Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cellular Toxicity of Various Inhalable Metal Nanoparticles on Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Nanoparticles (NPs) have a greater potential to travel through an organism via inhalation than any other larger particles, and could be more toxic due to their larger surface area and specific structural/chemical properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro biological effects of various inhalable metallic NPs (TiO2, Ag, Al, Zn, Ni). Human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) were exposed to various concentrations of NPs for 24 h. The extent of morphological damage was in the order of m-TiO2 > n-TiO2 > m-silica ≫ n-Ni ≈ n-Zn ≈ n-Ag ≈ n-Al and was affected in a dose-dependent manner. The extent of apoptotic damage measured with two-color flow cytometry was in the order of n-Zn > n- Ni > m-silica ≫ n- TiO2 > m- TiO2 > n-Al > n-Ag. The extent of apoptotic damage measured with DNA fragmentation was in the order of n-Zn ≈ m-silica > n- Ni ≫ m- TiO2 ≈ n- TiO2 ≈ n-Al > n-Ag, indicating no significant difference in the damages by both m-TiO2 and n-TiO2. The extents of apoptotic damages were also affected in a dose-dependent manner. Uptake of no other NPs but n-TiO2 and m-TiO2 into the cells was observed after 24 h exposure. The intracellular generation of ROS was significant with n-Zn but not with the other particles. These results demonstrated that various inhalable metallic NPs (TiO2, Ag, Al, Zn, Ni) could cause cell damages directly or indirectly. More detailed studies on the influence of size, structure, and composition of the NPs are needed to better understand their toxic mechanisms.
Accessibility Evaluation of Arabic E-Commerce Web Sites Using Automated Tools

Disabled people encounter many barriers while attempting to access the services on the web. Nevertheless, many tools, which could help them to access the web, are available. E-commerce websites have been also intensively and widely used. The e-commerce market in Saudi Arabia will hit $13.3 billion by 2015. This huge investment requires e-commerce websites to be accessible by different types of users. This paper explores the tools that usually used by disabled users while using the web. It also discusses a number of available tools that help designers, developers and testers to assess web accessibility. It also evaluates the accessibility of 3 popular Arab e- commerce websites using 5 accessibility testing tools; namely Achecker, TAW, Eval Access, MAUVE and FAE. This research has found that Most accessibility guidelines are covered by Achecker tool. Navigation, readability, input assistance and timing are the common found accessibility problems while assessing the accessibility of the targeted websites. It has been also revealed that HTML can influence accessibility evaluation as HTML errors are considered as accessibility problems. It has been clearly observed that improvements are needed for better web accessibility, although some tools did report a small number of accessibility problems for some websites.
Man-Bites-Dog Business Cycles

The newsworthiness of an event is partly determined by how unusual it is and this paper investigates the business cycle implications of this fact. In particular, we analyze the consequences of information structures in which some types of signals are more likely to be observed after unusual events. Such signals may increase both uncertainty and disagreement among agents and when embedded in a simple business cycle model, can help us understand why we observe (i) occasional large changes in macro economic aggregate variables without a correspondingly large change in underlying fundamentals (ii) persistent periods of high macroeconomic volatility and (iii) a positive correlation between absolute changes in macro variables and the cross-sectional dispersion of expectations as measured by survey data. These results are consequences of optimal updating by agents when the availability of some signals is positively correlated with tail-events. The model is estimated by likelihood based methods using individual survey responses and a quarterly time series of total factor productivity along with standard aggregate time series. The estimated model suggests that there have been episodes in recent US history when the impact on output of innovations to productivity of a given magnitude were more than eight times as large compared to other times.
Inconsistencies of Massive Charged Gravitating Higher Spins

We examine the causality and degrees of freedom (DoF) proble ms encountered by charged, gravitating, massive higher spin fields. F or spin s=3/2, making the metric dynamical yields improved causality boun ds. These involve only the mass, the product eMP of the charge and Planck mass and the cosmological constant Λ. The bounds are themselves related to a gauge invariance of the timelike component of the field equation at the onset of acausality. While propagation is causal in arbitrary E/M ba ckgrounds, the allowed mass ranges of parameters are of Planck order. Gener ically, interacting spinss > 3/2 are subject to DoF violations as well as to acausality; the former must be overcome before analysis of the latter can eve begin. Here we review both difficulties for charged s = 2 and show that while a g-factor of1/2 solves the DoF problem, acausality persists for any g. Separately we establish that no s = 2 theory – DoF preserving or otherwise – can be tree unitary.
An investigation of cloning in web applications

