Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Integrating Community Advocacy Into Community Health Worker Roles on Health-Focused Organizations and Community Health Workers in Southern Arizona

Organizational environments may encourage community health workers (CHWs) to engage community members in improving their communities. We conducted open-ended interviews and focus groups to explore how participation in the Acción intervention, which trained CHWs in community advocacy, affected organizational capacity to support their CHWs. Supervisors described improved organizational recognition and trust of CHWs. Organizational leaders reported organizational benefits and increased appreciation of CHW leadership. Both expressed increased interest in future advocacy trainings. Limiting factors included organizational mission, CHW position descriptions, and funding. Findings indicate that, with training and funding, CHW community advocacy can be integrated into organizations with congruent missions.
Data fusion for relative localization of wireless mobile nodes

Monitoring teams of mobile nodes is becoming crucial in a growing number of activities. When it is not possible to use fix references or external measurements, a practicable solution is to derive relative positions from local communication. In this work, we propose an anchor-free Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) method aimed at small multi-robot teams. Information from Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) mounted on the nodes and processed with a Kalman Filter are used to estimate the robot dynamics, thus increasing the quality of RSSI measurements. A Multidimensional Scaling algorithm is then used to compute the network topology from improved RSSI data provided by all nodes. A set of experiments performed on data acquired from a real scenario show the improvements over RSSI-only localization methods. With respect to previous work only an extra IMU is required, and no constraints are imposed on its placement, like with camera-based approaches. Moreover, no a-priori knowledge of the environment is required and no fixed anchor nodes are needed.
HetMoC: Heterogeneous Modelling in SystemC

We propose a novel heterogeneous model-of-computation (HetMoC) framework in SystemC for embedded computing systems. As the main contribution, we formally define the computation and communication in multiple domains (continuous-time, discrete-event, synchronous/reactive, and untimed) as polymorphic processes and signals, and present domain interfaces to integrate different domains together for heterogeneous process networks. Especially, the continuous-time signals are defined with time continuum, which are distinguished from existing approaches. For implementation, a functional modeling style has been adopted to construct HetMoC. A solver with error estimation has been exploited in numerical approximation, and the time-varying functionalities in adaptive systems have been captured in HetMoC as well. In experiments, based on an adaptive transceiver system case study, HetMoC shows promising capabilities compared with a reference model in SystemC-AMS.
Effects of an Oral Supplementation of Germinated Barley Foodstuff on Serum CRP Level and Clinical Signs in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND The present study was aimed to determine the effect of Germinated Barley Foodstuff (GBF) administration on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and clinical signs in patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). METHODS Forty-six patients were randomly allocated into GBF group and control group. Subjects in control group received only conventional drug therapy, while the GBF group received 30g GBF per day (3 times a day) by oral administration during 2 month along with routine medications. RESULTS The mean serum CRP in the GBF group decreased significantly (P=0.017) compared with the baseline. Although the frequency of clinical signs including the number of episodes diarrhea, degree of visible blood in stool, degree of abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia decreased in the GBF group but it was statistically significant only in the case of abdominal pain and cramping. However, this reduction was only significant in the case of abdominal pain and cramping (P=0.016) CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of GBF along with the current medication may be efficient in attenuating the inflammation and clinical signs of UC patients.
Covalently-Immobilized Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Promotes Endothelial Cell Tubulogenesis in Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Hydrogels

