Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aging Public Services and the Position of Older Women: An Australian Case Study

Contemporary labor markets are characterized by both aging of the workforce and the increase in participation of women. At the intersection of these two policy agendas are older women. Governments and employers recognize the importance of attracting and retaining older workers to address skills shortages, but the aging workforce discourse remains largely gender neutral. This research considers the intersection of age and gender in the context of public services, which are large employers of both women and older workers. It focuses on the agencies in an Australian state public service. The research finds that, despite decades of equal opportunity programs, there is still evidence of subtle inequalities and cumulative disadvantage. While the case study agencies employ a large proportion of older women, these women were generally recruited at younger ages and aged within the workforce. Their advancement and development opportunities were also inferior to those of older men. Despite these lesser opportunities, older women are generally very satisfied with their employment, and the employer should explore these residual inequalities if genuinely seeking to attract and retain all older workers.
Screening for Vascular Disease in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Background: Several of the comorbidities and risk factors associated with COPD and other pulmonary disorders are also similar to those for lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) and cerebrovascular disease. The later condition is often manifested as cognitive impairment, not only from large vessel associated stroke, but also from vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). We hypothesized that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) would be an appropriate site to discern the prevalence of both PAD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Individuals in PR with severe pulmonary disease may have impaired cognition, which could impact learning and treatment adherence while PAD may contribute to functional limitation. Study Design: In this pilot study of 14 patients enrolled in phase II PR, we describe the prevalence
Regenerative Potential of Stem Cells for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Regenerative Potential of Stem Cells for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a childhood, severe, X-chromosome linked neuromuscular disorder, affecting 1:3500 male births. It is characterized by mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to the alteration of the open reading frame and consequently to the loss of dystrophin protein synthesis. The muscular degeneration of muscle fibres causes progressive damage leading to death. Currently, there is no curative treatment for DMD [4], as this disorder can be considered an untreatable fatal disease. Novel therapeutical approaches have been proposed in the last years. Among them, gene replacement theory has gained substantial attention. Targeted exon-skipping through RNA to exclude specific sites of RNA splicing, or with antisense oligonucleotides can induce the restoring of the open reading frame and the production of a functional, even if smaller, dystrophin protein.
Use of Percutaneous Absorption Data in Risk Assessment

Assessment of risks to humans associated with the use of chemicals requires knowledge of the hazard (toxicity) of the chemical and level of human exposure. Hazard assessment is often based on animal bioassays and quantitative exposure estimates of dermal exposure obtained from studies monitoring workers. Because human skin is an effective barrier to many chemicals, it cannot be assumed that the deposited dose is equivalent to the systemic dose. However, an estimate of systemic dose may be derived by multiplying the deposited dose by the percentage of percutaneous uptake. This correction can have major impact on the regulatory decision, because the adjusted dose used in the risk calculation may be reduced significantly, especially at high doses, when the uptake is not linearly proportional to the exposure. It is therefore important that the dermal absorption value be accurate. As outlined in this paper, numerous factors can affect percutaneous absorption. Nevertheless, many regulatory agencies will consider the use of percutaneous absorption data derived from in vivo studies to adjust the dermally deposited dose to that delivered systemically. Numerous issues must be resolved before in vitro dermal penetration studies can be used for risk assessment.
The effects of defamilization and familization measures on the accumulation of retirement income for women in the UK

ABSTRACT This article is concerned with the link between the effects of pro-market pension reforms on women and familization/defamilization measures. It aims to contribute to the study of this link in three ways. Firstly, it identifies defamilization/familization measures that have the potential to reduce negative effects of pro-market pension measures on women. Secondly, based on the examples from the United Kingdom, it shows that the government’s willingness to provide sufficient defamilization/familization measures to assist women to deal with the negative effects of the pro-market pension measures should not be taken for granted. Thirdly, it suggests ways for tackling this problem.
Exposure to cigarette smoke upregulates AP-1 activity and induces TNF-alpha overexpression in mouse lungs

