Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of KR-12 peptide-containing hyaluronic acid immobilized fibrous eggshell membrane effectively kills multi-drug-resistant bacteria, promotes angiogenesis and accelerates re-epithelialization

Background: Designing a wound dressing that effectively prevents multi-drug-resistant bacterial infection and promotes angiogenesis and re-epithelialization is of great significance for wound management. Methods and results: In this study, a biocompatible composite membrane comprising biomimetic polydopamine-modified eggshell membrane nano/microfibres coated with KR-12 antimicrobial peptide and hyaluronic acid (HA) was developed in an eco-friendly manner. The physicochemical properties of the composite membrane were thoroughly characterized, and the results showed that the surface hydrophilicity and water absorption ability of the composite membrane were improved after the successive conjugation of the HA and the KR-12 peptide. Furthermore, the in vitrobiological results revealed that the composite membrane had excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, and it could prevent MRSA biofilm formation on its surface. Additionally, it promoted the proliferation of keratinocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells and increased the secretion of VEGF. Finally, an in vivo animal study indicated that the composite membrane could promote wound healing via accelerating angiogenesis and re-epithelialization, which were demonstrated by the enhanced expression of angiogenetic markers (CD31 and VEGF) and keratinocyte proliferation marker (PCNA), respectively. Conclusion: These results indicated that the composite membrane is a potential candidate of wound dressings
Evaluating Tourism Expenditure between the Northern and the Southern Italy (1998-2008)

The paper analyzes the economic contribution of tourism to Italian region economies, both in absolute and GDP share terms, for the years 1998-2008, through an analysis of the evolution of tourism expenditure patterns. To this end, an estimate of the Italian domestic expenditure disaggregated by geographical area of origin and destination, not yet available among the Italian official statistics, is carried out. The findings show the tourism domestic expenditure is about € 46.5 billion in 2008, with a correspondent daily per capita expenditure of some € 80. Considering the incoming tourism expenditure, tourism impact on the economy is 4.9 percent of GDP both for the Centre-North and South. Finally, NSI regional household final consumption is measured with reference to the territory where it is actually consumed and not to the residence of households of that area. In order to estimate households residence consumption, the consumption based on territorial principle is diminished by the value of the overall tourism balance of payment of the area. The correction in 2008 accounts for 0.9 percent of territorial consumption for Centre-North and 1.4 percent for the South.
The com locus controls genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Genetic exchange by natural transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae occurs in a cell‐density dependent process and is initiated by a small extracellular signalling molecule, the competence‐stimulating peptide (CSP). comC, the gene for this peptide, has previously been identified and encodes a 44 amino acid pre‐peptide that is apparently processed to an active molecule that consists of the C‐terminal 17 amino acids. We have sequenced the region adjacent to comC and shown that it is the first gene of an operon, com, consisting of two downstream elements, comD and comE, which encode members of the two‐component family of sensor regulators. Null mutants with defects in either comC or comD were transformation deficient and failed to respond to exogenous CSP. A comC mutant did not exhibit any detectable CSP activity, while a comD mutant that contained an intact comC produced minimal CSP activity. In mixed‐culture experiments consisting of isogenic pairs of pneumococci (Csp+ and Csp−), we showed that induction of competence by quorum sensing was independent of CSP. Northern analysis showed that com was transcribed as a single polycistronic message, while analysis of strains with transcriptional fusions showed that com was constitutively expressed under conditions that both promoted or repressed the development of competence. Finally, we showed genetically and biochemically a CSP‐dependent transcription of rec, a competence‐induced locus, and that ComD and ComE are required for this CSP‐dependent expression.
The Influence of Partner Choice and Country of Origin Characteristics on the Naturalization of Immigrants in Sweden: A Longitudinal Analysis

Using data for the period 1968–2001, this article assesses the influence of partner choice and origin country characteristics on the propensity of immigrants to naturalize in Sweden. Marriage to a foreign-born Swedish citizen increases the naturalization propensity, and its effect increases strongly when the spouse naturalizes during the same year. The analysis suggests that a lower level of civic and political freedom or relative GDP per capita in the individual's country of origin is associated with an elevated probability of naturalization. During the period of study, originating from a country which allows for dual citizenship did not systematically elevate the probability to naturalize; this probability was accentuated, however, if the individual originated from a context characterized by a low degree of civic and political freedom.
Frequency of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients with Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning

