Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food-allergic consumers' labelling preferences: a cross-cultural comparison.

BACKGROUND Recent changes in European food safety legislation have resulted in the implementation of statutory requirements regarding the traceability and labelling of 12 food allergens. This article describes research conducted to establish if current food labelling practices are perceived to be adequate by food-allergic consumers, and whether further policy changes need to be implemented in order to optimize consumer protection. METHODS A total of 40 food-allergic consumers were recruited in both the Netherlands and Greece. Participants were people suffering from one or more of the three most common food-allergies, milk, egg, and/or peanut or tree nut. In a retail environment, participants were given a list of 15 potentially problematic food products which they were asked to buy as if for their own household. The participants were observed during the course of product selection and questioned about specific problems they experienced, as well as information preferences for food allergy information. RESULTS Participants reported many problems linked to the readability of the label (e.g. font size, contrast). Not all packages contained relevant allergy information, and many participants reported that the ingredients list was insufficient for their needs. Personal experience of particular products was an important factor in the selection process. Dutch participants reported frustration regarding frequent changes in recipes of products available in the supermarket. CONCLUSIONS In general, food-allergic consumers were not satisfied with the current labelling practices. Information was thought to be unclear or insufficient, which resulted in personal stress and feelings of insecurity. Further research is needed to identify how best allergy information might be provided.
Abundance and diversity of wild bees along gradients of heavy metal pollution

Summary 1. Wild bees are one of the most important groups of pollinators in the temperate zone. Therefore, population declines have potentially negative impacts for both crop and wildflower pollination. Although heavy metal pollution is recognized to be a problem affecting large parts of the European Union, we currently lack insights into the effects of heavy metals on wild bees. 2. We investigated whether heavy metal pollution is a potential threat to wild bee communities by comparing (i) species number, (ii) diversity and (iii) abundance as well as (iv) natural mortality of emerging bees along two independent gradients of heavy metal pollution, one at Olkusz (OLK), Poland and the other at Avonmouth (AVO), UK. We used standardized nesting traps to measure species richness and abundance of wild bees, and we recorded the heavy metal concentration in pollen collected by the red mason bee Osmia rufa as a measure of pollution. 3. The concentration of cadmium, lead and zinc in pollen collected by bees ranged from a background level in unpolluted sites [OLK: 1·3, 43·4, 99·8 (mg kg−1); AVO: 0·8, 42·0, 56·0 (mg kg−1), respectively] to a high level on sites in the vicinity of the OLK and AVO smelters [OLK: 6·7, 277·0, 440·1 (mg kg−1); AVO: 9·3, 356·2, 592·4 (mg kg−1), respectively]. 4. We found that with increasing heavy metal concentration, there was a steady decrease in the number, diversity and abundance of solitary, wild bees. In the most polluted sites, traps were empty or contained single occupants, whereas in unpolluted sites, the nesting traps collected from 4 to 5 species represented by up to ten individuals. Moreover, the proportion of dead individuals of the solitary bee Megachile ligniseca increased along the heavy metal pollution gradient at OLK from 0·2 in uncontaminated sites to 0·5 in sites with a high concentration of pollution. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our findings highlight the negative relationship between heavy metal pollution and populations of wild bees and suggest that increasing wild bee richness in highly contaminated areas will require special conservation strategies. These may include creating suitable nesting sites and sowing a mixture of flowering plants as well as installing artificial nests with wild bee cocoons in polluted areas. Applying protection plans to wild pollinating bee communities in heavy metal-contaminated areas will contribute to integrated land rehabilitation to minimize the impact of pollution on the environment.
Young LMC clusters: the role of red supergiants and multiple stellar populations in their integrated light and CMDs

