Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo Mammalian Alkaline Comet Assay: Method Adapted for Genotoxicity Assessment of Nanomaterials

The in vivo Comet assay measures the generation of DNA strand breaks under conditions in which the DNA will unwind and migrate to the anode in an electrophoresis assay, producing comet-like figures. Measurements are on single cells, which allows the sampling of a diversity of cells and tissues for DNA damaging effects. The Comet assay is the most common in vivo method for genotoxicity assessment of nanomaterials (NM). The Method outlined here includes a recommended step-by-step approach, consistent with OECD 489, taking into consideration the issues impacting assessment of NM, including choice of cells or systems, handling of NM test articles, dose determination, assay methods and data assessment. This method is designed to be used along with the accompanying “Common Considerations” paper, which discusses issues common to any genotoxicity assay using NM as a test article.
Mycorrhizal Inoculation Enhances Nutrient Absorption and Induces Insect-Resistant Defense of Elymus nutans

The majority of terrestrial plants can form symbiotic associations on their roots with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the soil to stimulate the growth and nutrient uptake of the host plant and to improve plant resistance to insects and disease. However, the use of AMF for insect control on gramineous forages requires further study. Here, we evaluated the effects of AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) inoculation on the defense against Locusta migratoria attack in Elymus nutans. Inoculation assays showed that mycorrhizal plants had a higher resistance than non-inoculated plants, as evidenced by plants having more plant biomass, a higher nitrogen and phosphorus content, and greater lipoxygenase (LOX) activity. The results of insect damage showed that in addition to a decrease in the enzyme phenylalanine-ammonia-lyase, the activities of other plant defense-related enzymes (including polyphenol oxidase and β-1,3-glucanase) were increased. A key enzyme, LOX, belonging to the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway was notably increased in mycorrhizal treatment. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified using gas chromatography mass spectrometry and the results showed that several metabolites with insect-resistant properties, including D-Limonene, p-Xylene, 1,3-Diethylbenzene were detected in mycorrhizal plants. These findings suggest that mycorrhizal inoculation has potential applications in insect management on forage grasses and demonstrates that the JA signaling pathway is essential for insect resistance in Elymus nutans.
Differential Functional Responses of Neutrophil Subsets in Severe COVID-19 Patients

Neutrophils play a significant role in determining disease severity following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Gene and protein expression defines several neutrophil clusters in COVID-19, including the emergence of low density neutrophils (LDN) that are associated with severe disease. The functional capabilities of these neutrophil clusters and correlation with gene and protein expression are unknown. To define host defense and immunosuppressive functions of normal density neutrophils (NDN) and LDN from COVID-19 patients, we recruited 64 patients with severe COVID-19 and 26 healthy donors (HD). Phagocytosis, respiratory burst activity, degranulation, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, and T-cell suppression in those neutrophil subsets were measured. NDN from severe/critical COVID-19 patients showed evidence of priming with enhanced phagocytosis, respiratory burst activity, and degranulation of secretory vesicles and gelatinase and specific granules, while NET formation was similar to HD NDN. COVID LDN response was impaired except for enhanced NET formation. A subset of COVID LDN with intermediate CD16 expression (CD16Int LDN) promoted T cell proliferation to a level similar to HD NDN, while COVID NDN and the CD16Hi LDN failed to stimulate T-cell activation. All 3 COVID-19 neutrophil populations suppressed stimulation of IFN-γ production, compared to HD NDN. We conclude that NDN and LDN from COVID-19 patients possess complementary functional capabilities that may act cooperatively to determine disease severity. We predict that global neutrophil responses that induce COVID-19 ARDS will vary depending on the proportion of neutrophil subsets.
Reliable Detection of Myocardial Ischemia Using Machine Learning Based on Temporal-Spatial Characteristics of Electrocardiogram and Vectorcardiogram

