Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Validation of the Persian Version of Short Form Self-Regulation Questionnaire in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Short Form Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SSRQ) among Iranian community-dwelling older adults and to determine its optimal cutoff point. In Shiraz, Iran, a cross-sectional study of 500 older adults ≥ 60 years was conducted in two steps. The forward–backward method was used for translation. Psychometric properties, such as the face and content validity, based on the point of view of experts, construct validity based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent validity by assessing the relationship with the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10), and reliability based on Cronbach’s α were examined. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to confirm the cutoff point. Validity of both the face and the content was confirmed. The first stage of construct validity was performed using the kurtosis test and the EFA, and finally, only 20 items in four subscales were loaded with 76.34% of the total variance. The CFA indicated a good fit to the data (root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.059; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.92; and goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.89). Cronbach’s α coefficient of the SSRQ-20 increased to 0.87. A significant positive correlation was found between the SSRQ-20 and the GSE-10 (r = 0.44), indicating acceptable convergent validity. The optimal cutoff score for differentiating older adults in terms of self-regulation was 71. This study demonstrates that the Persian version of the SSRQ, which contains 20 items, is a valid and reliable tool for assessing self-regulation in Iranian community-dwelling older adults.
Medical Students and Faculty Perceptions About Online Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic: Alfaisal University Experience

Background and Objectives Off-campus online learning methods abruptly increased and gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies have highlighted the limitations of online learning mode; however, further studies on the experiences of medical students are needed. This study aimed to investigate the preclinical medical students and faculty members' experiences with online education and learning. Subjects and Methods In this cross-sectional study, data were collected using convenience sampling. Two hundred nine students and 13 faculty members who participated in the online courses offered during the spring semester of 2019–2020 completed an online questionnaire. A 30-item questionnaire for the students and a 25-item questionnaire for the faculty were used in this cross-sectional study. Results Overall, 30% of the student sample was satisfied; importantly, high-achieving students (GPA > 3.5) were less satisfied (25 vs. 32%; p = 0.006). Satisfaction was also low (35%) for student-faculty interaction opportunities. About half of the student sample agreed that small-group interactive sessions would improve learning (53%). The most favored course format was the blended mode (43%), followed by traditional (40%) and online modes (17%). Six out of 13 (46%) faculty members were satisfied with their online experiences. Most of them found virtual teaching applications convenient (77%). Conversely, few faculty members agreed to interact effectively (54%), while 69% favored a blended format. Conclusions The level of satisfaction in fully online courses offered during the COVID-19 pandemic remained low, especially among high-achieving students. Both students and faculty favored the blended format for future purposes. Small group active-learning strategies and web-based interactive tools may facilitate engagement and student-faculty interactions.
Machine Learning Approach for Cardiovascular Risk and Coronary Artery Calcification Score

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) could assist in the discovery of new risk elements for coronary artery disorder. CAC evaluation, on the other hand, is difficult due to the wide range of CAC in the populations. As a reason, evaluating and analysing data among research have become complicated. In the Research of Inherited Risk Factors for Coronary Atherosclerosis, we used CAC information to test the effects of different analytical methodologies on the correlation with recognized cardiovascular risk elements in asymptomatic patients. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is also seeing an increase in examinations, and machine learning (ML) could assist with the growing amount of extracted data. Furthermore, there are other sectors in cardiac CT where machine learning could be crucial, including coronary calcium scoring, perfusion, and CT angiography. The establishment of risk evaluation algorithms based on information from CAC utilizing machine learning could assist in the categorization of patients undergoing cardiovascular into distinct risk groups and effectively adapt their treatments to their unique situations. Our findings imply that for forecasting CVD occurrences in asymptomatic people, age-sex segmentation by CAC percentile rank is as effective as absolute CAC scoring. Longitudinal population-based investigations are currently underway and would offer further definitive findings. While machine learning is a strong technology with a lot of possibilities, its implementations in the domain of cardiac CAC are generally in the early stages of development and are not currently commonly accessible in medical practise because of the requirement for substantial verification. Enhanced machine learning will, however, have a significant effect on cardiovascular and coronary artery calcification in the upcoming years.
Component processes in task switching: cue switch costs are dependent on a mixed block of trials

