Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Where is Goal 18? The Need for Biocultural Heritage in the Sustainable Development Goals

On 25 September 2015, the seventieth session of the General Assembly in the United Nations approved new Sustainable Development Goals building upon the vision of the original Millennium Development Goals. I argue that this post-2015 agenda still neglects fundamental qualities of cultural sovereignty that are key to maintaining sustainable practices, values and lifestyle habits. No single goal emphasises the need to protect local ecological knowledge, cultural heritage and alternative economic practices – nor their interrelation with biodiversity – as a pathway to sustainability. The factors that threaten sustainable lifestyles remain a conspicuous absence in the goals. The article presents a thought experiment to provoke the addition of the ‘inextricable link’ of biological, cultural and linguistic diversity to the Sustainable Development Goals: the recognition and affirmation of biocultural heritage.
GPS Multipath and Its Relation to Near-Surface Soil Moisture Content

Measurements of soil moisture at various spatial and temporal scales are needed to study the water and carbon cycles. While satellite missions have been planned to measure soil moisture at global scales, these missions also need ground-based soil moisture data to validate their observations and retrieval algorithms. Here, we demonstrate that signals routinely recorded by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers installed to measure crustal deformation for geophysical studies could be used to provide a global network of soil moisture sensors. The sensitivity to soil moisture is seen in reflected GPS signals, which are quantified by using the GPS signal to noise ratio data. We show that these data are sensitive to soil moisture variations for areas of 1000 m2 horizontally and 1-6 cm vertically. It is demonstrated that GPS signals penetrate deeper when the soil is dry than when it is wet. This change in penetration or ¿reflector¿ depth, along with the change in dielectric constant, causes the GPS signal strength to change its frequency and amplitude. Comparisons with conventional water content reflectometer sensors show good agreement (r2=0.9 to 0.76) with the variation in frequencies of the reflected GPS signals over a period of 7 months, with most of the disagreement occurring when soil moisture content is less than 0.1 cm3/cm3.
Attention and Learning through the Eyes of the Emotional Brain

The present thesis consists of four articles that address cognitive-emotional interactions as measured through eye movements and pupil dilation.Social facilitation-inhibition is an effect that describes changes in performance (enhancement or impairment) when individuals complete tasks in social presence compared to when they perform the same tasks in solitary conditions. Along this line, Paper I and II focus on the effect of social presence in low and high level tasks, such as eye movements and learning, respectively. These are the first evidence showing that social presence influences the attentional control of eye movements.The locus coeruleus is a brain structure that is active during arousal and stress, as well as during cognitive and attentional processes. In addition, this structure is almost the sole network mediating pupil dilation in conditions of constant luminance. Therefore, the activity of the locus coeruleus can be indirectly traced through changes in pupil size. In Paper III we investigated the role of the locus coeruleus, as measured through fluctuations in pupil size, during the process of emotion recognition. The results of this paper indicated that pupil dilation reveals the time course of decision making on emotional tasks. In Paper IV, the role of the locus coeruleus was investigated in the context of selective attention. The results revealed that pupil size predicts the efficiency of selective attentionin conditions of low perceptual load (i.e., tasks few stimuli and/or simple stimuli) but not in conditions of high perceptual load (i.e., higher number of stimuli and/or more complex stimuli). Finally, since no single theory has emerged that can account for social facilitation-inhibition, I argue in the introduction of the thesis that the locus coeruleus may be involved in mediating cognitive-emotional functions, including social facilitation-inhibition. (Less)
Improvement of the SCIAMACHY Radiometric Calibration and its Validation on Solar Irradiances in the Spectral Range from 240 to 2380 nm

SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY) is part of the payload of ESA’s Environmental Satellite ENVISAT which was launched into a sun-synchronous polar orbit on 2002-03-01. First in-flight validation results already showed inconsistencies of the radiometric calibration of SCIAMACHY. Hence the on-ground calibration was thoroughly revised and correction factors for an improved radiometric calibration of SCIAMACHY were derived. A Kurucz Spectrum and SOLSPEC/SOLSTICE/SUSIM data is compared with the solar irradiance measured by SCIAMACHY after application of these correction factors.
Ghrelin and lipid levels in panic disorder before and after treatment and their relationship with agoraphobia.

