Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation Inventory: Evidence for Use With Veterinary Medicine Students

The MUSIC® Model of Motivation is used to help instructors select strategies that can increase students' motivation and engagement in courses. The MUSIC model is comprised of five categories of strategies titled: empowerment, usefulness, success, interest, and caring. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the MUSIC® Model of Academic Motivation Inventory (College Student version, short-form), demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties when used with students enrolled in a College of Veterinary Medicine. The inventory is comprised of five scales that correspond to the five MUSIC model components, and it measures the extent to which students perceive that: they have control in the course (empowerment); the activities in the course are useful to their future (usefulness); they can succeed in the course (success); the teaching activities and coursework are interesting (interest); and the instructor cares about students' learning and well-being (caring). The inventory has been validated for use with many different student populations, including students in different countries and of different ages (e.g., college students, middle and high school students, elementary school students). However, the inventory has not been validated for use with veterinary medicine students. We analyzed the data from 578 questionnaires that were obtained from students in six different courses at a College of Veterinary Medicine. We examined the psychometric properties of the MUSIC inventory by: (a) computing the internal consistency reliabilities for the scales; (b) calculating the fit indices and factor loadings obtained from confirmatory factor analyses; and (c) computing correlation coefficients between the inventory scales and students' self-reported effort in the course. The results provide evidence that the inventory demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties for use with veterinary medicine students. Consequently, the MUSIC Inventory can be used by researchers and instructors to assess students' motivation-related perceptions of courses.
Gaps in Knowledge and the Need for Patient-Partners in Research Related to Physical Activity and Type 1 Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Regular physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone in the management of complications associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Most national guidelines advocate for regular PA for persons living with T1D, however the evidence to support these recommendations has not be reviewed recently. Additionally, in an era of patient-centered care and patient oriented research, the role of patient partners in the area of PA and T1D interventions has never been explored. The purpose of this narrative review is to overcome these two gaps in the literature. Here we review selected epidemiological evidence and identify gaps in research that would add important information to guide practitioners and future guidelines. We also provide an overview of patient-oriented research projects co-developed with persons living with T1D. Significant gaps in the field include: (1) a lack of adequately powered prospective cohort studies using serial measures of PA and hard chronic disease end-points; (2) no multi-centered, highly powered, randomized controlled trials of PA, and long-term health outcomes; (3) little data on the role of new technologies to support PA-related behavior change, and (4) no trials that involved patients in the design and execution of PA-based clinical trials. This review provides a template for scientists and patient partners to develop future research priorities and agendas in the field.
Measuring anticipated satisfaction

When developing a software system, one of the early steps is to create a requirements specification. Validating this specification saves implementation effort which might be otherwise spent on building a system with the wrong features. Ideally, this validation should involve many stakeholders representing different groups, to ensure coverage of a variety of viewpoints. However, the usual requirements validation methods such as personal interviews only allow the involvement of a few stakeholders before the costs become prohibitive, so it is difficult to apply them at the needed scale. If the finished software system contains undesirable features, they are likely to be discovered during usability testing. Many usability methods can involve a high number of users at a low cost, for example satisfaction surveys and A/B testing in production. They can give high quality information about improving the system, but they require a completed system or at least an advanced prototype before they can be used. We create a method for measuring user satisfaction before building the system, which we call anticipated satisfaction to distinguish it from the actual satisfaction measured after the user has experienced the system. The method uses a questionnaire which contains short descriptions of the software system’s features, and asks the users to imagine how satisfied they would be when using a system with the described features. The method is flexible, as we do not create a single questionnaire to use. Instead, we give guidance on which variables can be measured with the questionnaire, and how to create questions for them. This allows the development team to tailor the questionnaire to the specific situation in their project. When we applied it in two validation studies, it discovered significant issues and was rated favorably by both the software development team and the users. Our method contributes to the discipline of software engineering by offering a new option for validating software requirements. It is more scalable than interviewing users, and can be employed before the implementation phase, allowing for early problem detection. The effort required to apply it is low, and the information gained is seen as useful by both developers and managers, which makes it a good candidate for use in commercial projects.
A Secure Remote User Authentication Protocol for Healthcare Monitoring Using Wireless Medical Sensor Networks

