Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress Levels and Adaptability in Parents of Toddlers with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders

The toddler years can be a particularly stressful time for all parents, however, parents of children with disabilities may experience additional sources of stress. Recent literature on early education for children with disabilities promotes inclusion with typical peers with increases in the availability of inclusive programs. However, little is known about early intervention inclusion programs and parental factors such as stress and adaptability. The current study expands the research for children with disabilities by investigating the associations of having a young child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on multiple dimensions of parental stress for mothers and fathers and how participation in an inclusive toddler program may be related to these stress levels. Results for this community sample are consistent with previous research indicating that that both mothers and fathers of children with ASD report significantly elevated levels of both child and parent related stress in comparison with parents of typically developing toddlers. Following their child's participation in the inclusion program, mothers of children with ASD report significant reductions in child-related stress but no reductions in the parent-related stress domain. No changes were seen with either child or parent domain for fathers. Lastly, a child's level of social skills was a significant predictor of child-related maternal stress for children with autism. This pattern was not seen in fathers of these children. Implications for early intervention program modifications, such as increasing family support and incorporating adjunctive parent interventions for parents with elevated levels of stress are discussed.
The contribution of waveform interactions to the perception of concurrent vowels.

Models of the auditory and phonetic analysis of speech must account for the ability of listeners to extract information from speech when competing voices are present. When two synthetic vowels are presented simultaneously and monaurally, listeners can exploit cues provided by a difference in fundamental frequency (F0) between the vowels to help determine their phonemic identities. Three experiments examined the effects of stimulus duration on the perception of such "double vowels. " Experiment 1 confirmed earlier findings that a difference in F0 provides a smaller advantage when the duration of the stimulus is brief (50 ms rather than 200 ms). With brief stimuli, there may be insufficient time for attentional mechanisms to switch from the "dominant" member of the pair to the "nondominant" vowel. Alternatively, brief segments may restrict the availability of cues that are distributed over the time course of a longer segment of a double vowel. In experiment 1, listeners did not perform better when the same 50-ms segment was presented four times in succession (with 100-ms silent intervals) rather than only once, suggesting that limits on attention switching do not underlie the duration effect. However, performance improved in some conditions when four successive 50-ms segments were extracted from the 200-ms double vowels and presented in sequence, again with 100-ms silent intervals. Similar improvements were observed in experiment 2 between performance with the first 50-ms segment and one or more of the other three segments when the segments were presented individually. Experiment 3 demonstrated that part of the improvement observed in experiments 1 and 2 could be attributed to waveform interactions that either reinforce or attenuate harmonics that lie near vowel formants. Such interactions were beneficial only when the difference in F0 was small (0.25-1 semitone). These results are compatible with the idea that listeners benefit from small differences in F0 by performing a sequence of analyses of different time segments of a double vowel to determine where the formants of the constituent vowels are best defined.
Six-week improvements in muscle mass and strength during androgen therapy in older men.

BACKGROUND The purpose of our study was to assess the early effects of a potent anabolic androgen on muscle mass and strength, lower extremity power, and functional performance in older men. METHODS Thirty-two men 72 +/- 6 years of age were randomized to receive oxandrolone (10 mg twice daily) or matching placebo in a 2:1 manner for 12 weeks. Total and appendicular lean body mass (LBM) were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Lower extremity muscle volume was determined by magnetic resonance imaging to validate DEXA changes. RESULTS Total LBM increased by 2.7 +/- 1.6 kg after 6 weeks with oxandrolone (p <.001), which was greater (p <.001) than the decline in LBM (-0.5 +/- 0.9 kg) with placebo. Appendicular LBM increased by 1.2 +/- 0.9 kg after just 6 weeks with oxandrolone (p <.001), which was greater (p <.001) than the decline in LBM (-0.4 +/- 0.5 kg) with placebo. These changes were >90% of the gains in total and appendicular LBM (3.0 +/- 1.5 kg and 1.3 +/- 0.9 kg, respectively) after 12 weeks. Total thigh and hamstring muscle volume increased by 111 +/- 29 mm(3) (p =.001) and 75 +/- 18 mm(3) (p =.001), respectively, after 12 weeks. Maximal strength increased for the leg press 6.3 +/- 5.6% (p =.003), leg curl 6.7 +/- 8.6% (p =.01), chest press 6.9 +/- 6.5% (p =.001), and latissimus pull-down 4.8 +/- 6.3% (p =.009) with oxandrolone after 6 weeks; these increases were different than those with placebo (p <.001) and were 93%, 96%, 74%, and 94% of the respective gains at week 12. There were no improvements in functional measures. CONCLUSION Treatment with a potent anabolic androgen may produce significant increases in muscle mass and strength after only 6 weeks in healthy older men. However, such treatment did not improve leg muscle power or walking speed.
The canalith repositioning procedure for the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To compare the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) with a sham maneuver for the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. PATIENTS AND METHODS We recruited 50 patients with a history of positional vertigo and unilateral positional nystagmus on physical examination (Dix-Hallpike maneuver). Patients were randomized to either the CRP (n = 24) or a sham maneuver (n = 26). Measured outcomes included resolution of vertigo and positional nystagmus at follow-up examination. RESULTS The mean duration of follow-up was 10 days for both groups. Resolution of symptoms was reported by 12 (50%) of the 24 patients in the CRP group and by 5 (19%) of the 26 patients in the sham group (P = .02). The results of the Dix-Hallpike maneuver were negative for positional nystagmus in 16 (67%) of 24 patients in the CRP group and in 10 (38%) of 26 patients in the sham group (P = .046). CONCLUSION The CRP is effective treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and this procedure can be performed by general internists on outpatients with this disorder.
SiGe Channel Technology: Superior Reliability Toward Ultrathin EOT Devices—Part I: NBTI

