Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Low-Fat Diet and Exercise on C-Reactive Protein and Metabolic Syndrome: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Title of Document: THE EFFECTS OF LOW-FAT DIET AND EXERCISE ON C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND METABOLIC SYNDROME: FINDINGS FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL Sarah Michelle Camhi, Doctor of Philosophy, 2008 Directed By: Professor Deborah R. Young, PhD Kinesiology Background: Low-fat diet (D) and exercise (E) are recommended for reducing cardiovascular disease risk. However, the independent and combined effects of D and E on C-reactive protein (CRP) and metabolic syndrome (MS) are unknown. Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the changes in CRP and MS between control (C), D, E and diet plus exercise (D+E). Methods: Men (n=197) and postmenopausal women (n=180) with elevated lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were randomized into a one-year trial with four groups: C, D, E or D+E (Stefanick et al., 1998). Weight loss was not an intervention focus. This secondary data analysis evaluated stored plasma samples for high-sensitivity CRP. MS prevalence was retrospectively found using the NCEP-ATP III definition. CRP change (∆CRP) was examined between intervention groups using ANCOVA. Differences between groups for MS at follow-up were retrospectively investigated using logistic regression. All analyses were stratified by gender and controlled for baseline values, body fat change and other appropriate covariates. Results: In women, ∆CRP was different between D+E vs. C (-0.7 ± 0.33 mg/L, p = 0.04) and D+E vs. E (-0.9 ± 0.32 mg/L, p = 0.004). Women also had a decrease in CRP within D+E (∆ log CRP 0.2 ± 0.035 mg/L; p = 0.0002). After the intervention, ∆CRP did not differ for men between or within treatment groups. MS at follow-up was not different between C, D, E or D+E in either men or women. In women with MS, ∆CRP was different between D+E vs. C (-1.3 ± 0.43 mg/L; p = 0.006), D+E vs. E (-1.1 ± 0.44 mg/L; p = 0.02), and D vs. C (-1.2 ± 0.43 mg/L; p = 0.009). In women with MS, CRP decreased from baseline within D+E (∆ log CRP 0.2 ± 0.039 mg/L; p=0.0008). At follow-up, there were no differences between or within groups for ∆CRP in men with MS, or men without MS and women without MS. Conclusion: D and D+E may be effective treatments for reducing CRP in women with MS. Further studies are needed to replicate results and clarify the influence of gender. THE EFFECTS OF LOW-FAT DIET AND EXERCISE ON C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND METABOLIC SYNDROME: FINDINGS FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Efficient Concurrent Search Trees Using Portable Fine-Grained Locality

Concurrent search trees are crucial data abstractions widely used in many important systems such as databases, file systems and data storage. Like other fundamental abstractions for energy-efficient computing, concurrent search trees should support both high concurrency and fine-grained data locality in a platform-independent manner. However, existing portable fine-grained locality-aware search trees such as ones based on the van Emde Boas layout (vEB-based trees) poorly support concurrent update operations while existing highly-concurrent search trees such as non-blocking search trees do not consider fine-grained data locality. In this paper, we first present a novel methodology to achieve both portable fine-grained data locality and high concurrency for search trees. Based on the methodology, we devise a novel locality-aware concurrent search tree called GreenBST. To the best of our knowledge, GreenBST is the first practical search tree that achieves both portable fine-grained data locality and high concurrency. We analyze and compare GreenBST energy efficiency (in operations/Joule) and performance (in operations/second) with seven prominent concurrent search trees on a high performance computing (HPC) platform (Intel Xeon), an embedded platform (ARM), and an accelerator platform (Intel Xeon Phi) using parallel micro- benchmarks (Synchrobench). Our experimental results show that GreenBST achieves the best energy efficiency and performance on all the different platforms. GreenBST achieves up to 50 percent more energy efficiency and 60 percent higher throughput than the best competitor in the parallel benchmarks. These results confirm the viability of our new methodology to achieve both portable fine-grained data locality and high concurrency for search trees.
A comparison between the levels of cyclosporine C0

