Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of Porphyrinuria in Australian Children with Autism

Two recent studies, from France (Nataf et al., 2006) and the United States (Geier & Geier, 2007), identified atypical urinary porphyrin profiles in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These profiles serve as an indirect measure of environmental toxicity generally, and mercury (Hg) toxicity specifically, with the latter being a variable proposed as a causal mechanism of ASD (Bernard et al., 2001; Mutter et al., 2005). To examine whether this phenomenon occurred in a sample of Australian children with ASD, an analysis of urinary porphyrin profiles was conducted. A consistent trend in abnormal porphyrin levels was evidenced when data was compared with those previously reported in the literature. The results are suggestive of environmental toxic exposure impairing heme synthesis. Three independent studies from three continents have now demonstrated that porphyrinuria is concomitant with ASD, and that Hg may be a likely xenobiotic to produce porphyrin profiles of this nature.
Current aspects of vitiligo genetics

Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentation disorder of the skin manifested by the presence of white macules. The disease occurs at a frequency of approximately 1–4% of the world population. Currently, the most popular theory of vitiligo development is a multifactorial hypothesis according to which genetic conditions predispose vitiligo macules to occur as a result of specific environmental factors. According to the genetic hypothesis, vitiligo inheritance is multigenic. Genetic studies conducted so far concern patients with non-segmental vitiligo. There are three basic techniques of genetic studies: candidate gene association studies, genomewide linkage studies and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The GWAS are the “gold standard” for detecting susceptibility genes. Up to now, approximately 36 convincing non-segmental vitiligo susceptibility loci have been identified. Approximately 90% of them encode immunoregulatory proteins, while approximately 10% encode melanocyte proteins. The existence of various associations between vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases may provide new knowledge on the causes of many disorders. Examples include the inverse relationship between vitiligo and melanoma and association of vitiligo with other autoimmune diseases. The main goal of all researches is to find new, optimal therapeutic strategies for vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases.
Effect of Dietary Pulses on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Controlled Feeding Trials

Abstract BACKGROUND Current guidelines recommend diet and lifestyle modifications for primary prevention and treatment of hypertension, but do not encourage dietary pulses specifically for lowering blood pressure (BP). To quantify the effect of dietary pulse interventions on BP and provide evidence for their inclusion in dietary guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled feeding trials was conducted. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were each searched from inception through 5 May 2013. Human trials ≥3 weeks that reported data for systolic, diastolic, and/or mean arterial BPs were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality and risk of bias of included studies. Effect estimates were pooled using random effects models, and reported as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed (χ2 test) and quantified (I2). RESULTS Eight isocaloric trials (n = 554 participants with and without hypertension) were included in the analysis. Dietary pulses, exchanged isocalorically for other foods, significantly lowered systolic (MD = −2.25 mm Hg (95% CI, −4.22 to −0.28), P = 0.03) and mean arterial BP (MD = −0.75 mm Hg (95% CI, −1.44 to −0.06), P = 0.03), and diastolic BP non-significantly (MD = −0.71 mm Hg (95% CI, −1.74 to 0.31), P = 0.17). Heterogeneity was significant for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Dietary pulses significantly lowered BP in people with and without hypertension. Higher-quality large-scale trials are needed to support these findings. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01594567
Effects of Training Course on Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens: A Controlled Interventional Study

Background: One of the serious occupational concerns in health care workers (HCWs) is exposure to blood/body fluids that can transmit blood borne pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C viruses. We are reporting the effects of training course and surveillance on the rate of needle stick injuries (NSIs) among HCWs at an educational hospital in Iran. Aims: To evaluate the effects of training course on the rate of NSIs and its reporting. Methods: We selected two hospitals (A&B) based on their similarities in wards and facilities then asked the managers of these two hospitals to participate in our study. We established a new occupational health center and conducted a training course at hospital A on 2010 and compared it with control group (hospital B). The data from 2009 to 2011 was collected, analyzed to compare pre and post intervention rates. Results: During study period nurses sustained the highest number of injuries (hospital A: n=80; 66.1% and hospital B: n=64; 35.4%). The incidence rate of NSIs in hospital A was 7.16 NSI/100FTE/YEAR before the intervention which was increased to 12.06 after the intervention. In hospital B this rate was 6.05 during three years. Conclusions: The study revealed remarkable increase in the incidence rate of NSIs after the intervention. This is being achieved by meticulous surveillance, training course and improving awareness
It Makes a Village: Residential Relocation after Charter School Admission

type="main"> Although numerous studies investigate how student achievement is impacted by educational vouchers and charter schools, there appears to be no research on how these programs impact the surrounding environment. This study examines residential relocation of families whose children attend a charter school. We develop a conceptual model that predicts where relocating families are likely to move, given ex ante distance and direction to the school. The model is parameterized using data from student mailing address changes. We find that families are almost twice as likely to relocate toward the school as would be expected if the school did not exert any attraction. Moreover, although families are not required to live near the school, the child's school exerts a significantly stronger attraction than parent workplaces. This result may have important implications for mitigating urban sprawl, fostering urban renewal and promoting sustainable real estate development.
Development of foamed emulsion bioreactor for air pollution control

