Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Civic Crowdfunding: A collective option for local public goods?

This paper investigates the potential of civic crowdfunding as an innovative and collective option for contributing to the production of local public goods. It is articulated around two pillars. The first section provides a general understanding of crowdfunding practices and focuses principally on its civic component. Civic crowdfunding should be distinguished from other types of crowdfunding since it pursues an objective of general interest and mainly concerns place-based projects instigated by citizens and civil society organisations. The aim of this section is to better understand this field, from the general principles to the specific characteristics of actors and their motivations. The second section goes a step further towards the analysis of this practice with regards to the provision of local public goods. Crowdfunded local public goods usually belong to a specific category of public goods, “urban commons”, which generate significant challenges in terms of production, governance and sustainability. Building on the theory of contracts to better understand the interaction among stakeholders in this process, a new model of co-production relying on civic crowdfunding is proposed. Subnational governments would have a key role to play in enabling this practice and facilitating citizen empowerment through the mobilisation of platforms assets. Civic crowdfunding can provide opportunities for subnational governments in terms of citizens/user information, funding, communication, trust and territorial attractiveness. This paper outlines a series of key questions to guide policy makers in experimenting this practice.
Deletions in the Putative Cell Receptor-Binding Domain of Sindbis Virus Strain MRE16 E2 Glycoprotein Reduce Midgut Infectivity in Aedes aegypti

ABSTRACT The Sindbis virus (Alphavirus; Togaviridae) strain MRE16 efficiently infects Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that ingest a blood meal containing 8 to 9 log10 PFU of virus/ml. However, a small-plaque variant of this virus, MRE16sp, poorly infects mosquitoes after oral infection with an equivalent titer. To determine the genetic differences between MRE16 and MRE16sp viruses, we have sequenced the MRE16sp structural genes and found a 90-nucleotide deletion in the E2 glycoprotein that spans the 3′ end of the coding region for the putative cell-receptor binding domain (CRBD). We examined the role of this deletion in oral infection of mosquitoes by constructing infectious clones pMRE16icΔE200-Y229 and pMRE16ic, representing MRE16 virus genomes with and without the deletion, respectively. A third infectious clone, pMRE16icΔE200-C220, was also constructed that contained a smaller deletion extending only to the 3′ terminus of the CRBD coding region. Virus derived from pMRE16ic replicated with the same efficiency as parental virus in vertebrate (BHK-21) and mosquito (C6/36) cells and orally infected A. aegypti. Viruses derived from pMRE16icΔE200-Y229 and pMRE16icΔE200-C220 replicated 10- to 100-fold less efficiently in C6/36 and BHK-21 cells than did MRE16ic virus. Each deletion mutant poorly infected A. aegypti and dramatically reduced midgut infectivity and dissemination. However, all viruses generated nearly equal titers (∼6.0 log10 PFU/ml) in mosquitoes 4 days after infection by intrathoracic inoculation. These results suggest that the deleted portion of the E2 CRBD represents an important determinant of MRE16 virus midgut infectivity in A. aegypti.
Characterization of immune cells and perforin mutations in familiar venous thromboembolism.

AIM This study was to carry out exome sequencing in a Han Chinese family with venous thromboembolism. METHODS Three venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients and five members from a Han Chinese family were evaluated by exome sequencing. RESULTS Among the 3 VTE patients, mutations of 2 genes including PRF1 and HTR2A were identified and predicted to be functionally damaged to their encoded proteins. In addition, the PRF1 mutation and the HTR2A mutation identified in our study were absent in 100 non-related controls, indicating that venous thromboembolism has a genetic component. The R357W mutation is located in the membrane attack complex/perforin domain of PRF1 protein, which exists in both the perforin. The steps of killing foreign or pathological antigen cells by NK cells, CD8 (+)T cells and the membrane attack complex include membrane perforation and release of the granzyme, either of which is abnormal can lead to immune dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS The mutations of immune related genes in familial VTE might provide new understanding of the pathogenesis of familial venous thromboembolism.
Perceptions of poverty and the perpetuation of the capability-judgment cycle in outer southeast Melbourne