Cloning (ad hoc reuse by duplication of design or code) speeds up development, but also hinders future maintenance. Cloning also hints at reuse opportunities that, if exploited systematically, might have positive impact on development and maintenance productivity. Unstable requirements and tight schedules pose unique challenges for Web Application engineering that encourage cloning. We are conducting a systematic study of cloning in Web Applications of different sizes, developed using a range of Web technologies, and serving diverse purposes. Our initial results show cloning rates up to 63% in both newly developed and already maintained Web Applications. Expected contribution of this work is two-fold: (1) to confirm potential benefits of reuse-based methods in addressing clone related problems of Web engineering, and (2) to create a framework of metrics and presentation views to be used in other similar studies.
Demonstrating Public Health at Work: A Demonstration Project of Congenital Syphilis Prevention Efforts in Bolivia

Objectives: We introduced syphilis immunochromatic strip (ICS) tests into antenatal care (ANC) settings in Bolivia and evaluated feasibility, patient and provider acceptability, and introduction costs. We conducted complementary studies on related topics, strengthened quality of care, and aided the response to sensitive aspects of maternal/congenital syphilis control (e.g., partner notification). Goal: The goal of this study was to discuss our experience working with Bolivian stakeholders to document potential public health benefits of syphilis ICS test introduction in ANC settings. Study Design: We trained public health personnel and offered the Abbott Determine Rapid Syphilis TP test in 4 urban maternity hospitals and 37 rural clinics. Results: Using the ICS test, 11,618 women were tested for syphilis; 5% had positive results and 93.2% received treatment. Women and health personnel found the test acceptable and introduction costs were not prohibitive. Conclusions: Based on these findings, by mid-2006, the Bolivian Ministry of Health will offer the ICS tests in rural ANC settings.
CO2 sorption and diffusion in polymethyl methacrylate–clay nanocomposites

This study reports the glass transition temperature (Tg), and sorption and diffusion of subcritical CO2 gas in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposites containing organically modified smectite clay, Cloisite 20A (C20A). A range of methods for preparing the PMMA-clay nanocomposites was investigated and a solution coprecipitation method was selected as the most appropriate. Using this method, PMMA nanocomposite containing 2, 4, 6, and 10 wt% nanoclay loadings were prepared. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the 2 wt% nanocomposite materials had a well-dispersed intercalated clay structure. The Tg for PMMA-C20A nanocomposites, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), was found to be independent of the clay loading. CO2 solubility studies from 0 to 65°C and pressures up to 5.5 MPa using an in situ gravimetric technique were performed on compression-molded films. The organoclay was found to have no effect on the solubility of CO2 in PMMA, and therefore the solubility of CO2 in the nanocomposite can be determined from the solubility of CO2 in the matrix polymer alone. Diffusion coefficients were determined using the appropriate transport models for these test conditions and the diffusion coefficients for CO2 in PMMA-C20A composites were found to increase with organoclay loading. It is believed that the processing path taken to prepare the nanocomposites may have resulted in the agglomeration of the C20A organoclay, thereby preventing the polymer chains from fully wetting and intercalating a large number of clay particles. These agglomerations are responsible for the formation of large-scale holes within the glassy nanocomposite, which behave as low resistance pathways for gas transport within the PMMA matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:904–914, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers
Modeling of laser-induced threshold damage in the peripheral retina

Though allowable (safe) energy doses of pulsed laser radiation have been determined in the central retina, the sensitivity of the peripheral retina to damage must also be assessed. We used results from ray-tracing in an eye model to estimate laser spot size at the retina and recent thermal model computations of damage thresholds to predict off-axis retinal injury from laser irradiation. The predictions were made for threshold exposures with a 532-nm, 10-ns, Nd:YAG laser beam that filled the dilated pupil (7-mm diameter). Results were compared to previously published measured energy doses at the cornea needed to produce a minimally visible lesion (MVL) in the peripheral retina of rhesus subjects. We predicted the threshold for injury at the macula, and at selected portions of peripheral retina out to 60 degree(s) from the fovea. Both predictions and measured data were normalized to their respective macula values. Normalized predicted thresholds in the peripheral retina increased as a function of angular distance from the macula. This varied from the measured data which, on the other hand, were relatively insensitive to angular position in the peripheral retina. The difference is likely due to improvements in methods of assessing retinal injury that have been incorporated into the model.
Prefrontal Regions Orchestrate Suppression of Emotional Memories via a Two-Phase Process

Whether memories can be suppressed has been a controversial issue in psychology and cognitive neuroscience for decades. We found evidence that emotional memories are suppressed via two time-differentiated neural mechanisms: (i) an initial suppression by the right inferior frontal gyrus over regions supporting sensory components of the memory representation (visual cortex, thalamus), followed by (ii) right medial frontal gyrus control over regions supporting multimodal and emotional components of the memory representation (hippocampus, amygdala), both of which are influenced by fronto-polar regions. These results indicate that memory suppression does occur and, at least in nonpsychiatric populations, is under the control of prefrontal regions.
Camel Milk Beneficial Effects on Treating Gentamicin Induced Alterations in Rats

