Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of bacterial community associated with phytoplankton bloom in a eutrophic lake in South Norway using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence analysis

Interactions between different phytoplankton taxa and heterotrophic bacterial communities within aquatic environments can differentially support growth of various heterotrophic bacterial species. In this study, phytoplankton diversity was studied using traditional microscopic techniques and the bacterial communities associated with phytoplankton bloom were studied using High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons from the V1-V3 and V3-V4 hypervariable regions. Samples were collected from Lake Akersvannet, a eutrophic lake in South Norway, during the growth season from June to August 2013. Microscopic examination revealed that the phytoplankton community was mostly represented by Cyanobacteria and the dinoflagellate Ceratium hirundinella. The HTS results revealed that Proteobacteria (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma), Bacteriodetes, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia dominated the bacterial community, with varying relative abundances throughout the sampling season. Species level identification of Cyanobacteria showed a mixed population of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Microcystis aeruginosa and Woronichinia naegeliana. A significant proportion of the microbial community was composed of unclassified taxa which might represent locally adapted freshwater bacterial groups. Comparison of cyanobacterial species composition from HTS and microscopy revealed quantitative discrepancies, indicating a need for cross validation of results. To our knowledge, this is the first study that uses HTS methods for studying the bacterial community associated with phytoplankton blooms in a Norwegian lake. The study demonstrates the value of considering results from multiple methods when studying bacterial communities.
Laser epithelial keratomileusis with mitomycin C: indications and limits.

PURPOSE To assess the advantages and safety of using mitomycin C (MMC) with laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) by measuring high order aberrations of the cornea. METHODS We analyzed the results of 86 eyes that had LASEK plus a brushstroke of MMC 0.01%. Another group of 100 eyes had LASEK only (control group). Mean follow-up was 312 days for the MMC group and 774 days for the control group. A Nidek EC-5000 laser was used in all eyes. We measured mean refractive error, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), haze, and high order aberrations before and at 1 month and nearly 1 year after LASEK. RESULTS Mean baseline spherical equivalent refraction was -6.80 +/- 3.00 D for the MMC group and -6.00 +/- 3.10 D for the control group (P=.34). In eyes with low myopia (-1.20 to -10.80 D), a single ablation zone of 6 mm with a transition zone of 8 mm was used, and in the higher myopia group (-5.60 to -15.50 D), smoothing and a cross sphere procedure (+0.75 D) were used. Mean spherical equivalent refraction after LASEK for low myopia in the MMC group at last examination (mean follow-up 312 days) was +0.50 +/- 0.93, and 0 +/- 0.34 D for the control group. Mean spherical equivalent refraction after LASEK for high myopia in the MMC group at last examination (mean follow-up 312 days) was +0.50 +/- 1.03 D, and +0.40 +/- 0.78 D for the control group. Mean haze in the low myopia MMC group was 0.06 and in the control group, 0.11; in the high myopia MMC group it was 0.1, and in the control group, 0.27 (all differences P<.05). No differences between baseline and postoperative BSCVA were noted. Early and late overcorrection were noted in the MMC group. Increased high order aberrations were evident at 1 month and 1 year in the MMC groups. CONCLUSIONS The use of mitomycin C 0.01% with LASEK significantly decreased subepithelial haze. However, refractive outcome was less predictable. High order aberrations increased after LASEK with MMC. Additional studies with longer follow-up are necessary to evaluate long-term effects, and ideal MMC concentration and exposure time.
Injuries from roadside improvised explosive devices.

BACKGROUND After the invasion of Iraq in April 2003, coalition forces have remained in the country in a bid to maintain stability and support the local security forces. The improvised explosive device (IED) has been widely used by the insurgents and is the leading cause of death and injury among Coalition troops in the region. METHOD From January 2006, data were prospectively collected on 100 consecutive casualties who were either injured or killed in hostile action. Mechanism of injury, new Injury Severity Score (NISS), The International Classification of Disease-9th edition diagnosis, anatomic pattern of wounding, and operative management were recorded in a trauma registry. The weapon incident reports were analyzed to ascertain the type of IED employed. RESULTS Of the 100 casualties injured in hostile action, 53 casualties were injured by IEDs in 23 incidents (mean 2.3 casualties per incident). Twenty-one of 23 (91.3%) of the IEDs employed were explosive formed projectile (EFP) type. Twelve casualties (22.6%) were either killed or died of wounds. Median NISS score of survivors was 3 (range, 1-50). All fatalities sustained unsurvivable injuries with a NISS score of 75. Primary blast injuries were seen in only 2 (3.8%) and thermal injuries in 8 casualties (15.1%). Twenty (48.7%) of survivors underwent surgery by British surgeons in the field hospital. At 18 months follow, all but one of the United Kingdom Service personnel had returned to military employment. CONCLUSIONS The injury profile seen with EFP-IEDs does not follow the traditional pattern of injuries seen with conventional high explosives. Primary blast injuries were uncommon despite all casualties being in close proximity to the explosion. When the EFP-IED is detonated, the EFP produced results in catastrophic injuries to casualties caught in its path, but causes relatively minor injuries to personnel sited adjacent to its trajectory. Improvements in vehicle protection may prevent the EFP from entering the passenger compartments and thereby reduce fatalities.
Effect of Broccoli Sprouts on Nasal Response to Live Attenuated Influenza Virus in Smokers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study

