Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phenothiaziniums as Putative Photobactericidal Agents for Red Blood Cell Concentrates

Abstract The antibacterial activities of Methylene Blue and several of its congeners were measured against Yersinia enterocolitica, a Gram-negative pathogen known to exhibit significant growth at 4°C and thus constituting a threat to red blood cell concentrates which are stored at this temperature. None of the derivatives was highly active in dark conditions, as expected, but on illumination using a lamp emitting light in the waveband 615-645 nm, considerable bactericidal activity was noted using similar photosensitizer concentrations to those used elsewhere to inactivate blood-borne viruses. Two novel compounds in this area, the phenothiazinium New Methylene Blue N and the phenoxazini-um Brilliant Cresyl Blue, exhibited bactericidal activity at lower concentrations than both of the established phenothiaziniums, Methylene Blue and Toluidine Blue O and the recently published blood photovirucidal agent 1,9-Dimethyl Methylene Blue. The photoactivity of these compounds was undiminished in the presence of red blood cells.
ICT in Africa: Building a Better Life for All

In the 1990s and the early 2000s, development-focused information and communication technology (ICT) research predominantly concentrated on bridging the digital divide through overcoming connectivity and access barriers for more and more of Africa’s population. This provided connections to the rest of the world and ultimately helped to overcome to a large extent the so-called ‘last mile’ challenge faced in Africa. As the penetration of ICTs increased across the African continent in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the focus started to shift to the uptake and impact of these ICTs in order to transform societies and economies since enhancing information flows alone is not sufficient to grasp development opportunities. It is vital to foster digital opportunities and social inclusion by enhancing the use of ICTs for capacity building, empowerment, governance and social participation; to strengthen capacities for scientific research, information sharing and cultural creations, performances and exchanges of knowledge; and to enhance learning opportunities through access to diversified contents and delivery systems to support the transformation to knowledge societies. Barriers to be overcome are no longer only technological but also educational, cultural and linguistic in nature. Neglecting to invest sufficiently in human capacity may result in the ‘last mile’ challenge becoming the ‘lost mile. ’
Concentrated fish oil (Lovaza®) extends lifespan and attenuates kidney disease in lupus-prone short-lived (NZBxNZW)F1 mice

A growing number of reports indicate that anti-inflammatory actions of fish oil (FO) are beneficial against systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the majority of pre-clinical studies were performed using 5–20% FO, which is higher than the clinically relevant dose for lupus patients. The present study was performed in order to determine the effective low dose of FDA-approved concentrated FO (Lovaza®) compared to the commonly used FO-18/12 (18-Eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]/12-Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]). We examined the dose-dependent response of Lovaza® (1% and 4%) on an SLE mouse strain (NZBxNZW)F1 and compared the same with 1% and 4% placebo, as well as 4% FO-18/12, maintaining standard chow as the control. Results show for the first time that 1% Lovaza® extends maximal lifespan (517 d) and 4% Lovaza® significantly extends both the median (502 d) and maximal (600 d) life span of (NZBxNZW)F1 mice. In contrast, FO-18/12 extends only median lifespan (410 d) compared to standard chow diet (301 d). Additionally, 4% Lovaza® significantly decreased anti-dsDNA antibodies, reduced glomerulonephritis and attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in splenocytes compared to placebo. 4% Lovaza® was also shown to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, while increasing renal anti-oxidant enzymes in comparison to placebo. Notably, NFκB activation and p65 nuclear translocation were lowered by 4% Lovaza® compared to placebo. These data indicate that 1% Lovaza® is beneficial, but 4% Lovaza® is more effective in suppressing glomerulonephritis and extending life span of SLE-prone short-lived mice, possibly via reducing inflammation signaling and modulating oxidative stress.
Comprehensive Profiling of Amino Acid Response Uncovers Unique Methionine-Deprived Response Dependent on Intact Creatine Biosynthesis