Cigarette smoke-triggered inflammation is important in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and involves overexpression of many proinflammatory genes. Transcription factors regulating expression of inflammatory mediators may play a key role in characterizing the disease. To observe alterations in pulmonary function, observe pathological changes in lung tissues, and detect changes in transcriptional factors, mice were exposed to 30 days of cigarette smoke. Pulmonary function was measured by pressure sensors, and pathological changes were observed in lung tissue sections. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB and AP-1 activities were detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The levels of inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pulmonary function was not markedly decreased after 30 days of smoke exposure. Exposure to this regimen of cigarette smoke induced peribronchial and perivascular lymphocytic aggregates and parenchymal accumulation of macrophages in mice. EMSA demonstrated that smoke exposure enhanced activator protein (AP)-1 DNA binding activation, but only slightly changed NF-κB activation in mouse lung. Compared to the control group, smoke exposure induced a notable increase in TNF-α in BALF. These data demonstrated that subacute smoke-triggered lung inflammation was accompanied by inflammatory cell influx, AP-1 activation, and proinflammatory gene overexpression in mouse lungs.
Increased nasal epithelial ciliary beat frequency associated with lifestyle tobacco smoke exposure

The ciliated epithelium of the respiratory airways is one of the first vital systemic surfaces in contact with the ambient air. Ex vivo nasal epithelial ciliary beat frequency (CBF) at room temperature is on the order of 7–8 Hz but may be stimulated by irritant exposure. The upregulation of CBF in response to acute irritant exposure is generally considered to be a transient event with eventual return to baseline. However, studies of CBF dynamics in response to typical lifestyle exposures are limited. This study assessed nasal epithelial CBF among human subjects as a function of quantifiable lifestyle tobacco smoke exposure. Nasal epithelial biopsies were obtained from human subjects with well documented histories of tobacco smoke exposure. CBF was determined using a digital photometric technique and concurrent assays of nasal nitric oxide and urine cotinine and creatinine were performed. Mean CBF among active smokers and non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was elevated over non-smokers. Although there were dramatic differences in relative levels of tobacco smoke exposure, CBF values among tobacco smoke-exposed groups were comparable. Parallel in vitro studies of cultured nasal epithelium exposed to cigarette smoke condensate further supported these observations. These studies suggest that persistent elevation in nasal epithelial CBF is an early, subtle, physiologic effect associated with lifestyle tobacco smoke exposure. The molecular mechanisms that upregulate CBF may also create a cell molecular milieu capable of provoking the eventual emergence of more overt adverse health effects and the pathogenesis of chronic airway disease.
Inconsistency between prospectively and retrospectively reported febrile seizures

This study compared the incidence of febrile seizures (FS) reported prospectively up to 5 years of age, with the prevalence of FS by parental recall in the same cohort using the same questionnaire at 12 years of age. Both prospective and retrospective data were available for 807 children (389 males, 418 females). The number of children reported to have experienced FS in the prospective study was 57, and in the retrospective study was 45, yielding a cumulative incidence of 7.1 and 5.6% respectively. In the retrospective study there was an under‐reporting of 19 children, over‐reporting of eight children, and one child misreported by age at onset. Overall sensitivity of the retrospective approach was 65% and specificity was 99%. Positive predictive value was 82% and negative predictive value was 97%. Retrospective data underestimate the frequency of FS with high specificity but low sensitivity. Recall data suggest that some children with FS were not reported in the prospective data. These biases should be considered when evaluating the value of FS as a predictor of future health effects.
A combined metal-halide/metal flux synthetic route towards type-I clathrates: crystal structures and thermoelectric properties of A8Al8Si38 (A = K, Rb, and Cs).

Single-phase samples of the compounds K8Al8Si38 (1), Rb8Al8Si38 (2), and Cs7.9Al7. 9Si38.1 (3) were obtained with high crystallinity and in good quantities by using a novel flux method with two different flux materials, such as Al and the respective alkali-metal halide salt (KBr, RbCl, and CsCl). This approach facilitates the removal of the product mixture from the container and also allows convenient extraction of the flux media due to the good solubility of the halide salts in water. The products were analyzed by means of single-crystal X-ray structure determination, powder X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments, (27)Al-MAS NMR spectroscopy measurements, quantum chemical calculations, as well as magnetic and transport measurements (thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, and Seebeck coefficient). Due to the excellent quality of the neutron diffraction data, the difference between the nuclear scattering factors of silicon and aluminum atoms was sufficient to refine their mixed occupancy at specific sites. The role of variable-range hopping for the interpretation of the resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient is discussed.
Standardized Patients in Physiology Curriculum of India for Effective Learning of Basic Science Concepts, Clinical and Communication Skills: A Proposed Change

