Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Raw lignite as an effective low-cost adsorbent to remove phenol and chlorophenols from aqueous solutions

ABSTRACT The adsorption of phenol (Ph), 4-chlorophenol (MCP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) from aqueous solutions on raw lignite was investigated. The kinetic data were evaluated in terms of the pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models. The adsorption capacities were 0.029, 0.071, 0.125 and 0.196 mmol/g for the Ph, MCP, DCP and TCP, respectively. The effects of the pH and ionic strength on the adsorption were also studied. The study revealed that raw lignite could be used as an effective and low-cost adsorbent.
Etiologic factors associated with p53 immunostaining in cutaneousmalignant melanoma

Findings from a case‐control study of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in Queensland, Australia, suggest that melanomas exhibiting p53 immunostaining possess different risk factors from those of other melanomas. To further explore this hypothesis, a case‐only analysis of risk factors for p53 immunostaining with anti‐p53 MAb DO‐7 was undertaken in 523 people diagnosed with CMM in Canada and Australia. Phenotypic factors and past sun exposure were measured using a self‐administered questionnaire and telephone interview. The presence of strong p53 staining (>10% of cell nuclei positively stained vs. <1% staining) was positively associated with some indicators of high cumulative sun exposure: lentigo maligna melanoma subtype (OR = 3.2 vs. superficial spreading subtype), melanoma location on the head and neck (OR = 2.8 vs. back), histopathologic evidence of solar elastosis (OR = 2.1) and previous diagnosis of nonmelanoma skin cancer (OR = 2.4). Strong staining was negatively associated with high nevus density on the back (OR = 0.2 for >25 nevi vs. 0–3 nevi) and histologic evidence of a coexisting nevus (OR = 0.3). Other factors associated with strong p53 immunostaining include greater Breslow thickness (OR = 7.4 for >4.00 vs. <0.76 mm), male sex (OR = 2.2) and dense freckling (OR = 6.6 vs. few freckles). Of these, thickness, male sex, dense freckling, low nevus density on the back, histologic subtype and history of nonmelanoma skin cancer appeared to be independently associated with strong p53 staining. Our findings are consistent with the Queensland study in suggesting that variables indicating high accumulated sun exposure are positively associated with p53 staining and that an increased number of nevi is positively associated with its absence; they may reflect etiologic and pathogenetic heterogeneity in melanoma. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Potential of Mesothelial Cells in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Applications

Injury to the serosa through injurious agents such as radiation, surgery, infection and disease results in the loss of the protective surface mesothelium and often leads to fibrous adhesion formation. Mechanisms that increase the rate of mesothialisation are therefore actively being investigated in order to reduce the formation of adhesions. These include intraperitoneal delivery of cultured mesothelial cells as well as administration of factors that are known to increase mesothelial proliferation and migration. An exciting alternative that has only recently received attention, is the possible role of mesothelial progenitor cells in the repair and regeneration of denuded serosal areas. Accumulating evidence suggests that such a population exists and under certain conditions is able to form a number of defined cell types indicating a degree of plasticity. Such properties may explain the extensive use of mesothelial cells in various tissue engineering applications including the development of vascular conduits and peripheral nerve replacements. It is likely that with the rapid explosion in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, a greater understanding of the potential of mesothelial progenitor cells to repair, replace and possibly regenerate damaged or defective tissue will be uncovered.
Different requirements for α‐galactosylceramide and recombinant IL‐12 antitumor activity in the treatment of C‐26 colon carcinoma hepatic metastases

The glycolipid α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer), ligand of NKT cells, has been recently shown to induce antitumor immunity in mice through the induction of IL‐12 production by dendriticcells. In the present study we compared α‐GalCer and rIL‐12 antitumor activities in the treatment of hepatic metastases of the C‐26 murine colon carcinoma. We show that in immunocompetent mice the two molecules display similar efficacy, whereas in mice knockout (KO) for β2‐microglobulin (β2m), IFN‐γ or IL‐12p40, α‐GalCer antitumor activity is severely impaired. Conversely,in all such KO mice, rIL‐12 retains its efficacy. In this context, the IL‐12 effect relies on NK cell function since it is abrogated by antibodies to NK1.1, expressed by both NK and NKT cells, but not in β2m KO mice that lack NKT and CD8 T cells, but have a perfectly functional NK cell population. Furthermore, in IFN‐γ and IL‐12p40 double KO mice, exogenous rIL‐12 completely loses antitumor efficacy, suggesting the existence of an IFN‐γ‐independent IL‐12 effect that does require the presence of endogenous IL‐12p40 chain.
Pulmonary hypertension in thalassaemia major patients with normal left ventricular systolic function

