Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bottlenecks in the Efficient Use of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products Based on Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been established as promising candidate sources of universal donor cells for cell therapy due to their contributions to tissue and organ homeostasis, repair, and support by self-renewal and multidifferentiation, as well as by their anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, immunomodulatory, trophic, and proangiogenic properties. Various diseases have been treated by MSCs in animal models. Additionally, hundreds of clinical trials related to the potential benefits of MSCs are in progress. However, although all MSCs are considered suitable to exert these functions, dissimilarities have been found among MSCs derived from different tissues. The same levels of efficacy and desired outcomes have not always been achieved in the diverse studies that have been performed thus far. Moreover, autologous MSCs can be affected by the disease status of patients, compromising their use. Therefore, collecting information regarding the characteristics of MSCs obtained from different sources and the influence of the host (patient) medical conditions on MSCs is important for assuring the safety and efficacy of cell-based therapies. This review provides relevant information regarding factors to consider for the clinical application of MSCs.
Sport, Identity and Globalisation: Reflections on Recent Contributions to an Expanding Debate

theorisation. Its contemporary condition has its origins in sociology’s educational expansion in the 1960s, and the incipient internationalisation of a professional discipline whose research matter was already globally competitive (Dunning 1971). North European and North American research dominated the field through to the 1980s, with prominence given to complementarily positivistic (Liischen & Sage 1981), structural functional (Ball & Loy 1975) and historical materialist (Brohm 1976; rigauer 1969) perspectives.
Identity Regulation: Theory and Implications of Multiple-Identity Management

Identity Regulation: Theory and Implications of Multiple-Identity Management Julian K. Saint Clair Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Mark R. Forehand Department of Marketing and International Business The present work provides a unified framework for identity research by synthesizing growing but isolated literature streams. Four themes arise from this synthesis. First, identities are collections of self-associated concepts that are stored in associative networks. Second, consumers seek to maintain cognitive consistency within their network of self-associations (i.e., regulate identities), where salient inconsistencies lead to identity dissonance. Third, consumers may employ a number of identity regulation strategies in response to identity dissonance. Lastly, several relatively stable cognitive structures may be utilized to organize identities, referred to as identity regulation structures. The author integrates literature from several subfields of information processing and self-concept to identify sources of identity dissonance as well as identity regulation strategies and structures. Practical and theoretical implications for the study of identity are discussed.
The “Abdominal Circulatory Pump”: An Auxiliary Heart during Exercise?

Apart from its role as a flow generator for ventilation the diaphragm has a circulatory role. The cyclical abdominal pressure variations from its contractions cause swings in venous return from the splanchnic venous circulation. During exercise the action of the abdominal muscles may enhance this circulatory function of the diaphragm. Eleven healthy subjects (25 ± 7 year, 70 ± 11 kg, 1.78 ± 0.1 m, 3 F) performed plantar flexion exercise at ~4 METs. Changes in body volume (ΔVb) and trunk volume (ΔVtr) were measured simultaneously by double body plethysmography. Volume of blood shifts between trunk and extremities (Vbs) was determined non-invasively as ΔVtr-ΔVb. Three types of breathing were studied: spontaneous (SE), rib cage (RCE, voluntary emphasized inspiratory rib cage breathing), and abdominal (ABE, voluntary active abdominal expiration breathing). During SE and RCE blood was displaced from the extremities into the trunk (on average 0.16 ± 0.33 L and 0.48 ± 0.55 L, p < 0.05 SE vs. RCE), while during ABE it was displaced from the trunk to the extremities (0.22 ± 0.20 L p < 0.001, p < 0.05 RCE and SE vs. ABE respectively). At baseline, Vbs swings (maximum to minimum amplitude) were bimodal and averaged 0.13 ± 0.08 L. During exercise, Vbs swings consistently increased (0.42 ± 0.34 L, 0.40 ± 0.26 L, 0.46 ± 0.21 L, for SE, RCE and ABE respectively, all p < 0.01 vs. baseline). It follows that during leg exercise significant bi-directional blood shifting occurs between the trunk and the extremities. The dynamics and partitioning of these blood shifts strongly depend on the relative predominance of the action of the diaphragm, the rib cage and the abdominal muscles. Depending on the partitioning between respiratory muscles for the act of breathing, the distribution of blood between trunk and extremities can vary by up to 1 L. We conclude that during exercise the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm might play a role of an “auxiliary heart. ”
Repeatability of airway deposition and tracheobronchial clearance rate over three days in chronic bronchitis.

