Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increasing immunization compliance among schools and day care centers: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial

This paper reports on the results of a randomized controlled trial in which researchers collaborated with a department of health in a mid-size city to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted communications highlighting descriptive social norms to increase immunization compliance across 700 schools. Schools were randomly selected to receive a twice-annual immunization compliance report card reporting in detail their compliance rates compared to other schools of the same school type; the comparison rates reported included the school-type average, average compliance among the top 10% of performers, and the city target of 98% compliance. Shifts in immunization compliance are tracked in a city-wide administrative vaccine registry. The results suggest that there was no significant difference in compliance rates between treatment and control schools six months post-treatment. To our knowledge, it is the first randomized controlled trial evaluating the use of descriptive social norms in increasing immunization compliance rates in a school-based setting. In addition, it serves as an example of embedding a behaviorally-informed experiment in a government program utilizing high-quality administrative data.
Effects of different blanching treatments on microbiological profile and quality of the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

Safety and quality of edible insects are among the primary aspects which heavily affect edible insect acceptance by the consumers. In this study, the effects of different blanching treatments on the microbiological profile, pH and colour of mealworm larvae were evaluated. The effect of 10 combinations of temperature (50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C) and time (2.5 and 5 min) were compared to fresh larvae and oven cooked larvae (10 min at 150 °C). Moreover, the effect of 24 h starvation on the microbiological profile was evaluated. Total viable aerobic count, Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, yeasts and moulds, lactic acid bacteria, aerobic bacterial endospores, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were determined. Starvation only marginally affected the microflora, furthermore, in all samples E. coli, B. cereus, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were never detected. A blanching treatment at 60 °C for 5 min seems to be the lower time-temperature combination in order to achieve a significant decrease of microbial loads. Blanching treatments also played a role in pH and colour modifications: larvae blanched at least at 60 °C stopped browning, possibly in relation to an enzymatic inhibition. Among the tested blanching treatments, 60 °C for 5 min seems to be the most feasible application in order to achieve the fixed goals. Lower temperature or time combinations were unable to reduce microbial loads or stop the browning effect, on the other hand, higher temperatures did not allow to improve the product quality and microbiological parameters.
Modeling of excitatory amino acid transporters and clearance of synaptic cleft on millisecond time scale

Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAATs) operate over wide time scales in the brain. They maintain low ambient concentrations of the primary excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate, but they also seem to play a significant role in clearing glutamate from the synaptic cleft in the millisecond time-scale process of chemical communication that occurs between neurons. The detailed kinetic mechanisms underlying glutamate uptake and clearance remain incompletely understood. In this work we used a combination of methods to model EAAT kinetics and gain insight into the impact of transport on glutamate dynamics in a general sense. We derive reliable estimates of the turnover rates of the three major EAAT subtypes expressed in the mammalian cerebral cortex. Previous studies have provided transporter kinetic estimates that vary over an order of magnitude. The values obtained in this study are consistent with estimates that suggest the unitary transporter rates are approximately 20-fold slower than the time course of glutamate in the synapse. A combined diffusion/transport model provides a possible mechanism for the apparent discrepancy.
QTL analysis for carbon assimilate translocation-related traits during maturity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Problems with carbon assimilate translocation from source organs to sink (grains) during ripening cause yield losses in rice (Oryza sativa L.), especially in high-sink-capacity varieties. We conducted a genetic analysis of traits related to such translocation by using recombinant inbred lines. Shoot weight (SW) of T65, a japonica parent, was retained from heading to late maturity, whereas that of DV85, an aus parent, was greater than that of T65 at 5 days after heading (DAH) and then decreased until 20 DAH. This difference was observed clearly under standard-fertilizer but not low-fertilizer conditions. Non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) contents in the parents showed a tendency similar to that for SW. QTL analysis revealed pleiotropic QTLs on chromosomes 5 and 10, probably by associations with heading date QTLs. A QTL associated with harvest index and NSC at 5 DAH was detected on chromosome 1. By considering the temporal changes of the traits, we found a QTL for decrease in SW on chromosome 11; the DV85 allele of this QTL facilitated assimilate translocation and suppressed biomass growth. A suggestive QTL for NSC decrease was located on chromosome 2. These QTLs could represent potential targets for controlling carbon assimilate translocation in breeding programs.
Colocalisation de la cyclooxygénase-2 (COX-2) et de la nucléobindine (Nuc) chez le neutrophile humain

