Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of ICT use on loneliness and contact with others among older adults

Purpose Older adults are at increased risk of experiencing loneliness and depression, particularly as they move into different types of care communities. Information and communication technology (ICT) usage may help older adults to maintain contact with social ties. However, prior research is not consistent in whether ICTs increase or decrease isolation and loneliness among older adults. The purpose of this study is to examine how ICT use impacts the social isolation and loneliness of older adults in assisted and independent living communities. Method Data from an ongoing study of ICT usage among older adults in assisted and independent living communities in Alabama is used. Simple regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between frequency of Internet use and isolation and loneliness. As the data comes from an intervention study (ICT training vs. No training), the analyses controlled for the arm of the study participants were in. Results & Discussion Results from post intervention surveys show that going online more frequently was associated with lower levels of loneliness and isolation. Greater frequency of Internet use was associated with greater quantity and ease of contact with others. Using the Internet may be beneficial for decreasing loneliness and increasing social contact among older adults in assisted and independent living communities.
Classification of chest X-ray images using Machine Learning and Histogram of Oriented Gradients

Este trabalho propõe um modelo de aprendizado de máquina para classificar e detectar a presença de pneumonia a partir de uma coleção de amostras de radiografias do tórax. Ao contrário da maioria dos trabalhos que utilizam abordagens de aprendizado profundo para classificar se a imagem é de um pulmão com pneumonia ou não, ou seja, duas classes para assim alcançar um desempenho de classificação notável, este modelo utiliza Histograma de Gradientes Orientados para extrair características de uma determinada imagem de raio-X de tórax e classificá-la em três classes, determinando se uma pessoa está ou não infectada com pneumonia viral ou bacteriana. Apesar de uma maior complexidade e utilização de modelos tradicionais de aprendizado de máquina, a maior acurácia alcançada foi de 91.32% superior a de trabalhos que utilizam redes profundas e buscam resolver o mesmo grau de complexidade.
Feasibility and Added Value of Fetal DTI Tractography in the Evaluation of an Isolated Short Corpus Callosum: Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prognosis of isolated short corpus callosum is challenging. Our aim was to assess whether fetal DTI tractography can distinguish callosal dysplasia from variants of normal callosal development in fetuses with an isolated short corpus callosum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 37 cases referred for fetal DTI at 30.4 weeks (range, 25–34 weeks) because of an isolated short corpus callosum less than the 5th percentile by sonography at 26 weeks (range, 22–31 weeks). Tractography quality, the presence of Probst bundles, dysmorphic frontal horns, callosal length (internal cranial occipitofrontal dimension/length of the corpus callosum ratio), and callosal thickness were assessed. Cytogenetic data and neurodevelopmental follow-up were systematically reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 37 fetal DTIs distinguished the 2 groups: those with Probst bundles (Probst bundles+) in 13/33 cases (40%) and without Probst bundles (Probst bundles–) in 20/33 cases (60%). Internal cranial occipitofrontal dimension/length of the corpus callosum was significantly higher in Probst bundles+ than in Probst bundles–, with a threshold value determined at 3.75 for a sensitivity of 92% (95% CI, 77%–100%) and specificity of 85% (95% CI, 63%–100%). Callosal lipomas (4/4) were all in the Probst bundles– group. More genetic anomalies were found in the Probst bundles+ than in Probst bundles– group (23% versus 10%, P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal DTI, combined with anatomic, cytogenetic, and clinical characteristics could suggest the possibility of classifying an isolated short corpus callosum as callosal dysplasia and a variant of normal callosal development.
Investigation on Dielectric and Optical Properties of Ba1-xCaxZr0.1Ti0.9O3 (x = 0.150)
Ferroelectric Ceramics

Pellet samples of (Ba1-xCaxZr1-yTiy)O3 (x = 0.150, y = 0.90) were prepared using the solid-state reaction method following double sintering. The electrical and optical properties of (Ba1-xCaxZr1-yTiy)O3 (x = 0.150, y = 0.90) ceramics were studied. For Ba0.85Ca0. 15Zr0. 1Ti0.9)O3 ferroelectric perovskite ceramics, the dielectric and structural properties were explored. The prepared composition of BCZT ceramics were calcined at 1100 oC. The sintering temperature was 1300 oC. Dielectric properties were observed from room temperature (RT) to 150 oC, at 1 MHz. The powder of the sintered samples has been taken for reflectance measurement at UV-Vis range. From the observed tauc plot, the band-gap is calculated. The measured band- gap is 3.19 eV.
Engaging New Parents in the Development of a Peer Nutrition Education Model Using Participatory Action Research