Background: Cyclosporine A (CSA) with intra- and inter-individual variability in absorptive property needs individualized dose adjustment in patients receiving the drug. This study was performed to compare cyclosporine C0 (before morning dose) and C2 (two hours after morning dose) levels in order to adjust the maintenance dose of CSA in stable renal transplant patients in Shiraz, southern Iran.
Split leap with and without ball performance factors in rhythmic gymnastics

In rhythmic gymnastics execution quality depends directly on the level of technical expertise, as well as physical performance of the gymnast. the objective was to study the variation of execution factors, particularly the strength, speed and flexibility when performing gymnastics’ jumps split leap with and without throw-catch the ball. Five female gymnasts aged 12 to 15 years members of Tunisian national team of rhythmic gymnastics participated in this study. Every gymnast realized the split leap four times without apparatus and with apparatus. 2D motion analysis has been established to study the split leap with and without throw-catch the ball. The results show a significant variation of execution factors when introducing the apparatus such as the initial velocity, vertical displacement, the fly time, the component of vertical and horizontal force and the angular velocity of the split. When performing the split leap with apparatus, execution parameters show a significant decrease with the exception of the vertical velocity, acceleration and angular velocity of the split, which increase to compensate for the fall signs of strength and vertical displacement. Finally, the results showed also that probably gymnasts did not perform a jump with apparatus the best way that could. gymnastics.
Factors Affecting Carcinogenesis. II. Incorporation of 3,4-Benzpyrene in Media Containing Purified Lecithin or Cephalin

In a previous communication (3) we described the inhibition of carcinogenic activity of 3,4-benzpyrene when a mixture of lipids prepared from ox brain was employed as solvent. Out of an effective total of 29 mice receiving subcutaneous implants of pellets of these lipids containing 0.3 mgm. benzpyrene only 1 mouse developed a tumor, whereas among an effective total of 40 control mice injected with the same dose dissolved in vegetable, oils 30 tumors were obtained. The method of preparation suggested that the main constituents of the lipid mixture were phospholipids and cholesterol. It was decided to repeat the experiment with purified preparations of lecithin and cephalin and to study at the same time the rate of elimination of benzpyrene from the animal. The fact that the inhibitory effects observed were shown by fats and lipids from animal sources only, and were absent from vegetable oils, suggested that they might be connected with the presence of one of the unsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic or clupanodonic acid, which so far have been found only in animal fats. As cod liver oil is a particularly rich source of these unsaturated fatty acids, we tested the hypothesis by using cod liver oil as the solvent for a series of benzpyrene injections. Hartwell's catalogue (6) contains only one instance where cod liver oil has been employed as vehicle, a reference to a remark of Burrows (2), who found no tumors in 10 mice injected subcutaneously with 1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene (amount not stated). Similar experiments with fresh pork fat, olive oil, or sperm oil as vehicles also gave negative results. A fourth group of mice, which served as a control experiment, was injected with benzpyrene dissolved in tricaprylin.
Double-blind study of a multivitamin complex supplemented with ginseng extract.