The development and use of functional tissue-engineered products is currently limited by the challenge of incorporating microvasculature. To this end, we have investigated strategies to facilitate vascularization in scaffold materials, in this case poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels. These hydrogels are hydrophilic and resist protein adsorption and subsequent non-specific cell adhesion, but can be modified to contain cell-adhesive ligands and growth factors to support cell and tissue function. Additionally, the hydrogel matrix can include proteolytically degradable peptide sequences in the backbone of the structure to allow cells to control scaffold biodegradation, allowing three-dimensional migration. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic signal, and the cell-adhesive peptide RGDS were each covalently attached to PEG monoacrylate linkers. PEGylated RGDS and VEGF were then covalently immobilized in PEG-diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels in 2D and 3D. Immobilized VEGF increased endothelial cell tubulogenesis on the surface of non-degradable PEGDA hydrogels 4-fold compared to controls without the growth factor. Endothelial cell behavior in 3D collagenase-degradable hydrogels modified with RGDS and VEGF was observed using time-lapse confocal microscopy. Bulk immobilization of VEGF in 3D collagenase-degradable RGDS-modified hydrogels increased endothelial cell motility 14-fold and cell–cell connections 3-fold. Covalent incorporation of PEGylated VEGF in PEG hydrogels can be a useful tool to promote endothelial cell migration, cell–cell contact formation and tubulogenesis in an effort to produce vascularized tissue-engineered constructs.
Piperazine-1,4-diium naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate

The title molecular salt, C4H12N2 2+·C10H6O6S2 2−, consists of a piperazinium cation and a 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate anion. Crystallographic inversion centers are situated at the center of the ring of the dication as well as at the midpoint of the central carbon–carbon bond in the dianion. In the crystal, intermolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the cations and anions.
Fabrication of surface plasmon waveguides and devices in Cytop with integrated microfluidic channels

Long range surface plasmon-polariton waveguides and devices suitable for biosensing were fabricated and characterized physically and optically. The structures consist of thin (∼35 nm) patterned Au stripes embedded in thick Cytop claddings (∼8 μm each). Portions of Au stripes were exposed by patterning and etching though the top Cytop cladding using an O2 plasma etch. The etched Cytop cavities act as microfluidic channels to contain and direct the sensing fluid. Intermediate process steps were verified through physical characterization as were fully fabricated structures. Optical testing was performed on Cytop-embedded structures and on channel-filled (with sensing fluid) structures. The structures were excited through end-fire coupling to optical fibers.Long range surface plasmon-polariton waveguides and devices suitable for biosensing were fabricated and characterized physically and optically. The structures consist of thin (∼35 nm) patterned Au stripes embedded in thick Cytop claddings (∼8 μm each). Portions of Au stripes were exposed by patterning and etching though the top Cytop cladding using an O2 plasma etch. The etched Cytop cavities act as microfluidic channels to contain and direct the sensing fluid. Intermediate process steps were verified through physical characterization as were fully fabricated structures. Optical testing was performed on Cytop-embedded structures and on channel-filled (with sensing fluid) structures. The structures were excited through end-fire coupling to optical fibers.
Exploitation of Arundo donax L. Hydrolysis Residue for the Green Synthesis of Flexible Polyurethane Foams

Flexible polyurethane foams were prepared from solid waste residue derived from the hydrothermal acid treatment of the Arundo donax L. herbaceous biomass, which produced a very high yield of levulinic acid. An innovative, sustainable, and green liquefaction route was adopted to produce lignin-based flexible polyurethane foams by partially replacing fossil-fuel source polyols with an abundant and renewable hydroxyl source, the Arundo donax L. “lignin-like” residue. Lignin liquefaction was performed in polyolic solvents using microwave irradiation, saving time and energy while ensuring a more sustainable and green approach. Foam production was performed with controlled expansion using the “one-shot” technique. Water was adopted as the only blowing agent, and the isocyanate index (NCO/OH) was kept to less than 100, which reduced the cross-linking degree of the desired foam and increased its flexibility. About 7 wt. % of the conventional petrochemical polyether polyol was replaced with the Arundo donax L. hydrolysis residue. The chemical and mechanical properties of the synthesized foams were compared with those obtained by using a pure technical soda lignin, ProtoBind 1000. The results were characterized by satisfactory mechanical properties, thus closing the biorefinery cycle of Arundo donax L. exploitation.
Mechanistic understanding of the rotating membrane emulsification process towards the development of design and scale-up theory

