Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomized trial of an education program to enhance older driver performance.

BACKGROUND This study was designed to determine whether an education program consisting of classroom and on-road training could enhance driving performance. METHODS This randomized controlled trial with blinded endpoint assessment enrolled 126 community-living drivers 70 years old or older who were recruited from clinic and community sources. Treatment assignment was concealed until eligibility was established. Participants randomized to intervention underwent two 4-hour classroom and two 1-hour on-road sessions focused on common problem areas of older drivers. Controls received modules directed at vehicle, home, and environmental safety. A knowledge test and driving performance were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. On-road driving performance was assessed by an experienced evaluator in a dual-brake-equipped vehicle in urban, residential, and highway traffic. Driving performance was rated on a 36-item scale with potential scores from 0 to 72 (higher score better). The knowledge test included 20 road knowledge and eight road sign questions, scored from 0 to 28 correct. RESULTS The least squares mean change in road test score relative to baseline was 2.87 points higher in the intervention than in the control group (p =.001). The least squares mean change in knowledge test scores relative to baseline was 3.45 points higher in the intervention than in the control group (p <.001). CONCLUSIONS An education program consisting of classroom and on-road training targeted to common errors of older drivers enhanced performance on knowledge and on-road tests. Such interventions offer older drivers the potential to continue driving safely longer and to maintain their out-of-home mobility.
Do Board Size and Independence Really Matter? An Empirical Study

Board of directors is considered as the most basic part of effective decision making in the firms. However, the large or small board sizes are continuously in debate and no conclusive decision has yet been achieved. Likewise, research on board independence also shows contrasting results. Some studies are in favour of board independence, others focus their attention on the firm specific knowledge of executive directors. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of board size and firm independence with the firm performance in a sample of 609 firms of Karachi stock exchange over the period 2005-2012. This study uses the partial least squares method to determine structural links between the variables under study. The findings of the study demonstrate the fact that board size is positively related to the productivity, but negatively related to the profitability of the firms. However, board independence is positively related to the profitability and negatively related to the productivity of the firms. Overall, board of directors with two characteristics of size and independence has negative relationship with the firm performance. Keywords: board size, board independence, partial least squares, firm performance
Valid and invalid implementations of GOR secondary structure predictions

GOR algorithms have long been a standard methodology for predicting protein secondary structure from primary sequence. We have developed two short validation sequences for the GOR I and GOR II algorithms. Use of these sequences with seven commercial and non-commercial implementations of these algorithms demonstrated that several were incorrect implementations, including two of the three commercial modules implementing the GOR I algorithm. This may be due to an easy misinterpretation of the GOR I algorithm and related data tables. We present the validation sequences and discuss implications of this widely propagated error on secondary and tertiary structure prediction, using several proteins of known structure in three different structural classes as examples. A valid GOR I implementation predicts secondary structure increases the accuracy of predictions by from 1-13 percentage points over an invalid implementation based on the easy misinterpretation. A valid implementation of the GOR I and GOR II algorithms is available from the authors.
Social Work Practices: Report of the National Evaluation

An independent evaluation was commissioned by the Department for Education (formerly the Department for Children, Schools and Families) to:1. analyse the advantages and disadvantages of the overall Social Work Practice concept, and the specific benefits (or otherwise) of the different models employed and any lessons for alternate models;2. identify the impact of SWP pilots on children, their carers and their families;3. discover the impact of the SWP model on the children's social care workforce;4. identify the impact of SWP pilots on statutory child care social work in the hostlocal authorities and on the work of other agencies.
Plan to Have No Unplanned: A Collaborative, Hospital-Based Quality-Improvement Project to Reduce the Rate of Unplanned Extubations in the Pediatric ICU

BACKGROUND: Although under-reported and understudied, unplanned extubations carry a significant risk of patient harm and even death. They are an important yardstick of quality control of care of intubated patients in the ICU. A unit-based risk assessment and multidisciplinary approach is required to decrease the incidence of unplanned extubations. METHODS: As part of a quality-improvement initiative of Children's Hospital at Montefiore, all planned and unplanned extubations in a multidisciplinary 20-bed pediatric ICU were evaluated over a 12-month period (January to December 2010). At the end of 6 months, an interim analysis was performed, and high-risk patient groups and patient care factors were identified. These factors were targeted in the second phase of the project. RESULTS: Over this period, there were a total of 267 extubations, of which 231 (87%) were planned extubations and 36 (13%) were unplanned. A patient care policy targeting the risk factors was instituted, along with extensive nursing and other personnel education in the second phase. As a result of this intervention, the unplanned extubation rate in the pediatric ICU decreased from 3.55 to 2.59/100 intubation days. All subjects who had an unplanned extubation during nursing procedures or transport required re-intubation, whereas none of the unplanned extubations during ventilator weaning required re-intubation. CONCLUSIONS: A targeted approach based on unit-specific risk factors is most effective in quality-improvement projects. A specific policy for sedation and weaning can be very helpful in managing intubated patients and preventing unintended harm.
Tech in Fin Before FinTech: Blessing or Curse for Financial Stability?

