Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antecedents and Consequences of Work Engagement Among Nurses

Background: Engaged nurses have high levels of energy and are enthusiastic about their work which impacts quality of health care services. However, in the context of Iran, due to observed burnout, work engagement among nurses necessitates immediate exploration. Objectives: This investigation aimed to identify a suitable work engagement model in nursing profession in hospitals according to the hypothesized model and to determine antecedents and consequences related to work engagement among nurses. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was given to 279 randomly-selected nurses working in two general teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Shiraz, Iran) to measure antecedents and consequences of work engagement using the Saks’s (2005) model. Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine the model fitness. Results: Two paths were added using LISREL software. The resulting model showed good fitness indices (χ2 = 23.62, AGFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.07) and all the coefficients of the paths were significant (t ≥ 2, t ≤ -2). A significant correlation was found between work engagement and model variables. Conclusions: Paying adequate attention to the antecedents of work engagement can enhance the quality of performance among nurses. Additionally, rewards, organizational and supervisory supports, and job characteristics should be taken into consideration to establish work engagement among nurses. Further researches are required to identify other probable antecedents and consequences of nursing work engagement, which might be related to specific cultural settings.
Comparative Effect of Green Tea, Chokeberry and Honeysuckle Polyphenols on Nutrients and Mineral Absorption and Digestibility in Rats

Background/Aims: Natural polyphenols are chemically and biologically active. This study aimed at examining the physiological effects of high doses of polyphenol extracts from green tea and new polyphenol-rich sources (chokeberry and honeysuckle fruits) on nutrient absorption. Methods: 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups and fed a diet supplemented with one of the three polyphenolic extracts (at 0.4%) or a control diet for 4 weeks. A perfusion technique was used to study the effects at intestinal level. Pure polyphenols from the three sources were introduced into perfusion fluid at a concentration of 0.4% and allowed to cross the intestinal tract in 1.5 h. Results: In the perfusion experiment, addition of the extracts caused a strong and statistically significant reduction in absorption of the selected nutrients (water, glucose, cholesterol, amino acids and minerals) compared to control animals. In the nutritional experiment, we recorded a slight decrease in diet utilization and growth in rats on polyphenolic diets relative to control group. In the same experiment, we observed a reduction of Zn and Cu absorption, but this was not accompanied by diminished concentrations in the bone femur. Conclusions: The presence of the polyphenolic extracts in the perfusion liquids significantly reduced absorption from the small intestine, but the nutritional experiment did not confirm deleterious consequences of the consumption of high extract doses.
Influence of Forest Fire Particles on the Breakdown Characteristics of Air Gap

The frequent forest fires become a serious threat to the performance of transmission lines’ external insulation. Gap breakdown in forest fire relates to many factors, such asflame temperature, conductivity and particles. Large quantities of smoke (carbonblack) and flying ash are produced during the combustion of vegetation, causing thedielectric strength of gap to decrease drastically. In order to analyze the influence of forest fire particles on the breakdown characteristics of air gap, the experimental setup consisting of a conductor-plane was built to simulate the effect of forest fire particles. At the same time, a theoretical model was developed to analyze the influence mechanism of multiple particles on the discharge characteristics of gap. Experimental results show that, a chain of carbon particles has been formed between flame and conductor by the action of electric field. The gap’s insulation strength decreases significantly, which is about 40% of that in the pure air under AC voltage. The particles movement and the breakdown characteristics of air gap have an evident effect of polarity characteristic under DC voltage and the breakdown voltage is reduced to about 29％ of that in the air gap under negative DC voltage. The simulation results show that, the electric field distribution between conductor and plane become uneven, and the distortion degree of the elongated particle to the background electric field is not related to the distance between particles with high-voltage electrode. According to the electric field diagram, it is obvious that the particles make the background electric field distortion, and the maximum field strength increased by about 100%. More close to the conductor, the greater electric field strength is at the both ends of particles.
Bioengineering a Human Plasma‐Based Epidermal Substitute With Efficient Grafting Capacity and High Content in Clonogenic Cells

Cultured epithelial autografts (CEAs) produced from a small, healthy skin biopsy represent a lifesaving surgical technique in cases of full‐thickness skin burn covering >50% of total body surface area. CEAs also present numerous drawbacks, among them the use of animal proteins and cells, the high fragility of keratinocyte sheets, and the immaturity of the dermal‐epidermal junction, leading to heavy cosmetic and functional sequelae. To overcome these weaknesses, we developed a human plasma‐based epidermal substitute (hPBES) for epidermal coverage in cases of massive burn, as an alternative to traditional CEA, and set up critical quality controls for preclinical and clinical studies. In this study, phenotypical analyses in conjunction with functional assays (clonal analysis, long‐term culture, or in vivo graft) showed that our new substitute fulfills the biological requirements for epidermal regeneration. hPBES keratinocytes showed high potential for cell proliferation and subsequent differentiation similar to healthy skin compared with a well‐known reference material, as ascertained by a combination of quality controls. This work highlights the importance of integrating relevant multiparameter quality controls into the bioengineering of new skin substitutes before they reach clinical development.
Physiological studies of the effects of intermittent positive pressure breathing on cardiac output in man.