The effect of processing and formulation parameters on the resulting oil-in-water, emulsion microstructure has been studied for a recently developed process; rotating membrane emulsification. A broad range of surfactant and particle dispersions were explored to reveal the key drivers that determine the final droplet size produced. The aim of the study was to understand initial droplet generation and therefore emulsion stability, whilst a significant element in emulsification studies, is not considered here. By furthering the understanding of the processing mechanisms involved, this enabled development of theoretical models to estimate droplet size and extent of coalescence from first principles. In addition, the implications of process scale-up were studied. From this work, the very first design procedure for rotating membrane emulsification was derived and proposed. The final emulsion microstructure is heavily dependent on the coupled interaction between the fluid flow behaviour of the two phases and interfacial phenomena. Careful selection of process parameters based on sufficient characterisation of properties such as interfacial tension and viscosity, can avoid the occurrence of droplet coalescence or dispersed phase jetting. These can have a detrimental effect on producing a carefully controlled microstructure on a repeatable basis. Of particular importance is the rate of surfactant adsorption at the oil/water interface. A unique approach of dispersing non-ionic, high HLB surfactants such as Tween 20 and Brij 97 within the oil phase has been found to significantly reduce droplet size. This discovery allows the process to be highly competitive with a rotor-stator high shear mixer and an ultrasonic probe at a fraction of the energy consumption. Pilot-scale operation of rotating membrane emulsification provided important insight into how one might design and therefore implement the process for an industrial purpose. It is proposed here that a suitable scale-up parameter would be the membrane surface velocity.
ENSO and meridional modes: A null hypothesis for Pacific climate variability

Pacific low‐frequency variability (timescale > 8 years) exhibits a well‐known El Niño‐like pattern of basin‐scale sea surface temperature, which is found in all the major modes of Pacific decadal climate. Using a set of climate model experiments and observations, we decompose the mechanisms contributing to the growth, peak, and decay of the Pacific low‐frequency spatial variance. We find that the El Niño‐like interdecadal pattern is established through the combined actions of Pacific meridional modes (MM) and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Specifically, in the growth phase of the pattern, subtropical stochastic excitation of the MM energizes the tropical low‐frequency variance acting as a red noise process. Once in the tropics, this low‐frequency variance is amplified by ocean‐atmospheric feedbacks as the pattern reaches its peak phase. At the same time, atmospheric teleconnections distribute the variance from the tropics to the extratropics, where the pattern ultimately decays. In this stochastic red noise model of Pacific climate, the timescale of the extra‐tropical/tropical interactions (1–2 years) permits the stochastic excitation of the ENSO‐like pattern of decadal and interdecadal variance.
Effects of sex, body size, temperature, and location on the antipredator tactics of free-ranging gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis, Colubridae)

Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) in southern Manitoba are subject to intense predation (primarily by crows) during their spring breeding season. The huge numbers of snakes provide a unique opportunity to quantify behavioral traits. We simulated predator attacks by ‘‘pecking’’ more than 500 free-ranging snakes, to explore the determinants of snake response. Snakes responded to a human finger in the same way as they did to a more realistic stimulus (a model crow). A snake’s response to attack depended on several factors, which interacted in complex ways. The primary influences on response were body temperature (warmer snakes tended to flee, whereas colder snakes remained cryptic or flattened and/or gaped and struck) and sex (males were more likely to flee). Responses also depended on microhabitat (i.e., inside the winter den versus in adjacent grassland) and on the snake’s prior activity (e.g., courting snakes often ignored our close approach). These factors interacted in significant ways; for example, snakes outside the den were smaller and warmer than those inside, male snakes were smaller and warmer than females, and mean body temperatures were higher in larger snakes within each sex. Thus, a snake’s body size and its location affected its defensive response indirectly (via their influence on body temperature). Our results differ from those of previous studies and suggest that antipredator responses in these animals depend in a flexible and complex way upon biotic and abiotic variables. Interactions among these variables also must be considered before we can identify underlying causal processes.
A cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey of typhoid fever in Fiji

