Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing learning of cooking in home and clinic for people with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare learning of a functional living skill in two contexts for individuals with long-term schizophrenia. METHOD Forty-four people with schizophrenia were matched on cognitive level. One of each pair was randomly designated to either a clinic or home cooking group, with the other assigned to the remaining group. Cooking skill was assessed using the Kitchen Task Assessment-Modified (KTA-M) both before and after the intervention. Learning for each group was analyzed using t tests. A multiple regression analysis to control for baseline differences was used to compare the learning of the two groups. RESULTS Participants in both groups scored significantly higher on the KTA-M after cooking lessons (t = 5.57, df = 21, p < .0001--clinic; t = 7.81. df = 21, p < .0002--home) reflecting learning of cooking skill; there was no statistically significant difference in scores on the KTA-M between the two groups based on where the learning took place (beta = -1.8, df = 42, p < 0.23). Qualitative differences between the learning environments provide suggestions for teaching functional living skills to this population. CONCLUSIONS Learning new skills in the home was not better than learning in the clinic for people with schizophrenia in this study. Further research on the effect of context on learning for people with cognitive dysfunction and schizophrenia is recommended.
Smartphone Information Displays When Reading News in Persian and English Languages

By their nature, smartphones must have small screens, and that is one of their limitations. Many users have trouble reading information on the Internet on such small screens because Internet browsers are usually designed for computers that have larger screens than smartphones. This study evaluates the usability of alternative user interfaces when reading news articles on smartphones. An experiment was conducted involving 120 smartphone users who were asked to evaluate six types of user interfaces based on three methods (pop-up, full-screen, and auto-zooming) and two display orientations (horizontal, vertical) in one of two languages (English and Persian). The participants were assigned four typical tasks that users must perform to obtain information from the Internet, that is, finding, refinding, reading, and browsing; they were asked to conduct the tasks in random order. In addition, a questionnaire was used to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the participants’ completion of the tasks, as well as their satisfaction, compatibility, and enjoyment of the undertakings. The results indicated that method, orientation, and language affected the actual usage and the time used. Based on the human factor experiment, the full-screen method was preferred in refinding and reading, whereas the pop-up method was preferred in browsing and finding. In terms of orientation, the vertical mode was preferred, and each user’s performance in the vertical mode was better in all tasks except browsing. Of interest, using the English language turned out to be more satisfying, enjoyable, and efficient to the Persian users who did the experiment in English as their second language.
Inter-Rater Reliability of Air/Saline HyCoSy, HyFoSy and HyFoSy Combined With Power Doppler for Screening Tubal Patency

Abstract Purpose To estimate the inter-observer reliability and agreement of offline analyses of three different ultrasound techniques for assessing tubal patency. Methods 100 tubes (n = 100) in 50 women were evaluated for tubal patency between November 2013 and July 2015 using ultrasound as index tests and laparoscopy as the reference standard. Three different ultrasound techniques were applied: two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound using air + saline as the contrast media (2D-HyCoSy); two- and three-dimensional grayscale ultrasound using foam as the contrast media (2 D/3D-HyFoSy); and the same technique but adding bi-directional power Doppler (2 D/3D-Doppler-HyFoSy). The videos containing full standardized exams using these three techniques were split into three parts, anonymized, encoded, randomized and reassessed in Nov. 2015 by two observers who assessed tubal patency using standardized criteria. These observers were blinded to any clinical information and each other’s results. Proportions of observed agreement (po) and Cohen's Kappa (κ) including the 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results The inter-observer reliability/agreement in 2 D/3D-Doppler-HyFoSy (po = 0.99, κ = 0.95, 95 % CI: 0.93 – 0.97) was higher compared to 2D-air/saline-HyCoSy (po = 0.83, κ = 0.55, 95 % CI: 0.40 – 0.68) and 2 D/3D-HyFoSy (po = 0.92, κ = 0.67, 95 % CI: 0.54 – 0.76). Conclusion The inter-observer reliability and agreement of the diagnosis of tubal patency evaluating stored videos are improved when foam and power Doppler are used during acquisition. Therefore, this technique may be preferred to minimize misclassification and misdiagnosis.
Estimation and Calibration

