Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liposomal formulations of prilocaine: effect of complexation with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin on drug anesthetic efficacy

A combined strategy, based on cyclodextrin complexation and loading in liposomes, has been investigated to develop a new delivery system with improved therapeutic activity of the local anesthetic, prilocaine (PRL). In order to evaluate the actual effectiveness and advantages of this approach compared to the traditional drug-in-liposome one, four different liposomal formulations were prepared: (1) liposomes loaded with PRL base as complex with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP CD) in the aqueous phase; (2) liposomes loaded with PRL hydrochloride in the aqueous phase; (3) liposomes loaded with PRL base in the lipophilic phase; and (4) “double-loaded” liposomes, containing free PRL base in the membrane bilayer and its HP CD complex in the aqueous compartment. All batches were characterized for particle size, charge, deformability, and entrapment efficiency from using, respectively, light scattering, extrusion, and dialysis techniques, while the anesthetic effect was evaluated in vivo on Guinea pigs, according to the test of dorsal muscle contraction. All drug liposomal dispersions showed enhanced analgesic duration with respect to the corresponding aqueous solutions, but significant differences were observed between the different formulations. In particular, cyclodextrin complexation not only allowed an efficient encapsulation of PRL base in the aqueous vesicle core, but also increased the anesthetic effect duration and reduced the initial lag time, in comparison with the corresponding formulations containing, respectively, free PRL in the lipophilic phase or PRL hydrochloride in the aqueous vesicle core. The technique of double loading was the most effective, giving rise to the shortest onset time and longest duration of anesthetic effect.
A Simple Prediction Model for Line of Sight Coverage in Urban Scenarios

Line of sight (LOS) or near line of sight often plays an important role in radio coverage for example for broadband fixed wireless access systems (BFWA) operating at high frequencies in urban areas. For coverage prediction and cell planning, complex ray tracing calculations based on detailed 3-D building information are usually necessary. In this article, a simple model is presented that directly predicts the average LOS coverage ratio for a given scenario defined by the cell size and base station height. The advantage of this model is the use of only four statistical parameters describing the area characteristics. These parameters can be easily estimated from only a small part of the database. The prediction model presented has been verified using 2.5-D building databases from typical urban areas. Despite the simplicity of the model, the results show a good agreement with ray tracing calculations.
From Collatz-Weilandt to Donkser-Varadhan via Krein-Rutman

The `value' of infinite horizon risk-sensitive control is the principal eigenvalue of a certain positive operator. This facilitates the use of Chang's extension of the Collatz-Weilandt formula to derive a variational characterization thereof. For the uncontrolled case, this reduces to the Donsker-Varadhan functional.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Anaerobic Psychrophilic Enrichment Cultures Obtained from a Greenland Glacier Ice Core

ABSTRACT The examination of microorganisms in glacial ice cores allows the phylogenetic relationships of organisms frozen for thousands of years to be compared with those of current isolates. We developed a method for aseptically sampling a sediment-containing portion of a Greenland ice core that had remained at −9°C for over 100,000 years. Epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry results showed that the ice sample contained over 6 × 107 cells/ml. Anaerobic enrichment cultures inoculated with melted ice were grown and maintained at −2°C. Genomic DNA extracted from these enrichments was used for the PCR amplification of 16S rRNA genes with bacterial and archaeal primers and the preparation of clone libraries. Approximately 60 bacterial inserts were screened by restriction endonuclease analysis and grouped into 27 unique restriction fragment length polymorphism types, and 24 representative sequences were compared phylogenetically. Diverse sequences representing major phylogenetic groups including alpha, beta, and gamma Proteobacteria as well as relatives of the Thermus, Bacteroides, Eubacterium, and Clostridium groups were found. Sixteen clone sequences were closely related to those from known organisms, with four possibly representing new species. Seven sequences may reflect new genera and were most closely related to sequences obtained only by PCR amplification. One sequence was over 12% distant from its closest relative and may represent a novel order or family. These results show that phylogenetically diverse microorganisms have remained viable within the Greenland ice core for at least 100,000 years.
An Econometric Analysis of the Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa

