Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustaining the self in the “fourth age”: a case study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illuminate from the perspective of an older person (Harriet) the factors that support and jeopardise mental well-being in the fourth age. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on unstructured narrative interviews with an older woman who was originally interviewed for a previous research study 15 years ago. At that time she was aged 82; she is now aged 97. This paper explores themes of change and continuity in her experience of ageing with a view to re-evaluating the model of sustaining the self-developed in the earlier study and comparing the findings with current conceptions of the fourth age. Findings Harriet’s previous efforts to remain independent have been replaced by an acceptance of dependency and diminished social relationships and activity. However, she retains significant threads of continuity with her earlier life and employs cognitive strategies that enable contentment. Her experience of advanced old age fits conceptions of neither the third nor fourth age, indicating the need for more sophisticated and nuanced understandings. Originality/value The paper is original in exploring the lived experience of someone in advanced age across a 15 year time period. Its value lies in rendering visible the factors that have promoted and/or undermined her mental well-being and in generating insights that can be applied more generally to experiences of advanced age.
Moderate auditory training can improve speech performance of adult cochlear implant patients

Learning electrically stimulated speech patterns can be a new and difficult experience for many cochlear implant users. In the present study, ten cochlear implant patients participated in an auditory training program using speech stimuli. Training was conducted at home using a personal computer for 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for a period of 1 month or longer. Results showed a significant improvement in all patients’ speech perception performance. These results suggest that moderate auditory training using a computer-based auditory rehabilitation tool can be an effective approach for improving the speech perception performance of cochlear implant patients.
Effect of L-arginine and L-NAME on coronary angiogenesis in male diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is associated with several vascular abnormalities due to abnormal angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide are among the most important angiogenic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) and L-NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) on coronary angiogenesis in male diabetic rats. METHODS: 24 male rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) diabetic, (3) diabetic + L-Arg (50mg/kg/day, ip) and (4) diabetic + L-NAME (10mg/kg/day, ip). After three weeks, blood samples were taken and the apex of the hearts was stained for immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Coronary angiogenesis expressed as capillary density/mm was lower in diabetic group compared to the control group (p ˂ 0.05). L-Arg significantly improved capillary density in myocardial tissue in diabetic animals (p ˂ 0.05); however, L-NAME did not alter it (p ˃ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that L-Arg improves coronary angiogenesis in type I diabetic animals through changes of serum angiogenic factors. More studies are needed to clarify the effect of nitric oxide agonists in different experimental models of angiogenesis.
Prevalence of Tremors in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Isfahan, Iran

Article info: Received: 19 Nov 2017 First Revision: 28 Nov 2017 Accepted: 27 Feb 2018 Published: 01 Apr 2018 Bullet Points: • The frequency of tremor in MS is relatively high. • A strong correlation was found between tremor and patients’ ataxia. Funding: See Page 84 Copyright: The Author(s)
Evaluating approximations for halo merging histories

We study the merging history of dark matter haloes in N-body simulations and semi-analytical ‘merger trees’ based on the extended Press–Schechter (EPS) formalism. The main focus of our study is the joint distribution of progenitor number and mass as a function of redshift and parent halo mass. We begin by investigating the mean quantities predicted directly by the Press–Schechter (PS) and EPS formalism, such as the halo mass and conditional mass functions, and compare these predictions with the results of the simulations. The higher moments of this distribution are not predicted by the EPS formalism alone and must be obtained from the merger trees. We find that the Press–Schechter model deviates from the simulations at the level of 30–50 per cent on certain mass scales, and that the sense of the discrepancy changes as a function of redshift. We show that this discrepancy is reflected in the higher moments of the distribution of progenitor mass and number. We investigate some related statistics such as the accretion rate and the mass ratio of the largest two progenitors. For galaxy sized haloes (M∼1012 M⊙), we find that the merging history of haloes, as represented by these statistics, is well reproduced in the merger trees compared with the simulations. The agreement deteriorates for larger mass haloes. We conclude that merger trees based on the extended Press–Schechter formalism provide a reasonably reliable framework for semi-analytical models of galaxy formation.
The Effects of Music Listening and Education on Reducing Pain from Total Joint Arthroplasty

