Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Social Theory of Practices: Tradition, Tacit Knowledge and Presuppositions

The concept of "practices" whether of representation, of political or scientific traditions, or of organizational culture is central to social theory. In this book, Stephen Turner presents the first analysis and critique of the idea of practice as it has developed in the various theoretical traditions of the social sciences and the humanities. Understood broadly as a tacit understanding "shared" by a group, the concept of a practice has a fatal difficulty, Turner argues: there is no plausible mechanism by which a "practice" is transmitted or reproduced. The historical uses of the concept, from Durkheim to Kripke's version of Wittgenstein, provide examples of the contortions that thinkers have been forced into by this problem, and show the ultimate implausibility of the idea. Turner's conclusion sketches a picture of what happens when we do without the notion of a shared practice, and how this bears on social theory and philosophy. It explains why social theory cannot get beyond the stage of constructing fuzzy analogies, and why the standard constructions of the contemporary philosophical problem of relativism depend upon this defective notion. This first book-length critique of practice theory is sure to stir discussion and controversy in a wide range of fields, from philosophy and science studies to sociology, anthropology, literary studies, and political and legal theory. "
Palliative chemotherapy for patients 70 years of age and older with metastatic colorectal cancer: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND Metastatic colorectal cancer (mcrc) commonly affects elderly people, an understudied subset of patients. We analyzed the survival impact of the first and subsequent lines of chemotherapy in eligible non-trial patients 70 years of age and older with mcrc treated between 2004 and 2012. METHODS This single-centre retrospective analysis estimated overall survival (os) and progression-free survival (pfs) using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was used to adjust for age, sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, score on the Charlson comorbidity index, dependency in activities of daily living, and exposure to 1 or more chemotherapy doublets, capecitabine alone, or best supportive care (bsc). RESULTS Of 109 patients identified, 29 elected bsc, and 80 received chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, age was not associated with os [hazard ratio (hr): 0.99; 95% confidence interval (ci): 0.92 to 1.05], but a performance status of 2 or higher was associated with a decreased likelihood of survival (hr: 3.12; 95% ci: 1.87 to 5.76), and exposure to 1 or more doublets was associated with improved survival (hr: 0.33; 95% ci: 0.17 to 0.66). In univariate analysis, a trend toward improved os was observed for first-line doublet chemotherapy compared with capecitabine (hr: 0.66; 95% ci: 0.41 to 1.07), and pfs was superior (hr: 0.46; 95% ci: 0.26 to 0.84). Compared with exposure to 1 doublet, exposure to the 3 potential cytotoxic chemotherapies was not associated with improved os (hr: 0.77; 95% ci: 0.41 to 1.43). The incidence of neutropenia with first-line folfiri was 40%; the incidences of bevacizumab-related arterial and venous thrombosis were both 8%. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to 1 or more doublet chemotherapies for mcrc was associated with better outcomes in non-trial patients 70 years of age and older. Elderly patients treated with palliative chemotherapy and bevacizumab should be monitored carefully for arterial and venous thrombotic events.
Korean Immigrant Women's Journey from Abused Wives to Self-Reliant Women

This qualitative study examined Korean immigrant women's experience of marital abuse and post-divorce adjustment. This study aimed to explore the lives of Korean immigrant women who are underrepresented among minorities, to examine cultural and institutional factors which play key roles in Korean immigrant women's decision to leave abusive relationships, and to move beyond the general question of “Why do they stay? ” to “How do they survive? ” Korean immigrant women went through several stages from abused wives to self-reliant divorced women: premature marriage, marital dynamics and abuse, marital dissolution, and post-divorce adjustment.
Passive Investment Strategies and Efficient Markets

This paper presents the case for and the evidence in favour of passive investment strategies and examines the major criticisms of the technique. I conclude that the evidence strongly supports passive investment management in all markets—small–capitalisation stocks as well as large–capitalisation equities, US markets as well as international markets, and bonds as well as stocks. Recent attacks on the efficient market hypothesis do not weaken the case for indexing.
Synchrony and pattern formation of coupled genetic oscillators on a chip of artificial cells

