Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Who's challenging who? Changing attitudes towards those whose behaviour challenges.

BACKGROUND Although staff attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disability (ID) whose behaviour challenges may be an important part of a positive support culture, very little research has focused on the development of training specifically designed to change staff attitudes. Positive contact is hypothesised to be an effective way to change attitudes towards stigmatised groups. METHODS We designed and developed a half day training package about the experiences of individuals whose behaviour challenges - Who's Challenging Who (WCW). The WCW package was delivered according to a manual by a trainer with ID and a professional without disability. Seventy-six staff from a variety of organisations participated in one of 10 WCW training sessions and provided data on their attitudes and empathy towards individuals whose behaviour challenges prior to the WCW training and immediately at the end of training. Staff also completed a post-training evaluation questionnaire. RESULTS A training package was successfully developed collaboratively with individuals whose behaviour challenges, and received very positive evaluations from staff participants. Short-term positive change was shown for empowerment and similarity attitudes, and staff empathy and self-efficacy. These outcomes were associated with small to moderate effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS Meaningful short-term positive staff attitude changes were found and the WCW training model was shown to be feasible. More robust research designs are needed for future evaluation. In addition, the function of an attitude change intervention such as WCW within organisations' training strategies requires further development.
Influence of Substrate Shape and Roughness on Coating Microstructure in Suspension Plasma Spray

This study investigated the influence of the substrate shape and roughness on the microstructure of suspension plasma spray (SPS) coatings. For this purpose, an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) suspension was sprayed on flat and curved stainless-steel substrates by SPS. The suspension was composed of 20 wt. % YSZ particles in ethanol. After spraying, the morphology of the coatings was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the substrate shape influences the amount of coating material deposited and microstructural features of the coating. The amount of coating material deposited was seen to decrease as the radius of curvature decreased. Finally, the roughness was found to influence the formation of columnar structure.
Interleaving Energy-Conservation Mode (IECM) Control in Single-Inductor Dual-Output (SIDO) Step-Down Converters With 91% Peak Efficiency

The proposed single-inductor dual-output (SIDO) converter with interleaving energy-conservation mode (IECM) control is designed using 65 nm technology to power the ultra-wide band (UWB) system. The energy-conservation mode (ECM) control generates four different energy delivery paths for dual buck outputs with only one inductor. In addition, the superposition technique is used to achieve a minimized inductor current level. The average inductor current is equal to the summation of two output loads. Moreover, the IECM control activates the interleaving operation through the current interleaving mechanism to provide large driving capability as well as to reduce the output voltage ripple. As a result, 91% peak efficiency is derived and the output voltage ripple appears notably minimized by 50% using current interleaving at heavy load. The test chip occupies 1.44 mm2 in 65 nm CMOS and integrates with a three-dimensional (3-D) architecture for inductor integration.
Does the X-ray emission of the luminous quasar RBS 1124 originate in a mildly relativistic outflowing corona?

We have observed the luminous (L 2-10keV ≃ 6 × 10 44 erg s -1 ) radio-quiet quasar RBS 1124 (z = 0.208) with Suzaku. We report the detection of a moderately broad iron (Fe) line and of a weak soft X-ray excess. The X-ray data are very well described by a simple model comprising a power-law X-ray continuum plus its reflection off the accretion disc. If the inner disc radius we measure (r in ≤ 3.8 gravitational radii) is identified with the innermost stable circular orbit of the black hole space-time, we infer that the black hole powering RBS 1124 is rotating rapidly with spin a ≥ 0.6. The soft excess contribution in the 0.5-2 keV band is ∼15 per cent, about half than that typically observed in unobscured Seyfert 1 galaxies and quasars, in line with the low disc reflection fraction we measure (R disc ≃ 0.4). The low reflection fraction cannot be driven by disc truncation which is at odds not only with the small inner disc radius we infer but, most importantly, with the radiatively efficient nature of the source (L Bol /L Edd ≃ 1). A plausible explanation is that the X-ray corona is the base of a failed jet (RBS 1124 being radio-quiet) and actually outflowing at mildly relativistic speeds. Aberration reduces the irradiation of the disc, thus forcing a lower than standard reflection fraction, and halves the inferred source intrinsic luminosity, reducing the derived Eddington ratio from ≃1 to ≃0.5. A partial covering model provides a statistically equivalent description of the 0.3-10 keV data, but provides a worse fit above 10 ke V. More importantly, its properties are not consistent with being associated to the Fe emission line, worsening the degree of self-consistency of the model. Moreover, the partial covering model implies that RBS 1124 is radiating well above its Eddington luminosity, which seems unlikely and very far off from previous estimates.
A boxy bulge in the Milky Way : Inversion of the stellar statistics equation with 2MASS data

