Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mantle dynamics in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean offers a unique opportunity to study the driving forces of tectonic deformation within a complex mobile belt. Lithospheric dynamics are affected by slab rollback and collision of two large, slowly moving plates, forcing fragments of continental and oceanic lithosphere to interact. This paper reviews the rich and growing set of constraints from geological reconstructions, geodetic data, and crustal and upper mantle heterogeneity imaged by structural seismology. We proceed to discuss a conceptual and quantitative framework for the causes of surface deformation. Exploring existing and newly developed tectonic and numerical geodynamic models, we illustrate the role of mantle convection on surface geology. A coherent picture emerges which can be outlined by two, almost symmetric, upper mantle convection cells. The downwellings are found in the center of the Mediterranean and are associated with the descent of the Tyrrhenian and the Hellenic slabs. During plate convergence, these slabs migrated backward with respect to the Eurasian upper plate, inducing a return flow of the asthenosphere from the back‐arc regions toward the subduction zones. This flow can be found at large distance from the subduction zones and is at present expressed in two upwellings beneath Anatolia and eastern Iberia. This convection system provides an explanation for the general pattern of seismic anisotropy in the Mediterranean, first‐order Anatolia, and Adria microplate kinematics and may contribute to the high elevation of scarcely deformed areas such as Anatolia and eastern Iberia. More generally, the Mediterranean is an illustration of how upper mantle, small‐scale convection leads to intraplate deformation and complex plate boundary reconfiguration at the westernmost terminus of the Tethyan collision.
The performativity, performance and lively practices in financial stability press conferences

ABSTRACT Contributing to current debates about financial performativity, this article seeks to explore the multiple and overlapping layers of performativity within central banking. The specific focus is upon the press conferences of the Bank of England, which coincide with the release of their Financial Stability Reports and results of their stress testing exercises. Three positions in the debate about financial performativity are identified and outlined – namely, ‘Austinian’, ‘generic’, and ‘layered’ performativities. Analysis of the transcripts and video footage of the press conferences shows that both Austinian and Generic performativity are at work in the ‘layered performances’ of financial stability by the Bank: the manner in which technical devices affect the economy intersects with the way reiterative practices bring about the effect they name. Moreover, drawing on the writings of Derrida, Deleuze and Sedgwick on iterability, difference and performativity, the article analyses the disruption, creativity and drama that is also present in the central bank's press conferences. The ostensible production of financial stability by the Bank is thus shown to draw attention to an additional layer of financial performativity that has been previously neglected in cultural economy research – that which I group together under the umbrella term of ‘lively practices’.
Competitive effects on mercury removal by an agricultural waste: application to synthetic and natural spiked waters

In this work, the efficiency of a local and highly available agricultural waste, the raw rice husk, was used to remove mercury (Hg) from synthetic and natural waters, spiked with concentrations that reflect the contamination problems found in the environment. Different operating conditions were tested, including initial pH, ionic strength, the presence of co-ions (cadmium) and organic matter. The sorption efficiency of rice husk was slightly affected by the presence H+ ions (pH range between 3 and 9), but in the presence of NaNO3 and NaCl electrolytes and in binary solutions containing Cd2+ and Hg2+, the sorption efficiency was dependent on the nature and levels of the interfering ion and on the initial concentration of Hg2+ used. Nevertheless, in a situation of equilibrium the effect of those ions was negligible and the removal efficiency ranged between 82% and 94% and between 90% and 96% for an initial Hg2+ concentration of 0.05 mg L−1 and 0.50 mg L−1, respectively. In more complex matrices, i.e. in the presence of humic substances and in natural river waters, the speciation and dynamics of Hg was changed and a fraction of the metal becomes unavailable in solution. Even then, the values obtained for Hg removal were satisfactory, i.e. between 59% and 76% and 81% and 85% for an initial concentration of Hg2+ of 0.05 and 0.50 mg L−1, respectively.
Streaming Mobile Multimedia Optimization for Video-Conferencing Scenarios

Video conferencing in mobile environments involves real time streaming information among mobile nodes connected within a wireless environment. This kind of framework is difficult to deal with, because of its concrete requirements. In this paper, we propose an architecture based on adaptive applications that will change their behavior depending on the network information gathered by the operating system. We will demonstrate that we can provide a better QoS for video conferencing scenarios with minimum costs while maintaining a high portability.
Lung cancer: New biological insights and recent therapeutic advances

