Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long term adherence to dietary recommendations after inpatient rehabilitation: prospective follow up study of patients with coronary heart disease

Objective: To evaluate the adherence to nutritional recommendations in inpatient rehabilitation and the long term maintenance of dietary changes among patients with coronary heart disease. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Two rehabilitation clinics in Germany. Participants: A cohort of 1206 patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation after an acute manifestation of coronary heart disease. Main outcome measures: Self reported dietary intake before, during, and one and three years after rehabilitation measured with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and summarised to a nutritional index, which was used to categorise patients as having a poor, fair, or good diet. Results: During rehabilitation the proportion of patients whose dietary intake was categorised as good increased strongly from 30% to 91%. One and three years after rehabilitation a still increased proportion of 49% and 42%, respectively, in the good category was observed. The strong increase in intake of low fat and wholemeal products that was achieved during rehabilitation was followed after rehabilitation discharge by a backslide to the intake observed before rehabilitation admission. The avoidance of unfavourable food items, such as French fries or eggs, was at least partly maintained during the follow up period. Conclusion: During inpatient rehabilitation most patients do have to make major changes in their dietary intake to comply with recommendations. Although some proportion of patients continue to adhere to dietary recommendations in the long run, further research into strategies to improve maintenance of dietary changes is needed to enhance further the long term benefits from cardiac rehabilitation.
Integrating Positivist and Interpretive Approaches to Organizational Research

The interpretive approach to organizational research has been gaining increasing attention as a legitimate alternative to the more traditional positivist approach. The organizational literature has already provided thorough descriptions of each approach, and clarified the differences between them. Indeed, it often appears that the two approaches are opposed, with the differences irreconcilable.This paper will go beyond the differences and establish an integrated framework for the two approaches. An actual, published organizational study will be used as an exemplar for the integrated framework (Nardulli 1978, 1979).
Data dissemination to mobile sinks in wireless sensor networks: an information theoretic approach

Uncertainty is an inherent characteristic of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) due to uncertainty in wireless communication links, limited resources (e.g., energy, storage, CPU, bandwidth), mobility and topology, to name a few. Thus, resource-efficient data dissemination between source sensors and a sink becomes a challenging task, particularly if the sink is moving in a wireless sensor field. This paper proposes an energy-aware protocol, called weighted entropy data dissemination (WEDAS) for disseminating data to the mobile sink in WSNs using an information theoretic approach. The proposed protocol attempts to quantify the uncertainty of position of a mobile sink and the remaining energy uncertainty of static sensors in order to select the most appropriate ones that will act as data disseminators between static sources and the mobile sink. The WEDAS protocol favors sensor nodes whose weighted entropy with respect to their location and remaining energy is the minimum to participate in building dissemination paths between sources and the mobile sink. Specifically, we introduce the concepts of relative mobility zone of a sink, which includes its most probable future positions, and coordinator node set, which restricts the search space of candidate data disseminators, to conduct the selection process. The analytic results show that the selection of sensors with minimum weighted entropy as data disseminators depends on not only their remaining energy but also their relative positions with respect to the mobile sink, which meets our goals of extending the lifetime of WSNs by minimizing and balancing energy utilization of sensor nodes
Association of Selected Medical Conditions With Breast Cancer Risk in Korea