We report extensive experimental results of the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) reliability of SiGe channel pMOSFETs as a function of the main gate-stack parameters. The results clearly show that this high-mobility channel technology offers significantly improved NBTI robustness compared with Si-channel devices, which can solve the reliability issue for sub-1-nm equivalent-oxide-thickness devices. A physical model is proposed to explain the intrinsically superior NBTI robustness.
Internet banking adoption strategies for a developing country: the case of Thailand

Purpose – The objective of the paper is to identify the factors that encourage consumers to adopt internet banking services in Thailand and to use the study's findings to develop strategies for banks on how to maximize the rate of adoption.Design/methodology/approach – Quantitative research with a sample size of 600 achieved by sending questionnaires to 15 people in each of 40 large companies in Bangkok. The study is based on the Decomposed Planned Behaviour.Findings – The attitudinal factors that appear to encourage the adoption of internet banking in Thailand most are “Features of the web site” and “Perceived usefulness”, while the most significant impediment to adoption is a perceived behavioural control, namely “External environment”. The significant moderating factors are gender, educational level, income, internet experience and internet banking experience, but not age.Research limitations/implications – In this study, encouragement factors are those that are able to be controlled by banks, while im.
Interaction of FliK with the bacterial flagellar hook is required for efficient export specificity switching

FliK–FlhB interaction switches export specificity of the bacterial flagellar protein export apparatus to stop hook protein export at an appropriate timing for hook length control. The hook structure is required for the productive FliK–FlhB interaction to flip the switch but it remains unknown how it works. Here, we characterize the role of FliK in the switching probability in the absence of the hook. When RflH/Flk was missing in the hook mutants, the switching occurred at a low probability. Overproduction of FliK significantly increased the switching probability although not at the wild‐type level. An in‐frame deletion of residues 129 through 159 of FliK weakened the interaction with the hook protein but not with the hook‐capping protein, producing polyhooks with filaments attached. We suggest that temporary association of FliK with the inner surface of the hook during FliK secretion results in a pause in the secretion process to allow the C‐terminal switch domain of FliK to be positioned and appropriately oriented near FlhB for catalysing the switch and that RflH/Flk interferes with premature switch by preventing access of cytoplasmic FliK to FlhB and even that of FliK during its secretion until hook length reaches 55 nm; only then FliKC passes the RflH/Flk block.
Physiological effects of technique and rolling resistance in uphill roller skiing.

OBJECTIVE The double pole technique (DP) has been shown to be more economical than the V1 skate technique (V1 ) on flat terrain. The objective of the present study was to compare these two techniques during uphill roller skiing. In addition, the physiological effects of changing roller ski rolling resistance was examined for V1. METHODS Five female and five male competitive cross-country skiers roller skied 4-min bouts on a 5.2% incline while physiological measurements were made. RESULTS Oxygen uptake (VO2) values averaged 8% greater (P = 0.0004) with V1, whereas rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood lactate concentrations were higher (P < or = 0.002) with DP. Doubling the dynamic friction coefficient of the roller skis, which increased external power output by 16-17%, resulted in VO2 values with V1 that averaged 13% higher (P = 0.0006). This magnitude of change in roller ski rolling resistance did not cause a statistical change in the relationship of VO2 with RPE. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that 1) grade has little effect on relative economies of DP and V1, possibly because of a lower effectiveness of force application with V1 when going uphill, and 2) large differences in roller ski rolling resistance should have no effect on the cardiovascular training adaptations that result from uphill roller skiing with V1.
Does host immunity influence helminth egg hatchability in the environment?

