Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modulation of proliferation and differentiation of gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells by concentrated growth factors: Potential implications in tissue engineering for dental regeneration and repair

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation ability of gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) cultured with different concentrations of concentrated growth factors (CGF). GMSCs were isolated from gingival connective tissues and characterized by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemical staining. Cell proliferation activity was determined by the MTT assay, and the effect of CGF on MCSCs was detected with the Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assay. Mineralization induction was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-positive cell staining and mineralized nodule formation assay. Dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein (DMP)1, dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 and runt-related transcription factor (RUNX)2 mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis and western blotting. The flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemical staining results indicated that the cultured cells were GMSCs. The MTT assay results revealed that the third-generation gingival stem cells exhibited the highest proliferative capacity, and the CCK-8 results indicated that 10% CGF achieved the most prominent promotion of GMSC proliferation. ALP activity analysis and mineralized nodule assay demonstrated that CGF may successfully induce osteogenic differentiation of GMSCs, whereas RT-qPCR and western blot analyses demonstrated that CGF is involved in the differentiation of GMSCs by regulating the expression of DMP1, DSPP, BMP2 and RUNX2 (P<0.05). In conclusion, CGF were demonstrated to promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of GMSCs. Therefore, CGF may be applied in tissue engineering for tooth regeneration and repair.
Production and Refinement of Omega-3 Rich Oils from Processing By-Products of Farmed Fish Species

In this study, the effect of a four-stage chemical refining process (degumming, neutralization, bleaching, deodorization) on the quality parameters, fatty acid composition and volatile compounds of crude oils produced from processing by-products of farmed fish species (tuna, seabass and gilthead seabream) was evaluated. The quality of the oils was compared to commercially available cod liver oil on the basis of free fatty acid, peroxide value, p-anisidine, total oxidation (TOTOX), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), oxidative stability at 80, 100 and 120 °C, tocopherol content, and volatile components, while the fatty acid profile and the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were used as an indicator of the nutritional values of fish oils. Quality parameters of the studied oils and oil oxidative stability were enhanced with refining and were within the limits recommended for fish oils without the loss of PUFAs. In tuna by-product refined oils, the proportion of PUFAs was over 40%, with 30% of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids. The volatile compounds of the oils were quantified (in mg/kg) and major components were 2,4-heptadienal, pentadecane, 2,4-decadienal, 2,4-nonadienal and dodecane. The use of aquaculture by-products as an alternative source for fish oil production could contribute to a more sustainable and profitable aquaculture production, providing economic benefits for the producers and setting new standards for a fish by-product disposal strategy.
Changes in Microbial Profiles and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns in Patients with Biliary Tract Infection Over a Six-Year Period.

Background: Biliary tract infection (BTI) is a common complication in patients with biliary obstruction caused by various biliary tract disorders. To improve the management of patients with BTI, microbial profiles from bile cultures and antibiotic resistance patterns were evaluated in this six-year retrospective study. Methods: A total of 709 patients with various biliary tract disorders from January 2012 to December 2017 were enrolled in this study. Bile specimens were taken from intra-operative puncture or post-operative drainage for microbial culture under sterile conditions. Microbial culture, identification, and antibiotic resistance test were performed according to a standard routine. Results: Cultures were positive in 574 of 789 bile specimens (73%). Of all isolates, 386 were gram-negative bacilli (67%), 170 were gram-positive cocci (30%), and 18 were fungi (3%). The two most common micro-organisms were Escherichia coli (29%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16%), the extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) positivity rates of which were 52% and 21%, respectively. Both bacteria were highly resistant to commonly used antibiotic agents (penicillins, cephalosporins, and quinolones), and highly susceptible to carbapenems, amikacin, and piperacillin-tazobactam. Enterococcus (19%) was the next most common bacteria isolated from bile samples, mainly including Enterococcus faecium (8%) and Enterococcus faecalis (6%). These two bacteria were resistant to cefazolin and clindamycin but sensitive to teicoplanin, tigecycline, and vancomycin. Enterococcus faecium was more resistant than Enterococcus faecalis to most of the tested antibiotic agents. Annual statistical analysis showed that the frequency of gram-negative enteric bacteria was decreasing slowly, but that of gram-positive enterococci was increasing slowly. Moreover, the overall antibiotic resistance rates of the most common strains have been decreasing slowly over the past six years. Conclusions: Enterobacteriaceae (Enterococcus coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and Enterococcus (Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis) were the common pathogenic bacteria causing BTI, which exhibited high resistance to routinely used antibiotic agents and were highly sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenem, amikacin, and vancomycin. The microbial profiles from bile and its antibiotic resistance patterns have changed, which will help in the empirical treatment of BTI.
Dealing with mobility: understanding access anytime, anywhere

