Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Phonons

Band 9 der Springer-Serie „On Wave Phenomena" enthált die Proceedings der Internationalen Sommerschule 1989 in Aalborg/Danemark fiber „Nichtlineare Optik in Festkörpern". Herausgeber ist der Veranstalter der Tagung, Ole Keller, vom Institut für Physik der Aalborger Universitât. Er selbst ist bekannt durch seine theoretischen Arbeiten auf dem Gebiet der nichtlinearen Optik an Metalloberfláchen und Supraleitern
Evidence for default mode network dysfunction in borderline personality disorder

Abstract Background Although executive and other cognitive deficits have been found in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), whether these have brain functional correlates has been little studied. This study aimed to examine patterns of task-related activation and de-activation during the performance of a working memory task in patients with the disorder. Methods Sixty-seven DSM-IV BPD patients and 67 healthy controls underwent fMRI during the performance of the n-back task. Linear models were used to obtain maps of within-group activations and areas of differential activation between the groups. Results On corrected whole-brain analysis, there were no activation differences between the BPD patients and the healthy controls during the main 2-back v. baseline contrast, but reduced activation was seen in the precentral cortex bilaterally and the left inferior parietal cortex in the 2-back v. 1-back contrast. The patients showed failure of de-activation affecting the medial frontal cortex and the precuneus, plus in other areas. The changes did not appear to be attributable to previous history of depression, which was present in nearly half the sample. Conclusions In this study, there was some, though limited, evidence for lateral frontal hypoactivation in BPD during the performance of an executive task. BPD also appears to be associated with failure of de-activation in key regions of the default mode network.
Translation and Validation of the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) among the General Dutch Older Population

Improvement of volunteering rates in the Netherlands is important because increased productivity among older adults would contribute to societal sustainability in the light of population aging. Therefore, a better understanding of volunteer motivations of Dutch older adults is needed. The Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) for assessing volunteer motivations has good psychometric properties and is adapted to several languages, but no validated Dutch translation yet exists. The aim of the current study is to validate the VFI for use in the Dutch older population (60 years and over). The Dutch-translated VFI (6 scales, 30 items) is included in the Lifelines ‘Daily Activities and Leisure Activities add-on Study’, which was distributed among participants aged 60 to 80. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) are performed to assess the validity of the translated VFI. Internal consistency is assessed by computing Cronbach’s α’s. Results of the EFA (N = 4208) point towards a six-factor solution with a nearly perfectly clean structure. Deletion of three problematic items results in a clean factor structure. CFA results indicate moderate model fit (RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.90, TLI = 0.89). Cronbach’s α’s (0.78 to 0.85) indicate good internal consistency. Goodness-of-fit indices are sufficient and comparable to those obtained in the validation of the original VFI. The current study provides support for use of the Dutch-translation of the VFI (6 scales, 27 items) to assess volunteer motivations among Dutch volunteers aged 60 years and over.
Activity of the sesquiterpene lactone goyazensolide against Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Background: The current drugs for Chagas disease treatment present several limitations Methods: The sesquiterpene lactone goyazensolide (GZL) was evaluated regarding to cytotoxicity and trypanocidal activity against amastigotes, selectivity index (SI) in vitro, acute toxicity and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity in vivo. Results: The in vitro cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells was observed at doses >250 ng mL−1 of GZL and the SI were of 52.82 and 4.85 (24 h) and of 915.00 and 41.00 (48 h) for GZL and BZ, respectively. Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity were not verified. Treatment with GZL of mice infected with CL strain led to a significant decrease of parasitaemia and total survival at doses of 1 and 3 mg kg−1 day−1 by oral and IV, respectively. This last group cured 12.5% of the animals (negativation of HC, PCR, qPCR and ELISA). Animals infected with Y strain showed significant decrease of parasitaemia and higher negativation in all parasitological tests in comparison to BZ and control groups, but were ELISA reactive, as well as the BZ group, but mice treated with 5.0 mg kg−1 day−1 by oral were negative in parasitological tests and survived. Conclusion: GZL was more active against T. cruzi than benznidazole in vitro and presented important therapeutic activity in vivo in both T. cruzi strains.
POLEWARD EXPANSION OF HADLEY CELLS

Reanalyses of climate data for recent decades have indicated that the Hadley cells of the atmospheric circulation are expanding toward the poles as well as slowing in their circulation velocity. Similarly, recent meteorological data show a poleward movement of the jet streams that affect midlatitude weather. Although the precise mechanism of these changes in Hadley cells and jet streams is not fully understood, it is believed to be linked with global warming. In this paper we study a simple mathematical model to investigate whether such qualitative changes could be induced purely by the physics of rotating spherical convection. The model consists of the NavierStokes equations for a Boussinesq fluid, rotating in a spherical shell, differentially heated with a latitudinal surface temperature gradient. Many other factors that influence the atmospheric circulation are excluded from this model. A decrease in the pole-to-equator temperature gradient in the model leads to an expansion and slowing of the Hadley circulation as well as a poleward movement of jet streams, thus suggesting a simple mechanism for these observed climate changes.
Business Analytics

