Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deflection of Cross-Ply Composite Laminates Induced by Piezoelectric Actuators

The coupling effects between the mechanical and electric properties of piezoelectric materials have drawn significant attention for their potential applications as sensors and actuators. In this investigation, two piezoelectric actuators are symmetrically surface bonded on a cross-ply composite laminate. Electric voltages with the same amplitude and opposite sign are applied to the two symmetric piezoelectric actuators, resulting in the bending effect on the laminated plate. The bending moment is derived by using the classical laminate theory and piezoelectricity. The analytical solution of the flexural displacement of the simply supported composite plate subjected to the bending moment is solved by using the plate theory. The analytical solution is compared with the finite element solution to show the validation of present approach. The effects of the size and location of the piezoelectric actuators on the response of the composite laminate are presented through a parametric study. A simple model incorporating the classical laminate theory and plate theory is presented to predict the deformed shape of the simply supported laminate plate.
The Wilders divide: judgment in dutch politics

This research looked at the effect of motivated reasoning on the way people judge information from politicians in the Netherlands. Participants were presented with pairs of conflicting statements made by Geert Wilders. They were then asked to rate these inconsistencies from severe to not severe at all. Results show that participants who had positive feelings about Geert Wilders rated consistencies as less severe than people who felt neutral about him. People who felt negatively about Wilders rated the inconsistencies more severe then both other groups. These findings are in line with previous research done in America, and show that when strong feelings are involved people tend to use motivated reasoning instead of cold cognitive reasoning. Results also show that when faced with favorable or unfavorable information, when strong feelings are involved it does not matter if this information comes from a favorable or unfavorable source. In this case prior attitudes overshadow any effects that source might play.
The Role of Information Quality in Healthcare Organizations: A Multi-Disciplinary Literature Review

The volume of data in healthcare repositories is growing exponentially, giving increased concerns on its organizational implications. The quality of data and information represents a considerable risk for organizations, particularly in healthcare, where consequences of poor quality may be fatal for patients. This research seeks to investigate the role of information quality in organizations, by reviewing multi-disciplinary research literature and provide a framework of the relations between IQ and its organizational implications. Findings suggest that research on information quality has focused on different aspects of organizational impact: organizational performance, process performance, process improvement, and decision-making. However, since the research is fragmented and scarce, this paper suggests a shift in research focus from defining, measuring and improving information quality, to understanding the implications and applications of information quality towards better and safer health services.
[Left ventricular hypertrophy of athletes: adaptative physiologic response of the heart].

OBJECTIVE To verify whether left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) of elite competition athletes (marathoners) represents a purely physiological, adaptative process, or it may involve pathological aspects in its anatomical and functional characteristics. METHODS From November 1999 to December 2000, consecutive samples from 30 under 50-year-old marathoners in full sportive activity, with previously documented LVH and absence of cardiopathy were selected. They were submitted to clinical exams, electrocardiogram, color Doppler echocardiogram and exercise treadmill test (ETT). Fifteen were assorted to be also submitted to ergoespirometric test and heart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS In ETT, all of them showed good physical pulmonary capacity, with no evidences of ischemic response to exercise, symptoms or arrhythmias. In Doppler echocardiogram, values of diameter and diastolic thickness of LV posterior wall, interventricular septum, LV mass and left atrium diameter, were significantly higher when compared to non-athlete control group, with similar ages and anthropometric measurements. The mean of LV mass of athletes indexed to body surface (126 g/m2) was significantly greater than the one in control group (70 g/m2) (p < 0.001). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed there was not impairment of contractile strength or LV performance, and values of end diastolic volume, end systolic volume and EF within limits of normality. On the other hand, average ventricular parietal mass, 162.93 +/- 17.90 g, and LV parietal thickness, 13.67 +/- 2.13 mm, at the end of diastole in athlete group, differed significantly from control group: 110 +/- 14.2 g (p = 0.0001) and 8 +/- 0.9 mm, respectively (p = 0.0001). The same happened to the thickness at the end of systole, which was 18.87 +/- 3.40 mm (control group: 10 +/- 1.80 mm, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Results allowed for concluding that LVH in marathoners in full sportive activity period, assessed by non-invasive methods, represents an adaptative response to intensive and prolonged physical training, with purely physiological characteristics.
Proximity-induced superconductivity in single-layer and bilayer graphene