Can democratic elections reduce rent extraction by public decision makers? Existing research suggests that reelection incentives can reduce the embezzlement of public funds. This paper examines three additional mechanisms through which democratic elections could have an impact on embezzlement, even in the absence of reelection incentives: (1) electoral selection effects, (2) social norms and norm enforcement, and (3) citizens' trust in decision makers. Evidence from an experiment with 472 groups of citizens in rural Burkina Faso suggests that electoral selection favors benevolent candidates. Furthermore, elections increase citizens' willingness to punish corrupt decision makers, even if their ability to do so remains unchanged. However, these beneficial effects of elections are offset by an unexpected adverse effect: elections cause citizens to trust decision makers more than they should be trusted. These findings have important implications for the role of information in electoral democracy.
A Comparative Study on Contribution of Governance on Economic Growth in the East African Community Countries

This study sought to explore the relationship between good governance and economic growth among the East Africa Community (EAC) countries. The study utilized panel data to analyse six major World Bank governance indicators namely: Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law and Control of Corruption effect on economic growth in the respective country and region for the period 1999-2013. The Random effect model (REM) and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation techniques were employed for comparative analysis. The study showed that among the governance indicators, political stability, quality regulatory and control of corruption were significant. The first two indices were negatively related to economic growth rate while the latter was positively related to economic growth rate. From the OLS models, voice and accountability had a significant effect on economic growth rate in Kenya and Uganda. The quality of regulation had significant effect in Kenya and Tanzania while rule of law was found to be significant only in Kenya. The study suggests that in order to advance the economic performance in EAC countries, the EAC states need to invest in more effective regulation on both public and private institutions to enhance social, political and sustainable economic interactions. Similarly, the government needs to encourage national cohesion and peaceful co-existence that would foster political stability and reduce violence. By investing in good governance through establishment of key institutions of governance are likely to spur economic growth.
Optimizing shared upload bandwidth in BitTorrent-like peer-to-peer networks

Of all applications of peer-to-peer systems BitTorrent-like file sharing systems becomes increasingly popular, and form a large portion of traffic on Internet. In such systems, peers should share their upload bandwidth in order to increase their download rates. Consequently, tuning the upload bandwidth, a costly resource, such that provides a desirable download time is one of the main concerns of peers. In this paper, we model this as an optimization problem which minimize upload bandwidth and is constrained with a maximum acceptable download time. Solving this problem, we propose an iterative algorithm which has the benefit of low complexity and can be implemented with low computation and communication overhead.
Cross-sectional study on prevalences of psychiatric disorders in mutation carriers of Huntington's disease compared with mutation-negative first-degree relatives.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalences of formal DSM-IV diagnoses in pre-motor- symptomatic and motor-symptomatic mutation carriers at different stages of Huntington's disease compared to a control group of first-degree noncarrier relatives and the general population. METHOD Between May 2004 and August 2006, 154 verified mutation carriers and 56 verified noncarriers were recruited from the outpatient clinics of the Neurology and Clinical Genetics departments of Leiden University Medical Center and from a regional nursing home. To assess the 12-month prevalences of DSM-IV diagnoses, the sections for depression, mania, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and psychosis/schizophrenia of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview were used. Prevalences in the Dutch general population were extracted from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). RESULTS Both presymptomatic and symptomatic mutation carriers portrayed significantly more major depressive disorder (p = .001 and p < .001, respectively) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (p = .003 and p = .01, respectively) than the general population. Symptomatic mutation carriers also showed an increased prevalence (p = .01) of nonaffective psychosis. Psychiatric disorders were more prevalent, although not significantly (p = .06), in mutation carriers compared to first-degree relatives who were noncarriers. Noncarriers did not differ from the general population. CONCLUSION Psychiatric disorders occur frequently in Huntington's disease, often before motor symptoms appear. In addition, first-degree noncarrier relatives do not show more psychiatric disorders compared to the general population, although they grew up in comparable, potentially stressful circumstances. Taking these findings together, psychopathology in Huntington's disease seems predominantly due to cerebral degeneration rather than to shared environmental risk factors.
4E-5 Measurement of Acoustical Parameters of Thin Films

