Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Crisis of Public Values in the Age of the New Media

This article argues that with the rise of market fundamentalism with its emphasis on privatization, commodification, and unbridled individualism, those social relations and values crucial to a democracy have been severely undermined and excised from public discourse. As public problems are abstracted from personal troubles, Americans have largely ignored public values, public spheres, and social relationships the provide the formative culture necessary for a democratic polity. I argue that the meaning, use, and effects of the new media cannot be understand outside of the privatizing logic of neoliberalism and that whatever promise it might have has to be understood as part of both the crisis and the promise of a substantive democracy. At the same time, I argue that the issue of public pedagogy has to become central to understanding the new media as a powerful educational force that is central to any viable notion of democracy.
A computer-aided system for automatic extraction of femur neck trabecular bone architecture using isotropic volume construction from clinical hip computed tomography images

Hip fractures due to osteoporosis are increasing progressively across the globe. It is also difficult for those fractured patients to undergo dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans due to its complicated protocol and its associated cost. The utilisation of computed tomography for the fracture treatment has become common in the clinical practice. It would be helpful for orthopaedic clinicians, if they could get some additional information related to bone strength for better treatment planning. The aim of our study was to develop an automated system to segment the femoral neck region, extract the cortical and trabecular bone parameters, and assess the bone strength using an isotropic volume construction from clinical computed tomography images. The right hip computed tomography and right femur dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements were taken from 50 south-Indian females aged 30–80 years. Each computed tomography image volume was re-constructed to form isotropic volumes. An automated system by incorporating active contour models was used to segment the neck region. A minimum distance boundary method was applied to isolate the cortical and trabecular bone components. The trabecular bone was enhanced and segmented using trabecular enrichment approach. The cortical and trabecular bone features were extracted and statistically compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured femur neck bone mineral density. The extracted bone measures demonstrated a significant correlation with neck bone mineral density (r > 0.7, p < 0.001). The inclusion of cortical measures, along with the trabecular measures extracted after isotropic volume construction and trabecular enrichment approach procedures, resulted in better estimation of bone strength. The findings suggest that the proposed system using the clinical computed tomography images scanned with low dose could eventually be helpful in osteoporosis diagnosis and its treatment planning.
Efficacy and Tolerability of Once-Daily Venlafaxine Extended Release (XR) in Outpatients With Major Depression

Background: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy and safety of once-daily venlafaxine extended release (XR) in outpatients with DSM-IV major depression. Method: Patients were randomly assigned to venlafaxine XR (75-225 mg) once daily or placebo for up to 8 weeks. The primary efficacy variables were the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) total score and HAM-D depressed mood item, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total scores, and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Severity scale. Data were analyzed on a modified intent-to-treat basis using the last-observation-carried-forward method. Results: Venlafaxine XR (N = 91) was significantly more effective than placebo (N = 100) beginning at Week 2 on the CGI Severity scale, at Week 3 on the HAM-D depressed mood item, and at Week 4 on the HAM-D and MADRS; this superiority was maintained through Week 8. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events associated with venlafaxine XR were nausea, insomnia, and somnolence. The incidence of nausea was highest during the first week, decreased by 50% during the second week, and was comparable to that of placebo from Week 3 onward. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that venlafaxine XR is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of major depression.
Psychometric evaluation of the inventory of Gambling Motives, Attitudes and Behaviours (GMAB) among Chinese gamblers

The present study aims to evaluate and refine the Inventory of Gambling Motives, Attitudes and Behaviours (GMAB) specifically designed to assess gambling-related cognitions and behaviours of Chinese gamblers with a random sample of 697 Chinese adults in Macao who were interviewed by telephone. Confirmatory factor analysis generally replicated the basic factor structure of the three domains of GMAB although the removal of several items with low factor loading or cross-loading was suggested. Moreover, the findings supported the addition of another motivational subscale, socialization. The revised version has six subscales of motives (self-worth, monetary gains, sensation seeking, boredom alleviation, learning and socialization), four of attitudes (fate and luck, negative consequences of gambling, techniques and superstition), and five of behaviours (impaired control, gambling involvement, arousal reaction, superstitious behaviour and controlled gambling). The psychometric properties of the revised GMAB (GMAB-R) were demonstrated to be satisfactory.
State disparities in colorectal cancer rates: Contributions of risk factors, screening, and survival differences

Northeastern states of the United States have shown more progress in reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates than Southern states, and this has resulted in considerable disparities. This study quantified how the disparities in CRC rates between Louisiana (a Southern state) and New Jersey (a Northeastern state) would be affected if differences in risk factors, screening, and stage‐specific CRC relative survival between the states were eliminated.
Gender and Counseling in the Twenty-First Century: What Does the Future Hold?

