Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of exercise participation in female hospital nurses.

AIM This paper presents a study to ascertain the relationship between exercise participation and selected personal factors, perceived benefits of and barriers to exercise, perceived self-efficacy, perceived social support, job demands and motivation. Factors that were the best predictors of exercise participation among Thai female hospital nurses were examined. BACKGROUND Although current evidence demonstrates positive outcomes from participation in exercise, most individuals do not engage in regular exercise. Perceptions of benefits have been shown to facilitate adoption of exercise. If individuals do not perceive their health to be threatened, they may not see the need to exercise, even though they may believe that exercise improves health. Perceived barriers to exercise, including work, lack of social support, inaccessibility of exercise facilities, the cost of exercise, lack of energy and health reasons also have been shown to affect participation in exercise. Most studies have found that perceived self-efficacy and social support were statistically significant predictors of exercise participation, especially social support from family and friends. METHODS A correlational cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital located in Thailand. Social cognitive theory and the Health Promotion Model guided this study. Thai language translations of the questionnaire were distributed to all Thai female nurses. The data were collected in 2002. RESULTS The response was 87% and resulted in 970 completed questionnaires. There was a statistically significant relationship between exercise participation and the set of selected personal factors, perceived benefits of and barriers to exercise, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived social support (r(2) = 0.17, P < 0.0001). The addition of job demands and its interactions did not contribute statistically significantly to the prediction of exercise participation. The addition of motivation contributed statistically significantly to the prediction of exercise participation, t(947, 0.975) = 2.81, P < 0.01 (two-tailed). Not all variables included in the models were statistically significant independent predictors of exercise participation. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that increased exercise participation is dependent on the nurses' perceptions of exercise, self-efficacy and social support as well as their motivation to participate in exercise. Occupational variables, such as occupational stress and work assignment, should be investigated in future studies, to examine their influence on nurses' participation in exercise.
Resistance of pathogenic Naegleria to some common physical and chemical agents

Resistance of pathogenic Naegleria to drying, low and high temperature, and two halogens was studied. Dying made trophozoites nonviable instantaneously and cysts nonviable in less than 5 min. Trophozoites degenerated in hours at temperatures below 10 degrees C and in minutes when frozen; cysts survived according to the equation th - t0/theta 1,440/1.122T (t0 is survival at 0 degrees C; Tis temperature between 0 and 10 degrees C), but 1.5 h at --10 degrees C to 1 h at --30 degrees C. At 51, 55, 58, 63, and 65 degrees C, trophozoites survived about 30, 10, 5, 1 and less than 0.5 min, respectively, cysts survived three to four times longer at 51 degrees C and six to seven times longer at 55 to 65 degrees C. Cyst destruction rates by heat indicated first-order kinetics with 25,400 cal/1 degree C for energy of activation. Cyst destruction rates by free chlorine and I2 also conformed to first-order kinetics. Concentration-contact time curves yielded concentration coefficient values of 1.05 for free chlorine and 1.4 for I2 and point to superchlorination as an effective means of destroying the cysts if free residuals are used as a guide and allowance is provided for low temperature and/or high pH waters.
Schottky-Barrier Height Tuning by Means of Ion Implantation Into Preformed Silicide Films Followed by Drive-In Anneal

An experimental study on Schottky-barrier height (SBH) tuning using ion implantation followed by drive-in anneal of As, B, In, and P in preformed NiSi and PtSi films is presented. Measured on B-implanted NiSi and PtSi Schottky diodes, the effective SBH on n-type Si is altered to ~1.0 eV. For As- and P-implanted diodes, the SBH on p-type Si can be tuned to around 0.9 eV. The process window for the most pronounced SBH modification is dopant dependent.
Document image analysis using integrated image and neural processing

In this paper we present robust algorithms for detecting the page orientation (portrait/landscape) and the degree of skew for binary document images, and a method for classification of binary document images into textual or non-textual data blocks using neural network models. The performance of four neural network models are compared in terms of training times, memory requirements, and classification accuracy, and it was found that the radial basis functions performed best. The experiments show the feasibility of building an integrated document analysis system for page orientation and skew angle detection, and textual block classification.
Human likeness of humanoid robots exploring the uncanny valley

