Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Periods of Nonuse and Fluctuating Ammonia Concentration on Biofilter Performance

Abstract A systematic study on the transient behavior of odor treatment using biofilters is described. The biofilters were exposed to variations in contaminant loading and periods of nonuse. Two bench-scale biofilters with different filter media were used. Mixtures of compost/perlite (5:1) and dry sludge/granular active carbon (5:1) were used as filter media. Ammonia (NH3), one of the main malodorous gases, was used as the target compound. The response of each biofilter to variations in contaminant mass loading, periodic nonuse, water content, and inlet concentration pulse was studied. The nonuse period comprised of two stages: the “idle phase” when no air was passing through the biofilters, and the “no-contaminant-loading phase” when only humidified air was passing through the biofilters. Concentration spike was applied to study the effects of shock loading on the biofilter performance. Biofilters responded effectively to NH3 concentration variations and shock loading by rapidly recovering to the original removal rates within 6–12 h. The results indicated re-acclimation times ranged from several hours to longer than a day. Longer idle phase produced longer re-acclimation periods than periods of no contaminant loading. When the media was dried during the biofiltration process, elimination capacity dropped accordingly for both biofilters. After 24 h of drying, the biofilter experiment could be restarted and run for a few days for recovering.
Heavy Injection Drug Use Is Associated with Lower Percent Body Fat in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort of HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Drug Users from Three U.S. Cities

Background: The clinical implications of lower body weight in drug using populations are uncertain given that lower mean weights may still fall within the healthy range. Objectives: To determine the effect of type, mode and frequency of drug use on underlying body composition after accounting for differences in body shape and size. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 511 participants from the Tufts Nutrition Collaborative (TNC) Study. Data included measures of body composition, a 24-hour dietary recall, and a detailed health history and lifestyle questionnaire. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the independent effect of drug use on percent body fat (BF) after adjusting for BMI and waist circumference. Results: Heavy injection drug users (IDUs) had a 2.6% lower percent BF than non-users after adjusting for BMI, waist circumference, and other confounders. (p = 0.0006). Differences in percent BF were predominantly due to higher lean mass, rather than lower fat mass. Cocaine and heroin had similar effects on body composition. Conclusions: In the U.S., where the general population is prone to over-nutrition, the average percent BF for heavy injectors does not fall into a range low enough to suggest harmful effects. However, in populations with substantial levels of under-nutrition, small differences in percent BF among drug users will have a greater impact on health status. Scientific Significance: Differences in BMI, weight and body composition are not always straightforward. Accounting for underlying nutritional status and relative differences in fat and FFM is critical when interpreting results. diagnosed patients and prevent them from returning to prison.
How boards’ internal and external social capital interact to affect firm performance

Board social capital encompasses two types of relationships: external and internal ties. This study examines the effects of board social capital on firm performance using a sample of the 103 companies listed on The Madrid Stock Exchange (2008). In order to measure board internal social capital, we consider the directors’ co-working experience on the board. On the other hand, to measure external board social capital, we rely on the directors’ ties to other organizations through interlocking directorates. We introduce internal social capital as a necessary variable for a more complete understanding of the external social capital/firm performance relationship. Our results have important implications for corporate governance practices. When firms propose reconsidering the composition of boards, they should not be guided solely by the intention of maximizing external connections. On the contrary, they should really take into account the fundamental role of internal social capital, which (1) intensifies the positive effects of the external capital when its level is low and (2) attenuates the negative effects of an excess of the board’s external social capital.
Psychosocial Interventions for Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are common amongst individuals with chronic kidney disease and are known to affect quality of life adversely. Psychosocial interventions have been shown to decrease depressive and anxiety symptoms in various chronic diseases, but few studies have examined their efficacy in people with chronic kidney disease and no meta-analysis has been published. Thus, the aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of psychosocial interventions on depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as quality of life in individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and/or their carers. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we included published randomized controlled trials comparing psychosocial interventions versus usual care for impacting depressive and anxiety symptoms and quality of life. Results: Eight studies were included in the systematic review and six of these were subjected to meta-analysis. Psychosocial interventions were associated with a medium effect size for reduction in depressive symptoms and a small effect size for improved quality of life in the in individuals with chronic-kidney-disease and their carers. Some evidence suggested a reduction in anxiety. Conclusion: Psychosocial interventions appear to reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with chronic-kidney-disease and their carers and to have some beneficial impact on anxiety. However, the small number of identified studies indicates a need for further research in this field.
Mechanisms of improvement in exercise capacity using a rollator in patients with COPD.