Pulmonary hypertension is common in adults with thalassaemia and other haemolytic anaemias. It was hypothesised that regular transfusions in thalassaemia major should both decrease the chronic haemolytic rate and be protective from pulmonary hypertension (PHT). To reduce the contribution of existing cardiac disease to PHT, the subjects were limited to patients with normal left ventricular shortening fractions. Associations with multiple laboratory markers of haemolysis, serum ferritin levels, chest X‐rays findings and splenectomy status were also considered. We found no biochemical, transfusional, or clinical (except gender) differences in transfused thalassaemia patients with or without pulmonary hyper tension.
An Econometric Analysis of Determinants of External Debt in Pakistan

Present study examined macroeconomic determinants of external debt in Pakistan using annual time series data from 1976 to 2010.Cointegration technique has been used to find long run equilibrium relationship while short run dynamics have been analyzed using ECM. By applying ARDL model results depicted that Fiscal deficit, Nominal exchange rate and Trade openness are statistically significant determinants of external debt as they increase the debt burden of Pakistan. Foreign aid is also positively related to external debt but statistically insignificant. In contrast Terms of trade are negatively related to external debt being statistically insignificant.
One‐Year Clinical Outcomes for Louisiana Residents Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension

Purpose To identify patient outcomes for residents with a dual diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension under the care of nurse practitioners and physicians in joint or collaborative practice in Louisiana. Data sources A retrospective review of records of 115 patients by 15 NPs across the state (response rate 30%) that examined clinical outcomes after 1 year for 14 indexes of care as well as standards of treatment for both diabetes and hypertension. Conclusions Significant clinical outcomes for body mass index, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol levels were found. Clinical outcomes were correlated with healthcare interventions including appropriate medications, use of diabetes educators, and home glucose monitoring as well as total number of visits to the healthcare provider. Implications for practice Improved outcomes for patients with a dual diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension can be enhanced by the use of diabetes educators, home glucose monitoring, and frequent visits to the healthcare providers. More research is needed to measure the contribution of NPs to improved health outcomes.
Essays on capital structure and investment

Chapter 1 presents a model of capital structure that endogenizes investment and financial policy and has fixed costs of recapitalization. The model reproduces known relations between firm size, leverage and growth opportunities. The model predicts that firms time capital structure adjustments to their target leverage ratios with the exercise of their growth options. Compared with growth firms, asset-in-place firms are more likely to recapitalize outside of large investment projects. More profitable firms have higher leverage. Firms facing low corporate tax rates choose not to issue any debt. Increases in volatility accelerate investment when volatility is high. Chapter 2 tests the model’s predictions with respect to financial policy by identifying large investment projects in a sample of U.S. industrial firms. The tests support the model’s predictions. I also find that growth and asset-in-place firms sequence equity issues before debt issues when they invest. This behavior mitigates the under-investment problem described in Myers (1977). The negative relation between profitability and leverage documented in earlier studies disappears by the end of the financing period of large investment projects. Growth firms substitute cash for external equity. In contrast, asset-in-place firms finance projects with equity to offset prior deviations above target leverage. These firms pay cash flow to shareholders and finance investment with external funds. These results are consistent with agency-theory explanations of payout policy in Rozeff (1982), Easterbrook (1984) and Jensen (1986). Dynamic trade-off models predict that firms let their leverage ratios vary within an optimal range. Chapter 3 estimates how the determinants of capital structure affect the two boundaries that define firms’ optimal leverage ranges. Estimates of postadjustment levels of leverage after a threshold has been reached show that, as predicted by trade-off theory, the relation between target leverage and profitability is positive. The results also imply that firms adjust to different target leverage levels depending on whether they reach an upper bound or a lower bound on their leverage range.
Neutralization of Infectivity of Diverse R5 Clinical Isolates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 by gp120-Binding 2′F-RNA Aptamers

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has evolved a number of strategies to resist current antiretroviral drugs and the selection pressures of humoral and cellular adaptive immunity. For example, R5 strains, which use the CCR5 coreceptor for entry and are the dominant viral phenotype for HIV-1 transmission and AIDS pathogenesis, are relatively resistant to neutralization by antibodies, as are other clinical isolates. In order to overcome these adaptations, we raised nucleic acid aptamers to the SU glycoprotein (gp120) of the R5 strain, HIV-1Ba-L. These not only bound gp120 with high affinity but also neutralized HIV-1 infectivity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by more than 1,000-fold. Furthermore, these aptamers were able to neutralize the infectivity of R5 clinical isolates of HIV-1 derived from group M (subtypes A, C, D, E, and F) and group O. One aptamer defined a site on gp120 that overlaps partially with the conserved, chemokine receptor-binding, CD4-induced epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody 17b. In contrast to the antibody, the site is accessible to aptamer in the absence of CD4 binding. Neutralizing aptamers such as this could be exploited to provide leads in developing alternative, efficacious anti-HIV-1 drugs and lead to a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions between the virus and its host cell.
The role of angiogenesis, vascular maturation, regression and stroma infiltration in dormancy and growth of implanted MLS ovarian carcinoma spheroids