Significance Synchrony, entrainment, and pattern formation are nonlinear modes of communication and collective behavior in living systems across scales. We aim to understand these complex processes by building them bottom-up in a minimal environment to unravel basic rules governing their behavior. However, it has so far been challenging to emulate spatially distributed coupled gene expression cellular reactions. We show a microfluidic device of a confined coupled system of DNA compartments programmed with nonlinear genetic oscillator and diffusion-based communication. This approach provides unique control of experimental parameters, which reveals a rich phenomenology of cell-free gene expression patterns in space and time. Understanding how biochemical networks lead to large-scale nonequilibrium self-organization and pattern formation in life is a major challenge, with important implications for the design of programmable synthetic systems. Here, we assembled cell-free genetic oscillators in a spatially distributed system of on-chip DNA compartments as artificial cells, and measured reaction–diffusion dynamics at the single-cell level up to the multicell scale. Using a cell-free gene network we programmed molecular interactions that control the frequency of oscillations, population variability, and dynamical stability. We observed frequency entrainment, synchronized oscillatory reactions and pattern formation in space, as manifestation of collective behavior. The transition to synchrony occurs as the local coupling between compartments strengthens. Spatiotemporal oscillations are induced either by a concentration gradient of a diffusible signal, or by spontaneous symmetry breaking close to a transition from oscillatory to nonoscillatory dynamics. This work offers design principles for programmable biochemical reactions with potential applications to autonomous sensing, distributed computing, and biomedical diagnostics.
Increased susceptibility of Trpv4-deficient mice to obesity and obesity-induced osteoarthritis with very high-fat diet

Objective To test the hypotheses that: (1) the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) ion channel is protective in the obesity model of osteoarthritis (OA), resulting in more severe obesity-induced OA in Trpv4 knockout (Trpv4−/−) mice; and (2) loss of TRPV4 alters mesodermal stem cell differentiation. Methods Male Trpv4−/− and wild-type (Trpv4+/+) mice were fed a control or high-fat diet (10% kcal and 60% kcal from fat, respectively) for 22 weeks, at which time spontaneous cage activity and severity of knee OA were evaluated. In addition, the adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic potential of bone marrow-derived (MSC) and adipose-derived (ASC) stem cells from Trpv4−/− and Trpv4+/+ mice were compared. Results A high-fat diet significantly increased knee OA scores and reduced spontaneous cage activity in Trpv4−/− mice, while also increasing weight gain and adiposity. MSCs from Trpv4−/− mice had decreased adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential versus Trpv4+/+ MSCs. ASCs from Trpv4−/− mice had increased adipogenic and osteogenic and reduced chondrogenic differentiation potential versus Trpv4+/+ ASCs. Conclusions Pan-Trpv4−/− mice develop more severe OA with high-fat feeding, potentially due to more severe diet-induced obesity. The altered differentiation potential of Trpv4−/− progenitor cells may reflect the importance of this ion channel in the maintenance and turnover of mesodermally-derived tissues.
A low-power highly digitized receiver for 2.4-GHz-band GFSK applications

This paper describes the design and measurement results of a low-power highly digitized receiver for Gaussian frequency-shift keying modulated input signals at 2.4 GHz. The RF front-end has been based on a low-IF architecture and does not require any variable gain or filtering blocks. The full dynamic range of the low-IF signal is converted into the digital domain by a low-power high-resolution time-continuous SigmaDelta analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This leads to a linear receive chain without limiters. A fifth-order poly-phase loop filter is used in the complex SigmaDelta ADC. The digital block performs filtering and demodulation. Channel filtering is combined with matched filtering and the suppression of noise resulting from the SigmaDelta ADC. The high degree of digitization leads to design flexibility with respect to changing standards and scalability in future CMOS generations. The receiver has been realized in a standard 0.18-mum CMOS process and measures 3.5 mm2. The only external components are an antenna filter and a crystal. The power consumption is only 32 mW in the continuous mode, which is at least a factor of two lower than state-of-the-art CMOS receivers
P4FPGA: A Rapid Prototyping Framework for P4

This paper presents P4FPGA, a new tool for developing and evaluating data plane applications. P4FPGA is an open-source compiler and runtime. The compiler extends the P4.org reference compiler with a custom backend that generates FPGA code. P4FPGA supports different architecture configurations, depending on the needs of the particular application. We have benchmarked several representative P4 programs, and our experiments show that code generated by P4FPGA runs at line-rate at all packet sizes with latencies comparable to commercial ASICs. By combining high-level programming abstractions offered by P4 with a flexible and powerful hardware target, P4FPGA allows developers to rapidly prototype and deploy new data plane applications.
Ochratoxin A in domestic and imported beers in Belgium: occurrence and exposure assessment

Determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) concentration was performed in commercial beer in Belgium using immunoaffinity column (OchraTest™) clean-up and liquid chromatography. The procedure was validated and fulfilled the European Committee for Standardization's criteria. It offered a detection limit of 3 ng l-1 and a quantification limit of 10 ng l-1. Recovery experiments carried out with the spiked samples in the range 50–200 ng OTAl-1 showed an overall average recovery rate of 97% (RSD = 2.8%). The validated method was applied to the analysis of 62 Belgian beers and 20 commercial beers imported from Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, The Netherlands and Scotland. None of these beers exceeded the previously suggested EU limit of 200 ng l-1. However, OTA was detected in 60 Belgian beers and in all imported beers. The average levels of contamination were 33 ng l-1 (RSD = 112%) and 32 ng l-1 (RSD = 81%), respectively. The highest level found was 185 ng l-1. On the basis of the established tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 5 ng kg-1 body weight, accepted by the scientific committee on food of the EU, this study indicates that beer consumption in Belgium is not likely to contribute to more than a few per cent of the TDI based on the average consumption. This study also shows variability of the OTA contamination in beer with time. Thus, there is a potential risk of having highly contaminated batches from time to time. We therefore recommend to control further the OTA contamination in brewery products and to take precautionary measures during harvest, transport and storage of the raw materials to maintain the OTA intake at the lowest achievable level.
Monetary incentive effects on event-based prospective memory three months after traumatic brain injury in children

Information regarding the remediation of event-based prospective memory (EB-PM) impairments following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is scarce. Addressing this, two levels of monetary incentives were used to improve EB-PM in children ages 7 to 16 years with orthopedic injuries (OI, n = 51), or moderate (n = 25) and severe (n = 39) TBI at approximately 3 months postinjury. The EB-PM task consisted of the child giving a specific verbal response to a verbal cue from the examiner while performing a battery of neuropsychological measures (ongoing task). Significant effects were found for age-at-test, motivation condition, period, and group. Within-group analyses indicated that OI and moderate TBI groups performed significantly better under the high- than under the low-incentive condition, but the severe TBI group demonstrated no significant improvement. These results indicate that EB-PM can be significantly improved at 3 months postinjury in children with moderate, but not severe, TBI.
A Comparative Study of Successful and Disrupted Adoptions

In order to identify risk factors associated with adoption disruption, a group of 74 disrupted cases is compared with a group of 74 legalized adoptions, matched for age. Factors that emerge as significant include the child's history of sexual abuse, strong attachment to the birth mother, and specified behavior problems pre- and postplacement. Other variables related to the adopting family, agency practices, and causes of disruption are explored.
Psoralen Inactivation of Viruses: A Process for the Safe Manipulation of Viral Antigen and Nucleic Acid

High consequence human pathogenic viruses must be handled at biosafety level 2, 3 or 4 and must be rendered non-infectious before they can be utilized for molecular or immunological applications at lower biosafety levels. Here we evaluate psoralen-inactivated Arena-, Bunya-, Corona-, Filo-, Flavi- and Orthomyxoviruses for their suitability as antigen in immunological processes and as template for reverse transcription PCR and sequencing. The method of virus inactivation using a psoralen molecule appears to have broad applicability to RNA viruses and to leave both the particle and RNA of the treated virus intact, while rendering the virus non-infectious.
Monte Carlo calculations of kQ, the beam quality conversion factor.

PURPOSE To use EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulations to directly calculate beam quality conversion factors,kQ, for 32 cylindrical ionization chambers over a range of beam qualities and to quantify the effect of systematic uncertainties on Monte Carlo calculations of kQ. These factors are required to use the TG-51 or TRS-398 clinical dosimetry protocols for calibrating external radiotherapy beams. METHODS Ionization chambers are modeled either from blueprints or manufacturers' user's manuals. The dose-to-air in the chamber is calculated using the EGSnrc user-code egs_chamber using 11 different tabulated clinical photon spectra for the incident beams. The dose to a small volume of water is also calculated in the absence of the chamber at the midpoint of the chamber on its central axis. Using a simple equation,kQ is calculated from these quantities under the assumption that W/e is constant with energy and compared to TG-51 protocol and measured values. RESULTS Polynomial fits to the Monte Carlo calculatedkQ factors as a function of beam quality expressed as %dd(10)x and TPR1020 are given for each ionization chamber. Differences are explained between Monte Carlo calculated values and values from the TG-51 protocol or calculated using the computer program used for TG-51 calculations. Systematic uncertainties in calculated kQ values are analyzed and amount to a maximum of one standard deviation uncertainty of 0.99% if one assumes that photon cross-section uncertainties are uncorrelated and 0.63% if they are assumed correlated. The largest components of the uncertainty are the constancy of W/e and the uncertainty in the cross-section for photons in water. CONCLUSIONS It is now possible to calculatekQ directly using Monte Carlo simulations. Monte Carlo calculations for most ionization chambers give results which are comparable to TG-51 values. Discrepancies can be explained using individual Monte Carlo calculations of various correction factors which are more accurate than previously used values. For small ionization chambers with central electrodes composed of high-Z materials, the effect of the central electrode is much larger than that for the aluminum electrodes in Farmer chambers.
Why Customers Feel Locked Into Relationships: Using Qualitative Research to Uncover The Lock-in Factors