As the twenty-first century approaches, counselors will be increasingly called on to assist individuals and society in adapting to changing conceptions of gender. Hence, counselors must be aware of the impact of gender on the way in which our society is defined, organized, and functions in order to do the best possible job for our clients. Ignoring the impact of conceptions of gender on our work is an invitation to disaster.
Two Types of Ferrochelatase in Photosynthetic and Nonphotosynthetic Tissues of Cucumber

Ferrochelatase catalyzes the insertion of Fe2+ into protoporphyrin IX to generate protoheme. In higher plants, there is evidence for two isoforms of this enzyme that fulfill different roles. Here, we describe the isolation of a second ferrochelatase cDNA from cucumber (CsFeC2) that was less similar to a previously isolated isoform (CsFeC1) than it was to some ferrochelatases from other higher plants. Inin vitro import experiments, the two cucumber isoforms showed characteristics similar to their respective ferrochelatase counterparts of Arabidopsis thaliana. The C-terminal region of CsFeC2 but not CsFeC1 contained a conserved motif found in light-harvesting chlorophyll proteins, and CsFeC2 belonged to a phylogenetic group of plant ferrochelatases containing this conserved motif. We demonstrate that CsFeC2 was localized predominantly in thylakoid membranes as an intrinsic protein, and forming complexes probably with the C-terminal conserved motif, but a minor portion was also detected in envelope membranes. CsFeC2 mRNA was detected in all tissues and was light-responsive in cotyledons, whereasCsFeC1 mRNA was detected in nonphotosynthetic tissues and was not light-responsive. Interestingly, tissue-, light-, and cycloheximide-dependent expressions of the two isoforms of ferrochelatase were similar to those of two glutamyl-tRNA reductase isoforms involved in the early step of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis, suggesting the existence of distinctly controlled tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathways in photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic tissues.
The breastfeeding experiences of Canadian teenage mothers.

OBJECTIVE To discover the phenomenon of breastfeeding as experienced by teenage mothers. DESIGN Grounded theory method was used to study the first-time breastfeeding experiences of teenage mothers, aged 15 to 19 years. SETTING The research occurred between September 2000 and April 2001 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. PARTICIPANTS A purposive sample of 8 teenage mothers was recruited through self-identification and Calgary Health Region staff referral. DATA GENERATION AND ANALYSIS: The data were generated using informal interviews and demographic questionnaires. The data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using constant comparative method. RESULTS The emergent core variable was Teenage Mothers: Continuously Committing to Breastfeeding. Four categories supported the core variable: (a) Deciding to Breastfeed, (b) Learning to Breastfeed, (c) Adjusting to Breastfeeding, and (d) Ending Breastfeeding. The two supporting subcategories were (a) Vacillating Between the Good Things and Hard Things About Breastfeeding and (b) Social Support and Other Social Influences. CONCLUSION Teenage mothers' breastfeeding experiences may be similar to adult women's breastfeeding experiences, but teenage mothers may require additional breastfeeding support.
Relationship between heart rate variability and the serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio during military service

Abstract The autonomic nervous system and circulating hormones control a stress reaction through a complex interaction. We tested the hypothesis that changes in cardiac vagal regulation may be positively associated with the serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio during the first week of military service in 24 conscripts aged 19.0±0.3 years. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed by measuring high-frequency (HF: 0.15–0.4 Hz) and low-frequency (LF: 0.04–0.15 Hz) power spectral indices of R-R intervals during supine rest and during a controlled standing condition (5 min for both) from the second to the seventh mornings at the beginning of military service. Blood samples were collected to analyse the basal serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio on the seventh morning. Changes in heart rate and high-frequency power measured in the standing condition were positively correlated with the serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio at day 7 (r= − 0.42 and r=0.45, respectively; P<0.05 for both). However, changes in low-frequency power and LF/HF ratio did not correlate with testosterone or cortisol concentration. The present results suggest a relationship between changes in cardiac vagal regulation during a long-term mentally stressful condition and the serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio. This association was more marked during the controlled standing condition.
Therapeutic Change in Groups

to change the ways in which they lead their lives and experience their world. As therapists, teachers, and researchers we continue to struggle to understand how such changes come about, certain only that it is a very complex process. For a variety of reasons, most theorists who have addressed the question of how people change in group psychotherapy have emphasized the role of insight, self-awareness, and choice. Although such mechanisms of therapeutic change are clearly important, they often seem overly cognitive or intellectual in comparison with the intense interactions that can characterize the typical psychotherapy group. Too little attention has been paid to possible mechanisms of therapeutic change that may inhere in the intense interpersonal interactions themselves. It seems quite likely that the members of psychotherapy groups evoke important changes in one another at a behavioral or experiential level that are independent of insight, self-awareness, or the existential decision to change. What
Evaluation of inert markers for the determination of ileal and faecal apparent digestibility values in the pig