In this work, the properties of proximity-induced superconductivity in graphene and bilayer graphene are investigated. First, we present the study of a junction consisting of a graphene sheet connected with superconducting electrodes spaced by 120 nm. The sample is produced on top a Si/SiO2 wafer playing the role of a back gate and the low distance between the contacts is achieved by shadow evaporation. The sample is characterised at 50 mK and exhibits a dissipationless current on the whole range of Fermi energy accessed. We report then the realisation and study of a double-gated bilayer graphene sheet connected with superconducting electrodes. The device is produced on top of a sapphire wafer by using transfer techniques. The bilayer is sandwiched between two atomically flat hexagonal boron nitride sheets used as substrate and gate dielectric. Our measurements at 7 mK show that the induced supercurrent vanishes around the charge neutrality point, while a large product of critical current and normal-state resistance is measured at high charge carrier density. High resistance peaks which cannot be explained by the presence of multiple Andreev reflection are present in the differential resistance, and at any gate voltage. A small magnetic field suppresses those peaks, highlighting an apparent link with the superconductivity. The amplitude of the critical current as well as the normal-state resistance can be tuned by the displacement field induced by the two gates. These measurements show that the bilayer presents a spontaneous asymmetry which can be compensated by the induced displacement field. A finite critical current is then observable even at the charge neutrality point.
Serum Albumin Levels Predict Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible interrelation of serum albumin levels and cognitive function of elderly hip fracture patients. The study involved 331 elderly patients with hip fractures, admitted for rehabilitation. Cognition was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). MMSE scores less than 24 points were considered suggestive of cognitive impairment. Age, serum albumin levels, and previous stroke emerged as the only statistically significant parameters differing between those with MMSE score less than 24 or higher. After adjusting for confounding variables, the middle and lowest tertiles of serum albumin levels were associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment (odds ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval 1.15-3.38, P < .01 vs 3.06 and 1.79-5.23, P < .001, respectively). This study shows that lower serum albumin levels are independently associated with lower MMSE scores in hip fractured elderly patients, supporting the possible role of chronic low-grade inflammation in age-related cognitive decline.
Induction of adaptive response: Pre-exposure of mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields reduces hematopoietic damage caused by subsequent exposure to ionising radiation

Purpose: To investigate whether an adaptive response can be induced in mice which were pre-exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields. Materials and methods: Adult male Kunming mice were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields (RF) at power intensities of 12, 120 and 1200 μW/cm2 for 1 h/day for 14 days and then subjected to whole body gamma-irradiation. The results were compared with those in unexposed control animals and those exposed to gamma-irradiation alone (without pre-exposure to RF). The extent of survival and hematopoietic tissue damage (assessed in the form of nucleated colony forming cells in the bone marrow and colony forming cells in the spleen of lethally irradiated ‘recipient’ mice) as well as the expression of cell cycle-related genes were investigated. Results: The results indicated a significant increase in survival time, reduction in the hematopoietic tissue damage in RF pre-exposed mice which were gamma-irradiated (as compared with those exposed to gamma-radiation alone). This was accompanied by significantly increased expression of cell cycle-related genes, namely, cyclin-D1, cyclin-E, cyclin-DK4 and cyclin-DK2 in hematopoietic cells. Conclusions: Pre-exposure of mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields has resulted in a significant reduction in hematopoietic damage caused by subsequent exposure to ionising radiation. This phenomenon appears to be similar to that of the ‘adaptive response’ which is well documented in scientific literature.
Corrections and Clarifications: Multiple Intestinal Neoplasia Caused By a Mutation in the Murine Homolog of the APC Gene

