Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expectations of a Health-Related Mobile Self-Management App Intervention Among Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury.

Background Our research team developed a mobile application (app) to facilitate health-related self-management behaviors for secondary conditions among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). To facilitate mobile app adoption and ongoing use into the community, it is important to understand potential users' expectations and needs. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to explore user expectations of a mobile app intervention designed to facilitate self-management behavior among individuals with SCI. Methods Data were collected via one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 20 community-dwelling participants enrolled in a larger, clinical trial. Analysis of the transcripts was undertaken using a six-phase process of thematic analysis. Results Our analysis identified three main themes for expectations of the mobile app intervention. The first theme, desiring better health outcomes, identified participants' expectation of being able to improve their psychological, behavioral, and physical health outcomes and reduce associated secondary conditions. The second theme, wanting to learn about the mobile app's potential, identified participants' interest in exploring the functionality of the app and its ability to promote new experiences in health management. The third theme, desiring greater personal autonomy and social participation, identified participants' desire to improve their understanding of their health and the expectation for the app to facilitate social engagement with others in the community. Conclusion By exploring end-users' expectations, these findings may have short-term effects on improving continued mobile health app use among SCI populations and long-term effects on informing future development of mobile app interventions among chronic disease populations.
Apprenticeships in England: impoverished but laddered

Current discussion among federal policy makers regarding the expansion of the U.S. apprenticeship system draws on the example of apprenticeship expansion in England. Often, this does not reflect a clear understanding of the current English Apprenticeship system. This paper aims to inform federal and state administrative policy makers and legislators, program administrators, and the staff of training and apprenticeship organizations who are interested in understanding the features and performance of the current English system. This paper describes the English apprenticeship system and summarizes current research on the outcomes of that system.
Administration of Melatonin in Diabetic Retinopathy Is Effective and Improves the Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment

Stem cell transplantation is a promising therapeutic technique for the treatment of a variety of diseases; nevertheless, stem cell therapy may not always work as well as it could. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that employing a powerful antioxidant like melatonin improves stem cell transplantation success and potentiates stem cell function in the therapy of diabetic retinopathy. For this purpose, 50 adult male rats were divided into the following: control group: this group received 0.5 ml of 0.1 M of sodium citrate buffer (pH = 4.5) (intraperitoneal (I.P.)). The confirmed diabetic rats were divided into 4 groups: diabetic group: confirmed diabetic rats received no treatments with a regular follow of the blood glucose profile for 8 weeks; melatonin group: confirmed diabetic rats received melatonin (5 mg/kg/day); stem cell group: the confirmed diabetic rats were given intravitreal injection of stem cells (2 μl cell suspension of stem cells (3 × 104 cells/μl)); and melatonin+stem cell group: confirmed diabetic rats received melatonin (5 mg/kg/day), orally once daily for 8 weeks, and 2 μl cell suspension of stem cells (3 × 104 cells/μl) was carefully injected into the vitreous cavity. Our results showed that administration of melatonin and/or stem cell restored the retinal oxidative/antioxidant redox and reduced retinal inflammatory mediators. Coadministration of melatonin and stem cells enhanced the number of transplanted stem cells in the retinal tissue and significantly reduced retinal BDEF, VEGF, APOA1, and RBP4 levels as compared to melatonin and/or stem alone. We may conclude that rats treated with melatonin and stem cells had their retinal oxidative/antioxidant redox values restored to normal and their histological abnormalities reduced. These findings support the hypothesis that interactions with the BDEF, VEGF, APOA1, and RBP4 signaling pathways are responsible for these effects.
Compilation of a database of Holocene nearshore marine mollusk shell geochemistry from the California Current System

