Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunomodulatory properties of nanoparticles obtained by ultrasonic spray pirolysis from gold scrap.

We prepared 5 different fractions of nanoparticles from the gold scrap, by using a new technology, Ultrasonic Spray Pirolysis (USP). The aim of this study was to characterize the microstructure and cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles along with their immunomodulatory properties, using Concanavaline A (ConA)-treated rat splenocytes as a model of activated immune cells. Fractions 1 and 2, composed of pure gold nanoparticles, although non-cytotoxic, reduced cellular proliferation. Fraction 2, containing particles smaller in size and lesser agglomerated than fraction 1, up- and down-regulated the production of IL-2 and IL-10, respectively, by activated splenocytes. Fraction 3, containing nanoparticles composed of Au and up to 3 at. % Cu, was non-cytotoxic, but reduced IL-2 production and cell proliferation. Fractions 4 and 5, contaminated with alloying elements from the gold scrap, were cytotoxic. The extent of cytotoxicity and subsequent reduction of cytokine production, as well as the mode of cell death, depended on their composition. In conclusion, we showed that USP enables the synthesis of gold nanoparticles, which could be suitable for various biological applications, and that ConA-treated splenocytes represent a reliable model for fast and accurate evaluation of the immunotoxicological profiles of these particles. However, it is necessary to improve this technology and investigate further some of the immunomodulatory mechanisms using more specific immunological tests.
Genistein aglycone improves skin repair in an incisional model of wound healing: a comparison with raloxifene and oestradiol in ovariectomized rats

Background and purpose: Oestrogen loss at menopause is frequently related to poor wound healing. Genistein has been tested in anti‐ageing cosmetic preparations with interesting results on skin health. Here, we investigated the effects of the genistein aglycones, given systemically, in an incisional model of wound healing, compared to systemic oestradiol and raloxifene.
Intentionally reduced smoking among untreated general population smokers: prevalence, stability, prediction of smoking behaviour change and differences between subjects choosing either reduction or abstinence.

AIMS To compare data from the general population on intentionally reduced smoking and smoking cessation. DESIGN Longitudinal observation study. SETTING Northern German region. SUBJECTS Randomly sampled residents aged 18-64 (T1; n = 4075, response rate 70%). Daily cigarette smokers (n = 1520) were followed up after 30 (T2; n = 913) and 36 months (T3; n = 786). MEASURES Self-reported smoking-related and socioeconomic variables. Participants were explicitly asked for reduction attempts (reducing cigarettes per day) and maintenance of reduction, which was defined independently of consumption measures. FINDINGS Between T1 and T2, reduction attempts (39%) were more frequent than quit attempts (33%), and according to self-report, reduction was more likely to be maintained for up to 12 months. Smokers maintaining reduction for up to 6 months had reduced their consumption at T3 by 34% compared with T2. Between T1 and T2, the occurrence of both a reduction and a quit attempt was most frequent (22%), followed by subjects exclusively trying to reduce (17%) and subjects exclusively trying to quit (4%). Subjects who exclusively tried to reduce had a significantly increased probability of further reduction attempts at T3 (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 2.0-10.1), while the probability of quit attempts was equal compared with subjects not attempting to reduce or quit (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.3-3.2). DSM-IV nicotine dependence was less common in subjects who exclusively tried to reduce. Other smoking-related and socioeconomic variables did not predict whether individuals attempted to reduce or attempted to quit. CONCLUSIONS A considerable proportion of general population smokers attempt to reduce, and are able to maintain reduction of, cigarette consumption over time. Reduction attempts did not reduce the probability of a subsequent cessation attempt.
Diverse diversities—Open innovation in small towns and rural areas

It is generally accepted that cities and other forms of geographic agglomerations are conducive to innovation because their density and variety of firms, sectors and individuals create a diverse environment. However, a growing body of work shows that innovation also occurs in peripheral regions and small towns. Furthermore, work on rural social networks shows that diversity is multidimensional, and that along certain dimensions networks developed in rural areas are more diverse than those observed in cities. In this paper, we develop these arguments, then report our observations of seven successful firms in Swiss small towns. These firms benefit from at least three types of diversity: internal diversity; multiplexed interactions between workers at different hierarchical levels; and external diversity as firms reach beyond the region. We conclude that diversity conducive to firm‐level innovation is not a specifically urban attribute: at least some of its dimensions are present in small towns and more peripheral areas.
Natural infections with Borrelia spirochetes in two dogs from Florida