Abstract Transmission success for helminths with free-living stages depends on the ability of eggs and larvae to develop and survive once in the environment. While environmental conditions are often suggested to influence egg phenology and hatching rate, immunity against parasite eggs might also play a role. We examined this hypothesis using the gastrointestinal helminths Trichostrongylus retortaeformis and Graphidium strigosum, two common infections of the European rabbit. Changes in egg hatching rate and volume were examined in relation to specific antibodies in the serum and bound to eggshells, using eggs shed in host faeces over a 15-week period. Hatching rate was consistently higher for T. retortaeformis than G. strigosum and no changes were observed between weeks. Egg volume increased for G. strigosum but decreased for T. retortaeformis. We did find evidence of egg-specific antibody responses and fewer antibodies were bound to eggs of T. retortaeformis compared to G. strigosum. Little to no association was found between antibodies and hatchability, or volume, for both helminths. We suggest that host antibodies play a relatively minor role in the egg hatching rate of these gastrointestinal helminths.
Characterization of Hemolysin of Moraxella bovis Using a Hemolysis-Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody

ABSTRACT A concentrated bacterial culture supernatant from the hemolyticMoraxella bovis strain UQV 148NF was used to immunize mice and generate monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). One, MAb G3/D7, neutralized the hemolytic activity of M. bovis and recognized a 94-kDa protein by Western blot analysis in hemolytic M. bovisstrains representing each of the different fimbrial serogroups. Exposure of corneal epithelial cells to M. bovisconcentrated culture supernatants demonstrated a role for an exotoxin in the pathogenesis of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, while neutralization of hemolytic and cytotoxic activities by MAb G3/D7 implies that these activities are related or have common epitopes. The action of M. bovis hemolysin was further characterized in sheep erythrocyte preparations with a binding step and Ca2+required for lysis to proceed, similar to the RTX family of bacterial exotoxins. Neutralization of lytic activity in vitro is evidence for the presence of M. bovis antigens, which may be capable of protecting cattle from the development of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.
Links Between Workplace Spirituality, Job-Related Attitudes, and Value Fit in a Non-Profit Agency

We examined perceptions of spirituality and meaning among 192 employees (77% female) from a non-profit organization in a mid-sized Midwestern city in the United States. We hypothesized that employees’ values related to workplace spirituality would be positively related to various measures of job satisfaction and general meaning in life. We also examined employees’ perceptions of the fit of their co-workers’ values with the agency mission and predicted that these perceptions would act as a moderator of the relationship between employees’ workplace spirituality and job satisfaction. Our hypotheses were generally supported. Spirituality predicted work contributing to the meaning of life and various facets of job satisfaction. Implications of the importance of employees’ perceptions of organizational fit related to spirituality and the perceived fit of co-workers’ values with the organizational mission are discussed.
Bacterial Endotoxin Induces the Release of High Mobility Group Box 1 via the IFN-β Signaling Pathway1

Sepsis is a devastating condition characterized by a systemic inflammatory response. Recently, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was identified as a necessary and sufficient mediator of the lethal systemic inflammation caused by sepsis. However, despite its clinical importance, the mechanism of HMGB1 release has remained to be elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that the IFN-β-mediated JAK/STAT pathway is essential for LPS or Escherichia coli-induced HMGB1 release, which is dependent on Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-β adaptor. Additionally, we show that NO acts as a downstream molecule of the IFN-β signaling. Furthermore, the JAK inhibitor treatment as well as the STAT-1 or IFN-β receptor deficiency reduced HMGB1 release in a murine model of endotoxemia. Our results suggest that HMGB1 release in sepsis is dependent on the IFN-β signaling axis; thus, therapeutic agents that selectively inhibit IFN-β signaling could be beneficial in the treatment of sepsis.
HAEMODYNAMIC CHANGES IN WOMEN TAKING ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Haemodynamic changes were monitored serially in a group of 30 healthy young women receiving combined oestrogen‐progestogen oral contraceptive therapy. Significant increases in cardiac output (expressed as cardiac index), systolic and mean blood pressures and plasma volume occurred during therapy. Changes in heart rate and diastolic blood pressure were not significant. An increase in stroke volume was mainly responsible for the increase in cardiac output.
Colonization and Succession within the Human Gut Microbiome by Archaea, Bacteria, and Microeukaryotes during the First Year of Life

