a wide territory, with a large sample size, and provides compelling conclusions, which add to these fields of study by both validating existing research, and highlighting new areas for future analysis.
A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Senior Enlisted Academy Graduates

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) graduates describe their experience of applying the SEA curriculum in their workplace. The researcher identified that the formulation of an effective senior enlisted leader’s development is a relationship between what is learned at the SEA and the unique professional and personal experiences of each student. Using Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological approach, the researcher drew data from interviews with senior enlisted graduates from the SEA. As the researcher focused on the participants’ experiences and views about applying the SEA curriculum in their workplace, the analyzed data suggested that their contributions to the learning environment were not motivated by academic rewards; instead, they felt personally supported by their peers and comfortable with sharing their individuality. By listening to the graduates’ perspectives, a high emphasis was placed on building a community through peer networking and applying what was useful in the workplace. However, the peer feedback method of assessment and learning was not evaluated; therefore, its importance was not attributed to the SEA’s learning outcome. The participants noted that they were able to connect their prior knowledge and perspectives, and to incorporate other shared experiences, to support the learning progress. Nevertheless, the participants found that their true academic achievement connected to life after the SEA. The participants also pointed out that, as
Reexamination of the Madden–Julian Oscillation Effect on Wintertime Sea Ice Concentrations in the North Pacific

In the Pacific sector of the Arctic, a noticeable dipole pattern of the sea ice concentration (SIC) between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea has been reported on timescales of weeks to months. The dipole pattern owes its existence to the large-scale circulation variability across the North Pacific. Meanwhile, it is well known that eastward propagating tropical convection on an intraseasonal timescale, the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), forms large-scale circulation anomalies in the North Pacific through the poleward-propagating Rossby waves that are stimulated by MJO-related tropical convection, which is often manifested as a Pacific–North American teleconnection pattern. Few studies, however, have focused on the lagged MJO influence on the SIC change in the high-latitude North Pacific by poleward-propagating waves. Thus, herein, we investigated the intraseasonal SIC variations associated with the MJO phases by considering the lagged circulation response. The dipole pattern in the composite daily SIC change map between the two seas becomes apparent after approximately one week of MJO phases 3 and 7. In the Bering Sea (the Sea of Okhotsk), the SIC increases after MJO phase 3 (phase 7), while it decreases in phase 7 (phase 3). The lagged anomalous circulation pattern in the North Pacific associated with the MJO leads to SIC changes primarily through the dynamic response in 10 m winds and the resultant sea ice motion.
Productivity and Tax Evasion

The extent of tax compliance has important implications for revenue yield, efficiency and the fairness of any tax system. Tax evasion undermines revenue collection, distorts competition, and undermines a country’s development prospects. In this paper, we investigate whether higher productivity causally leads to lower tax evasion. We first present stylized facts consistent with this view and develop a model that illustrates one potential transmission channel. Second, we test the model predictions at the firm level using the self-reported share of declared income as proxy for tax evasion for a large sample of emerging and developing economies. Our results suggests that productivity improvements by firms can lead to lower tax evasion.
Prevalence and pattern of Dyslipidaemia among patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in Southern Sri Lanka; a cross sectional study

Introduction: Dyslipidaemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetes mellitus. However, the magnitude and characteristic features of dyslipidaemia among Sri Lankans with newly diagnosed diabetes is not yet known.We aimed to study the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidaemia in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This study was carried out in 403 newly diagnosed T2DM patients attending a specialist diabetic clinic in Southern Sri Lanka. Dyslipidaemia was diagnosed if patients had one or more parameters of lipid profile outside the target values recommended by theAmerican DiabetesAssociation (ADA). Results: Diabetic dyslipidaemia was observed in 90% of patients with females having higher prevalence (94.7%) than males (87.0%, P=0.04). The most prevalent type of dyslipidaemia was isolated elevation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (84.3%) Raised triglyceride (TG) and low high density lipoprotein (HDL) were comparatively less common and observed in less than 20% subjects. Factors such as obesity, waist circumference, age and degree of hyperglycaemia at presentation had no significant effect on the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidaemia. Conclusions: This study revealed a higher prevalence and a different pattern of dyslipidaemia among newly diagnosed patients with T2DM. Finding of raised LDL with relatively low TG observed in this study was different to the pattern of diabetic Dyslipidaemia described in Caucasians.
Utilization patterns of benzodiazepines in psychiatric patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital

To assess the utilization patterns of benzodiazepines in psychiatric patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital, a prospective observational study was conducted for a period of 8 months. Drug therapy details in medication chart review and clinical review in patients treated with benzodiazepines was analyzed to measure the utilization pattern of benzodiazepines in terms of defined daily dose (DDD) per 100 bed-days. A total of 160 patients, including 88.8% of males and 11.2% of females, were included in the study. Most of the patients were between the age groups of 30-39 years (33.1%). The most common clinical conditions treated with benzodiazepines were mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol (65.6%). The majority of patients were prescribed with lorazepam (83.1%). The DDD per 100 bed-days of benzodiazepines were found to be 0.98. The prescribed daily dose and DDD of benzodiazepines were 57.16 ± 30.3 and 89.69 ± 39.16, respectively. The total cost per DDD of benzodiazepines was 28.9 Indian Rupees (INR). Our study results indicate that the most common clinical conditions treated with benzodiazepines were mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol and the majority of patients were prescribed lorazepam.
Factors of success in advanced level wrestling; reliability and validity of several diagnostic methods

Achievement in contemporary Olympic wrestling depends largely on upper body strength, endurance and anaerobic power [1-3]. Studies have found that elite wrestlers possess a higher fat free mass, vertical jump height, anaerobic Wingate power, dynamic and isokinetic strength, in comparison to their less successful peers [1,4,5]. Due to biomechanical and anatomical similarity to sport of wrestling, different arm-cranking test protocols were applied in testing the physical capacities of the wrestlers [6-9]. This test was applied in wrestling as a common arm Wingate, or modified arm Wingate or variable intensity arm crank test designed to be similar to wrestling match conditions [1,3,4,10]. Transcutaneous monitoring is a noninvasive method to estimate the partial pressure of oxygen (tcpO2) on the skin surface by employing noninvasive heated electrodes [11,12]. It has been shown that arterial and transcutaneous blood gas values are highly correlated [13]. The tcp O2 is a known diagnostic tool in several medical treatments (wound evaluation, hyperbaric therapy, amputation level determination, plastic surgery, and peripheral vascular disease assessment), but it’s usage is suggested for assessment of the intramuscular oxygen partial pressure among healthy subjects during exercise [14,15]. The aim of this study was to determine the differences between high-level and top-level wrestling athletes in several fitness parameters including tcpO2 measures. This included the validation of the applied tests in defining the differences between top-level and high-level wrestlers, apart from the fact that very few studies investigated fitness factors which contribute to success in competitive wrestling, we have found no study which investigated differences between high-level wrest lers in pursuit of small gains performance (i.e. high-level and toplevel athletes). Apart from standard and known sport-specific measuring protocols, in this study the arm-cranking test is modified in order to design the measuring procedure of si mi lar physical demands as they appear throughout a wrestling match.
Performance in credential enhancing masters program facilitates future success in the health professions

This paper examined the critical factors and potential predictors necessary for successful admission to dental school for students participating in the credential enhancing Oral Health Sciences (OHS) master’s program at Boston University. The academic parameters of OHS-DMD and traditional (four year) college graduate DMD students were compared to determine if OHS graduates performed at a comparable academic level in dental school as DMD students who entered dental school without completing a credential enhancing master’s program. To accomplish this, we examined data from students who matriculated to the Oral Health Sciences program from 2006 to 2015 and collected demographic, undergraduate grade point average (GPA), dental admissions test (DAT) scores and Oral Health Sciences GPA from Admissions and Registrar records for our analyses. To compare dental school performance and success on national board exams we obtained data for both OHS-DMD and traditional DMD students who enter the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. We performed unpaired T-tests to evaluate differences in undergraduate GPA, DAT and OHS GPA data for those OHS students matriculating to any dental school to
Factors Contributing to Burnout Levels Among Public Sector Rehabilitation Counselors

Factors Contributing to Burnout Levels Among Public Sector Rehabilitation Counselors by Monica E. Jackson MS, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, 2007 BA, Dillard University, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctoral of Philosophy Counselor Education & Supervision Program Walden University November 2019 Abstract Burnout has led to turnover and poor counselor performance within public sector rehabilitation.Burnout has led to turnover and poor counselor performance within public sector rehabilitation. Scholarly literature on burnout among mental health counselors and school counselors are abundant. However, few researchers have compiled studies to evaluate burnout among rehabilitation counselors. No research could be found that examined the relationships among job demand, control, support, and burnout among public sector rehabilitation counselors. The Job Demand ControlSupport (JDC-S) model indicates that stress from work is developed based on work demands, perceptions of control, and the perceived support that is received. The purpose of this research study was to determine the extent of the prediction, if any, between burnout and job demand, job control, and job support for public sector rehabilitation counselors. This study examined the following research question through a multiple linear regression: Job demand, job control, and job support (as measured by subscales of the Karasek and Theorell Job Content Questionnaire) predicts burnout (as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory) among public sector rehabilitation counselors. Instruments used in the study included the Job Content Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. An electronic questionnaire was sent to 1,000 certified rehabilitation counselors throughout the United States;197 were returned. The results of this study suggest that there is a likelihood of a lower risk of stress because of high autonomy on the job. Moreover, there was a significant prediction between burnout (as described by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) to job demand, job control, and job support. Results of the study may contribute to social change through increasing the wellness of counselors within the public rehabilitation counseling sector, which, in turn, could lead to improvement in the quality of services for clients. Factors Contributing to Burnout Levels Among Public Sector Rehabilitation Counselors by
Predictors of Resistance Hypertension and Achievement of Target Blood Pressure Levels in Patients with Resistant Hypertension