Spirochetemia is a rarely reported observation in dogs. We describe the clinical, hematologic, and immunodiagnostic features of two spirochetemic dogs from northern Florida and the subsequent isolation and preliminary characterization of a Borrelia species from one dog in which culture of a sample for spirochetes was attempted. Results of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, monoclonal antibody testing, and PCR analysis indicate that the Florida isolate is not Borrelia burgdorferi, the only other member of the genus that has been isolated in Florida. Our findings also indicate that a member of the genus Borrelia potentially causes disease in dogs in Florida and that serologic cross-reactivity of the Florida canine Borrelia isolate with B. burgdorferi probably contributes to the inaccurate diagnosis of canine Lyme disease in the region.
Measuring Anhedonia in Adolescents: A Psychometric Analysis

Anhedonia—the reduced capacity to experience pleasure—is a trait implicated in mental and physical health. Yet, psychometric data on anhedonia measures in adolescents are absent. We conducted an in-depth psychometric analysis of the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS; Snaith et al., 1995)—a self-report measure of anticipated pleasure response to 14 pleasant experiences—in adolescents. Adolescents (N = 585, M age = 14.5) completed the SHAPS and other paper-and-pencil surveys. Item response theory models were used to evaluate the psychometric performance of each SHAPS item. Correlations of the SHAPS with other personality and psychopathology measures were calculated to evaluate construct validity. Results showed that (a) certain items (e.g., reported pleasure from basic experiences like “seeing smiling faces” or “smelling flowers”) provided more information about latent anhedonia than others; and (b) SHAPS scales exhibited construct-consistent convergent and discriminant validity (i.e., stronger correlations with low positive affect constructs, weaker correlations with negative affect). Reporting diminished pleasure from basic pleasant experiences accurately indicates adolescent anhedonia, which is important for future scale development and understanding the phenomenology of anhedonia in teens. These data support using the SHAPS for assessing anhedonia in epidemiological research and school-based universal prevention programming in general adolescent populations.
Volunteer tourism and “The White Man’s Burden”: globalization of suffering, white savior complex, religion and modernity

Abstract While many volunteer tourism studies have acknowledged the significance of volunteer tourism and challenged conventional understandings of socio-economic change in the Global South, the ways in which ideas about globalization of suffering and religion and modernity flow through volunteer tourism and development discourses are rarely spoken about. Utilizing postcolonialism and whiteness studies theoretical framework, this study intends to take volunteer tourism research into a different trajectory by arguing that much like imperialism is operationalized through different kinds of institutional power (agencies such as the IMF and the World Bank), similarly volunteer tourism exerts power and exploits the Orient as the West’s pleasure periphery. Taking the case of Mother Teresa, this study also argues that Christian ideologies, which were so dominant during the colonial days, continue to pervade the structures and institutions in society with similar hegemonic connotations of privilege based on religion and race. Future tourism scholars should investigate these remarkable yet somewhat ignored issues in contemporary volunteer tourism practices.
Synchronous occurrence of appendiceal mucinous cystadenoma, with colon adenocarcinoma and tubulovillous rectal adenoma: Management and review of the literature

Appendiceal mucocele (AM) is a rare clinical entity comprising 8% of all appendiceal tumors, and it is seen in 0.2-0.3% of all appendectomy specimens. Apart from sporadic cases, there are no enough published data about the incidence of synchronous appendiceal tumors in patients with colorectal cancer. We describe a very rare case of synchronous occurrence of AM, colon adenocarcinoma, and tubulovillous adenoma of the rectum and review the relevant literature. We conclude that thorough preoperative and perioperative evaluations are mandatory in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer to exclude a synchronous colon or an appendiceal primary tumor. Larger prospective studies are necessary to accurately determine the incidence of synchronous appendiceal tumors and colorectal cancer.
Isochronous Assessment of Cardiac Metabolism and Function in Mice Using Hybrid PET/MRI

Recently, integrated small-animal PET/MRI prototypes that provide isochronous and coregistered datasets of morphology and function through the simultaneous acquisition of PET and MRI data have been developed. However, the need for MRI compatibility can constrain the technical design of the PET components and may lead to a lower sensitivity and lower spatial and temporal resolutions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a prototype preclinical PET/MRI system for the simultaneous assessment of cardiac metabolism and function in mice. A stand-alone high-resolution small-animal PET scanner using the same evaluation protocols was used as a reference. Methods: Simultaneous PET/MR images of an infarct mouse model (21 animals plus 3 controls) were acquired. The imaging performance of the MRI-compatible PET insert was evaluated with respect to count sensitivity; myocardium-to-background contrast; suitability for the analysis of global left ventricular function; and uptake difference in scar, border-zone, and remote regions. The radiotracer 18F-FDG was used to acquire cardiac gated PET data, applying retrospective coincidence sorting. The PET insert data were coregistered to the MR images by determination of the appropriate transformation matrix. Results: An optimal registration of PET and MR images from the integrated system was achieved, and the reconstructed images showed a good visual correspondence in infarct areas between PET and MRI data. As expected, the PET insert showed a poorer performance with respect to counting rate and myocardium-to-background ratio than did the high-resolution PET. Assessment of left ventricular volumes was possible with the current PET/MRI prototype. A good correlation was found between PET and MRI (R > 0.95). Local PET uptake was successfully determined for different tissue, and a differentiation among remote, border-zone, and scar tissue was possible. However, the uptake difference for the PET/MRI prototype was lower than that for the high-resolution stand-alone PET system. Conclusion: A hybrid PET/MRI prototype was successfully used to assess cardiac parameters in an infarct mouse model, although performance was reduced when compared with a high-resolution animal PET scanner. Future technical improvements are expected to result in comparable performance while providing higher registration accuracy.
Infection with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 4 in the United States