There are also some instances in which estimation of parameters is undesirable. For example we have seen that a risk-neutral distribution Q, used in the pricing of options, is not necessarily identical to the historical distribution P. Estimating parameter values for the distribution P based on historical data may have little or nothing to do with their values under Q. However, market information, for example the prices of options with a given underlying stock carry information about the expected value of certain functions of the stock under Q and the process of arranging parameter values so that the model prescribes options prices as close as possible to those observed is called calibration of the model. Although there is a substantial philosophical difference between calibration and statistical estimation, there are many similarities in the methodology, since both often require obtaining the root of one or more functions or maximizing or minimizing a function and so these are the problems that we begin this section with. There are many numerical problems that become much more difficult in the presence of noise, from finding the roots of a given function to solving a system of differential equations. Problems if this sort have given rise to substantial research in a variety of areas including stochastic approximation and Markov Chain Monte Carlo. In statistics, for example, we typically estimate parameters using least squares or maximum likelihood estimation. However, how do we
Diversified potentials of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi):An exhaustive survey

Ocimum sanctum (also tulsi, tulasA«, or Holy Basil is an aromatic plant in the family Lamiaceae which is native throughout the old world tropics and widespread as a cultivated plant and an escaped weed. Tulsi is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely known across South Asia as a medicinal plant and an herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has an important role within the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving tulsi plants or leaves. Eugenol (l-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4- allylbenzene), the active constituent present in Ocimum sanctum L. , has been found to be largely responsible for the therapeutic potentials of Tulsi. In the present review, efforts have been made to sum up different aspects of scientific studies on this medicinal plant. Scientific evidences are available on various medicinal aspects i.e. antimicrobial, adaptogenic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, radioprotective, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, cardio-protective, etc. Thus, Ocimum sanctum contain several bioactive compounds may contribute to the health effects and are easily available for consumption to increase the nutritional status as well as act as safe guarding against possible deficiencies.
Systematic review and meta-analysis: tools for the information age

The amount of available biomedical information is vast and growing. Natural limitations of the way clinicians and researchers approach this treasure trove of information comprise difficulties locating the information, and once located, cognitive biases may lead to inappropriate use of the information. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses represent important tools in the information age to improve knowledge and action. Systematic reviews represent a census approach to identifying literature to avoid non-response bias. They are a necessary prelude to producing combined quantitative summaries of associations or treatment effects. Meta-analysis comprises the arithmetical techniques for producing combined summaries from individual study reports. Careful, thoughtful and rigorous use of these tools is likely to enhance knowledge and action. Use of standard guidelines, such as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, or embedding these activities within collaborative groups such as the Cochrane Collaboration, are likely to lead to more useful systematic review and meta-analysis reporting.
Soluble mouse major histocompatibility complex class II molecules produced in Drosophila cells

We have exploited Drosophila melanogaster. Schneider cells and compatible inducible expression vectors to produce large amounts of secreted major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules (I‐Ed). A simple two‐step purification protocol was developed. In the first step, recombinant molecules were enriched using a monoclonal anti‐class II antibody column followed by a nickel chelate column which further purified and concentrated the recombinant protein to several mg/ml. Characterization of the purified material indicates that the molecules are correctly assembled into αβ heterodimers. Further analysis shows that the recombinant MHC class II molecules are devoid of endogenous peptides and, therefore, homogenous peptide/MHC complexes could be prepared by adding exogenous I‐Ed‐specific peptides at slightly acidic pH. Upon peptide addition, molecules underwent a conformational change into a more compact form revealed by gel filtration analysis. In addition, the peptide/MHC complexes were biologically active. As little as 10 ng of these complexes coated on plastic from a 100 ng/ml solution were sufficient to trigger antigen‐specific T cell hybridomas. These MHC class II molecules, together with various forms of soluble T cell receptor (TcR) proteins, provide valuable tools to analyze the molecular details of TcR/antigen recognition.
ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS TO GARLIC

Summary. — A case of contact dermatitis to garlic is described. Patch tests with a piece of garlic bulb and extracts of garlic were positive. A tulip extract gave a positive reaction in this patient, but extracts of onion did not do so. The active substance proved to be readily soluble in water, alcohol and acetone. The allergenic material was found to be of low molecular weight, heat labile and present in the outer parts of the bulb.
A qualitative study of older adults and computer use for health education: ‘It opens people's eyes’

Abstract Adults over the age of 60 struggle with achieving target blood pressure readings due to difficulties seeing, hearing, and understanding medical information, which can result in poor adherence and drug interactions that can be fatal. According to the Institute of Medicine (2000) approximately 10% of adverse drug events may be attributed to communication failure between the provider and patient. Informing patients of potential drug interactions with over-the-counter medications, supplements, and alcohol use can contribute to better blood pressure control. The Next Generation Personal Education Program (PEP-NG) was designed to improve patient care by educating both older adults and their providers about the dangers of adverse drug interactions arising from self-medication. This web-based programme analyses information entered by the patient user (with a stylus on a tablet computer) and delivers tailored interactive educational content applicable to the user's reported medication behaviours. This qualitative study demonstrated that even among participants who may not feel computer literate (older-age generation) it can be a useful tool for information dissemination and also a successful way to improve communication between provider and patient.
A New Type of Signal Peptidase Cleavage Site Identified in an RNA Virus Polyprotein*