Three types of positive pressure breathing have been differentiated : a) continuous positive pressure breathing where a pressure above atmospheric is maintained in the lungs throughout the respiratory cycle, b) expiratory positive pressure breathing in which a pressure above atmospheric is present during the expiratory phase of breathing, and c) intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB), provided by automatic respirators, which consists in an active inflation of the lungs under an increasing positive (above atmospheric) pressure; while after cycling of the respirator, deflation of the lungs occurs almost to or to atmospheric pressure as a passive process engendered by the elasticity of the lungs and chest-wall structures. Only the latter type of pressure breathing (IPPB) is suitable for maintaining artificial respiration in the apneic subject. Moreover, IPPB as produced by automatic respirators is more comfortable and less exhausting fur the conscious subjects when compared to continuous or expiratory positive pressure l
Randomized trial of light versus deep sedation on mental health after critical illness*

Objectives:To investigate if light sedation favorably affects subsequent patient mental health compared with deep sedation. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are common in patients after they have undergone prolonged mechanical ventilation and are associated with sedation depth. Design:Randomized, open-label, controlled trial. Setting:Single tertiary care center. Patients:Adult patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Interventions:Patients were randomized to receive either light (patient awake and cooperative) or deep sedation (patient asleep, awakening upon physical stimulation). Measurements and Main Results:Self-reported measures of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression were collected at intensive care unit discharge and 4 wks later. The primary outcomes were symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression 4 wks after intensive care unit discharge. A total of 137 patients were assigned to either the light (n = 69) or the deep sedation (n = 68) group. Seven patients withdrew consent and one patient was randomized in error, leaving 129 patients (n = 65 in light sedation and n = 64 in deep sedation) available for analysis. At the 4-wk follow-up, patients in the deep sedation group tended to have more posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (p = .07); the deep sedation group had more trouble remembering the event (37% vs. 14%; p = .02) and more disturbing memories of the intensive care unit (18% vs. 4%; p = .05). Patients in the light sedation group had an average one day less being ventilated and 1.5 fewer days in the intensive care unit. There were no differences between the two groups in the occurrence of anxiety and depression, and also no difference in mortality or in the incidence of adverse events. Conclusions:These data suggest that a strategy of light sedation affords benefits with regard to reduction of intensive care unit stay and duration of ventilation without negatively affecting subsequent patient mental health or patient safety.
The influence of alternative data smoothing prediction techniques on the performance of a two-stage short-term urban travel time prediction framework

ABSTRACT This article investigates the impact of alternative data smoothing and traffic prediction methods on the accuracy of the performance of a two-stage short-term urban travel time prediction framework. Using this framework, we test the influence of the combination of two different data smoothing and four different prediction methods using travel time data from two substantially different urban traffic environments and under both normal and abnormal conditions. This constitutes the most comprehensive empirical evaluation of the joint influence of smoothing and predictor choice to date. The results indicate that the use of data smoothing improves prediction accuracy regardless of the prediction method used and that this is true in different traffic environments and during both normal and abnormal (incident) conditions. Moreover, the use of data smoothing in general has a much greater influence on prediction performance than the choice of specific prediction method, and this is independent of the specific smoothing method used. In normal traffic conditions, the different prediction methods produce broadly similar results but under abnormal conditions, lazy learning methods emerge as superior.
Puri fi cation and Characterization of Thermostable and Detergent-Stable α-Amylase from Anoxybacillus sp . AH 1

Alpha-amylases (α-1,4-glucan-4-glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) are a family of endoamylases that randomly cleave α-1,4-glucosidic linkages in starch and related carbohydrates to produce oligosaccharides of diff erent lengths and glucose in the α-anomeric form (1–3). α-Amylases can be obtained from diff erent sources, including plants, animals and microorganisms (4,5). Microbial enzymes are generally preferred in several industrial applications due to advantages such as wide use, effi cient production, stability and cost-eff ectiveness (3,6). Amylases are one of the most important families of enzymes used in starch processing, brewing and sugar production (7,8), desizing in textile industries, in detergent manufacturing processes, drugs and pharmaceuticals (2), in fi lling of pores of paper, in removing food and starch stains in dry cleaning (9), and production of corn and chocolate syrup (10).
A polytomous conditional likelihood approach for combining matched and unmatched case–control studies