This study investigated the implementation model and research methods of a peer education program for new parents focused on infant feeding and nutrition. Two hundred and sixty-nine parents with an infant aged birth to two years old were invited to become co-researchers in a Participatory Action Research (PAR) study over three years. Data included focus group and online participant meeting transcripts, social media data, correspondence between the implementation team and peer educators, and field notes. All data were consolidated regularly and discussed by project participants and the research team. After each PAR cycle, structured content analysis was conducted, informing the next iteration of the implementation model and research methods. Participating parents were highly engaged in child feeding peer-to-peer education, but felt more effective and comfortable being considered as a child-feeding information resource sharer or ‘champion’ rather than a formal peer educator. Similarly, quantitative data collection was only effective when it was integrated seamlessly into the implementation model. PAR methodology suited the diversity and dynamic real-life study setting, facilitating substantial improvements to the peer nutrition intervention model and data collection methods. Our study demonstrated that a genuine collaboration between health professionals and participants to implement research in practice can achieve both intervention outcomes and research aims.
Online communities of practice: are they principled and how do they work?

In 2006 the Academic Development and Support (AD&S) Unit at a Melbourne university was faced with the dilemma of providing support to an academic member of staff relocating to Brunei. This paper looks at how AD&S worked with the academic to establish an online community of practice to meet her learning and teaching needs. All three members gained invaluable knowledge and experience from participating in this venture and Wenger’s seven principles of design for establishing successful communities of practice naturally evolved throughout the project. Their shared interest in online technologies allowed them to safely explore new strategies for teaching online and gave them an opportunity to come up to speed with tools such as Skype, blogs, wikis, video clips, and mp3 sound bites. The skills gained from participating in this community, and the sharing of experiences, allowed each member to confidently look beyond the group to trial and share their new knowledge and experience in a variety of new educational contexts.
Building partnerships: case studies of clientcontractor collaboration in the UK construction industry

Despite the enormous groundswell of interest in partnering and alliancing in recent years, there has been comparatively little research that has set out to investigate systematically the nature, feasibility, benefits and limitations of forms of client-contractor collaboration. This is despite the growing recognition that conditions conducive to partnering may well vary considerably and that partnering may not be the solution for problems within the industry that many commentators have taken it to be. This paper sets out to add to the growing literature and empirical database on partnering by reporting the findings of a research project designed to explore the economic, organizational and technological factors that encourage or inhibit collaboration in practice. The paper follows on from an earlier review and critique of the literature on partnering (Bresnen, M. and Marshall, N. 2000, Construction Management and Economics, 18 (2) 229-237). It includes as its database nine case studies of medium-to-large-scale projects, selected from across the industry, on which processes of collaboration are examined from the viewpoints of clients, contractors, designers and subcontractors. In contrast to much of the prescriptive work in this area, the analysis of the data and the paper's conclusions stress some of the practical problems, limitations and paradoxes of partnering and alliancing when the effects of important economic, organizational and psychological factors are taken into account.
Dressing percentages of lambs

Dressing percentage (DO%), the dressed carcass expressed as a proportion of live weight, is markedly influenced by the particular definition used. Farmers usually want to estimate cold (works) carcass weights (CCW) from live weights taken on lambs recently removed from pasture (FLW). Gut fill plays a major role in DO%. As lambs empty out after removal from pasture, DO% increases until this effect is offset by loss of carcass and organ weights from increasing periods of starvation. Data on 2207 weaned and shorn lambs ranging from 10 to 46 kg FLW and slaughtered over 3 seasons could be described by the regression: CCW (kg)=0.473 FLW (kg)- 1.92, RSD=0.67 kg, r =0.95. DO% calculated from this regression for lambs slaughtered close to the New Zealand mean CCW of 13 kg averaged 41% and increased as FLW increased. Shorn lambs of similar weight sired by longwool breeds had lower DO% than lambs sired by Down breeds. Lamb DO% dropped following weaning. Lambs with carcasses in the leaner A and Y grades dressed lower than lambs in the fatter pre 1983-84 P grade when compared at the same live weight, illustrating that DO% increases as lambs get fatter.
Leading communities of practice in social work: Groupwork or management?