ABSTRACT People are slower when shifting than repeating tasks (switch cost). A considerable portion of the switch cost is due to the possibility of a shift in a mixed block where switches are possible (mixing cost), and to processing a cue that signals a task change (cue switch cost). We use an online sample (n = 12,533) and double cuing paradigm to examine the independent and interactive effects of cue switch costs and mixing costs. All effects were significant, with medium effects for cue changes (ηp 2 = 0.06) and task changes (ηp 2 = 0.10), a large effect for block context (ηp 2 = 0.37), and a small block by cue interaction (ηp 2 = 0.04) indicating that the role of the cue depends on the possibility of a switch. These findings offer empirical completeness by measuring the cue change in both blocks of a switching paradigm. The integrative approach quantifies how separable empirical components contribute to the overall switch cost.
Volatilomic Signatures of AGS and SNU-1 Gastric Cancer Cell Lines

In vitro studies can help reveal the biochemical pathways underlying the origin of volatile indicators of numerous diseases. The key objective of this study is to identify the potential biomarkers of gastric cancer. For this purpose, the volatilomic signatures of two human gastric cancer cell lines, AGS (human gastric adenocarcinoma) and SNU-1 (human gastric carcinoma), and one normal gastric mucosa cell line (GES-1) were investigated. More specifically, gas chromatography mass spectrometry has been applied to pinpoint changes in cell metabolism triggered by cancer. In total, ten volatiles were found to be metabolized, and thirty-five were produced by cells under study. The volatiles consumed were mainly six aldehydes and two heterocyclics, whereas the volatiles released embraced twelve ketones, eight alcohols, six hydrocarbons, three esters, three ethers, and three aromatic compounds. The SNU-1 cell line was found to have significantly altered metabolism in comparison to normal GES-1 cells. This was manifested by the decreased production of alcohols and ketones and the upregulated emission of esters. The AGS cells exhibited the increased production of methyl ketones containing an odd number of carbons, namely 2-tridecanone, 2-pentadecanone, and 2-heptadecanone. This study provides evidence that the cancer state modifies the volatilome of human cells.
Microbial Antagonism in Food-Enrichment Culture: Inhibition of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli and Shigella Species

Bacterial pathogens, such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Shigella spp. , are important causes of foodborne illness internationally. Recovery of these organisms from foods is critical for food safety investigations to support attribution of illnesses to specific food commodities; however, isolation of bacterial cultures can be challenging. Methods for the isolation of STEC and Shigella spp. from foods typically require enrichment to amplify target organisms to detectable levels. Yet, during enrichment, target organisms can be outcompeted by other bacteria in food matrices due to faster growth rates, or through production of antimicrobial agents such as bacteriocins or bacteriophages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of Shigella and STEC inhibitors produced by food microbiota. The production of antimicrobial compounds in cell-free extracts from 200 bacterial strains and 332 food-enrichment broths was assessed. Cell-free extracts produced by 23 (11.5%) of the strains tested inhibited growth of at least one of the five Shigella and seven STEC indicator strains used in this study. Of the 332 enrichment broths tested, cell-free extracts from 25 (7.5%) samples inhibited growth of at least one of the indicator strains tested. Inhibition was most commonly associated with E. coli recovered from meat products. Most of the inhibiting compounds were determined to be proteinaceous (34 of the 48 positive samples, 71%; including 17 strains, 17 foods) based on inactivation by proteolytic enzymes, indicating presence of bacteriocins. The cell-free extracts from 13 samples (27%, eight strains, five foods) were determined to contain bacteriophages based on the observation of plaques in diluted extracts and/or resistance to proteolytic enzymes. These results indicate that the production of inhibitors by food microbiota may be an important challenge for the recovery of foodborne pathogens, particularly for Shigella sonnei. The performance of enrichment media for recovery of Shigella and STEC could be improved by mitigating the impact of inhibitors produced by food microbiota during the enrichment process.
A mixed methods study of the training transfer and outcomes of safety training for low-skilled workers in construction