Background: Myocardial ischemia is a common early symptom of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Reliable detection of myocardial ischemia using computer-aided analysis of electrocardiograms (ECG) provides an important reference for early diagnosis of CVD. The vectorcardiogram (VCG) could improve the performance of ECG-based myocardial ischemia detection by affording temporal-spatial characteristics related to myocardial ischemia and capturing subtle changes in ST-T segment in continuous cardiac cycles. We aim to investigate if the combination of ECG and VCG could improve the performance of machine learning algorithms in automatic myocardial ischemia detection. Methods: The ST-T segments of 20-second, 12-lead ECGs, and VCGs were extracted from 377 patients with myocardial ischemia and 52 healthy controls. Then, sample entropy (SampEn, of 12 ECG leads and of three VCG leads), spatial heterogeneity index (SHI, of VCG) and temporal heterogeneity index (THI, of VCG) are calculated. Using a grid search, four SampEn and two features are selected as input signal features for ECG-only and VCG-only models based on support vector machine (SVM), respectively. Similarly, three features (S I , THI, and SHI, where S I is the SampEn of lead I) are further selected for the ECG + VCG model. 5-fold cross validation was used to assess the performance of ECG-only, VCG-only, and ECG + VCG models. To fully evaluate the algorithmic generalization ability, the model with the best performance was selected and tested on a third independent dataset of 148 patients with myocardial ischemia and 52 healthy controls. Results: The ECG + VCG model with three features (S I ,THI, and SHI) yields better classifying results than ECG-only and VCG-only models with the average accuracy of 0.903, sensitivity of 0.903, specificity of 0.905, F1 score of 0.942, and AUC of 0.904, which shows better performance with fewer features compared with existing works. On the third independent dataset, the testing showed an AUC of 0.814. Conclusion: The SVM algorithm based on the ECG + VCG model could reliably detect myocardial ischemia, providing a potential tool to assist cardiologists in the early diagnosis of CVD in routine screening during primary care services.
Effects of Teacher Enthusiasm and Type of Text on the Motivation and Achievement of Schoolchildren

This study aims to analyze the effects of teacher enthusiasm and type of text on student motivation and achievement. The participants were 369 elementary school students. We used four videos showing a teacher presenting two texts (narrative or descriptive) in two conditions of enthusiasm (high or neutral). A MANOVA revealed additive effects due to enthusiasm and text type on motivation and achievement, but no interaction. Mediation analyzes indicated that enthusiasm showed direct and indirect effects through motivation only for descriptive text. Therefore, the motivational mediation between teacher enthusiasm and student achievement could be especially important when the text is descriptive.
Quality of life assessment in orthognathic surgery patients with dentofacial deformity

Objective: Quality of life assessment of Kurdish patients with dentofacial deformities after orthognathic surgery to compare their results with those of patients who have no dentofacial deformity by applying the orthognathic quality of life questionnaire (OQLQ). Materials and Methods: Three groups of patients were interviewed, and orthognathic quality of life questionnaires (OQLQ) was used to assess generic health-related quality of life. They were asked to complete the Kurdish version of the 22-item orthognathic quality of life questionnaire (OQLQ) for control, preoperatively and postoperatively patient. Responses at these different time points were compared using paired t-tests, with the significance level set to P<0.05 . Results: There were statistical differences in the satisfaction of four domains (oral function, facial aesthetics, psychological, and social aspects) by these indicated that quality of life was significantly improved by orthognathic surgery (all P<0.001). Results showed statistical differences between groups and suggested that patients with no deformity and those subjected to orthognathic surgery have a better quality of life compared to those with a facial deformity . Conclusion: Dentofacial correction by orthognathic surgery seems to have a positive effect on the quality of life.
Metabolic Abnormalities in Tick-Borne Encephalitis: A Mini-Review