The optical integrated spectra of three Large Magellanic Cloud young stellar clusters (NGC 1984, NGC 1994 and NGC 2011) exhibit concave continua and prominent molecular bands which deviate significantly from the predictions of single stellar population (SSP) models. In order to understand the appearance of these spectra, we create a set of young stellar population (MILES) models, which we make available to the community. We use archival International Ultraviolet Explorer integrated UV spectra to independently constrain the cluster masses and extinction, and rule out strong stochastic effects in the optical spectra. In addition, we also analyse deep colour–magnitude diagrams of the clusters to provide independent age determinations based on isochrone fitting. We explore hypotheses, including age spreads in the clusters, a top-heavy initial mass function, different SSP models and the role of red supergiant stars (RSG). We find that the strong molecular features in the optical spectra can be only reproduced by modelling an increased fraction of about ∼20 per cent by luminosity of RSG above what is predicted by canonical stellar evolution models. Given the uncertainties in stellar evolution at Myr ages, we cannot presently rule out the presence of Myr age spreads in these clusters. Our work combines different wavelengths as well as different approaches (resolved data as well as integrated spectra for the same sample) in order to reveal the complete picture. We show that each approach provides important information but in combination we can better understand the cluster stellar populations.
Evaluation of pulmonary function in European land tortoises using whole-body plethysmography

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of whole-body plethysmography as a non-invasive method to determine the respiratory parameters and profiles in two tortoise species belonging to the genus Testudo. Pulmonary functions and volumetric parameters were determined in 10 adults of Testudo hermanni and in seven Testudo marginata animals, using whole-body plethysmography. A profile pattern was regularly observed: an inspiratory flow peak, an expiratory peak, an apnoea phase and a second expiratory peak, previous to the beginning of the next respiratory cycle. Positive and significant correlation was observed between the inspiratory time, weight and length of the tortoises. Larger tortoises showed a higher time of inhalation. The peak of inspiratory flow was correlated with the sex, being longer in the females. T. marginata had an inspiratory time longer than that of T. hermanii. In T. hermanii, differences related to the sex were observed in the tidal volume, peak inspiratory flow, peak expiratory flow, expiratory flow of 50 per cent and enhanced pause, which could be related to the smaller size of males. The results suggest that additional information on new technologies currently used in pet medicine or even in human medicine should be developed and adjusted as alternative ways to support the rehabilitation of turtles and tortoises.
Spartan-6 FPGA based 8-channel time-to-digital converters for TOF-PET systems

According to the technical requirement of the time coincident measurement for TOF-PET systems, an eight-channel wave-union time-to-digital convertor (TDC) based on a Spartan-6 Xilinx FPGA has been implemented and tested. The root-mean-square (RMS) error of the two channels on the same FPGA measuring a fixed time interval is less than 14 ps, while the RMS error of the two channels inter-FPGA is less than 26.5 ps. The TDC measurement dead time is only 8 ns, which is conducive to the trigger mechanism combining a low threshold for timing and a high threshold for event confirmation. Because the time coincidence measurements in PET scanners always occur between the opposing TDC circuits, the variation of the RMS error and measured mean value by the two inter-FPGA TDC channels in different temperature environments is also presented.
To use or not to use: understanding the factors affecting continuance intention of mobile banking

The purpose of this study is to figure out the determinants that affect the customers in mobile banking. This research offers a theoretical understanding on the conceptual model regarding the formation of relationship quality and continuance intention towards m-banking by simultaneously considering service quality, perceived risk and technology readiness as exogenous impacts. Based on the online survey of 390 m-banking experienced participants, this study uses the structural equation modelling approach to test the research model. The results show that technology readiness and service quality has indirectly significant influence on continuance intention through the mediation of relationship quality, consisting of satisfaction and trust. Hence, perceived risk had surprisingly no significant impact on relationship quality. This study represents a thorough understanding on the research model of continuance intention, and the managerial implications of mobile banking to researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Exploring the internet's role in sexual compulsivity and out of control sexual thoughts/behaviour: A qualitative study of gay and bisexual men in New York City