The neutrophil is a cell type of innate immunity that is essential in the management of homeostatic imbalances involving pathogens. It cleans the site of an inflammatory reaction of its débris and gets rid of infectious material via phagocytosis, degranulation and oxydative burst. Moreover, it can release an important quantity of bioactive lipids and peptide mediators which ail hâve for common objective the création of an inflammatory environment conducive to the resolution of a homeostatic perturbation. In fulfilling their duty, thèse molécules will, amongst other things, recruit and activate other cell types of the immune System. The bioactive lipid class of mediators includes the prostanoïd family generated from an enzymatic cascade initiated by an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). Recently, an interaction partner was found for COX. The yeast two-hybrid assay, revealed that a protein named nucleobindin (Nue) could interact with both isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). Nue is a potentially multifunctionnal protein that has yet to be assigned a définitive rôle. Using the human neutrophil as an expérimental model, the présent study assesses the possibility and conséquences of a COX-2/Nuc interaction in the intracellular environment.
1213-P: Assessing the Performance of Cardiovascular Risk Equations in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 Population

Sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors have demonstrated reduced incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events, which cannot be fully explained by effects on HbA1c, body weight or blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) economic models link treatment-related changes in risk factor levels to long-term incidence of CV events via risk equations (RE). This study assessed the performance of commonly used CV RE in T2DM to the CV outcomes trial DECLARE-TIMI 58. Ten sets of RE were coded in MS-Excel (ADVANCE, ARIC, BRAVO, Framingham, Fremantle, New Zealand CVD, QRisk3, Swedish NDR, UKPDS 68 and 82) to predict annual probabilities of CV events and applied to baseline characteristics and 1-year treatment effects (HbA1c, weight and blood pressure) for dapagliflozin (DAPA) versus placebo (PLA) from DECLARE-TIMI 58. Predicted event rates for myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF) and stroke and the relative risks (RR) associated with DAPA versus PLA were estimated and compared to the closest reported trial outcome. Of the ten sets of RE, seven predicted composite CV outcomes, demanding assumptions to predict risk of individual events; only UKPDS and BRAVO predicted all three events. When comparing trial observations against predictions averaged across RE, correlation was greater for absolute event rates (R 2 : 0.92) than RRs (R 2 : 0.42). ARIC, Fremantle and New Zealand RE considerably overpredicted risk of MI and stroke compared to the trial. RE typically underpredicted the effect of DAPA on HF (average predicted RR: 0.89 versus reported hazard ratio 0.73, CI: 0.61 to 0.88) and MI (average predicted RR: 0.93 versus reported hazard ratio 0.89, CI: 0.77 to 1.01). Existing methods of CV risk prediction evaluated in this study did not accurately predict the treatment benefits observed in DECLARE-TIMI 58. The development of DECLARE-TIMI 58-specific risk equations may be required to robustly evaluate the long-term clinical and economic impact of DAPA in T2DM. Disclosure P. McEwan: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca. Employee; Self; Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd. V. Foos: Employee; Self; Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd., IQVIA. H. Bennett: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca. Employee; Self; Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd. B. Kartman: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca. Stock/Shareholder; Self; AstraZeneca. C. Edmonds: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca. I.A. Gause-Nilsson: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca. Funding AstraZeneca
TEACHING POLYSEMOUS WORDS TO ARAB LEARNERS: A COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS APPROACH

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to compare the pedagogic efficiency of two methods for teaching polysemous vocabulary – the image-schema-based vocabulary instruction method (ISBM) and the translation-based vocabulary instruction method (TBM). While ISBM is inspired by cognitive linguistics, and represents a new trend in teaching polysemous vocabulary, TBM embodies a traditional and well established way of teaching polysemous vocabulary in EFL contexts. Additionally, this study aims to evaluate the way in which three learner characteristics - learning styles, vocabulary learning strategies, language proficiency - contribute to individual differences in acquiring polysemous words. The subjects of this study, 40 female students studying at an intensive English program at the University of Sharjah, UAE, were placed in two groups and were taught a range of metaphorical meanings of polysemous words, in accordance with the cognitive linguistics ISBM and the mainstream TBM. In order to assess the pedagogical value of both methods, a polysemous word knowledge test (PWKT) was used as a pre and post-test. Also, a strategy assessment test (SAT) was employed to gauge the effectiveness of the strategic teaching method in accordance with which the polysemous words were instructed. Furthermore, in an attempt to explore the nature of the relationships between some of the learner characteristics and the acquisition of polysemous vocabulary, a vocabulary learning questionnaire and a style of processing scale were given to the learners. The results of the immediate post PWKT suggest that the ISBM is more effective in teaching and learning polysemous vocabulary in this setting than the TBM. In the long term, however, both of the techniques adopted in teaching polysemous words proved beneficial in long-term recall. Also, teaching polysemous vocabulary strategically – showing learners how to work out the metaphorical meanings of some polysemous words through their literal meanings - paid off in that learners were more readily able to understand metaphorical senses of new polysemous words they encountered in the SAT. Altogether, three variables seem to come into play when dealing with the acquisition of polysemous words in the framework of cognitive linguistics - learning styles, vocabulary learning strategies, language proficiency. In light of these findings, I give a number of recommendations to teachers, material developers and lexicographers. As far as the contribution to field of vocabulary acquisition is concerned, this study attempts to shed light on the teaching of polysemous words in an Arab context (a so far unmapped territory). In that, it tries to show how polysemous words have been treated in the English syllabuses directed to UAE learners, to equip English teachers with feasible ways to teach polysemous words more efficiently, and thereby to improve the learners’ ability to comprehend some new concepts more easily. Finally, this study addresses some of the pitfalls of previous studies on teaching polysemous words within the framework of cognitive linguistics.
Iron Biofortification of Red and Green Pigmented Lettuce in Closed Soilless Cultivation Impacts Crop Performance and Modulates Mineral and Bioactive Composition

