Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational Therapy Led Health Promotion for Older People: Feasibility of the Lifestyle Matters Programme

The aim of this feasibility study was to see if an occupation-based health-promoting intervention for community-living older people could be delivered successfully and also to provide some information to guide a future trial of clinical effectiveness. The participants' ages ranged from 60 to 92 years. Twenty-eight participants commenced the 8-month programme and 26 completed it; they have continued to meet independently following facilitator withdrawal. The participants were interviewed qualitatively before and after the 8-month programme. Additionally, pre-programme and post-programme measurements of cognition, depression, functional dependency and quality of life were conducted with each participant before and after the intervention. The post-intervention interviews illustrated the individualised benefits experienced by the participants, with greater self-efficacy being a significant theme. A comparison of the pre-intervention and post-intervention scores on the quantitative measures showed an upward trend on all dimensions of quality of life. The measurement of cognition, depression and dependency proved useful for screening purposes and for identifying individuals at risk, but not as an outcome measure. The delivery of the programme was feasible and its benefit to participants was observed, but there is a need for further research to test the intervention rigorously and to explore applicability in a range of settings.
Skin comfort of base layer wool garments. Part 2: Fiber diameter effects on fabric and garment prickle

Earlier studies on prickle have been largely fabric based and designed to elucidate mechanisms and also the relative importance of different parameters. The current work has importantly extended the study of prickle from fabric to garment giving for the first time extensive knowledge of wearer responses to garments for a particular market segment. Also the range of fabrics and garments has been extended significantly from the heavier 14-gauge knit structures that formed the basis for the majority of the earlier seminal studies to finer, lightweight 24-gauge structures. The observed prickle responses from the garment studies remain consistent with the existing mechanistic understanding of prickle and confirmed that the forearm fabric test can be used as a useful predictor of relative prickle levels. An analysis of the garment prickle data relative to an overall assessment of a like/dislike assessment of the garments identified that wearers are willing to experience a low level of prickle, that is, beneath a critical level without effecting an overall like/dislike decision. Analysis of the like–dislike data was able to generate, for the first time, quantitative information on the likely percentage of ‘satisfied wearers’ as a function of fiber quality.
A new resin glycoside from Calystegia soldanella and its antiviral activity towards herpes

Abstract A new resin glycoside, named calysolin XVIII (1), was isolated from the leaves, stems and roots of Calystegia soldanella Roem. et Schult. (Convolvulaceae). The structure of 1 was defined as 11S-jalapinolic acid 11-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-O-(2-O-2S-methylbutyryl,4-O-3-hydroxy-2-methylenebutyryl)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-O-(34-di-O-2S-methylbutyryl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-quinovopyranoside, intramolecular 1,2″′″′-ester on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 is the first known resin glycoside to feature 3-hydroxy-2-methylenebutyric acid as a component organic acid. In addition, 1 demonstrated an antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1, with an IC50 value 2.3 μM.
Conceptual and laboratory exercise to apply Newton’s second law to a system of many forces

A pair of objects on an inclined plane are connected together by a string. The upper object is then connected to a fixed post via a spring. The situation is first analysed as a classroom exercise in using free-body diagrams to solve Newton’s second law for a system of objects upon which many different kinds of force are acting (string tension, spring force, gravity, normal force, and friction). Next, the setup is replicated in the laboratory using rolling carts with attached force sensors (to measure the string and spring forces) and a motion detector (to measure the position, velocity and acceleration of the objects). After characterizing the rolling friction, cart masses, incline angle and spring constant, the kinematics and dynamics of the system can be accurately modelled with no free parameters. Representing the data in different ways, notably plotting quantities as a function of the displacement of the carts instead of elapsed time, greatly assists in their interpretation. For example, the acceleration of the carts lies along two straight lines when plotted in that way, the mechanical energy has a zigzag shape and the velocity of the carts traces out a set of joining half-ellipses in phase space.
Expression of human CD81 in transgenic mice does not confer susceptibility to hepatitis C virus infection.

