Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An investigation of hospitality industry students’ awareness and knowledge of aphasia

ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies highlight a lack of awareness of aphasia among the general public. To date, no research has investigated awareness of aphasia among those working in the hospitality service industry. A lack of awareness of aphasia can exacerbate reduced participation in society for people with aphasia (PWA); as lack of awareness has been identified as a core barrier to participation by PWA themselves. Reduced social participation is a central theme which impacts on negative quality of life for PWA. Education on the nature and impact of aphasia has been identified as a precursor to facilitating participation for PWA. However, before education of aphasia can be provided, we must first ascertain the current level of awareness and knowledge of aphasia among this population working in the hospitality service industry. Aims: To investigate the awareness and level of knowledge of aphasia among hospitality industry students in Ireland and identify strategies to improve awareness. Methods & Procedures: The participants, recruited from four third-level institutions in Ireland, completed a validated survey which was adapted for use with the target population. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse responses. Open-ended questions were first analysed using content analysis, followed by descriptive statistical analysis. Outcomes & Results: One hundred and fifty-five hospitality industry students participated in this study. 9.68% of participants were aware of aphasia, whereas 3.23% of participants were found to have adequate knowledge of aphasia. Suggested strategies to improve awareness of aphasia were campaigning, education in college and advertising using print, broadcast, and social media. Conclusions: This study highlights a distinct lack of awareness and knowledge of aphasia among hospitality students. This can have a negative impact on PWA who have reported this as a barrier to their social participation. By raising awareness of aphasia among hospitality students, they will be better equipped to facilitate communication with PWA. This would break down the existing barrier to participation for PWA. All methods identified by participants can be used to raise awareness and, in particular, it is recommended that undergraduate education of aphasia be incorporated into the college curriculum at a policy level. As this is the first study of its kind on this population, further research in this area is warranted, particularly in the area of how best to raise awareness and knowledge of aphasia among this specific population.
Grasp evaluation based on unilateral force closure

We present an algorithm which allows qualitative and quantitative analysis of the general force closure property of a grasp when fingertip contact forces are limited by unilateral friction constraints. It is applied to grasp synthesis during regrasping sequences. Contact points for moving fingers which result in structurally stable grasps are calculated. The proposed method is suitable for two and three dimensional grasps with an arbitrary number of fingers. The approach is validated by numerical examples and in dynamical simulations.
Lethality of Increasing CO 2 Levels on Deep-Sea Copepods in the Western North Pacific

1The General Environmental Technos Co., Ltd., Azuchimachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0052, Japan 2Graduate School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nagasaki University, Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan 3Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato-cho, Hakodate 041-8611, Japan Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University, Shirahama, Nishimuro, Wakayama 649-2211, Japan 5Graduate School of Kuroshio Sciences, Kochi University, Nangoku, Kochi 783-8502, Japan Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE), Kizu, Soraku, Kyoto 619-0292, Japan 7Faculty of Fisheries, Nagasaki University, Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
Synchrotron-Based Imaging of Chromium and γ-H2AX Immunostaining in the Duodenum Following Repeated Exposure to Cr(VI) in Drinking Water

Current drinking water standards for chromium are for the combined total of both hexavalent and trivalent chromium (Cr(VI) and Cr(III)). However, recent studies have shown that Cr(III) is not carcinogenic to rodents, whereas mice chronically exposed to high levels of Cr(VI) developed duodenal tumors. These findings may suggest the need for environmental standards specific for Cr(VI). Whether the intestinal tumors arose through a mutagenic or non-mutagenic mode of action (MOA) greatly impacts how drinking water standards for Cr(VI) are derived. Herein, X-ray fluorescence (spectro)microscopy (µ-XRF) was used to image the Cr content in the villus and crypt regions of duodena from B6C3F1 mice exposed to 180 mg/l Cr(VI) in drinking water for 13 weeks. DNA damage was also assessed by γ-H2AX immunostaining. Exposure to Cr(VI) induced villus blunting and crypt hyperplasia in the duodenum—the latter evidenced by lengthening of the crypt compartment by ∼2-fold with a concomitant 1.5-fold increase in the number of crypt enterocytes. γ-H2AX immunostaining was elevated in villi, but not in the crypt compartment. µ-XRF maps revealed mean Cr levels >30 times higher in duodenal villi than crypt regions; mean Cr levels in crypt regions were only slightly above background signal. Despite the presence of Cr and elevated γ-H2AX immunoreactivity in villi, no aberrant foci indicative of transformation were evident. These findings do not support a MOA for intestinal carcinogenesis involving direct Cr-DNA interaction in intestinal stem cells, but rather support a non-mutagenic MOA involving chronic wounding of intestinal villi and crypt cell hyperplasia.
Interleukin-18 production and pulmonary function in COPD