Besides being building blocks for protein synthesis, amino acids serve a wide variety of cellular functions, including acting as metabolic intermediates for ATP generation and for redox homeostasis. Upon amino acid deprivation, free uncharged tRNAs trigger GCN2-ATF4 to mediate the well-characterized transcriptional amino acid response (AAR). However, it is not clear whether the deprivation of different individual amino acids triggers identical or distinct AARs. Here, we characterized the global transcriptional response upon deprivation of one amino acid at a time. With the exception of glycine, which was not required for the proliferation of MCF7 cells, we found that the deprivation of most amino acids triggered a shared transcriptional response that included the activation of ATF4, p53 and TXNIP. However, there was also significant heterogeneity among different individual AARs. The most dramatic transcriptional response was triggered by methionine deprivation, which activated an extensive and unique response in different cell types. We uncovered that the specific methionine-deprived transcriptional response required creatine biosynthesis. This dependency on creatine biosynthesis was caused by the consumption of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) during creatine biosynthesis that helps to deplete SAM under methionine deprivation and reduces histone methylations. As such, the simultaneous deprivation of methionine and sources of creatine biosynthesis (either arginine or glycine) abolished the reduction of histone methylation and the methionine-specific transcriptional response. Arginine-derived ornithine was also required for the complete induction of the methionine-deprived specific gene response. Collectively, our data identify a previously unknown set of heterogeneous amino acid responses and reveal a distinct methionine-deprived transcriptional response that results from the crosstalk of arginine, glycine and methionine metabolism via arginine/glycine-dependent creatine biosynthesis.
Drug therapy. Pharmacologic aspects of cigarette smoking and nicotine addiction.

NICOTINE has been consumed in the form of tobacco and other plants for many hundreds of years. The compulsive use of tobacco has been observed in nearly every culture into which tobacco has been introduced. Nearly 30 percent of adult Americans smoke despite, in most cases, a desire to quit and despite common knowledge of the health hazards.1 Their failure to quit smoking is attributable in large part to the addictive properties of nicotine. Recently, nicotine has become available as a pharmaceutical agent, marketed as a chewing gum to help people stop smoking. In addition to its direct effect on .
The Development of Professional Learning Community in Primary Schools.

The objectives of this research are: (1) To study the current situation and need for developing professional learning community in primary schools; (2) To develop the model for developing professional learning community, and (3) To study the findings of development for professional learning community based on developed model related to knowledge, comprehension, and competency in developing professional learning community, teaching behavior and students’ quality. The research area was purposively selected three primary schools. Participatory Action Research was administered in 6 phases; there were 7458 participants. The instrument used for data collection in this study was questionnaire. The statistics used were frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The findings are as follows: (1) The current situation in developing professional learning community showed that the administrators’ overall opinion in all 5 aspects is in “High” level; (2) The model for developing professional learning community consisted of 4 major factors: (a) Preparation for learning organization; (b) Development of shared norm and value; (c) Learning from common work practice, and (d) the expected outcome. (3) The evaluative finding of teachers’ knowledge, comprehension, and competency in developing professional learning community was in “high” level. Key words: Model development, development of professional learning community, professional learning community in primary school.
Propofol requirement for insertion of I-gel versus laryngeal mask airway: A comparative dose finding study using Dixon's up-and-down method

Background and Aims: Propofol is the drug of choice when used as sole anesthetic agent for placement of supraglottic airway devices. We aimed to find and compare the propofol dose required for smooth first attempt insertion of I-gel versus the classic laryngeal mask airway (cLMA) using Dixon's up-and-down method. Material and Methods: Prospective randomized controlled trial (n-60) was planned. I-gel or cLMA was inserted 60 s after propofol injection whose dose was calculated based on previous patients response as per Dixon's up-and-down method. Propofol requirements for successful placement of devices was noted and compared. Difference between the groups was measured by ANOVA. A P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Significantly lower (P < 0.001) propofol dose was required for I-gel (2.02 ± 0.26 mg/kg) insertion than cLMA (2.70 ± 0.28 mg/kg). Conclusions: I-gel requires significantly lower dose of propofol for insertion when compared to cLMA.
Effect of Blood Component Coatings of Enosseal Implants on Proliferation and Synthetic Activity of Human Osteoblasts and Cytokine Production of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

The study monitored in vitro early response of connective tissue cells and immunocompetent cells to enosseal implant materials coated by different blood components (serum, activated plasma, and plasma/platelets) to evaluate human osteoblast proliferation and synthetic activity and inflammatory response presented as a cytokine profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) under conditions imitating the situation upon implantation. The cells were cultivated on coated Ti-plasma-sprayed (Ti-PS), Ti-etched (Ti-Etch), Ti-hydroxyapatite (Ti-HA), and ZrO2 surfaces. The plasma/platelets coating supported osteoblast proliferation only on osteoconductive Ti-HA and Ti-Etch whereas activated plasma enhanced proliferation on all surfaces. Differentiation (BAP) and IL-8 production remained unchanged or decreased irrespective of the coating and surface; only the serum and plasma/platelets-coated ZrO2 exhibited higher BAP and IL-8 expression. RANKL production increased on serum and activated plasma coatings. PBMCs produced especially cytokines playing role in inflammatory phase of wound healing, that is, IL-6, GRO-α, GRO, ENA-78, IL-8, GM-CSF, EGF, and MCP-1. Cytokine profiles were comparable for all tested surfaces; only ENA-78, IL-8, GM-CSF, and MCP-1 expression depended on materials and coatings. The activated plasma coating led to uniformed surfaces and represented a favorable treatment especially for bioinert Ti-PS and ZrO2 whereas all coatings had no distinctive effect on bioactive Ti-HA and Ti-Etch.
Participatory and appreciative action and reflection (PAAR) – democratizing reflective practices