The workhorse of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator design and analysis is the Mason model. This transmission line model takes as input parameters the thickness, (longitudinal) acoustic velocity and (longitudinal) acoustic impedance of the various layers constituting the resonator. Accurate knowledge of these parameters is essential for successful design and analysis of devices. In this paper we present a straightforward method for measuring these longitudinal wave parameters. Finally we will also make brief comments on how to evaluate the shear wave parameters
Selective and differential medium for isolation of Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is a recognized cause of pseudomembranous (antimicrobial agent-associated) colitis and may be one of the causes of antimicrobial agent-induced diarrhea. A selective and differential agar medium that contains cycloserine, cefoxitin, fructose, and egg yolk (CCFA) was developed to facilitate the isolation of C. difficile from fecal specimens. Quantitative cultures of 16 stock strains of C. difficile on this medium (and on a medium containing cycloserine, fructose, and egg yolk) yielded counts equivalent to those obtained on blood agar; other media selective for clostridia, including Clostrisel agar, reinforced clostridial agar plus 0.2% para-cresol, and egg yolk-neomycin agar (the latter was inoculated with cultures subjected to prior heat shocking), were also tested and found to be inhibitory to the growth of C. difficile. Of 28 fecal or colostomy effluent specimens cultured on the above media, 14 yielded C. difficile. CCFA was found to be the most sensitive and selective of these media for the recovery of C. difficile. Colonies of C. difficile growing on CCFA had distinctive morphological and fluorescent properties which were sufficient for presumptive identification. CCFA should provide a rapid method for the screening of fecal specimens from patients with antimicrobial agent-associated diarrhea or colitis for C. difficile.
Histone Demethylase LSD1 Regulates Adipogenesis*

Epigenetic mechanisms, in particular the enzymatic modification of histones, are a crucial element of cell differentiation, a regulated process that allows a precursor cell basically to turn into a different cell type while maintaining the same genetic equipment. We have previously described that the promoters of adipogenic genes display significant levels of dimethylation at the Lys4 of histone H3 (H3K4) in preadipocytes, where these genes are still silenced, thus maintaining the chromatin of the precursor cell in a receptive state. Here, we show that the expression of several histone demethylases and methyltransferases increases during adipogenesis, suggesting an important role for these proteins in this process. Knockdown of the H3K4/K9 demethylase LSD1 results in markedly decreased differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. This outcome is associated with decreased H3K4 dimethylation and increased H3K9 dimethylation at the promoter of transcription factor cebpa, whose expression must be induced >200-fold upon stimulation of differentiation. Thus, our data suggest that LSD1 acts to maintain a permissive state of the chromatin in this promoter by opposing the action of a H3K9 methyltransferase. Knockdown of H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 produced the opposite results, by decreasing H3K9 dimethylation and increasing H3K4 dimethylation levels at the cebpa promoter and favoring differentiation. These findings indicate that the histone methylation status of adipogenic genes as well as the expression and function of the proteins involved in its maintenance play a crucial role in adipogenesis.
DNA Topoisomerase 1α Promotes Transcriptional Silencing of Transposable Elements through DNA Methylation and Histone Lysine 9 Dimethylation in Arabidopsis

RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) and histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) are related transcriptional silencing mechanisms that target transposable elements (TEs) and repeats to maintain genome stability in plants. RdDM is mediated by small and long noncoding RNAs produced by the plant-specific RNA polymerases Pol IV and Pol V, respectively. Through a chemical genetics screen with a luciferase-based DNA methylation reporter, LUCL, we found that camptothecin, a compound with anti-cancer properties that targets DNA topoisomerase 1α (TOP1α) was able to de-repress LUCL by reducing its DNA methylation and H3K9me2 levels. Further studies with Arabidopsis top1α mutants showed that TOP1α silences endogenous RdDM loci by facilitating the production of Pol V-dependent long non-coding RNAs, AGONAUTE4 recruitment and H3K9me2 deposition at TEs and repeats. This study assigned a new role in epigenetic silencing to an enzyme that affects DNA topology.
microRNA-374a suppresses colon cancer progression by directly reducing CCND1 to inactivate the PI3K/AKT pathway

microRNA-374a (miR-374a) exhibits oncogenic functions in various tumor types. Here we report that miR-374a suppresses proliferation, invasion, migration and intrahepatic metastasis in colon adenocarcinoma cell lines HCT116 and SW620. Notably, we detected that PI3K/AKT signaling and its downstream cell cycle factors including c-Myc, cyclin D1 (CCND1), CDK4 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes including ZEB1, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Slug, and Snail were all significantly downregulated after miR-374a overexpression. Conversely, cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27 were upregulated. Expression of E-cadherin was only decreased in HCT116, without any obvious differences observed in SW620 cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-374a could directly reduce CCND1. Interestingly, when CCND1 was silenced or overexpressed, levels of pPI3K, pAkt as well as cell cycle and EMT genes were respectively downregulated or upregulated. We examined miR-374a levels by in situ hybridization and its correlation with CCND1 expression in CRC tumor tissues. High miR-374a expression with low level of CCND1 was protective factor in CRC. Together these findings indicate that miR-374a inactivates the PI3K/AKT axis by inhibiting CCND1, suppressing of colon cancer progression.
Dosakaya Juice Assuages Development of Sucrose Induced Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Imbalance in Antioxidant Defense