The rapid and accelerating move towards use of mobile technologies has increasingly provided people and organizations with the ability to work away from the office and on the move. The new ways of working afforded by these technologies are often characterized in terms of access to information and people anytime, anywhere. This article presents a study of mobile workers that highlights different facets of access to remote people and information, and different facets of anytime, anywhere. Four key factors in mobile work are identified: the role of planning, working in "dead time," accessing remote technological and informational resources, and monitoring the activities of remote colleagues. By reflecting on these issues, we can better understand the role of technology and artifacts in mobile work and identify the opportunities for the development of appropriate technological solutions to support mobile workers.
Problem-solving intervention to prevent depression in non-professional caregivers: a randomized controlled trial with 8 years of follow-up

Abstract Background Studies of psychological interventions for the prevention of depression have found significant effects in the short-term, but the long-term efficacy has yet to be determined. This study evaluated the 8-year effect of a randomized controlled trial for indicated prevention of depression in female caregivers. Methods A total of 173 non-professional female caregivers with subclinical depressive symptoms not meeting criteria for a major depressive episode (MDE) were randomized to either a brief problem-solving intervention (n = 89) or usual-care control group (n = 84). Blinded evaluators conducted an assessment at the 8-year follow-up. The primary outcome was Depression Status, defined by diagnoses of MDE since the 1-year follow-up using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Disorders of the DSM-5. The secondary outcome was current Depressive Symptom Severity. Regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the outcomes. Results There were no significant differences in the Depression Status between the problem-solving (30.3%) and control groups (26.2%) (adjusted OR 1.25, 95% CI −0.58 to 2.69). Depressive Symptom Severity, however, was significantly lower in the problem-solving group compared to the control group at this follow-up, amounting to a small effect size of Cohen's d = 0.39 (adjusted B = −3.32, p = 0.018). Conclusions This is the first study to assess such a long-term follow-up of intervention of indicated prevention of depression. Results seem to indicate that the protective effect of the intervention became smaller over time during follow-up. Future research should replicate these results.
Using tree leaves and barks collected from contaminated and uncontaminated areas as indicators of air metallic pollution

Abstract The aim of this study was to show the usefulness of woody species in assessing air pollution by cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. For this, washed leaves, unwashed leaves, and barks of a coniferous species (Cupressus sempervirens var. fastigiata) and a broadleaved one (Eucalyptus cladocalyx F. Muell) were analyzed for cadmium, copper, lead and zinc contents. A transect sampling approach was carried out during spring 2016. Fifty stations were selected along an intensive traffic road, and three in a control area. The results showed that the highest concentrations were recorded in barks for copper (21.86 µg/g, 23.33 µg/g) and lead (14.53 µg/g, 63.33 µg/g), and in unwashed leaves for cadmium (0.57 µg/g, 1.19 µg/g) and zinc (48.94 µg/g, 47.6 µg/g) for E. cladocalyx F. Muell, and C. sempervirens var. fastigiata, respectively. Lead and zinc are the most accumulated metals compared to cadmium and copper in all samples. The studied metal contents in urban area were significantly higher than that of the control one. This represents that traffic road has influenced the metals contamination of the surrounding area. Results of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) for both species indicate that the studied species could be used as biomonitors to identify ecological problems and to predict effect on wildlife habitats. The highest values of metal accumulation index (MAI) indicate the effectiveness of these trees for controlling the air metals in the polluted areas. Result shows too that the studied species could be used for phytoextraction of heavy metals from the polluted soils and/or air.
The Evolution of Hypnosis in the Profession of Nursing: We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby, and Still Have a Long Way to Go

Registered nurses (RNs) are the largest, most diverse, and most respected of all healthcare professions in the United States, numbering over 3.5 million (Gallup poll, 2017). Nurses have evolved from being the handmaidens of physicians and bedpan handlers to highly trained and educated clinicians who have assumed an important, integral, and indispensable role in the healthcare system. The capabilities of nurses to expand the excellent care they can provide has historically been thwarted by others in the healthcare field, including in the area of hypnosis. This article begins with a historical perspective on the education, training, and ever-expanding profession of nursing. The multiplicity of settings where nurses have the opportunity to incorporate clinical hypnosis into the care of their patients is discussed.
The discrimination decomposition index: a new instrument to separate statistical and taste-based discrimination using first- and second-generation immigrants