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a debilitating, heterogeneous disease associated with myriad symptoms that vary depending on the infection subtype and duration. There are no known biomarkers for TBE, largely due to a lack of knowledge of its pathogenesis. Numerous studies have sought potential biomarkers for the disease. This mini review concisely outlines the current state of research on metabolic abnormalities in TBE, and may provide a foundation for further studies of the disease. Research progress in key areas such as the immune response and metabolites of dysregulation, is also described. The studies outlined here suggest potential biomarkers for TBE. Future research at multiple research centers should focus on firmly establishing these biomarkers. Whether the metabolic changes noted in this mini review are a cause or a consequence of TBE must also be verified. Abbreviations:
The Trade Network of Textiles and Clothing Past the ATC

Despite increased globalization since the 1980s in many sectors remained the textile and clothing trade regulated through countryspecific import quotas. In 2005, they were terminated by the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). Subsequently it was expected that mostly China would gain in worldwide exports while preferentially treated countries and countries facing fewer restrictions would notice decreases in exports. These included developing countries, Southern Asia, as well as Turkey, Mexico, or Central and Eastern Europe. At the same time a higher concentration of exports on key countries and a decline in transshipping were foreseen. This study analyzes the mediumterm changes by comparing the period before the ATC ́s ending (1994 to 2004) to the subsequent period (2005 to 2011). As a novelty, it uses network analysis and value-added trade data.
First Line Treatment for Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer: Capecitabine Plus Oxaliplatin (CAPOX) versus Epirubicin, Oxaliplatin Plus Capecitabine (EOX)

Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for advanced gastroesophageal cancer (AGC). There is no consensus whether doublet or triplet chemotherapy is better. Hence our study aimed to compare CAPOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) with EOX (epirubicin, oxaliplatin plus capecitabine) as first line treatment for AGC. From December 2012 to July 2014, total of 69 patients were randomly assigned; 35 to EOX arm (epirubicin 50 mg/m 2 on day1, capecitabine 625 mg/m 2 twice daily for 21 day and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 on day1 three weekly for 8 cycle) and 34 to CAPOX arm (capecitabine 1000 mg/m 2 twice daily for 14 days and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 on day 1 in a three weekly cycle for 8 cycle). Median age at diagnosis was 55 years. The median number of chemotherapy cycle delivered was 7.45% completed planned treatment. 63.8% patient needed dose modification and 33.3% had treatment discontinuation due to grade 3/4 toxicity. Incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia was significantly more in EOX where as diarrhoea and vomiting were more in CAPOX group. The ORR (overall response rate) was 63% in the entire cohort and 54.5% and 71.4% in the CAPOX and EOX group respectively. Median follow up was 15.2 month. Median OS (overall survival) was 8.1 and 10.3 months in the CAPOX and EOX groups respectively; p=0.298, however there was a trend favouring PFS (progression free survival) in the EOX group (5.5 vs. 8.3 months in CAPOX and EOX respectively; p=0.06). No significant difference was observed between the two regimens with respect to ORR, PFS and OS. Doublet chemotherapy regimen (CAPOX) has similar efficacy as a triplet regimen (EOX), however, with higher incidence of gastrointestinal toxicity.
Decreased Platelet Calcium in Free Magnesium with Increased Mild Essential Hypertension Free

patients and 8 normotensive individuals were measured using mag-fura2, a recently developed fluorescent indicator, and fura2, respectively. Compared with normotensives, intracellular free magnesium concentration was significantly decreased (0.32 ± 0.10 vs. 0.50 ± 0.15 mmol/1, mean ± SD, p < 0.001) and intracellular free calcium concentration was significantly increased (40.2 ± 9.0 vs. 21.7 ± 11.8 nmol/1, p < 0.001) in the hypertensives. In all subjects, mean blood pressure correlated negatively with intracellular free magnesium (r = -0.57, p < 0.001) and positively with intracellular free calcium (r = 0.48, p < 0.02). Furthermore, intracellular free magnesium correlated negatively with intracellular free calcium. In contrast, serum and intraerythrocyte magnesium concentrations did not differ between the two groups. These results suggest that the decreased intracellular free magnesium of platelets concomitant with the increased intracellular free calcium may participate in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. (Hypertens Res 1992; 15: 105-110)
A mismatch that slows down the evolution of education