The MS in Business Analytics combines foundational knowledge in (1) data management and business intelligence, (2) applied statistics, machine learning, and data mining, with (3) knowledge of business functional areas, analytics applications in specific contexts, and (4) understanding of analytics and information management practice and strategy in organizations. It is targeted both at students with undergraduate degrees from business and other disciplines who seek specialized knowledge and training to work in increasingly data-rich business environments, as well as working professionals looking to develop business intelligence and analytics capability.
Benefits Others : Directional Motive Incongruence Predicts Organizational Citizenship Behavior as Explained by Self-Determined Motivation

Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) refers to employees’ extra-role behavior that they do voluntarily without explicitly being rewarded for it. Even though predictors of OCB have been studied intensely, the relation between OCB and motive congruence has not been investigated so far. Motive congruence is conceptualized in terms of matching implicit needs and explicit goals. If motives were congruent, individuals were expected to perform more OCB, due to higher self-determined motivation (SDM). In a longitudinal study with 104 student participants, a new online intervention to manipulate motive congruence was tested. Results showed that the intervention increased motive congruence, while leaving SDM and OCB unaffected. Polynomial regression with response surface analysis shed light on the relation between motive incongruence, SDM and OCB, highlighting the importance of directionality (implicit higher than explicit vs. explicit higher than implicit) of motive incongruence. Correlational data supported the hypothesis that SDM mediates the relation between motive congruence and OCB. Implications of the results are discussed. Keywords: Directional motive congruence, Self-determined motivation, OCB, Polynomial regression, Response surface analysis MOTIVE CONGRUENCE, SDM AND OCB
aser on pain reduction induced by E lastomeric S eparators : A C linical

Introduction: Initiation of fixed orthodontic treatment is always associated with a severe pain almost after 24 hours of separators placement, patients have reported disturbed sleep and inability to eat due to this pain. Recently, many studies have shown promising results by use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to control dental pain. Objective: The aim of this clinical investigation was to analyze the effect of soft tissue diode laser on the perception of pain after placement of elastomeric seperators.Materials and method: In twenty five patients who reported to Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics for fixed orthodontic treatment, elastomeric separators were placed on the all first molars. First molars were irradiated for 30 seconds every 24 hours for 72 hours using Medical Diode Laser System980nm/ 10 w (unicorn), model DEN 10 B. Pain was marked by the patient on a visual analog scale at predetermined intervals. Results: From the time of insertion of separators to over a period of 72 hours the, there was no significant change in pain score in laser irradiated quadrants as compared to non-radiated control side. Conclusion: Soft tissue diode laser irradiation did not decrease the perception of pain to a significant level throughout a period of 72 hours after separator placement as compared with pain perception in control quadrants.
Impact of the Information Technology Unit on Information Technology-Embedded Product Innovation

Organizations increasingly embed IT into physical products to develop new product innovations. However, there is wide variance in the outcomes of the IT-embedded product (ITEP) innovation process. In this paper, we posit that the IT unit’s involvement in the ITEP innovation process could positively influence the outcomes. ITEP innovations become part of complex ecosystems in which they interact with their developers, customers, and other ITEPs. These developments suggest new roles for IT units of organizations. Yet, there is dearth of theory explaining how the IT unit of a firm could contribute to the firm’s development of ITEP innovations in ways to create customer value and improve firm performance. This paper seeks to address this gap. ITEP innovations present new challenges for organizations. This paper builds on complexity science to articulate the challenges and explain how the IT unit can increase an organization’s capacity to cope with them. First, the paper adopts Wheeler’s (2002) “net-enabled business innovation model” to structure the key stages of innovation that an organization goes through in developing new ITEPs. Second, the paper articulates IT-specific uncertainties and challenges entailed in each of the four stages. Third, the paper develops hypotheses explaining how the IT unit could increase the effectiveness of each stage by helping to address these uncertainties and challenges. Finally, the paper empirically tests and finds support for the hypotheses in a sample of 165 firms. The paper contributes to the literature on IT-enabled business innovations by developing and validating a new theoretical explanation of how IT units increase the effectiveness of the ITEP innovation process.
Pressure Injury.