Approximately 1.6 million new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year throughout the world. In many countries, the mortality related to lung cancer continues to rise. The outcomes for patients with all stages of lung cancer have improved in recent years. The use of systemic therapy in conjunction with local therapy has led to improved cure rates in both resectable and unresectable patient groups. For patients with advanced stage disease, modest but real improvements in overall survival and quality of life have been achieved with systemic chemotherapy. A major focus of research has been the development of molecularly targeted agents and the identification of biomarkers for patient selection. Patients with non‐small cell lung cancer with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase domain achieve response rates of greater than 70% and superior progression‐free survival when treated with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor compared with standard chemotherapy. This has now emerged as the preferred therapeutic approach for the subset of patients with a mutation in exons 19 or 21 of the EGFR. Another promising targeted approach involves the use of an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor in patients with a translocation involving the echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 4 (EML4) and ‐ALK genes. Finally, a paradigm shift in favor of maintenance therapy for patients with advanced stage disease has gained strength from recent data. All of these advances have been made possible by developing a greater understanding of the biology, the discovery of novel anticancer agents, and improved supportive care measures. This article reviews the major strides made in the treatment of lung cancer in the recent past. CA Cancer J Clin 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society, Inc.
Milled Rice Fissure Formation Kinetics

Milled rice samples at various moisture contents (MCs) were exposed to air inside a chamber that was equipped with a video camera and monitoring system that enabled observation of fissure formation over 24-h exposure durations. The effects of milled rice kernel MC (11%, 12%, 13%, or 14%), cultivar (Bengal, Wells, and CL161), air relative humidity (RH; 10%, 20%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75%, or 90%), and air temperature (5°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, or 30°C) on the rate and amount of kernel fissuring were quantified. Rice cultivar and MC played minor roles in determining the rate and amount of fissuring relative to air temperature and RH. Fissuring rates were greatest at low (10%) and high (90%) RH levels; fissuring occurred almost immediately after kernels were exposed to these RH levels. Greater air temperatures considerably increased the rate and total amount of fissured kernels. Little fissuring was observed in an RH range of 30% to 75%, at any air temperature tested, providing a safe window for milled rice exposure to environmental conditions.
Predicting MSSA in Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis in a Setting With MRSA Prevalence

Background: Increased severity of illness in patient with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) necessitates prompt intervention, but overtreatment of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, predicting methicillin sensitivity in suspected AHO is desirable. A previously published prediction algorithm has not performed well in settings with high prevalence of MRSA. We sought to develop a predictive equation using presenting factors to predict MRSA in our patient population with a predominance of MRSA. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. Consecutive cases of AHO with positive blood or bone cultures were identified at a single children’s hospital. Presenting features were recorded including duration of symptoms, weight-bearing, prior antibiotic use, vital signs, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Univariate comparison was made between the groups with MRSA and MSSA. Continuous variables were compared with t tests and discrete variables were compared using the Fischer exact test. Logistic regression was performed using a forward stepwise regression to develop a model to predict MRSA. Results: A total of 68 patients formed the study group, and 60% had MRSA (41 MRSA, 27 MSSA). Temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), ESR), and CRP were significantly higher in MRSA cases, whereas platelets were lower. Logistic regression resulted in a model utilizing temperature, ANC, and CRP. This model correctly predicted 87% of cases (92% of MRSA and 79% of MSSA) with an area under the curve of 0.919±0.035 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.851, 0.987. Conclusion: A logistic regression model incorporating temperature, ANC, and CRP correctly predicts methicillin resistance of S. aureus in 87% of cases. The model differs from one developed at an institution with a low rate of MRSA. Prediction of MRSA could help direct antibiotic management, whereas prediction of MSSA could help prevent overuse of antibiotics directed against MRSA. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic study level IV.
Understanding the use of online role-play for collaborative argument through teacher experiencing: a case study

ABSTRACT As computers and the Internet are increasingly employed in language teaching and learning, preparing teachers for the impending reality of online teaching is of paramount importance. This study investigated 10 in-service teachers participating in an online role-play as part of a digital education methods course to acquire an understanding of the use of online role-play for collaborative argument. The role-play lasted for 3 weeks and underwent three stages: preparation, implementation and reflection. Analyses of data gathered from the questionnaire survey, the class website for role-play, the blogs and the interviews indicate that online role-play was an appropriate way for teaching collaborative argument given that the topics were well-chosen and well-prepared, and that asynchronous role-play was more helpful than the synchronous role-play given the challenge of tracking the development of ideas. Benefits and problems of online role-play through synchronous chat were analysed and solutions were discussed. The research provides a new perspective on how teachers can be educated to integrate technology into their language instruction through their own experience of learning.
Scope for using plant viruses to present epitopes from animal pathogens