Abstract. The shells of marine invertebrates can serve as high-resolution records of oceanographic and atmospheric change through time. In particular, oxygen and carbon isotope analyses of nearshore marine calcifiers that grow by accretion over their lifespans provide seasonal records of environmental and oceanographic conditions. Archaeological shell middens generated by Indigenous communities along the northwest coast of North America contain shells harvested over multiple seasons for millennia. These shell middens, as well as analyses of archival and modern shells, have the potential to provide multi-site, seasonal archives of nearshore conditions throughout the Holocene. A significant volume of oxygen and carbon isotope data from archaeological shells exist, yet they are separately published in archaeological, geochemical, and paleoceanographic journals and have not been comprehensively analyzed to examine oceanographic change over time. Here, we compiled a database of previously published oxygen and carbon isotope data from archaeological, archival, and modern marine mollusks from the California Current System (North American coast of the northeast Pacific, 32 to 55∘ N). This database includes oxygen and carbon isotope data from 598 modern, archaeological, and sub-fossil shells from 8880 years before present (BP) to the present, from which there are 4917 total δ13C and 7366 total δ18O measurements. Shell dating and sampling strategies vary among studies (1–345 samples per shell, mean 44.7 samples per shell) and vary significantly by journal discipline. Data are from various bivalves and gastropod species, with Mytilus spp. being the most commonly analyzed taxon. This novel database can be used to investigate changes in nearshore sea surface conditions including warm–cool oscillations, heat waves, and upwelling intensity, and it provides nearshore calcium carbonate δ13C and δ18O values that can be compared to the vast collections of offshore foraminiferal calcium carbonate δ13C and δ18O data from marine sediment cores. By utilizing previously published geochemical data from midden and museum shells rather than sampling new specimens, future scientific research can reduce or omit the alteration or destruction of culturally valued specimens and sites. The dataset is publicly available through PANGAEA at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.941373 (Palmer et al., 2021).
Microvascular and Morphologic Changes of the Macula over Lifetime

In ocular, neurologic, and cardiovascular diseases, macular segmentation data from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) provide morphologic, and OCT-angiography (OCTA) results give microvascular information about the macula. Age was shown to influence both methods’ measurements. To further characterize this association, macular SD-OCT and OCTA changes were investigated in a population of juvenile, adult, and older individuals. Macular segment thickness and superficial (SCP) and deep plexus (DCP) vascular density (VD) of 157 healthy individuals aged 10–79 years were analyzed retrospectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare age groups. The association between macular segmentation and OCTA parameters and between these and age was evaluated using linear regression. ANOVA and linear regression analysis showed a thickness decrease in the whole macular and in the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers with age. While the foveal avascular zone area remained constant between age groups, VD of the SCP and DCP also decreased with age. In multiple linear regression, SCP and DCP VD were associated with inner macular segment thickness in an age-independent way. To conclude, the age-related microvascular and morphological changes in the macula described in this study can contribute to improving the understanding of macular aging processes and better interpreting OCT(A) results in healthy individuals and patients suffering from various retinal diseases.
Impurity Combination Effect on Oxygen Absorption in α2-Ti3Al

The effect of substitutional impurities of the transition metals of VB–VIIB groups on the oxygen absorption in the doped α2-Ti3Al alloy was studied by the projector-augmented wave method within the density functional theory. It is established that all considered impurities prefer to substitute for a Ti atom rather than an Al atom. Changes in the absorption energy due to impurities being in the first neighbors of the oxygen atom were estimated. It was demonstrated that the doping resulted in a decrease in the oxygen absorption energy, which is mainly caused by the chemical contribution to it. The interaction energy between impurity atoms was calculated in the dependence on the interatomic distance. It was shown that the configuration with the impurity atoms being in the second neighbors of each other was stable in comparison with other possible configurations. The influence of two impurity atoms being in the first neighbors of oxygen is additively enhanced. It was revealed that the effect of two impurity atoms on the oxygen absorption energy can be estimated as the sum of the effects of separate impurities with an accuracy of more than ~90%.
Analysis of Students Metacognition Ability through Problem Based Learning Assisted by Worksheets on Environmental Pollution Material

Metacognition ability are important for students to be able to organize and examine their thinking processes. In fact, the seventh grade students of SMP Negeri 13 Semarang do not yet know their metacognitive abilities and teachers have not deliberately built students' metacognitive abilities in various lessons with certain strategies. Problem-based learning (PBL) has the potential to build students' metacognitive abilities. This study aims to analyze the profile of students' metacognitive abilities through PBL assisted by environmental pollution worksheets. This research is a mix method approach which refers to Sugiono with a sequential explanatory strategy. Quantitative data were obtained through test, while qualitative data were obtained through a metacognition ability questionnaire. The sample used was class VIIB and selected by purposive sampling. The results based on the test analysis showed that the VIIB students had the most level 3 metacognition ability with a percentage of 54% and based on a questionnaire reach 76%. Students with the level 3 metacognition ability are able to develop their thinking
Exploring mini rugby union coaches’ perceptions of competitive activities

