Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Upward Mobility: A Phenomenological Study Of The Hispanic Student Experience In Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment continues to experience rapid growth throughout the United States and is viewed as one of the best ways to prepare students for college. Hispanics represent the largest and fastest growing minority ethnic population in the nation, but they are underrepresented in most dual enrollment programs. Although previous research has demonstrated that dual enrollment programs produce positive outcomes concerning academic achievement and college completion, few studies have captured the experiences of Hispanic students in dual enrollment. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to investigate how Hispanic students in an Arizona community college perceive how their experiences in dual enrollment in high school prepared them for college. Two research questions guided this study: (1) How do Hispanic community college students understand and describe their experience with dual enrollment classes? (2) How do Hispanic community college students perceive and relate the role of dual enrollment in their academic success? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who took dual credit courses at six different high schools. Data analysis followed Moustakas’ (1994) three-step process: Epoche, Transcendental-Phenomenological Reduction, and Imaginative Variation. Six themes emerged from this study: (1) significance of education to the Hispanic family and community; (2) encouragement and support; (3) high school dual enrollment as a positive transition to college; (4) social integration; (5) skills acquired from dual enrollment participation; and (6) obstacles to participation in dual enrollment iv in high school. Results revealed that participation in the dual enrollment program in high school exposed students to the academic rigor of college and helped them understand norms and acquire skills and behaviors to integrate into college and persist successfully. Findings also showed that Hispanic students face obstacles to dual enrollment participation. Policymakers and educators can encourage dual enrollment participation by implementing policies and procedures that minimize barriers to enrollment.
Platelet counting with the BD AccuriTM C6 flow cytometer

Abstract The Accuri™ C6 is a compact flow cytometer that uses a peristaltic pump with a laminar flow fluidic system and can measure absolute cell counts. In this study we have evaluated this method with the International Reference Method (IRM) simultaneously measured on both the Accuri™ C6 and a reference flow cytometer. After optimisation of sample labelling conditions, final dilutions and flow cytometer settings, a comparison of the absolute fluorescent platelet count with the RBC/platelet ratio on the C6 and the IRM was then performed in 144 patient samples with a full range of platelet counts (range 2–650 × 109/l). The platelet/RBC ratio method determined on the Accuri™ agreed well with the IRM (R2 = 0.99, bias = 2.3 (Bland Altman) and R2 = 0.96, bias = 1.02 at counts <50 × 109/l). The absolute platelet count also agreed well with the IRM (R2 = 0.97, bias = −0.16 and R2 = 0.91, bias = 3.7 at <50 × 109/l). The C6 absolute platelet count and RBC/platelet ratio methods also agreed well (R2 = 0.99, bias = −2.5 and R2 = 0.95, bias = 2.71 at counts <50 × 109/l). Reproducibility studies on the C6 gave CVs of <5% for the RB/platelet ratio and <12% for the absolute cell counts. The C6 also demonstrated excellent linearity on diluted samples with both volume and ratio methods (R2 = 0.99). As one might expect, the absolute platelet count is therefore slightly more inaccurate than the RBC/platelet ratio particularly at platelet counts <50 × 109/l as it is likely to be more sensitive to pipetting error. The Accuri™ C6 provides a simple, rapid and reliable method for measuring platelet counts by either the RBC/platelet or direct volume methods. The direct volume method can also be used to determine platelet counts within purified platelet preparations or concentrates in the absence of RBC.
Reduced height in swedish men with asthma at the age of conscription for military service.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of asthma on growth in Swedish children during a period when inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have been first-line therapy for persistent asthma. STUDY DESIGN We analyzed the height of conscripts with and without asthma in the year they turned 18 years old, using Swedish military conscription records from 1983, 1986, 1993, and 1996, and assessed exposure to ICS using prescription records over the same period. RESULT The mean height for conscripts without asthma was 179.3 cm (SD = 6.6 cm, n = 164,503) and for conscripts with asthma 178.6 cm (SD = 6.6 cm, n = 8,531, P <.001). The severity of asthma had a negative correlation with height in all study populations (P <.001 in each year tested). Since 1985, increasing numbers of children with asthma have been treated with ICS in Sweden. Sales of ICS for males from birth to age 19 years increased from 68,000 daily doses in 1983 to more than 3, 000,000 in 1995-1996. During this period, there was no statistically significant change in the height difference between conscripts with and without asthma. CONCLUSION The introduction of inhaled steroids in Sweden, where budesonide is the predominant medication, has not changed the mean difference in heights between Swedish conscripts with and without asthma.
Executives’ Assessments of Evolutionary and Leapfrog Modes: An Ambidexterity Explanation Logic