The wireless medical sensor networks WMSN play a crucial role in healthcare monitoring remotely. In remote healthcare monitoring, the sensor nodes are deployed in patient's body for collecting physiological data and transmit these data over an insecure channel. The patient's health information is highly sensitive and important. Any malicious modification in physiological data will make wrong diagnoses and harm the patient health. Therefore, privacy, data security, and user authentication are extremely important for accessing patient's real-time heath information over an insecure channel. In this regard, this article proposes a secure and robust two-factor based remote user authentication protocol for healthcare monitoring. The authentication proof has done with the help of BAN logic, which ensures that the proposed scheme provides mutual authentication and session key agreement securely. The informal security verification proves that the developed protocol is secure from various security attacks. The simulation of the proposed scheme has been done using AVISPA tool, whose simulation results confirm that the proposed scheme is secure from active and passive attacks. Performance evaluation shows that the proposed protocol is efficient in terms of security features, computation cost, communication cost, and execution time.
Perturbation of the Moore–Penrose Metric generalized inverse with applications to the best approximate solution problem in Lp(Ω, μ)

ABSTRACT Let (), let with closed range. In this paper, utilizing the gap between closed subspaces and the perturbation bounds of metric projections, we present some new perturbation results of the Moore–Penrose metric generalized inverse. As applications of our results, we also investigate the best approximate solution problem for the ill-posed operator equation Tx=y under some conditions. The main results have three parts, part one covers the null space preserving case, part two covers the range preserving case, and part three covers the general case. Examples in connection with the theoretical results will be also presented.
Communication analysis and optimization of 3D front tracking method for multiphase flow simulations

This paper presents a scalable parallelization of an Eulerian–Lagrangian method, namely the three-dimensional front tracking method, for simulating multiphase flows. Operating on Eulerian–Lagrangian grids makes the front tracking method challenging to parallelize and optimize because different types of communication (Lagrangian–Eulerian, Eulerian–Eulerian, and Lagrangian–Lagrangian) should be managed. In this work, we optimize the data movement in both the Eulerian and Lagrangian grids and propose two different strategies for handling the Lagrangian grid shared by multiple subdomains. Moreover, we model three different types of communication emerged as a result of parallelization and implement various latency-hiding optimizations to reduce the communication overhead. Good scalability of the parallelization strategies is demonstrated on two supercomputers. A strong scaling study using 256 cores simulating 1728 interfaces or bubbles achieves 32.5x speedup. We also conduct weak scaling study on 4096 cores simulating 27,648 bubbles on a 1024×1024×2048 Eulerian grid resolution.
The Moderating Effects of Gender on E-Commerce Systems Adoption Factors

The purpose of this article was to investigate the moderating effects of gender on e-commerce systems adoption factors among university lecturers in Ghana. In order to achieve this purpose, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used as the theoretical lens for the study. Eight hypotheses were developed and tested. Data analysis was performed with a structural equation modeling (SEM) technique using SmartPLS Application. Using a survey of 223 respondents, the study showed that factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions positively and significantly influenced Ghanaian lecturers' behavioral intention and ultimately the actual use of e-commerce systems. As for the moderating effects of gender, this study discovered that gender insignificantly moderated the effects of performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence on behavioral intention.
The Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscles Exercise on Quality of Life in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence and Its Relationship with Vaginal Deliveries: A Randomized Trial

Introduction Urinary incontinence (UI) is a health problem affecting the quality of women's lives (QOL) at various life stages. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) can be caused by previous vaginal deliveries and is especially likely to occur in the perimenopausal period. The most commonly recommended first-choice treatment methods involve exercises for the pelvic floor muscles (PFM). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of isolated PFM exercises and combined training of the PFM and the m.transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle on the QoL of patients with SUI with regard to the number of vaginal deliveries. Material and Methods 137 women with SUI were qualified for analysis (mean age 53,1 ± 5,5). To assess the effectiveness of PFM training QOL questionnaire was used (ICIQ-LUTS qol). PFM training for groups A (PFM+TrA) and B (PFM) was intended for 12 weeks. Statistica v. 12.0 PL, StatSoft, USA, was used for statistical calculations. Results The analysis demonstrated that conservative treatment based on the A training program (PFM + TrA) yielded statistically significantly better results than the B program (PFM), with the improvement observed in such QoL domains as the performance of household duties, physical activity and travelling, social limitations, emotions, sleep problems and fatigue, the frequency of changing panty liners, fluid intake control, and embarrassment. Conclusion Both the combined training of the PFM and the synergistic (TrA) muscle and the isolated PFM exercises improve the QoL of women with SUI. Nonetheless, the combined PFM and TrA muscle physiotherapy is more effective. The exercises for the PFM and the synergistic muscle give better results in women who have given birth fewer than three times than isolated PFM exercises.
Effects of mindfulness training on perceived stress, self-compassion, and self-reflection of primary care physicians: a mixed-methods study