We previously demonstrated that hepatitis C virus (HCV) binds to human CD81 through the E2 glycoprotein. Therefore, expression of the human CD81 molecule in transgenic mice was expected to provide a new tool to study HCV infection in vivo, as the chimpanzee is the only species currently available as a laboratory animal model that can be infected with HCV. We produced transgenic mice expressing the human CD81 protein in a wide variety of tissues. We confirmed binding of recombinant E2 glycoprotein to the liver tissue as well as to thymocytes and splenic lymphocytes in the transgenic mice. We inoculated chimpanzee plasma infected with HCV into these animals. None of these transgenic animals showed evidence of viral replication. Furthermore, human CD81 transgenic mice that lack expression of endogenous mouse CD81 were also resistant to HCV infection. We conclude that expression of human CD81 alone is insufficient to confer susceptibility to HCV infection in the mouse. The presence of additional possible factors for HCV infection is discussed.
ENERGY AND CHEMICAL POTENTIAL ASYMPTOTICS FOR THE GROUND STATE OF BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATES IN THE SEMICLASSICAL REGIME

Asymptotic approximations for the energy and chemical potential of the ground state in Bose-Einstein condensates are presented in the semiclassical regime with several typical trapping potentials. As preparatory steps, we begin with the threedimensional (3D) Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE), review several typical external trapping potentials, scale the 3D GPE and show how to reduce it to 1D and 2D GPEs in certain limiting trapping frequency regime. For the 1D box potential, we derive asymptotic approximations up to o(1) in term of the scaled interacting parameter d for energy and chemical potential of the ground and all excited states in both weakly interacting regime, i.e. d ! 0 and strongly repulsive interacting regime, i.e. d ! 1, respectively. For the 1D harmonic oscillator, double well and optical lattice potentials, as well as a more general external potential in high dimensions, we get asymptotic approximations up to o(1) in term of the scaled interacting parameter d for the energy and chemical potential of the ground state in semiclassical regime, i.e. d ! 1. Our extensive numerical results conrm all our asymptotic approximations, provide convergence rate and suggest several very interesting conclusions.
FilGAP, a Rac-specific Rho GTPase-activating protein, is a novel prognostic factor for follicular lymphoma

FilGAP, a Rho GTPase‐activating protein (GAP), acts as a mediator of Rho/ROCK (Rho‐associated protein kinase)‐dependent amoeboid movement, and its knockdown results in Rac‐driven mesenchymal morphology. Herein, we focus on the possible roles of FilGAP expression in normal and malignant lymphocytes. Eighty‐three cases of follicular lymphoma (FL), 84 of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 25 of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL), as well as 10 of normal lymph nodes, were immunohistochemically investigated. In normal lymph nodes, FilGAP immunoreactivity was significantly higher in lymphocytes in the mantle zone as compared to those in the germinal center and paracortical areas. In contrast, the expression levels of both cytoplasmic and perinuclear Rac1 were significantly lower in the germinal center as compared to paracortical regions, suggesting that changes in the FilGAP/Rac axis may occur in B‐cell lineages. In malignant lymphomas, FilGAP expression was significantly higher in B‐cell lymphomas than PTCL, and the immunohistochemical scores were positively correlated with cytoplasmic Rac1 scores in FL and DLBCL, but not in PTCL. Patients with FL and germinal center B‐cell‐like (GCB)‐type DLBCL showing high FilGAP scores had poor overall survival rates as compared to the low‐score patients. Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that a high FilGAP score was a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor in FL, but not in DLBCL. In conclusion, FilGAP may contribute to change in cell motility of B‐lymphocytes. In addition, its expression appears to be useful for predicting the behavior of B‐cell lymphoma, in particular FL.
Comparison of Ileum Microflora of Pigs Fed Corn-, Wheat-, or Barley-Based Diets by Chaperonin-60 Sequencing and Quantitative PCR

ABSTRACT We have combined the culture-independent methods of high-throughput sequencing of chaperonin-60 PCR product libraries and quantitative PCR to profile and quantify the small-intestinal microflora of pigs fed diets based on corn, wheat, or barley. A total of 2,751 chaperonin-60 PCR product clones produced from samples of ileum digesta were examined. The majority (81%) of these clones contained sequences independently recovered from all three libraries; 372 different nucleotide sequences were identified, but only 14% of the 372 different sequences were recovered from all three libraries. Taxonomic assignments of the library sequences were made by comparison to a reference database of chaperonin-60 sequences combined with phylogenetic analysis. The taxa identified are consistent with previous reports of pig ileum microflora. Frequencies of each sequence in each library were calculated to identify taxa that varied in frequency between the corn, barley, and wheat libraries. The chaperonin-60 sequence inventory was used as a basis for designing PCR primer sets for taxon-specific quantitative PCR. Results of quantitative PCR analysis of ileum digesta confirmed the relative abundances of targeted taxa identified with the library sequencing approach. The results of this study indicate that chaperonin-60 clone libraries can be valid profiles of complex microbial communities and can be used as the basis for producing quantitative PCR assays to measure the abundance of taxa of interest during experimentally induced or natural changes in a community.
Validation of Moticon’s OpenGo sensor insoles during gait, jumps, balance and cross-country skiing specific imitation movements