The paper introduces a new approach to reflecting and acting called participatory and appreciative action and reflection (PAAR). It explores its potential to enable individuals and groups to move forward, to improve their working practices and lives in particular communities and contexts. The paper situates PAAR in the historical context of participatory and action research and reflective learning. It suggests that using PAAR requires four strategic ‘turns’. By turn we mean a change in direction from one way of thinking and practising to another. The four turns are: (i) away from a preoccupation with changing behaviours in order to solve problems, with ‘fixing’ things and an engagement in deficit‐based discourses, towards the development of appreciative insight, understanding the root causes of success and sustaining strengths‐based discourses in order to amplify those things that will help build a better future from the positive present; (ii) away from self‐learning (individualism and isolation) and towards collective learning through interconnectedness, appreciative knowledge sharing and the use of new forms of communications technology which enable simultaneous action in dispersed geopolitical spaces; (iii) away from one way of knowing and one perspective on truth to an acceptance of more pluralistic view of ways of knowing, of understanding human experience and putting this knowing to good use; (iv) away from reflective cycles and spirals and towards the use of a reflective learning (r‐learning) framework comprising four mutually supportive processes. They are those of developing an appreciative ‘gaze’, of reframing lived experience, of building practical wisdom and of achieving and moving forward.
Fabrication and Characterization of Gate-Last Self-Aligned AlN/GaN MISHEMTs With In Situ SiNx Gate Dielectric

This paper reports on the fabrication and characterization of gate-last self-aligned in situ SiN<sub>x</sub>/AlN/GaN MISHEMTs. The devices featured in situ grown SiN<sub>x</sub> by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition as a gate dielectric and for surface passivation. Selective source/drain regrowth was incorporated to reduce contact resistance. SiNx sidewall spacers and low-κ benzocyclobutene polymer (κ = 2.65) supporting layers were employed under the gate head to minimize the parasitic capacitance for high-frequency operation. The device with a gate length (L<sub>G</sub>) of 0.23 μm exhibited a maximum drain current density (I<sub>DS</sub>) exceeding 1600 mA/mm with a high ON/OFF ratio (I<sub>ON</sub>/I<sub>OFF</sub>) of over 107. The current gain cutoff frequency (f<sub>T</sub>) and maximum oscillation frequency (f<sub>max</sub>) were 55 and 86 GHz, respectively. In addition, the effect of temperature, from room temperature up to 550 K, on the dc and RF performances of the gate-last self-aligned MISHEMTs was studied.
Nocturnal Panic

The phenomenon of nocturnal panic was examined by comparing individuals with panic disorder who reported the experience of nocturnal panic (N=37) with those who did not (N=56). Variables that were assessed included frequency and intensity of daytime panic attacks, generalized anxiety, and responses to a standardized physiological assessment. In addition, the most recent nocturnal panic was rated on measures of intensity, duration, and circumstances. Nocturnal panic occurred in individuals who were equally avoidant and distressed as individuals who did not experience nocturnal panic. However, nocturnal panickers experienced daytime panics and general somatic sensations more frequently than other panickers. The similarity of nocturnal panic to sleep apnea, dream-induced anxiety attacks, and night terrors is discussed. The nature of nocturnal panic is described within the context of an explanatory model that combines behavioral and physical factors.
Diabetes and Other Comorbidities in Breast Cancer Survival by Race/Ethnicity: The California Breast Cancer Survivorship Consortium (CBCSC)