To remedy the deterioration in quality of life in large cities, the addition of ginseng root extract to a multivitamin base appears to produce a promising dietary supplement. The aim of the present study was to compare the quality-of-life parameters in subjects receiving multivitamins plus ginseng with those found in subjects receiving multivitamins alone. The study was comparative, randomized and double-blind, and it involved 625 patients of both sexes divided into two groups taking one capsule per day for 12 weeks. Group A received vitamins, minerals, trace elements and ginseng extract G115 (Pharmaton Capsules) while group B received vitamins, minerals and trace elements (multivitamin capsules) only. The resulting quality-of-life was assessed by a standardized 11-item questionnaire, validated by the Medical School of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Of the 625 patients recruited, 124 were excluded from the study due to lack of compliance with the treatment, so that 338 patients in group A and 163 patients in group B completed the study. By the end of the study, the 4th of the monthly assessments showed that both the group-A and the group-B treatments had induced a significant increase in the quality-of-life index, the change being 11.9 points for Pharmaton Capsules in group A which was significantly superior to the 6.4 average increase with the group-B capsules containing multi vitamins alone. Group A showed significant improvement in every one of the 11 questionnaire items, whereas group B did not show significant improvement in any of these items. Significant increases in body weight and in diastolic blood pressure were recorded in the group B treated with the multivitamin alone. Adverse effects of the capsules were minimal in both groups. This study has demonstrated that Pharmaton Capsules were more effective than the multivitamin capsules alone in improving the quality-of-life in a population subjected to the stress of high physical and mental activity.
Effects of a collective problem-solving promotion-based flipped classroom on students’ learning performances and interactive patterns

ABSTRACT The flipped classroom approach has become one of the renowned instructional approaches in recent years. However, without proper educational tools to support students when they participate in classroom learning, their learning performances may not be as good as expected. In this study, a collective problem-solving promotion mechanism is proposed to enhance students’ interaction and learning engagement in flipped classrooms using an interactive response system (IRS). A quasi-experimental design was adopted, and university students were recruited as the participants. The students in the experimental group applied the proposed approach, while those in the control group used the conventional flipped learning approach. The results show that the students in the collective problem-solving promotion-based flipped classroom not only had better learning performances and collective efficacy but also had higher level of knowledge construction and deeper interactions. The findings can be a reference for future teaching and research.
Improving the HCAHPS Score for Pain Well Controlled

This project took place on a Renal/Endocrine unit of a northern California Hospital. As observed on this unit, pain was not well controlled and this caused the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) score for ‘pain well controlled’ to be low. Hence, this project sought to address the underlying reasons why pain was not well controlled and to proffer solutions to raise the HCAHPS score to at least 65% from an average of 55%. In order to find the root causes, the nurses were surveyed, the patients and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) were interviewed, and a 24-hour chart review was conducted on three different days. The results revealed that about 30% of the nurses had little or no knowledge of HCAHPS; 73% of the CNAs did not know when to report patients’ pain score to the nurses and 80% of the patients had to wait until their pain level was severe before asking for pain medication. Following the unit’s policy and procedure for pain management, the goal for effective pain management was to maintain patients’ pain intensity at ≤3 or the patients’ stated goal. To achieve this goal and also address the above issues, it was recommended that the nurses maintain an open communication with the patient, perform an initial assessment, and reassess the patient within one hour of medication administration, offer non-pharmacological therapies such as heat/cold therapy, repositioning, and music therapy. Keyword: HCAHPS score, pain control, pain management, pain medication IMPROVING PAIN WELL CONTROLLED 3
Topical tacrolimus for the treatment of psoriasis on the face, genitalia, intertriginous areas and corporal plaques.

: Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug that has proved effective in the treatment of psoriasis when administered systemically. Topically, it seems only useful in thin psoriasis plaques located on the face, genitalia, and intertriginous areas. We present an open-label clinical trial to test the efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment in patients with psoriasis on the face, intertriginous areas, both, and in corporal plaques. Efficacy was assessed with the evaluation of erythema, desquamation, infiltration, reduction of the PASI, and reduction of itching. A total of 15 patients were enrolled in the study. In all the localizations evaluated, each of the signs (erythema, desquamation, and infiltration) showed a statistically significant improvement when compared to the baseline (p < .001). Itching also improved rapidly. PASI was also reduced from a mean of 12 at baseline to 2.2 at the end of the study. Of the 15 patients, only 2 experienced an adverse effect (13%), which was described as a warm sensation in facial lesions which was transient and self-limited. In conclusion, tacrolimus ointment may be an alternative to classical options for the treatment of psoriasis, not only for intertriginous, genital, and facial areas, but also for corporal plaques without occlusion, with good tolerance.
Constrained Coalition Formation among Heterogeneous Agents for the Multi-Agent Programming Contest