Background Hepatitis C virus genotype differences seem to be of considerable clinical significance because they affect responses to antiviral therapy. HCV genotype 4 is rare in the United Sates and there are few published data regarding response to therapy in patients with HCV genotype 4 infection. Objectives To assess epidemiologic factors associated with HCV genotype 4 infection in United States and to describe the response rate to therapy with the combination of alpha interferon and ribavirin. Methods All hepatologists in our Division were asked for information about patients they had treated with HCV genotype 4. In addition, we searched the computer database from Saint Louis University Hospital in the last 40 months (1999 to 2002). Twenty HCV genotype 4 patients were identified. A retrospective chart review was performed to collect information about their demographics, risk factors for acquisition of infection, baseline laboratory studies and response to antiviral therapy. Results A risk factor for exposure to HCV was noted in 14 cases (70%); 12 patients had a history of illicit drug use, whereas a history of blood transfusion was detected in three cases; 1 patient had both risk factors. Only 4 of 20 individuals had fibrosis stage 3 or 4 on liver biopsy. Seventeen patients were treated, 14 of whom completed therapy; 10 patients were sustained responders. Conclusions As with other HCV genotypes, most patients with HCV genotype 4 in the United States acquire the infection through intravenous drug use, liver disease is often mild to moderate in severity and 59% of our patients had a sustained virologic response after combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin.
Initial Post-Primary Physical Education Teacher Education: A Comparative Exploration across European Countries

Physical education is a mandatory subject in schools in most European countries [1] [2]. School-based physical education is deemed to be effective for increasing accessibility to physical activities, increasing levels of physical activity, as well as helping young people gain sport skills necessary for continued involvement in being physically active [3]. The International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Statement (2014) [4] defines quality physical education, at any level, as that which concerns the physical, affective, social and cognitive development of young people, exposing them to positive individual and collective learning experiences where they develop knowledge, skills and dispositions that allow them to be informed and responsible decision makers relative to engagement in physical activity and sport in their lives.
Comparison of Real-Time PCR Assays with Fluorescent-Antibody Assays for Diagnosis of Respiratory Virus Infections in Children

ABSTRACT Conventional fluorescent-antibody (FA) methods were compared to real-time PCR assays for detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus type A (FluA), parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, and 3 (PIV1, PIV2, and PIV3), human metapneumovirus (MPV), and adenovirus (AdV) in 1,138 specimens from children with respiratory illnesses collected over a 1-year period. At least one virus was detected in 436 (38.3%) specimens by FA and in 608 (53.4%) specimens by PCR (P < 0.001). Specimen quality was inadequate for FA in 52 (4.6%) specimens; 13 of these (25%) were positive by PCR. In contrast, 18 (1.6%) specimens could not be analyzed by PCR; 1 of these was positive by FA. The number of specimens positive only by PCR among specimens positive by PCR and/or FA was 18 (7.0%) of 257 for RSV, 18 (13.4%) of 134 for FluA, 25 (64.1%) of 39 for PIV1, 8 (88.9%) of 9 for PIV2, 17 (30.1%) of 55 for PIV3, and 101 (76.5%) of 132 for AdV. MPV was detected in 6.6% of all specimens and in 9.5% of the 702 specimens negative by FA. The mean number of virus copies per milliliter in specimens positive by both PCR and FA was significantly higher, at 6.7 × 107, than that in specimens positive only by PCR, at 4.1 × 104 (P < 0.001). The PCR assays were significantly more sensitive than FA assays for detecting respiratory viruses, especially parainfluenza virus and adenovirus. Use of real-time PCR to identify viral respiratory pathogens in children will lead to improved diagnosis of respiratory illness.
Foreign Capital Inflows and Economic Growth in Nigeria: Any Nexus?

