Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of a Scenario-Based Spiritual Care Course on Spiritual Care Competence among Clinical Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Across their lifespans, and in many clinical settings, patients have spiritual care needs. Many nurses lack competence related to providing spiritual care. Popular educational strategies, such as simulated educational programs and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), have not been widely adopted in nursing spiritual care education. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a scenario-based spiritual care course on spiritual care competence in nurses. This quasi-experimental study employed a repeated-measures pre-test/post-test design with assessments immediately before, immediately after, and 3 months post-intervention. Nurses providing direct patient care in diverse clinical settings were recruited from a large medical foundation in northern Taiwan. The intervention was a one day scenario-based spiritual care course and OSCE. The experimental group (n = 53) and controls (n = 85) were matched for their similar units, ages, working experience, and clinical ladder status. The Spiritual Care Competence Scale (SCCS), Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS), Spiritual Care Perspective Scale-Revised (SCPS-R), and reflection logs were completed by both experimental and control groups. The Course Satisfaction Scale, OSCE Checklist, and Standardized Patient Feedback Scale (SPFS) were completed by the experimental group only. The experimental group had significantly higher SPS scores and self-evaluated SCCS scores, and lower SCPS-R scores (more positive spiritual perspectives), than controls at 3 months post-intervention. The experimental group showed significant within-subject effects at three time points on SPS scores, SCPS-R scores, and self-evaluated SCCS scores. Mean global performance of OSCE was 3.40 ± 0.91, and SP feedback indicated strengths and areas for improvement. In conclusion, the scenario-based spiritual care course effectively enhanced nurses’ spiritual care competence, competence, and skills. Blended education techniques can therefore enhance nurses’ ability to support patients with spiritual care needs.
Comparative evaluation of Lactobacillus strains with different adhesion ability on growth performance and immunomodulatory activity in broiler chickens

The study was designed to assess the effect of 2 Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus kefiri 1.3207 and Lactobacillus plantarum 1.2567) with different adherence ability on growth performance and immunomodulatory activity in broiler. The BW and FCR were higher in L. kefiri 1.3207 and L. plantarum 1.2567 groups compared to control group at 42 days of age, and BW of broilers in L. kefiri 1.3207 group was significantly higher than that in L. plantarum 1.2567 group. IgA and IgG contents and the spleen and bursa of Fabricius indices in significantly increased in the L. kefiri 1.3207 group, but not in the L. plantarum 1.2567-treated group. L. kefiri 1.3207 had more significant effect on growth performance, plasma IgA and IgG levels and immune organs indices because it had better adhesion ability.
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension via Indo-Mediterranean Foods, May Be Superior to DASH Diet Intervention

Western-type diet with high salt and sugar, sedentary behavior, obesity, tobacco and alcoholism are important risk factors for hypertension. This review aims to highlight the role of western diet-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of hypertension and the role of various types of diets in its prevention with reference to dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet. It seems that it is crucial to alter the western type of diet because such diets can also predispose all CVDs. Western diet-induced oxidative stress is characterized by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with an altered oxidation-reduction (redox) state, leading to a marked increase in inflammation and vascular dysfunction. Apart from genetic and environmental factors, one important cause for differences in the prevalence of hypertension in various countries may be diet quality, deficiency in functional foods, and salt consumption. The role of the DASH diet has been established. However, there are gaps in knowledge about the role of some Indo-Mediterranean foods and Japanese foods, which have been found to decrease blood pressure (BP) by improving vascular function. The notable Indo-Mediterranean foods are pulses, porridge, spices, and millets; fruits such as guava and blackberry and vegetables, which may also decrease BPs. The Japanese diet consists of soya tofu, whole rice, in particular medical rice, vegetables and plenty of fish rich in fish oil, fish peptides and taurine that are known to decrease BPs. Epidemiological studies and randomized, controlled trials have demonstrated the role of these diets in the prevention of hypertension and metabolic diseases. Such evidence is still meager from Japan, although the prevalence of hypertension is lower (15–21%) compared to other developed countries, which may be due to the high quality of the Japanese diet. Interestingly, some foods, such as berries, guava, pumpkin seeds, carrots, soya beans, and spices, have been found to cause a decrease in BPs. Omega-3 fatty acids, fish peptide, taurine, dietary vitamin D, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, flavonoids, nitrate and l-arginine are potential nutrients that can also decrease BPs. Larger cohort studies and controlled trials are necessary to confirm our views.
Perception of final‐consonant “voicing” in whispered speech.