Objectives To estimate the effect of medical conditions in the population of Korea on breast cancer risk in a case-control study. Methods The cases were 3242 women with incident, histologically confirmed breast cancer in two major hospitals interviewed between 2001 and 2007. The controls were 1818 women each admitted to either of those two hospitals for a variety of non-neoplastic conditions. Information on each disease was obtained from a standardized questionnaire by trained personnel. Odds ratios (ORs) for each disease were derived from multiple logistic regression adjusted for age, age of menarche, pregnancy, age of first pregnancy, and family history of breast cancer. Results Among all of the incident breast cancer patients, pre-existing diabetes (OR, 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99 to 1.78), hypertension (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.83), thyroid diseases (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.58), and ovarian diseases (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.35) were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer when other factors were adjusted for. In a stratified analysis by menopausal status, pre-existing hypertension (pre-menopause OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.48 to 1.34 vs. post-menopause OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.44 to 2.43; p-heterogeneity <0.01) and ovarian disease (pre-menopause OR, 4.20; 95% CI, 1.91 to 9.24 vs. post-menopause OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.91; p-heterogeneity 0.01) showed significantly different risks of breast cancer. Conclusions Our results suggest the possibility that medical conditions such as hypertension affect breast cancer development, and that this can differ by menopausal status. Our study also indicates a possible correlation between ovarian diseases and breast cancer risk.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease): proposed mechanisms and pathways to treatment

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterised by loss of motor neurons. The cause of disease is unknown other than in the rare cases of familial disease arising from mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 gene. Many theories for pathogenesis have been proposed – including oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal protein aggregation – based on studies of human post mortem tissue, research on animal models, and in vitro work. Here we review the evidence for the main pathogenic mechanisms and outline how they might interact to cause motor neuron death. Clinical trials have as yet failed to identify any truly effective therapies in ALS, with only riluzole providing a modest improvement in survival. Ongoing trials are exploring the value of antiglutamatergic agents, including the cephalosporin antibiotic ceftriaxone, as well as antioxidants, mitochondrial enhancers and anti-apoptotic drugs. It is likely that effective therapy will involve combinations of agents acting on different mechanisms. Gene therapy with neurotrophic factors will soon be in clinical trials, while work on stem cell therapy remains preclinical. In addition to finding effective therapies, research also needs to identify early disease markers because therapy is likely to be of most benefit when given early in the course of disease.
School Reform at the Crossroads: Confronting the Central Issues of Teaching

Despite many serious efforts at school reform, the nation is little closer to attaining its educational goals than it was a decade ago. Policy makers are just beginning to realize that most schools and teachers cannot provide the kind of teaching for all students that new standards demand, not because they do not want to but because they do not know how, and the systems in which they work do not support them in doing so. The policy challenge ahead is to develop schools' capacity to teach challenging content to diverse learners by ensuring teachers access to the knowledge they need to be effective and by developing new organizational forms that can support more powerful teaching and learning.
On the remembrance of things past': a longitudinal evaluation of the retrospective method

This study examines the extent of agreement between retrospective and prospective measures of variables in 7 different content domains: Residence changes, anthropometrics, injuries, reading ability, family characteristics, behavior problems, and delinquency. The authors evaluated retrospective reports using data from a large sample of 18-year-old youth who have been studied prospectively since their births
Focus on psychometrics psychometric examination of instruments using aggregated data

The techniques used to examine the psychometric properties of instruments that measure concepts where individual responses are aggregated to form an index describing a group level phenomenon are reviewed. This examination includes assessing the content validity of items to determine how well they measure group level concepts as well as analyzing reliability and validity at the aggregated rather than individual level. Additional techniques to test for within and between group variability are presented. The latter approaches are useful in determining the consistency and adequacy of individual responses at the group level.
Beta Band Corticomuscular Drive Reflects Muscle Coordination Strategies

During force production, hand muscle activity is known to be coherent with activity in primary motor cortex, specifically in the beta-band (15–30 Hz) frequency range. It is not clear, however, if this coherence reflects the control strategy selected by the nervous system for a given task, or if it instead reflects an intrinsic property of cortico-spinal communication. Here, we measured corticomuscular and intermuscular coherence between muscles of index finger and thumb while a two-finger pinch grip of identical net force was applied to objects which were either stable (allowing synergistic activation of finger muscles) or unstable (requiring individuated finger control). We found that beta-band corticomuscular coherence with the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscles, as well as their beta-band coherence with each other, was significantly reduced when individuated control of the thumb and index finger was required. We interpret these findings to show that beta-band coherence is reflective of a synergistic control strategy in which the cortex binds task-related motor neurons into functional units.
An approach to the determination of differences between good and bad sleepers by means of an automatic sleep stage scoring

