Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fungal Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Targets for Immune Interventions

The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi is a fundamental cellular process. EVs carry several biomolecules, including pigments, proteins, enzymes, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, and are involved in physiological and pathological processes. EVs may play a pivotal role in the establishment of fungal infections, as they can interact with the host immune system to elicit multiple outcomes. ABSTRACT The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi is a fundamental cellular process. EVs carry several biomolecules, including pigments, proteins, enzymes, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, and are involved in physiological and pathological processes. EVs may play a pivotal role in the establishment of fungal infections, as they can interact with the host immune system to elicit multiple outcomes. It has been observed that, depending on the fungal pathogen, EVs can exacerbate or attenuate fungal infections. The study of the interaction between fungal EVs and the host immune system and understanding of the mechanisms that regulate those interactions might be useful for the development of new adjuvants as well as the improvement of protective immune responses against infectious or noninfectious diseases. In this review, we describe the immunomodulatory properties of EVs produced by pathogenic fungi and discuss their potential as adjuvants for prophylactic or therapeutic strategies.
Is there a short-run case for protectionism? Trade policy and the business cycle

Recently, the world economy has seen its greatest down turn since World War II. Although not as bad as during the Great Depression, there was still a worrisome increase in protectionist measures, in an attempt to mitigate the economic downturn. Protectionism can have many different faces. It can come in the form of Buy-American clauses of stimulus packages, as an increase in trade barriers or tariffs, or as an increase in export subsidies. In this paper, we show that none of these measures constitutes an effective response to economic downturns. Although Buy-American clauses and export subsidies stimulate output in the short run, they are less effective than general government spending impulses. Raising tariffs or trade barriers even decreases output.
DOES A FLAT RATE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX REDUCE TAX PROGRESSIVITY? A SIMULATION FOR THE NETHERLANDS

Throughout the last couple of decades the individual income tax systems of most industrialized countries have been (repeatedly) the subject of considerable reform efforts. Although the reform packages vary to a wide extent across countries, the direction of change is roughly similar. Most tax reforms are characterized by base broadening, reduction of tax rates, flattening of the rate structure, and lower tax to GDP-ratios. Implementing a flat rate individual income tax seems to be in line with these reforms, although several steps further along. In this paper, we construct a flat rate/broad base individual income tax system and we compare the distribution of the current personal income tax in the Netherlands to the distribution of the simulated flat rate tax. Using extended data, the effects are simulated of eliminating deductions in exchange for a reduction in tax rates, sufficient to keep personal income tax revenue constant. Our simulations indicate that: - After drastic base broadening, a proportional rate of 27.7% balances the budget (ex ante). Such a flat rate causes only relatively small changes in average tax ratios. - Overall tax progressivity is mainly caused by the fixed personal exemption, which we maintained in the simulated flat rate tax. We calculated only a 6 percent lower income elasticity in the flat rate system; the concentration (Gini) index of taxes indicates a modest 4 percent decline in progressivity.
Can owner-manager characteristics signal small business loan default propensity?

The potential of small businesses is inhibited by a cocktail of problems of which inaccessibility to finance is pre-eminent. This problem is linked to the lenders’ risk estimation, often based on financial indicators which small businesses are not adept at using to signal their performance ability. This situation, especially in South Africa, with a history of a people who were previously disadvantaged does not aid the development of small businesses that may well be the antidote for overcoming the strain of poverty and unemployment in the country. This study stems from the human capital theory and investigated possible relationships between owner-manager characteristics and loan default propensity. The aim being to unveil non-financial variables, associated with the owner-manager which could be relied upon by lenders’ to estimate the loan default propensity of the small business borrower. Primary data collected in South Africa were empirically analysed for possible associations between owner-manager characteristics and loan default propensity. Results revealed business size-dependent differences in the association between certain ownermanager characteristics and business loan default propensity. The implication of this for all stakeholders is that considerations for small business lending should be sensitive to business size.
REFINED MODELS OF INTRABEAM SCATTERING

Fundamental limitations and two specific extensions of intrabeam-scattering (IBS) theory are discussed. First, starting from the Bjorken-Mtingwa recipe, generalized formulae are derived for the three electro-magnetic intrabeam scattering growth rates, including non-ultrarelativistic terms and vertical dispersion, still maintaining a Gaussian beam approximation. A few applications to LHC and CLIC demonstrate the importance of the vertical dispersion. Other limitations of IBS theory are briefly discussed. Second, one of the these limitations is studied in more detail, namely the importance of nuclear scattering. Again estimates are presented for the LHC.
Ground-penetrating radar insight into a coastal aquifer: The freshwater lens of Borkum Island