Digitalisation is a worldwide trend in various contexts such as at home, work and school. Especially in the Netherlands, the digital becomes more and more important and ICT has also become an important policy area. Although digitalisation is embraced in the Netherlands, the adoption of digital technologies in education is diffuse. Several studies have been conducted on the reasons for this diffuse adoption, however, none of them has focused in the Netherlands. Besides that, most studies are focused on the adoption of digital education materials in secondary school and focus on teachers, while publishers of digital education materials are an important actor as well. Therefore, the aim of this study is to get an in depth understanding of both teachers’ and publishers’ perceptions on digital education materials in primary school. Through semi-structured interviews and focus groups the data for this study was obtained. The interviews and focus groups made clear there is a mismatch between the teachers and schools’ view on digital education materials and the publishers’ view. The main mismatches relate to following themes: financial problems, digital skills, technological barriers and opportunities, institutional characteristics, collaboration between publishers and government. These seven themes made clear that conversation and collaboration between all actors involved is needed on all fronts, to take away the barriers for the adoption of digital education materials in primary school. However, it has to be considered that the adoption of technology is not a linear, but a continuous process. Technology is constantly changing and developing, so the actors involved have to think of a platform through which continuous communication can be established.
The formation of a collaborative project identity in an infrastructure alliance project

Abstract Inter-organizational projects struggle to build a sense of joint belonging and a culture of cooperation. In evaluating the social processes of collaboration in inter-organizational projects, organizational identity is considered a core concept. To extend existing knowledge of how collaborative identity is formed in inter-organizational infrastructure projects, the study investigates how the specific characteristics of temporary organizations (time, team, task and context) influence identity formation activities. A case study of the first Finnish infrastructure alliance project identifies six key activities supporting the formation of collaborative project identity: (1) articulating a joint vision for collaborative project identity; (2) converging on mutual conceptions of collaborative project alliance philosophy; (3) attaining a shared collaborative mentality; (4) designing ways of working with multiple identities; (5) attaining distinctiveness and (6) legitimizing activities. The findings indicate that identity formation activities are context-dependent, and that the formation of organizational identity differs between temporary and permanent organizations. The findings illuminate how managers can build a collaborative project identity.
Barriers and Motivators for Using Open Educational Resources in Schools

In an explorative study, we investigated on German schoolteachers how they use, reuse, produce and manage Open Educational Resources. The main questions in this research have been, what their motivators and barriers are in the ir use of Open Educational Resources, what others can learn from their Open Educational P ractices, and what we can do to raise the dissemination level of OER in schools.
A customer-based approach for selecting attributes and levels for preference measurement and new product development

Preference measurement is commonly used to identify customer needs and to create products that satisfy these needs. Over the past few decades, most researchers have focused on developing new survey or estimation methods. However, researchers were paying little attention to the selection of attributes and levels for preference measurement. This study provides an overview of the common methods currently in use to define attribute sets for conjoint analysis, and it extends previous research by proposing an evoked set-based attribute selection method (EVAS). The EVAS is intended to aid the selection of appropriate attributes and levels by focusing on products that are acceptable from the consumer's perspective. An empirical study of this approach reveals that the applicability of attribute sets increases, and implausible estimates can be avoided.
New Zealand ShakeOut exercise: lessons learned by schools

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify lessons learned by schools from their involvement in the 2012 New Zealand ShakeOut nationwide earthquake drill. Design/methodology/approach – The results from a survey conducted with 514 schools were collated to identify the emergency preparedness lessons learned by schools through their participation in the ShakeOut exercise. Findings – Key findings indicated that: schools were likely to do more than the minimum when presented with a range of specific emergency preparedness activities; drills for emergency events require specific achievement objectives to be identified in order to be most effective in preparing schools; and large-scale initiatives, such as the ShakeOut exercise, encourage schools and students to engage in emergency preparedness activities. Practical implications – Based on the findings, six recommendations are made to assist schools to develop effective emergency response procedures. Originality/value – The present study contributes to t.
The effects of Globalization on Economic Growth: An analysis based on the country's income level