BACKGROUND We aimed to evaluate serum ghrelin (GHR) levels and lipid profile in panic disorder (PD), with and without agoraphobia, and to compare these parameters before and after treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The GHR and lipid profiles were measured in blood samples taken from 31 PD patients with agoraphobia, 22 PD patients without agoraphobia, and 53 control group subjects. 23 of the 53 patients who were prescribed 20 to 40 mg/day paroxetine had continued treatment. The 23 patients who had continued treatment were measured again at the end of twelve weeks. RESULTS The GHR and triglyceride (TRG), total cholesterol (Total-C), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-C) levels were higher in the PD with agoraphobia group than the PD without agoraphobia and control groups. The 23 patients that had continued their treatment were re-evaluated, and the serum GHR, Total-C levels, and BMI after treatment were significantly decreased, compared to the values before treatment. CONCLUSIONS There may be a pathophysiological relationship between the GHR and lipid profiles that interact with each other in PD. In fact, this relationship was more marked in PD with agoraphobia than in PD without agoraphobia.
Accumulation of Activated Mononuclear Phagocytes in the Liver Following Lipopolysaccharide Treatment of Rats

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a toxic bacterial cell wall component that is rapidly cleared from the portal circulation by Kupffer cells. To determine if interaction with LPS causes the accumulation and activation of mononuclear phagocytes (MNP) in the liver, we compared the morphological and functional characteristics of MNP obtained from livers of rats treated with LPS (5 mg/kg, intravenously [IV]) with normal resident Kupffer cells. MNP were isolated from rat livers by combined collagenase/pronase perfusion, selective digestion, and differential centrifugation on a metrizamide gradient. MNP obtained from livers of LPS‐treated rats were found to display morphologic and functional characteristics of activated macrophages. These cells were generally larger than resident cells, were highly vacuolated, and adhered to culture dishes more rapidly. Both cell types phagocytized sheep red blood cells (sRBC) in a time‐dependent manner, reaching a maxium after 60–75 min incubation with sRBC. However, MNP from livers of LPS‐treated rats phagocytized 10–15 times more sRBC than resident Kupffer cells from untreated animals. Employing the Boyden chamber technique, both cell types were also found to be chemotactic to a number of stimuli including the complement fragment, C5a, the tumor promoter, 12‐0‐tetradecanoyl‐phorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), and collagenous peptides related to tissue breakdown products. MNP from livers of LPS‐treated rats were generally 10–15 times more responsive to the chemoattractants than resident Kupffer cells. In addition, both resident Kupffer cells and MNP from LPS‐treated rats were found to release superoxide anion in response to stimulation by C5a and TPA. Taken together these results suggest that LPS treatment of rats leads to the recruitment and activation of MNP in the liver.
Complications of regional anesthesia: nerve injury and peripheral neural blockade.

Nerve injuries have been described as clinical, anatomic, or laboratory findings consistent with damage to discrete elements of the peripheral nervous system. This rather broad definition of nerve injury underscores that not all 3 characteristics need occur simultaneously or in combination. Indeed, the significance of a nerve injury depends on the quality and severity of the sensory or motor deficit, the duration of the clinical symptoms, and the patient in whom the injury occurs. For example, what might be a minor nuisance to one individual might be a catastrophe to a professional musician. A wide range in the incidence of nerve injury has been reported. However, the closer investigators look, the more frequently problems are encountered. Timing of follow-up is also important. Nonetheless, it appears that most injuries are temporary and involve minor dysesthesias and paresthesias, or mild pain. Nerve injury after surgery performed under regional blocks may be the result of several potential factors including direct trauma from the needle, local anesthetic neurotoxicity, ischemia secondary to pressure and volume of local anesthetic or vasoconstrictors, hematoma or vascular injury, intraoperative factors such as surgical trauma and positioning, tourniquet injury, and postoperative factors. Several animal studies evaluating the role of bevel and needle orientation have disclosed that, while the frequency of injury is greater with long beveled needles, the duration and severity of injury are greater with short beveled needles. Nerve injury also seems to be less severe when the bevel orientation is kept parallel, rather than perpendicular, to nerve fibers.
Gene Expressions Specifically Detected in Motor Neurons (Dynactin 1, Early Growth Response 3, Acetyl-CoA Transporter, Death Receptor 5, and Cyclin C) Differentially Correlate to Pathologic Markers in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

In a differential gene expression profile, we showed previously that dynactin 1 (DCTN1), early growth response 3 (EGR3), acetyl-CoA transporter (ACATN), death receptor 5 (DR5), and cyclin C (CCNC) were prominently up- or downregulated in motor neurons of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the present study, we examined the correlation between the expression levels of these genes and the levels of pathologic markers for motor neuron degeneration (i.e. cytoplasmic accumulation of phosphorylated neurofilament H [pNF-H] and ubiquitylated protein) and the numbers of residual motor neurons in 20 autopsies of patients with sporadic ALS. DCTN1 and EGR3 were widely downregulated, and the changes in gene expression were correlated to the number of residual motor neurons. In particular, DCTN1 was markedly downregulated in most residual motor neurons before the accumulation of pNF-H, even in cases with well-preserved motor neuron populations. ACATN, DR5, and CCNC were upregulated in subpopulations of residual motor neurons, and their expression levels were well correlated with the levels of pNF-H accumulation and the number of residual motor neurons. The expressions of DCTN1, EGR3, ACATN, and DR5 were all markedly altered before ubiquitylated protein accumulation. DCTN1 downregulation appears to be an early event before the appearance of neurodegeneration markers, whereas upregulations of DR5 and CCNC are relatively later phenomena associated with pathologic markers and leading to neuronal death. The sequence of motor neuron-specific gene expression changes in sporadic ALS can be beneficial information in developing appropriate therapeutic strategies for neurodegeneration.
“Watching toy unboxing videos on YouTube: How Dutch parents portray the experiences of their children” - A Qualitative Research