Germ-line mutations of the APC gene are responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an autosomal dominantly inherited disease in humans. Patients with FAP develop multiple benign colorectal tumors. Recently, a mouse lineage that exhibits an autosomal dominantly inherited predisposition to multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) was described. Linkage analysis showed that the murine homolog of the APC gene (mApc) was tightly linked to the Min locus. Sequence comparison of mApc between normal and Min-affected mice identified a nonsense mutation, which cosegregated with the Min phenotype. This mutation is analogous to those found in FAP kindreds and in sporadic colorectal cancers.
Longitudinal excursion and strain in the median nerve during novel nerve gliding exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome

Nerve and tendon gliding exercises are advocated in the conservative and postoperative management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, traditionally advocated exercises elongate the nerve bedding substantially, which may induce a potentially deleterious strain in the median nerve with the risk of symptom exacerbation in some patients and reduced benefits from nerve gliding. This study aimed to evaluate various nerve gliding exercises, including novel techniques that aim to slide the nerve through the carpal tunnel while minimizing strain (“sliding techniques”). With these sliding techniques, it is assumed that an increase in nerve strain due to nerve bed elongation at one joint (e.g., wrist extension) is simultaneously counterbalanced by a decrease in nerve bed length at an adjacent joint (e.g., elbow flexion). Excursion and strain in the median nerve at the wrist were measured with a digital calliper and miniature strain gauge in six human cadavers during six mobilization techniques. The sliding technique resulted in an excursion of 12.4 mm, which was 30% larger than any other technique (p ≤ 0.0002). Strain also differed between techniques (p ≤ 0.00001), with minimal peak values for the sliding technique. Nerve gliding associated with wrist movements can be considerably increased and nerve strain substantially reduced by simultaneously moving neighboring joints. These novel nerve sliding techniques are biologically plausible exercises for CTS that deserve further clinical evaluation. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:972–980, 2007
Coenzyme Q10 prevents peripheral neuropathy and attenuates neuron loss in the db−/db− mouse, a type 2 diabetes model

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Here we studied some phenotypic features of a well-established animal model of type 2 diabetes, the leptin receptor-deficient db−/db− mouse, and also the effect of long-term (6 mo) treatment with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an endogenous antioxidant. Diabetic mice at 8 mo of age exhibited loss of sensation, hypoalgesia (an increase in mechanical threshold), and decreases in mechanical hyperalgesia, cold allodynia, and sciatic nerve conduction velocity. All these changes were virtually completely absent after the 6-mo, daily CoQ10 treatment in db−/db− mice when started at 7 wk of age. There was a 33% neuronal loss in the lumbar 5 dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of the db−/db− mouse versus controls at 8 mo of age, which was significantly attenuated by CoQ10. There was no difference in neuron number in 5/6-wk-old mice between diabetic and control mice. We observed a strong down-regulation of phospholipase C (PLC) β3 in the DRGs of diabetic mice at 8 mo of age, a key molecule in pain signaling, and this effect was also blocked by the 6-mo CoQ10 treatment. Many of the phenotypic, neurochemical regulations encountered in lumbar DRGs in standard models of peripheral nerve injury were not observed in diabetic mice at 8 mo of age. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species and reduced PLCβ3 expression may contribute to the sensory deficits in the late-stage diabetic db−/db− mouse, and that early long-term administration of the antioxidant CoQ10 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes neuropathy.
Translation and validation of a Chinese version of the 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale in myocardial infarction patients.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Poor medication adherence is a major global public health challenge. A valid, reliable, cost-effective tool for measuring medication adherence would lead to a better understanding of non-adherence and lay the groundwork for interventions aimed at facilitating adherence to therapies. The aim of this study was to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (C-MMAS-8) in Chinese myocardial infarction (MI) patients. METHODS Psychometric testing of the C-MMAS-8 was conducted using a convenience sample of 176 MI patients recruited from four major hospitals in Guangzhou in southern China. Socio-demographic data, C-MMAS-8 and three subscales of the revised illness perception questionnaire (treatment control, personal control and illness coherence subscales) were administered to the MI patients. Thirty MI patients participated in a 4-week retest. RESULTS The C-MMAS-8 demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.77) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.88, P < 0.001). Significant correlations with treatment control subscale (r = 0.32, P < 0.01), personal control subscale (r = 0.47, P < 0.01), and illness coherence subscale (r = 0.44, P < 0.01) of the revised illness perception questionnaire demonstrated good construct validity. CONCLUSIONS The psychometric properties of the C-MMAS-8 are satisfactory.
Relations between emotional labor and job stress among some dental hygienists