The discussion about effects of globalization on economic growth in rich and poor countries has been winning an important role in economic growth literature. In this study, it is possible to verify some of the effects from globalization on economic growth d epending on the country’s income . It develops an ARDL Balanced Panel with a long time span 1970-2013 to verify the effects of three different KOF indicators of globalization on economic growth. A panel ARDL was chosen because this allows for long- and short-run effects. So, it was made with three different country income levels following the World Bank Definition. The aim of this analysis is verifying if according each different types of income country could have different behaviours from globalization to economic growth. The results show that in high income countries, the economic globalization has a positive and significant impact in the short- and in the long-run. Indeed, in the long-run this is the only elasticity present, and the other kinds of globalizations do not have any effect on economic growth, except political globalization. Political globalization has a negative and significant effect on economic growth, but only in the short-run. The two other income types have similar results, i.e. only social globalization in the short- and long -run elasticities. These later impacts are positive and statistically significant. This results help policy makers to design better policies to improve their economies.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF Thiobacillus ferrooxidans REACTIONS

The effect of silver and some other heavy metal ions on the iron oxidizing ability of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was studied using electrochemical and some other physico-chemical techniques. Electrochemical investigation was conducted using a method based on redox potential change. Experiments were performed by adding an aliquot of separately prepared concentrate of the bacteria into the solution of ferrous ion and monitoring the redox potential for at least one hour. Pyrite was used as the indicator electrode. Parameters examined were pH, microbial cell density, ferrous and ferric ion concentration, temperature, concentration of silver and some other cations and anions, pre-conditioning period of the bacteria with silver, etc. Results obtained demonstrate that the reaction is pH dependent, the optimum pH range being 1.5-2.0. The first order rate constant of the reaction (standard value 0.06 min "I) is largely influenced by the substrate to cell concentration ratio and temperature. The activation energy of this reaction has been observed to be 11.51 and 12.33 Kcal mole "I in the absence and in the presence of i0 mg/L silver, respectively. The presence of some heavy metal ions has been observed to affect the rate of reaction, while the anions studied (e.g. chloride and nitrate) have no effect on the reaction being investigated. Mercuric and silver ions have been observed to exert the most detrimental effects on the reaction rate. However, the bacteria are found to maintain their ferrous iron oxidizing ability in presence of a small concentration of silver depending on pH. Under standard condition of pH 1.7, the bacteria can maintain their iron oxidizing activity in a solution containing approximately 0.7 mg/L of silver, whereas at pH 1.4, this limit reduces to 0.25 mg/L of silver. Conditioning the bacteria with an appreciable concentration of silver (e.g. 1 mg/L or over) has been found to be adverse to the bacteria's iron oxidizing ability. _(I lr . 1)_ur'q . ,,,,mr 'r','l"l' P ll . llql'_l"' YIII"". ml.rrl'_)'l i, ,, . r, ,,l,rlllTrl UN I,'mrr""9"" ,,I,_' tlp'ql))n'11'1'l . rlllllrl",(i'rnlmWl_r
Sources for writing the history of young women: dialogues between the diaries of Helena Morley and Bernardina Constant

: The article analyzes the use of diaries on the writing of the history of youth, establishing a dialogue between two documents, written by Brazilian women who were transitioning from childhood to adulthood in the late 19 th century. On the one hand, the article analyzes the conditions of production, conservation, and publication of the diaries. On the other hand, it focuses on the authors’ social experiences, considering their generational and gender identities, as well as their social and racial contexts and their familial relationships. By studying these diaries, it is possible to apprehend the possibilities and limits of social participation of the young women of that period, observing the singularities of each narrative.