Abstract People living in poverty are subject to assumptions and stereotypes which, whether inaccurate, harmful, or misguided, can impact empowerment and capability building. This research explores perceptions relating specifically to people in poverty in outer southeast Melbourne suburbs. Perceptions of 218 non-poor respondents are compared with the perceptions of 52 poor respondents. Poor respondents describe themselves before discussing impacts of negative non-poor perceptions. Findings demonstrate that the non-poor tend to view the poor negatively and that these judgments have adverse impacts on those in poverty. Non-poor perceptions in this study are shown to influence the perpetuation of poverty by contributing to a cause and effect capability-judgment cycle. This cycle illustrates how non-poor views impact emotional and material wellbeing of the poor and influence policy, programs, and poverty discourse in ways which further reduce the capabilities of the poor to achieve valued ends.
The Discourse of News Values: How News Organizations Create Newsworthiness

In an era in which the astonishingly rapid development of digital media has arguably produced major changes in the way news is disseminated, it seems of the utmost importance to (re)consider how newsworthiness is constructed, and what ideological implications the discourse of news values may have within a social and cultural setting that has been transformed radically. This is exactly the aim of Bednarek and Caple, whose volume offers a cutting-edge perspective on how to carry out the study of news discourse. In fact, the challenge posed in the ten chapters comprising the volume is the promotion of a combination of approaches that takes into account the multimodal character of today’s news discourse. Indeed, in a world that has gone digital, the construction of news discourse is more than ever the result of the interplay between a range of semiotic modes, each participating in the representation of the world that news discourse does ‘sell’ to a variety of audiences. Building on their ongoing research, Bednarek and Caple illustrate the relevance of Discursive News Values Analysis (DNVA) to the study of news reporting, and propose a new methodology, which they term Corpus-Assisted Multimodal Discourse Analysis (CAMDA) for its being a multimodal approach that “brings together multimodality, discourse analysis and corpus linguistics” (8). The approach is proposed as a means to provide a framework for the systematic analysis of how news values are constructed through the semiotic resources that are employed for the presentation of certain vents as newsworthy. Specifically, Bednarek and Caple’s focus in the volume is on the linguistic and
Hyaluronic acid-coated, prodrug-based nanostructured lipid carriers for enhanced pancreatic cancer therapy

Abstract Context: Gemcitabine (GEM) and Baicalein (BCL) are reported to have anti-tumor effects including pancreatic cancer. Hyaluronic acid (HA) can bind to over-expressed receptors in various kinds of cancer cells. Objective: The aim of this study is to develop prodrugs containing HA, BCL and GEM, and construct nanomedicine incorporate GEM and BCL in the core and HA on the surface. This system could target the cancer cells and co-deliver the drugs. Methods: GEM-stearic acid lipid prodrug (GEM-SA) and hyaluronic acid-amino acid-baicalein prodrug (HA-AA-BCL) were synthesized. Then, GEM and BCL prodrug-based targeted nanostructured lipid carriers (HA-GEM-BCL NLCs) were prepared by the nanoprecipitation technique. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies of the NLCs were evaluated on AsPC1 pancreatic cancer cell line. In vivo anti-tumor effects were observed on the murine-bearing pancreatic cancer model. Results: HA-GEM-BCL NLCs were effective in entering pancreatic cancer cells over-expressing HA receptors, and showed cytotoxicity of tumor cells in vitro. In vivo study revealed significant tumor growth inhibition ability of HA-GEM-BCL NLCs in murine pancreatic cancer model. Conclusion: It could be concluded that HA-GEM-BCL NLCs could be featured as promising co-delivery, tumor-targeted nanomedicine for the treatment of cancers.
Gene Expression in Placentas From Nondiabetic Women Giving Birth to Large for Gestational Age Infants