Epitope presentation to the immune system for vaccination purposes can be achieved either via an inactivated or attenuated form of a pathogen or via its isolated antigenic sequences. When free, these peptides can adopt a variety of conformations, most of which will not exist in their native environment. Conjugation to carrier proteins restricts mobility of the peptides and increases their immunogenicity. A high local concentration of epitopes boosts the immune response further and can be generated by the use of self‐aggregating carriers, such as the capsid proteins of viruses. In this regard plant viruses have in recent years started to make an impact as safer alternatives to the use of bacterial and attenuated animal viruses: the latter both require propagation in costly cell‐culture systems where they can undergo reversion towards a virulent form and/or become contaminated by other pathogens. Plant virus‐based vectors can be multiplied cheaply and to high yields (exceeding 1 mg/g plant tissue) in host plants. Both helical (tobacco mosaic virus, potato virus X, alfalfa mosaic virus) and icosahedral (cowpea mosaic virus, tomato bushy stunt virus) particles have been used to express a number of animal B‐cell epitopes, whose immunogenic properties have been explored to varying degrees. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The double-stranded RNA-binding protein, PACT, is required for postnatal anterior pituitary proliferation

PACT is a double-stranded RNA-binding protein that also binds and activates the latent protein kinase, PKR, which plays a major role in cellular antiviral defense in mammals. For evaluating PACT's contribution to the innate immune system, Pact−/− mice have been generated; these mice exhibit notable developmental abnormalities including microtia, with craniofacial, ear, and hearing defects. Here we report that, in addition, Pact−/− mice had smaller body size and fertility defects, both of which were caused by defective pituitary functions. Pact−/− mice exhibited anterior pituitary lobe (AL) hypoplasia, which developed postnatally, when the second phase of pituitary expansion occurs. Among the 5 cell types in AL, the numbers of corticotrophs, gonadotrophs, and somatotrophs were equally decreased in Pact−/− mice with a greater impact on lactotrophs and a lesser impact on thyrotrophs. PACT mRNA and protein were highly expressed in the pituitary of wild-type (Wt) mice during the postnatal wave of AL proliferation, the same period in which the hypoplasia developed in Pact−/− mice. During this time, the pituitaries of Pact−/− mice did not exhibit significantly increased apoptosis compared with Wt mice but showed a decrease in cell proliferation. The inhibition of cell proliferation observed in vivo could be recapitulated in vitro in GH3 somato/lactotroph and LβT2 gonadotroph cell lines; knockdown of PACT expression with siRNA diminished the rate of proliferation of these cells. Our study revealed a physiologically significant role for PACT in cell proliferation and an essential role of a dsRNA-binding protein in mammalian pituitary expansion.
Research progress on siRNA delivery with nonviral carriers

RNA interference is a powerful method for the knockdown of pathologically relevant genes. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been widely demonstrated as effective biomedical genetic-therapy applications for many diseases. Unfortunately, siRNA duplexes are not ideal drug-like molecules. Problems hindering their effective application fundamentally lie in their delivery, stability, and off-target effects. Delivery systems provide solutions to many of the challenges facing siRNA therapeutics. Due to some fatal disadvantages of viral vectors, nonviral carriers have been studied extensively. Aside from liposomes, nanoparticles and cationic polymer carriers have exhibited improved in vivo stability, better biocompatibility, and efficiency for gene silencing with less cellular toxicity. They may represent a promising strategy for siRNA-based therapies, especially as nanomaterials. The present review also summarizes other methods of siRNA delivery and the side effects of the nanoparticles.
The influence of emotional stimuli on cognitive processing during transient induced mood states

Selective attention is a mechanism used to allocate resources to information processing. Both mood states and emotionally salient stimuli can influence which information is selectively attended. This information is subsequently processed in a more elaborative manner and affects task performance. The experiments presented in this thesis explore the influence of mood and emotional stimuli on selective attention and consequently task performance. Mood induction procedures were used to induce transient neutral, sad, and happy mood states in healthy volunteers. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 studies using sad mood induction procedures showed cognitive impairments in performance in the context of task neutral stimuli. In contrast biases in attention towards mood-congruent negative stimuli led to improved task performance. A series of three behavioural experiments with 197 participants demonstrated that participants made decisions on the basis of less information when that information was preceded by emotional but not neutral stimuli. Induced mood state did not affect performance. The behavioural and neural correlates of visual attentional processing to emotional stimuli were explored using magnetoencephalography in 24 healthy participants following sad, happy, and neutral mood induction procedures. The M300, a component associated with selective attention, had greater amplitude following presentation of negative compared with positive stimuli, which was associated with improved task performance. Reduced M300 amplitude and impairments in performance occurred following sad mood induction procedures. The experiments presented in this thesis demonstrate prioritized processing of emotional information and provide some evidence for impaired performance following sad mood induction procedures.
Developing a discourse analytic approach to change processes in psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy

This thesis develops a discourse analytic approach to change processes in psychotherapy and addresses the question: 'how does change occur in psychodynamicinterpersonal psychotherapy? '. An extended rationale for utilising discourse analysis (Potter & Wetherell, 1987) is provided by way of a detailed deconstruction of an alternative stage model approach as represented by the assimilation of problematic experiences scale (Stiles, Elliott, Llewelyn, Firth-Cozens, Margison, Shapiro, & Hardy, 1990). Discursive analysis is then applied to the study of three cases of psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy selected from the Second Sheffield Psychotherapy Project (Shapiro, Barkham, Hardy, & Morrison, 1990). Cases were selected on the criterion of client Beck Depression Inventory scores; two successful cases and one unsuccessful case of therapy. Analysis focuses on a resolved client-specified problematic theme from each of the successful cases, and on an unresolved theme from the unsuccessful case. Findings suggest that the pattern of change promoted by psychodynamicinterpersonal psychotherapy is (1) the identification of a problem internal to the client, and (2) accomplishing an account of this problem implicating an external attribution of blame. Further research is required to assess the generalisability of this, pattern and whether clients co-operating with such accounts are more likely to be helped by this form of therapy than those who do not. Specific rhetorical strategies utilised in negotiating and legitimating such accounts are identified and linked to the protocol of psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy and the three stages of problem (re)formulation established by Davis (1984,1986). Findings are discussed in relation the connection between therapy processes and the moral sphere, particularly in relation to the negotiation of rights and obligations, responsibility and blame. Moreover, discursive psychology is offered as a means of facilitating the development of research on depression and attribution. Conceptualising accounts as occasioned versions of the world, rather than as verifiable descriptions of states of affair, speculation is made regarding the therapeutic utility of matching clients' preferred problem accounts with the preferred accounts implicit in therapeutic rationales.
SCHOOL‐WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS

This investigation employed a participatory action research method involving school psychology consultants and educators to design and evaluate the impact of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports in a self-contained school serving students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The traditional practices of a universal system, including teaching and acknowledging expected behaviors and responding to disruptive behaviors, were adapted to better accommodate the needs of a more challenging student population. In addition, system-wide practices, including various teaming and professional development strategies, were instituted to promote sustainability. Results, after implementation of Tier 1, showed reductions in the frequency of discipline referrals and the number of emergency safety interventions, with a sustained impact across the next 3 years. Limitations included the lack of experimental control in evaluating the intervention. Discussion includes recommendations for an expanded role for school psychologists in promoting evidence-based practices for high-risk student populations.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEY OF TECHNOLOGICAL PEDAGOGICAL AND CONTENT KNOWLEDGE (TPACK)

The purpose of this study is to develop a survey of technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK). The survey consists of seven subscales forming the TPACK model: 1) technology knowledge (TK), 2) pedagogy knowledge (PK), 3) content knowledge (CK), 4) technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK), 5) technological content knowledge (TCK), 6) pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), and 7) TPACK. This study is conducted in five phases: 1) item pool, 2) validity and reliability, 3) discriminant validity, 4) test-retest reliability, and 5) translation of the TPACK survey. To examine language equivalence, both Turkish and English versions of the TPACK survey are administered to preservice teachers studying English language education. It is determined the questionnaire meets the language equivalence. Results demonstrate the TPACK survey is a valid and reliable measure.
Computing Probabilistic Bisimilarity Distances via Policy Iteration

A transformation mapping a labelled Markov chain to a simple stochastic game is presented. In the resulting simple stochastic game, each vertex corresponds to a pair of states of the labelled Markov chain. The value of a vertex of the simple stochastic game is shown to be equal to the probabilistic bisimilarity distance, a notion due to Desharnais, Gupta, Jagadeesan and Panangaden, of the corresponding pair of states of the labelled Markov chain. Bacci, Bacci, Larsen and Mardare introduced an algorithm to compute the probabilistic bisimilarity distances for a labelled Markov chain. A modification of a basic version of their algorithm for a labelled Markov chain is shown to be the policy iteration algorithm applied to the corresponding simple stochastic game. Furthermore, it is shown that this algorithm takes exponential time in the worst case.
High Breakdown Voltage and Low Specific On-resistance C-doped GaN-on-sapphire HFETs for Low-loss and High-power Switching Applications

High-quality C-doped GaN buffers grown on sapphire substrates were employed for the fabrication of high-power AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field effect transistors (HFETs). The fabricated device exhibited a very high breakdown voltage (BV) over 1350 V and low specific on-resistance (ARDS(ON)) of 3.4 m¿m2. This result is very close to the 4H-SiC theoretical limit and a record achievement for GaN-based HFETs realized on sapphire substrates, to the best of our knowledge.