MLS ovarian epithelial carcinoma multicellular spheroids xenografted subcutaneously in CD‐1 nude mice displayed growth delay, or dormancy, of up to 52 days. In the study reported here, implanted MLS spheroids were used for testing the role of angiogenesis and vascular maturation in triggering the initiation of tumor progression. The kinetics and impact of neovascular maturation and functionality, in dormancy, and growth of MLS spheroid xenografts were studied noninvasively by BOLD contrast MRI. MR data were supported by histologic staining for biotinylated albumin as a blood pool marker and alpha‐smooth muscle actin (alpha‐SMA) as marker for perivascular mural cells. Although the tumor periphery showed higher levels of total and mature vasculature than normal skin, the fraction of mature out of the total vessels as detected by MRI vascular maturation index (VMIMRI) was significantly lower in the tumor both before and after tumor exit from dormancy. The neovasculature induced by the implanted spheroid was unstable and showed cycles of vessel growth and regression. Surprisingly, this instability was not restricted to the immature vessels, but rather included also regression of mature vessels. During dormancy, neovasculature was predominantly peripheral with no infiltration into the implanted spheroid. Infiltration of alpha‐SMA positive stroma cells into the spheroid was associated with functional vascularization and tumor growth. Thus, stroma infiltration and vascular maturation are an important checkpoint linking the angiogenic switch with initiation of tumor progression. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Postoperative axonal changes in the contralateral hemisphere in children with medically refractory epilepsy: A longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging connectome analysis

To determine brain plasticity changes due to resective epilepsy surgery in children, we performed a longitudinal connectome analysis on the pattern of axonal connectivity in the contralateral hemisphere. Pre‐ and postoperative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were acquired from 35 children with intractable focal epilepsy. A total of 54 brain regions of interest (ROIs) were generated in the hemisphere contralateral to the resection. Within a 54 × 54 connectivity matrix, a pairwise connectivity score was calculated for each connection between two ROIs, based on the DTI fiber streamline number in each connection. A permuted Spearman's ρ‐rank analysis was used to identify specific inter‐regional connections showing a significant association between the postoperative change of connectivity score and clinical variables. Nineteen connections in the contralateral hemisphere showed postoperative increases in the strength of connectivity. Postoperative increase in connectivity between insular–inferior frontal operculum regions as well as that between superior frontal orbital and mid frontal orbital regions were both significantly associated with a larger surgical resection volume (ρ > +0.40) and a younger patient age (ρ > −0.34). These increases were more robust in patients with frontal resection and in those achieving seizure freedom. Neuropsychological evaluation on subsets of patients revealed that such increases in connectivity were associated with preserved or improved cognitive functions such as visual memory and planning. Resective epilepsy surgery may lead to increased contralateral axonal connectivity in children with focal epilepsy. Our data lead to a hypothesis that such increased connectivity may be an imaging marker of postoperative brain plasticity to compensate for cognitive function. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3946–3956, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relationship between pornography use and sexual behaviours among at-risk HIV-negative men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES Although pornography is widely available and frequently used among many adults in the USA, little is known about the relationship between pornography and risk factors for HIV transmission among men who have sex with men. METHODS Baseline assessments from a behavioural intervention trial for at-risk men who have sex with men were conducted in Atlanta, GA in 2009. Univariate and multivariate generalised linear models were used to assess the relationships between known risk factors for HIV infection, time spent viewing pornography, and sex behaviours. RESULTS One hundred forty-nine men reporting HIV-negative status and two or more unprotected anal sex partners in the past 6 months were enrolled in an intervention trial and completed survey assessments. Time spent viewing pornography was significantly associated with having more male sexual partners (B=0.45, SE=0.04, P<0.001) and unprotected insertive anal sex acts (B=0.28, SE=0.04, P<0.001). Moreover, increased substance use (drug use, B=0.61, SE=0.14, P<0.001; alcohol use, B=0.03, SE=0.01, P<0.01) and decreased perception of risk for HIV infection (B=-0.09, SE=0.04, P<0.05) were found to be significantly associated with greater time spent viewing pornography. CONCLUSIONS This exploratory study is novel in that it sheds light on the associations between viewing pornography and sexual risk taking for HIV infection. Future studies in this area should focus on understanding how the content of pornography; in particular, the viewing of unprotected and protected sex acts, may affect sexual risk taking behaviour.
Power Capability of Hybrid Excited Synchronous Motors in Variable Speed Drives Applications