Gestational diabetes, obesity, and excessive weight gain are known independent risk factors for the birth of a large for gestational age (LGA) infant. However, only 1 of the 10 infants born LGA is born by mothers with diabetes or obesity. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare placental gene expression between healthy, nondiabetic mothers (n = 22) giving birth to LGA infants and body mass index-matched mothers (n = 24) giving birth to appropriate for gestational age infants. In the whole gene expression analysis, only 29 genes were found to be differently expressed in LGA placentas. Top upregulated genes included insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1, aminolevulinate δ synthase 2, and prolactin, whereas top downregulated genes comprised leptin, gametocyte-specific factor 1, and collagen type XVII α 1. Two enriched gene networks were identified, namely, (1) lipid metabolism, small molecule biochemistry, and organismal development and (2) cellular development, cellular growth, proliferation, and tumor morphology.
Low-Dose Penile SIVmac251 Exposure of Rhesus Macaques Infected with Adenovirus Type 5 (Ad5) and Then Immunized with a Replication-Defective Ad5-Based SIV gag/pol/nef Vaccine Recapitulates the Results of the Phase IIb Step Trial of a Similar HIV-1 Vaccine

ABSTRACT The Step Trial showed that the MRKAd5 HIV-1 subtype B Gag/Pol/Nef vaccine did not protect men from HIV infection or reduce setpoint plasma viral RNA (vRNA) levels but, unexpectedly, it did modestly enhance susceptibility to HIV infection in adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-seropositive, uncircumcised men. As part of the process to understand the results of the Step Trial, we designed a study to determine whether rhesus macaques chronically infected with a host-range mutant Ad5 (Ad5hr) and then immunized with a replication defective Ad5 SIVmac239 Gag/Pol/Nef vaccine were more resistant or susceptible to SIV infection than unimmunized rhesus macaques challenged with a series of escalating dose penile exposures to SIVmac 251. The Ad5 SIV vaccine induced CD8+ T cell responses in 70% of the monkeys, which is similar to the proportion of humans that responded to the vaccine in the Step Trial. However, the vaccine did not protect vaccinated animals from penile SIV challenge. At the lowest SIV exposure dose (103 50% tissue culture infective doses), 2 of 9 Ad5-seropositive animals immunized with the Ad5 SIV vaccine became infected compared to 0 of 34 animals infected in the other animal groups (naive animals, Ad5-seropositive animals immunized with the empty Ad5 vector, Ad5-seronegative animals immunized with the Ad5 SIV vaccine, and Ad5-seronegative animals immunized with the empty Ad5 vector). Penile exposure to more concentrated virus inocula produced similar rates of infection in all animal groups. Although setpoint viral loads were unaffected in Step vaccinees, the Ad5 SIV-immunized animals had significantly lower acute-phase plasma vRNA levels compared to unimmunized animals. Thus, the results of the nonhuman primate (NHP) study described here recapitulate the lack of protection against HIV acquisition seen in the Step Trial and suggest a greater risk of infection in the Ad5-seropositive animals immunized with the Ad5 SIV vaccine. Further studies are necessary to confirm the enhancement of virus acquisition and to discern associated mechanisms.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enhances intracellular growth of Mycobacterium avium in human macrophages

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infections are common in patients with AIDS and result in a reduced life expectancy. Human monocytes/macrophages are important target cells for both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and M. avium. We have studied the interaction in vitro of M. avium and HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in human macrophages. Human monocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals were infected with HIV-1, M. avium, or both. The intracellular growth of M. avium and the replication of HIV-1 were monitored for up to 5 weeks. Intracellular mycobacterial growth was seen in all M. avium infected cell cultures and was paralleled by increased production of interleukin 1 alpha and beta. Preinfection of the macrophages with HIV-1 reduced the interleukin 1 production and accelerated the intracellular growth of M. avium. These findings may explain in part the impaired control of mycobacterial infections seen with patients with AIDS.
POWERPLAY IN THE CLASSROOM: A MODULE DESIGNED TO COMBAT AUTHORITY ABUSE