The potential effect of camel milk (CM) against gentamicin (GM) induced biochemical changes in the rat serum was evaluated. Four groups of six albino rats were used for control, CM fed, injected with GM(i.p.), and then fed and injected with GM. The results showed that the administration of GM significantly altered the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in rat serum. CM restored these parameters to almost their normal range in group IV. Additionally, the present study showed that injection of rats with gentamicin caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity while the antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione s-transferase (GST) activity decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Administration of CM significantly (P ≤ 0.05) inhibited the formation of MDA and activity of MPO and upregulated the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GST) activity. The overall findings of this study demonstrated that pretreatment with CM gave protection against GM induced hepatic damage possibly by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, and hence camel milk can be identified as a new therapeutic agent.
Non-attendance at psychiatric outpatient clinics: communication and implications for primary care.

BACKGROUND What should happen when an outpatient fails to attend a psychiatric clinic? Guidelines from the General Medical Services Committee suggest that general practitioners (GPs) have no further responsibility of care for a patient once a referral to a psychiatrist has been made. This raises questions about the formulation of effective management plans for those patients with whom psychiatric services find it difficult to engage due to non-compliance with assessment and follow-up. AIMS To investigate communication between GPs, patients, and psychiatrists at referral and following attendance or non-attendance at outpatient appointments. METHOD A prospective study of a random sample of attenders and non-attenders at psychiatric outpatient clinics. Patients and GPs were interviewed to obtain data about the referral process. GPs' views on communication from psychiatrists and the appropriate course of action following clinic non-attendance were investigated. The quality of referral and clinic letters for attenders and non-attenders was compared. RESULTS There was no difference in the quality of referral letter for attenders and non-attenders. Psychiatrists were less likely to write to GPs about follow-up patients' appointments than new patients' appointments; communication was least likely when a follow-up patient missed their appointment. GPs considered follow-up non-attenders were more likely to need a further appointment than new patient non-attenders, but did not identify a role for themselves in engaging with follow-up non-attenders. CONCLUSION Communication between GPs and psychiatrists about new patients seems adequate. However, there are important deficits in communication from psychiatrists to GPs about follow-up patients, especially non-attenders who are often more severely ill and difficult to engage. An effective response for this group is likely to need cooperative health and social service action rather than rigid guidelines concerning clinical responsibility.
The mechanism of the force enhancement by mgADP under simulated isChaemic conditions in rat cardiac myocytes

In this study, the effects of MgADP and/or MgATP on the Ca2+‐dependent and Ca2+‐independent contractile force restoration were determined in order to identify the origin of the tonic force increase (i.e. ischaemic contracture) which develops during advanced stages of ischaemia. Experiments were performed at 15 °C during simulated ischaemic conditions in Triton‐skinned right ventricular myocytes from rats. In the presence of 5 mm MgATP the maximal Ca2+‐dependent force (Po) of 39 ± 2 kN m−2 (mean ±S.E.M.) under control conditions (pH 7.0, 15 mm phosphocreatine (CP)) decreased to 8 ± 1 % during simulated ischaemia (pH 6.2, 30 mm inorganic phosphate (Pi), without CP). This change was accompanied by a major reduction in Ca2+ sensitivity (pCa50 4.10 vs. 5.62). Substitution of MgADP for MgATP restored isometric force production and its Ca2+ sensitivity (pCa50 4.74 at 4 mm MgADP and 1 mm MgATP). In addition, it shifted the MgATP threshold concentration of Ca2+‐independent force development to higher levels in a concentration‐dependent manner. However, Ca2+‐independent force was facilitated less by MgADP than Ca2+‐dependent force. The MgADP‐induced increase in force was accompanied by marked reductions in the velocity of unloaded shortening and the rate of tension redevelopment. These data and simulations using a model of cross‐bridge kinetics suggest that the ischaemic force is not a consequence of a reduction in intracellular MgATP concentration, but identify MgADP as a key modulator of the cross‐bridge cycle under simulated ischaemic conditions in cardiac muscle, with a much lower inhibition constant (0.012 ± 0.003 mm) than in skeletal muscle. Therefore, MgADP has a high potential to stabilize the force‐generating cross‐bridge state and to facilitate the development of ischaemic contracture, possibly involving a Ca2+ activation process in the ischaemic myocardium.
VARIATION IN COMPOUND EYE STRUCTURE: EFFECTS OF DIET AND FAMILY