The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of final consonant perception in whispered speech. Of particular interest was the accuracy of the detection of “voicing” in whispered consonants and its relationship to the prominence of different acoustic cues to consonant voicing. This relationship was investigated for the effect of speaker and consonant. Stimuli were natural tokens that differed in final consonant and vowel preceding it. For example, [habaez] embedded in the carrier sentence “I said testword eight times” produced at a conversational speaking rate. Recordings from four monolingual speakers of American English were used. The consonants were two pairs of stops /b‐p/, /g‐k/, a fricative‐pair /z‐s/ and an affricate‐pair d ȝ‐ʈ ∫. In an eight‐alternative forced choice task, listeners indicated which final consonant they heard. Analysis of the results revealed that whispered consonants were identified with a relatively high overall degree of accuracy (84%–88%). ANOVA indicated that identification accuracy was affected by both speaker and consonant. A logistic regression model was used to establish the best predictors of consonant voicing in whispered speech for classification of intended consonants and in predicting the success in [+/− voicing] detection. Predictors that were considered included several acoustic measures, e.g., vowel duration.
Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

Persons with diabetes mellitus may have an increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 compared to persons without diabetes. Prior studies indicate that immune response and thus vaccine effectiveness might be lower in persons with diabetes. We aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in adults with diabetes. Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched for studies that evaluated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in adults with diabetes, published before 4 March 2022. Risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. At least two reviewers conducted the study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment independently. After screening of 2196 studies, a total of 17 articles were included. Six different COVID-19 vaccines (Ad5-nCoV-S, AZD1222, BNT162b2, CoronaVac, JNJ-78436735, and mRNA-1273) were included in the synthesis. Vaccine effectiveness was reported for SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatic COVID-19, hospitalization, and death, and ranged from 24 to 96% in persons with diabetes, and from 33 to 97% in total study populations; effectiveness was generally lower for persons with diabetes. Odds ratios for breakthrough infection or severe COVID-19 ranged from 1.03 to 2.41 in vaccinated persons with diabetes compared to persons without diabetes. Even though the included studies were very heterogeneous, results from the synthesis indicate that effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines might be lower in persons with diabetes. More research is needed on the comparison of vaccine effectiveness between persons with and without diabetes, and the effectiveness of repeat COVID-19 vaccinations.
Torque and pressure fluctuations in turbulent von Karman swirling flow between two counter-rotating disks. I

We report the experimental studies of the statistical and scaling properties of the fully developed turbulent regime in von Karman swirling flow between counter-rotating disks with and without blades using the only global measurements of the spatially averaged torque Γ and pressure p fluctuations in water and water-sugar solutions of different viscosities in the same cell geometry. We show that for all fluids under investigation probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the torque fluctuations δΓ/Γrms are Gaussian in both the laminar and turbulent regimes and for the both types of the stirrers. On the contrary, PDFs of the pressure fluctuations change from Gaussian in the laminar regime into the skewed shape with the exponential tails toward low-pressure events for both the entrainment methods. Both the friction coefficient Cf and normalized rms of the pressure fluctuations Cp are independent of Re in the fully developed turbulent regime for all fluids under study and found in a good quantitative agree.
Sulfatide Deficiency, an Early Alzheimer’s Lipidomic Signature, Causes Brain Ventricular Enlargement in the Absence of Classical Neuropathological Hallmarks

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory loss and a decline in activities of daily life. Ventricular enlargement has been associated with worse performance on global cognitive tests and AD. Our previous studies demonstrated that brain sulfatides, myelin-enriched lipids, are dramatically reduced in subjects at the earliest clinically recognizable AD stages via an apolipoprotein E (APOE)-dependent and isoform-specific process. Herein, we provided pre-clinical evidence that sulfatide deficiency is causally associated with brain ventricular enlargement. Specifically, taking advantage of genetic mouse models of global and adult-onset sulfatide deficiency, we demonstrated that sulfatide losses cause ventricular enlargement without significantly affecting hippocampal or whole brain volumes using histological and magnetic resonance imaging approaches. Mild decreases in sulfatide content and mild increases in ventricular areas were also observed in human APOE4 compared to APOE2 knock-in mice. Finally, we provided Western blot and immunofluorescence evidence that aquaporin-4, the most prevalent aquaporin channel in the central nervous system (CNS) that provides fast water transportation and regulates cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles, is significantly increased under sulfatide-deficient conditions, while other major brain aquaporins (e.g., aquaporin-1) are not altered. In short, we unraveled a novel and causal association between sulfatide deficiency and ventricular enlargement. Finally, we propose putative mechanisms by which sulfatide deficiency may induce ventricular enlargement.
Can a Solitary Juvenile Polyp Be Regarded as a Nonmalignant Polyp?