This work focuses on coalition formation among heterogeneous agents for the 2017 multiagent programming contest. An agent is a computer system that is capable of independent action to achieve its goals. In order to increase the effectiveness of the agents, we can organise them into coalitions, in which the agents collaborate with each other to achieve individual or common goals. We investigate and apply coalition structure generation (the first activity of the coalition formation process) in simulated scenarios, specifically the 2017 contest scenario, where the agents forming a competing team cooperate to solve logistic problems simulated on the map of a real city. In order to achieve our goal, we integrate coalition formation algorithms into the JaCaMo platform by means of a CArtAgO artefact, named CFArtefact. We use the implementation of the SMART JaCaMo team for experimenting with the coalition formation approach in the contest scenario. We experiment on three approaches in the contest domain with different configurations. In the first, we use only a taskallocation mechanism, while the other approaches use an optimal coalition formation algorithm and a heuristic coalition formation algorithm. We conducted several experiments to compare the advantages of each approach. Our results show that coalition formation algorithms can improve the performance of a participating team when dealing with low job rates (i.e., how quickly new jobs are created by the simulation). However, as we increase the job rate, the approach using only task allocation has better performance. Even a heuristic coalition formation approach has close performance to the optimal one in that case. Coalition formation can play an important role when we aim to balance each group of agents to accomplish some particular goal given a larger team of cooperating agents.
An evidence-based dietary fiber enrichment programme for relieving constipation in elderly orthopaedic patients

of thesis entitled “An Evidence-based Dietary Fiber Enrichment Programme for Relieving Constipation in Elderly Orthopaedic Patients” Submitted by Tai Siu King, Rosetti for the degree of Master of Nursing at The University of Hong Kong in July 2013 Constipation is a multifactorial digestive disorder highly prevailing among the hospitalized elderly Orthopaedic patients. Unlike Western countries, laxative therapy is used to be the first line remedy for constipation in many hospitals of Hong Kong although fiber-rich diet has been proven by numerous studies as the best alternative with low cost and less complications. This dissertation is a translational nursing research which aims at formulating a programme of using fiber-rich food products for relieving constipation in elderly Orthopaedic patients, based on the best available research evidences. It was started with an integrated and systematic review of papers studying the dietary interventions for relieving constipation and reducing laxative consumption in elderly with ADL dependency. Seven relevant studies were identified and critically appraised using the methodology checklist for RCTs designed by Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). After summarizing and synthesizing the data, three dietary interventions with 1+ level of evidence were concluded as the most effective strategies for eradicating the clinical issue. Following assessment of the implementation potential of the proposed innovation in designated clinical setting in terms of transferability, feasibility and cost-benefit ratio, an evidence-based dietary fiber enrichment programme was developed with recommendations for patient recruitment, intervention and evaluation. Furthermore, to assure a smooth change of practice and to determine the effectiveness of the programme, comprehensive plans of communication with different stakeholders, pilot study and evaluation were also subsequently established. With this evidence-based programme, the prevalence of functional constipation and laxative consumption are hoped to be reduced in elderly Orthopaedic patients. An Evidence-based Dietary Fiber Enrichment Programme for Relieving Constipation in Elderly Orthopaedic Patients by Tai Siu King, Rosetti Bachelor of Nursing (La Trobe University) A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Nursing at The University of Hong Kong.
Restaurant Managers' Knowledge of Food Allergies