ABSTRACTObjectives: The study set out to analyze correlations between emotional labor and job stress among dentalhygienist, who have direct and lasting relationships with patients in dental clinic, and provide basic data toresolve stressors and manage stress.Methods: A survey was taken among dental hygienists working at dental clinics, and 200 questionnaires wereused in analysis. The gathered data were put to Cronbach’s alpha with the SPSS WIN12.0 program to test thereliability of the inventories to measure their emotional labor and job stress. In addition, correlation analysis wasconducted to examine relations between the items of emotional labor and those of job stress along with regressionanalysis to examine relations between emotional labor and job stress. Finally, t-test and One-way ANOVA wereconducted to test mean differences in the job stress items acco rding to the degrees of emotional labor with thestatistical significance level set at 0.05. Results: 1. The measurement tool used in the study recorded 0.7 for all the areas of Cronbach’s alpha for internalreliability and thus achieved high reliability. 2. The overall mean of emotional labor was 2.74, which indicatesthat the dental hygienists had ‘average’or higher stress for emotional labor. 3. Emotional labor had statisticallysignificant relations with educational background, place of work, motivation to choose to be a dental hygienist,and religion of their general characteristics. 4. There was statistical significance in relations between generalcharacteristics and job stress according to educational background, position at work, and experience with changeof occupation. 5. The correlations between emotional labor and the stress areas were analyzed. As a result, emo-tional labor was in positive(+) correlations with job demand, lack of job autonomy, relational conflict, job insta-bility, organizational system, and corporate culture. In addition, regression analysis was conducted to test causalrelations between emotional labor and job stress. The results indicate that there were positive(+) influencesbetween emotional labor and job stress. Conclusions: The results show that emotional labor can serve as a mediatin g variable for job stress in dentalclinic. Thus both dental clinics and dental hygienists need to have ways to deal with job stress derived from emo-tional labor in which they are forced to process their emotions according to the dental clinics’demands, properly.The study will hopefully trigger ongoing follow-up researches on the deployment of dental hygienists accordingto their job characteristics and the situational variables to alleviate the negative results of emotional labor. Keywords: dental hygienists, emotional labor, job stress색인: 감정노동, 직무스트레스, 치과위생사
Acute molecular responses to concurrent resistance and high-intensity interval exercise in untrained skeletal muscle