Inverting the stellar statistics equation from 2MASS star counts, we obtain the 3D density distribution of the Galactic bulge as well as its luminosity function in the K-band. This results in a boxy bulge with axial ratios 1:0.5:0.4 and a major axis angle with respect to the Sun-galactic center of 20 ◦ −35 ◦ .
Appetite in chronic hemodialysis patients: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE In hemodialysis (HD) patients, appetite behavior over time and the causes of diminished appetite are essentially unknown. The present study aimed to assess appetite over time in HD patients, and to define the factors associated with different appetite trends. DESIGN We conducted a longitudinal study. SETTING This study took place at the Hemodialysis Service of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, Italy. PATIENTS We studied 54 HD prevalent patients. INTERVENTION At baseline and 5 months later, we assessed appetite, nutritional and inflammatory parameters, comorbid conditions, and scores on the Charlson Comorbidity Index. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE We were primarily interested in an evaluation of appetite over time and the definition of factors associated with different appetite trends. RESULTS We identified 5 groups of patients. In group A (15 patients), every month, each patient responded that appetite was very good or good. In group B (10 patients), every month, each patient responded that appetite was good or fair. In group C (6 patients), every month, each patient responded that appetite was fair or poor. In group D (6 patients), every month, each patient responded that appetite was poor or very poor. In group E (17 patients), the answers of each patient varied over time. Groups A and B were pooled into group 1, groups C and D into group 2, and group E constituted group 3. Age was significantly lower in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. Comorbidities were significantly more frequent in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. The Charlson Comorbidity Index was significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. The percentage of patients hospitalized during follow-up and the number of hospitalizations were significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. CONCLUSIONS Appetite in HD patients may be constantly very good/good or fair/poor, or may fluctuate over time. The latter trends are associated with older age, more comorbidities, and more hospitalizations.
Detection and monitoring of normal and leukemic cell populations with hierarchical clustering of flow cytometry data

Flow cytometry is a valuable tool in research and diagnostics including minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring of hematologic malignancies. However, its gradual advancement toward increasing numbers of fluorescent parameters leads to information rich datasets, which are challenging to analyze by standard gating and do not reflect the multidimensionality of the data.
Mechanics of post-cam engagement during simulated dynamic activity