ABSTRACT Safety training, especially when based on the active participation of trainees and aiming for transfer of learning into the workplace, is an important tool to prevent accidents and promote occupational safety, and may be particularly powerful among vulnerable groups, such as migrant workers. The present study, employing a mixed methods, before-and-after study design, evaluated a training programme aimed at promoting the learning and transfer of technical and non-technical safety skills to the construction site among migrant and native workers. We explored outcomes at four levels and found: (a) trainees’ positive reactions to the training itself; (b) improvements in technical safety skills, but the non-technical skills reduced significantly; (c) application of these skills in the workplace; and (d) changes in site safety climate and assertiveness. Results showed that trained workers found the training easy to translate into the workplace and that peers and supervisors were supportive of training transfer. Our study has important implications for how to evaluate safety training of migrant workers and how the context may facilitate training outcomes, e.g. ensuring that peers and supervisors encourage trained workers to transfer their learned skills and knowledge.
Using Humor to Promote Social Distancing on Tiktok During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, many humorous videos on how to practice social distancing appeared on social media. However, the effect of using humor as a crisis communication strategy to persuade people to conform to social distancing rules is not known. Objective Drawing on the literature on humorous message framing and crisis communication, this research explores the effectiveness of a humorous message in communicating social distancing rules in two crisis severity phases (low vs. high severity) and also evaluates how humor affects individuals’ online and offline engagement intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A 2 (message framing: humorous vs. non-humorous) x 2 (crisis severity phase: low vs. high) between-subjects design experiment was conducted to test the research questions during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in China from January 30 to February 2, 2020. Results The results showed that the severity of the phase of a health crisis can significantly affect stakeholders’ online and offline responses toward the disease. More specifically, in a low severity phase, humor led to increased source likability for the message, and more online and offline engagement intentions. However, no differences between a humorous and non-humorous message in perceived risk were observed. Whereas, in a high severity crisis phase, humor reduced individuals’ offline engagement intentions and a decrease in perceived risk, no significant difference was found between a humorous and non-humorous message on source likeability. Conclusion Humor can motivate both more online engagement and offline protective action intention when the crisis severity phase is low, while when crisis severity soars, a non-humorous message should be more desirable. More specifically, using humor in communicating information about an infectious disease can enhance the spokesperson’s likeability in a low severity phase, and also helps to spread health information to a larger audience. While, the negative side of using humor in communicating an infectious disease appears in severe crisis phases, as it then decreased the public’s perception of risk, and triggers less protective actions. Going beyond previous research, this study recognized that crisis severity changes in different phases of the spread of infectious disease, thereby providing actionable strategy selections for crisis practitioners in a dynamic communication environment.
Improved Stress Drop Estimates for M 1.5 to 4 Earthquakes in Southern California From 1996 to 2019

We estimate Brune‐type stress drops for over 70,000 southern California M 1.5–4 earthquakes from 1996 to 2019 using a P‐wave spectral decomposition approach. Based on our recent work documenting hard‐to‐resolve trade‐offs between absolute stress drop, stress drop scaling with moment, high‐frequency falloff rate, and empirical corrections for path and attenuation terms, we adopt a new approach in which the average corner frequency of the smallest earthquakes within a short distance from each target event is fixed to a constant value. This removes any true coherent spatial variations in stress drops among the smallest events but ensures that any spatial variations seen in larger event stress drops are real and not an artifact of inaccurate path corrections. Applying this approach across southern California, we document spatial variations in stress drop that agree with previous work, such as lower‐than‐average stress drops in the Salton Trough, as well as small‐scale stress drop variations along many faults and aftershock sequences. We observe an apparent increase in Brune‐type stress drop with moment for M 3–4 earthquakes, but their spectra can be fit equally well with self‐similar models with a high‐frequency falloff rate shallower than f−2.
The Role of Full-Thickness Skin Grafts in Patient’s Rehabilitation after Maxillectomy and Midface Defects

(1) Background: Nowadays, microvascular grafts are the gold standard in the reconstruction of midface defects after maxillectomy, however, not all patients may qualify for this type of surgery. The purpose of present study is to evaluate the benefits of alternative reconstruction methods such as full-thickness skin grafts for these conditions. (2) Methods: The research group consisted of 37 patients who underwent maxillectomy due to cancer of the mid-face and had full-thickness skin graft reconstruction. The study covered the period from 2011 to 2020. (3) Results: Based on the clinical examination and the subjective assessment of patients, a positive effect of the use of free skin grafts on their convalescence and rehabilitation was found. In particular, they contributed to the reduction in postoperative pain and pain associated with prosthetic stages (VAS Scale). (4) Conclusion: Full-thickness skin grafts in combination with individual prosthetic restorations are a good alternative to rehabilitation in patients who do not qualify for microsurgical treatment.
Optimal Catheter Ablation Strategy for Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure: A Retrospective Study

The optimal catheter ablation (CA) strategy for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) and heart failure (HF) remains uncertain. Between 2016 and 2020, 118 consecutive patients with PeAF and HF who underwent the CA procedure in two centers were retrospectively evaluated and divided into the pulmonary vein isolation (PVI)-only and PVI + additional ablation groups. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed at baseline, one month, and 12 months after the CA procedure. The HF symptoms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvements were analyzed. Fifty-six patients underwent PVI only, and 62 patients received PVI with additional ablation. Compared with the baseline, a significant improvement in the LVEF and left atrial diameter postablation was observed in all patients. No significant HF improvement was detected in the PVI + additional ablation group than in the PVI-only group (74.2% vs. 71.4%, P = 0.736), but the procedure and ablation time were significantly longer (137.4 ± 7.5 vs. 123.1 ± 11.5 min, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the change in TTE parameters and the number of rehospitalizations. For patients with PeAF and HF, CA appears to improve left ventricular function. Additional ablation does not improve outcomes and has a significantly longer procedure time. Trial registration number is as follows: ChiCTR2100053745 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx).
Application of Formative Assessment to Analyze Students' Problem-Solving Skills