Fiji, an upper-middle income state in the Pacific Ocean, has experienced an increase in confirmed case notifications of enteric fever caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi). To characterize the epidemiology of typhoid exposure, we conducted a cross-sectional sero-epidemiological survey measuring IgG against the Vi antigen of S. Typhi to estimate the effect of age, ethnicity, and other variables on seroprevalence. Epidemiologically relevant cut-off titres were established using a mixed model analysis of data from recovering culture-confirmed typhoid cases. We enrolled and assayed plasma of 1787 participants for anti-Vi IgG; 1,531 of these were resident in mainland areas that had not been previously vaccinated against S. Typhi (seropositivity 32.3% (95%CI 28.2 to 36.3%)), 256 were resident on Taveuni island, which had been previously vaccinated (seropositivity 71.5% (95%CI 62.1 to 80.9%)). The seroprevalence on the Fijian mainland is one to two orders of magnitude higher than expected from confirmed case surveillance incidence, suggesting substantial subclinical or otherwise unreported typhoid. We found no significant differences in seropositivity prevalences by ethnicity, which is in contrast to disease surveillance data in which the indigenous iTaukei Fijian population are disproportionately affected. Using multivariable logistic regression, seropositivity was associated with increased age (odds ratio 1.3 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.4) per 10 years), the presence of a pit latrine (OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.1 to 2.3) as opposed to a septic tank or piped sewer, and residence in settlements rather than residential housing or villages (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.7). Increasing seropositivity with age is suggestive of low-level endemic transmission in Fiji. Improved sanitation where pit latrines are used and addressing potential transmission routes in settlements may reduce exposure to S. Typhi. Widespread unreported infection suggests there may be a role for typhoid vaccination in Fiji, in addition to public health management of cases and outbreaks.
Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Enhanced Th1 Cellular Immunity but Did Not Affect Antibody Responses in a Human Gut Microbiota Transplanted Neonatal Gnotobiotic Pig Model

This study aims to establish a human gut microbiota (HGM) transplanted gnotobiotic (Gn) pig model of human rotavirus (HRV) infection and diarrhea, and to verify the dose-effects of probiotics on HRV vaccine-induced immune responses. Our previous studies using the Gn pig model found that probiotics dose-dependently regulated both T cell and B cell immune responses induced by rotavirus vaccines. We generated the HGM transplanted neonatal Gn pigs through daily feeding of neonatal human fecal suspension to germ-free pigs for 3 days starting at 12 hours after birth. We found that attenuated HRV (AttHRV) vaccination conferred similar overall protection against rotavirus diarrhea and virus shedding in Gn pigs and HGM transplanted Gn pigs. HGM promoted the development of the neonatal immune system, as evidenced by the significantly enhanced IFN-γ producing T cell responses and reduction of regulatory T cells and their cytokine production in the AttHRV-vaccinated pigs. The higher dose Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) feeding (14 doses, up to 109 colony-forming-unit [CFU]/dose) effectively increased the LGG counts in the HGM Gn pig intestinal contents and significantly enhanced HRV-specific IFN-γ producing T cell responses to the AttHRV vaccine. Lower dose LGG (9 doses, up to 106 CFU/dose) was ineffective. Neither doses of LGG significantly improved the protection rate, HRV-specific IgA and IgG antibody titers in serum, or IgA antibody titers in intestinal contents compared to the AttHRV vaccine alone, suggesting that an even higher dose of LGG is needed to overcome the influence of the microbiota to achieve the immunostimulatory effect in the HGM pigs. This study demonstrated that HGM Gn pig is an applicable animal model for studying immune responses to rotavirus vaccines and can be used for studying interventions (i.e., probiotics and prebiotics) that may enhance the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of vaccines through improving the gut microbiota.
Columnar modelling of nucleation burst evolution in the convective boundary layer – first results from a feasibility study Part I: Modelling approach