Sexual compulsivity and the internet have been investigated separately among gay and bisexual men for their connection to sexual risk behaviour, yet little research has addressed the intersection. This analysis explored qualitative interview data from 111 gay and bisexual men experiencing out of control sexual thoughts and/or behaviours, about the role of the internet in their lives. For some it facilitated their problematic sexual thoughts and behaviours and, to some extent, was a distraction from important facets of their lives. Equally, men identified strategies to limit their internet use and reduce these negative consequences. For some, the internet was attributed to being less discriminating about partners. In contrast, other men compared the internet to other venues for meeting sex partners (e.g. bars) and described the internet as a medium for reducing physical (cruising online versus cruising a dark alley) and sexual (multiple partners at bathhouses versus cyber‐sex only) risk. Clinically, service providers should conduct more thorough assessments regarding the role of the internet in the lives of patients who experience sexual compulsivity, as many individual differences exist, and there may be positive benefits that stem from internet use.
SPERMIOGENESIS AND SPERMATOZOON ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE CESTODE MOSGOVOYIA CTENOIDES (CYCLOPHYLLIDEA: ANOPLOCEPHALIDAE), AN INTESTINAL PARASITE OF ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS (LAGOMORPHA: LEPORIDAE)

Ultrastructural characters in spermiogenesis and spermatozoa are considered important tools to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within the Platyhelminthes. In the Anoplocephalidae, ultrastructural data refer to the spermatozoon of 14 species, whereas data on spermiogenesis refer to only 7 species. The present study focused on the spermiogenesis and spermatozoon of the anoplocephalid cestode Mosgovoyia ctenoides, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Type IV spermiogenesis was detected, beginning with the formation of a differentiation zone containing 2 centrioles, with a centriolar adjunct and vestigial striated rootlets. Different forms of the latter character have been described in other anoplocephalids. This study supports spermiogenesis of type IV as the most frequent in the Anoplocephalidae and confirms the presence of a centriolar adjunct in yet another type IV spermiogenesis species. The spermatozoon of M. ctenoides possesses 1 axoneme of the 9+‘1’ trepaxonematan type, 2 crestlike bodies, dense plates, and granules of electron-dense cytoplasmic material, nucleus, and twisted cortical microtubules. It was again confirmed that the presence of granular material and the absence of both a periaxonemal sheath and intracytoplasmic walls are constant characters in the spermatozoa of all the Anoplocephalinae.
DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER CELLS IN TRI-CULTURE USING IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY

Impedance spectroscopy is an emerging tool in the analysis of cancer [1-4]. Our goal is to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of a MEMS-based micro-bioimpedance sensor. To this end, we report a unique narrow multi-branched electrode system in a micro-cell culture chamber on a silicon chip capable of detecting metastatic human breast cancer cells in a tri-culture comprised of normal epithelial MCF10A, HS68 fibroblast, and cancerous MDA-MB-231 cells to simulate a breast tumor biopsy sample. A bioimpedance signature unique to the metastatic MDA-MB-231 cancer cells is elicited by a chemical stimulus, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), an experimental anti-cancer agent that exerts selective actions on the cytoskeletal organization of the cancer cells [5]. This is the first time a complex cell culture consisting of three different cell types has been analyzed using MEMS-based impedance spectroscopy.
The physician's role in health promotion--a survey of primary-care practitioners.

Although evidence that people can do much to promote their own health is growing, the role of the primary-care physician in helping patients change their health behavior is still problematic. At least one study has examined what physicians do to promote their own health.1 Little is known, however, about the extent to which physicians promote the health of their patients, their success in helping patients change their behavior, or the types of training and support services physicians believe they need. This study examined the health-promotion beliefs, attitudes, and practices of a representative sample of primary-care physicians in Massachusetts. Methods The .
Timp-1 is important for epithelial proliferation and branching morphogenesis during mouse mammary development.