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was the experimental validation of the OpenGo sensor insole system compared to PedarX sensor insole and AMTI force-plate systems. Sixteen healthy participants performed trials in walking, running, jumping (drop and counter movement jumps), imitation drills and balance, with simultaneous measures of all three systems. Detected ground contact and flight times with OpenGo during walking, running and jumping were similar to those of AMTI. Force–time curves revealed comparable shapes between all three systems. Force impulses were 13–34% lower with OpenGo when compared to AMTI. Despite differences in mean values in some exercise modes, correlations towards AMTI were between r = 0.8 and r = 1.0 in most situations. During fast motions, with high force and impact, OpenGo provided lower force and latency in force kinetics. During balance tasks, discrepancy in the centre of pressure was found medio-lateral, while anterio–posterior direction was closer to AMTI. With awareness of these limitations, OpenGo can be applied in both clinical and research settings to evaluate temporal, force and balance parameters during different types of motion. The fully mobile OpenGo system allows for the easy and quick system application, analysis and feedback under complex field conditions, as well.
Modification of Nanocrystalline Cellulose for Bioactive Loaded Films

Despite the use of petrochemical derived packaging, many problems such as browning and food spoilage still happen in food after harvesting. There is an increasing consumers concern for food shelf life to be extended as much as possible along with a big interest in green and bioactive materials, that could be used in direct contact with aliments. In order to reach public demand, biopolymers coming from natural sources such as plants or animals have been used to replace synthetic materials. Even though natural polymers are biodegradable, they do not reach regulations required with respect to mechanical properties in commercial applications. However, the mechanical properties can be improved when reinforced with nanoparticles. Several reinforcing nanoparticules such as clays, silica or silver have been used for industrial applications, but cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are a better choice for food industry due to their biodegradable and biocompatible nature as well as their outstanding potential in improving mechanical and barrier properties of nanocomposites. CNCs consist of anhydroglucopyranose units (AGU) linked together and several functional hydroxyl groups found on its surface. Modifications of the CNC surface chemistry can give to cellulose new functionalities that open the way to the development of new bioactive reinforcement in food packaging. The present review will be focused on covalent and non covalent modifications that can be achieved on surface CNC with the aim of adding functionalities to be applied for food industry. Â
Absence of extraocular muscle pathology in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy: role for calcium homeostasis in extraocular muscle sparing

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by clinical weakness and progressive necrosis of striated muscle as a consequence of dystrophin deficiency. While all skeletal muscle groups are thought to be affected, enigmatically, the extraocular muscles (EOM) appear clinically unaffected. Here we show that dystrophin deficiency does not result in myonecrosis or pathologically elevated levels of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in EOM. At variance with a previous report, we find no evidence for dystrophin-related protein/utrophin up- regulation in EOM. In vitro experiments demonstrate that extraocular muscles are inherently more resistant to necrosis caused by pharmacologically elevated [Ca2+]i levels when compared with pectoral musculature. We believe that EOM are spared in DMD because of their intrinsic ability to maintain calcium homeostasis better than other striated muscle groups. Our results indicate that modulating levels of [Ca2+]i in muscle may be of potential therapeutic use in DMD.
Muscle damage from eccentric exercise: mechanism, mechanical signs, adaptation and clinical applications

In eccentric exercise the contracting muscle is forcibly lengthened; in concentric exercise it shortens. While concentric contractions initiate movements, eccentric contractions slow or stop them. A unique feature of eccentric exercise is that untrained subjects become stiff and sore the day afterwards because of damage to muscle fibres. This review considers two possible initial events as responsible for the subsequent damage, damage to the excitation‐contraction coupling system and disruption at the level of the sarcomeres. Other changes seen after eccentric exercise, a fall in active tension, shift in optimum length for active tension, and rise in passive tension, are seen, on balance, to favour sarcomere disruption as the starting point for the damage. As well as damage to muscle fibres there is evidence of disturbance of muscle sense organs and of proprioception. A second period of exercise, a week after the first, produces much less damage. This is the result of an adaptation process. One proposed mechanism for the adaptation is an increase in sarcomere number in muscle fibres. This leads to a secondary shift in the muscle's optimum length for active tension. The ability of muscle to rapidly adapt following the damage from eccentric exercise raises the possibility of clinical applications of mild eccentric exercise, such as for protecting a muscle against more major injuries.
Season of Conception in Rural Gambia Affects DNA Methylation at Putative Human Metastable Epialleles

