Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brainstem lesions decrease heart rate variability.

OBJECTIVE: Brainstem is an essential region in the regulation of the autonomic cardiovascular functions. Some authors have reported that medulla oblongata is very important in this regulation, but probably is not the unique because the sympathetic cardiovascular centers are spread in the brainstem. Since some years ago, we are able to measure heart rate variability which is a useful tool for assessing quantitatively both sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic effects on the heart. The objective is to evaluate the effects of isolated brainstem lesion (IBL) on sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiovascular regulatory functions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the heart rate variability in time and frequency domains in 14 IBL patients and 25 age and sex matched healthy control subjects, measured from 24-h electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Low frequency power (0.001) and low frequency/high frequency power (0.05) were significantly higher in control subjects independently, all together or in subgroups (medulla oblongata affected or not). High frequency power (0.05) were higher too in control subjects. Variability in time domain (0.001 and 0.01) was lower when the medulla oblongata was affected. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that brainstem lesions cause cardiovascular autonomic dysregulation overall when the medulla oblongata is affected. The importance of this region in parasympathetic and sympathetic cardiovascular functions is showed. However, pontine and mesencephalic lesions seem to provoke a decrease only in sympathetic regulation.
Understanding type 2 diabetes and aging: lessons from nonhuman primates

Background: The increase in global prevalence of obesity and diabetes, and the growth of the elderly population worldwide emphasize the biomedical research need for an animal model which exhibits close similarity to human disease and aging processes. The rhesus monkey develops obesity and type 2 diabetes spontaneously and naturally when ad libitum fed, within a lifespan which is about a third that of the human. Objective: To characterize the genetic, structural, biochemical and physiological changes occurring in monkeys who age successfully and in those who develop obesity and type 2 diabetes. Results: The rhesus monkey demonstrates the same signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, including macroand microvascular complications, as observed in humans. Age-related changes, potential biomarkers, and proposed biochemical pathways of aging can be readily investigated, with outcomes very similar to those in humans. Conclusion: The rhesus monkey model imparts valuable insights to normal and pathological processes accompanying aging and type 2 diabetes. It also provides a valuable tool by which to test novel therapeutic interventions which otherwise can not be performed in humans due to ethical considerations, but where results are highly translatable.
The Relationship of Transformational Leadership Style of Principals and Participation of Teachers in MGMP with Mathematics Teachers’ Performance

Abstract This study aimed at finding out (1) the relationship between the principals’ transformational leadership style and the Mathematics teachers’ performance; (2) relationship between teachers’ participation in MGMP and Mathematics teachers’ performance; and (3) the joint relationship between the principals’ transformational leadership style and the teachers’ participation in MGMP on the performance of Mathematics teachers in Palembang. This research was quantitative by using survey method. This research was conducted at the State Secondary School in Palembang with 73 Mathematics teachers. Data were collected by using questionnaires and documentation. The validity test applied on construction and content, while reliability tests used Cronbach’s Alpha. The data were analyzed by using t-test and F-test techniques. The results showed that (1) there was a positive and significant relationship between the principals’ transformational leadership style and the Mathematics teacher's performance in with a correlation score 0.432 or a moderate positive relationship; (2) there is significant positive relationship between teachers’ participation in MGMP and the performance of Mathematics teachers with a correlation score 0.420 or a moderate positive relationship; and (3) there was a joint relationship between the principals’ transformational leadership style and the teachers’ participation in MGMP with the performance of Mathematics teachers with a correlation score 0.488 or a moderate positive relationship with a percentage of relations of 23.8% while 76 2% is determined by other factors not mentioned in this study. KEYWORDS: Transformational Leadership Style; Teachers’ Participation in MGMP; Mathematics Teachers’ Performance
A review of the Home Office Older Volunteers Initiative

Summary During the four years 1999–2003 the Home Office Older Volunteers Initiative (HOOVI)provided funding of £1.476 million to 26 projects aimed at improving the number andquality of the opportunities for people aged 50 or over to volunteer and involve themselvesin the community.Sixteen of the 26 projects were directly concerned with recruiting volunteers and involvingthem in many different roles and settings. Their experience demonstrated that older peoplefrom a variety of backgrounds could be attracted into volunteering if efforts were made torecruit them. It also showed that older volunteers could play their part in a wider range ofactivities than was expected of them. The research also suggests that: ● organisations whose mission or purpose is to promote the well-being of olderpeople have a considerable advantage in involving older people as volunteers ● the extent to which volunteering is a recognised and central feature of anorganisation’s work is an important factor in its ability to involve older volunteersquickly and effectively
Putative role of palmitate and Akt signaling in attenuating skeletal muscle growth in the obese zucker rat