This paper provides an empirical analysis on the determinants of FDI inflows in Africa. The dataset used for this paper spans from 1996-2016 and involves 48 African countries. For inferential analysis the paper employs random (RE) effect model. Both structural factors and the quality of institutions and governance indices are examined. The key findings of the paper is that openness of the economy, GDP per capita and population growth have a substantial positive explanatory power over FDI in Africa. Similarly, control of corruption and political stability tend to exert a positive influence on FDI inflows in Africa. These findings provide some valuable insights into policy makers, practitioners, and foreign investorsâ€™ decision making. More so, to attract foreign investment in the less trade liberalized countries, Government policy should encourage further market liberalization. In the same vein, an effective policy on FDI in all economies should focus on improving production efficiency so as to raise GDP per capita and increase the market size. African Governments should also improve the quality of institutions and governance, especially in terms of enhancement of corruption control and political stability.
Natural Exposure to Cutaneous Anthrax Gives Long-Lasting T Cell Immunity Encompassing Infection-Specific Epitopes

There has been a long history of defining T cell epitopes to track viral immunity and to design rational vaccines, yet few data of this type exist for bacterial infections. Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is both an endemic pathogen in many regions and a potential biological warfare threat. T cell immunity in naturally infected anthrax patients has not previously been characterized, which is surprising given concern about the ability of anthrax toxins to subvert or ablate adaptive immunity. We investigated CD4 T cell responses in patients from the Kayseri region of Turkey who were previously infected with cutaneous anthrax. Responses to B. anthracis protective Ag and lethal factor (LF) were investigated at the protein, domain, and epitope level. Several years after antibiotic-treated anthrax infection, strong T cell memory was detectable, with no evidence of the expected impairment in specific immunity. Although serological responses to existing anthrax vaccines focus primarily on protective Ag, the major target of T cell immunity in infected individuals and anthrax-vaccinated donors was LF, notably domain IV. Some of these anthrax epitopes showed broad binding to several HLA class alleles, but others were more constrained in their HLA binding patterns. Of specific CD4 T cell epitopes targeted within LF domain IV, one is preferentially seen in the context of bacterial infection, as opposed to vaccination, suggesting that studies of this type will be important in understanding how the human immune system confronts serious bacterial infection.
Stem cells and breast cancer

Proliferation in continuously renewing tissues, including the mammary gland, is hierarchically organized with a small number of slowly dividing stem cells and a greater number of more rapidly proliferating ‘transit amplifying’ cells. Mammary stem cells have been recently identified and purified based on their surface antigen expression. The recognition of mammary epithelial stem cells had led to the hypothesis that these may be at the root of breast cancer. In support of this, a highly tumorigenic subpopulation of cancer cells – cancer stem cells – has recently been identified in primary and metastatic breast cancer samples and in a number of established breast cancer cell lines. The existence of cancer stem cells would explain why only a small minority of cancer cells is capable of extensive proliferation and transferral of the tumour. In this article we aim to review the evidence in support of the existence of both normal mammary stem cells and breast cancer stem cells, and provide further insight into how taking this subpopulation of cells into account may affect the way we treat epithelial cancers in the future.
A spectrum allocation method based on random drift swarm optimization algorithm

Efficiently of spectrum allocation is the key for dynamic spectrum access in the Cognitive Radio Network (CRNs). Based on graph coloring model, this paper proposes a random drift particle swarm optimization (RDPSO) algorithm to allocate the spectrum, with the purpose of improving the reward and fairness of network. The RDPSO algorithm introduces the thermal coefficient and drift coefficient, and it shows the faster convergence and better performance optimization than particle swarm optimization (PSO). The simulation results shown that this algorithm is flexible, which has high location accuracy and fast convergence speed. And compared to other three algorithms, RDPSO algorithm improved reward and fairness of network and convergence.
Uncomfortable truths? ML=BS and AML= BS2