Perturbations to the colonization process of the human gastrointestinal tract have been suggested to result in adverse health effects later in life. Although much research has been performed on bacterial colonization and succession, much less is known about the other two domains of life, archaea, and eukaryotes. Here we describe colonization and succession by bacteria, archaea and microeukaryotes during the first year of life (samples collected around days 1, 3, 5, 28, 150, and 365) within the gastrointestinal tract of infants delivered either vaginally or by cesarean section and using a combination of quantitative real-time PCR as well as 16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Sequences from organisms belonging to all three domains of life were detectable in all of the collected meconium samples. The microeukaryotic community composition fluctuated strongly over time and early diversification was delayed in infants receiving formula milk. Cesarean section-delivered (CSD) infants experienced a delay in colonization and succession, which was observed for all three domains of life. Shifts in prokaryotic succession in CSD infants compared to vaginally delivered (VD) infants were apparent as early as days 3 and 5, which were characterized by increased relative abundances of the genera Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, and a decrease in relative abundance for the genera Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides. Generally, a depletion in Bacteroidetes was detected as early as day 5 postpartum in CSD infants, causing a significantly increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio between days 5 and 150 when compared to VD infants. Although the delivery mode appeared to have the strongest influence on differences between the infants, other factors such as a younger gestational age or maternal antibiotics intake likely contributed to the observed patterns as well. Our findings complement previous observations of a delay in colonization and succession of CSD infants, which affects not only bacteria but also archaea and microeukaryotes. This further highlights the need for resolving bacterial, archaeal, and microeukaryotic dynamics in future longitudinal studies of microbial colonization and succession within the neonatal gastrointestinal tract.
Complementary Effects of Species Abundances and Ecological Neighborhood on the Occurrence of Fruit-Frugivore Interactions

Species interactions are traditionally seen as the outcome of both ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. Among them, the two most frequently studied are the neutral role of species abundances in determining encounter probability and the deterministic role of species identity (traits and evolutionary history) in determining the compatibility of interacting. Nevertheless, the occurrence of pairwise interactions also depends on the spatio-temporal context imposed by the ecological neighborhood (i.e. the indirect effect of other local species sharing traits and interaction potential with the focal ones). Although a few studies have begun to examine neighborhood effects on community interactions, these have not incorporated neighborhood structure as a complementary driver of pairwise interactions within an integrative approach. Here we describe the spatial structure of pairwise interactions between three fleshy-fruited tree species and six frugivorous thrush species within the same locality of the Cantabrian Range (Iberian Peninsula). Using a spatio-temporally fine-grained dataset sampled during three years, we aimed to detect spatial patterns of interactions and to evaluate their concordance across years. We also evaluated the simultaneous roles played by species abundance, species identity and the ecological neighborhood in determining the pairwise interaction frequencies based on fruit removal. Our results showed that the abundances of fruit and bird species involved in plant-frugivore interactions, and the spatial patterns of these interactions, varied among years, and this was mainly due to different fruiting landscapes responding to masting events of distinct plant species. Despite high interannual differences in species abundances and the pairwise interaction frequencies, the main mechanisms underpinning the occurrence of pairwise interactions remained constant. Most of the variability in pairwise interactions was always explained by interacting fruit and bird species’ abundances. Ecological neighborhood, characterized as the net quantity of forest cover, heterospecific fruit crops, and heterospecific bird abundances in the immediate surroundings, also affected pairwise interaction frequency through its indirect effects on the abundance of interacting bird species. Our results highlight the prevalence of neutral forces in highly generalized plant-frugivore assemblages as well as the influence of indirect interactions (competition and/or facilitation with other local species) as another important driver to consider when predicting pairwise interactions.
Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from poultry carcasses in Dakar (Senegal)

This study was undertaken to estimate the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from raw chicken. From November 2003 to April 2004 a total of 120 chicken carcasses were collected from 36 randomly selected sale points (supermarkets, traditional market, poultry slaughter house, flocks) in the urban and periurban zones of Dakar, Senegal, and examined for the presence of Salmonella. Salmonella was isolated from 75 (62.5%) of the examined samples. Out of the 90 Salmonella isolates obtained, twenty one serotypes were identified, from which the most prevalent were S. Kentuchy 30%, S. Muenster (13.3%), S. Brancaster (8.8%), S. Enteritidis and S. Hadar (6.6%). All Salmonella isolates were tested for their susceptibility to 16 selected antimicrobial agents by the agar diffusion method. Seventy one (78.9%) isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobials. Out of 71 resistant Salmonella isolates, 33 (46.5%) showed multiple resistance to five or more different antimicrobials. Resistance to ampicillin, trimethoprim, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, tetracyclin and sulphonamides was the most frequent. We found 36 different patterns of multiresistant strains. The high level of antibiotic resistance of foodborne Salmonella isolates in the present study is an indication of indiscriminate and continuous use of subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics in animals. Furthermore, the results showed the possible significance of chicken meat as a source of multiple antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella for human infections and suggest the need for detailed epidemiological study.