ABSTRACT Juvenile polyps (JPs) are common, developing mostly as solitary, hamartomatous lesions in the colorectum, and principally affect pediatric patients. Solitary JPs are recognized as benign, with a negligible malignant transformation rate. Primary signet ring cell carcinoma is a rare type of colorectal cancer (0.1%–2.6%) that presents mostly at an advanced stage in younger patients and affects the right-sided colon, with extensive lymphatic invasion and peritoneal dissemination, resulting in a poorer prognosis compared with conventional colorectal cancer. We report a rare case of signet ring cell carcinoma in a solitary JP treated with endoscopic mucosal resection.
A Strategic Organizational Approach to Developing Leadership Developers

In leadership development, the emphasis is often on the direct development of the individual, focusing on the individual’s development as a leader or on skills to deal with the process of leadership. However, less attention is paid to developing those that develop the leaders—the leadership developers. This article provides two frameworks to consider in developing leaders through a layered approach focused on leadership developers rather than simply those that are being developed. The first framework highlights the levels of leadership development within an organization: the emerging leaders, those that develop the leaders—leadership developers, and those that develop the leadership developers—leadership tutors. All levels require cognitive understanding of the necessary leadership concepts—knowing, behavioral patterns that foster success—doing, and cultivation of affective qualities of “being a leader. ” The article highlights how the experiential learning cycle serves as a foundation for both leader and leadership development as it enables emerging leaders to grow in the domains of knowing, doing, and being a leader and gaining leadership skills. The article further highlights how leadership developers support the development of emerging leaders by actively engaging the experiential leader cycle. The second framework links the experiential learning cycle with a deliberately developmental organization focused on continued growth of those within the organization relative to core leader and leadership competencies. The deliberately developmental leadership organization utilizes principles embedded into the culture of the organization, practices enacted by all in the organization, and community to robustly form successful leaders.
Effective properties of composite materials containing voids

Recent results of theoretical and practical importance prove that the two-dimensional (in-plane) effective (average) Young’s modulus for an isotropic elastic material containing voids is independent of the Poisson’s ratio of the matrix material. This result is true regardless of the shape and morphology of the voids so long as isotropy is maintained. The present work uses this proof to obtain explicit analytical forms for the effective Young’s modulus property, forms which simplify greatly because of this characteristic. In some cases, the optimal morphology for the voids can be identified, giving the shapes of the voids, at fixed volume, that maximize the effective Young’s modulus in the two-dimensional situation. Recognizing that two-dimensional isotropy is a subset of three-dimensional transversely isotropic media, it is shown in this more general case that three of the five properties are independent of Poisson’s ratio, leaving only two that depend upon it. For three-dimensionally isotropic composite media containing voids, it is shown that a somewhat comparable situation exists whereby the three-dimensional Young’s modulus is insensitive to variations in Poisson’s ratio, vm, over the range 0 ≤ vm ≤ ½, although the same is not true for negative values of vm. This further extends the practical usefulness of the two-dimensional result to three-dimensional conditions for realistic values of vm.
Optimal list order under partial memory constraints

Suppose that we are given a set of n elements which are to be arranged in some order. At each unit of time a request is made to retrieve one of these elements — the ith being requested with probability Pi. We show that the rule which always moves the requested element one closer to the front of the line minimizes the average position of the element requested among a wide class of rules for all probability vectors of the form P 1 = p, P 2= · ·· = Pn = (1 – p)/(n − 1). We also consider the above problem when the decision-maker is allowed to utilize such rules as ‘only make a change if the same element has been requested k times in a row', and show that as k approaches infinity we can do as well as if we knew the values of the Pi.
Nonconducting electromagnetic media with rotational invariance: Transition operators and Green’s functions