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of pain education combined with music intervention on pain levels and the beliefs about and satisfaction with pain management. Methods: This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design involving an experimental group and control group. The sample size was 60; each group consisted of 30 participants. The control group received routine care, whereas the participants in the experimental group received pain education and a music intervention program. Results: No significant difference was observed in average pain levels between the two groups. Most patients in the experimental group considered the effects of music to be satisfactory in relieving pain. No difference was observed in beliefs about and satisfaction with pain management between the two groups. Conclusions: The results can be used as a reference in clinical practice for joint replacement patients who require pain and anxiety management.
A Preconditioner based on Non-uniform Row Sampling for Linear Least Squares Problems

Least squares method is one of the simplest and most popular techniques applied in data fitting, imaging processing and high dimension data analysis. The classic methods like QR and SVD decomposition for solving least squares problems has a large computational cost. Iterative methods such as CG and Kaczmarz can reduce the complexity if the matrix is well conditioned but failed for the ill conditioned cases. Preconditioner based on randomized row sampling algorithms have been developed but destroy the sparsity. In this paper, a new preconditioner is constructed by non-uniform row sampling with a probability proportional to the squared norm of rows. Then Gauss Seidel iterations are applied to the normal equation of the sampled matrix which aims to grab the high frequency component of solution. After all, PCG is used to solve the normal equation with this preconditioner. Our preconditioner can keep the sparsity and improve the poor conditioning for highly overdetermined matrix. Experimental studies are presented on several different simulations including dense Gaussian matrix, `semi Gaussian' matrix, sparse random matrix, `UDV' matrix, and random graph Laplacian matrix to show the effectiveness of the proposed least square solver.
Gender, climate change and REDD+ in the Congo Basin forests of Central Africa

SUMMARY The Congo Basin region of Central Africa contains the second largest contiguous tropical rainforest in the world, which is an important source of livelihood for millions of people. It is also important for climate change adaptation, as well as mitigation policies on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Men and women relate to and use the forest differently and so may experience the effects of climate change and REDD+ policies differently. Investigations through semi-structured interviews and document reviews in three countries of the region revealed that women have had limited participation in discussions on issues of climate change or REDD+. There is some evidence that gender consideration will become part of future national REDD+ strategies. Strategies to foster the effective participation of all stakeholders are essential to ensure that gender dimensions are addressed in issues of climate change, forest access, forest management and distribution of carbon benefits.
Toxic Metal Contamination of Banked Blood Designated for Neonatal Transfusion

Objective: Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants frequently receive blood transfusions. We hypothesize that toxic metals in donor blood may pose a health risk with potential adverse neurologic effects on the developing brain of a vulnerable VLBW infant. Study design: Samples from 100 donor blood units were collected from a large urban hospital. Blood was analyzed for aluminum, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead and polonium. The estimated upper limit of acceptable metal concentration in donor blood was calculated assuming a transfusion volume of 20 ml/kg and using either previously published acceptable intravenous doses or oral reference doses with a conservative estimate of 10% gastrointestinal absorption. Ingested mercury was assumed to be 95% absorbed. Results: Eight of the nine metals were detectable. Concentrations of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, mercury and polonium were not of concern for any single blood transfusion. Concentrations of aluminum, manganese, nickel and lead exceeded the estimated upper limit of acceptable concentration in 5, 11, 4 and 26 units respectively. Of the 100 units, 31 had at least one toxic metal concentration high enough to pose a potential health risk. Conclusions: VLBW infants are exposed to heavy metals that are toxic from blood transfusion. The number of units with concerning levels of toxic metals was higher than expected. Neonatologists should be aware of this potential exposure to toxic metals from donor blood when decision is made to administer blood transfusion. Neurodevelopmental studies of toxic metal exposed infants from blood transfusion are warranted.
B → J / ψ ( π , K ) Decays within QCD Factorization Approach

We used QCD factorization for the hadronic matrix elements to show that the existing data, in particular the branching ratios BR ( B →J/ψK) and BR ( B →J/ψπ), can be accounted for this approach. We analyzed the decay / ( ) B J K ψ π → within the framework of QCD factorization. We have complete calculation of the relevant hard-scattering kernels for twist-2 and twist-3. We calculated this decays in a special scale ( b m μ = ) and in two schemes for Wilson coefficients in NLO. We considered three functions for / J ψ . The twist-3 contribution involves logarithmically divergent integral and also we considered 0 H ρ = canceling divergent. The obtained results are in agreement with available experimental data.
Breeding in wild populations of a small dasyurid marsupial, Planigale ingrami, in north-western Queensland using a novel method for collection of specimens

The reproductive biology of the long-tailed planigale (Planigale ingrami) is less well known than that of its congeners P. gilesi and P. tenuirostris. Aspects of the anatomy of reproductive structures and the pattern of reproduction of P. ingrami were established by examination of specimens extracted from the stomachs of feral cats shot in north-western Queensland. This species has an extended breeding season that commences in August and probably ends in December, and both males and females may live to breed in more than one season, providing support for the similarity of the reproductive strategies of these three species of Planigale. Females of P. ingrami have twelve nipples in the pouch, the form of which may differ from that of other planigales. Pouch morphology may prove useful in the identification of species of Planigale providing observations are made on the appearance of the pouch throughout the breeding cycle.
ESCO in Danish municipalities: Basic, integrative or strategic approaches?