Concurrent training involving resistance and endurance exercise may augment the benefits of single‐mode training for the purpose of improving health. However, muscle adaptations, associated with resistance exercise, may be blunted by a subsequent bout of endurance exercise, via molecular interference. High‐intensity interval training (HIIT), generating similar adaptations to endurance exercise, may offer an alternative exercise mode to traditional endurance exercise. This study examined the influence of an acute HIIT session on the molecular responses following resistance exercise in untrained skeletal muscle. Ten male participants performed resistance exercise (4 × 8 leg extensions, 70% 1RM, (RE)) or RE followed by HIIT (10 × 1 min at 90% HRmax, (RE+HIIT)). Muscle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis before, 2 and 6 h post‐RE to determine intramuscular protein phosphorylation and mRNA responses. Phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) decreased at 6 h in both trials (P < 0.05). Phosphorylation of mTOR (Ser2448) was higher in RE+HIIT (P < 0.05). All PGC‐1α mRNA variants increased at 2 h in RE+HIIT with PGC‐1α and PGC‐1α‐ex1b remaining elevated at 6 h, whereas RE‐induced increases at 2 and 6 h for PGC‐1α‐ex1b only (P < 0.05). Myostatin expression decreased at 2 and 6 h in both trials (P < 0.05). MuRF‐1 was elevated in RE+HIIT versus RE at 2 and 6 h (P < 0.05). Atrogin‐1 was lower at 2 h, with FOXO3A downregulated at 6 h (P < 0.05). These data do not support the existence of an acute interference effect on protein signaling and mRNA expression, and suggest that HIIT may be an alternative to endurance exercise when performed after resistance exercise in the same training session to optimize adaptations.
Are Gains made in IAPT Psychoeducational Groups Maintained over Time? A Qualitative Study

Volume 1 of this thesis evaluates the effectiveness of brief Psychoeducative Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (PGCBT) groups for depression and anxiety disorders. Volume 1 is presented in three parts. Part 1 is a systematic literature review of outcome studies on PGCBT for depression and common anxiety disorders, delivered in group format over eight or fewer sessions. Study quality was evaluated using the Downs and Black (1998) critical appraisal tool. Results indicated that the interventions were effective, more so for anxiety disorders than depression. Studies’ qualities and methodologies were variable, making a meta-analysis impossible and weakening the findings. The quality of the current evidence base and methodological issues are discussed and avenues for further research suggested. Part 2 is a qualitative study into what patients who completed a five session psychoeducative group delivered by an IAPT service found beneficial and how they incorporated benefits into their lives. Fifteen participants who showed reliable clinical benefit on a measure of anxiety or depression during intervention were interviewed approximately six months post-group and their responses evaluated using thematic analysis. Results showed that most people incorporated some CBT skills into daily life, either through deliberate use or less formal awareness of new ways to approach problems. However participants found the normative, cohesive and cathartic elements of the group more important in effecting change. Results were used to make recommendations to services in designing interventions and to highlight research opportunities. Part 3 is a critical appraisal of the qualitative study focused on the background to choice of research topic and methodology, followed by consideration of conceptual issues, and practical and methodological limitations to the research. It concludes with a consideration of the research process on participants and the researcher.
MODELING OF FUTURE LAND COVER LAND USE CHANGE IN NORTH CAROLINA USING MARKOV CHAIN AND CELLULAR AUTOMATA MODEL

State wide variant topographic features in North Ca rolina attract the hydro-climatologist. There is no ne modeling study found that predict future Land Cover Land Use (LCLU) change for whole North Carolina. In this study, satellite-derived land cover maps of year 1992, 2001 and 2006 of North Carolina were integrated within the framework of the Markov-Cellular Automata (Markov-CA) model which combines the Markov chain and Cellular Automata (CA) techniques. A Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) was used to produce suitability future images. The Markov Chain and MCE analyses provided transition probability area and suitable images, respectively which were t hen dynamically adjusted through the Multi-Objective Land Allocation and CA spatial filter. Two stages o f validation procedures were adopted in this study: 1. The Relative Operating Characteristics was used to validate suitability images and 2. The Kappa index of agreement was used to validate the overall LCLU changed simulated map. LCLU prediction of North Carolina for year 2030 shows 20% increase of built up land, 17% decrease of forest land while comparin g that with year 1992. About 7% agricultural land was found to decrease in 2030 when compared with 2001 data. No significant changes were found for water b ody and other land category coverage. Much of the built-up land (urban expansion) was found to be in the southern, mid and mid-eastern portion of North Carolina. Loss of forest area was predicted mostly in western and mid-western part.