In genetic association studies it is becoming increasingly imperative to have large sample sizes to identify and replicate genetic effects. To achieve these sample sizes, many research initiatives are encouraging the collaboration and combination of several existing matched and unmatched case–control studies. Thus, it is becoming more common to compare multiple sets of controls with the same case group or multiple case groups to validate or confirm a positive or negative finding. Usually, a naive approach of fitting separate models for each case–control comparison is used to make inference about disease–exposure association. But, this approach does not make use of all the observed data and hence could lead to inconsistent results. The problem is compounded when a common case group is used in each case–control comparison. An alternative to fitting separate models is to use a polytomous logistic model but, this model does not combine matched and unmatched case–control data. Thus, we propose a polytomous logistic regression approach based on a latent group indicator and a conditional likelihood to do a combined analysis of matched and unmatched case–control data. We use simulation studies to evaluate the performance of the proposed method and a case–control study of multiple myeloma and Inter‐Leukin‐6 as an example. Our results indicate that the proposed method leads to a more efficient homogeneity test and a pooled estimate with smaller standard error. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bleeding complications in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Incidence, mechanisms, prevention and management

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has established itself firmly as the ‘gold standard’ for the treatment of gallstone disease, but it can, at times, be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Existing literature has focused almost exclusively on the biliary complications of this procedure, but other complications such as significant haemorrhage can also be encountered, with an immediate mortality if not recognized and treated in a timely manner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Publications in English language literature that have reported the complication of bleeding during or after the performance of LC were identified and accessed. The results thus obtained were tabulated and analyzed to get a true picture of this complication, its mechanism and preventive measures. RESULTS: Bleeding has been reported to occur with an incidence of up to nearly 10% in various series, and can occur at any time during LC (during trocar insertion, dissection technique or slippage of clips/ ligatures) or in the postoperative period. It can range from minor haematomas to life-threatening injuries to major intra-abdominal vessels (such as aorta, vena cava and iliacs). CONCLUSION: Good surgical technique, awareness and early recognition and management of such cases are keys to success when dealing with this problem.
Non-O Blood Type Is the Commonest Genetic Risk Factor for VTE: Results from a Meta-Analysis of the Literature

Abstract It is well known that the ABO blood group exerts a major influence on hemostasis, as O blood group individuals have lower von Willebrand factor and factor VIII levels than non-O blood group subjects. To evaluate the possible clinical implication of the different ABO blood groups on the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), we conducted a meta-analysis of the existing literature. After an electronic search strategy using Medline and Embase and a manual review of abstract books of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis and of reference lists of all retrieved articles, we included in the systematic review 38 studies with 10,305 VTE cases. The prevalence of non-O blood group was significantly higher in VTE patients compared with controls with a resulting pooled odds ratio (OR) of 2.09 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83, 2.38; p < 0.00001). Similar findings were obtained when the genotypes A1O/BO/A2B (OR 1.73, 95% CI, 1.47, 2.05; p < 0.00001) and A1B/A1A1/BB (OR 1.87, 95% CI, 1.84, 2.44; p < 0.00001) were analyzed. The maximum VTE risk was observed in non-O–factor V Leiden patients (OR 7.60, 95% CI, 3.21, 17.99), while for G20210A prothrombin mutation it was not possible to perform a pooled analysis due to a paucity of published studies. Finally, the association between non-O blood group and VTE was weaker when provoked VTE cases were considered (OR 1.33, 95% CI, 1.18, 1.50), while it was substantially unchanged when unprovoked VTE cases were analyzed (OR 1.88, 95% CI, 1.42, 2.50). In conclusion, considering its prevalence, non-O blood group is a candidate to be one of the most important genetic risk factors for venous thrombosis.
An Acousmatic Composition Environment

In this paper we describe the intentions, the design and functionality of an Acousmatic Composition Environment that allows children or musical novices to educate their auditory curiosity by recording, manipulating and mixing sounds of everyday life. The environment consists of three stands: A stand for sound recording with a soundproof box that ensure good recording facilities in a noisy environment; a stand for sound manipulation with five simple, tangible interfaces; a stand for sound mixing with a graphical computer interface presented on two touch screens.
Calibration of wheeled mobile robots with differential drive mechanisms: an experimental approach