Background Primary care physicians are subjected to a high workload, which can lead to stress and a high incidence of burnout. A mindfulness training course was developed and implemented for primary care physicians to better cope with stress and improve job functioning. Aim To gain insight into the effects of the mindfulness training on perceived stress, self-compassion, and self-reflection of primary care physicians. Design & setting A pragmatic mixed-methods pre–post design in which physicians received 8 weeks of mindfulness training. Method Participants completed validated questionnaires on perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale [SCS]), and self-reflection (Groningen Reflection Ability Scale [GRAS]) before the training, directly after, and 6 months later. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants after the training and a content analysis was performed to gain in depth understanding of experiences. Results A total of 54 physicians participated in the study. PSS was reduced (mean difference [MD] -4.5, P<0.001), SCS improved (MD = 0.5, P<0.001), and GRAS improved (MD = 3.3, P<0.001), directly after the 8-week training compared with before training. Six months later, PSS was still reduced (MD = -2.9, P = 0.025) and SCS improved (MD = 0.7, P<0.001). GRAS did not remain significant (MD = 2.5, P = 0.120). Qualitative analysis revealed four themes: being more aware of their own feelings and thoughts; being better able to accept situations; experiencing more peacefulness; and having more openness to the self and others. Conclusion Mindfulness training might be an effective approach for improving stress resilience, self-compassion, and self-reflection in primary care physicians.
KIR/HLA Gene Profile Implication in Systemic Sclerosis Patients from Mexico

Introduction Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune, inflammatory, and multisystemic disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies and fibrosis. The pathogenesis involves the interaction between immune system cells such as macrophages, NK cells, T cells, and B cells. Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) are expressed in NK cells and some T cell subsets that recognize HLA class I molecules as ligands and are involved in regulating the activation and inhibition of these cells. The KIR family consists of 14 genes and two pseudogenes; according to the gene content, the genotype could be AA and Bx. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between KIR/HLA genes and genotypes with SSc and the clinical characteristics. Methods We included 50 SSc patients and 90 Control Subjects (CS). Genotyping of KIR, HLA-C, -Bw4, and -A∗03/∗11 was made by SSP-PCR. Results In SSc patients, a higher frequency of KIR2DL2 (p = 0.0007, p′ = 0.011), KIR2DS4del (p = 0.001, p′ = 0.021), and HLA-C2 (p = 0.02, p′ = 0.09) was found. This is the first study to evaluate the frequency of HLA-A∗03/∗11 in SSc patients, of which a low frequency was found in both groups. Compound genotypes KIR2DL2+/HLA-C1+ or KIR2DL2+/HLA-C2+ have a higher frequency in SSc patients. The Bx genotype was the most frequent and was associated with risk to SSc (p = 0.007, OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.4–7.9, p′ = 0.014). The genotypes with a higher iKIR number than aKIR (iKIR > aKIR) were found in all individuals; genotypes with 7-8 iKIR genes were increased in SSc patients. We do not find an association between the KIR genes with the clinical characteristics. Conclusion The results suggest that KIR2DL2 and 2DS4del could have a risk role in the development of SSc, but not with clinical manifestations.
Taxifolin protects rat against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by modulating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway

Background Taxifolin (TAX), is an active flavonoid, that plays an underlying protective role on the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to evaluate its effect and potential mechanisms on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods Healthy rat heart was subjected to I/R using the Langendorff apparatus. Hemodynamic parameters, including heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), maximum/minimum rate of the left ventricular pressure rise (+dp/dtmax and −dp/dtmin) and rate pressure product (RPP) were recorded during the perfusion. Histopathological examination of left ventricular was measured by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in the effluent perfusion, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in the tissue were assayed. Apoptosis related proteins, such as B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl2-associated X (Bax), and cytochrome c (Cyt-c) were also assayed by ELISA. Western blot was employed to determine apoptosis-executive proteins, including caspase 3 and 9. Transferase-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling assay was performed to evaluate the effect TAX on myocardial apoptosis. Results Taxifolin significantly improved the ventricular functional recovery, as evident by the increase in LVDP, +dp/dtmax, −dp/dtmin and RPP, the levels of SOD, GSH-PX were also increased, but those of LDH, CK-MB, and MDA were decreased. Furthermore, TAX up-regulated the Bcl-2 protein level but down-regulated the levels of Bax, Cyt-c, caspase 3 and 9 protein, thereby inhibits the myocardial apoptosis. Discussion Taxifolin treatment remarkably improved the cardiac function, regulated oxidative stress and attenuated apoptosis. Hence, TAX has a cardioprotective effect against I/R injury by modulating mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
Tumor-associated B cells and humoral immune response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT B lymphocytes are important players in immune responses to cancer. However, their composition and function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been well described. Here, we analyzed B cell subsets in HNSCC (n = 38), non-cancerous mucosa (n = 14) and peripheral blood from HNSCC patients (n = 38) and healthy controls (n = 20) by flow cytometry. Intratumoral B cells contained high percentages of activated (CD86+), antigen-presenting (CD86+/CD21−) and memory B cells (IgD−/CD27+). T follicular helper cells (CD4+/CXCR5+/CD45RA−/CCR7−) as key components of tertiary lymphoid structures and plasma cells made up high percentages of the lymphocyte infiltrate. Percentages of regulatory B cell varied depending on the regulatory phenotype. Analysis of humoral immune responses against 23 tumor-associated antigens (TAA) showed reactivity against at least one antigen in 56% of HNSCC patients. Reactivity was less frequent in human papillomavirus associated (HPV+) patients and healthy controls compared to HPV negative (HPV−) HNSCC. Likewise, patients with early stage HNSCC or MHC-I loss on tumor cells had low TAA responses. Patients with TAA responses showed CD4+ dominated T cell infiltration compared to mainly CD8+ T cells in tumors without detected TAA response. To summarize, our data demonstrates different immune infiltration patterns in relation to serological TAA response detection and the presence of B cell subpopulations in HNSCC that can engage in tumor promoting and antitumor activity. In view of increasing use of immunotherapeutic approaches, it will be important to include B cells into comprehensive phenotypic and functional analyses of tumor-associated lymphocytes.
Link between the numbers of particles and variants founding new HIV-1 infections depends on the timing of transmission