This paper presents a sleep stage scoring method based on a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) with the goal of obtaining differences between good and bad sleepers according to the Self Rating Questionnaire for Sleep and Awakening Quality (SSA). For the design of the model, we study several parameterization techniques, the model topology and the training strategy for optimum performance. The system uses only one electroencephalographic channel (EEG), which represents an improvement over manual and automatic classifiers that use several channels. We adopt in our study the sleep stages W, S1/REM, S2 and S3/S4 according to the R&K standard. The experiments show that our system performs well compared with the inter scorer agreement. The experiments are performed over 24 recordings from SIESTA database.
Reforms, Leadership and Quality Management in Greek Higher Education

This article reports on research to form an understanding of how to account whether and how quality management (QM) has been adopted in Greek higher education. Greece only recently introduced quality assurance policies. In this study, I will describe governmental reforms related to QM policies until 2010. An issue that is frequently addressed concerns the role of leadership for the implementation and facilitation of QM. Therefore, the study will also discuss how leaders (rectors and vice-rectors) in Greek universities perceived external environmental pressures and to what extent they adopted (or not) QM. Neo-institutional theory has become a dominant approach for explaining how organizations adapt to institutionalized pressures for change of their business theory from their environments and has been applied to different organizational phenomena; therefore, in order to explain why Greek higher education institutions adopt QM I used the neoinstitutional theory.
Entrenamiento mental en karatecas: Efecto del tiempo de imaginación de una kata sobre el nivel de ejecución

El objetivo de esta investigacion fue determinar el efecto de la duracion de una practica mental,combinada con practica fisica, sobre el nivel de ejecucion de una kata. Participaron 15 varones, quienes eranavanzados; su edad promedio era de 21 anos. Se realizaron dos sesiones, en las cuales los sujetosobservaron a un modelo quien hizo una vez la kata (conjunto de movimientos -ataques y defensas-), einmediatamente despues ellos la ejecutaron una vez tambien. Al concluir estas sesiones, se llevo a cabo elpretest de la ejecucion de la kata y se distribuyo a la poblacion aleatoriamente en tres grupos. En cadasesion los tres grupos observaban al modelo que ejecutaba la kata (una vez), luego un grupo hacia unapractica mental de 8 minutos, en donde realizaban una repeticion mental de la kata (GEM8M); en ese mismomomento otro grupo (GEM12M) hacia lo mismo; pero en 12 minutos, el grupo control (NPM) no tuvopractica mental; despues los tres grupos realizaban la practica fisica, que consistia en la ejecucion de lakata (una vez). La duracion del tratamiento fue de 4 semanas, 2 veces por semana. Se llevaron a cabo 3mediciones del nivel de ejecucion de la kata, dichas calificaciones estuvieron a cargo de un juez avaladointernacionalmente. La primera medicion se hizo concluida las sesiones sin practica mental (pretest), lasegunda a la mitad del tratamiento (Test1) y la tercera al finalizar las sesiones de entrenamiento mental(Test2). Los resultados mostraron que no hubo diferencia entre el promedio de ejecucion de la kata de lostres grupos en el pretest. Tampoco existio diferencia entre el GEM8M y el GEM12M en lo referente a lasmediciones test1 y test2; pero si existio diferencia significativa entre estos 2 grupos y el grupo NPM en cadauna de estas mediciones. Ademas se encontro diferencia significativa entre las tres mediciones (pretest, test1, test 2), para los tres grupos, lo que implica que los sujetos fueron progresando a lo largo del tratamiento,no obstante los grupos que tenian entrenamiento mental en su tratamiento mejoraron mas que el grupo que tenia solo practica fisica.
Volunteers and Their Communities: A Comparative Analysis of Volunteer Fire Fighters