Previous investigations on tracheobronchial clearance in chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have usually referred to measurements during a short time-period, i.e. a few hours. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to study regional particle deposition and tracheobronchial clearance during 72 h. In 14 patients with chronic bronchitis clearance of 111In-labelled 3.6 micrograms Teflon particles and lung function were measured on two occasions, with an interval of 2 weeks. Lung retention of test particles was measured at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h using a profile scanner. The weight of expectorated sputum samples was measured after the two clearance measurements. The particle retentions at all time-points were reproducible, as seen from the two measurements ( r > 0.90). The fast clearance phase was completed within 72 h. No correlation between sputum volume and clearance was seen. There was a significant negative correlation between airway resistance and the 72 h retention (r= -0.66), and an even better correlation between specific airway resistance and the 72 h retention (r = -0.82), indicating more central deposition in obstructed airways. There was no significant correlation between lung function tests reflecting smaller airways and the 72 h retentions. Deposition data agreed well with theoretical calculations and experimental data in healthy subjects. In spite of earlier findings that mucociliary transport is usually severely impaired in chronic bronchitis and COPD, the present results indicate that overall tracheobronchial mucus clearance in these patients is fairly effective, probably due to a productive cough. Alveolar deposition may be estimated by measurements of the 72 h retention in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The 72 h retention is dependent mainly on the calibre of larger airways. The present method of studying airway clearance during 3 days is highly reproducible.
A linearized approach to worst-case design in parametric and geometric shape optimization

The purpose of this paper is to propose a deterministic method for optimizing a structure with respect to its worst possible behavior when a "small" uncertainty exists over some of its features. The main idea of the method is to linearize the considered cost function with respect to the uncertain parameters, then to consider the supremum function of the obtained linear approximation, which can be rewritten as a more "classical" function of the design, owing to standard adjoint techniques from optimal control theory. The resulting "linearized worst-case" objective function turns out to be the sum of the initial cost function and of a norm of an adjoint state function, which is dual with respect to the considered norm over perturbations. This formal approach is very general, and can be justified in some special cases. In particular, it allows to address several problems of considerable importance in both parametric and shape optimization of elastic structures, in a unified framework.
Between Work Flexibility and Higher Education: the Digital Workers in Southern Italy

The article presents an analysis of digital workers with degrees in Humanities: political, social, and communication sciences. In the context of the Mezzogiorno of Italy, characterized by a depressed economy, a qualitative study is used to analyze the new works of the knowledge society. The paper explores the important flexibilization process of subjects with high human capital and underemployment. After having discussed the labour market context and, in particular, the types of demand for work in the South of Italy, the Author analyzes the consequences on identities, the meaning of worker’s lives and the effects on the reduction of relationships. The results are based on thirty qualitative interviews of digital workers. The paper argues that precariousness does not reduce the expectations of the workers and their professional ability, but has an impact resulting in a decreased material standard of living.
Grb10, a Positive, Stimulatory Signaling Adapter in Platelet-Derived Growth Factor BB-, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I-, and Insulin-Mediated Mitogenesis

ABSTRACT Grb10 has been described as a cellular partner of several receptor tyrosine kinases, including the insulin receptor (IR) and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor (IGF-IR). Its cellular role is still unclear and a positive as well as an inhibitory role in mitogenesis depending on the cell context has been implicated. We have tested other mitogenic receptor tyrosine kinases as putative Grb10 partners and have identified the activated forms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor β (PDGFRβ), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met), and fibroblast growth factor receptor as candidates. We have mapped Y771 as a PDFGRβ site that is involved in the association with Grb10 via its SH2 domain. We have further investigated the putative role of Grb10 in mitogenesis with four independent experimental strategies and found that all consistently suggested a role as a positive, stimulatory signaling adaptor in normal fibroblasts. (i) Complete Grb10 expression from cDNA with an ecdysone-regulated transient expression system stimulated PDGF-BB-, IGF-I, and insulin- but not epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced DNA synthesis in an ecdysone dose-responsive fashion. (ii) Microinjection of the (dominant-negative) Grb10 SH2 domain interfered with PDGF-BB- and insulin-induced DNA synthesis. (iii) Alternative experiments were based on cell-permeable fusion peptides with the Drosophilaantennapedia homeodomain which effectively traverse the plasma membrane of cultured cells. A cell-permeable Grb10 SH2 domain similarly interfered with PDGF-BB-, IGF-I-, and insulin-induced DNA synthesis. In contrast, a cell-permeable Grb10 Pro-rich putative SH3 domain binding region interfered with IGF-I- and insulin- but not with PDGF-BB- or EGF-induced DNA synthesis. (iv) Transient overexpression of complete Grb10 increased whereas cell-permeable Grb10 SH2 domain fusion peptides substantially decreased the cell proliferation rate (as measured by cell numbers) in normal fibroblasts. These experimental strategies independently suggest that Grb10 functions as a positive, stimulatory, mitogenic signaling adapter in PDGF-BB, IGF-I, and insulin action. This function appears to involve the Grb10 SH2 domain, a novel sequence termed BPS, and the Pro-rich putative SH3 domain binding region in IGF-I- and insulin-mediated mitogenesis. In contrast, PDGF-BB-mediated mitogenesis appears to depend on the SH2 but not on the Pro-rich region and may involve other, unidentified Grb10 domains. Distinct protein domains may help to define specific Grb10 functions in different signaling pathways.
Collaboration Engineering with ThinkLets to Pursue Sustained Success with Group Support Systems