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to discuss the possible benefits of involving Energy Service Companies (ESCO) in realising energy savings in municipalities, and how ESCO projects can be formulated very differently in the various municipalities, according to building volume, use of technologies, energy savings, type of collaboration etc. Background: Since 2008, several Danish municipalities have started energy retrofitting of municipal buildings, based on contracts with Energy Service Companies. In spite of the strong growth of ESCOs, there is also widespread scepticism about ESCO, as many municipalities see an in-house approach as a better alternative. Approach (Theory/Methodology): Our research is based on literature studies and on qualitative interviews with Danish municipalities carrying out ESCO projects, as well as with ESCO providers. Results: Our studies suggest that different ESCO approaches are being used in Danish municipalities, which we label the basic, the integrated and the strategic ESCO approaches. The three approaches include different ambitions, technologies, economies and innovation potentials. Whereas the basic approach implies a ‘traditional’ guarantee-based model, with relatively few buildings, energy retrofitting and low investments, the integrative and strategic approach include a higher degree of partnership, a more ambitious building renovation approach, and more innovative understandings of facilities management. We also compare ESCO with energy retrofitting as an in-house approach, which many municipalities are considering. Practical Implications: We suggest the practical implications of our findings, as a short characteristic of the different approaches, intended for municipalities to start up energy retrofitting of municipal buildings.
Influence of packagIng condItIons on some mIcrobIal propertIes of mInced beef meat at 4°c storage

IRkIn, R. , O. k. EsmER, n. DEgIRmEncIOglu and A. DEgIRmEncIOglu, 2011. Influence of packaging conditions on some microbial properties of minced beef meat at 4°C storage. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 17: 655-663 In this study, the effect of initial head-spaces of atmospheric air, vacuum packaging and modified atmospheres packaging (MAP) containing 70% CO 2 /30% O 2 (MAP1); 50% O 2 /50% CO 2 (MAP2); 30% CO 2 /70% O 2 (MAP3); 50% O 2 /30% CO 2 /20% N 2 (MAP4); 30% O 2 / 30% CO 2 /40% N 2 (MAP5) on some microbiological quality of minced beef meat stored at 4 °C were investigated with pH changes in time intervals (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14 d). At the results, total viable counts were different significantly (P 0.05) for total viable counts and psychrotrophs counts.
Physical Attributes and Modelling of Trans- Himalayan Seabuckthorn Berries

Seabuckthorn is a highly perishable fruit found in trans-Himalayan region and North-Eastern part of India. It has enormous nutritional and medicinal properties. Physical attributes of fruits play an important role in the design of machines to meet various harvest and post harvest operations. In the present study properties like dimensions, true density, bulk density, sphericity, porosity and angle of repose were measured and correlated with the mass of the fruit. In addition linear, polynomial, quadratic, logarithmic and exponential models were used for mass and surface area. The length, diameter, thousand berry weight, geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, surface area, aspect ratio, angle of repose, sphericity, porosity, true density, bulk density, moisture content were found in the range of 6.5-7.5, 4.74-6.28, 362.67-910.14, 5.49-6.99, 6.176. 24, 76.87-154.76, 72.81-83.73, 3.59-6.82, 65.84-90.47, 17.05-60.07, 647.191399. 24, 453.81-725.88, 84.53-87.34 respectively.Polynomial model was suited to be best for mass with length and diameter. Polynomial model between surface area and geometric mean diameter gave highest R2 of 0.981. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal Website:www.foodandnutritionjournal. org ISSN: 2347-467X, Vol. 5, No. (3) 2017, Pg. 391-397 CONTACT Swapnil G. Jaiswal swpnljaiswal320@gmail.com Center for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi-110016, India. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Enviro Research Publishers This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ ), which permits unrestricted NonCommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To link to this article: http://dx.doi. org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.5. 3.25 Article History Received: 29 August 2017 Accepted:14 December 2017
Non-stationarity driven by long-term change in catchment storage: possibilities and implications