PurposeThis article deals with the impact of ethnic origin on individual employability, focussing on the first stage of the hiring process. Deeply, the authors’ goal is to fathom whether there is a preference for native job candidates over immigrants, decomposing the discrimination against minority groups into its statistical and taste-based components by means of a new approach.Design/methodology/approachThe authors built up a data set by means of an ad hoc field experiment, conducted by sending equivalent fictitious CVs in response to 1000 real online job openings in Italy. The authors developed the discrimination decomposition index using first- and second-generation immigrants.FindingsThe authors’ main result is that both first- and second-generation immigrants are discriminated compared to Italians. In between the two categories, second-generation candidates are discriminated especially if their ethnicities are morphologically different from those of natives (i.e. Chinese and Moroccans). This last finding is a clear symptom of discrimination connected to taste-based reasons. On the other hand, first-generation immigrants of all nationalities but Germans are preferred for hard-work jobs.Originality/valueThe authors develop the discrimination decomposition index to measure the proportion of the two kinds of discrimination (statistical and taste-based) over the total one and apply a probit model to test the statistical significance of the difference in treatment between the three groups of natives, first-generation and second-generation immigrants.
A Neuroevolutionary Approach to Controlling Traffic Signals Based on Data from Sensor Network

The paper introduces an artificial neural network ensemble for decentralized control of traffic signals based on data from sensor network. According to the decentralized approach, traffic signals at each intersection are controlled independently using real-time data obtained from sensor nodes installed along traffic lanes. In the proposed ensemble, a neural network, which reflects design of signalized intersection, is combined with fully connected neural networks to enable evaluation of signal group priorities. Based on the evaluated priorities, control decisions are taken about switching traffic signals. A neuroevolution strategy is used to optimize configuration of the introduced neural network ensemble. The proposed solution was compared against state-of-the-art decentralized traffic control algorithms during extensive simulation experiments. The experiments confirmed that the proposed solution provides better results in terms of reduced vehicle delay, shorter travel time, and increased average velocity of vehicles.
Study of Toughness and Macro/Micro-Crack Development of Fibre-Reinforced Ultra-High Performance Concrete After Exposure to Elevated Temperature

This study has investigated the changes that might appear in post-peak flexural response. Before the flexural test, prismatic specimens were placed in a furnace chamber and exposed to elevated temperatures of 400, 600, and 800 °C. The flexural toughness test was carried out on two types of concrete: Plain ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) and UHPC with different types of fibres (steel fibre (SF) and polypropylene fibre (PPF)) at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% volume fractions. During the flexural test in the macro-crack development analysis, the non-contact ARAMIS system was used to perform three-dimensional measurements of strain and displacement. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations of micro-crack development in UHPC without and with SF/PPF were also presented. The experimental results showed that in some cases, the load–deflection curve of fibre-reinforced UHPC displayed a double-peak response. The first peak signified the UHPC properties, while the second peak represented the properties of the fibres. Under flexural load, the toughness decreased as the temperature increased. Significant decrease in the load–deflection response and toughness were observed for the polypropylene fibre-reinforced UHPC when the temperature approached 800 °C. The SEM observation results showed that the thermal damage of fibre-reinforced UHPC depends on the pore pressure effect, the thermal mismatch, the decomposition of hydration products, and the formation of micro-cracks.
M theory and topological strings. 2.

The $R^2 F^{2g-2}$ terms of Type IIA strings on Calabi-Yau 3-folds, which are given by the corresponding topological string amplitudes (a worldsheet instanton sum for all genera), are shown to have a simple M-theory interpretation. In particular, a Schwinger one-loop computation in M-theory with wrapped M2 branes and Kaluza-Klein modes going around the loop reproduces the all genus string contributions from constant maps and worldsheet instanton corrections. In the simplest case of an isolated M2 brane with the topology of the sphere, we obtain the contributions of small worldsheet instantons (sphere ``bubblings'') which extends the results known or conjectured for low genera. Surprisingly, the 't Hooft expansion of large $N$ Chern-Simons theory on $S^3$ can also be used in a novel way to compute these gravitational terms at least in special cases.
School‐level factors associated with obesity: A systematic review of longitudinal studies

Although school has been an important intervention venue for obesity prevention, the role of school‐level factors in obesity development or prevention has not been well‐documented. This study aimed to systematically examine the current evidence on school‐level factors associated with obesity outcomes in longitudinal studies. The literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINHAL, and PsycINFO. Peer‐reviewed articles using longitudinal study designs and published in English from 1991 to 2018 were eligible. Twelve articles met eligibility criteria for final systematic review. Nine studies reported significant long‐term associations between school‐level factors and obesity outcomes. Higher parental education, longer minutes of recess, meeting recommended recess and physical education time, higher socio‐economic status, suburban compared with rural area, higher parental involvement in school, and healthful school food environment were significantly associated with lower rates of obesity or obesity trajectory. However, due to the small number of studies and heterogeneity of measures and variables used in their analytic models, the overall level of evidence from this review suggests the importance of further, systematic study. Empirically rigorous research is needed to identify additional aspects of the school context and environment that may contribute to the risk of obesity throughout the life course.
Dissociable effects of cannabis with and without cannabidiol on the human brain’s resting-state functional connectivity