SUMMARY Exact knowledge of the position and proper calibration of robots that move by wheels form an important foundation in mobile robot applications. In this context, a variety of sensory systems and techniques have been developed for accurate positioning of differential drive mobile robots. This paper, first, provides a brief overview of mobile robots positioning techniques and then, presents a new benchmark method capable of calibrating mobile robots with differential drive mechanisms to correct systematic errors. The proposed method is compared with the commonly used University of Michigan Benchmark (UMBmark) odometry method. Two sets of comparisons are conducted on six prototyped robots with differential drives. The first set of tests establishes the workability and accuracy that can be achieved with the new method and compares them with the ones obtained from the UMBmark technique. The second experiment compares the performance of a mobile robot, calibrated with either the UMBmark or the new method, for an unseen path. It is demonstrated that the proposed method of calibration is simple to implement, and leads to accuracy comparable to the UMBmark method. Specifically, while the error corrections in both methods are within ±5% of each other, the proposed method requires single straight line motion for calibration, which is believed to be simpler and less timely to implement than the square path motion required by the UMBmark technique. The method should therefore be considered seriously as a new tool when calibrating differential drive mobile robots.
Macrophages largely contribute to heterologous anti‐Propionibacterium acnes antibody‐mediated protection from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection in mice

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of acute and chronic pleuropneumonia. Propionibacterium acnes is a facultative anaerobic gram‐positive corynebacterium. We have previously found that anti‐P. acnes antibodies can prevent A. pleuropneumoniae infections in mice. To investigate the role of macrophages in this process, affinity‐purified anti‐P. acnes IgG and anti‐A. pleuropneumoniae IgG were used in opsonophagocytosis assays. Additionally, the efficacy of passive immunization with P. acnes serum against A. pleuropneumoniae was tested in macrophage‐depleted mice. It was found that anti‐P. acnes IgG had an effect similar to that of anti‐A. pleuropneumoniae IgG (P > 0.05), which significantly promotes phagocytosis of A. pleuropneumoniae by macrophages (P < 0.01). It was also demonstrated that, after passive immunization with anti‐P. acnes serum, macrophage‐replete mice had the highest survival rate (90%), whereas the survival rate of macrophage‐depleted mice was only 40% (P < 0.05). However, macrophage‐depleted mice that had been passively immunized with naïve serum had the lowest survival rate (20%), this rate being lower than that of macrophage‐replete mice that had been passively immunized with naïve serum. Overall, anti‐P. acnes antibodies did not prevent A. pleuropneumoniae infection under conditions of macrophage depletion (P > 0.05). Furthermore, in mice that had been passively immunized with anti‐P. acnes serum, macrophage depletion resulted in a greater A. pleuropneumoniae burden and more severe pathological features of pneumonia in lung tissues than occurred in macrophage‐replete mice. It was concluded that macrophages are essential for the process by which anti‐P. acnes antibody prevents A. pleuropneumoniae infection in mice.
Grinding-aided electrochemical discharge drilling in the light of electrochemistry

The electrically non-conductive materials like glass, ceramics, quartz, etc. are of great interest for many applications in modern industries. Machining them with high quality and at a faster rate is a challenging task. In this study, a novel technique called grinding aided electrochemical discharge drilling (G-ECDD) is demonstrated which uses a hollow diamond core drill as the tool for performing electrochemical discharge machining of borosilicate glass. The new hybrid technique enhances the material removal rate and machining accuracy to several folds by combining the thermal melting action of discharges and grinding action of the abrasive tool. This paper presents the experimental investigation on the material removal rate during G-ECDD of glass while using different electrolytes. An attempt has been made to explore the influence of electrolyte temperature on G-ECDD performance by maintaining the electrolyte at different temperatures. Experiments were conducted using three different electrolytes which include NaOH, KOH, and the mixture of both. The results obtained from this study revealed that an increase in temperature will favor chemical etching as well as electrochemical reaction rate. Also, it was observed that heating the electrolyte leads to an increase in the bubble density and enhances the ion mobility. This causes the formation of gas film at a faster rate and thereby improving the discharge activity. Thus, machining will be done at a faster rate. Better results are obtained while using a mixture of NaOH and KOH. From the microscopic images of the machined surface, it was observed that material removal mechanism in G-ECDD is a combination of grinding action, electrochemical discharges, and chemical etching. Response surface methodology was adopted for studying the influence of process parameters on the performance of G-ECDD. The new technique of grinding aided electrochemical discharge drilling proved its potential to machine borosilicate glass and simultaneously offers good material removal rate, repeatability, and accuracy.