Pestiviruses, a group of enveloped positive strand RNA viruses belonging to the family Flaviviridae, express their genes via a polyprotein that is subsequently processed by proteases. The structural protein region contains typical signal peptidase cleavage sites. Only the site at the C terminus of the glycoprotein Erns is different because it does not contain a hydrophobic transmembrane region but an amphipathic helix functioning as the Erns membrane anchor. Despite the absence of a hydrophobic region, the site between the C terminus of Erns and E1, the protein located downstream in the polyprotein, is cleaved by signal peptidase, as demonstrated by mutagenesis and inhibitor studies. Thus, ErnsE1 is processed at a novel type of signal peptidase cleavage site showing a different membrane topology. Prevention of glycosylation or introduction of mutations into the C-terminal region of Erns severely impairs processing, presumably by preventing proper membrane interaction or disturbing a conformation critical for the protein to be accepted as a substrate by signal peptidase.
Production and purification of an extracellular cellulase from Bacillus brevis vs‐1

A bacteria identified as Bacillus brevis has been isolated from the soil. It has been found to secrete cellulase extracellularly whose production increased almost five times on addition of galactose in the culture medium. Production of cellulase has been found optimal at pH 5.5, 37°C and 175 rpm speed using environmental orbital shaker. The cellulase has been purified using ultrafiltration and Sephadex G‐200 column chromatography. The native molecular weight of the enzyme is found to be 33,000±2000 using Sephadex G‐200 gel filtration chromatography. The subunit molecular weight (33,000±2,000) indicate monomeric nature of the enzyme. The enzyme showed Michaelis Menten kinetics exhibiting Km ≈︁1.7±0.1 mg/ml for CMC. The enzyme activity got inhibited by heavy metals viz. Hg+2 and Ag+2
Optimal time of use of renewable electricity pricing: Three-player games model

Currently, the electricity demand is exponentially increasing due to the population growth. Therefore, the demand side management (DSM) is becoming unavoidable especially with the increasing use of renewable energy sources. One of the most known tactics of DSM is the use pricing strategies to threaten users to schedule their loads by controlling their own appliances. In this paper, a new model of electricity market operators is proposed based on three actors: the utility grid (G) with renewable energy (RE) generation, the electricity consumer (U) and a storage company (S). This approach aims to develop the adequate hourly prices which optimize the utility function of each operator. Then, in order to deal with this objective, two related games are defined. The first one is based on the satisfaction function of U and the G and aims to give the hourly prices of consumers' electricity bills. While the second one is based on the satisfaction function of G and S in order to optimize the hourly prices of G's electricity bills. Finally, a case study based on a given RE production and consumers load forecasts has been considered. Simulation results show that the obtained hourly prices allows the consumer load curve to follow the RE curve generation while achieving the main objective of the proposed approach.
Isoscalar giant dipole resonance and nuclear matter incompressibility coefficient

We present results of microscopic calculations of the strength function, S(E), and alpha-particle excitation cross sections sigma(E) for the isoscalar giant dipole resonance (ISGDR). An accurate and a general method to eliminate the contributions of spurious state mixing is presented and used in the calculations. Our results provide a resolution to the long standing problem that the nuclear matter incompressibility coefficient, K, deduced from sigma(E) data for the ISGDR is significantly smaller than that deduced from data for the isoscalar giant monopole resonance (ISGMR).
Impact of Surgical Techniques in Maternal Morbidity and Foetal Outcome in Obstructed Labour: A Retrospective Study of 100 Cases of Obstructed Labour.

Background: To compare the maternal and neonatal morbidities between the “Patwardhan” technique, reverse breech and the vertex extraction (Push method) of the foetus in second stage caesarean sections. Methods: A Retrospective study was done at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bebe Nanki Mother and Child Care Center, Government College, Amritsar, Punjab, India from year 2013 to 2016 (three and half years). Women with full term pregnancy with fetus in vertex position and the head deeply impacted in pelvis and needing caesarean delivery were included in the study. Group-A consists of all cases in which extraction of foetus was done by Patwardhan technique as well as reverse breech extraction. Group-B consists of cases in whom extraction of foetus was done by push up method and extracted as vertex. Objective of the study was to assess selective complications like extension of the incision, injury to the surrounding structures, excessive bleeding, need for blood transfusion and the foetal outcome between the two groups. Results:- Out of 100 cases reviewed, 55 belonged to group A (Patwardhan and reverse breech extraction) and 45 belonged to group B (vertex extraction). Patients in the group B had statistically significant higher rates of maternal morbidity in terms of uterine extension and other related complications. However; there were no differences in neonatal outcomes in both the groups. Conclusions: While complications are inherent in methods, Patwardhan method and reverse breech extraction of delivery of the foetus for second stage labour has been shown to confer considerable advantage in prevention of maternal morbidity over the push method in our institution. Our findings support the fact that the Patwardhan method and reverse breech extraction could be a useful manoeuvre in intraoperative disengagement of foetal head, when encountered at second stage CS and it is our opinion that these techniques can be practiced selectively as a primary technique.
A predictive control strategy for burn-through point in sintering process