Consumer demand for vegetables of fortified mineral and bioactive content is on the rise, driven by the growing interest of society in fresh products of premium nutritional and functional quality. Biofortification of leafy vegetables with essential micronutrients such as iron (Fe) is an efficient means to address the human micronutrient deficiency known as hidden hunger. Morphometric analysis, lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of green and red butterhead lettuce cultivars in response to Fe concentration in the nutrient solution (0.015 control, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mM Fe) were assessed. The experiment was carried out in a controlled-environment growth chamber using a closed soilless system (nutrient film technique). The percentage of yield reduction in comparison to the control treatment was 5.7%, 13.5% and 25.3% at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM Fe, respectively. Irrespective of the cultivar, the addition of 1.0 mM or 2.0 mM Fe in the nutrient solution induced an increase in the Fe concentration of lettuce leaves by 20.5% and 53.7%, respectively. No significant effects of Fe application on phenolic acids and carotenoid profiles were observed in green Salanova. Increasing Fe concentration in the nutrient solution to 0.5 mM triggered a spike in chlorogenic acid and total phenolics in red Salanova lettuce by 110.1% and 29.1% compared with the control treatment, respectively; moreover, higher accumulation of caffeoyl meso tartaric phenolic acid by 31.4% at 1.0 mM Fe and of carotenoids violaxanthin, neoxanthin and β-carotene by 37.0% at 2.0 mM Fe were also observed in red Salanova compared with the control (0.015 mM Fe) treatment. Red Salanova exhibited higher yield, P and K contents, ascorbic acid, phenolic acids and carotenoid compounds than green Salanova. The wok shows how nutrient solution management in soilless culture could serve as effective cultural practices for producing Fe-enriched lettuce of premium quality, notwithstanding cultivar selection being a critical underlying factor for obtaining high quality products.
Antitumor Effect of Albendazole on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Cells

Drug repurposing and/or repositioning is an alternative method to develop new treatment for certain diseases. Albendazole was originally developed as an anthelmintic medication, and it has been used to treat a variety of parasitic infestations. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effect of albendazole and putative action mechanism. Results showed that albendazole dramatically decreased the cell viability of SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13 cells). Albendazole increased apoptosis-related signals, including cleaved caspase-3 and PARP-1 in a dose-dependent fashion. The mechanistic study showed that albendazole induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, evidenced by increase of CHOP, ATF-4, caspase-4, and caspase-12. Pretreatment with ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA attenuated albendazole-induced apoptosis of SCC cells. In addition, albendazole decreased the colony-forming ability of SCC cells, together with inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These results indicate that albendazole shows an antitumor effect via regulation of ER stress and cancer stemness, suggesting that albendazole could be repositioned for cutaneous SCC treatment.
Computational Studies of Small Molecule Activation in Catylsis and Green Chemistry

Recently, society has relied on scientists for creating cleaner and more sustainable chemical processes, giving rise to research efforts in the field of ”Green Chemistry. ” This trend is predicted to grow in the coming years and is aimed at generating low waste, efficient, healthy, and safe scientific procedures. Biocatalysis plays an important role in the field of Green Chemistry due to the biodegradability and mild reaction conditions characteristic of biological catalysts. Biomimetic studies show promise for clean energy solutions through the imitation of the structure and function of an enzyme active sites. The Vogiatzis group at the University of Tennessee focuses its research on describing chemical systems relevant to Green Chemistry. Through electronic structure theory methods, our goal is elucidate the electronic structure of small molecules containing transition metals and gain insight on their available catalytic mechanisms. The role of transition metal-mediated oxidation of alkanes has proven to be one of the greater challenges in various branches of chemistry. Consequently, the elucidation of the mechanistic aspects that lead to the catalytic conversion of methane to methanol has received considerable attention. Small molecules containing iron(IV)-oxo have been observed to functionalize the C-H bond of methane in mononuclear heme and non-heme enzymes. The process converting methane to methanol is currently used for industrial applications, and an effort to understand the ligand environment that leads to the C-H bond functionalization is of high interest. Nitrogen, essential to all living organisms, is found abundantly in our atmosphere in its unusable form, dinitrogen. Nitrogen ”fixation” describes a process that converts N2 into a usable, nitrogen-containing molecule. The well known industrial Haber-Bosh process was a revolutionary discovery that paved the way for large production of fertilizers that aid
Aortic valve endocarditis complicated by proximal false aneurysm.