Clinical teachers often complain that medical students have forgotten the knowledge that has been taught at pre-clinical levels at the time of entering the clinical part of education.There has been an almost universal agreement that medical students should spend considerable time studying basic science and that a solid foundation in basic science is necessary pre-requisite for competent clinical practice.
Current methodological issues in the study of children with inherited neuromuscular disorders

Several clinical trials assessing children with hereditary neuromuscular disorders have been performed over the last decade. These studies highlighted issues related to design and performance of clinical studies assessing children with this group of disorders. This article reviews recent literature and clinical experience in this area, highlighting methodological shortcomings and disease‐specific clinical confounding factors that should be considered for future study design. The state of the art of outcome measures in neuromuscular disorders will be discussed, and suggestions for future clinical trials are presented.
Maternal adjustment and maternal attitudes during pregnancy and early motherhood in women of 35 and over

Abstract The research described here forms part of a longitudinal study, the Leicester Motherhood Project, in which the aim is to investigate the experience of pregnancy, birth and motherhood in women of 35 or more, compared with that of women in their twenties, in a sample where parity and occupational and educational status were controlled. The resulting sample was of women in non-manual occupations of whom 56% were educated beyond 18. At mid- and late pregnancy, and again when their babies were 1 year old, women were asked to complete the Maternal Adjustment and Maternal Attitudes scale (Kumar et al., 1984). At late pregnancy women over 35 (n= 48) reported fewer somatic symptoms and more positive perceptions of their bodies than women in their twenties (n= 45) at the same stage of pregnancy. One year after birth older women felt slightly less positive about their marital relationships and had less positive attitudes to sex than did younger women. Overall scores indicated high levels of adjustment to mo.
Mental Disorders Among Non-Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Many Medicaid beneficiaries aged 22 to 64 with serious mental illness may be admitted to nursing facilities rather than psychiatric facilities as a result of Medicaid policies prohibiting coverage of inpatient psychiatric care in institutions of mental disease while requiring states to cover nursing facility care. Using nationwide Medicaid Analytic Extract claims from 2002, we found that nearly 16% of nursing home residents aged 22 to 64 had a diagnosed mental disorder, while 45.5% received antipsychotic medication, but these rates varied widely across states. Further research is necessary to determine whether, among the nation's youngest nursing home residents, care in nursing homes is potentially substituting for care in institutions for mental disease or community-based settings.
Leveraging the PASRR Process to Divert and Transition Elders With Mental Illness from Nursing Facilities

This study examines how some states use Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) processes to provide opportunities for nursing facility diversion and/or transition for elders with mental illness and highlights potential promising practices from selected states. Document reviews and interviews were conducted with key informants across 13 states. Key themes presented are 1) philosophies of diversion/transition embedded into PASRR processes, 2) questions on screening tools used to promote diversion/transition, 3) PASRR authorities' collaboration with other initiatives to promote diversion/transition, and 4) the extent to which states used PASRR to help identify mental health supports needed by nursing facility residents. Findings provide policy-relevant information to help states consider enhancement of their PASRR processes to further support nursing facility diversion and transition for persons with mental illness and improved mental health services for those in nursing facilities.
SELECTIVE SCREENING FOR GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS

Background The usual approach to detecting gestational diabetes mellitus is to screen all pregnant women by measuring their plasma glucose after a 50-g oral glucose load at 24 to 28 weeks' gestation. Women are referred for an oral glucose-tolerance test if the plasma glucose concentration one hour later is >140 mg per deciliter (7.8 mmol per liter). We hypothesized that the efficiency of screening could be enhanced by considering women's risks of gestational diabetes on the basis of their clinical characteristics. Methods We studied 3131 pregnant women who underwent both the screening and the diagnostic tests. We randomly selected data on half the women and used them to derive new screening strategies. We categorized each woman's risk of gestational diabetes mellitus on the basis of her age, body-mass index before pregnancy, and race. We developed strategies that entailed no screening for low-risk women, usual care for intermediate-risk women, and universal screening with lower thresholds — plasma glucose.
Scoring systems in the ICU

Abstract Scoring systems (Figure 1) involve the collection of data regarding a patient and each data variable is usually assigned points. The data may include organ-specific information, diseases, treatments, comorbidity, interventions, with the data variables often stratified in tables for allocating points. These points are then summated and adjusted with different weighting to give the overall score.
Food , drug , insect sting allergy , and anaphylaxis Increase in anaphylaxis-related hospitalizations but no increase in fatalities : An analysis of United Kingdom national anaphylaxis data , 1992-2012