The dynamic process of mammary ductal morphogenesis depends on regulated epithelial proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. Epithelial cell-matrix contact closely dictates epithelial proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Despite the fact that tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (Timps) regulate ECM turnover, their function in mammary morphogenesis is unknown. We have delineated the spatiotemporal expression of all Timps (Timp-1 to Timp-4) during discrete phases of murine mammary development. Timp mRNAs were abundant in mammary tissue, each displaying differential expression patterns with predominant localization in luminal epithelial cells. Timp-1 mRNA was unique in that its expression was limited to the stage at which epithelial proliferation was high. To assess whether Timp-1 promotes or inhibits epithelial cell proliferation we manipulated mammary Timp-1 levels, genetically and biochemically. Down-regulation of epithelial-derived Timp-1 in transgenic mice, by mouse mammary tumor virus promoter-directed Timp-1 antisense RNA expression, led to augmented ductal expansion and increased number of ducts (P < 0.004). In these transgenics the integrity of basement membrane surrounding epithelial ducts, as visualized by laminin-specific immunostaining, was breached. In contrast to these mice, ductal expansion was markedly attenuated in the proximity of implanted recombinant Timp-1-releasing pellets (rTIMP-1), without an increase in basement membrane deposition around migrating terminal end buds. Epithelial proliferation and apoptosis were measured to determine the basis of altered ductal expansion. Luminal epithelial proliferation was increased by 55% (P < 0.02) in Timp-1-reduced transgenic mammary tissue and, conversely, decreased by 38% (P < 0.02) in terminal end buds by implanted rTIMP-1. Epithelial apoptosis was minimal and remained unaffected by Timp-1 manipulations. We conclude that Timps have an integral function in mammary morphogenesis and that Timp-1 regulates mammary epithelial proliferation in vivo, at least in part by maintaining basement membrane integrity.
Chemotherapy with or without Concurrent Hormone Therapy in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer : NACED-Randomized Multicenter Phase II Trial

aDepartment of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, and Departments of bBreast and Endocrine Surgery, hPathology, and jPalliative and Supportive Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama 700-8558, Japan, cDepartment of Oncology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, Departments of dSurgery, and iPathology, Chugoku Central Hospital, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 720-0001, Japan, eDepartment of Breast Surgery, Hiroshima City Hospital, Hiroshima 730-8515, Japan, fDepartment of Surgery, Okayama Central Hospital, Okayama 700-0017, Japan, and gDepartment of Surgery, Himeji Red Cross Hospital, Himeji, Hyogo 670-8540, Japan
CAN CALCIUM AND SODIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS ATTENUATE HEMODYNAMIC RESPONSES TO ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATION

Aim: Direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation following induction of anesthesia almost always triggers powerful cardiovascular responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of diltiazem (calcium channel blocker), lidocaine (sodium channel blocker) and a combination of these two drugs in the attenuation of circular responses to endotracheal intubation in normotensive patients. Methods: 120 Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups. Group I received a single 0.2 mg/kg IV bolus of diltiazem 1 minute prior to laryngoscopy and intubation (n=30), Group II received a single 1.5 mg/kg IV bolus of lidocaine (n=30) 3 minutes prior and Group III received combination of these two drugs 1 minute prior to laryngoscopy and intubation (n=30). Group IV served as the control and received a single 5 mL IV bolus of normal saline. Changes in heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured and then compared within and between groups. Rate pressure product (RPP) was calculated and evaluated as well. Results: Either diltiazem or lidocaine alone blunts unwanted hemodynamic responses to intubation. However, significantly less circulatory responses were experienced by patients receiving both than those receiving either lidocaine or diltiazem alone. Conclusion: Given the difference in the pharmacological mechanisms of these two drugs, the prophylactic therapy with combination of diltiazem+lidocaine is significantly more effective than any one alone for attenuating hemodynamic changes to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, without producing increased risk of hypertension.
Metabolic Features of Heart Failure with Different Etiology