Interleukin (IL)-18 production and pulmonary function were evaluated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in order to determine the role of IL-18 in COPD. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to examine IL-18 production in the lungs of patients with very severe COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage IV, n = 16), smokers (n = 27) and nonsmokers (n = 23). Serum cytokine levels and pulmonary function were analysed in patients with GOLD stage I–IV COPD (n = 62), smokers (n = 34) and nonsmokers (n = 47). Persistent and severe small airway inflammation was observed in the lungs of ex-smokers with very severe COPD. IL-18 proteins were strongly expressed in alveolar macrophages, CD8+ T-cells, and both the bronchiolar and alveolar epithelia in the lungs of COPD patients. Serum levels of IL-18 in COPD patients and smokers were significantly higher than those in nonsmokers. Moreover, serum levels of IL-18 in patients with GOLD stage III and IV COPD were significantly higher than in smokers and nonsmokers. There was a significant negative correlation between serum IL-18 level and the predicted forced expiratory volume in one second in patients with COPD. In contrast, serum levels of IL-4, IL-13 and interferon-γ were not significantly increased in any of the three groups. In conclusion, overproduction of interleukin-18 in the lungs may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Full-Wave Analysis and Design of Dielectric-Loaded Waveguide Filters Using a State-Space Integral-Equation Method

A full-wave analysis method for waveguide filters based on dielectric loaded resonators is proposed in this work. For such purpose, a state-space integral-equation formulation has been developed, and the efficient numerical evaluation of all matrices and singular integrals related to the method has been detailed. The novel technique has been first validated through the accurate analysis of a dielectric loaded rectangular cavity, and a simple stopband structure based on such basic building block. Then, making use of a computer-aided design tool, a four-pole bandpass filter based on dielectric loaded resonators has been efficiently designed. The accuracy of the proposed method has been validated through successful comparisons with data from technical literature and available commercial software.
Study of Chest Pain and its Risk Factors in Over 30 Year-Old Individuals

Chest pain is one of the most prevalent complaints among adults that cause the people to attend to medical centers. The aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of chest pain among over 30 years old people in Tehran. In this cross-sectional study, 787 adults took part from Apr 2005 until Apr 2006. The sampling method was random cluster sampling and there were 25 clusters. In each cluster, interviews were performed with 32 over 30 years old, people lived in those houses. In cases with chest pain, extra questions asked. The prevalence of CP was 9% (71 cases). Of them 21 cases (6.5%) were in 41-60 year age ranges and the remainders were over 61 year old. 19 cases (26.8%) mentioned CP in resting state and all of the cases had exertion onset CP. The CP duration was 10 minutes or less in all of the cases and in most of them (84.5%), the location of pain mentioned left anterior part of chest, left anterior part of sternum and or left arm. There was positive history of myocardial infarction in 12 cases (17%). There was significant relation between CP and age, sex and between history of myocardial infarction and marital state of study people. Our results are similar to other studies’ results in most parts, however it is necessary to perform supplementary tests and follow up studies to differentiate between cardiac and non-cardiac CP exactly. Keywords—Chest pain, myocardial infarction, risk factor, prevalence
Mechanical Thrombectomy for Ischaemic Stroke: The First UK Case Series

Background and Purpose Endovascular treatments have the potential to accelerate reperfusion in acute ischaemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. In the UK only a few stroke centres offer this interventional option. The University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS) has treated the largest number of cases in the UK. Results of the first 106 endovascular treatments (EVT) are presented here. Methods All patients treated with EVT (intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or both, or an attempt at intervention) for acute stroke at UHNS, Stoke-on-Trent, UK, were entered into a prospective register. Baseline demographic and clinical data, the National Institutes for Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), imaging results including Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score, and complications were recorded. Mortality, and modified Rankin score (mRS) were assessed at 90 days. Results From December 2009 to January 2013 106 patients (mean age 64 years, median baseline NIHSS 18) were treated with EVT (thrombectomy ± IAT 83%, IAT alone 13%, neither 4%). Seventy-eight per cent of occlusions were in the anterior circulation. Intravenous bridging thrombolysis was performed in 81%. Revascularization was successful (TICI 2b/3) in 84%. The median time from stroke onset to the end of the procedure was 6 h 03 min. A good outcome (mRS≤2) at 90 days was achieved in 48% with a mortality of 15%. Fatal or nonfatal symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) within 10 days occurred in 9%. The median length of stay was 14 days (31% discharged home ≤7 days). Conclusions EVT led to good clinical outcomes in almost 50% of patients with severe strokes.
Combination antiretroviral therapy in population affected by conflict: outcomes from large cohort in northern Uganda