Abstract. Freshwater lenses, as important resource for drinking water, are sensitive to climate changes and sea level rise. To simulate this impact on the groundwater systems, hydraulic subsurface models have to be designed. Geophysical techniques can provide information for generating realistic models. The aim of our work is to show how ground-penetrating radar (GPR) investigations can contribute to such hydrological simulations. In the pilot area, Borkum island, GPR was used to map the shape of the groundwater table (GWT) and to characterise the aquifer. In total, 20 km of constant offset (CO) profiles were measured with centre frequencies of 80 and 200 MHz. Wave velocities were determined by common midpoint (CMP) measurements and vertical radar profiling (VRP) in a monitoring well. The 80 MHz CO data show a clear reflection at the groundwater table, whereas the reflection is weaker for the 200 MHz data. After correcting the GPR water tables for the capillary rise, they are in good accordance with the pressure heads of the observation wells in the area. In the centre of the island, the groundwater table is found up to 3.5 m above sea level, however it is lower towards the coastline and marshland. Some local depressions are observed in the region of dune valleys and around pumping stations of the local water supplier. GPR also reveals details within the sediments and highly-permeable aeolian sands can be distinguished from less-permeable marine sediments. Further, a silt loam layer below the water table could be mapped on a large area. The reflection characteristics indicates scattered erosion channels in this layer that cause it to be an aquitard with some leakage. GPR provides a high resolution map of the groundwater table and insight into the stratigraphy of the sediments and their hydraulic properties. This is valuable complementary information to the observation of sparsely distributed monitoring wells as input to hydraulic simulation.
The Effect Of Food On The Pharmacokinetic Properties And Bioequivalence Of Two Formulations Of Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride In Healthy Chinese Volunteers

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the bioequivalence of a new generic formulation and the branded formulation of levocetirizine dihydrochloride in healthy Chinese volunteers under fasting and fed conditions, and food-intake effect on the pharmacokinetic properties is also evaluated. Patients and methods Volunteers were randomly allocated into two groups to receive a single oral dose of generic formulation and branded formulation under fasting or fed conditions, respectively. Blood samples were collected at designated time points. Plasma concentrations of levocetirizine were determined by UFLC-MS/MS. Safety evaluations were carried out through the study. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of the two formulations of levocetirizine were calculated using non-compartmental analysis incorporated in WinNonlin® 7.0 software. Results Forty-nine volunteers were enrolled; 46 completed the studies. Under fasting and fed conditions, the 90% confidence intervals for the geometric mean of generic/branded ratios were in the range of 94.75–107.24% and 99.98–114.69% for the maximum observed concentration, and 97.13–102.50% and 98.36–103.98% for the area under the concentration–time curve. As a result of food intake before administration, the reduced rate and extent of absorption of levocetirizine were observed. Both formulations were generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse reactions reported. Conclusion The two formulations demonstrated essentially identical pharmacokinetic profiles and were all well within the FDA/CFDA bioequivalence standards. Meanwhile, food intake can delay the absorption rate and reduced the bioavailability of levocetirizine in healthy Chinese volunteers.
Shock formation at the magnetic collimation of relativistic jets

If the observed relativistic plasma outflows in astrophysical jets are magnetically collimated and a single-component model is adopted, consisting of a wind-type outflow from a central object, then a problem arises with the inefficiency of magnetic self-collimation to collimate a sizeable portion of the mass and magnetic fluxes in the relativistic outflow from the central object. To solve this dilemma, we have applied the mechanism of magnetic collimation to a two-component model consisting of a relativistic wind-type outflow from a central source and a non-relativistic wind from a surrounding disc. By employing a numerical code for a direct numerical solution of the steady-state problem in the zone of super-fast magnetized flow, which allows us to perform a determination of the flow with shocks, it is shown that in this two-component model it is possible to collimate into cylindrical jets all the mass and magnetic fluxes that are available from the central source. In addition, it is shown that the collimation of the plasma in this system is usually accompanied by the formation of oblique shock fronts. The non-relativistic disc-wind not only plays the role of the jet collimator, but it also induces the formation of shocks as it collides with the initially radial inner relativistic wind and also as the outflow is reflected by the system axis. Another interesting feature of this process of magnetic collimation is a sequence of damped oscillations in the width of the jet.
Validation of the English version of the difficulty of life scale for patients with ulcerative colitis