Background: Cardiac failure is the major lethal consequence of aluminum phosphide (AlP) poisoning. This study was designed to determine the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with AlP poisoning. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, patients with definitive history of AlP poisoning treated at emergency department of Allied Hospital Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from July 2013 to November 2014 were included. On admission, twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed for all patients. During admission, all patients underwent continuous cardiac monitoring using a cardiac monitor. If an arrhythmia was suspected on the cardiac monitor, another ECG was obtained immediately. Results: During the study period, 100 patients with AlP poisoning (63% men) were treated at Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Mean age of the patients was 26.7 ± 7.9 years ranging from 16 to 54 years. Tachycardia was detected in 68 patients and bradycardia in 12 patients. Hypotension was observed in 75 patients. Eighty patients developed cardiac arrhythmia. The most frequent arrhythmia was atrial fibrillation (31% of patients) followed by ventricular fibrillation (20%), ventricular tachycardia (17%), 3rd degree AV block (7%) and 2nd degree AV block (5%). In total, 78 patients died, depicting a 78% mortality rate following wheat pill poisoning. Among those who died, seventy-one patients had cardiac arrhythmia. Comparison of death rate between patients with and without cardiac arrhythmia showed a significant difference (71/80 (88.8%) vs. 7/20 (35%); P < 0.001). Conclusion: Wheat pill poisoning causes a very high mortality, and circulatory collapse is the major cause of death among these patients. Most of the patients with AlP poisoning develop cardiac arrhythmias which are invariably life threatening. Early detection of cardiac disorders and proper management of arrhythmias may reduce mortalities.
The impact of text-based CMC on improving L2 oral fluency

This paper reports on a study investigating the potential effect of synchronous and asynchronous text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC) on oral fluency development of second-language (L2) learners. Sixty-three intermediate learners of English were randomly assigned to one of three groups (two experimental groups and one control group), each consisting of 21 participants. The participants in the experimental groups completed four communicative tasks under two different instructional environments: synchronous text-based CMC environment and asynchronous text-based CMC environment. The average length of pauses, the articulation rate, the fluent-run, the phonation-time ratio and the speaking rate served as dependent variables. The study found that the participants in synchronous CMC group improved their L2 oral fluency significantly compared with their peers in the other two groups. The results also revealed the students in asynchronous CMC group obtained higher mean scores than those in the control group, although the differences between groups were not statistically significant.
The Relationship between Teamwork and Organizational Trust

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between teamwork and organizational trust. In the implementation section the data from the survey of 250 workers is employed in call centers in Erzurum by using relevant statistical methods. Consequently, it is found that there is a positive and significant relationship between teamwork and organizational trust. Thus, the hypothesis of the study is supported as it was expected. Besides, it is found that there are positive and significant relationships between communication, openness to innovation, participation-trust in teamwork and organizational trust, trust in management, trust in co-workers, and trust in workplace.
Persistent Young Offenders

Is there a small group of juveniles responsible for a large proportion of juvenile crime? Is it possible to identify the most persistent young offenders? How does the criminal justice system cope with them? This book explores the findings of the first British study of persistent young offenders. Based on a sample of several hundred young people who had been arrested three times or more in one year, it considers the nature and extent of their offending and examines their experiences of the criminal justice system. In addition, different methods of identifying the most persistent offenders are assessed. The backgrounds, criminal histories, educational experiences, contact with welfare and the use of drugs and alcohol by these young offenders are all considered, and the results are used to evaluate current proposals for dealing with the problem of persistent offending by young people.
Micro Small-sized Enterprises and Bank Credit

Micro small-sized enterprises play a vital role in poverty reduction and development of many developing countries. Yet the issue of credit availability to small firms continues to be a major problem which impedes the growth of micro-small enterprises. This article examines the factors influencing the extension of bank credit to micro small-sized enterprises based on a sample of 572 in Ghana and Nigeria. The results indicate that size of the firm, age of the firm, ownership type and relationship banking have a positive bearing on a decision to extend credit to small firms in West Africa. JEL Classification: G21, N27
Asthma in the vicinity of power stations: I. A prevalence study

Respiratory symptoms, atopy, and bronchial reactivity were measured in primary school children living in Lake Munmorah (LM), a coastal town near two power stations, and in Nelson Bay (NB), a coastal town free from any possible major sources of outdoor air pollution. A prevalence survey and longitudinal follow‐up study were performed 1 year apart. In both studies, the prevalence of ever wheezed, current wheezing, breathlessness, wheezing with exercise, diagnosed asthma, and use of drugs for asthma at LM were all approximately double the prevalence at NB (all P values < 0.01). The prevalence of bronchial reactivity was significantly greater at LM than NB (P < 0.01) at the first but not the second survey. By contrast, no significant differences were found between the two areas for skin test atopy or for parental history of allergic disease. Multivariate analysis supported the conclusion from the univariate analysis that there was more wheezing at LM compared to NB at both studies, when adjusted for atopy, smoking in the home, age, and sex. As expected, a positive skin test reaction to house dust mite was the predominant explanatory variable. Asthma was more common in the community near power stations (LM) than in the NB area. The absence of significant differences in skin test atopy and parental history of allergic disease argued against major genetic differences between the two groups. By contrast, the more common reporting of siblings' chest disease and asthma in Lake Munmorah supported an environmental cause.
Effect of dairy calcium from cheese and milk on fecal fat excretion, blood lipids, and appetite in young men.