Objective To measure the clinical and immunological outcomes of HIV positive adult patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy in conflict affected northern Uganda. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Gulu District, northern Uganda. Participants 1625 adults (aged over 14 years) receiving combination antiretroviral therapy. Main outcome measures Primary outcome: all cause mortality. Secondary outcomes: impact of covariates (sex, age, CD4 count at start, adherence, tuberculosis at start, duration of treatment, and internally displaced person status) on mortality. Results Sixty nine (4.2%) patients died during follow-up. The mortality incidence rate was 3.48 (95% confidence interval 2.66 to 4.31) per 100 person years. Patients started treatment with a median CD4 count of 157 (interquartile range 90-220) cells/μl; most (1009; 63%) had World Health Organization stage 2 defined illness. Sixty two patients had pulmonary tuberculosis at the start of treatment. Of the 1521 patients with adherence data, 118 (7.8%) had adherence of less than 95% and 1403 (92.2%) had adherence of 95% or above. Conclusion Patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy in conflict affected northern Uganda had a mortality comparable to that of patients in peaceful, low income settings and better adherence than patients in higher income settings. These favourable findings highlight the need to expand access to combination antiretroviral therapy in populations affected by armed conflict.
Improved denoising of images using modelling of a redundant contourlet transform

In this work we investigate the image denoising problem. One common approach found in the literature involves manipulating the coefficients in the transform domain, e.g. shrinkage, followed by the inverse transform. Several advanced methods that model the inter-coefficient dependencies were developed recently, and were shown to yield significant improvement. However, these methods operate on the transform domain error rather than on the image domain one. These errors are in general entirely different for redundant transforms. In this work we propose a novel denoising method, based on the Basis-Pursuit Denoising (BPDN). Our method combines the image domain error with the transform domain dependency structure, resulting in a general objective function, applicable for any wavelet-like transform. We focus here on the Contourlet Transform (CT) and on a redundant version of it, both relatively new transforms designed to sparsely represent images. The performance of our new method is compared favorably with the state-of-the-art method of Bayesian Least Squares Gaussian Scale Mixture (BLS-GSM), which we adapted to the CT as well, with further improvements still to come.
Compact, netlist-based representation of thermal transient coupling using controlled sources

A compact, efficient electrical dual-circuit topology for the representation of transient thermal coupling is presented. Based on controlled sources, the method allows an arbitrary level of complexity to be used for each self and coupled response. Two possible variations on the circuit form, and the resulting requirements for model extraction, are developed. The method is applied to the modeling of transient thermal self-heating and coupling data for a pair of thermal sources representative of integrated device structures in semi-infinite homogeneous as well as trench-isolated substrates.
Using an active listening approach to consider the views of three young people on the topic of missing education

Abstract This research uses an active listening approach within a narrative inquiry methodology to consider the views of three teenage males aged 15–17 years on the topic of missing education. Missing education is a term used to describe children and young people (CYP) not receiving a suitable education or being on a school roll. The participants’ accounts were analysed using a Voice-Centred Relational Method to identify the complex interplay of systemic factors, the importance of individual experience and supportive adult–pupil relationships. The reflective accounts presented in this paper highlight implications for active and effective listening to CYP. A model was created to support the approaches educational psychologists (EPs) could use to support school staff, parents and other professionals in their work with individuals “missing education”.
Seminolipid and its precursor/degradative product, galactosylalkylacylglycerol, in the testis of saposin A- and prosaposin-deficient mice Published, JLR Papers in Press, June 16, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300119-JLR200