The purpose of this paper is to advance debate and prompt new strategies substantially to improve the capacity to disrupt serious profit-motivated crime. ,Using interdiction rates (the proportion of criminal funds seized or forfeited) as an interim proxy effectiveness indicator, this article challenges elements of the dominant anti-money laundering/counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) narrative, and reflects on policy effectiveness and outcomes. ,Interdiction rates in jurisdictions surveyed hardly constitute a rounding error in the accounts of profit motivated criminal enterprises. The current AML/CFT model appears almost completely ineffective in disrupting illicit finances and serious crime. ,With such research at an early stage, some data are poorly substantiated and methodological inconsistencies rife. ,For policy interventions with a reasonable prospect for crime not to pay, beyond rhetoric, frank evaluation of results and a potential step-change in policy, regulatory and enforcement vision and capability, may be required. ,Scholars have exposed a paucity of meaningful links between AML/CFT controls and crime and terrorism prevention, yet the dominant narrative persists largely unchecked. This paper examines components of that narrative in the context of scholarship on “bullshit”.
Lipopolysaccharide Stimulates Platelets through an IL-1β Autocrine Loop

LPS activates platelets through TLR4, aiding productive sepsis, with stimulated splicing and translation of stored heteronuclear pro–IL-1β RNA. Although the IL-1R type 1 (IL-1R1) receptor for IL-1 shares downstream components with the TLR4 receptor, platelets are not known to express IL-1R1, nor are they known to respond to this cytokine. We show by flow cytometry and Western blotting that platelets express IL-1R1, and that IL-1β and IL-1α stimulate heteronuclear I-1β splicing and translation of the newly made mRNA in platelets. Platelets also respond to the IL-1β they make, which is exclusively associated with shed microparticles. Specific blockade of IL-1R1 with IL-1R antagonist suppressed platelet stimulation by IL-1, so IL-1β stimulates its own synthesis in an autocrine signaling loop. Strikingly, IL-1R antagonist inhibition, pharmacologic or genetic suppression of pro–IL-1β processing to active cytokine by caspase-1, or blockade of de novo protein synthesis also blocked LPS-induced IL-1β mRNA production. Robust stimulation of platelets by LPS therefore also required IL-1β amplification. Activated platelets made IL-1β in vivo as IL-1β rapidly accumulated in occluded murine carotid arteries by posttranscriptional RNA splicing unique to platelets. We conclude that IL-1β is a platelet agonist, that IL-1β acts through an autocrine stimulatory loop, that an IL-1β autocrine loop is required to amplify platelet activation by LPS, and that platelets immobilized in occlusive thrombi are activated over time to produce IL-1β. IL-1 is a new platelet agonist that promotes its own synthesis, connecting thrombosis with immunity.
An overview of application of 4H-SiC n-type epitaxial Schottky barrier detector for high resolution nuclear detection

Availability of high-quality bulk and epitaxial 4H-SiC has revived the feasibility of fabrication of nuclear radiation detectors which are compact, operable at room or elevated temperature, physically rugged, and radiation hard. SiC detectors have been demonstrated as excellent alpha particle detectors and hence are being considered as compact neutron detectors when coupled with neutron-alpha conversion layers. Our group at University of South Carolina has successfully demonstrated the fabrication of large area (~11 mm2) 4H-SiC epitaxial surface barrier type sensors, for detection of x-rays of energy as low as 50 eV with very high responsivity, high resolution detection of low energy gamma rays (2.1% FWHM for 59.6 keV gamma rays) and very efficient and high-resolution alpha particle detection. We have recently fabricated surface barrier detectors for alpha particles with an energy resolution of 0.29% for 5.48 MeV alpha particles, the best value reported till date, with a charge collection efficiency (CCE) ~100%. These detectors have also shown a CCE more than 57% at zero applied bias for 5.48 MeV alpha particles which opens up the possibility of highly efficient bias-less operation, a much sought-after quality for field deployment of stand-off detection system for Homeland security applications. We have performed a noise analysis in terms of equivalent noise charge and we have found that the white series noise due to the detector capacitance has substantial effect on their spectroscopic performance. We have also studied the effect of the presence of electrically active defects on detector performance using deep level transient spectroscopy measurements.
The Cashless Economy in Zimbabwe: The Golden Time to Tax the Informal Sector