This article explores the multijaceted relationship between volunteer fire companies and their communities by examining a broad range of socioeconomic characteristics of volunteer fire fighters and general residents in rural New York State. The two data sets are generated by the author's survey instrument and the U.S. Census of Population and Housing. The personal attributes and their statistical significance are examined empirically, and the implications of this research for particular aspects of the fire fighters' relationship to their fellow citizens arc discussed.
Prostaglandin E2 transactivates the colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor and synergizes with colony‐stimulating factor‐1 in the induction of macrophage migration via the mitogen‐activated protein kinase ERK1/2

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a key mediator of immunity, inflammation, and cancer, acts through 4 G‐protein‐coupled E‐prostanoid receptors (EPs 1‐4). Crosstalk between EPs and receptor tyrosine kinases also occurs. Colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor (CSF‐1R) is an RTK that sustains the survival, proliferation, and motility of monocytes/macrophages, which are an essential component of innate immunity and cancer development. The aim of this study was to investigate on a possible crosstalk between EP and CSF‐1R. In BAC1.2F5 and RAW264.7 murine macrophages, CSF‐1 (EC50 = 18.1 and 10.2 ng/ml, respectively) and PGE2 (EC50 = 1.5 and 5.5 nM, respectively) promoted migration. PGE2 induced rapid CSF‐1R phosphorylation that was dependent on Src family kinases (SFKs). CSF‐1R inhibition reduced PGE2‐elicited ERK1/2 phosphorylation and macrophage migration, indicating that CSF‐1R plays a role in PGE2‐mediated immunoregulation. EP4 appeared responsible for functional PGE2/CSF‐1R crosstalk. Furthermore, PGE2 synergized with CSF‐1 in inducing ERK1/2 phosphorylation and macrophage migration. ERK1/2 inhibition completely blocked migration induced by the combination CSF‐1/PGE2. CSF‐1/PGE2 functional interaction with respect to migration also occurred in bone marrow‐derived murine macrophages (EC50 CSF‐1, 6.7 ng/ml; EC50 PGE2, 16.7 nM). These results indicated that PGE2 transactivates CSF‐1R and synergizes with its signaling at ERK1/2 level in promoting macrophage migration. —Digiacomo, G. , Ziche, M. , Sbarba, P. D. , Donnini, S. , Rovida, E. Prostaglandin E2 transactivates the colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor and synergizes with colony‐stimulating factor‐1 in the induction of macrophage migration via the mitogen‐activated protein kinase ERK1/21. FASEB J. 29, 2545‐2554 (2015). www.fasebj. org
Contribution of the oocyte nucleus and cytoplasm to the determination of meiotic and developmental competence in mice.

BACKGROUND Mammals have two types of full-grown oocytes: those with germinal vesicles (GVs) in which the chromatin is condensed and surrounds the nucleolus (surrounded-nucleolus (SN)-type) and those in which the chromatin is less condensed and does not surround the nucleolus (non-surrounded-nucleolus (NSN)-type). Although SN oocytes possess higher meiotic and developmental competence than NSN oocytes, the factors underlying this difference are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS The GVs of murine SN and NSN oocytes were exchanged by nuclear transfer and the nucleus/cytoplasm of each reconstructed oocyte was classified as follows: SN/SN, NSN/SN, SN/NSN or NSN/NSN. After reconstruction, the meiotic maturation and preimplantation development of the oocytes were analysed. Few mature SN/NSN and NSN/NSN oocytes were observed (20-26%). In contrast, 88% of the NSN/SN oocytes matured; however, they rarely developed to the blastocyst stage after fertilization (4%), whereas most of the SN/SN oocytes matured (84%) and reached the blastocyst stage (83%). When the metaphase II (MII) plates of in vitro-matured NSN/SN oocytes were transferred into enucleated MII oocytes in which the contents of the SN-type GVs were spread into the cytoplasm, they completed full-term development. CONCLUSIONS The differences in meiotic and developmental competence between SN and NSN oocytes are determined by factors in the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively. In addition, material(s) within SN-type GVs, and not the chromatin configuration itself, is essential for full-term development.
Analyzing the Origins of Life-Course-Persistent Offending