Objective Patients with ulcerative colitis have abdominal symptoms that affect their quality of life in multiple ways. The difficulty of life scale was developed in Japan to measure these patients’ degree of daily difficulties. We aimed to assess this scale for English-speaking patients and to evaluate its validity and reliability. Methods The original Japanese version of the difficulty of life scale was translated into English and administered to 100 consecutive outpatients with ulcerative colitis at a university hospital in London. Medical information was obtained from participants’ medical records. Factor validity, construct validity using the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, known group validity with clinically different groups, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were analyzed statistically. Results Three factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, as in the original scale. The construct validity was supported by the association between the Difficulty of Life Scale and Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores (Pearson’s correlation coefficient: 0.73–0.83). Patients with visible bleeding or who were prescribed corticosteroids reported significantly greater difficulty than did those without them, demonstrating a significant effect size. The scaling success rate was acceptable. Internal consistency was confirmed (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.68–0.89). The intraclass correlation coefficients were >0.75, thus confirming the test–retest reliability. Conclusion The English version of the difficulty of life scale is a reliable and valid disease-specific scale for ulcerative colitis. It can be used to communicate the challenge of daily living between patients with this long-term condition and health care providers.
Assessment of energy expenditure during high intensity cycling and running using a heart rate and activity monitor in young active adults

Objective Although high intensity physical activities may represent a great proportion of the total energy expenditure in active people, only sparse studies have investigated the accuracy of wearable monitors to assess activity related energy expenditure (AEE) during high intensity exercises. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of the Actiheart, a light portable monitor estimating AEE based on heart rate (HR) and activity counts (ACT), during two popular activities (running and cycling) performed at high intensities. The benefit of an individual calibration of the HR-AEE relationship established during a preliminary maximal test was also evaluated. Methods AEE was estimated in eighteen active adults (4 women and 14 men; 25 ± 4 yr) with indirect calorimetry using a respiratory gas analysis system (reference method) and the Actiheart during 5-min running and cycling at 60, 75 and 85% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) previously determined during a maximal test performed on a treadmill or cycle ergometer. For the Actiheart, AEE was estimated either using the group or individual calibrated equations available in the dedicated software, and their respective HR, ACT or combined HR/ACT algorithms. Results When the HR algorithm was used for cycling and the HR or HR/ACT algorithms for running, AEE measured by the Actiheart increased proportionally to exercise intensity from 60 to 85% VO2max (P<0.001). Compared to indirect calorimetry, the Actiheart group calibrated equations slightly to moderately underestimated (3 to 20%) AEE for the three exercise intensities (P<0.001). Accuracy of AEE estimation was greatly improved by individual calibration of the HR-AEE relationship (underestimation below 5% and intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.79–0.93) compared to group calibration (ICC: 0.64–0.79). Conclusion The Actiheart enables to assess AEE during high intensity running and cycling when the appropriate algorithm is applied. Since an underestimation was present for group calibration, an individual and sport-specific calibration should be performed when a high accuracy is required.
Sensor-Assisted Weighted Average Ensemble Model for Detecting Major Depressive Disorder

The present methods of diagnosing depression are entirely dependent on self-report ratings or clinical interviews. Those traditional methods are subjective, where the individual may or may not be answering genuinely to questions. In this paper, the data has been collected using self-report ratings and also using electronic smartwatches. This study aims to develop a weighted average ensemble machine learning model to predict major depressive disorder (MDD) with superior accuracy. The data has been pre-processed and the essential features have been selected using a correlation-based feature selection method. With the selected features, machine learning approaches such as Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and the proposed Weighted Average Ensemble Model are applied. Further, for assessing the performance of the proposed model, the Area under the Receiver Optimization Characteristic Curves has been used. The results demonstrate that the proposed Weighted Average Ensemble model performs with better accuracy than the Logistic Regression and the Random Forest approaches.
Development and implementation of nutrition labelling in Iran: A retrospective policy analysis.

BACKGROUND Nutrition labelling is a strategy to promote healthy eating and combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The present study aimed to provide an analysis of the nutrition labelling policy and its opportunities to improve in Iran. METHODS Data were collected by 1) reviewing relevant documents and 2) semi-structured interviews with stakeholders through purposive and snowball sampling, continued until data saturation was achieved. A deductive content analysis was used by applying the policy triangulation framework and the Kingdon multiple stream theory. MAXQDA software was used to manage data analysis. RESULTS Iran, is the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean region which has accomplished to implement nutrition traffic light labelling. The main contextual factors that affected nutrition labelling policy to become a national included health, political commitment, and international factors. Poor involvement of media for public awareness of nutrition traffic labeling, the inconsistency of nutrition traffic light color ranking using food standard guidelines, lack of consistency between nutrition traffic light colors and the healthy/unhealthy nature of some food products and the absence of a comprehensive evaluation plan were among the policy challenges identified. CONCLUSIONS Strengthening the governance for a healthy food environment is recommended to improve the program. Also, establishing national portion sizes for food labelling, initiating public awareness campaigns, evaluation of the policy effect and public perception of the labels and their application are recommended.
Simulations of Colorado Potato Beetle Development in Poland Based on Four Climate Change Scenarios