Background Smokers have increased susceptibility and altered innate host defense responses to influenza virus infection. Broccoli sprouts are a source of the Nrf2 activating agentsulforaphane, and short term ingestion of broccoli sprout homogenates (BSH) has been shown to reduce nasal inflammatory responses to oxidant pollutants. Objectives Assess the effects of BSH on nasal cytokines, virus replication, and Nrf2-dependent enzyme expression in smokers and nonsmokers. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the effects of BSH on serially sampled nasal lavage fluid (NLF) cytokines, viral sequence quantity, and Nrf2-dependent enzyme expression in NLF cells and biopsied epithelium. Healthy young adult smokers and nonsmokers ingested BSH or placebo (alfalfa sprout homogenate) for 4 days, designated Days -1, 0, 1, 2. On Day 0 they received standard vaccine dose of live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) intranasally. Nasal lavage fluids and nasal biopsies were collected serially to assess response to LAIV. Results In area under curve analyses, post-LAIV IL-6 responses (P = 0.03) and influenza sequences (P = 0.01) were significantly reduced in NLF from BSH-treated smokers, whileNAD(P)H: quinoneoxidoreductasein NLF cells was significantly increased. In nonsmokers, a similar trend for reduction in virus quantity with BSH did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions In smokers, short term ingestion of broccoli sprout homogenates appears to significantly reduce some virus-induced markers of inflammation, as well as reducing virus quantity. Nutritional antioxidant interventions have promise as a safe, low-cost strategy for reducing influenza risk among smokers and other at risk populations. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01269723
Teacher views about using songs in teaching English to young learners

The primary aim of this study was to explore the views of Turkish state primary school EFL teachers about songs and using songs in teaching English to young learners. English language teachers’ (n= 52) opinions were collected through a questionnaire and the results demonstrated that Turkish EFL teachers have strong beliefs about the pedagogical value of songs and about the effectiveness of using songs in teaching EFL to young learners. However, findings showed that teachers had difficulty in accessing to appropriate songs to use in their classes and in measuring student success when they use songs. Therefore it was suggested in this study that teachers be provided with song materials to use in their classes. Measuring student success was closely related to how to teach songs, and therefore it was suggested that teachers be given in-service training about how to teach songs. To conclude, we may argue that the findings of this study strengthened previous research findings about the role of songs in teaching English to young learners. Key words: English language teaching, songs, young learners.
The emergence of sentencing hearings

The aim of this essay is to contribute to the understanding of the neglected topic of sentencing hearings, by describing the historical circumstances that led to the emergence of distinct sentencing hearings within the criminal trial. The novel account offered in this essay suggests that sentencing hearings evolved as a partially unintended result of the massive changes in the adversarial trial that took place during the second part of the 18th century. As a result of these changes, sentencing hearings began to emerge at the end of the 18th century. These findings stand in contradiction to various suggestions made in American case-law and law review articles, which linked the development of sentencing hearings to the rise of the rehabilitation model at the end of the 19th century.
SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR IN POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

A growing body of research has indicated that the levels of suicidal behaviour are particularly heightened among individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Two theoretical models of suicide, the Cry of Pain Model of suicide (CoP; Williams, 1997) and the Schematic Appraisals Model of Suicide (SAMS; Johnson, Gooding & Tarrier, 2008) have proposed that perceptions of defeat and entrapment are key components of the psychological mechanisms which drive suicidal behaviour. The SAMS has also emphasized the importance of psychological resilience factors for preventing suicide risk. Resilience to suicide has been recently defined as a set of appraisals which buffer the impact of risk factors on suicidal behaviour. The first aim of this thesis was to investigate the role of perceptions of defeat and entrapment in suicidal behaviour in those with full or subthreshold PTSD. The second aim of this thesis was to obtain empirical evidence for the presence of resilience factors to suicidal behaviour in PTSD. Initially, a comprehensive narrative review and a meta-analysis were conducted to examine the magnitude of the association between various forms of suicidal behaviour and a PTSD diagnosis and the role of comorbid depression in this association. Both, the narrative review and the meta-analysis demonstrated a strong positive association between suicidal behaviour and PTSD, and supported the mediating impact of comorbid depression in this association. A re-analysis of a previous dataset of individuals with PTSD was also pursued to establish the relevance of negative perceptions/appraisals to suicidal behaviour in those with PTSD. Next, three empirical studies were designed to investigate the utility of perceptions of defeat and entrapment in explaining suicidal behaviour in those with full or subthreshold PTSD. The outcomes across the three studies supported the hypothesis that defeat and entrapment represent the proximal psychological drivers of suicidal behaviour in PTSD and fully account for the suicidogenic effects of negative self-appraisals and PTSD symptoms.Two additional empirical studies were conducted to examine resilience factors to suicidal behaviour among individuals with full or subthreshold PTSD. The first of these studies provided evidence that high levels of perceived social support buffered the impact of PTSD symptoms on suicidal behaviour. The last study supported the efficacy of a resilience-boosting technique, the Broad-Minded Affective Coping procedure (BMAC), to enhance the experience of positive emotions and improve mood amongst individuals diagnosed with PTSD. Together, the current results support the SAMS? postulation concerning the role of perceptions of defeat and entrapment in the emergence of suicidal behaviour in PTSD and highlight the importance of boosting resilience as a means of targeting suicidal behaviour in those with PTSD. Clinical implications of these findings are outlined throughout the thesis.
Gains beyond cosmesis: Recovery of fusion and stereopsis in adults with longstanding strabismus following successful surgical realignment