For an accurate description of multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves, such as in random dielectrics or dielectric lattices, the full off-shell single scatterer transition (T-) operator is required. Here we study this quantity for the case of a non-conducting medium with rotational invariant permeabilities. We start with the scattering problem where rotational invariance is not yet assumed and find a class of mutually different T-operators which all have the same on-shell restriction. Next we extend the usual method of expressing scattered fields for rotational invariant systems in terms of the solutions of two scalar wave equations to the resolvent (Green’s function) associated with the vector wave equation. We find that it can be expressed in terms of the resolvents of two scalar operators. Finally we turn to the Mie case (a dielectric sphere in vacuum) for which we obtain explicit expressions for the corresponding Green’s functions and the general off-shell T-matrix elements.
Spatially adaptive smoothing splines

We use a reproducing kernel Hilbert space representation to derive the smoothing spline solution when the smoothness penalty is a function λ(t) of the design space t, thereby allowing the model to adapt to various degrees of smoothness in the structure of the data. We propose a convenient form for the smoothness penalty function and discuss computational algorithms for automatic curve fitting using a generalised crossvalidation measure. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Discrete Field Line Resonances and the Alfvén Continuum in the Outer Magnetosphere

Using Pc5 pulsation events observed with the IMAGE magnetometer array, we demonstrate that mHz frequency field line resonances (FLRs) represent local enhancements in the background Alfvén continuum of field line eigenfrequencies. By comparing resonance profiles for a typical event with the continuum frequency profile determined using cross‐phase techniques, we show that pulsation frequencies as low as 1–2 mHz can couple to FLRs on high latitude closed field lines. We also suggest that the transition to open field lines on days of higher geomagnetic activity may lead to a breakdown in pulsation characteristics at the highest latitudes of the IMAGE array. In addition, we show evidence of the U‐shaped diurnal variation in field line eigenfrequency and suggest that this is primarily due to field line stretching, especially on the magnetosphere flanks.
Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB68S Improves Cognitive Functions in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Probiotics could improve cognitive functions in patients with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, but the effects on cognitive function in healthy older adults without cognitive impairment need further study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium longum BB68S (BB68S) on cognitive functions among healthy older adults without cognitive impairment. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 60 healthy older adults without cognitive impairment who were divided into probiotic or placebo groups and required to consume either a sachet of probiotic (BB68S, 5 × 1010 CFU/sachet) or placebo once daily for 8 weeks. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used as an inclusion screening tool to screen elderly participants with healthy cognitive function in our study, and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was used to assess cognitive function in subjects before and after intervention as an assessment tool. BB68S significantly improved subjects’ cognitive functions (total RBANS score increased by 18.89 points after intervention, p < 0.0001), especially immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional, attention, and delayed memory domains. BB68S intervention increased the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria Lachnospira, Bifidobacterium, Dorea, and Cellulosilyticum, while decreasing those of bacteria related to cognition impairment, such as Collinsella, Parabacteroides, Tyzzerella, Bilophila, unclassified_c_Negativicutes, Epulopiscium, Porphyromonas, and Granulicatella. In conclusion, BB68S could improve cognitive functions in healthy elderly adults without cognitive impairment, along with having beneficial regulatory effects on their gut microbiota. This study supports probiotics as a strategy to promote healthy aging and advances cognitive aging research.
The Relationship between Working Memory and Arithmetic in Primary School Children: A Meta-Analysis

Working memory (WM) plays a crucial role in the development of arithmetic ability. However, research findings related to which factors influence the relationship between WM and arithmetic skills are inconsistent. The present meta-analysis aimed to examine the links between WM and arithmetic in primary school children and investigate whether this is dependent on WM domains (i.e., verbal, visual, spatial), child age, arithmetic operation type, and arithmetic task type. A total of 11,224 participants with an age range of 6- to 12 years, from 55 independent samples were included in the meta-analysis. Analysis of 46 studies with 187 effect sizes revealed an overall significant and medium correlation between WM and arithmetic. Heterogeneity analyses indicated that verbal WM showed a stronger correlation with arithmetic than visuospatial WM, and that correlations between verbal WM and arithmetic declined with age, whereas correlations between spatial-sequential, and spatial-simultaneous WM and arithmetic remained stable throughout development. Addition and subtraction were more involved in verbal WM than multiplication and division. Moreover, mental and written arithmetic showed comparable correlations with WM in all domains. These findings suggest moderation effects of WM domains, age, and operation types in the WM-arithmetic relationship and highlight the significant role of verbal WM in arithmetic ability in primary school children.