Posterior‐stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) components employ a tibial post and femoral cam mechanism to guide anteroposterior knee motion in lieu of the posterior cruciate ligament. Some PS TKA patients report a clicking sensation when the post and cam engage, while severe wear and fracture of the post; we hypothesize that these complications are associated with excessive impact velocity at engagement. We evaluated the effect of implant design on engagement dynamics of the post‐cam mechanism and resulting polyethylene stresses during dynamic activity. In vitro simulation of a knee bend activity was performed for four cadaveric specimens implanted with PS TKA components. Post‐cam engagement velocity and flexion angle at initial contact were determined. The experimental data were used to validate computational predictions of PS mechanics using the same loading conditions. A lower limb model was subsequently utilized to compare engagement mechanics of eight TKA designs, relating differences between implants to geometric design features. Flexion angle and post‐cam velocity at engagement demonstrated considerable ranges among designs (23°–89°, and 0.05–0.22 mm/°, respectively). Post‐cam velocity was correlated (r = 0.89) with tibiofemoral condylar design features. Condylar geometry, in addition to post‐cam geometry, played a significant role in minimizing engagement velocity and forces and stresses in the post. This analysis guides selection and design of PS implants that facilitate smooth post‐cam engagement and reduce edge loading of the post. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1438–1446, 2013
Streptococcal cell wall arthritis. Passive transfer of disease with a T cell line and crossreactivity of streptococcal cell wall antigens with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Primary lymph node cells derived from streptococcal cell wall arthritic rats or those derived from adjuvant arthritic rats proliferated in response to cell wall antigens derived from either streptococcal cell walls or those from M. tuberculosis. In addition, two T cell lines have been isolated from lymph nodes of rats during the chronic phase of streptococcal cell wall arthritis. These T cell lines transfered clinical disease to naive syngeneic irradiated recipients, and they proliferated in the presence of cell wall antigens derived from streptococci or antigens derived from Mycobacterium but failed to proliferate in the presence of the 65-kD antigen (containing the sequence TFGLQLELT) derived from Mycobacterium. These observations indicate that T cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of streptococcal cell wall arthritis and suggest that antigenic crossreactivity exists between cell walls of group A streptococci and antigens derived from Mycobacterium. The 65-kD Mycobacterium protein is not involved in the observed antigenic crossreactivity.
Endothelin-1 and Adrenomedullin Plasma Levels After Exposure to Fludrocortisone, Dexamethasone, and Spironolactone

We asked whether plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) or adrenomedullin (ADM) are altered by different activity states of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). Levels of ET-1 and ADM were studied in patients with primary aldosteronism (n = 15), essential hypertension (n = 15), and adrenal insufficiency (n = 7). Effects of fludrocortisone, dexamethasone, or spironolactone treatment on ET-1 and ADM levels were also analyzed. Plasma ET-1 and ADM concentrations did not differ significantly between the patient groups. After fludrocortisone, dexamethasone, or spironolactone treatment, both ET-1 and ADM did not change significantly. The data support the hypothesis that the RAAS is not directly linked with the ET-1/ADM system.
Salivary peptidome in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetic patients show a high susceptibility to oral diseases of inflammatory, catabolic and chronic nature with potential impact on saliva composition. In this study, our purpose was to characterize type 1 diabetes-induced alterations in the salivary peptidome aiming to find prospective biomarkers for type 1 diabetes oral health evaluation. Peptidomic analysis of saliva from controls (n = 5) and type 1 diabetic patients (n = 5) were performed by liquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry. The proteolytic activity and metalloproteinases expression was accessed by zymography and slot blot analysis, respectively. Data evidenced a significant increase in the percentage of peptides in diabetic patients paralleled by a higher proteolytic activity, compared with healthy individuals. The nonsalivary gland protein fragments identified in saliva were mainly derived from collagen and extracellular matrix proteins, namely collagen type I. The cleavage site frequency analysis showed significant differences between healthy and type 1 diabetic individuals, highlighting the activity of proteases such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cathepsin D. Our results highlight salivary collagen fragments as potential biomarkers to follow up diabetes-related oral damage.
Effects of Therapeutic Physical Agents on Achilles Tendon Microcirculation.

STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. OBJECTIVES To measure Achilles tendon microcirculation (total hemoglobin [THb] and oxygen saturation [StO2]) before and after the application of a physical agent in asymptomatic participants, and to compare differences between application location and physical agent dosage. BACKGROUND Tendon microcirculation can be altered by superficial heating or cryotherapy. METHODS Fifty-one healthy adults (median age, 22 years; range, 20-34 years) were recruited and randomly assigned into 1 of 4 groups. Participants in each group received an intervention consisting of 1 of the following 4 physical agents: ultrasound (n = 12), interferential current (n = 14), low-level laser (n = 11), or vibration massage (n = 14). In each group, the selected intervention was applied at 2 different doses (ultrasound, 0.8 or 1.2 W/cm(2); laser, 5.4 or 18 J) or target locations (vibration and electrostimulation, calf muscle or Achilles tendon). For each participant, each dose or target location was randomly applied to 1 randomly selected lower leg (each leg receiving only 1 of the 2 options). RESULTS The StO2 values significantly increased after ultrasound at both doses (P<.008), and the THb value significantly increased for the higher dose only (P<.008). Both THb and StO2 values also significantly increased in response to vibration massage targeting the Achilles tendon (P<.008), and these values were greater than those resulting from the vibration massage applied to the calf muscle (P = .003 and .002, respectively). No significant THb and StO2 differences were found after the application of interferential current or low-level laser. CONCLUSION Tendon microcirculation increases after ultrasound and vibration massage intervention concentrated on the Achilles tendon. These modalities may be considered for the purpose of temporarily increasing microcirculation in the tendon.
Feasibility of Exercise Training for the Short-Term Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Exercise training may be especially helpful for patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). We conducted a randomized controlled trial to quantify the effects of 6 weeks of resistance (RET) or aerobic exercise training (AET) on remission and worry symptoms among sedentary patients with GAD. Methods: Thirty sedentary women aged 18–37 years, diagnosed by clinicians blinded to treatment allocation with a primary DSM-IV diagnosis of GAD and not engaged in any treatment other than pharmacotherapy, were randomly allocated to RET, AET, or a wait list (WL). RET involved 2 weekly sessions of lower-body weightlifting. AET involved 2 weekly sessions of leg cycling matched with RET for body region, positive work, time actively engaged in exercise, and load progression. Remission was measured by the number needed to treat (NNT). Worry symptoms were measured by the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Results: There were no adverse events. Remission rates were 60%, 40%, and 30% for RET, AET, and WL, respectively. The NNT was 3 (95% CI 2 to 56) for RET and 10 (95% CI –7 to 3) for AET. A significant condition-by-time interaction was found for worry symptoms. A follow-up contrast showed significant reductions in worry symptoms for combined exercise conditions versus the WL. Conclusions: Exercise training, including RET, is a feasible, low-risk treatment that can potentially reduce worry symptoms among GAD patients and may be an effective adjuvant, short-term treatment or augmentation for GAD. Preliminary findings warrant further investigation.
Reliability and validity of the 7-day Physical Activity Recall interview in a Spanish population

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and convergent validity of the 7-day Physical Activity Recall (7-day PAR) interview in a sample of the Spanish population. Valid 7-day PAR interviews were conducted and RT3 accelerometer measurements taken for 160 subjects from the primary care population aged 24–83, 75 men and 85 women. Two 7-day PAR interviews were conducted, with a one-week interval, with 147 of these participants. Test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Convergent validity between the 7-day PAR and the accelerometer data were examined using Spearman's correlation coefficients, and the kappa index of agreement was calculated. The 7-day PAR reliability coefficients were 0.68 (95%CI: 0.58–0.76) for total energy expenditure, 0.65 (95%CI: 0.54–0.73) for the activity dose, and 0.61 (95%CI: 0.50–0.70) and 0.75 (95%CI: 0.67–0.81) for time spent on moderate and vigorous-intensity activity, respectively. These coefficients ranged from 0.91 to 0.96 in participants who reported a typical week in both interviews. Convergent validity ranged from 0.25 for time spent on vigorous activity to 0.52 for the activity dose, and the kappa index was 0.43 (95%CI: 0.30–0.56). Reliability and convergent validity coefficients in the Spanish population were generally moderate and similar to those found in other studies.
Presence of electrostatically adsorbed polysaccharides improves spray drying of liposomes.