Under the background of resource dependence, it is of great significance to study the emerging market multinationals’ (EMNEs) entry mode into international market. How do complementary assets and expansion opportunities in a host country market influence the EMNEs executive’s entry mode choice? We adopt policy capture method to designed questionnaire and administered to high-level EMNEs executives in China. The results show that the availability of complementary assets in the host country market have a positive influence on EMNEs executives’ evolutionary and leapfrog entry modes choice, and EMNEs executives’ preferences for leapfrog mode over evolutionary mode is positively related to the host country’s complementary assets. The expansion opportunities in the host country market have a positive influence on EMNEs executives’ evolutionary and leapfrog entry modes choice. This shows that expansion opportunities in the host country market have a similar degree of attraction for executives’ evolutionary and leapfrog modes. Unlike most current studies, which advocate that leapfrog is mainly used to obtain international assets, while evolutionary approach is more suitable for seeking international opportunities. This paper shows that the opportunity factors play the same important role as assets factors in promoting EMNEs executives’ springboard behavior. It also reveals the ambidexterity logic in EMNEs executives’ decision-making process.
Acid Production by Oral Strains of Candida albicans and Lactobacilli

Both Candida albicans and lactobacilli are common colonizers of carious lesions in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to compare the velocity of acid production between C. albicans and several Lactobacillus species at different pH levels and concentrations of glucose. Washed, pure resting-cell suspensions were obtained by culturing a total of 28 oral isolates comprising the species C. albicans, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus paracasei paracasei, Lactobacillus paracasei tolerans and Lactobacillus delbrueckii lactis. Acid production from glucose was determined at a constant pH of 7.0, 5.5, 5.0 and 4.0 by repeated titrations with NaOH in an automated pH-stat system. Acid formation rates of yeast and lactobacilli proved to be similar at both neutral and low pH, while in a moderately acidic environment C. albicans produced less acid than the lactobacilli. Ion chromatographic analysis of the cell-free medium after titration revealed pyruvate to be the predominant organic acid anion secreted by C. albicans. The proportion of organic acids to overall acid production by the yeast was below 10% at neutral conditions, in contrast to 42–66% at pH 4.0. Compared to lactobacilli, yeast required a concentration of glucose that was about 50 times higher to allow acid production at half the maximum speed. Considering the clinical data in the literature about the frequency and proportions of microorganisms present in early childhood caries lesions, the contribution of oral lactobacilli as well as C. albicans to overall microbial acid formation appears to be important.
Intravascular ultrasound predictors of major adverse cardiac events in patients with unstable angina

Background: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) predictors of native culprit lesion morphology for occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) have not been reported. Moreover, the published data on IVUS predictors of restenosis include patients with stable and unstable angina, although the development and progression of atherosclerosis related to unstable coronary syndrome is different from that of stable angina.
Smart urbanism and smart citizenship: The neoliberal logic of ‘citizen-focused’ smart cities in Europe

This paper examines the neoliberal ideals that underpin participation and citizenship in the smart city and their replication mechanisms at the European level, particularly focusing on the work of the European Innovation Partnership for Smart Cities and Communities. The research consisted of three levels of data generation and analysis: a discourse analysis of policy documents and project descriptions of the 61 Commitments in the European Innovation Partnership for Smart Cities and Communities ‘citizen-focus’ cluster; interviews with a dozen stakeholders working on citizen engagement in a small sample of European Innovation Partnership for Smart Cities and Communities flagship projects; and twenty interviews with city officers and corporate exhibitors at the 2017 Smart City Expo and World Congress. We contend that smart cities as currently conceived enact a blueprint of neoliberal urbanism and promote a form of neoliberal citizenship. Supra-national institutions like the European Innovation Partnership for Smart Cities and Communities act at a multi-scalar level, connecting diverse forms of neoliberal urbanism whilst promoting policy agendas and projects that perform neoliberal citizenship in the spaces of the everyday. Despite attempts to recast the smart city as ‘citizen-focused’, smart urbanism remains rooted in pragmatic, instrumental and paternalistic discourses and practices rather than those of social rights, political citizenship, and the common good. In our view, if smart cities are to become truly ‘citizen-focused’, an alternative conception of smart citizenship needs to be deployed, one that enables an effective shift of power and is rooted in the right to the city, entitlements, community, participation, commons, and ideals beyond the market.
Government Debt and Economic Growth. A Threshold Analysis for Greece

Abstract This study addresses the issue of threshold effects between general government debt and economic growth in Greece over the period 1970–2016. Using threshold models, there is evidence in favour of a negative association between general government debt and economic growth. The results indicate that the magnitude of this negative relationship between debt and growth depends on debt regimes. Also, the results seem to suggest that public debt might be associated with lower growth at low and moderate public debt levels. Specifically, at debt levels lower than 23.5 percent of GDP, increases in the general government debt-to-GDP ratio are associated with higher negative effect on economic growth, than at very high debt levels of 109.4 percent of GDP. The overall results could explain why general government debt was a significant drag on economic growth of Greece and that the crisis is far from over as thresholds are still binding.
Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods

Abstract The ability to identify the precise time of ovulation is important for women who want to plan conception or practice contraception. Here, we review the current literature on various methods for detecting ovulation including a review of point‐of‐care device technology. We incorporate an examination of methods to detect ovulation that have been developed and practiced for decades and analyze the indications and limitations of each—transvaginal ultrasonography, urinary luteinizing hormone detection, serum progesterone and urinary pregnanediol 3‐glucuronide detection, urinary follicular stimulating hormone detection, basal body temperature monitoring, and cervical mucus and salivary ferning analysis. Some point‐of‐care ovulation detection devices have been developed and commercialized based on these methods, however previous research was limited by small sample size and an inconsistent standard reference to true ovulation.
An in-depth review of chemical angiogenesis inhibitors for treating hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent and severe complication of cirrhosis. Most HCC patients initially present with or progress to advanced stage disease and require systemic treatment. As hypervascularization is a major characteristic of HCC, antiangiogenic drugs have been tested. Areas covered: In this review, we summarize data on the use of drugs targeting the angiogenesis. Despite many trials, in 2017 only 3 drugs, all antiangiogenic, have demonstrated efficacy in first (sorafenib, lenvatinib) or second line (regorafenib) treatment of advanced HCC. The heterogeneous mechanisms of action and the major reasons for failure of most trials are discussed. An English-language, abstract-based literature review was performed by a PubMed-based strategy. Expert opinion: Currently all trials based on purely antiangiogenic compounds (bevacizumab, linifanib, brivanib and ramucirumab) or drugs with strong antiangiogenic properties (sunitinib) have failed (increased toxicity, minor efficacy and/or flaws in trial design); sorafenib, lenvatinib and regorafenib are multityrosine kinase inhibitors and their efficacy can be partly related to another mechanism of action. We need to better refine future trials design (randomized phase 2, good stratification factors and marker-enriched patient selection) in order to progress toward customized treatment, perhaps in association with immunotherapy.
A CT-based software tool for evaluating compensator quality in passively scattered proton therapy

We have developed a quantitative computed tomography (CT)-based quality assurance (QA) tool for evaluating the accuracy of manufactured compensators used in passively scattered proton therapy. The thickness of a manufactured compensator was measured from its CT images and compared with the planned thickness defined by the treatment planning system. The difference between the measured and planned thicknesses was calculated with use of the Euclidean distance transformation and the kd-tree search method. Compensator accuracy was evaluated by examining several parameters including mean distance, maximum distance, global thickness error and central axis shifts. Two rectangular phantoms were used to validate the performance of the QA tool. Nine patients and 20 compensators were included in this study. We found that mean distances, global thickness errors and central axis shifts were all within 1 mm for all compensators studied, with maximum distances ranging from 1.1 to 3.8 mm. Although all compensators passed manual verification at selected points, about 5% of the pixels still had maximum distances of >2 mm, most of which correlated with large depth gradients. The correlation between the mean depth gradient of the compensator and the percentage of pixels with mean distance <1 mm is −0.93 with p < 0.001, which suggests that the mean depth gradient is a good indicator of compensator complexity. These results demonstrate that the CT-based compensator QA tool can be used to quantitatively evaluate manufactured compensators.
A Novel Polypyrimidine Tract-binding Protein Paralog Expressed in Smooth Muscle Cells*

Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) is an abundant widespread RNA-binding protein with roles in regulation of pre-mRNA alternative splicing and 3′-end processing, internal ribosomal entry site-driven translation, and mRNA localization. Tissue-restricted paralogs of PTB have previously been reported in neuronal and hematopoietic cells. These proteins are thought to replace many general functions of PTB, but to have some distinct activities, e.g. in the tissue-specific regulation of some alternative splicing events. We report the identification and characterization of a fourth rodent PTB paralog (smPTB) that is expressed at high levels in a number of smooth muscle tissues. Recombinant smPTB localized to the nucleus, bound to RNA, and was able to regulate alternative splicing. We suggest that replacement of PTB by smPTB might be important in controlling some pre-mRNA alternative splicing events.
Implications for Sexual Assault Prevention: College Students as Prosocial Bystanders