Social work in the UK has undergone a period of momentous change in the last decade with the introduction of a 'modernising agenda' that has increased managerial approaches to the organisation, development and delivery of services. Whilst posing a threat to some, these approaches are embedded and social workers must find ways of working within them to synthesise appropriate responses that promote the values and cultural heritage of social work within the new context. This paper considers the possibilities offered by communities of practice to develop learning organisations in which a managed and participatory approach to social care can be generated. A super-ordinate model of contending cultures is developed and practice that draws on and is predicated by groupwork principles is presented as a potential way forward.
14-3-3η Promotes Invadosome Formation via the FOXO3–Snail Axis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes

Erosive destruction of joint structures is a critical event in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in which fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are the primary effectors. We previously reported that the ability of RA FLS to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components depends on the formation of actin-rich membrane protrusions, called invadosomes, through processes that remain elusive. 14-3-3η belongs to a family of scaffolding proteins involved in a wide range of cellular functions, and its expression is closely related to joint damage and disease activity in RA patients. In this study, we sought to assess the role of 14-3-3η in joint damage by examining its contribution to the invadosome formation phenotype of FLS. Using human primary FLS, we show that 14-3-3η expression is closely associated with their ability to form invadosomes. Furthermore, knockdown of 14-3-3η using shRNAs decreases the level of invadosome formation in RA FLS, whereas addition of the recombinant protein to FLS from healthy individuals promotes their formation. Mechanistic studies suggest that 14-3-3η regulates invadosome formation by increasing Snail expression, a mechanism that involves nuclear exclusion of the transcription repressor FOXO3. Our results implicate the 14-3-3η–FOXO3–Snail axis in promoting the aggressive ECM-degrading phenotype of RA FLS, and suggest a role for this scaffolding protein in cartilage degradation.
Visual Sampling of In-Vehicle Text Messages

Emerging in-vehicle technology associated with radio data systems, satellite radio, navigation aids, and infotainment systems will expose drivers to an increasing amount of textual information. The visual demands of driving make it critically important to understand how characteristics of such information affect visual sampling of the roadway. This study used a medium-fidelity driving simulator to evaluate the effect of scroll control (manual or automatic), the number of lines displayed (one, two, or four), and scrolling strategy (line by line or page by page) on drivers’ visual sampling behavior of text messages. Fifteen men and 15 women aged 25 to 51 (mean 35.7, s.d. 7.5) participated. Consistent with previous models of sampling behavior, text message characteristics affected the number of glances much more strongly than the duration of glances, and drivers were able to protect driving performance even with a demanding secondary visual task. However, the number of lines of text displayed increased the mean glance duration, the variability of glance duration, and the number of glances greater than 2 s. Scrolling text line by line increased visual demand relative to scrolling page by page, particularly when scrolling is manually controlled by the driver. Manual control of scrolling by using a touch screen button led to greater visual demand compared with automatically scrolled text.
Low-frequency noise in depletion-mode SIMOX MOS transistors

Low-frequency noise measurements in depletion-mode SIMOX MOSFETs are reported. A simple model provides a reliable interpretation of the low-frequency noise in multi-interface depletion-mode transistors. An experimental procedure to separate noise contributions of front and back interfaces from noise due to bulk carrier fluctuations is described. The noises generated in the thin Si film and at the two Si-SiO/sub 2/ interfaces can be identified and characterized independently in terms of bulk properties and interface trap densities. Single-level traps at the back interface and defects in the volume are detected in high-temperature annealed materials. >
Construction and Validation of the Legitimizing Income Inequality Scale

Although income inequality has become a focus of political and social discourse, counseling psychology research examining correlates and consequences of legitimizing income inequality remains sparse. A significant barrier to the study of income inequality is the lack of available measures to assess attitudes toward socioeconomic inequality. The purpose of this study was to develop and provide initial validity evidence for the Legitimizing Income Inequality Scale (LIIS). Results supported a bifactor structure for the LIIS with a general factor (ω = .95) and subfactors measuring Social Welfare Beliefs (ω = .92), Economic Fatalism (ω = .87), and Economic Meritocracy Beliefs (ω = .90). The LIIS significantly correlated in theoretically consistent directions with scores on measures of classist attitudes, socioeconomic conservatism, impression management, and colorblind racial attitudes. Implications for future research and training using the LIIS are provided.
Study on Assessment of Quality of Life and Depression in Patients of Vitiligo