Japanese robotic scientist Mori in 1970 suggested that extremely human-like appearance in the robots should be avoided as little design flaws may cause to generate uncanny feelings in the human subject interacting with robot. Recently some researchers have challenged the existence of any such phenomena. In fact the data available both in favor of and against the concept is insufficient. The most important problem is that to date there is not any particular method/scale to quantify the human likeliness of humanoid robots. We are researching to work out some method of quantification for this property of humanoid robots. In this paper a possible solution has been suggested which can then be utilized to scrutinize the existence of uncanny valley
Oblique Incidence Performance of Anisotropic Cylindrical Structures Used for Invisibility Cloak Design

Scattering from anisotropic circular-cylindrical objects is rigorously treated for oblique incidence. The system of coupled differential equations for axial components of electromagnetic field arising in this problem is semi-analytically solved: using modal expansion in the axial and circumferential directions and by applying the finite-difference scheme in the radial direction. Developed analysis method is used to characterize different invisibility cloaks and it is demonstrated that realizable cloaks, which were designed for normal incidence, work properly for incidence angles of up to ±10° away from the normal. For angles greater than ±10° away from the normal the cloak should be redesigned, and for that an efficient design approach is realized by merging the developed program with a global optimization algorithm.
Nanotechnologies: Tools for Sustainability in a New Wave of Water Treatment Processes

Abstract In the environmental technology industry alone, nanomaterials will enable new means of reducing the production of industrial wastes, using resources more sparingly, remediating industrial contamination, providing potable water, and improving the efficiency of energy production. This paper discusses three new kinds of nanotechnology materials that should be developed in the future: Membranes, oxidants, and adsorbents. Nanoscale control of membrane architecture may yield membranes of greater selectivity and lower cost in both water treatment and water fabrication. Fullerene-based oxidant nanomaterials such as C60 have a high electron affinity and reactivity, and are capable of producing reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen and superoxides. Fullerenes might be used in engineered systems to photocatalytically oxidize organic contaminants, or inhibit or inactivate microbes. The ability to tailor surfaces can help to increase adsorbing capacities or recognize specific contaminants. The potential environmental risks are that nanomaterials could interact with biota and that their toxicity adversely may affect ecosystems. As nanochemistry emerges as an important force behind new environmental technologies, we are also presented with the responsibility of considering the environmental implications of an emerging technology at its inception and taking every precaution to ensure that these technologies develop as tools of sustainability rather than becoming future liabilities.
Late or very late stent thrombosis can also occur with bare metal stents

The issue of late stent thrombosis (LAST) has become a subject of highly polemical debate over the past few months. Yet, both acute and LAST has always been a potential complication. The objective of this manuscript is to remind the readers, by means of two case reports, that thrombosis of bare metal stents may occur even very late after stent implantation. In the first case, stent thrombosis occurred after five years. In the second case, it occurred three years after the stenting procedure in a bare metal stent implanted in the circumflex artery of a patient who had also received two drug‐eluting stents in the left anterior descending coronary artery. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The presence of pacemaker HCN channels identifies theta rhythmic GABAergic neurons in the medial septum

The medial septum (MS) is an indispensable component of the subcortical network which synchronizes the hippocampus at theta frequency during specific stages of information processing. GABAergic neurons exhibiting highly regular firing coupled to the hippocampal theta rhythm are thought to form the core of the MS rhythm‐generating network. In recent studies the hyperpolarization‐activated, cyclic nucleotide‐gated non‐selective cation (HCN) channel was shown to participate in theta synchronization of the medial septum. Here, we tested the hypothesis that HCN channel expression correlates with theta modulated firing behaviour of MS neurons by a combined anatomical and electrophysiological approach. HCN‐expressing neurons represented a subpopulation of GABAergic cells in the MS partly overlapping with parvalbumin (PV)‐containing neurons. Rhythmic firing in the theta frequency range was characteristic of all HCN‐expressing neurons. In contrast, only a minority of HCN‐negative cells displayed theta related activity. All HCN cells had tight phase coupling to hippocampal theta waves. As a group, PV‐expressing HCN neurons had a marked bimodal phase distribution, whereas PV‐immunonegative HCN neurons did not show group‐level phase preference despite significant individual phase coupling. Microiontophoretic blockade of HCN channels resulted in the reduction of discharge frequency, but theta rhythmic firing was perturbed only in a few cases. Our data imply that HCN‐expressing GABAergic neurons provide rhythmic drive in all phases of the hippocampal theta activity. In most MS theta cells rhythm genesis is apparently determined by interactions at the level of the network rather than by the pacemaking property of HCN channels alone.
The Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale: Presentation and clinimetric profile