Putative Role of Palmitate and Akt signaling in Attenuating Skeletal Muscle Growth in the Obese Zucker Rat Jonathan Michael Peterson, BS, MS The Obese zucker rat (OZR) is a model of obesity and metabolic syndrome, with a reduced skeletal muscle mass compared with the lean zucker rat (LZR). Growth and hypertrophy of muscle fibers critically depend on activation and differentiation of satellite cells into new myonuclei, as well as the prevention of myonuclear apoptosis. Akt is known to regulate satellite cell activation and differentiation and inhibit apoptotic signaling. Akt activity is also reduced in the OZR compared to the LZR. The present study had two primary purposes; first, to observe, in vitro, the effects of the saturated free fatty acid palmitate on C2C12 mouse myoblast proliferation and differentiation, Akt signaling and apoptosis in myotubes, and second, to examine if there was reduced Akt signaling, satellite cell proliferation and differentiation, and/or increased satellite death in the OZR compared to the LZR. Akt signaling was significantly reduced both in vitro following palmitate treatment and in vivo in the OZR. Furthermore, myoblast proliferation and differentiation were reduced after palmitate treatment, in vitro, and satellite cell activation was reduced in the OZR compared to the LZR. Although palmitate treatment was sufficient to induce apoptotic signaling in C2C12 myotubes, there was no increase in apoptotic signaling in muscles of the OZR. Together, these data indicate that although disruptions in Akt signaling in muscles of the OZR may be responsible for the decrease in muscle mass through attenuated satellite cell activation and proliferation, increased apoptotic signaling does not appear to be a factor to explain the decrease muscle mass in the OZR compared to the LZR.
Molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in the Midlands

Data from this thesis has extended our understanding of the molecular epidemiology and transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Midlands. A novel DNA fingerprinting method called Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units containing Variable Number Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR) typing provided equivalent results when compared to the current gold standard for DNA fingerprinting (IS6110 RFLP). To improve our understanding of TB in the Midlands, MIRU-VNTR typing was then developed to be assayed by non-dHPLC for the first time. Using this high-throughput rapid method a prospective and universal typing study was undertaken. This work identified the predominance of the Euro-American and East African Indian global clades in the Midlands and linked them to particular human population groups using novel software based on names. DNA fingerprinting also discovered the most prevalent single strain in the Midlands. This strain is geographically restricted to the West Midlands within the UK and globally. From this geographical association, we have called this strain the "Mercian" strain. The Mercian strain was not associated with patients who originated from the Indian Sub-Continent but was significantly associated with UK-born, Black Caribbean patients in Wolverhampton. These findings show that strains have been imported into the Midlands from around the world and there has also been continued transmission of these and other strains which may have been present in the Midlands for years. Molecular tools developed in this thesis will have regional, national, and international impact on TB control.
Comparing Biracials And Monoracials: Psychological Well-Being And Attitudes Toward Multiracial People

The study of biracial individuals and their unique experience has been limited. As biracial individuals increase in number, understanding their experiences will become more important to psychologists and mental health professionals. The purpose of the study was to compare biracial individuals and monoracial individuals on measures of psychological well being, ethnic identity, and attitudes towards biracial people. The present study examined one general research question and three hypotheses: • General Research Question & Hypotheses o Will scores on measures of ethnic identity, individual self-esteem, collective self-esteem, subjective well being, and attitudes toward biracial children significantly differ between biracial and monoracial groups? o Bracey, Bamara, and Umana-Taylor’s (2004) results on self-esteem and ethnic identity will be replicated in this study on adults. o When compared to monoracial individuals, biracial individuals will have significantly more positive attitudes towards biracials o A positive relationship exists between psychological well being and attitudes towards biracials for biracial individuals.
MANAGE OF JOB STRESS AND MEASURE EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN HEALTH SERVICES