Context: Vitiligo is an autoimmune pigmentary disorder characterized by localized or generalized depigmentation of the skin. It is associated with significant stigma and has impact on patient's quality of life (QoL) and psychological wellbeing. Aims: To see the variance in QoL and level of depression in vitiligo patients with extent of vitiligo. Materials and Methods: Vitiligo patients aged ≥18 years attending OPD were included in the study. Impairment in QoL was assessed by administering DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) and VIS22 (Vitiligo Impact Scale22). Depression was assessed by administering QIDSSR16 (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology). The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) was calculated based on clinical examination. Results: One hundred and fifty patients enrolled. Most common age group was 18–30 years. Mean DLQI, VIS22, QIDSSR16 scores were 7.02, 16.37, 5.87, respectively. QoL was affected to some extent in 85.3% and 86.7% according to the DLQI and VIS22, respectively. Depression was seen in 44%. Coclusion: Young patients showed higher impairment in QoL and also higher levels of depression. It would be useful to offer psychiatric consult and counseling in addition to specific treatment.Context: Vitiligo is an autoimmune pigmentary disorder characterized by localized or generalized depigmentation of the skin. It is associated with significant stigma and has impact on patient's quality of life (QoL) and psychological wellbeing. Aims: To see the variance in QoL and level of depression in vitiligo patients with extent of vitiligo. Materials and Methods: Vitiligo patients aged ≥18 years attending OPD were included in the study. Impairment in QoL was assessed by administering DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) and VIS22 (Vitiligo Impact Scale22). Depression was assessed by administering QIDSSR16 (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology). The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) was calculated based on clinical examination. Results: One hundred and fifty patients enrolled. Most common age group was 18–30 years. Mean DLQI, VIS22, QIDSSR16 scores were 7.02, 16.37, 5.87, respectively. QoL was affected to some extent in 85.3% and 86.7% according to the DLQI and VIS22, respectively. Depression was seen in 44%. Conclusion: Young patients showed higher impairment in QoL and also higher levels of depression. It would be useful to offer psychiatric consult and counseling in addition to specific treatment.
Double mutations far from the active site affect cold activity in an Antarctic halophilic β‐galactosidase

The Antarctic haloarchaeon, Halorubrum lacusprofundi, contains a polyextremophilic family 42 β‐galactosidase, which we are using as a model for cold‐active enzymes. Divergent amino acid residues in this 78 kDa protein were identified through comparative genomics and hypothesized to be important for cold activity. Six amino acid residues were previously mutated and five were shown by steady‐state kinetic analysis to have altered temperature‐dependent catalytic activity profiles via effects on Km and/or kcat compared to the wild‐type enzyme. In this follow‐up study, double‐mutated enzymes were constructed and tested for temperature effects, including two new tandem residue pairs (N180T/A181T and T383A/S384A), and pairwise combination of the single residue mutations (N251D, F387L, I476V, and V482L). All double‐mutated enzymes were found to be more catalytically active at moderate and/or less active at colder temperatures than wild‐type, with both Km and kcat effects observed for the two tandem mutations. For pairwise combinations, a Km effect was seen when the surface exposed F387L mutation located in a domain A TIM barrel α helix 19 Å from the active site was combined with two internal residues, N251D or V482L. When another surface exposed mutation I476V located in a coiled region of domain B 25 Å from the active site was paired with N251D or V482L, a kcat effect was observed. These results indicate that temperature‐dependent kinetic effects may be complex and subtle and are mediated by a combination of a small number of residues distant from the active site via changes to the hydration shell and/or perturbation of internal packing.
Low-Latency High-Bandwidth Interconnection Networks by Selective Packet Compression

Interconnection network ideally transfers the maximum amount of communication dataset within the least amount of time to fully exploit the parallelism of target applications on parallel computer systems. To this goal, we propose a selective data-compression interconnection network. Data compression virtually increases the effective network bandwidth, while each compute node introduces additional latency overhead to perform (de-)compression operation to end-to-end communication latency. To minimize the effect of the compression latency overhead on the end-to-end communication latency, we selectively apply a compression technique to a packet. The compression operation is taken for long packets and is also taken when network congestion is detected at a network interface. Evaluation results show that simple lossless and lossy compression algorithms have up to 3.0 and 1.8 compression ratios for integer and floating-point communication data in some parallel applications, respectively, while the lossy compression algorithm successfully satisfies the required quality of results. Through a cycle-network simulation, the selective compression method using the above compression algorithms improves by up to 46% the network throughput with the moderate increase of the communication latency of short packets.
Material and environmental factors influencing the compressive strength of unsealed cement paste and concrete at high temperatures

Results of uniaxial compressive strength measurements taken on 1210 unsealed cement paste and concrete specimens heated to temperatures up to 600°C are reported; they show that both material and environmental factors have a significant influence during the heat cycle and afer cooling. The best results were obtained using firebrick aggregate and a cement blend containing 65 % slag replacement of OPC by weight. At 600°C the “hot” compressive strength of this material was 85% of the value measured before heating.
Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory: Relevance and Need for Refinement

The purpose of this article is to highlight the relevance of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT) in contemporary and future practice, explicitly within the global self-care movement and interprofessional healthcare. The authors discuss the relevance and important strengths within Orem’s nursing theory and recommend theoretical refinement within the context of significant societal and healthcare transformation. The constructs of global people-centered care and population health, with related social determinants of health, are identified as critical areas for development if SCDNT is to have continued relevance for nursing practice. Implications for theoretical thinking and nursing education are recommended.