Abstract Prosocial bystander interventions are promising approaches to sexual assault prevention on college campuses. Objective: To assess bystander attitudes among undergraduate students at a northeastern university. Participants: A convenience sample of 188 students from 4 undergraduate classes was surveyed during regularly scheduled class sessions. Methods: Participants completed a short survey on bystander efficacy, readiness to change, and barriers to intervention prior to the start of class. Results: The majority of students were not involved in activities or programs focused on sexual assault prevention. Although students agreed that violence could be prevented, they perceived many barriers to their own participation in intervention. Conclusions: There is a need for gender-targeted prevention programming that introduces the idea of prosocial bystander intervention, with a focus on increasing self-efficacy and lowering barriers.
Advanced Fault Ride-Through Management Scheme for VSC-HVDC Connecting Offshore Wind Farms

This paper proposes a novel configuration and transient management scheme for Voltage Source Converter-High Voltage Direct Current (VSC-HVDC) connecting Large Scale Wind Farm (LSWF). The proposed configuration aims to fully utilize the HVDC converters with shunt and series reconfiguration during steady state and fault conditions respectively. Thus, it targets the employment of the available converters controls capabilities to enhance the Fault Ride-Through (FRT) performance of the VSC-HVDC and achieve smooth power evacuation to the electric grid. The control strategy is built in such a way to guarantee three factors: 1) enhancing the voltage profile of the electrical grid during symmetrical and asymmetrical grid faults, 2) providing smooth power evacuation from the LSWF, and 3) mitigating the DC link oscillations caused by unbalanced faults. Hence, the proposed scheme demonstrates superior performance of the VSC-HVDC system during steady state and transient conditions. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out to demonstrate the gorgeous performance of the proposed VSC-HVDC configuration using PSCAD/EMTDC. In addition to that, a lab-scaled experimental set up is constructed to validate the functioning of the proposed VSC-HVDC configuration.
Accelerated increase of arteriovenous fistula use in haemodialysis centres: results of the multicentre CIMINO initiative.

BACKGROUND In the Netherlands, arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are used in 60-65% of the haemodialysis patients and this compares poorly with the European average. A multicentre guidelines implementation programme, CIMINO, was initiated aiming at increasing the use of AVFs. METHODS Physicians and dialysis staff in 11 participating centres (N=1092 vascular accesses) were strongly and repeatedly advised to adhere to current guidelines with extra attention for pre-operative duplex examination and salvaging of failing and failed fistulae. Specially appointed access nurses prospectively registered all created vascular accesses using an internet-linked database. In 22 other centres (N=1566 accesses), the CIMINO programme was not offered and they were considered the control group. RESULTS On 1 January 2006, average follow-up time of the CIMINO group and the control group were 13.3 months and 34.1 months, respectively. A total of 598 new vascular accesses (77% AVFs) were created in the CIMINO group. Prevalent AVF use increased from 58.5% (range: 31-79%) to 62.7% (range: 45-83%) in the CIMINO group and from 65.5% (range: 31-91%) to 67.3% (range: 42-91%) in the control group. The increase in AVF use per year was significantly quicker than in the control group (P<0.05). Use of untunnelled catheters decreased whereas that of tunnelled catheters increased. CONCLUSIONS This initiative shows that a multicentre guidelines implementation programme results in an accelerated increase of AVF use in comparison with a time control group. These data suggest that the choice of access placement depends predominantly on centre-specific factors.
Glass micromachining with sputtered silicon as a masking layer

In this work we present the not so commonly use of RF sputtered silicon as a masking layer for glass wet etching. The main advantages of this technique are low deposition temperature of silicon layer compared to PECVD and LPCVD processes, simplicity to use and low cost. Si layers were sputtered on 2.5×2.5cm2 Pyrex 7740 substrates. The measured thickness of deposited silicon layer was 2. 2μm. Silicon layer was patterned using lift-off technique. Etching was done in undilluted HF (49%) with estimated etch rate of ~8μm/min. Good quality of the glass surface without pinholes and notch defects on the glass etched edges suggests that using sp-Si layer as a masking material for glass etching is feasible.
Mode of delivery and birth outcomes of macrosomic infants

This review examines and summarises the literature regarding the mode of delivery of macrosomic infants and subsequent perinatal outcomes. A search of electronic databases was conducted and supplemented with investigation of the references cited in the original articles. Although the rates of obstetric complications differ among high birth weight infants delivered by caesarean section compared to those delivered vaginally, there is currently little evidence that perinatal mortality differs significantly by delivery method. Shoulder dystocia and birth injury occur with greater frequency among macrosomic infants, yet the relative inaccuracy of clinical and ultrasonographic estimates of birth weight among high birth weight infants indicates that a trial of labour may be warranted among non-diabetic mothers with a suspected macrosomic fetus. The majority of studies identified in this review utilised small sample sizes and observational design, thereby hindering valid assessments of the impact of delivery method on the mortality of this population. Consequently, an optimal management strategy has yet to be defined.