Field research and laboratory experiments suggest that, under certain circumstances, people using group support systems (GSS) can be significantly more productive than people who do not use them. Yet, despite their demonstrated potential, GSS have been slow to diffuse across organizations. Drawing on the Technology Transition Model, the paper argues that the high conceptual load of GSS (i.e., understanding of the intended effect of GSS functionality) encourages organizations to employ expert facilitators to wield the technology on behalf of others. Economic and political factors mitigate against facilitators remaining long term in GSS facilities that focus on supporting nonroutine, ad hoc projects. This especially hampers scaling GSS technology to support distributed collaboration. An alternative and sustainable way for organizations to derive value from GSS lies in an approach called "collaboration engineering": the development of repeatable collaborative processes that are conducted by practitioners themselves. To enable the development of such processes, this paper proposes the thinkLet concept, a codified packet of facilitation skill that can be applied by practitioners to achieve predictable, repeatable patterns of collaboration, such as divergence or convergence.A thinkLet specifies the facilitator'schoices and actions in terms of the GSS tool used, the configuration of this tool, and scripted prompts to accomplish a pattern of collaboration in a group. Using thinkLets as building blocks, facilitators can develop and transfer repeatable collaborative processes to practitioners. Given the limited availability of expert facilitators, collaboration engineering with thinkLets may become a sine qua non for organizations to effectively support virtual work teams.
Reconsidering Citizenship Models and the Case for Cultural Citizenship: Implications for a Social Psychology of Social Justice

This chapter reviews citizenship constructions in the United States and examines how historic, legal, economic, schooling, and multicultural "melting pot" ideology landscapes shape citizenship and its performance. It introduces cultural citizenship as an alternative starting point for citizenship and its performance, providing a theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for cultural citizenship, and argues in support of incorporating this framework into social psychology when working toward collective social justice. It also discusses the implications of adopting a cultural citizenship perspective for social psychology and how this perspective can extend our understanding of citizenship practices to enact social justice. We conclude with recommendations for research and action.
Influence of Acute Normobaric Hypoxia on Hemostasis in Volunteers with and without Acute Mountain Sickness

Introduction. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a 12-hour exposure in a normobaric hypoxic chamber would induce changes in the hemostatic system and a procoagulant state in volunteers suffering from acute mountain sickness (AMS) and healthy controls. Materials and Methods. 37 healthy participants were passively exposed to 12.6% FiO2 (simulated altitude hypoxia of 4,500 m). AMS development was investigated by the Lake Louise Score (LLS). Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and platelet count were measured and specific methods (i.e., thromboelastometry and a thrombin generation test) were used. Results. AMS prevalence was 62.2% (LLS cut off of 3). For the whole group, paired sample t-tests showed significant increase in the maximal concentration of generated thrombin. ROTEM measurements revealed a significant shortening of coagulation time and an increase of maximal clot firmness (InTEM test). A significant increase in maximum clot firmness could be shown (FibTEM test). Conclusions. All significant changes in coagulation parameters after exposure remained within normal reference ranges. No differences with regard to measured parameters of the hemostatic system between AMS-positive and -negative subjects were observed. Therefore, the hypothesis of the acute activation of coagulation by hypoxia can be rejected.
Modeling the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine and petrol-driven engine by ANN

In this study, performance and emission characteristics of an internal combustion (IC) diesel engine and petrol-driven engine were modeled by Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Diesel engine input parameters are air flow rate (Aflr), boost pressure (Pb), fuel rate (Frt), cycle (Cy) and load (L) whereas input parameters of the petrol-driven engine are advance (A) and cycle (Cy). Engine torque (Tq), power (P), specific fuel consumption (Sfc), emission values such as HC, CO2 and NOx of diesel engine and engine torque (Tq), power (P), specific fuel consumption (Sfc) and HC of petrol-driven have been investigated. R square values of Tq, P, Sfc, HC, CO2 and NOx of diesel engine were %99.9, %99.45, %99.32, %99.84, %99.71 and %99.26 respectively when ANN was used for modeling. R square values of Tq, P, Sfc and Hc of petrol-driven engine %97.24, %99.56, %98.19 and %97.19 respectively. The back-propagation learning algorithm with Hyperbolic tangent activation functions (for hidden layer neurons and output neuron) and 5:12:1 combination have been used in the topology of the network of diesel engine. The back-propagation learning algorithm with Logistic-Hyperbolic tangent activation functions (hidden layer neurons and output neuron) and 2:6:1 combination have been used in the topology of the network of petrol-driven engine. After having statistical t-test for outputs of both ANN, it has been seen that the obtained results are approximately %99.5 and %98.5 consisted (matched) with experimental data of diesel and petrol-driven engine. Main contribution of this work includes; 1) Dynamic load value was used as input parameters for diesel engine and so engine performance modeling and emission characteristic determination were done by regarding changing load, 2) The highest prediction values of output parameters are reached for both engine type regarding to the previous studies and 3) None of the previous studies include modeling of diesel and petrol-driven engine.
Crenças, atitudes e práticas dos profissionais de saúde relativas à obesidade