We evaluated recovery of binocularity in 15 chronically strabismic, non-fusing (with neutralizing prisms) adults following successful surgical alignment. We included ≥12-year-olds, with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥20/60, and excluded those with: anisoacuity >2 lines-Snellen; failed realignment judged by >10 prism diopters (PD) horizontal and >4 PD vertical. Six-week outcomes were: fusion by Worth Four-Dots (WFDT) and Bagolini striated glasses (BSG) and stereopsis by Titmus test and the Netherlands organisation for applied scientific research (TNO) test. Baseline data in medians (range): age 18 (12-40) years, strabismus 45 (19-95) PD, duration 14 (0.5-24) years, 12 females; 12 exotropes, three esotropes; visual acuity was 20/20 in 10, while none had BCVA <20/60. Postoperative strabismus measured 6 PD (range:0-10). By six weeks none suppressed: WFDT findings showed eight fused at distance and 13 at near; and on BSG figures were 10 and 13 respectively. Stereopsis was demonstrated by 13 on Titmus and by 10 on TNO tests. It is concluded that longstanding strabismic adults with good vision can recover fusion and stereopsis following successful squint surgery.
Desde el "burnout" al "engagement": ¿una nueva perspectiva?

This study examines the factorial structures of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and of an inventory that assesses engagement, the hypothesized opposite of burnout. Confirmatory factor-analyses in a sample of 514 Spanish workers using information technologies in the workplace, corroborated the expected three-factor structure of the MBI (i.e., exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy) as well as the hypothesized three-factor structure of engagement (i.e. vigor, dedication, and absorption). Additional hierarchical multiple regression analysis show the added value of the engagement scales to predict indicators of subjective well-being (i.e. organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and job enthusiasm) when one controls for burnout. Finally, study limitations and perspectives for future research on burnout and engagement are discussed.
Rheumatoid arthritis: identifying and characterising polymorphisms using rat models

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disorder characterised by erosive inflammation of the articular cartilage and by destruction of the synovial joints. It is regulated by both genetic and environmental factors, and, currently, there is no preventative treatment or cure for this disease. Genome-wide association studies have identified ∼100 new loci associated with rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to the already known locus within the major histocompatibility complex II region. However, together, these loci account for only a modest fraction of the genetic variance associated with this disease and very little is known about the pathogenic roles of most of the risk loci identified. Here, we discuss how rat models of rheumatoid arthritis are being used to detect quantitative trait loci that regulate different arthritic traits by genetic linkage analysis and to positionally clone the underlying causative genes using congenic strains. By isolating specific loci on a fixed genetic background, congenic strains overcome the challenges of genetic heterogeneity and environmental interactions associated with human studies. Most importantly, congenic strains allow functional experimental studies be performed to investigate the pathological consequences of natural genetic polymorphisms, as illustrated by the discovery of several major disease genes that contribute to arthritis in rats. We discuss how these advances have provided new biological insights into arthritis in humans. Summary: Using experimental models of rheumatoid arthritis, natural genetic polymorphisms associated with arthritis are identified and characterised in rats, bringing in new biological insights into arthritis in humans.
Amygdalo‐hypothalamic projections in the lizard Podarcis hispanica: A combined anterograde and retrograde tracing study