There is a large body of literature devoted to how parents mediate and influence the media consumption of their children, also in the area of user-generated YouTube videos. However, academics have yet to conceptualise how parents portray their children’s experience of watching user-generated content, and in particular of toy unboxing videos on YouTube. In these videos, adults or children open, assemble and demonstrate new purchases mostly related to toys, and the videos are targeted primarily at young children. This current study aims to understand how Dutch parents portray their children’s experience of watching toy unboxing videos on YouTube. By means of semi-structured in-depth interviews this qualitative-oriented research essentially aims to investigate how Dutch parents make sense of their children’s toy unboxing viewing experience, and how they perceive the potential consequences as a result of watching those videos to be for their children. Furthermore, this research also examines how parents monitor this behaviour, and lastly how they perceive the future consequences of watching these videos to be. The main findings showed that Dutch parents portrayed the videos as a simple, innocent yet rich media form. The implications of viewing those videos entail the notion of inspiration, as children seem inspired how to interact with specific toys through the videos. However, parents acknowledged children do not exactly copy the act of toy unboxing, because they do not make a connection between the unboxing in the videos and their own opening of received gifts. Also, parents portrayed that children do not experience similar emotions when they watch a toy unboxing video compared to when they open a new toy themselves, except once a child is ascertained to someday own the toy in the video the act of watching becomes a highly sensational exercise. Additionally, parents indicated their child may learn from the videos by understanding the multiple functions of the toys, increase their vocabulary or even improve their social status, which may enhance their future life events. Furthermore, parents apply a strategy of distant mediation to monitor their child’s toy unboxing viewing behaviour, and seek to find the right balance between freedom and protection. Overall, parents share the opinion that their children will adjust their viewing behaviour according to their personal interests, which will potentially drive them further away from viewing toy unboxing videos on YouTube. At last, this research elaborates on several theoretical and practical implications. For instance, in the future a shared online space could be created on which parents can convey about matters such as new YouTube viewing trends and how to respond to such new online phenomena. In addition, this research contributes to the fuller understanding of contemporary digitization of 3 early childhood, and cognitive scientists could use these insights to find out how children actually cognitively process toy unboxing videos.
Meta-analysis: the diagnostic accuracy of critical flicker frequency in minimal hepatic encephalopathy

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) reduces quality of life, increases the risk of road traffic incidents and predicts progression to overt hepatic encephalopathy and death. Current psychometry‐based diagnostic methods are effective, but time‐consuming and a universal ‘gold standard’ test has yet to be agreed upon. Critical Flicker Frequency (CFF) is a proposed language‐independent diagnostic tool for MHE, but its accuracy has yet to be confirmed.
CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT ( CSCM ) : PRACTICES IN THE MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry, is characterised by fragmentation and poor coordination by its players which leads to inefficiency, waste, poor quality, and safety problems. Supply Chain Management (SCM) is viewed as a vital strategic tool for corporate competitiveness since it can improve efficiency and productivity while reducing the overall operating costs, as observed in various manufacturing sectors. Malaysia, wanting to improve this situation, has followed suit by introducing the Construction Industry Masterplan (2006-2015) through the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), with emphasis on enhancing the value chain that has lead to research initiatives by the government to investigate the applicability of Construction Supply Chain Management (CSCM). This paper presents the findings of a research effort in exploring this issue. The study employed a mixed-mode approach, implemented through both interviews and questionnaire surveys, to explore the internal (internal supply chain – information dissemination, management leadership, relationship development) and external (external supply chain – customer and supplier relationship management) parts of the construction supply chain. The Rasch Measurement Model was used to interpret and support the findings, which was further furnished with the themes uncovered during the interview sessions. The findings revealed that the construction industry players were currently moderate level implementers of the CSCM practices, and the players viewed CSCM as a viable approach of improving the Malaysian Construction industry.
Sensitivity of photoreceptor-derived cell line (661W) to baculoviral p35, Z-VAD.FMK, and Fas-associated death domain.