Abstract. "Non-stationarity" with reference to hydrology is a term applied to many situations (Milly et al., 2008). While climate change non-stationarity is often examined, these effects can provide a test for assumptions of runoff generation process impliedin rainfall–runoff (RR) models. Observations from South-western Australia (SWA) over the past 40 years show a decline in rainfall and reductions in runoff. Runoff and rainfall relationships in SWA show a significant shift over the past 40 years suggesting a change in runoff generation and catchment state. This has challenged the nature of assumed runoff generation process in SWA as well as the veracity of conceptual RR model structure. We expand on some of the lessons learned from SWA and discuss the climatic and geomorphic conditions that may make reasonable predictions of runoff very difficult with RR models calibrated in traditional ways. Catchment storage has a significant interaction with runoff generation and we examine the situations where these may change in the longer term. We suggest some strategies in terms of model structure and calibration that may improve predictive performance in such situations.
Occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Railliet, 1898) larvae (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae) infecting Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica Bowdich, 1822 (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Amazon region

Achatina fulica or “giant African snail” is an exotic species, considered to be one of the world’s hundred most invasive species, causing serious environmental damages. In the present study we report, for the first time, the occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infecting A. fulica in the Amazon region. This nematode is described parasitizing mainly the pulmonary system of felines, which causes “aelurostrongilose”, also known as feline cardio-pulmonary strongyloidosis. New morphometric data of third stage larvae are presented herein. The present study demonstrated that 40% of all the snails were infected by A. abstrusus. Achatina fulica specimens were collected from three different areas in Manaus namely: rural; east and west areas. The east area presents the highest prevalence of 80%. The large number of A. fulica found in inhabited areas increases the chances of emergent zoonoses, which highlights the need of further studies so as to better control this disease.
Comparative Analysis of Verbal Victimization among Male and Female High School Students in Iran

School bullying and peer victimization are major social problems affecting children and adolescents in all parts of the world. School bullying may take many forms, such as physical, verbal, and relational or social. So the purpose of this study was to compare verbal victimization among male and female high schools students of Boukan city in Iran in academic year 2013-14. Four schools were selected by random cluster sampling. Data collected using Iranian form of bullying victimization scale (B.V.S) and analysed with descriptive statistics (Mean, Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (One Way Variance test) using SPSS 19 software. The results showed that gender was a meaningful factor for predicting verbal victimization among students thus boys had meaningfully a higher average score than girls. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ijls.v9i3. 12460 International Journal of Life Sciences 9 (3): 2015; 13-17
Nonequilibrium dynamics in an optical transition from a neutral quantum dot to a correlated many-body state

We investigate the effect of many-body interactions on the optical absorption spectrum of a charge-tunable quantum dot coupled to a degenerate electron gas. A constructive Fano interference between an indirect path, associated with an intra dot exciton generation followed by tunneling, and a direct path, associated with the ionization of a valence-band quantum dot electron, ensures the visibility of the ensuing Fermi-edge singularity despite weak absorption strength. We find good agreement between experiment and renormalization group theory, but only when we generalize the Anderson impurity model to include a static hole and a dynamic dot-electron scattering potential. The latter highlights the fact that an optically active dot acts as a tunable quantum impurity, enabling the investigation of a new dynamic regime of Fermi-edge physics.
Iceberg meltwater fluxes dominate the freshwater budget in Greenland's iceberg‐congested glacial fjords

Freshwater fluxes from the Greenland ice sheet have increased over the last two decades due to increases in liquid (i.e., surface and submarine meltwater) and solid ice (i.e., iceberg) fluxes. To predict potential ice sheet‐ocean‐climate feedbacks, we must know the partitioning of freshwater fluxes from Greenland, including the conversion of icebergs to liquid (i.e., meltwater) fluxes within glacial fjords. Here we use repeat ~0.5 m‐resolution satellite images from two major fjords to provide the first observation‐based estimates of the meltwater flux from the dense matrix of floating ice called mélange. We find that because of its expansive submerged area (>100 km2) and rapid melt rate (~0.1–0.8 m d−1), the ice mélange meltwater flux can exceed that from glacier surface and submarine melting. Our findings suggest that iceberg melt within the fjords must be taken into account in studies of glacial fjord circulation and the impact of Greenland melt on the ocean.