Bullying has received much attention among researchers; however, the research produced has predominantly involved peer bullying. This project addressed the issue of authority abuse in schools by teachers, an area of research that is currently limited. The reviewed literature demonstrated a need for a program that would educate pre-service teachers and provide an opportunity for self-reflection. What resulted was the development of a module called ‘Power Play’, which provides teachers with an opportunity to reflect on their teaching philosophy and teaching styles. Also, the module stresses the importance of maintaining a balanced life-style and provides information on effective stress management. The module was presented on three separate occasions to pre-service educators. The feedback received has prompted future changes to the Power Play module. The core message of the project is that teachers must take care of themselves if they hope to be effective educators in the classroom.
Human Head Stiffness Rendering

Human head stiffness rendering is important in haptic interactive applications, because it defines a realistic physical interaction between human operator(s) and a human avatar created in a virtual environment. In this paper, we propose a hybrid method for rendering the appropriate stiffness property on a human head polygon mesh that combines popular haptic rendering approaches: study the sophisticated deformation behavior of a deformable object and then interpret and render this behavior as the resulting stiffness property on the individual’s head mesh. The stiffness property is estimated from a registered and shape-adapted skull template mesh as a reference and modeled from the deformation behavior of soft tissue in a finite-element method (FEM) framework. Our method consists of different procedures, including facial landmark detection, model registration using the iterative closest point technique, adaptive shape modification processed with a modified weighted free-form deformation, and FEM simulation. After the stiffness property is rendered on a head polygon mesh, we perform a user study by inviting participants to experience the haptic feedback rendered from our results. According to the participants’ feedback, the stiffness property of the head polygon mesh is properly rendered, because it satisfies their expectations.
Predicted vs. real stock prices: can the difference be explained by key macroeconomic factors?

Penman and Sougiannis (1998) consider that price deviations from fundamental value are model estimation errors, while Barberis et al. (1998) suggest that these deviations are due to psychological factors that affect investor reaction to information. In this paper, the authors use the valuation models proposed by Barberis (1998) and Ohlson (1995) and data from the London Stock Exchange in order to calculate the fundamental value of a stock and then examine whether the differences between predicted and real stock prices are due to macroeconomic fundamentals or psychological factors. On the whole the results show that, for both valuation models, differences between predicted and real stock prices are explained by important macroeconomic variables.
Apoptotic Body Engulfment by a Human Stellate Cell Line Is Profibrogenic

Hepatocyte apoptosis and stellate cell activation are both features of chronic liver diseases, but a relationship between these events has not been explored. In macrophages, engulfment of apoptotic bodies induces expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a profibrogenic cytokine. We examined whether a similar response occurs in stellate cells. Fluorescently labeled hepatocyte apoptotic bodies were added to cultures of primary and immortalized human stellate cells. Stellate cells, but not hepatocytes, readily engulfed apoptotic bodies in a time-dependent manner as assessed by confocal microscopy. The activation of primary and immortalized human stellate cells after incubation with apoptotic bodies, as well as their fibrogenic activity, was indicated by an increase in α-smooth muscle actin (primary cells), TGF-β1, and collagen α1(I) mRNA (primary and immortalized cells). The profibrogenic response was dependent upon apoptotic body engulfment, because nocodazole, a microtubule-inhibiting agent, blocked both the engulfment and the increase of TGF-β1 and collagen α1(I) mRNA. As described in primary rodent stellate cells, up-regulation of collagen α1(I) mRNA was inhibited by a PI-3K inhibitor (LY294002) and a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor (SB203580) in LX-1 cells. In conclusion, these data support a model in which engulfment of hepatocyte apoptotic bodies by stellate cells leads to a fibrogenic response by eliciting a kinase-signaling pathway.
Mammalian reovirus M3 gene sequences and conservation of coiled-coil motifs near the carboxyl terminus of the microNS protein.