Studies of compound eyes have revealed that variation in eye structure can substantially affect visual performance. Here, we investigate the degree to which a stressful rearing environment, which decreases body size, affects the eye phenotype. Full siblings of the Orange Sulphur butterfly, Colias eurytheme, were collected from known parents and split within families among two diet treatments that varied in quality. In both sexes, individuals reared on the high‐quality diet had larger eye height and anterior facet diameter, and therefore, by inference, superior vision. However, relative to their reduced body size, individuals reared on low‐quality diet had proportionally larger eyes and facets than individuals reared on high‐quality diet. We interpret this finding as evidence that butterflies encountering nutritional stress increased proportional investment in eye development to reduce loss of visual performance. We also found significant broad‐sense genetic variation underlying eye structure in both males and females, and report novel heritability estimates for eye height and facet diameter. Surprisingly, there was greater genetic variation in eye height among males than among females, despite apparently stronger directional selection on male vision. We discuss the implications of these data for our understanding of eye development and evolution.
On the Effect of Populations in Evolutionary Multi-Objective Optimisation

Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) have become increasingly popular as multi-objective problem solving techniques. An important open problem is to understand the role of populations in MOEAs. We present two simple bi-objective problems which emphasise when populations are needed. Rigorous runtime analysis points out an exponential runtime gap between the population-based algorithm simple evolutionary multi-objective optimiser (SEMO) and several single individual-based algorithms on this problem. This means that among the algorithms considered, only the population-based MOEA is successful and all other algorithms fail.
Online social network size is reflected in human brain structure

The increasing ubiquity of web-based social networking services is a striking feature of modern human society. The degree to which individuals participate in these networks varies substantially for reasons that are unclear. Here, we show a biological basis for such variability by demonstrating that quantitative variation in the number of friends an individual declares on a web-based social networking service reliably predicted grey matter density in the right superior temporal sulcus, left middle temporal gyrus and entorhinal cortex. Such regions have been previously implicated in social perception and associative memory, respectively. We further show that variability in the size of such online friendship networks was significantly correlated with the size of more intimate real-world social groups. However, the brain regions we identified were specifically associated with online social network size, whereas the grey matter density of the amygdala was correlated both with online and real-world social network sizes. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the size of an individual's online social network is closely linked to focal brain structure implicated in social cognition.
COMPARISON STUDY OF EGG YOLKS AND EGG ALTERNATIVES IN FRENCH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Egg alternatives may replace egg as a functional ingredient in French vanilla ice cream due to their functional and dietary benefits. These egg alternative ingredients include modified corn starch (MCS), whey protein concentrate (WPC) and soy protein isolate (SPI). The objective of this study was to compare the physical and sensory properties of several commercially availableeggalternativesinavanillaicecreamformulation.TheSPIexhibited asignificantlylower Lvaluecomparedwiththeothereggalternatives,whereas the control exhibited a significantly higher b value compared with the other treatments. The apparent viscosity value of MCS was approximately 10-fold greater than the other egg alternatives. There were no significant differences in appearance and mouth-feel among the control, MCS or WPC treatments, whereas SPI exhibited a significantly lower mouth-feel score compared with the other treatments. The control exhibited significantly higher flavor and acceptability scores compared with the other egg alternatives, whereas SPI treatment exhibited least desirable flavor and acceptability. Consumer panelists would purchase the control with the egg alternative formulations.
Evaluation of the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-Screen Latex Agglutination Test for Detection of MRSA of Animal Origin

ABSTRACT Methicillin (oxacillin)-resistant staphylococci (MRS) have emerged as major clinical and epidemiological pathogens, and there have been frequent reports of MRS infections in the veterinary field. The MRSA-Screen latex agglutination test (Denka Seiken Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) was compared with an oxacillin agar screen test, MIC determination, and mecA PCR assay, the “gold standard. ” In an analysis of 15 mecA-positive and 48 mecA-negative S. aureus animal isolates, as well as 9 mecA-positive and 147 mecA-negative, coagulase-negative staphylococcal animal isolates, the latex agglutination test surpassed the widely used oxacillin agar screen method and MIC determination, with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%. The MRSA-Screen test is a reliable and rapid method of detecting MRS in the veterinary field.
Anxiety, fear and eating: a test of the psychosomatic concept of obesity.

Psychosomatic theorizing about obesity has held that overeating by obese individuals represents an attempt to cope with fear, anxiety, or other emotional disturbances. To test this hypothesis, 33 obese and 33 normal weight male college students were subjected to control, interpersonal anxiety, or objective fear treatments. The 5s then completed the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List and took a digit span test. Food consumption was measured by having 5s eat crackers for 15 min. under the guise of making taste discriminations. Although there were indications that the experimental treatments had been successful in arousing anxiety for obese Ss, no significant differences in cracker consumption were found. It was concluded that the results cast considerable doubt upon the tenability of the psychosomatic concept of obesity.