BACKGROUND Calcium from different dairy sources might affect blood lipids and fecal fat excretion differently because of differences in the food matrix and nutritional composition. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether milk- and cheese-based diets with similar calcium contents affect a saturated fatty acid-induced increase in blood lipids differently. DESIGN Fifteen healthy, young men participated in a randomized 3 × 2-wk crossover study in which the following 3 isocaloric diets that were similar in fat contents and compositions were compared: control diet [nondairy diet (~500 mg Ca/d)], milk diet [semiskimmed milk-based diet (1700 mg Ca/d)], and cheese diet [semihard cow-cheese-based diet (1700 mg Ca/d)]. Blood was drawn before and after each period, and feces were collected for 5 d during each period. RESULTS Saturated fatty acid-induced increases in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were lower with the milk diet (mean ± SD: 0.57 ± 0.13 and 0.53 ± 0.11 mmol/L, respectively) (P < 0.01) and cheese diet (0.41 ± 0.15 and 0.47 ± 0.12 mmol/L, respectively) (P < 0.05) than with the control diet (0.89 ± 0.12 and 0.84 ± 0.11 mmol/L, respectively). Fecal fat excretion increased more with the consumption of both the milk (5.2 ± 0.4 g/d) and cheese (5.7 ± 0.4 g/d) diets than with the control diet (3.9 ± 0.3 g/d) (P < 0.001). Changes in blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipid ratios did not differ. CONCLUSIONS Compared with the control diet, milk- and cheese-based diets attenuated saturated fatty acid-induced increases in total and LDL cholesterol and resulted in increased fecal fat excretion; however, effects of milk and cheese did not differ. Because the diets contained similar amounts of saturated fat, similar increases in total and LDL cholesterol could be expected; however, both milk and cheese attenuated these responses, which seem to be explained by their calcium contents. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01317251.
Analysis of the 2009 Turkish Election Results from an Economic Voting Perspective

The outcome of the 29 March 2009 Turkish local administrations election is analyzed in light of economic voting literature, both from historical and geographical perspectives. First, the nationwide vote share of the incumbent party (AKP) is compared to what would be expected based on the patterns observed in the past twenty-six National Assembly, Senate, and Provincial Council elections held between 1951 and 2007. For this purpose a vote equation is estimated using aggregate nationwide time-series data. This equation takes into account the roles played by economic conditions, political inertia, incumbency factors, strategic voting by the electorate, and the political realignments. Second, inter-party vote movements between the 2007 parliamentary and the 2009 local administrations elections are analyzed, through systems of party vote equations, estimated separately for different regions of the country, using cross-provincial data. The results obtained show that the outcome of the 2009 election was predictable on the basis of historical patterns. The vote loses of the AKP is attributable mainly to two transitory factors: poor economic conditions prevailing at the time of the election and typical strategic-voting experienced in local elections. The party’s vote losses tended to be higher in the east than in the west and in provinces where its support is high than where it is low. The voters who deserted the AKP went to the DP, SP and DTP, in the mid-eastern and south-eastern Anatolia, and to the MHP and SP, in the rest of the country.
Longitudinal changes in white matter integrity among adolescent substance users.

BACKGROUND The influence of repeated substance use during adolescent neurodevelopment remains unclear as there have been few prospective investigations. The aims of this study were to identify longitudinal changes in fiber tract integrity associated with alcohol- and marijuana-use severity over the course of 1.5 years. METHODS Adolescents with extensive marijuana- and alcohol-use histories by mid-adolescence (n = 41) and youth with consistently minimal if any substance use (n = 51) were followed over 18 months. Teens received diffusion tensor imaging and detailed substance-use assessments with toxicology screening at baseline and 18-month follow-ups (i.e., 182 scans in all), as well as interim substance-use interviews each 6 months. RESULTS At an 18-month follow-up, substance users showed poorer white matter integrity in 7 tracts: (i) right superior longitudinal fasciculus, (ii) left superior longitudinal fasciculus, (iii) right posterior thalamic radiations, (iv) right prefrontal thalamic fibers, (v) right superior temporal gyrus white matter, (vi) right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and (vii) left posterior corona radiata (ps < 0.01). More alcohol use during the interscan interval predicted higher mean diffusivity (i.e., worsened integrity) in right (p < 0.05) and left (p = 0.06) superior longitudinal fasciculi, above and beyond baseline values in these bundles. Marijuana use during the interscan interval did not predict change over time. More externalizing behaviors at Time 1 predicted lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity (i.e., poorer integrity) of the right prefrontal thalamic fibers (p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS Findings add to previous cross-sectional studies reporting white matter disadvantages in youth with substance-use histories. In particular, alcohol use during adolescent neurodevelopment may be linked to reductions in white matter quality in association fiber tracts with frontal connections. In contrast, youth who engage in a variety of risk-taking behaviors may have unique neurodevelopmental trajectories characterized by truncated development in fronto-thalamic tracts, which could have functional and clinical consequences in young adulthood.
Observations and Mechanisms for the Formation of Deep Equatorial and Tropical Circulation

