Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial and Sociodemographic Determinants Related to Chronic Diseases in Immigrants Residing in Spain

The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of the psychosocial determinants of satisfaction with social support, resilience and satisfaction with life, and the sociodemographic determinants of age, gender and length of residence on chronic diseases in immigrants living in Spain. The sample was composed of 1131 immigrants from Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia. 47.1% were men and 52.9% were women. Most relevant results point to age as the sociodemographic variable with the highest predictive effect in the six chronic diseases analyzed. Gender, in this case female, predicts arthrosis, chronic back pain and migraine, whereas length of residence was only significant in the case of chronic allergies. Regarding psychosocial variables, resilience is a good predictor of hypertension, chronic allergies and arthrosis. However, satisfaction with social support appears to be the best predictor for chronic back pain in the regression equation, satisfaction with life being a significant variable in migraine, arthrosis, allergies and high cholesterol. Results are notably relevant for the design of preventive health programs in immigrants, as well as in ensuring their appropriate access to the health system so that their chronic diseases can be diagnosed. Given the relevance and incidence of the chronic diseases analyzed in immigrants, preventive strategies should be improved to tackle chronic diseases that can have a serious impact on immigrants’ health.
Dohsa-hou training improves bimanual coordination among children with Down Syndrome

A child with Down syndrome (DS) is physically characterized by muscle hypotonia, joint instability, and poor motor coordination. Here, we tested whether Dohsa-hou training could improve motor coordination among children with DS, compared to a control condition. Forty children with DS were randomly assigned either to Dohsa-hou training or to a control condition. All participants completed a bimanual coordination test, at the following time points: baseline, seven weeks later at completion of the intervention, and again 4 weeks later at follow-up. Bimanual coordination accuracy and consistency improved from baseline to intervention completion and to follow-up, but only in the Dohsa-hou training, compared to the control group. The findings suggest that among children with DS and compared to a control condition, Dohsa-hou training has the potential to enhance the bimanual coordination, thus contributing to improved motor control of children with DS.
Tumor Size Measurements for Predicting Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Response to Treatment

The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of tumor size measurements as prognostic indicators of treatment outcome of Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. 18F-FDG PET/CT exams before and after treatment were analyzed and metabolic and anatomic parameters—tumor maximum diameter, tumor maximum area, tumor volume, and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax)—were determined manually by an expert and automatically by a computer algorithm on PET and CT images. Results showed that the computer algorithm measurements did not correlate well with the expert’s standard maximum tumor diameter measurements but yielded better three dimensional metrics that could have clinical value. SUVmax was the strongest prognostic indicator of the clinical outcome after treatment, followed by the automated metabolic tumor volume measurements and the expert’s metabolic maximum diameter measurements. Anatomic tumor measurements had poor prognostic value. Metabolic volume measurements, although promising, did not significantly surpass current standard of practice, but automated measurements offered a significant advantage in terms of time and effort and minimized biases and variances in the PET measurements. Overall, considering the limited value of tumor size in predicting response to treatment, a paradigm shift seems necessary in order to identify robust prognostic markers in PET/CT; radiomics, namely combinations of anatomy, metabolism, and imaging, may be an option.
Attenuation of Post-Exercise Energy Intake Following 12 Weeks of Sprint Interval Training in Men and Women with Overweight

An acute bout of sprint interval training (SIT) performed with psychological need-support incorporating autonomy, competence, and relatedness has been shown to attenuate energy intake at the post-exercise meal, but the long-term effects are not known. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of SIT combined with need-support on post-exercise food consumption. Thirty-six physically inactive participants with overweight and obesity (BMI: 29.6 ± 3.8 kg·m−2; V˙O2peak 20.8 ± 4.1 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed three sessions per week of SIT (alternating cycling for 15 s at 170% V˙O2peak and 60 s at 32% V˙O2peak) with need-support or traditional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) without need-support (continuous cycling at 60% V˙O2peak). Assessments of appetite, appetite-related hormones, and ad libitum energy intake in response to acute exercise were conducted pre- and post-intervention. Fasting appetite and blood concentrations of active ghrelin, leptin, and insulin did not significantly differ between groups or following the training. Post-exercise energy intake from snacks decreased significantly from pre- (807 ± 550 kJ) to post- SIT (422 ± 468 kJ; p < 0.05) but remained unaltered following MICT. SIT with psychological need-support appears well-tolerated in a physically inactive population with overweight and offers an alternative to traditional exercise prescription where dietary intake is of concern.
Seminal Levels of Omentin-1/ITLN1 in Inflammatory Conditions Related to Male Infertility and Localization in Spermatozoa and Tissues of Male Reproductive System