A new type of bioreactor for air pollution control has been developed. The new process relies on an organic‐phase emulsion and actively growing pollutant‐degrading microorganisms, made into a foam with the air being treated. This new reactor is referred to as a foamed emulsion bioreactor (FEBR). As there is no packing in the reactor, the FEBR is not subject to clogging. Mathematical modeling of the process and proof of concept using a laboratory prototype revealed that the foamed emulsion bioreactor greatly surpasses the performance of existing gas‐phase bioreactors. Experimental results showed a toluene elimination capacity as high as 285 gtoluene m−3reactor h−1 with a removal efficiency of 95% at a gas residence time of 15 s and a toluene inlet concentration of 1–1.3 g m−3. Oxygen limited the reactor performance at toluene concentration above about 0.7–1.0 g m−3; consequently, performance was significantly improved when pure oxygen was added to the contaminated air. The elimination capacity increased from 204 to 408 g m−3 h−1 with >77% toluene removal at toluene inlet concentrations of 2–2.2 g m−3. Overall, the results show that the performance of the FEBR far exceeds that of currently used bioreactors for air pollution control. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 84: 240–244, 2003.
Bioavailability of Dietary Polyphenols and the Cardiovascular Diseases

Epidemiological studies indicate that the higher intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risks of many degenrative diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataract etc. This is attributed mainly to the intake of dietary polyphenols as seen in Mediterranean diets. However, the bioavailability of polyphenols is reported to be low due to poor absorption in the gut, intestine and colon and depends on the type of compounds, chemical structure, food matrix, extent of conjugation and individual colon microflora. In general, flavonoids, aglycones and pure compounds are absorbed more when compared to the glycosides. Diversity in intestinal mocroflora also contributes to a great extent for the variation in absorption of polyphenols as seen in a few studies for the absorption of isoflavones. Among the polyphenols, isoflavones are known to be more bioavailable followed by phenolic acids, flavanols, flavanones, flavonols and lowest bioavailability was seen for anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. Many human and animal studies have shown that dietary polyphenols reduce the cardiovascular diseases by inhibiting LDL oxidation, promoting vasodilation and by antiplatelet properties. However, the relationship between the level of polyphenols in plasma and their in vivo cardioprotective effects are poor. It is clear that more studies with improved methods are needed to understand the involvement of polyphenols in reducing the risks of degenerative diseases. In order to translate the in vitro results to in vivo, bioavailability of dietary polyphenols have to be increased significantly. One way to achieve this would be to study food preparation methods that can increase the bioavailability of these compounds through the use of different additives, cooking methods, enzymes and microorganisms. Microorganisms appear to play an important role in increasing the bioavailability of polyphenols by removing the conjugation and by breaking polyphenols into simpler absorbable phenols. We feel more bacteria and fungi should be used in food preparations such as yeasts for bread and wine making; lactic acid bacteria for fermenting idlies, dosas, curds; and Bacillus strains for soy fermentation products to increase bioavalability of polyphenols. Enzyme treated or microbial digested food may become the future of food industry. This article was written with a view to supplement Dr. R. B. Singh's life long ambition to prevent cardio- vascular diseases through the use of diet and discuss the above points in greater detail.
Crushing of Interstellar Gas Clouds in Supernova Remnants: the Role of Thermal Conduction and Radiative Losses

We model hydrodynamic interactions of an old supernova remnant shock wave with a small interstellar gas cloud, taking into account the effects of thermal conduction and radiative losses. In particular, we consider a representative case of a Mach 30 shock impacting on an isolated cloud with density contrast χ = 10 with respect to the ambient medium. Thermal conduction appears to be effective in suppressing the Kelvin‐Helmholtz and Rayleigh‐Taylor instabilities which would develop at the cloud boundaries. We demonstrate that the radiative losses play a crucial role in the dynamics of the shock‐cloud interaction, dominating evolution of the shocked cloud medium.
The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Fungal Infections in Critical Care Settings