Uncontrolled arterial pressure is associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular events compared to patients with hypertension who have reached the target blood pressure level. The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of patients with resistant arterial hypertension undergoing inpatient treatment at the Department of Symptomatic Hypertension and assess the prevalence of true resistant hypertension in a cohort of patients who take 3 and more antihypertensive agents, the clinical predictors of resistant hypertension. The study included 1146 patients with resistant AH who received 3 or more antihypertensive drugs with the level of office blood pressure at admission ≥140/90 mm Hg. Patients were followed by the next examinations: body height and body measurements, office blood pressure, echo-cardiography, sleep apnea determination, blood biochemical analysis, determination of levels of TTH, T3, T4, blood renin, blood aldosterone, metanephrine urine, and cortisol. Our data showed that 31% of patients who received 3 or more antihypertensive drugs had true resistant hypertension. Fixed combinations were taken by 71.9% of patients. We have found which factors were significantly associated with the treatment regimen with ≥3 or 4 drugs. Also we have demonstrated predictors for blood pressure reduction.
Biological Control of Chromium Redox and Stable Isotope Composition in the Surface Ocean

While chromium stable isotopes (δ53Cr) have received significant attention for their utility as a tracer of oxygen availability in the distant geological past, a mechanistic understanding of modern oceanic controls on Cr and δ53Cr is still lacking. Here we present total dissolved δ53Cr, concentrations of Cr (III) and total dissolved Cr, and net community productivity (NCP) from the North Pacific. Chromium concentrations show surface depletions in waters with elevated NCP, but not in lower productivity waters. Observed Cr deficits correspond well with calculated Cr export derived from NCP and Cr:C ratios of natural phytoplankton and marine particulates. Chromium (III) concentrations are stable over the diel cycle yet correlate with NCP, with maxima found in highly productive surface waters but not in lower productivity waters, indicating biological control on Cr (III). The relationship between Cr (III) and δ53Cr suggests that δ53Cr distributions may be controlled by the removal of isotopically light Cr (III) at an isotopic enrichment factor (∆53Cr) of −1.08‰ ± 0.25 relative to total dissolved δ53Cr, in agreement with the global δ53Cr‐Cr fractionation factor (−0.82‰ ± 0.05). No perturbation to δ53Cr, Cr, or Cr (III) is observed in oxygen‐depleted waters (~10 μmol/kg), suggesting no strong control by O2 availability, in agreement with other recent studies. Therefore, we propose that biological productivity is the primary control on Cr and δ53Cr in the modern ocean. Consequently, δ53Cr records in marine sediments may not faithfully record oxygen availability in the Late Quaternary. Instead, our data demonstrate that δ53Cr records may be a useful tracer for biological productivity.
Appraisal of a new patented method for control of chicken coccidiosis

ABSTRACT The aim of this research is to appraise a newly patented method for control of chicken coccidiosis in comparison to a classical approach. The new method implements an invented Disinfectant (WSD) for decontamination of rearing surfaces, and a developed drinking water-herbal coccidiostat (EOBWE) supplement. The experimental design has 8 treatments (TRTs), with four pens/TRT, and 25 broiler chicks/pen. The floors of TRT1 to TRT7 are contaminated with 4.0 × 105 sporulated oocysts/m2 of each of E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella, while TRT8-floor is left uncontaminated. The floors of TRTs 1 and 2 are disinfected with chlorine, while that of TRTs 3–6 are disinfected by WSD. Floors of TRTs 7 and 8 are deprived of disinfection. Birds in TRTs 1, 6, 7, and 8 are deprived of coccidiostat, while birds in TRTs 2 and 3 are fed salinomycin in their feed; birds of TRT 4 are administered EOBWE in drinking water, while birds of TRT 5 are administered simultameously both, the salinomycin and EOBWE. Birds in TRT 4 (WSD/EOBWE treated) and TRT 5 (WSD/salinomycin + EOBWE) had improved protection (lowest oocyst output and intestinal lesions) and enhanced production (lowest mortality, lowest feed conversion ratio, and highest live body weight) compared to the other five challenged treatments, associated with significant improvements compared to positive controls (TRT 7) (P < 0.05).