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and Chronical Degenerative Valvular Disease (CDVD) are very common in dogs nowadays. However, due to modern level in oncology we can meet chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathies more often. We have lack of information about pathogenic mechanisms underlying Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy (DoxCM) and features differentiating it from CDVD and DCM. In this study we investigate several metabolic features of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy, DCM-like phenotype cardiomyopathies and CDVD. We observed some stages of myocardium glucose metabolism in order to estimate life potential of end stage myocardium and respectively survival of patient. The study population consisted of 46 dogs of different age, sex and breed. These dogs were subgrouped due to diagnosis: Healthy dogs without heart failure, DCM, CDVD and DoxCM. Fresh myocardial biopsies taken immediately after euthanasia from left ventricular apex, freezed in liquid nitrogen for ELISA and biochemical study. Differences in metabolic profile found between of CDVD and healthy dogs were not significant. At the same time doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy and DCM-like phenotype myocardial disease had similar changes. It should be mentioned, DCM patients had previously long history of treatment, but DoxCM group-not. Differences between DoxCM, DCM and CDVD were significant and can be explained by changes what suffering myocardium undergoes. Rapid or slow developing energy depletion leads to myocardiocytes death and heart failure. Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy is far more dangerous due to rapidness of development in observed study. Myocardium, due to lack of time, had no adapting ability for acute energy depletion and massive cell death. This preliminary study shows changes induced by doxorubicin (Dox) in dogs. These findings mostly connected with mitochondrial disturbances, insulin resistance and energy depletion. In this study also shown several features connected with development of CDVD and differences from DCM.
Realized Variance and Market Microstructure Noise

We study market microstructure noise in high-frequency data and analyze its implications for the realized variance (RV) under a general specification for the noise. We show that kernel-based estimators can unearth important characteristics of market microstructure noise and that a simple kernel-based estimator dominates the RV for the estimation of integrated variance (IV). An empirical analysis of the Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks reveals that market microstructure noise is time-dependent and correlated with increments in the efficient price. This has important implications for volatility estimation based on high-frequency data. Finally, we apply cointegration techniques to decompose transaction prices and bid–ask quotes into an estimate of the efficient price and noise. This framework enables us to study the dynamic effects on transaction prices and quotes caused by changes in the efficient price.
Extension of the Q Orbitrap intrascan dynamic range by using a dedicated customized scan.

RATIONALE The intrascan dynamic range of modern Orbitrap instrumentation is specified to reach 1:5000, while the interscan dynamic range is significantly larger due to the utilization of the automatic gain control feature. There are some applications (e.g. residue analysis in complex matrices, metabolomics or structural elucidation) where a wider intrascan dynamic range is desirable. METHODS The Application Programming Interface (API) of the Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer has been used to program a customized scan in order to cover a larger intrascan dynamic range. Different approaches were used, which were all based on the variation of the isolation time of low-abundance versus high-abundance mass range segments. The differently attenuated mass range segments isolated by the quadrupole were sequentially forwarded to the C-trap. Finally, the accumulated mass segments were measured within the Orbitrap analyzer. RESULTS The spectra obtained by the customized scans show an enlarged dynamic range. This has been demonstrated by monitoring the higher isotope mass peaks (first and second isotope) of a low intensity analyte. Furthermore, a practical application (veterinary drugs in bovine kidney) has been investigated with the proposed customized scan. Analytes eluting within the retention time region of very intense matrix peaks (e.g. peptides) showed improved detectability when utilizing the customized scan. CONCLUSIONS The extension of the intrascan dynamic range by a customized scan is helpful when analyzing residues which happen to elute together with a dominating matrix peak or within a high ion abundance region (e.g. dead volume). Furthermore, this feature helps in the process of determining the elemental composition of compounds by permitting the investigation of low-abundance ions (e.g. belonging to the isotopic fine structure of the investigated compound).