The cells of origin and terminal fields of the amygdalo‐hypothalamic projections in the lizard Podarcis hispanica were determined by using the anterograde and retrograde transport of the tracers, biotinylated dextran amine and horseradish peroxidase. The resulting labeling indicated that there was a small projection to the preoptic hypothalamus, that arose from the vomeronasal amygdaloid nuclei (nucleus sphericus and nucleus of the accessory olfactory tract), and an important projection to the rest of the hypothalamus, that was formed by three components: medial, lateral, and ventral. The medial projection originated mainly in the dorsal amygdaloid division (posterior dorsal ventricular ridge and lateral amygdala) and also in the centromedial amygdaloid division (medial amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis). It coursed through the stria terminalis and reached mainly the retrochiasmatic area and the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. The lateral projection originated in the cortical amygdaloid division (ventral anterior and ventral posterior amygdala). It coursed via the lateral amygdalofugal tract and terminated in the lateral hypothalamic area and the lateral tuberomammillary area. The ventral projection originated in the centromedial amygdaloid division (in the striato‐amygdaloid transition area), coursed through the ventral peduncle of the lateral forebrain bundle, and reached the lateral posterior hypothalamic nucleus, continuing caudally to the hindbrain.
PTPα regulates integrin-stimulated FAK autophosphorylation and cytoskeletal rearrangement in cell spreading and migration

We investigated the molecular and cellular actions of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) α in integrin signaling using immortalized fibroblasts derived from wild-type and PTPα-deficient mouse embryos. Defects in PTPα−/− migration in a wound healing assay were associated with altered cell shape and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. The reduced haptotaxis to fibronectin (FN) of PTPα−/− cells was increased by expression of active (but not inactive) PTPα. Integrin-mediated formation of src–FAK and fyn–FAK complexes was reduced or abolished in PTPα−/− cells on FN, concomitant with markedly reduced phosphorylation of FAK at Tyr397. Reintroduction of active (but not inactive) PTPα restored FAK Tyr-397 phosphorylation. FN-induced cytoskeletal rearrangement was retarded in PTPα−/− cells, with delayed filamentous actin stress fiber assembly and focal adhesion formation. This mimicked the effects of treating wild-type fibroblasts with the src family protein tyrosine kinase (Src-PTK) inhibitor PP2. These results, together with the reduced src/fyn tyrosine kinase activity in PTPα−/− fibroblasts (Ponniah et al., 1999; Su et al., 1999), suggest that PTPα functions in integrin signaling and cell migration as an Src-PTK activator. Our paper establishes that PTPα is required for early integrin-proximal events, acting upstream of FAK to affect the timely and efficient phosphorylation of FAK Tyr-397.
Intra-personal and extra-personal predictors of suicide attempts of South Korean adolescents

The purpose of this study was to explore significant variables predicting adolescent suicidal attempts. Socio-environmental variables such as gender, school record, school grade, school adaptation, and family intimacy together with intra-individual variables including depression, anxiety, delinquency, stress, and self-esteem were considered as candidates. Data from 1481 adolescents were collected from Korea National Youth Policy Institute. For statistical analyses, hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed. Results of hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that gender, school grade, depression, delinquent, stress, and family intimacy were significant predictors of suicidal attempts of adolescents. Among those, the most powerful predictor was depression, and the second was delinquency. Classification accuracy by the model of our study was 87.6%. Implications and limitations of present study and suggestions for future study were discussed.
Risk factors for silent myocardial ischemia in high-risk type 1 diabetic patients.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality in people with type 1 diabetes. Silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) is common in this population (1), and a large body of evidence attests to the high diagnostic yield of stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for the prediction of major coronary events (2,3). However, screening all patients with stress MPI is not practical and should be limited to those with a high-risk profile (4). No such profile has been determined in type 1 diabetic patients. We thus evaluated the clinical and biological variables associated with silent coronary stenosis to determine a high-risk profile of asymptomatic type 1 diabetic patients who should benefit from stress MPI screening. All asymptomatic type 1 diabetic patients admitted to our department between January 1999 and June 2002 were considered for SMI screening, using dipyridamol (0.75 mg/kg) combined with exercise on an ergometer bicycle (when feasible) and stress-gated single-photon emission computed tomographic99Tcm-MIBI imaging if they had at least one of the following conditions: one other major cardiovascular risk factors, age ≥60 years, or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients with known CAD, age ≥80 or <30 years, and dipyridamole contraindications were excluded. Participants were considered to have type 1 diabetes if they had a history of ketosis and started insulin treatment in the 2 …
Narratives as a tool when working for equality in action research: a description and discussion of the researcher’s experiences from a school development project in Norway

Collaboration between participants with different roles, but equal status, is the aim in action research. In this project we experienced problems establishing equality between the participants. The research question discussed in this paper is: ‘How did the researcher experience that the use of narratives affected the level of equality between the researcher and teachers in a collaborative action research project? ’ The findings are presented under three headings: involved participants; efficient processes; and from descriptions to reflections, from incidents to processes. The use of the narratives appeared to increase the participants’ involvement. The processes also seemed to be more effective, even though the researcher as the author is discussed as a problem.