Purpose Omentin-1/intelectin (ITLN)1 is an adipocytokine with both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress properties, and little is known about its role in male reproduction. This study was aimed at exploring the relationships among omentin-1/ITLN1, semen parameters and F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), a maker of oxidative stress, in groups of patients affected by different pathologies. In addition, omentin-1/ITLN1 immunolocalization was assessed in ejaculated spermatozoa and in tissues of male reproductive system. Patients and Methods Semen samples of infertile patients with varicocele (n = 27), genitourinary infections (n = 17), idiopathic infertility (n = 15) and fertile men (n = 21) were analyzed following WHO guidelines, and seminal plasma were used to determine omentin-1/ITLN1 by ELISA and F2-IsoP levels by gas chromatography/negative-ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Omentin-1/ITLN1 was localized in human sperm and in the tissue of male reproductive system. Results Considering all participants, F2-IsoP and omentin-1/ITLN1 levels were positively correlated (p = 0.000), and both these indices were negatively correlated with sperm parameters. Infertile patients showed lower sperm parameters than fertile ones; varicocele and infection groups had significantly increased levels of F2-IsoPs (both p = 0.000) and omentin-1/ITLN1 (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001, respectively). Omentin-1/ITLN1 signal was located as a spot in the connecting piece (in 43.5% of cases midpiece was also labeled) of sperm from fertile men and in cytoplasmic residue and in the entire tail in sperm of patients with varicocele and genitourinary infections. A focal omentin-1/ITLN1 immunolabelling was evident in the basal area of epididymal tubule, and a diffuse signal was present in the seminal vesicle epithelium. Conclusion Semen omentin-1/ITLN1 originates from seminal vesicles, its levels increase in inflammatory conditions and are negatively correlated with sperm parameters. For this reason, a sort of protective role of omentin-1/ITLN1 can be postulated, as this adipokine shows anti-inflammatory properties also in many other biological systems.
Selecting probabilistic approaches for reliability-based design optimization

During the past decade, numerous endeavors have been made to develop effective reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) methods. Because the evaluation of probabilistic constraints defined in the RBDO formulation is the most difficult part to deal with, a number of different probabilistic design approaches have been proposed to evaluate probabilistic constraints in RBDO. In the first approach, statistical moments are approximated to evaluate the probabilistic constraint. Thus, this is referred to as the approximate moment approach (AMA). The second approach, called the reliability index approach (RIA), describes the probabilistic constraint as a reliability index. Last, the performance measure approach (PMA) was proposed by converting the probability measure to a performance measure. A guide for selecting an appropriate method in RBDO is provided by comparing probabilistic design approaches for RBDO from the perspective of various numerical considerations. It has been found in the literature that PMA is more efficient and stable than RIA in the RBDO process. It is found that PMA is accurate enough and stable at an allowable efficiency, whereas AMA has some difficulties in RBDO process such as a second-order design sensitivity required for design optimization, an inaccuracy to measure a probability of failure, and numerical instability due to its inaccuracy. Consequently, PMA has several major advantages over AMA, in terms of numerical accuracy, simplicity, and stability. Some numerical examples are shown to demonstrate several numerical observations on the three different RBDO approaches.
Building the “team behind the team”: A 21-month instrumental case study of the Swedish 2018 FIFA World Cup team

Abstract In this study, we provide a novel account of the selection and development of a staff team for the Swedish national men’s football team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A total of 37 interviews took place at six time points over a 21-month period to track the values-based steps taken by the national Head Coach to build his support team. The sample was employed in a variety of roles including Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach, Goalkeeping Coach, Mentor to the Head Coach, Performance Analyst, Sports Psychologist, three Scouts, and a Team Manager. The data are presented in a temporal manner and organized according to three core values which were espoused by and later adopted as a value system by the support team: candor, humility, community. The data provide novel insight into the recruitment, formation, and development of the support team underpinned by a value system promoted by the Head Coach using candor, humility, and community. The presentation of longitudinal reflections from the Head Coach and members of the staff team during their build-up to, and excellent performance at the World Cup finals offer a significant contribution to knowledge regarding how a values-led approach was experienced in elite sport. The findings offer salient implications for research and practice. Lay summary: This is a case study of the selection, formation, and development of a support team for the Swedish national football team over 21 months before the men’s 2018 FIFA World Cup. We explored the values-led leadership approach of the Head Coach across this period, presenting data from interviews over time-related to the impact of this values-led approach on the “team behind the team” in the build-up to and during the World Cup. Applied implications Psychologists and coaches might benefit from adopting a values-led approach to recruitment and ways of working. The values of candor, humility, and community were effectively articulated and role modeled by the leader and subsequently adopted by members of the support team. Although the specific values may not be suitable, the processes and critical moments that defined this adoption process might be valuable for others to reflect on. Values systems might benefit from “stress testing” over a period of time that is characterized by the relative stability of personnel and consistency of value messaging.
An Enhanced VLC Channel Model for Underground Mining Environments Considering a 3D Dust Particle Distribution Model