In this paper we sought to analyse the possibilities of raising revenue from the informal sector in the cashless/ plastic money era in Zimbabwe. The study employed literature review method. The evidence suggests that the informal sector play an important role in the Zimbabwean economy such as creating jobs, poverty eradication and also as a test bed from which willing taxpayers can graduate into mainstream however their contribution to the national tax revenue is insignificant despite Government efforts. We established that it is possible to increase tax compliance in this cashless era and formalise the informal sector activities. The study recommends that Zimbabwe Revenue Authority must follow the proposed outlined phases to accomplish the goal of increasing revenue from the informal sector. Keywords: Informal sector, Tax, Cashless Economy, Zimbabwe
A Comprehensive Multi-Level Model for Campus-Based Leadership Education.

Within this application brief, we propose a comprehensive model for mapping the shape and optimizing the effectiveness of leadership education in campus-wide university settings. The four-level model is highlighted by inclusion of a philosophy statement detailing the values and purpose of leadership education on campus, a set of skills and competencies that serve as learning goals, a map of formal educational and informal practice opportunities for leadership development, and a plan for assessment and evaluation of effectiveness in both formative and summative contexts. We provide the example of leadership education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to illustrate how the model might look on one campus.
Is antihistamine (H1‐receptor antagonist) therapy useful in clinical asthma?

Airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine is a hallmark of asthma, and histamine inhalation reproduces asthma symptoms. Plasma histamine concentrations are elevated during the early and late responses to inhaled allergens, and may also increase during spontaneous acute asthma episodes. Ordinary doses of currently available antihistamines (H1‐receptor antagonists) have minimal bronchodilator and bronchoprotective activity. In severe persistent asthma, H1 antagonists have no significant clinical effect. In moderate persistent asthma, clinical benefits of H1 antagonists are apparent, but may not be worth the potential risks of the higher‐than‐usual doses required. When mild seasonal asthma and allergic rhinitis coexist, however, relief of rhinitis symptoms with H1 antagonists administered in ordinary dose is associated with significant improvement in asthma symptoms.
Use of audiotaped patient consultations in a head and neck oncology clinic and survey of patient attitudes to this facility

The overall quality and delivery of patient care is becoming increasingly important, especially in those diagnosed with cancer. Multidisciplinary clinics are a valuable adjunct to this, but patients may not fully understand or comprehend all that is said to them. The use of audiotaping consultations has been studied in some settings, but not in head and neck cancer clinics. We report on a series of 50 consecutive head and neck patients to determine their views on the value of this facility. Thirty-nine patients (78 per cent) utilized the opportunity, of which 36 patients (92 per cent) found it beneficial. Over three quarters of the patients who used the facility thought that medical staff could benefit and learn from the tape recording. We recommend that audiotaping becomes a standard part of the multidisciplinary head and neck oncology clinic, helping to improve the overall quality of patient care.
Evaluation of evidence for infection as a mode of action for induction of rat lymphoma