This research on health service employees who are in Jakarta wants to observe the work stress experienced and how the risks will arise from organizational commitment and employee performance. The design of this research is to use a survey method with cross-section data collection using a questionnaire. A total of 82 employees of the Private Hospital consisting of Doctors, Nurses and Staff as respondents in this study, were determined by utilizing the simple random sampling method. The data analysis method used is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as a design in analyzing data analysis on testing research hypotheses. The results of the study present the results that work stress has a negative and significant impact on organizational commitment, then work stress that has a negative and significant impact on employee performance, then high organizational commitment can actually cause a positive and significant impact on employee performance.
Relationship of Illness Perception, Self-efficacy, and Self-care among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Purpose:A descriptive study wasconducted to examine therelationship of illness perception, self-efficacy, and self-care of patients who were diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: The study was conducted using a convenient sample from two hospitals in Incheon and Seoul. One hundred forty four patients completed a questionnaire whichincludedquestionsongeneral characteristics,aBrief IllnessPerceptionScale, aSelf-efficacy ScaleandaSelf-care Scale. Datawereanalyzedby using descriptivestatistics, t-test, ANOVA, PearsonMoment Correlations and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between illness perception and self-care (r=.335, p=.000) and between self-efficacy and self-care (r=.687,p=.000). Stepwisemultipleregressionanalysis revealedthat amongthethreevariablesthemost powerful predictor was self-efficacy. Self-efficacy andillnessperceptionweresignificant factorsand accountedfor 54.2% of the variance of self care in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Conclusion:Self-efficacy and illness perception were influencing factors in self care among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Hence further interventional researches are needed that consider these two variables.
The Effects of Flow, Emotional Engagement, and Motivation on Success in a Gamified Online Learning Environment

This study aimed to examine the factors that explain academic success in a gamified online learning environment considering flow, emotional engagement, and motivation. The gamified online learning environment was used by 40 undergraduate students, and the data gathered from them. A hypothetical path model showing the interaction of variables with each other was suggested and tested. The experience of flow and emotional engagement in the gamified learning setting had a highly significant impact on motivation. Furthermore, it was concluded that flow increased academic success through increasing motivation. In line with numerous studies in the literature, motivation was determined to have a positive effect on academic success. In addition, the results show that flow and emotional engagement explained 68% of variance of motivation; flow, emotional engagement, and motivation explained 22% of variance of academic success. It is suggested that subsequent studies should focus on the establishment and testing of models that would help to explain success in gamified settings which should incorporate game elements and player types in the structural model.
Student Responses to a Tough Early Assessment: A Useful “Kick up the Bum”?

First year is a delicate time for students. Many have little idea what to expect of university, and their sense of identity as tertiary students is fragile. A diagnostic assessment early in first semester may reassure students that they have chosen the right path. However, some academics, particularly in engineering, argue that this early assessment should be very demanding – so tough, in fact, that some students fail - in order to alert students to the hard work required to pass the course. This study uses a mixed methods design (weekly surveys and in-depth interviews) to explore the effects of a purposefully tough early assessment on first year engineering students at an Australian university. We find that, across the cohort, the high failure rate was not associated with a significant slump or spike in motivation. Although some students were initially dismayed by their results, most went on to address their study with resilience, and appreciated the “kick up the bum”, as they described it.
Characterization of bacterial isolates from skin lesions of sheep, goat and cattle in different rearing condition

The study was performed to isolate and characterize some selected bacteria from skin lesion of sheep, goat and cattle of different rearing condition. Intensive and semi-intensive housing systems were considered for this study. A total of (n=60) skin wound swab and pus samples were collected for this study during the study period. Among them (n=30) samples were collected from intensive farms and (n=30) samples were collected from semi-intensive farms. Staphylococcus aureus infections were found 70% skin lesion for sheep, 30% for goat and 60% for cattle and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections were found 5% skin lesion for sheep, 15% for goat and 15% for cattle. Semi-intensive farm animals were more infected by bacteria than intensive farm animals. Staphylococcus aureus affected 53.33% in intensive farm animal and 66.67% in semi-intensive farm animal. Pseudomonas aeruginosa affected 10% animal in intensive housing system and 13.33% in semi-intensive housing system. The organisms were isolated and characterized by morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics and identified by polymerase chain reaction. Staphylococcus aureus produced yellowish colony in nutrient agar and golden yellow colony in mannitol salt agar. Positive isolates were produced β–hemolysis in blood agar. Pseudomonas aeruginosa produced characteristic colony in nutrient agar but not produce pigment. Pseudomonas aeruginosa produced colorless colony in MaCconkey agar, violet colony in EMB agar and produced hemolysis in blood agar. Staphylococcus aureus showed Gram positive, cocci shaped and grapes like arrangement and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed Gram negative, short rod shaped. Staphylococcus aureus fermented five basic sugars and produced gas and Pseudomonas aeruginosa fermented dextrose and mannitol. Both organisms were catalase positive, only Pseudomonas aeruginosa was oxidase positive. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were further characterized by PCR amplification of toxA gene primer. Staphylococcus aureus skin infection treatment was noticed more effective by erythromycin and gentamicin and Pseudomonas aeruginosa skin infection treatment more effective by ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Both the organisms were found to be amoxicillin resistant. This is the first and preliminary report of molecular characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from skin lesion of sheep, goat and cattle associated with a different rearing condition of the animals in Bangladesh. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2019, 5(2): 117-125
Randomization in Multiple Baseline Designs