Underground Mining (UM) is a hostile industry that generally requires a wireless communication system as a cross-cutting axis for its optimal operation. Therefore, in the last five years, it has been shown that, in addition to radio-frequency-based communication links, wireless optical communications, such as Visible Light Communication (VLC), can be applied to UM environments. The application of VLC systems in underground mines, known as UM-VLC, must take into account the unique physical features of underground mines. Among the physical phenomena found in underground mines, the most important ones are the positioning of optical transmitters and receivers, irregular walls, shadowing, and a typical phenomenon found in tunnels known as scattering, which is caused by the atmosphere and dust particles. Consequently, it is necessary to use proper dust particle distribution models consistent with these scenarios to describe the scattering phenomenon in a coherent way in order to design realistic UM-VLC systems with better performance. Therefore, in this article, we present an in-depth study of the interaction of optical links with dust particles suspended in the UM environment and the atmosphere. In addition, we analytically derived a hemispherical 3D dust particle distribution model, along with its main statistical parameters. This analysis allows to develop a more realistic scattering channel component and presents an enhanced UM-VLC channel model. The performance of the proposed UM-VLC system is evaluated using computational numerical simulations following the IEEE 802.1. 5.7 standard in terms of Channel Impulse Response (CIR), received power, Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR), Root Mean Square (RMS) delay spread, and Bit Error Rate (BER). The results demonstrate that the hemispherical dust particle distribution model is more accurate and realistic in terms of the metrics evaluated compared to other models found in the literature. Furthermore, the performance of the UM-VLC system is negatively affected when the number of dust particles suspended in the environment increases.
Advancements in Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery Using iPSC-Derived Hepatocyte-like Cells

Serving as the metabolic hub of the human body, the liver is a vital organ that performs a variety of important physiological functions. Although known for its regenerative potential, it remains vulnerable to a variety of diseases. Despite decades of research, liver disease remains a leading cause of mortality in the United States with a multibillion-dollar-per-year economic burden. Prior research with model systems, such as primary hepatocytes and murine models, has provided many important discoveries. However, progress has been impaired by numerous obstacles associated with these models. In recent years, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based systems have emerged as advantageous platforms for studying liver disease. Benefits, including preserved differentiation and physiological function, amenability to genetic manipulation via tools such as CRISPR/Cas9, and availability for high-throughput screening, make these systems increasingly attractive for both mechanistic studies of disease and the identification of novel therapeutics. Although limitations exist, recent studies have made progress in ameliorating these issues. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in iPSC-based models of liver disease, including improvements in model system construction as well as the use of high-throughput screens for genetic studies and drug discovery.
Effectiveness of Positive Thinking Training on Perceived Stress, Metacognitive Beliefs, and Death Anxiety in Women with Breast Cancer

Background: Women with breast cancer suffer high levels of stress due to their disease-induced emotional, cognitive, behavioral and physical problems which increase their metacognitive beliefs, death anxiety, and rumination, disrupt the treatment process, and exert a negative impact. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of positive thinking training on perceived stress, metacognitive beliefs, and death anxiety in women with breast cancer in Ahvaz in 2019. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest control group design. Statistical population consisted of all women with breast cancer visiting Shafa Health Center of Ahvaz in 2019, among whom 30 women were selected as the sample using convenience sampling. Cancer patients were randomly divided into intervention (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The research instruments included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30), and the Scale of Death Anxiety (SDA). Univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance were used to analyze data. Results: Results suggested that positive thinking training reduced perceived stress, metacognitive beliefs and death anxiety in women with breast cancer in the intervention group compared with those in the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of the study, positive thinking training was effective in reducing perceived stress, metacognitive beliefs, and death anxiety in women with breast cancer.
Evaluation of the postoperative morphine-sparing effect of oral premedicants used as pre-emptive analgesics in breast-conserving cancer surgeries: A randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background and Aims: Breast cancer surgeries are associated with both nociceptive and neuropathic pain, requiring strong analgesics. We aimed to evaluate the postoperative morphine-sparing effect of pre-emptive oral premedication with tramadol versus pregabalin in patients undergoing breast-conserving cancer surgeries (BCCS). Methods: This prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was carried out at tertiary care centre on 90 patients undergoing BCCS randomised into three groups of 30 each. Group C received placebo, Group T received tramadol 100 mg and Group P received pregabalin 75 mg as oral premedication, 1 hour before surgery. General anaesthesia was administered. Postoperatively morphine 1 mg.h-1 through intravenous PCA was started at a visual analogue scale score ≥4. Total morphine consumption in 24 hours was calculated and its sparing effect was evaluated as the primary outcome. Results: The median with interquartile range (IQR) of total postoperative morphine consumed in 24 hours, was found to be 22 mg (IQR 0-25.77), 15 mg (IQR 0-16) and 17.50 mg (IQR 0-19.25) in groups C, T, P respectively, (P = 0.000, 0.003, 0.060). The median duration of analgesia in group C was 5.40 hours (IQR 3.30-11.40), 11.6 hours (IQR 9.30-24.0) in group T and 8.60 hours (IQR 6.97-16.27) in group P (P value C/T = 0.000, C/P = 0.007, T/P = 0.002). The postoperative side effects were comparable. Conclusion: Oral tramadol 100 mg and oral pregabalin 75 mg as premedication reduced the 24 hours postoperative morphine requirement as compared to placebo in BCCS. However, tramadol 100 mg provided superior analgesia for longer duration than pregabalin 75 mg and was associated with more side effects.
Experimental study of bed load on steep slopes