PURPOSE Rod, cone, cone-rod, and macular dystrophies eventually bring about the death of cone photoreceptor cells. The present study explores means of inhibiting apoptosis in addition to inducing a specific apoptotic pathway within a photoreceptor-derived cell line. METHODS Retinal cell culture of murine 661W photoreceptor-derived cells was used to assess the effect of both a synthetic peptide inhibitor of caspases (benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-DL-Asp-[Ome] fluoromethylketone [Z-VAD.FMK]) and a natural inhibitor, baculoviral p35. In addition, the effect of transfection of Fas-associated death domain (FADD), a cellular protein implicated in receptor-induced apoptosis, was assessed. Assays were performed by transient transfection of cell cultures, and results were recorded by cell counting, Western blot, and spectrophotometry. RESULTS Western blot analysis and chromogenic caspase substrate cleavage analysis confirmed the activation of caspases within 661W cells. At a concentration of 80 micro M, Z-VAD.FMK, 72.36% +/- 0.93% of 661W cells survived cytotoxic insult compared with 6.99% +/- 1.35% of control cells. Transient transfection of 1200 ng baculoviral p35 conferred a protection of 75.30% +/- 4.23%, compared with 19.61% +/-1.84% of control cells, and it was additionally observed that as little as 50 ng transfection of FADD was capable of inducing the death of 53.21% +/- 1.33% of cells in 661W cultures. CONCLUSIONS Apoptotic cell death in 661W cells is caspase dependent and may be inhibited with both a synthetic and natural inhibitor of caspase function. Furthermore, 661W cells are highly sensitive to the FADD protein, which may suggest a number of novel therapeutic approaches to halt photoreceptor cell apoptosis.
Antidiabetic Activity of Zinc Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The use of nanoparticles in medicine is an attractive proposition. In the present study, zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles were evaluated for their antidiabetic activity. Fifty male albino rats with weight 120 ± 20 and age 6 months were used. Animals were grouped as follows: control; did not receive any type of treatment, diabetic; received a single intraperitoneal dose of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg), diabetic + zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), received single daily oral dose of 10 mg/kg ZnONPs in suspension, diabetic + silver nanoparticles (SNPs); received a single daily oral dose of SNP of 10 mg/kg in suspension and diabetic + insulin; received a single subcutaneous dose of 0.6 units/50 g body weight. Zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles induce a significant reduced blood glucose, higher serum insulin, higher glucokinase activity higher expression level of insulin, insulin receptor, GLUT-2 and glucokinase genes in diabetic rats treated with zinc oxide, silver nanoparticles and insulin. In conclusion, zinc oxide and sliver nanoparticles act as potent antidiabetic agents.
Gene essentiality and the topology of protein interaction networks

The mechanistic bases for gene essentiality and for cell mutational resistance have long been disputed. The recent availability of large protein interaction databases has fuelled the analysis of protein interaction networks and several authors have proposed that gene dispensability could be strongly related to some topological parameters of these networks. However, many results were based on protein interaction data whose biases were not taken into account. In this article, we show that the essentiality of a gene in yeast is poorly related to the number of interactants (or degree) of the corresponding protein and that the physiological consequences of gene deletions are unrelated to several other properties of proteins in the interaction networks, such as the average degrees of their nearest neighbours, their clustering coefficients or their relative distances. We also found that yeast protein interaction networks lack degree correlation, i.e. a propensity for their vertices to associate according to their degrees. Gene essentiality and more generally cell resistance against mutations thus seem largely unrelated to many parameters of protein network topology.
Effects of CYP2D6 and UGT2B7 polymorphisms on pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen in Thai breast cancer patients

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of CYP2D6 and UGT2B7 polymorphisms on tamoxifen (TAM) pharmacokinetics in Thai breast cancer patients. Methods Thai female breast cancer patients treated with TAM were included in the study. Patients were genotyped for CYP2D6 and UGT2B7 polymorphism, and plasma levels of TAM and its potent active metabolite endoxifen (END), at steady state, were identified. Results Fifty-nine female breast cancer patients were included in the study. The average age was 50 ± 9.3 years old; 76% were premenopausal and 85% had estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The allele frequencies of CYP2D6*10 and UGT2B7*2 were 53% and 28%, respectively. Patients with CYP2D6*10/*10 had lower END concentrations compared with CYP2D26*1/*10 and CYP2D6*1/*1 (9.62 ng/mL versus 15.67 ng/mL and 21.55 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.045). Polymorphisms of UGT2B7 alone did not have any impact on TAM metabolism. However, among 20 patients with CYP2D6*10/*10, one with UGT2B7*2/*2 had higher END concentrations compared against patients with UGT2B7*1/*1 and UGT2B7*1/*2 (31.36 ng/mL versus 7.86 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.023). Conclusion Results from this study confirmed the impacts of CYP2D6 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of TAM, while UGT2B7 polymorphisms tended to have impact on TAM metabolism in patients with homozygous CYP2D6*10.