The purpose of this study was to investigate students' problem-solving abilities using parabolic motion material through the use of formative assessments. The research method adopted is a survey combined with a qualitative descriptive analysis. This study was conducted at SMA Muhammadiyah X Surabaya with 123 students as respondents, 65 of whom were male and 58 of whom were female. On the parabolic motion material, the question instrument is utilized to examine the profile of problem-solving abilities. The results indicated that the problem-solving skill profile of X MIPA students at SMAM X Surabaya was low, with 49.94% falling into the inadequate category. Female students have a stronger capacity for problem-solving than male students. These findings demonstrate that students each possess unique strengths and advantages. Formative assessment has a beneficial effect on students' problem-solving abilities when they are exposed to parabolic motion content.
Constitutive NF-KB Activity in Neurons

NF-KB is an inducible transcription factor present in many cell types in a latent cytoplasmic form. So far, only immune cells including mature B cells, thymocytes, and adherent macrophages have been reported to contain constitutively active forms of NF-KB in the nucleus. A recent study showed that the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) promoter is highly active in several brain regions of transgenic mice (J. R. Corboy, J. M. Buzy, M. C. Zink, and J. E. Clements, Science 258:1804-1807, 1992). Since the activity of this viral enhancer is governed mainly by two binding sites for NF-KB, we were prompted to investigate the state of NF-KB activity in neurons. Primary neuronal cultures derived from rat hippocampus and cerebral cortex showed a high constitutive expression of an HIV-1 long terminal repeat-driven luciferase reporter gene, which was primarily dependent on intact NF-KcB binding sites and was abolished upon coexpression of the NF-KB-specific inhibitor IK.B-ot. Indirect immunofluorescence and confocal laser microscopy showed that the activity of NF-KB correlated with the presence of the NF-KcB subunits p50 and RelA (p65) in nuclei of cultured neurons. NF-KB was also constitutively active in neurons in vivo. As investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, constitutive NF-KB DNA-binding activity was highly enriched in fractions containing neuronal nuclei prepared from rat cerebral cortex. Nuclear NF-KB-specific immunostaining was also seen in cryosections from mouse cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Only a subset of neurons was stained. Activated NF-KB in the brain is likely to participate in nonnal brain function and to reflect a distinct state of neuronal activity or differentiation. Furthermore, it may explain the high level of activity of the HIV-1 enhancer in neurons, an observation potentially relevant for the etiology of the AIDS dementia complex caused by HIV infection of the central nervous system. state of NF-KB activity in primary neurons from cerebral cortex and hippocampus, using transiently transfected KB-controlled luciferase reporter constructs. In addi- tion, we used immunofluorescence microscopy to examine whether NF-KB subunits were present in nuclei seen in cryo- sections from cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Strong evidence that NF-KB is constitutively active and present in the nuclei of cultured neurons as well as in subsets of neurons in vivo was obtained. We discuss possible roles for the differential activation state of NF-KB in neurons and the implication of our findings for HIV-1 infection of the brain.
Design of a Single-Core Digital-to-Analog Converter with Ultra-Wideband and Low Power Consumption for CUWB-IR Applications

Data converters are intermediate circuits used to connect between two analog and digital ranges. Data converters are not only used for converting audio into a microphone or speaker, but also for converting audio into a camera or display, transferring information to a computer or digital signal processor. At these times, the need for data converters is not invested in every aspect of life. Digital to analog converters is a leading part of these converters, which are widely used in most audio and video circuits. In this thesis, we have proposed a 4-bit 1GS/s DAC for CUWB-IR usage. To enhance the above performance with superior speed and the need for linearity, every significant block containing the convenient sources, current switches, and deglitcher were designed optimally and a new DAC converter circuit was developed which improves the linearity. The designed DAC was performed using a commercial 130 nm CMOS process. DAC INL/DNL≤0.22LSB features more than high Nyquist bandwidth at extremely low power losses of 0.45 mW. The proposed DAC achieves the best FoMs at the right time for advanced DACs