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore volunteer rugby union coaches’ perceptions of organised competitive participation during childhood. Participants were 202 under-9 (U9) mini rugby union coaches who had coached during the 2010/11 season. Coaches completed an Internet-based survey, and cluster analysis was used to identify different groups based on attitudes towards the Rugby Football Union’s current rules and proposed changes to these rules. Three distinct groups were identified based on whether they wanted to maintain the status quo (Traditionalists); maintain some elements of structure (Moderates); or have a much less structured introduction to rugby (Radicals). In total, over three quarters of coaches favoured structured elements (early specialisation), while less than a quarter favoured a less structured game (late specialisation). Only the Radical’s views matched those espoused by elite coaches and U9 players themselves, raising several issues regarding coach education for player development during childhood. In the short term there are the difficulties of aligning disparate views of U9 player development via coaching for and during competitive games. This is further complicated by the challenges of enhancing the skills of thousands of volunteer coaches with limited experience, knowledge and expertise in coaching during childhood.
The Influence of Material Type and Hardness on the Number of Embedded Abrasive Particles during Airborne-Particle Abrasion

(1) Background: This paper aims to determine the influence of hardness on the number of abrasive material grains (SiC) embedded on the surface metal alloys and ZrO2 during abrasion. (2) Methods: Cylindrical samples were created: 315 made of Cr/Co, Ni/Cr or Ti, and 315 made of sintered ZrO2- 3TPZ-Y. These were divided into four groups (each n = 35 samples), and were treated with SiC grain sizes 50, 110, and 250 µm at pressures 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 MPa. The samples were then observed in SEM to study SE and BSE. The surface coverage of abrasive material particles was determined by quantitative metallography. Five samples from each group were subjected to hardness measurements. The results were compared with three-factor variance analysis with using the post hoc Tukey test. (3) Results: The highest amount (40.06) of embedded abrasive was obtained for Ti alloy with a gradation of 250µm at a pressure of 0.6 MPa. The smallest amount of embedded grain (2.66) was obtained for ZrO2 for the same treatment parameters. (4) Conclusions: The amount of embedded abrasive particles depends on the type of treated material, gradation particles, and the amount of applied pressure. Harder treated materials are more resistant to grains of abrasive becoming embedded on surface.
Telomerase and neurons: an unusual relationship

Most people associate the enzyme telomerase with its role in maintaining telomeres, which is its best-known canonical role. For this important function, two main components are required: the protein telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA component. In addition, over the last decades, an ever-growing number of other, non-telomeric, non-canonical functions for the telomerase protein TERT has been established. These reach from tumor promotion to decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosis as well as activating autophagy. These functions are more and more recognized as being important in many tissues and physiological as well as pathological conditions. The role of telomerase in brain development and neuronal cells has been investigated for more than 20 years. However, the non-telomeric role in non-dividing neurons of the brain for telomerase and the TERT-protein has only recently been highlighted by extensive research. Moreover, these developments promoted the suggestion of a beneficial and protective role of TERT against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. This review summarizes the most important findings in the field of telomerase in neurons and gives an outlook onto possible therapeutic applications of boosting telomerase/TERT levels with telomerase activators to prevent or ameliorate various neurodegenerative diseases.
Association between sleep indicators and eating habits in adolescents

Objective: To analyze the association between sleep quality indicators and eating habits in adolescents. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with adolescents (age 10-19 years) followed up at the Adolescent Outpatient Clinic. Anthropometric and body composition parameters, sleep quality indicators, and eating behavior were evaluated. Body composition was measured using electrical bioimpedance. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), excessive daytime sleepiness by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), eating behavior was assessed by the Brazilian Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Linear regression analyses were used to verify the association between outcome and independent variables. Results: Thirty-five adolescents (mean age 12.9 ± 2.0 years old) were evaluated. There was a significant association between BMI and daytime sleepiness (p=0.010), fat mass (%), and sleep quality (p=0.046) while drinking at least 5 glasses of water was associated with sleep efficiency (p=0.029). Adjusted linear regression showed that BMI (β= - 0.364; p=0.001) and age (β= -0.30; p<0.001) were negatively associated with hours of sleep, whereas blood pressure (β= 0.196; p<0.001) and the frequency of consumption of the group of cereals, tubers, and pasta (β=1.451; p<0.001) were positively associated. Conclusion: Adolescents with a higher % fat mass and BMI showed worse sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Drinking at least five glasses of water can improve sleep efficiency. The consumption of cereals, tubers, and pasta, can contribute to longer sleep duration.
‘We didn’t learn enough about racism and anti-racist practice’: newly qualified social workers’ challenge in wrestling racism