The Intermediate and Deep Equatorial and Tropical Circulations (DEC and DTC) consist of a complex system of zonal jets. This paper attempts at unifying existing observations and theories to present our current understanding of this jets system. Recent in situ observations suggesting a continuity between DEC and DTC are confronted against the various generation mechanisms that have been proposed in the literature. The key notion to differentiate these previous studies lies in the so‐called “cascade of mechanisms,” that is, the energy pathway and equilibration processes chain that lead to the jets from their initial energy source. Many studies see the deep equatorial intraseasonal variability as the initial energy source, highlighting its key role in energizing the DEC and DTC. However, critical gaps remain in this cascade of mechanisms and limit substantially our ability to represent the jets in Ocean Global Circulation Models. This paper aims at identifying such gaps and propose future research directions.
BRAZILIAN FEMALE LABOR MARKET: RACIAL-SKIN COLOR DISCRIMINATION AND INEFFICIENCY

The myth of racial democracy is still widespread in the Brazilian society, although economic literature has continuously documented pervasive racial discrimination. This study analyzes racial discrimination in the Brazilian female labor market using a Mincer stochastic wage frontier, corrected for sample selection. The results, using Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition, showed that an efficient wage differential, not explained by diferences in human capital does exist and is large among the most eficiente workers. Wage inefficiencies are also explained and it is a claim of the study that traditional policies might be a tool in reducing underpayment dispersion, but cannot cope with pure discrimination.
Overexpression of Human Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 in the Mouse Leads to Nephron Deficit

IGFs and their binding proteins are important regulators of fetal development. We have previously reported that overexpression of the human IGF binding protein-1 in mice is associated with glomerulosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether, in that model, decreased bioavailability of IGFs also affected nephrogenesis. When the mothers expressed human IGF binding protein-1, pups were growth retarded and had a reduced number of nephrons. Even nontransgenic pups born to heterozygous mothers had a nephron reduction, indicating that renal hypoplasia was secondary to fetal growth retardation. When the transgene was expressed only in the fetus, pups had a normal birth weight and the kidney was normal at birth, as indicated by histologic studies. However, a significant reduction in the nephron number was observed at 3 mo of age. Because nephrogenesis continues for a few days after birth in the mouse, this indicated that human IGF binding protein-1 overexpression altered postnatal nephrogenesis. In addition, exogenously added IGF-II, but not IGF-I, was effective in stimulating in vitro nephrogenesis. Together these elements suggest that reduced amounts of circulating IGFs, presumably IGF-II, impair kidney development.
CAL72: a human osteosarcoma cell line with unique effects on hematopoietic cells

Abstract: Permanent osteoblastic cell lines are potential tools to study the interactions between osteoblastic and hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow cavity. In a recent work we have shown that the osteosarcoma cell line CAL72 may be more closely related to normal osteoblasts than the osteosarcoma cells previously described. In the present work we continued the characterisation of the CAL72 cell line with regard to its effects on various hematopoietic cells, in coculture experiments. We show here that CAL72 cells, in contrast to MG‐63 or SaOS‐2 osteosarcoma cell lines, do not inhibit hematopoietic colony formation and sustain the limited expansion of hematopoietic progenitors in a similar way to that described for normal osteoblasts. We also demonstrate that CAL72 cells induce the monocytic differentiation of the promyelocytic HL‐60 cell line like MG‐63 and SaOS‐2, but support a better maturation and a longer survival of the differentiated cells than the two other osteosarcoma cell lines. In order to better understand the differential effects observed between CAL72 and MG‐63 or SaOS‐2, we analysed the cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression of these cells using the RNase protection quantitative assay. We show here that the expression profile of CAL72 is clearly different from that of MG‐63 or SaOS‐2 and may explain, at least in part, its specific effects on hematopoietic cells. Taken together these experiments confirm that CAL72 has particular properties and is an interesting tool to study the role of osteoblastic cells in hematopoietic cell growth and differentiation.