Nucleotide sequences of the mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) type 1 Lang and type 2 Jones M3 gene segments were newly determined. The nucleotide sequence of the reovirus type 3 Dearing M3 segment also was determined to compare with a previously reported M3 sequence for that isolate. Comparisons showed Lang and Dearing M3 to be more closely related than either was to Jones M3, consistent with previous findings for other reovirus gene segments. The microNS protein sequences deduced from each M3 segment were shown to be related in a similar pattern as the respective nucleotide sequences and to contain several regions of greater or less than average variability among the three isolates. Identification of conserved methionine codons near the 5' ends of the Lang, Jones, and Dearing M3 plus strands lent support to the hypothesis that microNSC, a smaller protein also encoded by M3, arises by translation initiation from a downstream methionine codon within the same open reading frame as microNS. Other analyses of the deduced protein sequences indicated that regions within the carboxyl-terminal third of microNS and microNSC from each isolate have a propensity to form alpha-helical coiled coils, most likely coiled-coil dimers. The new sequences will augment further studies on microNS and microNSC structure and function.
Photovoltaic system modeling with fuzzy logic based incrimental conductance tracking algorithm

Each solar cell has a characteristic current-voltage (IV) curve reflecting its response to both temperature and the incident light level. The key component providing efficiency is the converter, which generates power compatible with consumers. The converter must be adjusted according to the changing conditions of the solar cell array. This is generally achieved using the algorithmic method for continuous maximum power point tracking (MPPT) i.e. the product between Voltage and Current shall be maximum. Using MPPT, converter can use the optimum combination of voltage and current, providing effectively energy to a load. The main goal of this paper is to implement the Incremental conductance MPPT algorithms in MATLAB/ Simulink based on fuzzy logic and determine if the Incremental conductance algorithm implemented by fuzzy logic is optimal for controlling MPPT in order to establish the maximum power generated by the PV systems function of incident irradiation and PV cell temperature for different types of load. For this analysis it was simulated the PV system with incremental conductance algorithm implemented by fuzzy logic at different levels of irradiation and temperature and with two types of resistive load and accumulator battery and in the end there are presented the results of the carried out simulations.
Interobserver variability in the diagnosis of circumscribed sebaceous neoplasms of the skin

Aims: Separation of sebaceous adenoma, sebaceoma and well differentiated sebaceous carcinoma is a clinically important distinction which relies on a number of subjective criteria. In routine practice we had noted significant interobserver variability in the classification of these lesions. This study sought to determine the degree of interobserver variability between general surgical pathologists and dermatopathologists in the diagnosis of well differentiated cutaneous sebaceous neoplasms. Methods: We circulated 61 examples of well circumscribed cutaneous sebaceous neoplasms to nine pathologists, including dermatopathologists and general surgical pathologists who were asked to submit a diagnosis for each case. Fleiss’ kappa statistic was used for assessment of interobserver agreement. Results: We found that only seven cases (11%) had consensus agreement across all nine pathologists. Many cases had multiple diagnoses suggested, with three or more submitted diagnoses in 26 cases (43%), while 38 cases (62%) were diagnosed as sebaceous carcinoma by at least one pathologist. There was marked variability amongst the individual pathologists in the proportion of cases diagnosed as carcinoma, ranging from 5% to 57% of cases. Fleiss’ kappa statistic for all pathologists across all diagnostic categories was 0.44, amounting to only fair to moderate agreement. Conclusions: These data indicate that there is substantial interobserver variability in the diagnosis of well circumscribed sebaceous neoplasms. This was seen in both the separation of benign and malignant lesions, as well as in the classification of the benign entities. This interobserver variability is likely to have significant clinical implications in terms of potential for over- or under-treatment, as well as in selection of cases for mismatch repair protein evaluation.