Sphingolipid activator proteins (saposins A, B, C, and D) are derived from a common precursor protein (prosaposin) and specifically activate in vivo degradation of glycolipids with short carbohydrate chains. A mouse model of prosaposin deficiency (prosaposin−/−) closely mimics the human disease with an elevation of multiple glycolipids. The recently developed saposin A−/− mice showed a chronic form of globoid cell leukodystrophy, establishing the essential in vivo role of saposin A as an activator for galactosylceramidase to degrade galactosylceramide. Seminolipid, the principal glycolipid in spermatozoa, and its precursor/degradative product, galactosylalkylacylglycerol (GalEAG), were analyzed in the testis of the two mouse mutants by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Saposin A−/− mice showed the normal seminolipid level, while that of prosaposin−/− mice was ∼150% of the normal level at the terminal stage. In contrast, GalEAG increased up to 10 times in saposin A−/− mice, whereas it decreased with age in the wild-type as well as in prosaposin−/− mice. These analytical findings on the two saposin mutants may shed some light on the physiological function of seminolipid and GalEAG.
The Search for the Best Financial Performance Measure of Companies Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE)

3 Abstract: Companies' financial performance measurement is one of the most important concerns in financial and economy world considering development and importance of the capital market role. Economic value added (EVA) and refined economic value added (REVA) are among the most important criteria of financial performance measurement. Many researches have been done internationally which assert the view that REVA and market value added (MVA) have more correlation than other traditional financial performance measurement. The most important purpose of the present research is to make clear the theoretical indices of financial performance measurement to test these indices and offer necessary evidence in order to help the Iranian capital market participants to make a sound decision in investment process. This research is applied research and in the method and nature is correlation research. In this study, relationship between REVA and other new and traditional performance evaluation measures and MVA is studied using liner and multiple regressions. The findings indicate that REVA and MVA have more correlation than EVA and other indices of traditional financial performance measurement during 2005-2010.
Child Abandonment And Its Implications For Educational Development In Nigeria

This is a position paper that examined child abandonment and its implications for educational development in Nigeria. Child abandonment is a common social phenomenon in Nigeria and the rate at which the act is been committed calls for serious action by all in order to minimize the impact of this ugly menace on our society. The paper therefore identified the causes and effects of child abandonment which ranges from family conflicts, barbaric cultural practices, poverty and homelessness, and intra/inters ethnic conflicts among others. The paper emphasis that when a child is abandoned, the child is faced with physical, behavioural, psychological consequences and the society faces the bulk of these consequences. It was recommended amongst others that government should ensure strict monitoring of the child rights acts in all the states, conflicts in the family should be settled amicably, youths and intending parents should be properly counselled on the roles of parenting. It was concluded that education is a vital tool which should be used as an instrument to minimize child abandonment in the society.
LOMAC: Low Water-Mark integrity protection for COTS environments

We hypothesize that a form of kernel-resident access control based integrity protection can gain widespread acceptance in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) environments, provided that it couples some useful protection with a high degree of compatibility with existing software, configurations, and practices. To test this hypothesis, we have developed a highly compatible free open-source prototype called LOMAC, and released it on the Internet. LOMAC is a dynamically loadable extension for COTS Linux kernels that provides integrity protection based on Low Water-Mark access control. We present a classification of existing access control models with regard to compatibility, concluding that models similar to Low Water-Mark are especially well suited to high-compatibility solutions. We also describe our practical strategies for dealing with the pathological cases in the Low Water-Mark model's behavior which include a small extension of the model, and an unusual application of its concepts.
The Neglected Battle Fields of Syntax Errors

Syntax error correction is an essential part of the debugging process. Yet there has been little research investigating how programmers approach syntax error correction and how to help beginner programmers learn to fix errors efficiently. This paper describes development and evaluation of a tool to support students learning how to correct syntax errors.We collected both quantitative and qualitative data for a small but varied group of students as they corrected syntax errors. This showed that even the more experienced students took significant time to correct some syntax errors. It also indicated that general and language specific programming experience provides both strategic skill in correcting errors and greater depth of understanding of the error messages themselves. At the same time, we observed that beginners can be almost as efficient as more expert users when they have access to our tool for explanations of the less intuitive compile error messages.
Class Composition and Student Achievement: Evidence from Portugal

We analyze the effects of several class compositional dimensions on individual student achievement. We make use of a rich dataset that allows tackling major endogeneity concerns stemming from non-random allocation of students between and within schools. We find that increasing the percentage of high achievers in a 6th grade class has a negative effect on student performance, while in a 9th grade class the effect is in general non-significant. Students with no past retentions do better with an increasing proportion of this same type of classmate. Larger shares of low-income classmates hurt performance in general. Apart from the past retention dimension in which there is evidence supporting students’ tracking, along all other compositional dimensions each class should reflect the respective school-grade population heterogeneity. Class composition rearrangements are estimated to provide a larger increment to performance than comparable reductions of class size.