Invasive fungal infections, especially in the critical care setting, have become an excellent target for prophylactic, empiric, and preemptive therapy interventions due to their associated high morbidity, mortality rate, increased incidence, and healthcare costs. For these reasons, new studies and laboratory tests have been developed over the last few years in order to formulate an early therapeutic intervention strategy in an attempt to reduce the high mortality rate associated with invasive fungal infections. In recent years, there have been important developments in antifungal pharmacotherapy. Evidence-based studies have shown the roles that the new antifungal drugs play in the treatment of invasive mycosis in seriously ill and complex patients, although data from critically ill patients are more limited and must be taken and extrapolated from studies based on the general hospital population. New antifungal agents have been analyzed in different clinical situations in critical care units, and the increasing number of non-Candida albicans species and the high mortality rates in these settings suggest that the application of an early broad spectrum antifungal therapy in critically ill patients with fungal infection should be recommended. Adv Sepsis 2008;6(3):90‐8.
Synthesis and in vitro antineoplastic evaluation of silver nanoparticles mediated by Agrimoniae herba extract

A rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Agrimoniae herba extract as reducing agent and stabilizer (A. herba-conjugated AgNPs [AH-AgNPs]) were designed, characterized, and evaluated for antitumor therapy feasibility. In this study, critical factors in the preparation of silver nanoparticles, including extraction time, reaction temperature, the concentration of AgNO3, and A. herba extract amount, were investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. AH-AgNPs with well-defined spherical shape, homogeneous distributional small size (30.34 nm), narrow polydispersity index (0.142), and high negative zeta potential (−36.8 mV) were observed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Furthermore, the results of X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy further indicated successful preparation of AH-AgNPs. Acceptable long-term storage stability of AH-AgNPs was also confirmed. More importantly, AH-AgNPs displayed significantly higher antiproliferative effect against a human lung carcinoma cell line (A549 cells) compared with A. herba extract and bare AgNPs prepared by sodium citrate. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of AH-AgNPs, bare AgNPs, and A. herba extract were 38.13 μg · mL−1, 184.87 μg · mL−1, and 1.147 × 104 μg · mL−1, respectively. It is suggested that AH-AgNPs exhibit a strong antineoplastic effect on A549 cells, pointing to feasibility of antitumor treatment in the future.
Multilamellar Structures and Filament Bundles Are Found on the Cell Surface during Bunyavirus Egress

Inside cells, viruses build specialized compartments for replication and morphogenesis. We observed that virus release associates with specific structures found on the surface of mammalian cells. Cultured adherent cells were infected with a bunyavirus and processed for oriented sectioning and transmission electron microscopy. Imaging of cell basal regions showed sophisticated multilamellar structures (MLS) and extracellular filament bundles with attached viruses. Correlative light and electron microscopy confirmed that both MLS and filaments proliferated during the maximum egress of new viruses. MLS dimensions and structure were reminiscent of those reported for the nanostructures on gecko fingertips, which are responsible for the extraordinary attachment capacity of these lizards. As infected cells with MLS were more resistant to detachment than control cells, we propose an adhesive function for these structures, which would compensate for the loss of adherence during release of new virus progeny.
Bacteremia among Febrile Ugandan Children Treated with Antimalarials Despite a Negative Malaria Test

Bacteremia may be inappropriately treated as malaria in children admitted with a febrile illness in Africa. We determined the prevalence, clinical features, and spectrum of bacteremia among febrile children younger than 5 years of age admitted with a negative malaria test, but prescribed antimalarials at a referral hospital in Jinja, Uganda. After initial evaluation, a blood sample was drawn from 250 children for a complete blood count and bacterial culture. Of 250 samples cultured, 15 grew organisms presumed to be skin contaminants, and of the remaining 235 samples, 45 (19.1%) had bacteremia. Staphylococcus aureus (42%), non-typhoidal Salmonella (24%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (9%) were the most common bacterial isolates. On multivariate analysis, history of weight loss (odds ratio [OR] = 2.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27–5.95), presence of pulmonary crackles (OR = 3.63; 95% CI = 1.40–9.45), and leukocytosis (OR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.09–4.47) were independent predictors of bacteremia. At a referral hospital in Uganda, bacteremia was a remarkably common finding in children with febrile illness who were treated for malaria despite negative malaria test results.
College academic identities situated in interlocking contextual blocks

ABSTRACT Through an examination of 13 first-generation college students’ views, this paper aims to provide one possible lens to viewing the complex social and academic landscapes that impact on students’ academic identity construction. Academic and social experiences within and beyond the safety net of a mentoring program are explored. The paper concludes with recommendations for campus-wide initiatives for the support of the focal students.
Committed Use of Project Management Methodologies: Understanding the Role of Costs, Benefits, and Psychological Needs

Even when employees use project management methodologies (PMMs), the question regarding the nature of their use remains, i.e. are they using PMMs in a dedicated manner? While empirical research states that the usefulness of a methodology is the single most important determinant of its acceptance and use by actual users, studies have not examined which methodology use outcomes are more important for which type of people regarding determining their committed PMM use behavior. In our study, we develop a theoretically and practically complete, as well as relevant, typology of the costs and benefits of using a methodology and study the effect of personal traits such as psychological needs. We develop and test a conceptual model, using a sample of 2,651 participants, which shows that individual needs determine which costs and/or benefits have a greater effect on individuals’ committed use of a PMM.
How Does Liquidity Affect Government Bond Yields?