Understanding which HIV-1 variants are most likely to be transmitted is important for vaccine design and predicting virus evolution. Since most infections are founded by single variants, it has been suggested that selection at transmission has a key role in governing which variants are transmitted. We show that the composition of the viral population within the donor at the time of transmission is also important. To support this argument, we developed a probabilistic model describing HIV-1 transmission in an untreated population, and parameterised the model using both within-host next generation sequencing data and population-level epidemiological data on heterosexual transmission. The most basic HIV-1 transmission models cannot explain simultaneously the low probability of transmission and the non-negligible proportion of infections founded by multiple variants. In our model, transmission can only occur when environmental conditions are appropriate (e.g. abrasions are present in the genital tract of the potential recipient), allowing these observations to be reconciled. As well as reproducing features of transmission in real populations, our model demonstrates that, contrary to expectation, there is not a simple link between the number of viral variants and the number of viral particles founding each new infection. These quantities depend on the timing of transmission, and infections can be founded with small numbers of variants yet large numbers of particles. Including selection, or a bias towards early transmission (e.g. due to treatment) acts to enhance this conclusion. In addition, we find that infections initiated by multiple variants are most likely to have derived from donors with intermediate set-point viral loads, and not from individuals with high set-point viral loads as might be expected. We therefore emphasise the importance of considering viral diversity in donors, and the timings of transmissions, when trying to discern the complex factors governing single or multiple variant transmission.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Score and Macronutrient Intake in Relation to Survival After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

Abstract Background A low-carbohydrate diet may improve cancer survival, but relevant clinical evidence remains limited. Methods We followed 1542 stages I to III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who completed a validated food frequency questionnaire between 6 months and 4 years after diagnosis. We calculated overall, animal-, and plant-rich, low-carbohydrate diet scores and examined their associations with CRC-specific and overall mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression after adjusting for potential predictors for cancer survival. We also assessed the intake and changes of macronutrients after diagnosis. Statistical tests were two-sided. Results Although no association was found for overall and animal-rich low-carbohydrate diet score, plant-rich, low-carbohydrate diet, which emphasizes plant sources of fat and protein with moderate consumption of animal products, was associated with lower CRC-specific mortality (hazard ratio [HR] comparing extreme quartiles = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.25 to 0.57, Ptrend < .001). Carbohydrate intake was associated with higher CRC-specific mortality, and this association was restricted to carbohydrate consumed from refined starches and sugars (HR per one-SD increment = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.14 to 1.62, Ptrend < .001). In contrast, replacing carbohydrate with plant fat and protein was associated with lower CRC-specific mortality, with the HR per one-SD increment of 0.81 (95% CI = 0.69 to 0.95, Ptrend = .01) for plant fat and 0.77 (95% CI = 0.62 to 0.95, Ptrend = .02) for plant protein. Similar results were obtained for overall mortality and when changes in macronutrient intake after diagnosis were assessed. Conclusion Plant-rich, low-carbohydrate diet score was associated with lower mortality in patients with nonmetastatic CRC. Substituting plant fat and protein for carbohydrate, particularly that from refined starches and sugars, may improve patients’ survival.