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a 2006 report questioning the relationship of aspartame exposure with increased incidence of lymphomas/leukemias in a European Ramazzini Foundation (ERF) rat study. The EFSA report suggested that the lymphoma/leukemia findings were most likely explained by infection in the rat colony. The ERF has also conducted the only available long‐term oral study of methyl tertiary‐butyl ether (MTBE). Thus, using the EFSA report as support, some have now raised questions about the human relevance of MTBE‐associated hemolymphoreticular tumors reported by the ERF in female rats as well as whether their incidence was elevated above background levels. In this report, we discuss the hypothesized mode of action (MOA) of infection‐induced lymphoma and its relevance to MTBE‐associated lymphomas. We address the relationship of rat strain and study duration to lymphoma susceptibility and review evidence of low background rates of this tumor in control animals at the ERF, similar survival rates for female rats at the ERF and National Toxicology Program (NTP), and chemical‐ and gender‐specificity of tumor induction for this type of tumor in studies at the ERF. We find that the background incidence of hemolymphoreticular tumors in female rats in the MTBE study is consistent with contemporaneous studies at the ERF and that there is an exposure‐related effect, which is unlikely to be due to infections. We examine more recent tumor classification schemes for lymphomas, which support the combination of lymphoblastic leukemias and lymphomas reported by Belpoggi et al. ([1995] Toxicol Ind Health 11:119–149; [1998] Eur J Oncol 3:201–206). Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2008. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased Resting Metabolic Rates in Obese Subjects with Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus and the Effect of Sulfonylurea Therapy

Obese subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) lose weight soon after diagnosis and tend to gain weight during hypoglycemic therapy. One explanation for these weight shifts is the change in caloric loss from glycosuria. We compared 24 obese Pima Indians with NIDDM to 24 Pima Indians with normal glucose tolerance to determine whether resting metabolic rate changes may be an additional factor influencing the weight shifts. The diabetic and nondiabetic subjects were equally obese, body fat 38 ± 1% versus 37 ± 1% (mean ± SEM), respectively, as determined by densitometry. In the morning after an overnight fast, resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured by indirect calorimetry. The mean RMR of the diabetic subjects, 32.9 ± 0.5 kcal/day · kg fat-free mass (FFM), was 5% higher than that of the nondiabetic subjects, 31.4 ± 0.5 kcal/day kg FFM (P < 0.05). In nine of the diabetic subjects, 6 wk of tolazamide therapy was associated with reductions in mean FPG, 253 ± 16 to 144 ± 14 mg/dl (P < 0.01), mean daily urine glucose loss, 128 ± 26 to 11 ± 4 g (P < 0.01), and mean RMR, 31.9 ± 0.8 to 30.2 ± 0.6 kcal/day kg FFM (P < 0.04). Weight of the subjects was maintained constant from beginning to end of therapy (106.5 ± 9.6 versus 108.1 ± 9.9 kg) by decreasing daily calorie intake from 3070 ± 103 to 2784 ± 163 kcal (P < 0.01). We conclude that RMRs of obese, NIDDM subjects are increased compared with the RMRs of equally obese, nondiabetic subjects and that tolazamide therapy that decreases FPG reduces RMR in obese subjects with NIDDM.
The Developmental Levels in Achieving Magnet® Designation, Part 2

Magnet® designation has been shown to be a cost-effective strategy resulting in improved patient, staff, and organizational outcomes. Achieving this designation requires an organization to successfully progress through developmental levels on their journey. Part 1 of this article described a 4-level developmental model applied to each of the Magnet components. In part 2, we will discuss a 5-step process and leadership strategies for developing units or departments through the various levels.
Feasibility and clinical implementation of hand-held echocardiography

Echocardiography is essential in the evaluation of patients with suspected or known cardiovascular disease. The development of pocket-size hand-held echocardiographic devices, suitable for a quick assessment of cardiac structures and function, has been shown to improve diagnostics and patient workflow. In the hands of experts, pocket-size machines capable of gray tone and color flow imaging offer high accuracy for the assessment of ventricular function, the detection of pericardial and pleural effusions and are suitable for semiquantitative evaluation of valvular function. The machines are also suitable for noncardiac imaging. Point-of-care echocardiography with pocket-size hand-held echocardiographic devices should be an integrated part of the physical examination of patients in many situations and will probably be performed by an increasing number of both experts and nonexperts as well. However, the benefit relies on the level of competence of the users and tailored training is needed to answer specific questions.