BACKGROUND Pressure injury is seen across all healthcare settings and affects people of any age and health condition. It imposes a significant burden, with annual costs of up to $17.8 billion in the United States alone. Despite considerable resources it exhausts, the disease remains very prevalent, and the incidence is on the rise. This is in part due to aging population, growing number of nursing home residents, poorly understood biology, and dismal track record of clinical research in this field. METHODS In our Review Article, we discuss the disease pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, evidence based recommendations for risk assessment, prevention and timely management, existing challenges, and directions to improve research on the field. This article encompasses dedicated sections on the full spectrum of the pressure related pathologies including "conventional pressure ulcers", "medical device related pressure injuries", "pressure injuries in mucosal membranes", "pressure injuries in pediatric population", "pressure injury at end of life", and the "role of pressure in pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcers".
Effective Virtual Laboratory Content Generation and Accessibility for Enhanced Skill Development through ICT

In this era of knowledge economy, it is desirable to make technical education of good quality accessible and affordable to all using latest distance learning technology available. The growth of distance learning has been associated with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in recent years. The focus of this paper is to emphasize on enhancement of skill development through ICT, using standard virtual laboratory content generation and making them easily accessible across all the student population. The aim is to develop simulation based experiments through demonstration videos as productive learning tool similar to real time hands-on equipment. Further, on-line quizzes and project based assignments in each virtual experiment will scale-up conceptual understanding and discovery based learning, unlike verification based conventional experiments. Currently, only feedback of our own students is available which is encouraging. The students welcomed the task based experiments to design a virtual system and found them to be more productive.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Panchatikta Ghrita, a Classical Ayurvedic Formulation as Add-on Therapy to Vitamin D3 and Calcium Supplements in Patients with Osteopenia: A Randomized, Open-Labeled, Comparative, Controlled Clinical Study.

Objectives: To assess the change in the bone mineral density (BMD) score, bone-specific biomarkers (serum vitamin D3, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b [TRAP-5b], and osteocalcin), quality of life, Ayurvedic symptoms (Asthikshaya Lakshanas), and fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) scores following treatment with Panchatikta Ghrita (PG), a classical herbal formulation as add-on therapy to calcium and vitamin D3 supplements. Study design: Randomized, open-labeled, comparative, controlled clinical study. Location: TN Medical College and BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai, India. Study participants: Eighty adult patients, aged between 40 and 75 years, diagnosed to have osteopenia (BMD T-score between -1 and -2.5 in at least two of the three joints tested-lumbar spine L1-L4, left femur-neck, left forearm-radius total). Study intervention: Treatment group received two tablespoons of PG (10 mL in lukewarm milk) along with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements twice a day, whereas control group received only calcium and vitamin D3 supplements twice a day for a period of 12 months. Outcome measures: BMD, bone-specific biomarkers (vitamin D3, TRAP-5b, and osteocalcin), quality of life, Ayurvedic symptoms, and FRAX scores were evaluated before and at 6 and 12 months. Results: Eighty patients were enrolled; of which, 65 patients completed the study while 15 patients dropped out. Improvement in the BMD scores was observed at 6 and 12 months with the maximum benefit in the lumbar spine region. Significant improvement in the bone-specific biomarkers, namely serum vitamin D3 (p < 0.001), osteocalcin (p < 0.001), and TRAP-5b (p < 0.05), was observed in the PG-treated group compared with the standard treatment group. Improvement in the quality of life, Ayurvedic symptoms scores, and risk reduction in FRAX scores of major osteoporotic fracture risk and hip fracture risk was greater with PG, although not statistically significant. Conclusions: The study findings demonstrate that PG slows down the bone degeneration processes by its stabilizing effect on the bone-specific biomarkers, indicating its potential usefulness as preventive therapy in osteopenia. The positive improvement noted in this study needs to be confirmed in studies with a larger sample size and longer duration.
Promising Tropical Fruits High in Folates

As the popularity of tropical fruits has been increasing consistently during the last few decades, nutritional and health-related data about these fruits have been gaining more and more interest. Therefore, we analyzed 35 samples of tropical fruits and vegetables with respect to folate content and vitamer distribution in this study. The fruits and vegetables were selected by their availability in German supermarkets and were grouped according to their plant family. All fruits and vegetables were lyophilized and analyzed by stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results vary from 7.82 ± 0.17 µg/100 g in the horned melon to 271 ± 3.64 µg/100 g in the yellow passion fruit. The yellow passion fruit is a good source for meeting the recommended requirements, as just 110 g are needed to cover the recommended daily intake of 300 µg folate for adults; however, longan fruits, okras, pete beans, papayas, mangos, jack fruits, and feijoas are also good sources of folates. In conclusion, the study gives a good overview of the total folate content in a broad range of tropical fruits and vegetables and shows that some of these fruits definitely have the potential to improve the supply of this critical vitamin.
ARE CARIOGENIC BACTERIA THE MAJOR RISK FACTOR TO DENTAL CARIES IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS?