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of foreign capital inflows on economic growth in Nigeria for 1980–2015 period. It employs Autoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL)-bounds test, and finds a cointegration relationship between foreign capital inflows and growth. Specifically, foreign portfolio investment has positive impact on growth, while the impact of foreign loans is negative. Nevertheless, foreign direct investment and foreign aid have insignificant impact on growth, suggesting that Nigeria cannot rely on foreign direct investment and foreign aid as vehicles to stimulate growth. Rather, an increase in foreign portfolio investment or reduction in foreign loans has beneficial effects on the economy.
Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor Arising in a Ganglioglioma: Genetic Characterization

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is an uncommon, aggressive, embryonal pediatric brain tumor that almost always develops de novo and does not arise within, or evolve from, other brain tumor types. Although rhabdoid morphology can be seen in other tumor types, these are phenotypic mimics and, with only rare exceptions, do not manifest the INI-1 deletion at the 22q11.2 locus or the INI-1 nuclear protein loss that characterizes AT/RT. A few reports of AT/RT evolving from a low-grade ganglioglioma (GG) or pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma have appeared. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with a large right parietal mass whose tumor at initial presentation manifested 2 distinct components: GG with neoplastic neurons, low MIB-1 rate, and retention of INI-1 nuclear immunostaining (immunohistochemical) and, second, AT/RT with rhabdoid cells, polyphenotypic immunohistochemical expression, high MIB-1 rate, and loss of INI-1 nuclear expression. The 2 areas were separately assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization for monosomy 22; monosomy 22 was identified in the AT/RT component but not in the GG areas. BRAF V600E mutation, a genetic abnormality seen in a significant percentage of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas and GGs, was assessed by polymerase chain reaction and identified in the tumor. Dual abnormalities of INI-1 loss and V600E BRAF mutation were identified in a cell culture line established from cerebrospinal fluid metastatic tumor cells. This cell line exhibited extremely rapid growth rate and rhabdoid morphology. Results suggest a postclonal modification in a subset of GG cells, with acquisition of INI-1 loss, confirming by biological methods what was previously suspected in rare reports of AT/RT evolving from other tumor types.
Lexically specific constructions in the acquisition of inflection in English

Children learning English often omit grammatical words and morphemes, but there is still much debate over exactly why and in what contexts they do so. This study investigates the acquisition of three elements which instantiate the grammatical category of ‘inflection’ – copula be, auxiliary be and 3sg present agreement – in longitudinal transcripts from five children, whose ages range from 1;6 to 3;5 in the corpora examined. The aim is to determine whether inflection emerges as a unitary category, as predicted by some recent generative accounts, or whether it develops in a more piecemeal fashion, consistent with constructivist accounts. It is found that for each child the relative pace of development of the three morphemes studied varies significantly, suggesting that these morphemes do not depend on a unitary underlying category. Furthermore, early on, be is often used primarily with particular closed-class subjects, suggesting that forms such as he's and that's are learned as lexically specific constructions. These findings are argued to support the idea that children learn ‘inflection’ (and by hypothesis, other functional categories) not by filling in pre-specified slots in an innate structure, but by learning some specific constructions involving particular lexical items, before going on to gradually abstract more general construction types.
Advanced bladder cancer: Status of first‐line chemotherapy and the search for active agents in the second‐line setting

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) remains a significant health problem affecting an estimated 68,810 people in 2008 alone in the US. The majority of patients with metastatic disease develop disease recurrence, and long‐term survival rates are poor. There is no standard of care for the treatment of patients with UC after the failure of cisplatin‐based regimens in the first‐line setting. Efforts to improve second‐line treatment have led to the evaluation of single agents such as vinflunine and pemetrexed, and multidrug combinations with cytotoxic and targeted agents, including trastuzumab and bevacizumab. The authors reviewed the activity of several single agents and combination regimens in patients with UC. Emerging strategies for the measurement of response in clinical trials were also outlined. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Large-Area Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detector With Double-Stage Avalanche Structure

We propose a novel design of superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors (SNAPs), which combines the advantages of multistage avalanche SNAPs to lower the avalanche current <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> $I_{AV}$</tex-math></inline-formula> and that of series-SNAPs to reduce the reset time. As proof of principle, we fabricated 800 devices with large detection area (15 μm × 15 μm) and five different designs on a single silicon chip for comparison, which include standard SNSPDs, series-3-SNAPs, and our modified series-SNAPs with double-stage avalanche structure 2*2-SNAPs, 2*3-SNAPs, and 3*3-SNAPs. The former three types of the detectors demonstrate fully saturated device detection efficiencies of ∼20% while the latter two types are latching at larger bias currents. In addition, the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{AV}$</tex-math> </inline-formula> of 2*2-SNAPs is only 64% of the switching current <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{SW}$</tex-math></inline-formula> that is lower than series-3-SNAPs (74%) and well below that of 4-SNAPs (84%) reported elsewhere. We also measure that the exponential decay times of the detectors are proportional to <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1/ n^{2}$</tex-math></inline-formula> due to the lack of external choke inductors. In particular, the decay time of 3*3-SNAPs is only 0.89 ns compared to the standard SNSPDs’ 63.2 ns, showing the potential to attain GHz counting rates.