This paper presents a predictive control strategy named as generalized predictive control with closed-loop model identification for burn-through point (BTP) in sintering process. The closed-loop model identification method describes the dynamic characteristics of sintering process. Based on the model, the BTP generalized predictive control model predicts BTP accurately and computes the strand velocity. A BTP control system is established and implemented in an iron and steel plant. The running results show that the system effectively guarantees the stability of sintering process, sufficiently suppresses the fluctuation of BTP, and greatly increases the quantity and quality of sinters.
The Contact Hypothesis Revisited

Although 50 years of research demonstrate that friendly intergroup contact reduces intergroup prejudice, the findings are based solely on self-reported, explicit prejudice. In two parallel experiments examining intergroup contact and prejudice—between Whites and Blacks in the United States (Experiment 1) and between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon (Experiment 2)—we examined whether intergroup status differences moderate contact effects on implicit prejudice, as well as explicit prejudice. Both experiments replicated the standard effect of contact on explicit prejudice. They also demonstrated that intergroup contact reduces implicit prejudice among low-status groups. In Experiment 1, the implicit prejudice of Blacks toward Whites (but not Whites toward Blacks) was reduced as a function of friendly contact. In Experiment 2, the implicit prejudice of Muslims toward Christians (but not Christians toward Muslims) was reduced as a function of friendly contact.
Xenopus msx 1 mediates epidermal induction and neural inhibition by BMP 4

Epidermal fate in Xenopusectoderm has been shown to be induced by a secreted growth factor, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4). However, the molecular mechanism mediating this response is poorly understood. Here, we show that the expression of the homeobox gene, msx1, is an immediate early response to BMP4 in Xenopusembryos. The timing of expression and embryonic distribution of msx1parallel those described for BMP4. Moreover, overexpression of msx1in early Xenopusembryos leads to their ventralization as described for BMP4. Consistent with mediating a BMP type of signaling, overexpression of msx1 is sufficient to induce epidermis in dissociated ectoderm cells, which would otherwise form neural tissue. Finally, msx1can also rescue neuralization imposed by a dominant negative BMP receptor (tBR) in ectodermal explants. We propose that Xenopus msx1acts as a mediator of BMP signaling in epidermal induction and inhibition of neural differentiation.
Falling Off the Bandwagon? Exploring the Challenges to Sustained Digital Engagement by Older People

Objectives: This study examines older people's use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and identifies the factors which can prevent or promote their sustained use. Methods: A mixed methods approach was adopted. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by a survey of 323 older ICT users (aged ≥50 years) between 2011 and 2012. These data were supplemented by qualitative data obtained through in-depth interviews, focus groups and storytelling. Quantitative data were analysed using PASW including bivariate and multivariate analyses. Qualitative data were analysed using an inductive, thematic approach. Results: The findings show that, contrary to some stereotypes, many older people are enthusiastic, competent and confident users of ICTs. However, they report a range of challenges in reaching and maintaining this situation. These include technological complexity and change, age-related capability changes and a lack of learning and support mechanisms. Intrinsic motivation and social support are important in enabling older people to overcome these challenges. Discussion: Getting older people online has been a high priority in many countries over the past decade. However, little attention has been paid to whether and how their usage can be sustained over time. We discuss the implications of the findings for policy and practice.
Deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase associated with feline leukemia and sarcoma viruses: Properties of the enzyme and its product

Native calf thymus and salmon sperm DNA are better templates than denatured calf thymus and salmon sperm DNA for the DNA‐dependent DNA polymerase activity of feline sarcoma virus. This enzyme activity of feline sarcoma virus and feline leukemia virus faithfully replicates dAT copolymer to synthesize a sequence of alternate deoxyadenylate‐deoxythymidylate. With a homopolymeric duplex, polydA.dT, the DNA‐directed enzyme from feline sarcoma virus or feline leukemia virus indicates a requirement for simultaneous copying of both template strands.