Throughout most of the mammalian genome, genetically regulated developmental programming establishes diverse yet predictable epigenetic states across differentiated cells and tissues. At metastable epialleles (MEs), conversely, epigenotype is established stochastically in the early embryo then maintained in differentiated lineages, resulting in dramatic and systemic interindividual variation in epigenetic regulation. In the mouse, maternal nutrition affects this process, with permanent phenotypic consequences for the offspring. MEs have not previously been identified in humans. Here, using an innovative 2-tissue parallel epigenomic screen, we identified putative MEs in the human genome. In autopsy samples, we showed that DNA methylation at these loci is highly correlated across tissues representing all 3 embryonic germ layer lineages. Monozygotic twin pairs exhibited substantial discordance in DNA methylation at these loci, suggesting that their epigenetic state is established stochastically. We then tested for persistent epigenetic effects of periconceptional nutrition in rural Gambians, who experience dramatic seasonal fluctuations in nutritional status. DNA methylation at MEs was elevated in individuals conceived during the nutritionally challenged rainy season, providing the first evidence of a permanent, systemic effect of periconceptional environment on human epigenotype. At MEs, epigenetic regulation in internal organs and tissues varies among individuals and can be deduced from peripheral blood DNA. MEs should therefore facilitate an improved understanding of the role of interindividual epigenetic variation in human disease.
Methods for Calculating Activation Energy for Portland Cement

This paper examines activation energy (E subscript a) calculation methods used to accurately predict the thermal gradients in concrete. A particular emphasis is placed on models characterizing the temperature sensitivity of hydration in cementitious materials. The Arrhenius equation, which requires selecting a specific E subscript a, is the most commonly used method to define the temperature sensitivity of the reaction. The authors use Arrhenius with three different computational methods to determine the E subscript a of different cementitious pastes. These methods include: 1) a single linear approximation, that calculates the reaction rate based on a first-order differential rate equation, 2) an incremental method that calculates the rate incrementally over a specific time period, and 3) an ASTM C 1074-based modified method that uses isothermal calorimetry data instead of compressive strength. The research takes a detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of the computational methods, as each is applied to a different cementitious paste. From the results, the authors are able to develop a systematic computational method for characterizing E subscript a that accounts for how temperature affects the overall hydration rate in cementitious materials.
Effectiveness of pharmacist dosing adjustment for critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy: a comparative study

Background The impact of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on drug removal is complicated; pharmacist dosing adjustment for these patients may be advantageous. This study aims to describe the development and implementation of pharmacist dosing adjustment for critically ill patients receiving CRRT and to examine the effectiveness of pharmacist interventions. Methods A comparative study was conducted in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a university-affiliated hospital. Patients receiving CRRT in the intervention group received specialized pharmacy dosing service from pharmacists, whereas patients in the no-intervention group received routine medical care without pharmacist involvement. The two phases were compared to evaluate the outcome of pharmacist dosing adjustment. Results The pharmacist carried out 233 dosing adjustment recommendations for patients receiving CRRT, and 212 (90.98%) of the recommendations were well accepted by the physicians. Changes in CRRT-related variables (n=144, 61.81%) were the most common risk factors for dosing errors, whereas antibiotics (n=168, 72.10%) were the medications most commonly associated with dosing errors. Pharmacist dosing adjustment resulted in a US$2,345.98 ICU cost savings per critically ill patient receiving CRRT. Suspected adverse drug events in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the preintervention group (35 in 27 patients versus [vs] 18 in eleven patients, P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between length of ICU stay and mortality after pharmacist dosing adjustment, which was 8.93 days vs 7.68 days (P=0.26) and 30.10% vs 27.36% (P=0.39), respectively. Conclusion Pharmacist dosing adjustment for patients receiving CRRT was well accepted by physicians, and was related with lower adverse drug event rates and ICU cost savings. These results may support the development of strategies to include a pharmacist in the multidisciplinary ICU team.
Intraluminal valves: development, function and disease

ABSTRACT The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, which function in parallel to provide nutrients and remove waste from the body. Vascular function depends on valves, which regulate unidirectional fluid flow against gravitational and pressure gradients. Severe valve disorders can cause mortality and some are associated with severe morbidity. Although cardiac valve defects can be treated by valve replacement surgery, no treatment is currently available for valve disorders of the veins and lymphatics. Thus, a better understanding of valves, their development and the progression of valve disease is warranted. In the past decade, molecules that are important for vascular function in humans have been identified, with mouse studies also providing new insights into valve formation and function. Intriguing similarities have recently emerged between the different types of valves concerning their molecular identity, architecture and development. Shear stress generated by fluid flow has also been shown to regulate endothelial cell identity in valves. Here, we review our current understanding of valve development with an emphasis on its mechanobiology and significance to human health, and highlight unanswered questions and translational opportunities. Summary: This Review summarizes the similarities between cardiac and vascular valves, and highlights unanswered questions in diagnosis and treatment of valve disorders.