Moffitt’s developmental taxonomy has sparked much attention among criminologists interested in explaining the etiology of life-course-persistent (LCP) offending. The taxonomy suggests that genetic factors influence LCP offending, that genetic risk factors will be mediated by neuropsychological deficits, and that genetic factors interact with environmental factors to influence LCP offending. Various behavior genetic methodologies were used to estimate the genetic influence on LCP offending, to determine whether these genetic factors were mediated by the presence of neuropsychological deficits, and to control for genetic factors while simultaneously estimating the impact of numerous environmental influences. The findings suggested that genetic factors influence persistent offending and that these influences are partially mediated by levels of self-control. No parental influences predicted persistent offending after controlling for genetic effects, no Gene × Environment interactions were found, and few environmental influences operated as a nonshared environmental predictor of persistent offending.
Effect of Septorhinoplasty on Olfactory Function: Assessment Using the Brief Smell Identification Test.

Objective Septorhinoplasty (SRP), one of the most commonly performed rhinologic surgery procedures, can affect olfactory function; however, the findings of studies investigating smell following SRP are controversial. We used a culturally adapted modified Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT) to investigate the long- and short-term effects of SRP on olfactory function. Methods We enrolled 59 patients admitted to the Ear-Nose-Throat Clinic, who were complaining of external nasal deformity and nasal obstruction. Functional SRP was performed on all cases. The B-SIT was administered prior to surgery and at 4 and 12 weeks post-surgery. The smell identification score (SIS) reflected the number of correct answers. In addition, we investigated the effects of gender and smoking on olfactory function and whether the SRP procedure changed these associations. Results The mean preoperative, 4-week, and 12-week postoperative SISs were 10.15±1.30, 10.21±1.52, and 10.92±0.95, respectively. The difference between the preoperative and 4-week postoperative SISs was not statistically significant; however, the 12-week postoperative score was significantly different from the preoperative and 4-week postoperative scores. Furthermore, the repeated measures analysis according to gender and smoking habit revealed a significant difference between the 4-and 12-week postoperative SISs. One patient developed postoperative anosmia; however, the patient recovered in the 12-week postoperative period. Conclusion SRP surgery is a safe procedure in terms of olfactory function. In addition, olfactory function may increase following surgery as a result of improved nasal airflow.
Gender Differences in Implicit Theories of Wisdom

Three studies are reported that investigated different aspects of gender differences in implicit theories. In Study 1, participants rated characteristics and possible sources of wisdom concerning their importance for wisdom. Gender differences are small, but suggest a slightly more cognition-oriented view of wisdom in men. Study 2 showed gender differences in participants' reports of an event in which they were wise: men most often reported events from their professional life whereas women reported events from a range of domains including family-related events and events concerning death or illness. Study 3 showed very small differences in the characteristics participants ascribed to a male wise person and a female wise person: aspects of concern for others were rated as slightly more typical for a female wise person. In sum, the findings suggest small or no gender differences in abstract conceptions of wisdom, but larger gender differences when individuals perceive wisdom in real-life contexts.
Digital Games and Escapism

Digital games are often viewed as being inherently escapist on two counts. First, they are the shining proponents of cutting edge virtuality, embodying the alluring unreality of something erroneously conceived of existing on the other side of a screen. A second reason for associating games with escapism relates to a common perception of play and games as opposite of seriousness and work and somehow set apart from the ordinary, everyday life. The paper discusses the nature of escapism and relates it to the above theoretical issues which contribute to a view of digital games as inherently escapist. The paper proposes a renewed view on digital games and escapism that takes into account their distinctive qualities and their role in everyday life.