ABSTRACT Since the murder of George Floyd, there has been an increase in discussions around racism and anti-racist practice in social work. There have been questions about how pre-qualifying training prepares newly qualified social workers for working with racialised groups and dealing with racism in practice. This paper reports on a qualitative study with sixty-seven newly qualified social workers on the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment programme (a twelve-month employment-based course providing extra support and enhancing skills and knowledge for newly qualified social workers employed in England) within two years of completing a social work degree. Our analysis identified challenges in dealing with racism, experiences of racism and the lack of guidance on dealing with racism, witnessed and/or experienced. There is a need for organisations, and educators to develop a greater sense of racial consciousness to successfully drive anti-racism in social work. A framework that supports newly qualified social workers with processes to help challenge and address incidences of racism should encourage social workers to wrestle with race.
Compounding precipitation effect in modulating maize yield response to global warming

High temperature generally causes large‐scale crop yield reduction, and such negative effects are known to depend on the concurrent precipitation. However, the compounding precipitation effect in regulating crop yield response to global warming remains under‐examined. This research aims to evaluate the role of concurrent changes in precipitation in modulating global maize yield response to temperature under 1.5 and 2.0 K temperature rise for RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, respectively. Empirical linear function is adopted to calculate the function parameters and impact of precipitation modulation based on global census data on maize yield and climate in the baseline period of 1980–2010. The sensitivity of maize yield to temperature is then estimated under condition that with and without removal of precipitation impact. The maize yield sensitivity to temperature is negative in most rain‐fed growing areas in the baseline period of 1980–2010, and the global sensitivity is −9.39%/K if the precipitation impact is considered or −6.92%/K if the precipitation impact is removed. Globally, approximately 30% of the observed strength of relationship between maize yield and temperature is induced by the compounding precipitation effect. Under 1.5 and 2.0 K warming scenarios, global maize yield is projected to decrease by −10.16% to −11.91% and −15.01% to −17.14%, respectively. The world maize yield differences between 1.5 and 2.0 K scenarios will be −4.85% and −5.23% without the compounding precipitation effect and range from −3.52% to −3.89% with the compounding precipitation effect, to which the contribution of compounding precipitation increases to 35%. The modulating impacts of precipitation are the strongest in high latitude countries, while weak effects are found in Argentina, China, India, and South Africa. The research can help us understand the important but uncertain issue that how much the maize yield response to global warming is contributed by the compounding precipitation effect.
Multiple Floods Impact on Scour at Engineering Structures

: The scour development in time during multiple floods and equilibrium stage and the assessment of flood damage risk for bridge abutments have been investigated. A method for computing scour development in time at hydraulic structures during multiple floods was used. The test confirmation of the method allows us to perform computer modelling of scour processes and estimate the influence of floods with different probability, duration, frequency, and sequence on the depth of scour. It was found that the scour parameters increase with decreasing probability and with increasing duration and frequency of the floods. The sequence of floods can increase or reduce the scour development in time, depending on their probability. The successive floods of the same probability considerably increase the value of scour depth. The results obtained are presented.
Heat and mass transfer in baled switchgrass for storage and bioconversion applications

OF DISSERTATION HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER IN BALED SWITCHGRASS FOR STORAGE AND BIOCONVERSION APPLICATIONS The temperature and moisture content of biomass feedstocks both play a critical role in minimizing storage and transportation costs, achieving effective bioconversion, and developing relevant postharvest quality models. Hence, this study characterizes the heat and mass transfer occurring within baled switchgrass through the development of a mathematical model describing the relevant thermal and physical properties of this specific substrate. This mathematical model accounts for the effect of internal heat generation and temperature-induced free convection within the material in order to improve prediction accuracy. Inclusion of these terms is considered novel in terms of similar biomass models. Two disparate length scales, characterizing both the overall bale structure (global domain) and the individual stems (local domain), are considered with different physical processes occurring on each scale. Material and fluid properties were based on the results of hydraulic conductivity experiments, moisture measurements and thermal analyses that were performed using the constant head method, TDR-based sensors and dual thermal probes, respectively. The unique contributions made by each of these components are also discussed in terms of their particular application within various storage and bioconversion operations. Model validation was performed with rectangular bales of switchgrass (102 x 46 x 36 cm3) stored in an environmental chamber with and without partial insulation to control directional heat transfer. Bale temperatures generally exhibited the same trend as ambient air; although initial periods of microbial growth and heat generation were observed. Moisture content uniformly declined during storage, thereby contributing to minimal heat generation in the latter phases of storage. The mathematical model agreed closely with experimental data for low moisture content levels in terms of describing the temperature and moisture distribution within the material. The inclusion of internal heat generation was found to be necessary for improving the prediction accuracy of the model; particularly in the initial stage of storage. However, the effects of natural convection exhibited minimal contribution to the heat transfer as conduction was observed as the predominate mechanism occurring throughout storage. The results of this study and the newly developed model are expected to enable the maintenance of baled biomass quality during storage and/or high-solids bioconversion.