Additional information Abstract The simulations were conducted using actual data and virtual data. The actual data were recorded in the period of 1986 – 2005 at 16 localities representing 16 regions of Poland. The virtual data were obtained after transformation of the recorded data to reflect a temperature changes under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5 scenarios according to giss_e2_r climate model. The model used in the study was based on scientific reports describing the influence of temperature on acceleration of the onset of egg laying and on successive stages of Colorado potato beetle as well as publications on the effects of photoperiod on the pest diapause. The study showed a growing threat to potato from Colorado potato beetles as a result of the temperature rise. The fastest development of the pest appeared in simulations under RCP8.5 scenario. Of 16 regions surveyed in the study, the south-western part of Poland was found to be most threat- ened by Colorado potato beetle as a result of anticipated climate change.
Big data and the transformation of operations models: a framework and a new research agenda

Abstract Big Data has been hailed as the ‘next big thing’ to drive business value, transform organisations and industries, and ‘reveal secrets to those with the humility, willingness and tools to listen’ (Mayer-Schönberger and Cukier, 2013: 5). However, despite growing interest from organisations across industry sectors, Big Data applications appear to have concentrated on delivering incremental change and operational efficiency improvements, with little evidence on using Big Data to facilitate strategic, transformational change. In this paper, we explore how Big Data can be used across different sectors in leading organisations and examine the ways in which it is fostering change in the core operations models of organisations. A definition of ‘operations model’ is developed and the core dimensions of an operations model are then examined, namely capacity, supply network, process and technology, and people development and organisation. Through a series of case studies, we examine the role of Big Data in affecting some, or all, of these dimensions in order to generate value for the organisation by optimising, adapting or radically transforming the operations model. Following our analysis, we develop a tentative framework which can be used both for understanding how Big Data affects operations models, and for planning changes in operations models through Big Data. We set out a new research agenda to systematically understand the full potential of Big Data in transforming operations models.
Colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: a case series

Abstract Primary colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma accounts for less than 0.5% of all colon cancers. We report 9 cases of colonic MALT lymphomas (median follow up: 9 [IQR 1–26] years). The disease was multi-focal in 4 patients: the most frequent sites were the cecum in 4 and the rectum in 3 patients. The main endoscopic finding was a polypoid lesion. The treatment modalities were rituximab +/− an alkylating agent (n = 5), an alkylating agent alone (n = 2), surgical resection (n = 1), and endoscopic resection (n = 1). Remission was achieved in 8 cases. Three patients relapsed, and 2 were re-treated. At the end of the study period, 67% of the patients were in remission. All patients were symptom-free. This current series of colonic MALT lymphomas shows the indolent nature of the disease, which may be treated with various modalities.
Dissecting the role of thyrotropin in the DNA damage response in human thyrocytes after 131I, γ radiation and H2O2.

BACKGROUND The early molecular events in human thyrocytes after 131I exposure have not yet been unravelled. Therefore, we investigated the role of thyrotropin (TSH) in the 131I-induced DNA damage response and gene expression in primary cultured human thyrocytes. METHODS Following exposure of thyrocytes, in the presence or absence of TSH, to 131I (β radiation), γ radiation (3 Gy) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), we assessed DNA damage, proliferation and cell cycle status. We conducted RNA sequencing to profile gene expression after each type of exposure and evaluated the influence of TSH on each transcriptomic response. RESULTS Overall, the thyrocyte responses following exposure to β or γ radiation and to H2O2 were similar. However, TSH increased 131I-induced DNA damage, an effect partially diminished after iodide uptake inhibition. Specifically, TSH increased the number of DNA double strand breaks in nonexposed thyrocytes and thus predisposed them to greater damage following 131I exposure. This effect most likely occurred via Gαq cascade and a rise in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. β and γ radiation prolonged thyroid cell cycle arrest to a similar extent without sign of apoptosis. The gene expression profiles of thyrocytes exposed to β/ γ radiation or H2O2 were overlapping. Modulations in genes involved in inflammatory response, apoptosis and proliferation were observed. TSH increased the number and intensity of modulation of differentially expressed genes after 131I exposure. CONCLUSIONS TSH specifically increased 131I-induced DNA damage probably via a rise in ROS levels and produced a more prominent transcriptomic response after exposure to 131I.