Background: The role of comorbidities in survival of patients with breast cancer has not been well studied, particularly in non-white populations. Methods: We investigated the association of specific comorbidities with mortality in a multiethnic cohort of 8,952 breast cancer cases within the California Breast Cancer Survivorship Consortium (CBCSC), which pooled questionnaire and cancer registry data from five California-based studies. In total, 2,187 deaths (1,122 from breast cancer) were observed through December 31, 2010. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, we estimated HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall and breast cancer–specific mortality associated with previous cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure (HBP), and myocardial infarction. Results: Risk of breast cancer–specific mortality increased among breast cancer cases with a history of diabetes (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18–1.87) or myocardial infarction (HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.27–2.97). Risk patterns were similar across race/ethnicity (non-Latina white, Latina, African American, and Asian American), body size, menopausal status, and stage at diagnosis. In subgroup analyses, risk of breast cancer–specific mortality was significantly elevated among cases with diabetes who received neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy (HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.32–3.36); no increased risk was observed among those who received both treatments (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.70–1.84; Pinteraction = 0.03). A similar pattern was found for myocardial infarction by radiotherapy and chemotherapy (Pinteraction = 0.09). Conclusion: These results may inform future treatment guidelines for patients with breast cancer with a history of diabetes or myocardial infarction. Impact: Given the growing number of breast cancer survivors worldwide, we need to better understand how comorbidities may adversely affect treatment decisions and ultimately outcome. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(2); 361–8. ©2014 AACR.
Predictions for laser-cooled Rb clocks

Using information from a recent 85Rb two-color photoassociation experiment, we evaluate the merits of fountain clocks based on 87Rb and 85Rb isotopes as alternatives to 133Cs and find that they offer significant advantages. In the case of 87Rb the collisionally induced fractional frequency shift is 15 times smaller than for 133Cs. This small shift is associated with a small difference in the triplet and singlet scattering lengths for 87Rb. For 85Rb, the shift produced by the two mf=0 clock states may have opposite signs allowing the shift to be eliminated by controlling the relative populations of these states. We also present collision quantities relevant to atomic fountain clocks containing multiply launched groups of atoms, and for evaporative cooling of 85Rb atoms.
Camera-specific Image Denoising

Images captured with digital cameras are corrupted by noise due to the properties of the physical measurement process. Traditional image denoising algorithms have been based either solely on image statistics or solely on noise statistics, but not both at the same time. Secondly, the connections between general purpose image denoising algorithms and camera-specific denoising algorithms have not been investigated. In this work, image denoising with realistic camera noise will be examined, specifically for application in astro-photography. It will be shown that high-quality images can be obtained through careful calibration and residual noise is significantly less than most commonly assumed. Additionally, a new machine learning based approach to camera-specific image denoising will be presented.
Evaluating the effectiveness of oral health education program among mothers with 6-18 months children in prevention of early childhood caries

Background: Mothers play a key role as transmitters of oral health behavior for their children. Hence increasing their knowledge about positive attitude toward desirable oral health behaviors regarding their children will lead to the better oral health of the children. Aim: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health education program among mothers with 6-18 months old children in the prevention of early childhood caries. Materials and Methods: A total of 480 mothers with 6-18 months old children were selected using cluster randomization of the primary health center. The allocated mothers were assigned into three groups: Motivation group (group A), traditional health education group (group B) and control group (group C). Clinical examination was carried out to record the dental decay of the child. Statistical Analysis: The data was analyzed using SPSS 13. Evaluation of statistical significance between groups was made using the Chi-square test, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis. Results: Mean number of decayed teeth was 0.23 + 0.58 in group A that was significantly less as compared to 0.39 + 0.79 and 1.17 + 1.32 in group B and C, respectively. Conclusion: Motivational intervention was more effective in reducing dental decay in the children as compared to the other two groups.
Near-miss errors in laboratory blood test requests by interns.

BACKGROUND Human errors have proven to be one of the most formidable patient care challenges in acute hospital setting. AIM To evaluate the at-risk period for near-miss errors in laboratory blood test requests, in an acute medical hospital. DESIGN Hospital-based retrospective analysis. METHODS We reviewed the database of voluntary reports for near-miss errors for laboratory blood test requests by 104 medical residents in their first postgraduate year (interns), over a 2-year period (October 2002 to September 2004). To identify patterns and causal factors we analysed the reports with respect to months of working experience, work hours, and work shifts of an extended duration. RESULTS There were 52 near-miss events among patients cared for by the medical service (20 male patients, 32 females, mean age 72.6 +/- 9.7 years). The overall incidence of near-miss events when interns practiced during the first month of training vs. subsequent months was 1.6 (95%CI 0.77-2.9) vs. 0.6 (95%CI 0.44-0.83) cases per 100 intern-days at risk. The odds ratio for a near-miss event during the first month of intern training vs. subsequent months was 2.64 (95%CI 1.29-5.38). With respect to the interns' on-call shift schedule, one half of the near-miss episodes occurred during an intern's on-call days and another half of them during an extended on-call shift; none of the events occurred during a standard working shift. These events peaked in frequency when on-call interns had worked for 12-20 h. DISCUSSION The first month of internship represents an error-prone period. The best interventions to reduce near-miss errors by recently graduated medical interns should be the subject of further research.