STUDY OBJECTIVE We analyzed the effects of the use of a rollator on walking distance and physiologic variables: pulmonary gas exchange, heart rate, minute ventilation (Ve), oxygen saturation, and symptoms during the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in patients with COPD. SETTING Outpatient clinic at university hospital. PATIENTS Fourteen patients with COPD in stable clinical condition. One patient had mild COPD, five patients had moderate COPD, six patients had severe COPD, and two patients had very severe COPD. INTERVENTIONS Two 6MWTs were performed with a portable metabolic system (VmaxST 1.0; Viasys Healthcare; MEDA; Aartselaar, Belgium) with a rollator and without a rollator, in random order. In addition, maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was measured with and without a rollator, randomly. RESULTS The median 6MWT distance increased significantly with a rollator: 416 m without a rollator (interquartile range [IQR], 396 to 435 m), vs 462 m with a rollator (IQR, 424 to 477 m) [p = 0.04]. Significant increases were also seen in oxygen uptake (0.04 L/min [IQR, - 0.002 to 0.09 L/min]); tidal volume (0.06 L/min [IQR, - 0.001 to 0.11 L/min]); and Ve (0.95 L/min [IQR, - 0.67 to 7.1 L/min]), recorded in the last minute of the 6MWT; as well as in MVV (3 L/min [IQR, 0 to 12 L/min]) [p < 0.05 for all]. Borg dyspnea scores tended to be lower with a rollator: 6 (IQR, 4 to 7) without a rollator, vs 5 (IQR, 4 to 7) with a rollator (p = 0.10). The variation in the 6MWT was explained by individual changes in walking efficiency (partial R(2) = 0.31) and changes in Ve (partial R(2) = 0.36) [p model < 0.04]. CONCLUSION The use of a rollator improves walking distance of patients with COPD through an increased ventilatory capacity and/or better walking efficiency.
The politics of economic adjustment in Europe: State unilateralism or social dialogue?

This chapter depicts the process of design and implementation of austerity policies aimed at reducing public deficits and debt in eight European countries 1 and the role of social dialogue in this context. It is argued that, as governments are shifting policy priorities from economic stimulus towards fiscal consolidation and debt reduction, social dialogue and tripartism are given a less prominent role compared to the first phase of the global economic crisis, during which they played a significant part in devising crisis responses. Austerity policies are presented as being inevitable and non-negotiable. This may not be surprising, considering that the current structural adjustment promoted by the international financial institutions (IFIs), and lately the European Union (EU), is based on Washington Consensus policies which usually exclude public deliberation. The chapter argues that social dialogue should remain part of policy design and implementation even in times of crisis, and highlights several ways of rebalancing the negotiating powers of actors in the real economy to enable them to influence policy choices.
Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review of Neuropsychological Assessments

Of the more than two million people worldwide with multiple sclerosis, 40% to 65% experience cognitive impairment, many of them early in the course of the disease. Cognitive impairment has been found in patients with all subtypes of multiple sclerosis. Because both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions may improve patients’ brain function, cognitive assessment should be a routine part of the clinical evaluation. Traditional paper-and-pencil neuropsychological tests and batteries can help detect and monitor patients’ cognitive problems. Computerized cognitive batteries also show promise. Controversy continues over which test is most reliable at assessing cognitive impairment in both everyday clinical practice and research. Each battery has possible disadvantages, such as practice effects, poor sensitivity and specificity, and questionable applicability to multiple sclerosis. Based on our review of the literature, we describe the tests that are currently being used or that might be used in assessing cognitive deficits in patients with multiple sclerosis, and we summarize the strengths and limitations of each.
QUALITATIVE CHANGES IN DYNAMIC TRIPOD GRIP BETWEEN SEVEN AND 14 YEARS OF AGE