In empirical work, randomization is seen as an effective means of controlling for potential biases. This thesis reviews the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) multiple baseline design articles from 1968-2017 to identify if and how articles randomize their participants, phases, trials, settings, or other factors. In this review, we suggest the requirement of randomization in multiple baseline design articles that is determined prior to the start of baseline to improve internal validity.
Developing a masters curriculum for University of Welfare and Rehabilitation in Tehran/Iran by exploring social support and social network in Iranian women with children under school age

The purpose of this project was to: • Develop a postgraduate curriculum for Health care professionals to be used by University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation (USWR) in Iran based on the needs of mothers in Iran. The developed curriculum used selected findings of research completed by me who explored social support and family networks offered to Iranian women with children under the school age. • Create a research data base for information to be use by all researchers on women and women health by students who will be taking the created curriculum during their research and dissertation modules in USWR in Iran. The research conducted used mixed methodology approach /triangulation by means of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A focus group was employed to gain information and further understanding to the meaning of social support and family network from perspectives of those mothers. Following the focus group a questionnaire was devised in conclusion with the findings of the focus group which were building blocks for the questionnaire and informed by literature. Six hundred questionnaires were distributed surveying mothers of three different social classes, living in various parts of Tehran. The questionnaires were distributed at a number of health care clinics using purposive sampling technique. The inclusion criteria for the selection of the research category, was that the mothers had to have a child/children under the school age, and in addition be willing to complete the questionnaire in the clinic. Following the survey 24 self selected mothers from the same group were asked to commence on documenting a two week diary. They were provided with guidelines and instructions on how to complete the diaries. The resulting quantitative data was analysed with the use of SPSS and the qualitative data used narrative data analysis arriving at themes. The two sets of data were crossed referenced for outcomes, in order to comprehend the general data collected and form triangulation conclusions. Recommendation was made for future research.
Subjective Evaluation of a Passive Lower-Limb Industrial Exoskeleton Used During simulated Assembly

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This study showed an overall positive judgment of users when using a passive lower-limb exoskeleton (Chairless Chair®, noonee AG, Switzerland), in terms of high levels of comfort and low levels of discomfort. These findings are promising with regard to field implementation, although final steps in the exoskeleton design first have to be taken. In future feasibility studies, users’ acceptance of the exoskeleton should be investigated in the field. One important question that remains is when and for how long users should wear and use the exoskeleton, and areas of beneficial field application need to be defined with regard to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, which may provide guidelines for effective use. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Besides efficacy with regard to workload, subjective evaluation (wearing comfort and discomfort, and user acceptance) is an important secondary outcome to determine in field effectiveness studies, before true field implementation of industrial passive and active exoskeletons can be realized. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine how discomfort and wearer comfort change with the use of a passive lower-limb exoskeleton and how both are influenced by optimal and suboptimal working heights. Methods: Forty-five male participants were included in the study. Each performed a simulated assembly task in seven experimental conditions, which were a combination of working posture (standing without the exoskeleton, and high and low sitting on the exoskeleton) and working height (optimal and suboptimal). The simulated task included screwing, clip fitting, and cable mounting, and was performed for 21 min in each condition. Before and after each condition, participants rated their level of discomfort, and after completed all conditions they provided feedback about comfort. Results: Initial discomfort ratings (i.e., before each condition) were all < 2 (on a 0–10 scale), with a mean initial rating of 0.03 (SD 0.22). Overall increases in discomfort levels across conditions remained below 1.4, but were significantly lower in the standing working posture without the exoskeleton. Wearer comfort was rated high, with a general mean rating of 7.9 (on a 1–10 scale). Wearer comfort was rated slightly higher for the low versus the high sitting configuration on the exoskeleton. Conclusions: These subjective assessments of discomfort and wearer comfort suggest that the Chairless Chair® has the potential to be used in the occupational context. Future work is recommended, though, include field testing to evaluate user acceptability of the exoskeleton as well as a thorough evaluation of work situations wherein workers can benefit from the use of the exoskeleton.