UNLABELLED Spray drying of liposomes with conventional wall materials such as maltodextrins often yields nonfunctional powders, that is, liposomes break down during drying and rehydration. Electrostatically coating the surface of liposomes with a charged polymer prior to spray drying may help solve this problem. Anionic lecithin liposomes (approximately 400 nm) were coated with lower (approximately 500 kDa, LMW-C) or higher (approximately 900 kDa, HMW-C) molecular weight cationic chitosan using the layer-by-layer depositing method. Low (DE20, LMW-MD) or high molecular weight (DE2, HMW-MD) maltodextrin was added as wall material to facilitate spray drying. If surfaces of liposomes (1%) were completely covered with chitosan (0.4%), no bridging or depletion flocculation would occur, and mean particle diameters would be approximately 500 nm. If maltodextrins (20%) were added to uncoated liposomes, extensive liposomal breakdown would occur making the system unsuitable for spray drying. No such aggregation or breakdown was observed when maltodextrin was added to chitosan-coated liposomes. Size changed little or even decreased slightly depending on the molecular weight of maltodextrin added. Scanning electron microscopy images of powders containing chitosan-coated liposomes revealed that their morphologies depended on the type of maltodextrin added. Powders prepared with LMW-MD contained mostly spherical particles while HMW-MD powders contained particles with concavities and dents. Upon redispersion, coated liposomes yielded back dispersions with particle size distributions similar to the original ones, except for LMW-C coated samples that had been spray dried with HMW-MD which yielded aggregates (approximately 30 μm). Results show that coating of liposomes with an absorbing polymer allows them to be spray dried with conventional maltodextrin wall materials. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Liposomes have attracted considerable attention in the food and agricultural, biomedical industries for the delivery of functional components. However, maintaining their stability in aqueous dispersion represents a challenge for their commercialization. Spray drying may promise a solution to that problem. However, prior to this study spray drying of liposomes often led to the loss of structural integrity. Results of this study suggest that spray drying might be used to produce commercially feasible liposomal powders if proper combinations of adsorbing and nonadsorbing polymers are used in the liquid precursor system.
Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors for Harsh Environments

Because of their small size, passive nature, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and capability to directly measure physical parameters such as temperature and strain, fiber Bragg grating sensors have developed beyond a laboratory curiosity and are becoming a mainstream sensing technology. Recently, high temperature stable gratings based on regeneration techniques and femtosecond infrared laser processing have shown promise for use in extreme environments such as high temperature, pressure or ionizing radiation. Such gratings are ideally suited for energy production applications where there is a requirement for advanced energy system instrumentation and controls that are operable in harsh environments. This paper will present a review of some of the more recent developments.
Quality of antiretroviral and opportunistic infection medications dispensed from developing countries and Internet pharmacies

Generic manufacturers help decrease the cost of antiretroviral (ARV) and antimicrobial medications which are used to treat opportunistic infections (OIs) in developing countries. Concerns have been expressed about potential quality issues with such medications as a result of the identification of numerous counterfeit medications in developing countries. However, few studies have assessed the quality of these medications using the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) compendial standards. The goal of this study was to assess the quality of ARV and OI medications obtained from various sources, including South Africa, United States, China, Ethiopia, Thailand, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria and five Internet pharmacies.
Sustainable groundwater resources development

Abstract Sustainable groundwater resources development implies use of groundwater as a source of water supply, on a long term basis, in an efficient and equitable manner sustaining its quality and environmental diversity. An understanding of the behaviour of a groundwater system and of its interaction with the environment is required to formulate a sustainable management plan. Mathematical models supported by field information play a key role in assessing the future behaviour of a system to stresses and to find effective operating conditions for sustainable development and management of groundwater resources. Basic principles for sustainable development are stressed and a brief review of two case studies is provided to illustrate how a systems approach and its computational framework of mathematical models can be used in addressing the main issue of water allocation satisfying some of the technical and environmental constraints.