Background Aortic valve endocarditis remains a life-threatening condition, especially in cases of periannular complications. Aorto-ventricular discontinuity associated with proximal false aneurysm represents a severe picture caused by extensive tissue disruption and is usually associated with prosthetic valve infection. Complex surgical repair is required in these cases and continues to be associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Methods We retrieved information for 32 patients undergoing operation for infective aortic valve/prosthetic valve endocarditis complicated by pseudoaneurysm arising from aorto-ventricular discontinuity. Patients were relatively young, mostly male and most of them had a prior cardiac operation. Aortic root replacement with valve graft conduit was performed in all cases; it was associated with other procedures in seven patients: CABG (n=2), MV surgery (n=3), MV surgery + CABG (n=1) and pulmonary valve replacement (n=1). We reported and analysed patient outcomes at early and mid-term follow-up. Results Pre-discharge mortality was 22% (n=7). The postoperative course was complicated in 24 (75%) cases. Eighteen patients (56%) sustained low cardiac output resulting in multiple organ failure syndrome and death in five cases. One patient (3%) experienced a major neurologic deficit with a permanent cerebral stroke. Acute kidney injury complicated the course in 12 cases (37%), continuous renal replacement therapy was necessary in four patients (12%). Overall survival and freedom from endocarditis and reoperation at 5-year was 59% and 89%, respectively. Conclusions Patients with complicated aortic valve endocarditis presented generally in a poor preoperative state. Surgical treatment poses a non-negligible risk of postoperative mortality and morbidity but provides an acceptable survival rate and a satisfactory recovery at mid-term.
Seasonal variations in thermoregulatory patterns enable Morada Nova sheep to adapt to Brazilian semi-arid

The present study aimed evaluate possible modifications of thermoregulatory morphophysiological responses of Morada Nova sheep throughout the year in 4 properties of the nucleus of participatory genetic breeding. In the months of March, June, September and December, respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperatures (RT) and surface (ST) were recorded as well as the environmental variables air temperature (airT), relative humidity (RH) wind (Ws). Calculated the radiant heat load (RHL) and the Black Globe Humidity Index (BGHI). The coat thickness was measured and hair samples were collected and determined hair density, hair length and hair diameter. Blood collection was collected for determination of T3 and total T4 concentrations. In the rainy season, which includes the months of March and June, higher values of RR and RT, probably due to the combination of high RH, associated to RHL, BGHI and airT were recorded, as these hamper loss and heat. All values of RT independent of month and flocks remained within values considered normal for the species. September and December are inserted in the dry season, with a low RH factor that can facilitate heat loss through evaporation. In these months, lower values of RT and RR were observed when compared to the rainy season, lower values of RR were recorded between 40 and 60 mov.min-1 . The secretion of thyroid hormones was greater in the environmental conditions considered more comfortable. The homeothermia was maintained by Morada Nova sheep at different times evaluated as indicated by the normal physiological parameters. The rainy season was considered the most stressful for the animals, since they used a more intense set of variables in order to thermoregulate and maintain the homeothermia, which justifies the importance of providing shelters, with the objective of reducing the overheating, even in view of their great adaptive capacity, already demonstrated in previous studies. Changes in the coat characteristics were observed during all the months of the year, assisting for either physical protection or heat dissipation and could therefore be indicated as a thermotolerance phenotypic marker with the potential to be used as selection criteria in breeding programs and conservation of resistant animals to heat.
Structural Equation Modeling Techniques and Regression: Guidelines for Research Practice

The growing interest in Structured Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques and recognition of their importance in IS research raises the need to compare and contrast the different types of SEM so that research designs can be selected on the basis of appropriateness. After discussing a running example which analyzes the same dataset via three very different statistical techniques, the paper assesses the extent to which these techniques are currently being used in IS research. It then compares two classes of SEM, covariance-based SEM and partial-least-squares-based SEM. Finally, it discusses linear regression models and suggests guidelines as to when both SEM and regression techniques should be used. The paper concludes with heuristics and rule of thumb thresholds to guide practice, and a description of the extent to which practice is in accord with these guidelines. The paper is written in such a way that readers with basic knowledge of multivariate statistics can follow the logic and examples. It does not assume the reader is already conversant with LISREL, PLS, or other SEM tools. To address this audience, the paper contains straightforward examples to explain more complex topics, a glossary with clickable links, and a rudimentary structural model applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to e-Commerce which is analyzed via PLS, LISREL, and linear regression techniques.