Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attitudes towards nature, wilderness and protected areas: a way to sustainable stewardship in the South-Western Carpathians

The acceptance and support by those who live in and around the largest remaining wilderness of Europe is very important for the success of a planned network of designated wilderness areas that should preserve the area's wilderness values. A standardised questionnaire was administered in person to 322 local residents. A cluster analysis revealed two human–nature relationship types: traditional nature users and progressive nature friends, which differ significantly in their feelings towards wilderness and attitude towards protected areas. The generally positive attitudes towards wilderness and the neutral attitudes towards the existing protected areas are a good starting point for communication about, and establishment of, the wilderness areas. As a quarter of the local population is not aware that they are living in a protected area, they should be informed during information events in the localities about the exact location of the planned wilderness zones and the potential consequences for them.
Pro-nerve Growth Factor Induces Autocrine Stimulation of Breast Cancer Cell Invasion through Tropomyosin-related Kinase A (TrkA) and Sortilin Protein*

The precursor of nerve growth factor (proNGF) has been described as a biologically active polypeptide able to induce apoptosis in neuronal cells, via the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR and the sortilin receptor. Herein, it is shown that proNGF is produced and secreted by breast cancer cells, stimulating their invasion. Using Western blotting and mass spectrometry, proNGF was detected in a panel of breast cancer cells as well as in their conditioned media. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated an overproduction of proNGF in breast tumors, when compared with benign and normal breast biopsies, and a relationship to lymph node invasion in ductal carcinomas. Interestingly, siRNA against proNGF induced a decrease of breast cancer cell invasion that was restored by the addition of non-cleavable proNGF. The activation of TrkA, Akt, and Src, but not the MAP kinases, was observed. In addition, the proNGF invasive effect was inhibited by the Trk pharmacological inhibitor K252a, a kinase-dead TrkA, and siRNA against TrkA sortilin, neurotensin, whereas siRNA against p75NTR and the MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059 had no impact. These data reveal the existence of an autocrine loop stimulated by proNGF and mediated by TrkA and sortilin, with the activation of Akt and Src, for the stimulation of breast cancer cell invasion.
Sustained attention at age 5 predicts attention-related problems at age 9

This study tested whether two aspects of sustained attention (focused attention and lack of impulsivity) measured at child age 5 predicted attention problems reported by mothers and teachers at age 9. Because lack of impulsivity reflects the executive control network, and ADHD is commonly characterized as a deficit in executive function, it was expected to have more predictive power than focused attention. Data were drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Focused attention and lack of impulsivity, measured in a laboratory task at age 5, were equally predictive of attention problems at age 9, including the mother’s report of whether the child had been diagnosed with ADHD. However, age 9 teacher-reported hyperactivity was not predicted by focused attention, and only marginally predicted by lack of impulsivity. Results complement an earlier study by Razza, Martin, and Brooks-Gunn showing that both focused attention and lack of impulsivity at age 5 predicted children’s approaches to learning at age 9.
Clinical activity and safety of the histone deacetylase inhibitor MGCD0103: Results of a phase I study in patients with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

6500 Background: MGCD0103 is a novel inhibitor of human histone deacetylases (HDACs), with selectivity for the cancer-associated isoforms of class I HDACs. Deacetylation of histones by HDACs is postulated to inactivate tumour suppressor genes leading to neoplastic transformation, and therefore inhibition of this enzyme may result in antineoplastic activity. METHODS To study the safety and activity of MGCD0103, we have developed a phase I open-label dose escalation study of MGCD0103 administered orally, three-times weekly in patients with leukemia or MDS, with the primary endpoints being the determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of MGCD0103. Eligibility criteria included appropriate performance status and renal and hepatic functions. Patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia or MDS and older patients with untreated AML/MDS were eligible. RESULTS Twenty patients have been enrolled at four dose levels (20, 40, 80 and 60 mg/m2) so far. Their characteristics are: median age 60 years (range 33-76); the majority of patients so far treated have AML; median number of prior therapies is 1 (range 0-3). Most patients had complex cytogenetics. MGCD0103 has been well tolerated at doses below 80 mg/m2. The MTD has been reached, with 3 out of 4 patients at a dose of 80 mg/m2 developing grade 3 toxicity, mainly fatigue, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Grade 2 toxicities include anorexia, constipation, dehydration. The median number of courses is 1 (range 1 to 6). As of January 2006, 7 patients are on study. PK evaluations show dose-dependent exposure. Analysis of peripheral blood cell HDAC activity indicates that HDAC inhibition occurs in all patients in a dose-dependent manner. Two patients with multiple relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia, and one with MDS have achieved a complete marrow response (blasts less than 6%). Of importance, maximal HDAC inhibition was observed in those patients at the time of best response. CONCLUSIONS Single-agent MGCD0103 has clinical activity and is well tolerated at doses below 80 mg/m2 orally three times a week in patients with advanced leukemia. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Respiratory syncytial virus genotypes NA1, ON1, and BA9 are prevalent in Thailand, 2012–2015