We developed and tested a rating scale aimed to capture the essential features of dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although several scales assess selected attributes of PD‐dyskinesias, no comprehensive rating tool exists. Available rating scales were evaluated by the investigators and patient focus groups. Modifications were finalized into the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS). The UDysRS has four parts: I: Historical Disability (patient perceptions) of On‐Dyskinesia impact (maximum 44 points); II: Historical Disability (patient perceptions) of Off‐Dystonia impact (maximum 16 points); III: Objective Impairment (dyskinesia severity, anatomical distribution over seven body regions, and type (choreic or dystonic) based on four activities observed or video‐recorded (28 points); IV: Objective Disability based on Part III activities (maximum 16 points). For clinimetric testing, 70 PD patients with all severities of dyskinesia were interviewed and videotaped. Twenty movement disorder experts rated the videotapes with the UDysRS. Internal consistency was examined with Cronbach's alpha. Inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability was evaluated with generalized weighted and nonweighted Kappa coefficients, and intraclass correlation coefficients. Both subjective (Sections I and II) and objective (Sections III and IV) demonstrated high internal consistency (alpha: 0.915, 0.971). Interrater reliability for the objective sections was acceptable for all items and likewise for intrarater reliability except for right leg. Reliable factor structures were found for both subjective (six factors) and objective sections (five factors). The UDysRS is a clinimetrically sound rating scale for dyskinesia in PD, demonstrating acceptable levels of internal consistency and inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability. Testing scale responsivity to treatment interventions is planned. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Stagnation in Brownfield redevelopment

Purpose of this paper is two-folded. At first it explains the major problems that are causing stagnation in brownfield redevelopment. In addition, these problems given the context of the present multi-actor built environment are becoming more complex to observe. Therefore, this paper suggests also a prospective decisionmaking approach that is the most appropriate to observe and react on the given stagnation problems. Such an approach should be regarded as prescriptive-interactive decision-making approach, a barely established branch. This approach should offer models that have prescriptive as well as an interactive component enabling them to successfully cope with the multi-actor environment. Overall, this paper provides up-to-date insight on the brownfield stagnation by gradually introducing the nowadays major problems and offers a prospective decision-making approach how these problems could be tackled.
Sedimentation and electrophoretic migration of DNA knots and catenanes.

Various site-specific recombination enzymes produce different types of knots or catenanes while acting on circular DNA in vitro and in vivo. By analysing the types of knots or links produced, it is possible to reconstruct the order of events during the reaction and to deduce the molecular "architecture" of the complexes that different enzymes form with DNA. Until recently it was necessary to use laborious electron microscopy methods to identify the types of knots or catenanes that migrate in different bands on the agarose gels used to analyse the products of the reaction. We reported recently that electrophoretic migration of different knots and catenanes formed on the same size DNA molecules is simply related to the average crossing number of the ideal representations of the corresponding knots and catenanes. Here we explain this relation by demonstrating that the expected sedimentation coefficient of randomly fluctuating knotted or catenated DNA molecules in solution shows approximately linear correlation with the average crossing number of ideal configurations of the corresponding knots or catenanes.
Two-Photon Microscopy of Vital Murine Elastic and Muscular Arteries

Understanding vascular pathologies requires insight in the structure and function, and, hence, an imaging technique combining subcellular resolution, large penetration depth, and optical sectioning. We evaluated the applicability of two-photon laser-scanning microscopy (TPLSM) in large elastic and small muscular arteries under physiological conditions. Elastic (carotid) and muscular (uterine, mesenteric) arteries of C57BL/6 mice were mounted in a perfusion chamber. TPLSM was used to assess the viability of arteries and to visualize the structural components elastin, collagen, nuclei, and endothelial glycocalyx (EG). Functionality was determined using diameter changes in response to noradrenaline and acetylcholine. Viability and functionality were maintained up to 4 h, enabling the assessment of structure-function relationships. Structural vessel wall components differed between elastic and muscular arteries: size (1.3 vs. 2.1 µm) and density (0.045 vs. 0.57 µm–2) of internal elastic lamina fenestrae, smooth muscle cell density (3.50 vs. 1.53 µm–3), number of elastic laminae (3 vs. 2), and adventitial collagen structure (tortuous vs. straight). EG in elastic arteries was 4.5 µm thick, covering 66% of the endothelial surface. TPLSM enables visualization and quantification of subcellular structures in vital and functional elastic and muscular murine arteries, allowing unraveling of structure-function relationships in healthy and diseased arteries.
Adiponectin as a biomarker of the metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND The metabolic syndrome, a cluster of abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia, is a common basis for atherosclerotic vascular diseases in industrial countries exposed to overnutrition. Adiponectin is an adipose-derived plasma protein with anti-atherogenic and insulin-sensitizing activities. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 661 Japanese adults (479 men, 53+/-10 years; 182 women 56+/-10 years) were enrolled. Plasma adiponectin concentrations correlated negatively with waist circumference, visceral fat area, serum triglyceride concentration, fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both sexes. A positive correlation was found between plasma adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in both sexes. The mean number of components of the metabolic syndrome increased as the plasma adiponectin concentration decreased: 2.57+/-1.34 for men and 2.00+/-1.51 for women with adiponectin concentrations <4.0 microg/ml. In all, 52.3% of men and 37.5% of women with adiponectin concentrations <4.0 microg/ml fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION Hypoadiponectinemia is closely associated with the clinical phenotype of the metabolic syndrome and measuring the plasma concentration of adiponectin may be useful for management of the metabolic syndrome.
Clinical practice. Alcohol use in adults.