Background: The incidence of anaphylaxis might be increasing. Data for fatal anaphylaxis are limited because of the rarity of this outcome. Objective: We sought to document trends in anaphylaxis admissions and fatalities by age, sex, and cause in England and Wales over a 20-year period. Methods: We extracted data from national databases that record hospital admissions and fatalities caused by anaphylaxis in England and Wales (1992-2012) and crosschecked fatalities against a prospective fatal anaphylaxis registry. We examined time trends and age distribution for fatal anaphylaxis caused by food, drugs, and insect stings. Results: Hospital admissions from all-cause anaphylaxis increased by 615% over the time period studied, but annual fatality rates remained stable at 0.047 cases (95% CI, 0.042-0.052 cases) per 100,000 population. Admission and fatality rates for drugand insect sting–induced anaphylaxis were highest in the group aged 60 years and older. In contrast, admissions because of food-triggered anaphylaxis were most common in young people, with a marked peak in the incidence of fatal food reactions during the second and third decades of life. These findings are not explained by age-related differences in rates of hospitalization.
Calculated total radical antioxidant potential compared in outcome groups of septic shock

Objective: To investigate if there is any difference in total radical antioxidant potential (TRAP) in outcome groups of septic shock and to investigate whether there is any correlation between TRAP and the degree of organ dysfunction. Design: All patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) within 6 h of the development of septic shock over a 6 month period, were investigated by determining their daily multi-organ dysfunction scores (MODS) and the calculated total radical antioxidant potential (TRAPc) of their serum. TRAPc was calculated by determining the serum value of four naturally occurring antioxidants, namely vitamins E and C, uric acid and sulphydryl groups, using an applied formula. Setting: An 18 bedded adult medical and surgical ICU. Subjects: Thirty-five patients treated on the ICU within 6 h of the development of septic shock. Interventions: All patients had MODS and TRAPc values determined daily. End points: (1) initial and lowest TRAPc and component antioxidant values; (2) initial and.
The Association Between the New Rural Cooperative Medical System and Health Care Seeking Behavior Among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese

ABSTRACT The new rural cooperative medical system (NCMS) is the primary form of social insurance in rural China. This study aims to explore how the NCMS influences the health care seeking behaviors of middle-aged and older Chinese, considering the family and community contexts. A series of multi-level (three-level) models using data from the first wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) are used. We find that the presence of NCMS coverage has a statistically significant association with seeking inpatient and outpatient care but not physical checkups among middle-aged and older rural Chinese: Rural residents insured by NCMS were more likely to seek inpatient and outpatient care than people who were not insured. Other factors at the individual level (such as self-perceived health and number of doctor-diagnosed chronic diseases), the family level (such as living arrangements and household expenditures), and the community level (such as the presence of township hospitals within the community) are also significant predictors of health care seeking behaviors.
THE EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS ON GROWING, NORMAL AND DISEASED BONES

Since the experimental work of Wegner 1 in 1872, showing the effect of phosphorus on growing bones in animals, it has been used more or less extensively as a therapeutic agent in disorders of ossification. Almost no postmortem or other evidence, however, has been offered as to the exact changes which it brings about in the bones of man. Wegner administered 1/400 grain of yellow phosphorus daily to young growing dogs, cats and chickens over considerable periods of time, and observed definite changes which in case of the long bones may be thus summarized: There was increased new bone formation in the diaphysis which was especially marked along the epiphyseal lines, leading to the formation of a dense layer in the ends of the shaft which varied in thickness with the length of the period of phosphorus administration. When the period was short, the zone of dense bone was narrow;
Theories of Cognitive Development: Implications for the Mentally Retarded.

Of the six essays in this symposium report, only two address the topic suggested by the title. J. McV. Hunt presents a convincing, well-ordered review of his theory of "psychological development as a hierarchy of learning sets, strategies of information processing, and skills built one upon another in ordinal fashion," and urges that only a much greater understanding of the details of this structure will fulfill its theoretic promise for application to retarded and normal children. R. P. Toister reviews very briefly some implications of behavior technology for mental retardation. The remainder of the book contains papers only peripherally related to its title: Edward Zigler presents extensive experimental evidence that distorted motivation accounts for part of the poor performance of older retarded children; A. D. Cortazzo urges teachers to pay attention to individual differences; David Elkind describes some differences between lower class and middle class adolescents who produce "borderline