The dynamic tripod grip during handwriting was examined among seven‐ to 14‐year‐old children. Four components were measured: (a) degree of index‐finger flexion; (b) degree of forearm pronation/supination; (c) number of fingers used on the pencil shaft; and (d) thumb and forefinger opposition. Developmental trends were identified for measures (a) and (b), suggesting refinement of the dynamic tripod grip with age.
Prognostic value of apoptosis and apoptosis‐associated proteins in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the level of apoptosis and expressions of p53, mdm2 and bcl‐2 proteins in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) to determine potential relationships among apoptosis, apoptosis‐associated proteins and clinical cumulative survival. Thirty‐nine formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded cases, cribriform (17), tubular (13) and solid (9), were studied by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis detection and analysis were determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick‐end labeling (TUNEL). There was an inverse significance between the apoptotic index (AI) and bcl‐2 expression (P = 0.018), whereas no correlation was found between the AI and either p53 or mdm2 expression (P = 0.416 and P = 0.456). Co‐expression of p53 and mdm2 was found in 22 cases (P = 0.037). Patients with p53‐positive tumors had a worse prognosis than those with p53‐negative tumors (P = 0.014). Patients with a high AI had a better cumulative survival than patients with a low AI (P = 0.038). The present study suggests that p53 expression and AI can be useful as prognostic values; bcl‐2 protein plays a role in the down‐regulation of apoptosis and is also potentially useful as a prognostic parameter in salivary gland ACC.
Effect of Work–Life Balance on Organizational Citizenship Behaviour: Role of Organizational Commitment

Balancing work and life stands as an on-going challenge in contemporary times. Today’s global market place demands conflicting professional responsibilities in the form of unflinching ‘work–life commitment’. In organizational context, a high quality of work–life balance is essential to continue attracting and retaining its employees. This kind of practice is having significant implications on employee attitudes, behaviours, well-being as well as organizational effectiveness. In contemporary times, many multinational corporations (MNCs) have been found focusing on organizing work–life programmes as these are becoming an intelligent choice to help in increasing job satisfaction among employees and in career accomplishment. On the other hand, the popular concept of ‘organizational citizenship behaviour’ inherently strives from its employees to extend their discretionary behaviours beyond the expected normal duties. However, this kind of anticipated behaviour of employees is somehow silently contradicting the notion of work–life balance. Thus, in this context, the influences of work–life balance on organizational citizenship behaviour need to be explored. Keeping this objective in mind, the present study examines the effect of work–life balance on organizational citizenship behaviour. It examines the role of organizational commitment on the relationship between work–life balance and organizational citizenship behaviour. A survey was conducted using a set of established questionnaire on work–life balance, organizational citizenship behaviour and organizational commitment with employees and executives of manufacturing industries in eastern India. The study reports significant effects of work–life balance on organizational citizenship behaviour. It also shows the mediating effect of organizational commitment on the relationship between work–life balance and organizational citizenship behaviour. The study has suggested implications for researchers and practitioners in the field of human resource management and experts in the area of organizational development.
Men and Women Who Attend Al-Anon: Gender Differences in Reasons for Attendance, Health Status and Personal Functioning, and Drinker Characteristics

Although Al-Anon Family Groups (Al-Anon) is the most common source of help for people concerned about someone else's drinking, only 16% of members are men. To identify gender differences, we compared demographics, reasons for attendance, health status, and personal functioning, and drinker characteristics of 174 men and women attending Al-Anon. Men and women were similar in most areas; however, some key differences emerged. Men reported better overall mental health than women, and described some differing concerns and drinker characteristics. With this information, healthcare providers may facilitate men's participation in Al-Anon by addressing their unique concerns and possible barriers to attendance.
Prevalence of hepatitis viruses in patients with acute hepatitis and characterization of the detected genotype 4 hepatitis E virus sequences in Mongolia