Despite the implementation of various intervention measures, the number of obese individuals remain high; thus, it is important to consider what is contributing to this scenario. Authors have been striving to understand the role healthcare providers, especially in primary healthcare, seem to play in this context. The present review aims to synthesize the main investigation results regarding beliefs, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers, as they seem to negatively influence the practitioner’s actions. The words “obesity”, “beliefs”, “healthcare professionals”, “general practitioners”, “attitudes”, “practices”, “health physicians”, and “family practitioners” were entered into databases, such as EBSCOHost, ScienceDirect, PsychInfo, PubMed, and SciELO. Thirteen studies from 1991 to 2011 were reviewed. The results indicate a lack of appropriate understanding and adequate competence regarding obesity, which likely contributes to ambivalent belief development and negative attitudes towards obese individuals, who are described as unmotivated, lazy, and lacking self-control. These professionals consider it difficult to deal with obesity, manifesting low expectations of success regarding weight loss, thus considering themselves unsuccessful. Their practices are inconsistent, mirroring a certain skepticism towards the efficacy of available interventions. Either during graduation or as active practitioners, it is imperative to make healthcare providers aware of the impact their beliefs regarding obesity can exert on their practices, as these may impair appropriate and effective treatment delivery to obese individuals.
Private tutoring lessons supply: insights from online advertising in the Czech Republic

Abstract In many parts of the world, shadow education has become a major enterprise. Such is the case of the countries of the former Eastern Bloc, including the Czech Republic, which is in scope of this article. The study analyses the Internet supply of private tutoring lessons in academic subjects and assesses the micro- and macro-factors influencing the offered lesson price as set by private tutors. Based on the quantitative content analysis of 2058 individual tutor profiles advertising online, the author found a very unequal distribution of tutors within the country and a considerable proportion of mainstream schoolteachers acting as private lesson providers. The higher the formal education and age of the tutor, the higher the price they offer per lesson. Male tutors set higher prices than female tutors, and tutoring in foreign languages is generally more expensive than in any other subject. The results suggest that the features of private tutoring supply have implications for equity in education.
Influence of photo- and thermoperiod on the initial stages of frost hardening and dehardening of phytotron-grown seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)

Seedlings of Pinus silvestris (L.) and Picea abies ((L.) Karst. ), 16 weeks old, were hardened under various photo- and thermoperiods. Dehardening after a period of chilling was followed by exposure to various temperatures under long and short day conditions. The degree of frost hardiness of the seedlings was determined in freezing tests at -7°, - 11° and - 17°C. Damage caused by freezing was evaluated by measurement of conductivity. Short day conditions were of importance to hardening in both species, the most effective photoperiods being 6-12 hours. Shorter photoperiods (2-4 hours) were less effective. Low temperatures did not cause hardening under long-day conditions, but increased hardiness under short photoperiods, especially in pine. Night temperature had a greater influence on hardening in pine than did day temperature. Dehardenirng appeared to depend more on temperature than on photoperiod. Dehardening was a much faster process than hardening.
A Cross-­Cultural Validation of the Music® Model of Academic Motivation Inventory: Evidence from Chinese-­ and Spanish- Speaking University Students.

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which Chinese and Spanish translations of the College Student version of the MUSIC ® Model of Academic Motivation Inventory (MUSIC Inventory; Jones, 2012 ) demonstrate acceptable psychometric properties. We surveyed 300 students at a university in China and 201 students at a university in Colombia using versions of the MUSIC Inventory that were translated into Chinese and Spanish, respectively. To assess the psychometric properties of the inventory, we examined: (a) the internal consistency reliabilities for all of the scales, (b) the fit indices and factor loadings produced from confirmatory factor analysis, and (c) correlations between the MUSIC Inventory scales and behavioral and cognitive engagement. The results provide evidence that the Chinese and Spanish translations of the MUSIC Inventory demonstrate acceptable psychometric properties for use with undergraduate students. Therefore, instructors and researchers can use the translated inventories to assess students’ perceptions of the five MUSIC ® Model of Motivation components.