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine restaurant managers, and/or operators' knowledge of food allergies and the level of food allergy training given their employees. The study describes managers' knowledge of food allergies, restaurant procedures for training food service employees about food allergies, and respondents' background by level of education, chain or independent affiliation, size of their establishment, and number of employees. Research was conducted in two phases: (1) respondents contributed information and opinions about food allergies and employee training of food allergies in their restaurants and (2) a survey instrument was designed to evaluate manager knowledge of food allergies. Knowledge scores regarding food allergies include managers' overall knowledge of food allergies (84.8%); managers' ability to discriminate between food allergies and food poisoning (90.4%); and managers' ability to perceive the difference between food poisoning and food intolerances (95.5%). These and other knowledge questions were compared to the independent variables of restaurant size, affiliation, and type (i.e., limited service or full service). One-third of the respondents reported including food allergy training for their employees.
Sosyal Sermayenin Hizmet İnovasyonu Üzerine Etkisinde Bilgi Paylaşımının Aracılık Rolü: Otel İşletmeleri Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Gunumuz kosullarinda isletmelerin rekabet edebilmeleri icin sahip oldugu bilgiyi ve calisanlarinin yenilikci fikirlerini kaliteli ve hizli bir sekilde yeni urun veya hizmete donusturmesi gerekmektedir. Bu donusume etki eden isletmede birbirine bagli kisilerin, gruplarin veya orgutlerin aralarinda yarattiklari iyi niyet, dostluk, sempati gibi sosyal aglardan meydana gelen sosyal sermaye bir deger olarak ortaya cikmaktadir. Bu faktorlerin turizm isletmelerinde yeni hizmetlerin gelistirilmesi, sunumu, dagitimi ve calisan yenilikci davranislarina ne olcude ve nasil etkilediginin ortaya cikartilmasi calismanin temel sorununu teskil etmektedir. Bu etkilesimde bilgi paylasimi, yeni hizmetlerin gelistirilmesine, baska bir aktorden tecrube kazanmaya yardimci olan en onemli aktarma mekanizmasi olarak dusunulmektedir. Bu kapsamda calisma; otel isletmelerinde sosyal sermaye yapisini ortaya cikartmak ve bunun hizmet inovasyonu uzerine olan etkisini ortaya koymak, orgut ici bilgi paylasiminin bu etkideki rolunu incelemeyi amaclamaktadir. Arastirmanin orneklemi Turkiye genelindeki turizm otel isletmelerinde calisanlardan olusmaktadir. Orneklem icerisinden toplanan 305 anket verileri arastirmaya katilanlarin sosyal sermaye, hizmet inovasyonu ve bilgi paylasimi algisi ile bireysel ozellikleri arasindaki farkliligi ortaya cikartmak icin “anova” “t-testi” farklilasmanin hangi grup arasinda oldugunu gosteren “Tukey” testi yapilmistir. Sosyal sermaye ile hizmet inovasyonu arasinda bilgi paylasiminin aracilik rolunun tespitine yonelik modeli test etmek icin “Hiyerarsik Regresyon Analizi” yapilmistir. Model sosyal sermayenin hizmet inovasyonu ve bilgi paylasimi uzerindeki etkisini yordamaktadir ancak bilgi paylasimi bu etkide kismi aracilik rolu ustlenmektedir.
Robust control for a wheeled mobile robot to track a predefined trajectory in the presence of unknown wheel slips

In this paper, a robust controller for a nonholonomic wheeled mobile robot (WMR) is proposed for tracking a predefined trajectory in the presence of unknown wheel slips, bounded external disturbances, and model uncertainties. The whole control system consists of two closed loops. Specifically, the outer one is employed to control the kinematics, and the inner one is used to control the dynamics. The output of kinematic controller is adopted as the input of the inner (dynamic) closed loop. Furthermore, two robust techniques were utilized to assure the robustness. In particular, one is used in the kinematic controller to compensate the harmful effects of the unknown wheel slips, and the other is used in the dynamic controller to overcome the model uncertainties and bounded external disturbances. Thanks to this proposed controller, a desired tracking performance in which tracking errors converge asymptotically to zero is obtained. According to Lyapunov theory and LaSalle extension, the desired tracking performance is guaranteed to be achieved. The results of computer simulation have shown the validity and efficiency of the proposed controller.