A high-order modelling approach to interpret "continental-type" particle formation bursts in the anthropogenically influenced convective boundary layer (CBL) is proposed. The model considers third-order closure for planetary boundary layer turbulence, sulphur and ammonia chemistry as well as aerosol dynamics. In Paper I of four papers, previous observations of ultrafine particle evolution are reviewed, model equations are derived, the model setup for a conceptual study on binary and ternary homogeneous nucleation is defined and shortcomings of process parameterisation are discussed. In the subsequent Papers II, III and IV simulation results, obtained within the framework of a conceptual study on the CBL evolution and new particle formation (NPF), will be presented and compared with observational findings.
A 4 GHz 60 dB Variable Gain Amplifier With Tunable DC Offset Cancellation in 65 nm CMOS

This letter presents a compact CMOS based variable gain amplifier with 60 dB gain control range and a feedback reconfigurable dc offset cancellation. The design is a four-stage fully differential cascaded amplifier implemented using a 65 nm CMOS process. The amplifier achieves a current controllable gain range from -39.4 dB to +20.2 dB, a voltage tunable lower cutoff frequency from dc to 200 kHz, a consistent 3 dB bandwidth better than 4 GHz, a maximum dc power consumption of 26 mW, a measured in-band group delay variation of 20 ps, and a noise figure from 10 to 27 dB. The proposed VGA design occupies a compact die area of only 75 μm × 80 μm (excluding pads for measurement).
Is Inappropriate Response to Cosyntropin Stimulation Test an Indication of Corticosteroid Resistance in Septic Shock?

ABSTRACT We recently published a comparison of two hydrocortisone dosage regimens in patients with septic shock. We compare the results conferred by the two regimens as a function of the response to cosyntropin stimulation test (CST). Patients with septic shock were treated by one of two hydrocortisone regimens: either a 50-mg intravenous bolus every 6 h during 7 days (200 mg group; n = 49), or a 100-mg initial bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 300 mg daily for 5 days (300 mg group; n = 50). Nonresponders was defined as a CST response of 9 &mgr;g/dL or less. Nonresponders had more severe septic shock, greater fluid resuscitation needs, and greater vasopressor dependence than responders. When analyzed only as a function of CST results, there was no difference in survival between responders and nonresponders. However, analyses crossing CST results and the treatment regimens showed that patients who were responders and in the 300 mg group had significantly less intensive care unit mortality compared with responders in the 200 mg group (respective mortality of 24% vs. 55% [relative risk 0.43, 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.94, P = 0.018]). Multivariate analysis identified baseline blood cortisol as an independent prognostic factor for 28-day mortality in all groups (hazard ratio 1.002, 95% confidence interval, 1.001 to 1.002, P ⩽ 0.0001). The results suggest that in patients who respond to CST, hydrocortisone can provide a dose-dependent benefit. In contrast, nonresponse may indicate corticosteroid resistance. This heterogeneity of response to hydrocortisone may explain the difficulties encountered when trying to demonstrate its benefit in septic shock.
Identification of a feedback loop involving β-glucosidase 2 and its product sphingosine sheds light on the molecular mechanisms in Gaucher disease

The lysosomal acid β-glucosidase GBA1 and the non-lysosomal β-glucosidase GBA2 degrade glucosylceramide (GlcCer) to glucose and ceramide in different cellular compartments. Loss of GBA2 activity and the resulting accumulation of GlcCer results in male infertility, whereas mutations in the GBA1 gene and loss of GBA1 activity cause the lipid-storage disorder Gaucher disease. However, the role of GBA2 in Gaucher disease pathology and its relationship to GBA1 is not well understood. Here, we report a GBA1-dependent down-regulation of GBA2 activity in patients with Gaucher disease. Using an experimental approach combining cell biology, biochemistry, and mass spectrometry, we show that sphingosine, the cytotoxic metabolite accumulating in Gaucher cells through the action of GBA2, directly binds to GBA2 and inhibits its activity. We propose a negative feedback loop, in which sphingosine inhibits GBA2 activity in Gaucher cells, preventing further sphingosine accumulation and, thereby, cytotoxicity. Our findings add a new chapter to the understanding of the complex molecular mechanism underlying Gaucher disease and the regulation of β-glucosidase activity in general.