Power capability of synchronous machines, when operating in motoring mode, is discussed in this contribution. Maximum power limits and partial loads operations are both examined in the case of variable speed drives applications when the synchronous motors are driven with idealized inverters with limited volt–ampere ratings. This study is based on a per-unit <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${d}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${q}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> model normalized according to the base speed operation quantities. Different control strategies are thoroughly analyzed for different motors parameters. The use of per-unit quantities will help to draw some general conclusions regarding the effect of motors parameters on the drives performance. Since wound field (WF) excited and permanent magnet (PM) excited synchronous motors could be considered as particular cases of hybrid excited synchronous motors, the findings of this contribution would be applicable to all synchronous motors with a magnetic excitation source.
Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

This study evaluated the results of repeat hepatectomy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and delineated the limitations of such a treatment strategy. Of 290 patients who had radical hepatic resection, 167 had intrahepatic tumour recurrence. Fifty patients underwent a second hepatectomy. Third and fourth hepatectomies were carried out on six and two patients respectively. There were 36 men and 14 women. Age ranged from 32 to 77 years (mean 59.1 years). Liver cirrhosis was present in 38 and chronic hepatitis in 12 patients. Operative death occurred in four patients (8 per cent) after a second and in one of six after a third hepatectomy, compared with 4.5 per cent after first hepatectomy. The five postoperative deaths were attributed to either Child grade B or C liver disease, or severe intraoperative bleeding. The 5‐year survival rate was better in these 50 patients (41 per cent) than in 117 patients who were treated otherwise (7 per cent). The present study indicates that repeat hepatectomy may be useful for recurrent HCC. It is indicated principally for patients with a solitary tumour and Child grade A liver disease.
Trends in student use of ICTs in higher education in South Africa.

This paper reports on the findings of a survey of 3533 students regarding ICT use in six higher education institutions in four South African provinces. The findings indicate that students use ICTs in support of their studies and that the type of use has changed very little since a similar study conducted in 2004. Information seeking activities dominate with web searching being the most frequently undertaken activity.In the light of the reported rise of Web 2.0 there is a surprisingly low use of social software tools. There are, however, indications that more familiar technologies such as web searching and instant messaging are being used more frequently and in more varied disciplinary contexts. As expected, undergraduate students report more frequent use of scaffolded learning activities whilst postgraduate students report more frequent use of research based e-learning activities.Institutional approaches to e-learning are found to be linked with student use, with students at institutions where the e-learning approaches are structured reporting more frequent use particularly in terms of learning management systems. Use of ICTs for information and communication have become more mainstream although students from different disciplinary contexts still report different frequencies of use for more specialised e-learning activities. The findings from this study are discussed in the light of international studies. While at times our data confirms findings from elsewhere, there are also cases where respondents in the local context do not use ICTs in the way that the broader literature might have lead local researchers to expect.
Produced natures through the lens of biodiversity conservation and tourism: the Ponta Negra Caiçara in the Atlantic Forest Coast of Brazil

Understanding nature as an outcome of organising discourses generated through relative experiences of our surroundings has been the groundwork of a political ecology that deals with the distribution of environmental justice among people with different degrees of power. In this paper, we examine how the environmental legislation and the tourism industry have constructed the term Caiçara as a way to categorise the inhabitants of the Atlantic Forest Coast of Brazil, in ways that meet their goals, but in turn occludes the discourse of the Caiçara themselves. Ethnographic research conducted in Ponta Negra, a small coastal community located at the heart of the Juatinga Ecological Reserve (Paraty, Rio de Janeiro State), as well as a review of key legislation, management plans and tourism materials form the empirical basis of this research. First, we offer a critical examination of the historical origin of the term Caiçara. We then compare contradictory ideas of Caiçara produced by Brazilian environmental legislation and the tourism industry. While the environmental legislation has characterised the Caiçara as fallen angels who are no longer conservation allies, the tourism industry has profited by selling them as ecologically noble savages who still live in harmony with the environment. Our analysis shows how Ponta Negra people have become objects of powerful discourses of nature that hinder the recognition of their collective rights and weaken their position to negotiate for their own desires and aspirations related to their identity and livelihoods.