This research explores the lock-in phenomena in service relationships, using qualitative research to uncover the factors keeping customers in service relationships. We conducted 22 in-depth interviews, with 44 service relationships discussed. Four broad categories of service relationship lock-in factors emerge from the interviews, with 14 specific subcategories. The four broad categories of lock-in factors are relational benefits of staying, switching barriers, obligatory factors, and personality factors. All the categories appear across both positive and negative relationships, although interesting differences in category prevalence between positive and negative relationships are insightful and discussed. In the majority of service relationships, participants mention multiple factors in regard to lock-in, rather than just one factor or category. Researchers in marketing have paid little attention to obligatory factors and personality factors and yet these factors are present in the data in a substantial way and occur in conjunction with the more well-studied factors.
Re‐thinking instructional immediacy for web courses: A social cognitive exploration

The growth of the World‐Wide Web of as a medium of instruction in higher education rekindles an old debate about the effectiveness of instructional technology. The present limitations of the Internet medium restrict the teacher immediacy of Web courses and possibly have a negative impact on both affective and cognitive learning. Web courses also appear to be a deficient means to form close relationships between students, which was termed student immediacy. But Web courses also have the potential to be more immediate than conventional classroom instruction by introducing a new “agency”; into the learning environment, the computer. Learner interactions with computers potentially convey a sense of personal tutorship or computer immediacy that augment immediacy in comparison to the limited large group interaction prevalent in conventional lecture sections. Social cognitive theory was applied to develop a unified construct of instructional immediacy that encompassed teacher, student and computer agency. Within this theory, immediacy behaviors provide social and status incentives that motivate learning. An exploratory qualitative ethnographic content analysis of three Web courses identified potential indicators of immediacy in Web classrooms and framed recommendations about future research on instructional immediacy and Web course design.
Evaluation of conflict of interest in economic analyses of new drugs used in oncology.

CONTEXT Recent studies have found that when investigators have financial relationships with pharmaceutical or product manufacturers, they are less likely to criticize the safety or efficacy of these agents. The effects of health economics research on pharmaceutical company revenue make drug investigations potentially vulnerable to this bias. OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is an association between pharmaceutical industry sponsorship and economic assessment of oncology drugs. DESIGN MEDLINE and HealthSTAR databases (1988-1998) were searched for original English-language research articles of cost or cost-effectiveness analyses of 6 oncology drugs in 3 new drug categories (hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors, serotonin antagonist antiemetics, and taxanes), yielding 44 eligible articles. Two investigators independently abstracted each article based on specific criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Relationships between funding source and (1) qualitative cost assessment (favorable, neutral, or unfavorable) and (2) qualitative conclusions that overstated quantitative results. RESULTS Pharmaceutical company-sponsored studies were less likely than nonprofit-sponsored studies to report unfavorable qualitative conclusions (1/20 [5%] vs 9/24 [38%]; P = .04), whereas overstatements of quantitative results were not significantly different in pharmaceutical company-sponsored (6/20 [30%]) vs nonprofit-sponsored (3/24 [13%]) studies (P = .26). CONCLUSIONS Although we did not identify bias in individual studies, these findings indicate that pharmaceutical company sponsorship of economic analyses is associated with reduced likelihood of reporting unfavorable results.
Homogeneous Models and Heterogeneous Voters

Most models assume that voting behaviour can be summarised by a single additive equation. There are good reasons, however, for believing that some voters place more weight on some considerations than others or use different decision rules. In both cases, a single additive equation will produce misleading accounts of the causal processes. Modellers should therefore allow for such differences. In order to illustrate these propositions, I examine evidence from the 2001 British Election Study, which suggests that some voters place more weight on leaders than others. I end by calling for attention to shift from causal complexity to causal diversity.
Chemical characteristics and antioxidant activities of polysaccharide purified from the seeds of Plantago asiatica L.

BACKGROUND A water-soluble polysaccharide from the seeds of Plantago asiatica L. (P. asiatica L. polysaccharide, PLP) was extracted with hot water and purified by gel filtration chromatography. The chemical characteristics of PLP were determined by high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In addition, the antioxidant activities of PLP in vitro were evaluated using various test systems, including scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, scavenging of superoxide radicals generated by 1,2,3-phentriol autoxidation, scavenging of hydroxyl radicals and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. RESULTS The molecular weight of PLP was determined by HPGPC to be about 1894 kDa. PLP contained 29.2 g kg(-1) protein and 145.8 g kg(-1) uronic acid. The FTIR spectrum of PLP also revealed typical characteristics of a polysaccharide containing protein and uronic acid. Moreover, the results showed that PLP possessed antioxidant activities, but lower than those of ascorbic acid. CONCLUSION PLP is an acid protein-bound polysaccharide of high molecular weight, but its structure needs further study. The present results suggest that PLP could potentially be used as a natural antioxidant.