Animportantissueinthestudyofbedloadtransportingravel-bedriversisrelatedtothephysical mechanismsgoverningthebedresistanceandparticlemotion.Inordertobetterunderstandthephysicalprocesses ruling bed load solid transport at the grain scale, an experimental study of the motion of coarse spherical glass beadsentrainedbyaturbulentandsupercriticalwaterflowdownasteepchannelwithamobilebedwassetup.The initial width was 6.5mm slightly larger than the particle diameter of 6mm to create a two-dimensional particle flow allowing recording from the side all particles with a high speed camera. The overall aim of this research is to measure the trajectories of all particles and to analyze the fluctuations of the solid discharge as well as the state of movement, rolling or saltation. This paper is focussing on global hydrodynamic and equilibrium solid transport results. The channel inclination ranged from 7.5% to 15% and a doubled width of 12.7mm was also studied. Data were corrected with the Einstein's method to account for side-wall effects. Non-dimensional solid discharge vs. Shields numbers results are in good agreement with classical incipient motion Shields numbers and compare favorably with two specific semi-empirical bed-load formulae. Those results show that upscaling of data obtained at the particle scale to the reach scale is possible despite the unusual hydraulic configuration of this narrow channel.
Investigation and enhancement of the adhesion properties for an optimized lamination of DE multilayer stack-transducers

Transducers based on dielectric elastomers (DE) have gained a lot of attention within the last few years. Due to an electric field, the elastic material covered with electrodes on both opposing sides deforms. This effect is applicable for generator and actuator applications. To increase the absolute deformation multilayer, DE transducers are used. In order to transmit tensile forces, the adhesion between each layer has to be sufficiently high. Therefore, the adhesion between the layers and between the layer and the electrode are investigated within this publication. Different adhesion theories are presented and assessed in terms of effectiveness and their influence on electromechanical characteristics. To determine the parameters influencing the adhesion, the theory according to Johnson, Kendall and Roberts (JKR-theory) is studied and an approach to increase the adhesion of rough surfaces is deduced. Furthermore, methods to enhance the adhesion are presented and executed. In particular, a surface plasma treatment is conducted and the influence of different electrode composites is investigated with respect to their bonding properties of the multilayer DE composite. To assess the enhancement capability, T-peel tests are carried out proving the peel resistance against delamination. Besides that, surface resistance and dielectric breakdown strength are analyzed to investigate the influence of surface treatment on the electric properties. Finally, a conclusion summarizes the obtained results.
An Olive-Derived Extract 20% Rich in Hydroxytyrosol Prevents β-Amyloid Aggregation and Oxidative Stress, Two Features of Alzheimer Disease, via SKN-1/NRF2 and HSP-16.2 in Caenorhabditis elegans

Olive milling produces olive oil and different by-products, all of them very rich in different bioactive compounds like the phenolic alcohol hydroxytyrosol. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an olive fruit extract 20% rich in hydroxytyrosol on the molecular mechanisms associated with Alzheimer disease features like Aβ- and tau- induced toxicity, as well as on oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Moreover, characterization of the extracts, regarding the profile and content of phenolics, as well as total antioxidant ability, was investigated. The study of lethality, growth, pharyngeal pumping, and longevity in vivo demonstrated the lack of toxicity of the extract. One hundred μg/mL of extract treatment revealed prevention of oxidative stress and a delay in Aβ-induced paralysis related with a lower presence of Aβ aggregates. Indeed, the extract showed the ability to avoid a certain degree of proteotoxicity associated with aggregation of the tau protein. According to RNAi tests, SKN-1/NRF2 transcription factor and the overexpression of HSP-16.2 were mechanistically associated in the observed effects.