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children worldwide. To investigate the RSV burden in Thailand over four consecutive years (January 2012 to December 2015), we screened 3,306 samples obtained from children ≤5 years old with acute respiratory tract infection using semi-nested reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In all, 8.4% (277/3,306) of the specimens tested positive for RSV, most of which appeared in the rainy months of July to November. We then genotyped RSV by sequencing the G glycoprotein gene and performed phylogenetic analysis to determine the RSV antigenic subgroup. The majority (57.4%, 159/277) of the RSV belonged to subgroup A (RSV-A), of which NA1 genotype was the most common in 2012 while ON1 genotype became prevalent the following year. Among samples tested positive for RSV-B subgroup B (RSV-B) (42.6%, 118/277), most were genotype BA9 (92.6%, 87/94) with some BA10 and BA-C. Predicted amino acid sequence from the partial G region showed highly conserved N-linked glycosylation site at residue N237 among all RSV-A ON1 strains (68/68), and at residues N296 (86/87) and N310 (87/87) among RSV-B BA9 strains. Positive selection of key residues combined with notable sequence variations on the G gene contributed to the continued circulation of this rapidly evolving virus.
Higher prevalence of spontaneous cerebral vasculopathy and cerebral infarcts in a mouse model of sickle cell disease

Stroke is a dramatic complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), which is associated with cerebral vasculopathies including moya moya, intravascular thrombi, cerebral hyperemia, and increased vessel tortuosity. The spontaneous occurrence of these pathologies in the sickle cell mouse model has not been described. Here, we studied Townes humanized sickle cell and age-matched control mice that were 13 months old. We used in vivo two-photon microscopy to assess blood flow dynamics, vascular topology, and evidence of cerebral vasculopathy. Results showed that compared to controls, sickle cell mice had significantly higher red blood cell (RBC) velocity (0.73 mm/s vs. 0.55 mm/s, p = 0.013), capillary vessel diameter (4.84 µM vs. 4.50 µM, p = 0.014), and RBC volume flux (0.015 nL/s vs. 0.010 nL/s, p = 0.021). Also, sickle cell mice had significantly more tortuous capillary vessels (p < 0.0001) and significantly shorter capillary vessel branches (p = 0.0065) compared to controls. Sickle cell mice also had significantly higher number of capillary occlusive events (3.4% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.0001) and RBC stalls (3.8% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.0001) in the cerebral capillary bed. In post-mortem immunohistochemical analyses, sickle cell mice had a 2.5-fold higher frequency of cortical microinfarcts compared to control mice. Our results suggest that aged Townes sickle cell mice spontaneously develop SCD-associated cerebral vasculopathy.
Training of attentional control in mild cognitive impairment with executive deficits: Results from a double-blind randomised controlled study

This study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive intervention for attentional control in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with an executive deficit. It also sought to verify if the benefits of training generalised to primary and secondary outcome measures. Participants (n = 24) were randomly assigned to a training programme or active control condition. The experimental group completed a computer-based training programme involving Variable Priority (VP) coordination of both components of a dual task, to which was added a self-regulatory strategy designed to augment meta-cognition. The active control group performed Fixed Priority (FP) training: rote practice of the same dual task involving a visual detection task combined with an alpha-arithmetic task. Six one-hour training sessions were held three times a week for two weeks. Participants were tested pre- and post-training to detect improvement and transfer effects. Both groups improved on the visual detection and alpha-arithmetic tasks completed in focused attention, but only participants receiving VP training significantly improved their dual-task cost in accuracy for the visual detection task. As for transfer effects, both FP and VP training produced improvements on select outcome measures: focused attention, speed of processing, and switching abilities. No reliable advantage for generalisability of VP over FP training was found. Overall, these findings indicate that cognitive intervention may improve attentional control in persons with MCI and an executive deficit.
Nucleotides and Phosphorylation Bi-directionally Modulate Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) Binding to the N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Subunit GluN2B*

The Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and the NMDA-type glutamate receptor are key regulators of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. Direct binding of CaMKII to the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2B (formerly known as NR2B) (i) is induced by Ca2+/CaM but outlasts this initial Ca2+-stimulus, (ii) mediates CaMKII translocation to synapses, and (iii) regulates synaptic strength. CaMKII binds to GluN2B around S1303, the major CaMKII phosphorylation site on GluN2B. We show here that a phospho-mimetic S1303D mutation inhibited CaM-induced CaMKII binding to GluN2B in vitro, presenting a conundrum how binding can occur within cells, where high ATP concentration should promote S1303 phosphorylation. Surprisingly, addition of ATP actually enhanced the binding. Mutational analysis revealed that this positive net effect was caused by four modulatory effects of ATP, two positive (direct nucleotide binding and CaMKII T286 autophosphorylation) and two negative (GluN2B S1303 phosphorylation and CaMKII T305/6 autophosphorylation). Imaging showed positive regulation by nucleotide binding also within transfected HEK cells and neurons. In fact, nucleotide binding was a requirement for efficient CaMKII interaction with GluN2B in cells, while T286 autophosphorylation was not. Kinetic considerations support a model in which positive regulation by nucleotide binding and T286 autophosphorylation occurs faster than negative modulation by GluN2B S1303 and CaMKII T305/6 phosphorylation, allowing efficient CaMKII binding to GluN2B despite the inhibitory effects of the two slower reactions.
Enhanced Anaerobic Biodegradability and Inactivation of Fecal Coliforms and Salmonella spp. in Wastewater Sludge by Using Microwaves

During continuous operation of three mesophilic‐anaerobic digesters, the effect of microwave irradiation, as sludge thermal pretreatment (60 to 65°C), was studied. The fecal coliforms log inactivation for microwaved/digested sludge was 4.2 ± 0.4, whereas for conventionally heated/digested sludge and control were 2.9 ± 0.5 and 1.5 ± 0.5, respectively. In the case of Salmonella spp. , no colonies were detected in 85% of the microwaved/digested samples. Considering the detection limit, the log inactivation of these samples was greater than 2.0 ± 0.3. The conventionally heated/digested sludge and control showed log inactivations of 1.9 ± 0.2 and 1.1 ± 0.3, respectively. At the 95% confidence level, microwaved/digested sludge increased the biogas production by 16.4 ± 5.6% and 6.3 ± 2.4%, as compared to control and conventionally heated/digested sludge, respectively. When thermally treated sludge was analyzed for soluble chemical oxygen demand, microwaved waste‐activated sludge showed considerable solubilization between 37 and 60°C. Microwaved/digested sludge showed a reduction of capillary suction times by 11.1 ± 5.9% and 10.7 ± 5.6%, as compared to control and conventionally heated/digested sludge, respectively.
Application of a maximum likelihood algorithm to ultrasound modulated optical tomography

In pulsed ultrasound modulated optical tomography (USMOT), as an ultrasound (U/S) pulse propagates, it performs as a scanning probe within the sample, and modulates the scattered light spatially distributed along the axis of propagation. By detecting and processing the modulated signal, the information along the U/S axis of the sample (1D image) is studied. The signal is modelled as a convolution of the U/S pulse and the ultrasonic and optical properties of the medium along the U/S focus. Based upon this model, a Maximum Likelihood (ML) method for image reconstruction is established. The ML data inversion technique for a pulsed USMOT signal is, for the first time to our knowledge, investigated both theoretically and practically. The ML method inverts the pulsed USMOT signal to retrieve the spatially varying properties of the sample along the U/S scanning column, and then the optical absorption property can be acquired. The results show that the ML method can serve as a useful fitting tool for a pulsed USMOT signal even in the presence of noise. The work illustrates the application of this iterative algorithm on simulated and experimental data. Experimental results using 5cm thick animal tissue phantoms (scattering coefficient μs is 6.5cm-1) demonstrate that the resolution is better than 100μm using a 10MHz transducer.
Cultural humility: A qualitative study on the development of self-awareness in social work educators

v List of Tables . x Chapter 1: Introduction to the Problem . 1 National Association of Social Workers and the Council on Social Work Education . 3 Purpose and Significance of the Study . 5 Theoretical Framework . 9 Specialized Vocabulary . 10 Limitations . 12 Overview of the Dissertation . 12 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 14 Historical Perspectives of Social Work Education . 14 NASW Code of Ethics . 16 Cultural Competency . 18 Microaggressions . 21 Self-Awareness . 23 Racial Identity Development . 25 White Privilege . 29 Colorblindness . 30 Cultural Humility . 32 Critical Race Theory . 33
Unravelling unstructured data: A wealth of information in big data

Big Data is data of high volume and high variety being produced or generated at high velocity which cannot be stored, managed, processed or analyzed using the existing traditional software tools, techniques and architectures. With big data many challenges such as scale, heterogeneity, speed and privacy are associated but there are opportunities as well. Potential information is locked in big data which if properly leveraged will make a huge difference to business. With the help of big data analytics, meaningful insights can be extracted from big data which is heterogeneous in nature comprising of structured, unstructured and semi-structured content. One prime challenge in big data analytics is that nearly 95% data is unstructured. This paper describes what big data and big data analytics is. A review of different techniques and approaches to analyze unstructured data is given. This paper emphasizes the importance of analysis of unstructured data along with structured data in business to extract holistic insights. The need for appropriate and efficient analytical methods for knowledge discovery from huge volumes of heterogeneous data in unstructured formats has been highlighted.
In vitro evaluation of the cutaneous penetration of sprayable sunscreen emulsions with high concentrations of UV filters