From the Center on Systems, Outcomes, and Quality in Chronic Disease and Rehabilitation, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center; the Division of General Internal Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital; and the Departments of Medicine and Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Alpert Medical School of Brown University — all in Providence, RI. Address reprint requests to Dr. Friedmann at Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St. (Plain St. Bldg. Rm. 123), Providence, RI 02903, or at pfriedmann@lifespan.org.
Monetization Policy and Productivity of Civil Servants in Nigeria Federal Ministries Abuja

Against the background of government’s perceived waste on one hand, and continued dwindling economy occasioned by global economic downturn on the other hand, the Obasanjo administration in 2003 initiated the monetization policy as a panacea to reduce excessive government spending and cost of governance and reposition civil servants on the part of productivity and national development. This research work therefore sought to investigate the extent of implementation of the policy and its effects on workers productivity using civil servants in Abuja as a study platform. Questionnaire served as our major source of data collection assisted by various secondary sources. Research questions and hypotheses were formulated, tested and analyzed using frequencies, percentages and chi-square statistical tools. The findings indicate that the policy is still witnessing low implementation and its effect has not really been felt by civil servants in Abuja. The research found out that productivity of workers therefore has not been positively affected by the policy. The research recommended however that government as a matter of urgency should set up a special task force mandating them to kick start the implementation of the policy to enable civil servants feel its impact and translate same to high productivity at work.
The Rab6‐binding kinesin, Rab6‐KIFL, is required for cytokinesis

The Rab6‐binding kinesin, Rab6‐KIFL, was identified in a two‐hybrid screen for proteins that interact with Rab6, a small GTPase involved in membrane traffic through the Golgi apparatus. We find that Rab6‐KIFL accumulates in mitotic cells where it localizes to the midzone of the spindle during anaphase, and to the cleavage furrow and midbody during telophase. Overexpression of Rab6‐KIFL causes a cell division defect resulting in cell death. Microinjection of antibodies to Rab6‐KIFL results in the cells becoming binucleate after one cell cycle, and time‐lapse microscopy reveals that this is due to a defect in cleavage furrow formation and thus cytokinesis. These data show that endogenous Rab6‐KIFL functions in cell division during cleavage furrow formation and cytokinesis, in addition to its previously described role in membrane traffic.
Effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ramipril) on inflammatory markers in secondary prevention patients: RAICES Study

AimsTo evaluate the hypothesis that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy with ramipril reduces baseline levels of C-reactive protein in patients at high cardiovascular risk. MethodsSecondary prevention patients were screened for eligibility and treated with ramipril for 6 month. Baseline and 6-month highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels were determined. ResultsA total of 77 patients were analyzed. The median highly sensitive C-reactive protein concentration at baseline was 2.17 mg/l (interquartile interval 0.97–4.54); whereas in post-treatment, the median was 1.70 mg/l (interquartile interval 0.88–3.41), P=0.0009. Patients were stratified according to risk level determined by baseline highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels: low-risk (<1 mg/l), intermediate risk (1–3 mg/l) and high risk (>3 mg/l) The reduction in highly sensitive C-reactive protein occurred at the expense of the high-risk group (baseline 5.02 mg/l, post-treatment 3.3 mg/l, P<0.0001), with no differences in the other groups. In multiple regression analysis, the reduction observed in the high-risk group could not be explained by baseline treatment or change in any of the variables analyzed. ConclusionHighly sensitive C-reactive protein levels were reduced after a 6-month ramipril therapy in secondary prevention patients, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Future investigations will be done to confirm these results, and to investigate how angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment elicits anti-inflammatory effects.