Objective: The objective was to explore the effect of Dosakaya (DK) (Cucumis melo var. chito) juice on sucrose induced dysglycemia and disturbances in antioxidant defense in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were preconditioned with DK juice before administration of sucrose beverage continuously for 1-month. Blood glucose tolerance test and glutathione (GSH) homeostasis pathways in kidney were analyzed in different group of animals at the end of the study. Results: DK juice diffused (P < 0.001) hypertriglyceridemia inducing effect of sucrose and arrested sucrose induced weight gain. It improved glucose tolerance ability by significantly reducing (P < 0.05) first-hour glycemic excursion and decreasing 2 h glycemic load (P < 0.05) following oral glucose tolerance test in sucrose fed animals. Furthermore, disturbances in antioxidant defense mechanisms in terms of GSH homeostasis in kidney were restored due to juice feeding. DK juice administration checked reduction in GSH-S-transferase and glyoxalase-I activity, thus, significantly mitigated lipid peroxidation (P < 0.05), and formation of advanced glycation end-products (P < 0.001) in kidney and serum (P < 0.01). Quantitative analysis of juice found it a rich source of protein and polyphenols. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis revealed the presence of multiple protein bands in whole fruit juice. Therefore, SDS-PAGE protein fingerprint of DK juice may serve as a quality control tool for standardization of juice. Conclusion: The whole fruit juice of DK may become cost-effective, affordable health beverage in extenuating ill-health effects of sugar consumption. This is the first report identifying DK juice in preventing development dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress induced due to chronic sucrose feeding in rats. SUMMARY Chronic sucrose consumption induced development of dysglycemia and also impaired antioxidant defense mechanism in rats. The oral administration of Dosakaya juice prior to sucrose feeding however, mitigated the development of dysglycemia and impairment in antioxidant defense in rats.
Georgia's Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Program: Literature Review, Pilot Study, Evaluation Proposal, and Recommendations for Future Research

Abstract Georgia's Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Program (SCTWP) became law in 1976. This program allows senior citizens age 62 and older to attend University System of Georgia (USG) institutions tuition free. With the ultimate aim of improving the current program, the purpose of the proposed evaluation of the SCTWP is to determine the ongoing implementation of the program including the status of the promotion of the program, the assistance being provided to seniors aimed at facilitating entry into the program, and the level of satisfaction of program participants. Preliminary research indicates that information about the program may be difficult to obtain or misleading, that the program is not actively promoted, that there is a relatively low rate of participation and graduation, and that USG institutions differ in the way they administer the program. Suggestions are provided for conducting a more thorough investigation of the SCTWP's current implementation and efficacy: e.g., by acquiring data through individual interviews, surveys, and/or focus group sessions with current and former program participants and admissions officers; by reviewing the SCTWP content of all USG Web sites and catalogues; and, by determining the awareness by Georgia's senior citizens of the availability of the SCTWP.
Determining the Time to Maximal Bronchodilator Response in Asthmatic Children

Background. The interval between bronchodilator administration and post-bronchodilator lung function testing is critical for accurate interpretation of the bronchodilator response. The time course of this response in children is not well documented. We aimed to document the time taken to achieve maximal lung function following salbutamol inhalation. Methods. Eighteen asthmatic children between 7 and 18 years of age with a history of bronchodilator responsiveness were recruited. Spirometry was performed before and at 0, 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes after salbutamol inhalation 600 μ g (Ventolin; GlaxoSmithKline) via a spacer (Volumatic; GlaxoSmithKline). Results. Spirometric indices significantly increased after salbutamol inhalation (p < 0.001). The group median time to maximal response in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 17.5 (10–60: 10th–90th centiles) minutes after salbutamol. The magnitude of group response in FEV1 was significantly higher at 15 and 20 minutes than at 0 and 10 minutes post-salbutamol inhalation (repeat measures analysis of variance [ANOVA] on ranks; p < 0.05). Conclusion. We conclude that a minimal interval of 20 minutes, before re-testing spirometry, is required to document the maximal response to bronchodilators in the majority of asthmatic children.