Abstract The paper explores the determinants of yield differentials between sovereign bonds, using euro-area data. There is a common trend in yield differentials, which is correlated with a measure of aggregate risk. In contrast, liquidity differentials display sizeable heterogeneity and no common factor. We propose a simple model with endogenous liquidity demand, where a bond’s liquidity premium depends both on its transaction cost and on investment opportunities. The model predicts that yield differentials should increase in both liquidity and risk, with an interaction term of the opposite sign. Testing these predictions on daily data, we find that the aggregate risk factor is consistently priced, liquidity differentials are priced for a subset of countries, and their interaction with the risk factor is in line with the model’s prediction and crucial to detect their effect.
ENTH and ANTH domain proteins participate in AP2-independent clathrin-mediated endocytosis

ABSTRACT Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is a major route of entry into eukaryotic cells. A core of evolutionarily ancient genes encodes many components of this system but much of our mechanistic understanding of CME is derived from a phylogenetically narrow sampling of a few model organisms. In the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which is distantly related to the better characterised animals and fungi, exceptionally fast endocytic turnover aids its evasion of the host immune system. Although clathrin is absolutely essential for this process, the adaptor protein complex 2 (AP2) has been secondarily lost, suggesting mechanistic divergence. Here, we characterise two phosphoinositide-binding monomeric clathrin adaptors, T. brucei (Tb)EpsinR and TbCALM, which in trypanosomes are represented by single genes, unlike the expansions present in animals and fungi. Depletion of these gene products reveals essential, but partially redundant, activities in CME. Ultrastructural analysis of TbCALM and TbEpsinR double-knockdown cells demonstrated severe defects to clathrin-coated pit formation and morphology associated with a dramatic inhibition of endocytosis. Depletion of TbCALM alone, however, produced a distinct lysosomal segregation phenotype, indicating an additional non-redundant role for this protein. Therefore, TbEpsinR and TbCALM represent ancient phosphoinositide-binding proteins with distinct and vital roles in AP2-independent endocytosis.
Metacognitive and multimedia support of experiments in inquiry learning for science teacher preparation

ABSTRACT Promoting preservice science teachers’ experimentation competency is required to provide a basis for meaningful learning through experiments in schools. However, preservice teachers show difficulties when experimenting. Previous research revealed that cognitive scaffolding promotes experimentation competency by structuring the learning process, while metacognitive and multimedia support enhance reflection. However, these support measures have not yet been tested in combination. Therefore, we decided to use cognitive scaffolding to support students’ experimental achievements and supplement it by metacognitive and multimedia scaffolds in the experimental groups. Our research question is to what extent supplementing cognitive support by metacognitive and multimedia scaffolding further promotes experimentation competency. The intervention has been applied in a two-factorial design to a two-month experimental course for 63 biology teacher students in their first bachelor year. Pre-post-test measured experimentation competency in a performance assessment. Preservice teachers worked in groups of four. Therefore, measurement took place at group level (N = 16). Independent observers rated preservice teachers’ group performance qualitatively on a theory-based system of categories. Afterwards, experimentation competency levels led to quantitative frequency analysis. The results reveal differing gains in experimentation competency but contrary to our hypotheses. Implications of combining scaffolding measures on promoting experimentation competency are discussed.
Random duplicated assignment: an alternative to striping in video servers

An approach is presented for storing video data in large disk arrays. Video data is stored by assigning a number of copies of each data block to different, randomly chosen disks, where the number of copies may depend on the popularity of the corresponding video data. The approach offers an interesting alternative to the well-known striping techniques. Its use results in smaller response times and lower disk and RAM costs if many continuous variablerate data streams have to be sustained simultaneously. It also offers some practical advantages relating to reliability and extendability. Based on this storage approach, three retrieval algorithms are presented that determine, for a given batch of data blocks, from which disk each of the data blocks should be retrieved. The performance of these algorithms is evaluated from an average-case as well as a worst-case perspective. key words: video serve< striping, disk array, RAID, multimedia, variable rate