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible penetration through human skin of organic and inorganic filters contained in sunscreen emulsions packaged in aerosol cans, using an in vitro method. Experiments were carried out on two different types of emulsion: W/Si and W/O. This study was conducted using static diffusion cells (Franz cells). The determination of organic UV filters [Methylene Bis Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT); Bis‐Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (BEMT); Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB); Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (EMC); and 2‐Ethylhexyl Dimethyl PABA (ED‐PABA)] was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Therefore, it was important to develop a single analytical method for the quantification of the five organic filters with the aim of facilitating the experiment. The determination of inorganic filters [titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO)] was performed using an emission spectrometric analysis method (ICP‐OES). The HPLC and ICP‐OES methods were validated. After a penetration test of 24 h duration, the results showed very low penetration only for two of the organic filters (maximum penetration of 1.21 μg cm−2 h−1 for EMC and 0.14 μg cm−2 h−1 for MBBT) and no penetration for the inorganic filters. Moreover, more than 50% of each sunscreen agent stayed on the surface on the skin. These results are consistent with those in the literature that presents similar experiments. This study showed that the sprayable sunscreen products developed, which contained high concentrations of UV filters, presented a low level of skin penetration.
Propofol sedation with fentanyl or midazolam during oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in children

Background and objective: Sedation is commonly used to facilitate diagnostic procedures in children. The aim of our study was to investigate sedation in children using propofol alone or combined with fentanyl or midazolam with regard to efficacy, adverse reactions or side‐effects related to the drugs, ease of operation for the endoscopist, and time to discharge from the post‐anaesthesia care unit. Methods: We prospectively studied 240 children, aged 1‐12 yr of age, undergoing endoscopic procedures of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The patients were given an oral premedication with midazolam (0.5 mg kg−1) and were then randomly allocated to one of the three study groups: propofol alone (Group P), propofol with fentanyl 1 μg kg−1 (Group PF) or propofol with midazolam 0.1 mg kg−1 (Group PM). Additional doses of propofol given during the procedure were recorded. Adequacy of sedation and ease of procedure (easy, adequate, impossible) were evaluated by the endoscopist, who was blinded as to the drugs used. Results: The duration of the procedure and the recovery period were similar in the three groups. The number of patients requiring supplemental doses of propofol to permit safe completion of gastroscopy was 31 in Group P (=39%; eight of these required two additional doses), 14 in Group PM (=18%), and 11 in Group PF (=13%) (P < 0.05). There was a lower incidence of adverse events in Group PM and in Group PF than in Group P (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Propofol in combination with fentanyl or midazolam gives better sedation and ease of endoscopy than propofol alone.
Novel Method for Rapid Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from Environmental Waters by Use of a Modified Chromogenic Agar

ABSTRACT We validated a novel method for screening Escherichia coli resistance to antibiotics in environmental samples using modified Difco MI agar (Becton Dickinson) impregnated with selected antibiotics (tetracycline, ampicillin, cephalexin, and sulfamethoxazole), termed MI-R. This method combines an existing rapid assessment technique for E. coli enumeration with clinical reference data for breakpoint analysis of antibiotic resistance and was developed to address issues encountered when clinical methods are used with environmental samples. Initial trials conducted using strains of E. coli with resistance to the selected antibiotics showed that this method was reproducible and accurate with respect to antibiotic resistance. Trials using wastewater effluent demonstrated the precision of the method, and the levels of resistance found in effluent were directly comparable to the levels of antibiotic resistance determined using the more traditional CLSI (formerly NCCLS) disk susceptibility test. All wastewater isolates growing on MI-R plates were confirmed to be resistant using the CLSI disk susceptibility test. Bacterial resistance to ampicillin (38% ± 4% overall), sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline (21% ± 3% overall), and ciprofloxacin (6% ± 1%) were found in wastewater effluent. A successful trial was also conducted with water collected from the Brisbane River, Australia. The levels of antibiotic resistance in E. coli ranged from 0 to 47% for ampicillin, from 0 to 24% for tetracycline, from 0 to 63% for sulfamethoxazole, and from 0 to 1% for ciprofloxacin, with the highest incidence of resistance associated with wastewater treatment plant discharges. This method has great potential for rapid and representative assessment of antibiotic resistance in E. coli and could allow increased sample analysis, resulting in greater confidence in spatial analysis in environmental studies.