BACKGROUND High prevalence of dental caries in ulcerative colitis (UC) has been attributed to diet and changes in salivary environment. OBJECTIVE We aimed to characterize the prevalence of dental caries, salivary flow rates, salivary buffering capacity and cariogenic bacteria counts of Mutans streptococci and Lactobacillus spp and to evaluate their relationship with drug therapy, disease activity and duration. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed with UC patients followed in a tertiary center. Participants were submitted to a questionnaire (including demographic data, oral hygiene, eating habits) and a clinical observation with assessment of plaque index and Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index. Unstimulated/stimulated saliva was collected. Medical records, disease activity (Partial Mayo Score) and disease duration were collected. Laboratory data included salivary flow rates, salivary buffering capacity (CRT® buffer) and cariogenic bacteria count (Mutans streptococci and Lactobacillus spp) in saliva using the CRT® bacteria test (results: high or low counts). RESULTS Thirty UC patients were recruited. Oral hygiene routines were daily teeth brushing once or more (96.7%) and fluoride toothpaste (73.3%). Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index (mean 16.17±6.428) was not affected by the frequency of soft drinks, cakes, sweets and sugars between meals (P>0.2). Long-term disease showed a trend towards higher prevalence of caries (P=0.06). Most presented normal salivary flow rates, unstimulated (73.3%) and stimulated (60.0%), and high salivary buffering capacity (66.7%). Any association was found with age, gender, disease activity, disease duration and drug therapy. High Mutans streptococci and low Lactobacillus spp count were observed in 73.3% and 60% of patients, respectively. Patients with active disease (100%) and longer duration (88.9%) displayed higher Mutans streptococci count. CONCLUSION The prevalence of dental caries observed in UC patients was significant and did not seem to be influenced by their eating habits. The high prevalence of Mutans streptococci count may be a major risk factor for dental caries and may be looked as part of the UC dysbiosis. Dental care of UC patients should be planned according with this microbiota variation.
Axin2+-Mesenchymal PDL Cells, Instead of K14+ Epithelial Cells, Play a Key Role in Rapid Cementum Growth

To date, attempts to regenerate functional periodontal tissues (including cementum) are largely unsuccessful due to a lack of full understanding about the cellular origin (epithelial or mesenchymal cells) essential for root cementum growth. To address this issue, we first identified a rapid cementum growth window from the ages of postnatal day 28 (P28) to P56. Next, we showed that expression patterns of Axin2 and β-catenin within cementum-forming periodontal ligament (PDL) cells are negatively associated with rapid cementum growth. Furthermore, cell lineage tracing studies revealed that the Axin2+-mesenchymal PDL cells and their progeny rapidly expand and directly contribute to postnatal acellular and cellular cementum growth. In contrast, the number of K14+ epithelial cells, which were initially active at early stages of development, was reduced during rapid cementum formation from P28 to P56. The in vivo cell ablation of these Axin2+ cells using Axin2CreERT2/+; R26RDTA/+ mice led to severe cementum hypoplasia, whereas constitutive activation of β-catenin in the Axin2+ cells resulted in an acceleration in cellular cementogenesis plus a transition from acellular cementum to cellular cementum. Thus, we conclude that Axin2+-mesenchymal PDL cells, instead of K14+ epithelial cells, significantly contribute to rapid cementum growth.
Ultralightweight and 3D Squeezable Graphene-Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Foams as Piezoresistive Sensors

The growing demand for flexible, ultrasensitive, squeezable, skin-mountable, and wearable sensors tailored to the requirements of personalized health-care monitoring has fueled the necessity to explore novel nanomaterial-polymer composite-based sensors. Herein, we report a sensitive, 3D squeezable graphene-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foam-based piezoresistive sensor realized by infusing multilayered graphene nanoparticles into a sugar-scaffolded porous PDMS foam structure. Static and dynamic compressive strain testing of the resulting piezoresistive foam sensors revealed two linear response regions with an average gauge factor of 2.87–8.77 over a strain range of 0–50%. Furthermore, the dynamic stimulus–response revealed the ability of the sensors to effectively track dynamic pressure up to a frequency of 70 Hz. In addition, the sensors displayed a high stability over 36000 cycles of cyclic compressive loading and 100 cycles of complete human gait motion. The 3D sensing foams were applied to experimentally demonstrate accurate human gait monitoring through both simulated gait models and real-time gait characterization experiments. The real-time gait experiments conducted demonstrate that the information of the pressure profile obtained at three locations in the shoe sole could not only differentiate between different kinds of human gaits including walking and running but also identify possible fall conditions. This work also demonstrates the capability of the sensors to differentiate between foot anatomies, such as a flat foot (low central arch) and a medium arch foot, which is biomechanically more efficient. Furthermore, the sensors were able to sense various basic joint movement responses demonstrating their suitability for personalized health-care applications.