Background: Two major constituents of cannabis are Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the main psychoactive component; CBD may buffer the user against the harmful effects of THC. Aims: We examined the effects of two strains of cannabis and placebo on the human brain’s resting-state networks using fMRI. Methods: Seventeen healthy volunteers (experienced with cannabis, but not regular users) underwent three drug treatments and scanning sessions. Treatments were cannabis containing THC (Cann−CBD; 8 mg THC), cannabis containing THC with CBD (Cann+CBD; 8 mg THC + 10 mg CBD), and matched placebo cannabis. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity analyses were performed on three brain networks: the default mode (DMN; defined by positive connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex: PCC+), executive control (ECN; defined by negative connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex: PCC−) and salience (SAL; defined by positive connectivity with the anterior insula: AI+) network. Results: Reductions in functional connectivity (relative to placebo) were seen in the DMN (PCC+) and SAL (AI+) networks for both strains of cannabis, with spatially dissociable effects. Across the entire salience network (AI+), Cann−CBD reduced connectivity relative to Cann+CBD. The PCC in the DMN was specifically disrupted by Cann−CBD, and this effect correlated with subjective drug effects, including feeling ‘stoned’ and ‘high’. Conclusions: THC disrupts the DMN, and the PCC is a key brain region involved in the subjective experience of THC intoxication. CBD restores disruption of the salience network by THC, which may explain its potential to treat disorders of salience such as psychosis and addiction.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (rTMS) for Endometriosis Patients with Refractory Pelvic Chronic Pain: A Pilot Study

Endometriosis concerns more than 10% of women of reproductive age, frequently leading to chronic pelvic pain. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) induces an analgesic effect. This effect on chronic pelvic pain is yet to be evaluated. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and effect of rTMS to reduce pain and improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic pelvic pain due to endometriosis. This pilot, open-labelled prospective trial examined treatment by neuronavigated rTMS over M1, one session per day for 5 consecutive days. Each session consisted of 1.500 pulses at 10 Hz. We assessed tolerance, pain change and QoL until 4 weeks post treatment with a primary endpoint at day 8. Twelve women were included. No patients experienced serious adverse effects or a significant increase in pain. Nine women reported improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Change with a reduction in both pain intensity and pain interference (5.1 ± 1.4 vs. 4.1 ± 1.6, p = 0.01 and 6.2 ± 2.1 vs. 4.2 ± 1.5, p = 0.004, respectively). rTMS appears well tolerated and might be of interest for patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain for whom other treatments have failed. A randomized controlled trial is mandatory before proposing such treatment.
Social Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life among Residents in Zhejiang and Qinghai, China

Social determinants are closely related to health and play a significant role in shaping the quality of life of a population. This study aimed to explore the differences in HRQoL (health-related quality of life) scores of residents in the eastern province of Zhejiang and the western province of Qinghai and probe factors affecting the HRQoL among the two populations. A sample of 4210 residents from a cross-sectional survey was included in the analysis. The EQ-5D-3L instrument was used to measure the HRQoL of residents. A Chi-square test and a t-test were used to examine the differences between different variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with interaction effects was used to analyze factors associated with the HRQoL between the two provinces. Residents’ EQ-5D index score (EQ VAS score) was 0.963 (82.71) and 0.962 (81.51), respectively, in Zhejiang and Qinghai. Generally, residents in Qinghai displayed significantly worse HRQoL scores than those in Zhejiang. The differences between the two regions lay on mobility, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depressions. In both regions, an increased education level and being employed were most strongly associated with a positive HRQoL; increased age and presence of chronic diseases were most strongly associated with a negative HRQoL. When formulating health policies, the significant health disparities between western and eastern provinces must be given greater consideration. The health of vulnerable groups should be particularly focused on to improve the observed health disparities.
Model Projections of an Imminent Transition to a More Arid Climate in Southwestern North America

How anthropogenic climate change will affect hydroclimate in the arid regions of southwestern North America has implications for the allocation of water resources and the course of regional development. Here we show that there is a broad consensus among climate models that this region will dry in the 21st century and that the transition to a more arid climate should already be under way. If these models are correct, the levels of aridity of the recent multiyear drought or the Dust Bowl and the 1950s droughts will become the new climatology of the American Southwest within a time frame of years to decades.