Hepatitis E is considered to be a worldwide public health problem. Although the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies in healthy individuals is noted to be 11%, no patients with acute hepatitis E have previously been identified in Mongolia. Three hundred two consecutive patients (183 males and 119 females; median age of 22.0 [Interquartile range: 18.3–25.0] years) who were clinically diagnosed with sporadic acute hepatitis during 2012–2013 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, were studied. By serological and/or molecular approaches, 77 (25.5%), 93 (30.8%), 19 (6.3%), 48 (15.9%), and 12 (4.0%) of the patients were diagnosed with acute hepatitis of types A, B, C, D (superinfection of hepatitis delta virus on a background of chronic hepatitis B virus infection) and E, respectively, while the cause of hepatitis was unknown in the remaining 53 patients (17.5%). The 12 hepatitis E patients had no history of travel abroad in the 3 months before the onset of disease, and lived separately in fixed or movable houses with water supplied via pipe, tank or well, denying transmission from a common water supply. The 12 HEV isolates obtained from the patients showed high nucleotide identities of 99.7–100%, and a representative HEV isolate, MNE13‐227, was closest to the Chinese isolates of genotype 4, with the highest identity of 97.3% in the 304‐nt ORF2 sequence and 92.1% over the entire genome. The present study revealed the occurrence of autochthonous acute hepatitis E in Mongolia, caused by a monophyletic genotype 4 HEV strain. J. Med. Virol. 88:282–291, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acute Suppression of Bone Turnover With Calcium Infusion in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Background: Some people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) have low vitamin D levels and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Objective: To determine whether, and to what extent, an acute calcium infusion decreased levels of N-telopeptide (NTx), a marker of osteoclastic activity, in individuals with chronic SCI. Study Design: Case series. Subjects: Eight men with chronic SCI. A relatively low serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration (25[OH]D ≤20 ng/mL) and/or a high parathyroid hormone (PTH) (>55 pg/mL) was a prerequisite for study inclusion. Methods: Calcium gluconate bolus 0.025 mmol elemental calcium/kg over 20 minutes followed by a constant infusion of 0.025 mmol/kg per hour for 6 hours was infused; blood samples were collected every 2 hours for measurement of serum total calcium, creatinine, NTx, and PTH. Results: All results are expressed as means (± SDs). Baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 14.5 ± 3.5 ng/mL (range: 10.2-19.6 ng/mL); PTH, 70 ± 25 pg/mL (range: 37-100 pg/mL); and NTx, 21 ± 7 nM bone collagen equivalents (BCE) (range: 14-34 nM). At 2, 4, and 6 hours after the calcium infusion, serum calcium rose from 9.3 ± 0.2 to 10.8 ± 0.9, 10.5 ± 0.8, and 10.6 ± 0.6 mg/d; PTH was suppressed from 70 ± 25 pg/mL to 18 ± 12, 16 ± 9, and 15 ± 9 pg/mL, respectively; NTx fell from 21 ± 8 nM BCE to 1 7 ± 5, 12 ± 4, and 12 ± 3 nM BCE, respectively. Conclusions: Serum NTx is a marker for bone collagen catabolism, and its reduction suggests that bone turnover was decreased. A relative deficiency of vitamin D associated with chronically elevated levels of PTH would be expected to increase bone turnover and to worsen the bone loss associated with immobilization.
Multi-label classification of estimated time of arrival with ensemble neural networks in bus transportation network

The arrival times of buses are often hard to predict due to variation of real time traffic conditions, deployment schedules and traffic incidents. The provision of timely arrival time information is thus vital for passengers to minimize their waiting time and improve riders' confidence in the public transportation system, directly promoting more ridership. Multiple buses are commonly observed to arrive at a bus stop every hour. In this research, the prediction of estimated time of arrival (ETA) of buses is translated into a multi-label classification problem. Using buses historical global positioning system (GPS) arrival time, neural network models (ANN) are shown to be reliable solutions for the problem, and ensemble of neural networks are explored for more relevant output. The experimental results demonstrate that 77–78% of the time, ANN models are able to accurately predict arrival time of buses. The neural network models are able to outperform the other algorithms (i.e. Decision Tree, Random Forest, Naïve Bayes) in the classification of multi-label arrival times by up to 8% based on performance metrics such as hamming loss, accuracy, and F1 scores. Among the ensemble models, Random A-labelsets (RAkEL) with 2-labelsets and 3-labelsets outperform the single neural network by 2–3% in multi-label accuracy and F1 scores. The findings are convincing for us to further explore other problem transformation and ensemble approaches in the future.
Travelling surgeons--a clinical audit of laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures in Northland, New Zealand.

AIM The aim of this study was to assess the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery performed in a peripheral hospital by travelling surgeons. METHODS A retrospective audit of laparoscopic cholecystectomy operations performed in Kaitaia hospital was completed and compared with international literature. Data was collected for procedures completed between March 2005 and August 2006. Information on patient demographics, admission, diagnosis, and length of stay were gathered, as well as information regarding complications of stump leak, conversion rate to open cholecystectomy, infection, postoperative Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatogram (ERCP) requirement and death. RESULTS 149 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in Kaitaia. Conversion to open was 5.4%. When all complications were compared no statistically significant difference could be found between complication rates in Kaitaia and those in international literature in almost all categories studied. Common Bile Duct (CBD) injury in Kaitaia was found to be lower than that reported in international literature. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic cholecystectomies are performed safely in Kaitaia hospital by travelling surgeons. Surgery performed in Kaitaia showed low complication rates, even by international standards. This is not surprising given the high number of elective operations.