A series of experiments was designed to evaluate inert markers employed in studies of ileal and faecal apparent digestibilities of nitrogen and amino acids in pigs fitted with simple ‘T’ piece cannulas. Trial 1 assessed the palatability of diets containing (a) 5 g chromic oxide/kg, (b) 1 and (c) 5 g titanium dioxide/kg at two levels of feeding. The results indicated that there were slight problems in terms of period of feed consumption associated with diets (a) and (c), but that these effects were transitory and disappeared following acclimatization, although higher levels of feeding may compound the problem. Trial 2 estimated N balance, faecal apparent digestibility of amino acids as determined by both total collection and ratio of markers, ileal apparent digestibility of amino acids and recovery of markers using diets containing (a) 1 and (b) 5 g Cr2O3/kg, (c) 1 and (d) 5 g TiO2/kg. An additional assessment of acid-insoluble lignin present within the diet was also undertaken. Cr2O3 was associated with the lowest recovery, whilst calculations based on TiO2 gave lower standard errors. Trial 3 examined diurnal variation in digesta sampling and its effect on faecal apparent digestibility of N and amino acids. There were no evident effects. In general, it was concluded that the most appropriate marker to use in studies of this nature was TiO2 at a rate of 1 g/kg.
Developing staff in further education: discourse, learners and practice

Abstract The article examines the constructions of learners and learning held by staff development officers working in further education colleges located in the English Midlands. In addition the article draws upon their understanding of the developmental needs of lecturers working in the sector. In the case of both learners and lecturers there is a tendency for staff development officers to individualise the process of learning. This rests alongside a predisposition to construct the learner as an object upon which interventions are made. The article argues this tendency is encouraged by the performative context in which colleges are placed. It is however suggested that alongside these processes lies the embryonic development of alternatives that prefigure progressive practice, characterised by dialogue and deliberation.
Expectancy-value models of health behaviour:an analysis by conjoint measurement

Various studies in the health area consistently rejected the multiplicative combination between severity and probability of threat which is predicted by expectancy-value (EV) theories. It is hypothesized here, that this negative evidence may be due to an overly demanding assumption underlying the multiplicative combination, namely, the assumption that people are able to performs trade-offs between expectancies and valences. This hypothesis is tested in two studies in which subjects judged hypothetical health threats. Results from a nonparametric analysis (conjoint measurement) of individual data (Study 1) and an experimental study of trade-off judgments (Study 2) are mostly consistent with the prediction. Unexpectedly, however, an ANOVA of the aggregate data of Study 1 yielded a small, but significant effect consistent with the multiplicative assumption. Whereas this latter result can be interpreted as evidencing an attempt to perform trade-offs, the overall results show as predicted that trade-off judgments are associated with a systematic error component due to the inherent difficulty of this type of judgment.
The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism impacts parahippocampal and amygdala volume in healthy humans: incremental support for a genetic risk factor for depression

Background The role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathogenesis of affective disorders such as depression has been controversial. Mounting evidence comes from structural imaging, that the functional BDNF Val66Met polymorphism influences the hippocampal volume with carriers of the 66Met allele (Val/Met and Met/Met group) having smaller hippocampi. Given that stress-induced atrophy of the hippocampus is associated with the pathogenesis of affective disorders, the functional BDNF Val66Met polymorphism could be an incremental risk factor. Method Eighty-seven healthy Caucasian participants underwent structural imaging and were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Data were analysed by means of voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Results Region of interest (ROI) analyses revealed an association between the 66Met allele and smaller parahippocampal volumes and a smaller right amygdala. In addition, the whole-brain analysis showed that the thalamus, fusiformus gyrus and several parts of the frontal gyrus were smaller in 66Met allele carriers. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the impact of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is not confined to the hippocampus but also extends to the parahippocampal gyrus and the amygdala.
Employability Through the Curriculum

Employability, it is argued, can be embedded inany academic subject in higher educationwithout compromising core academic freedoms. Astrategy for curriculum change is described,which is sensitive to both governmentalexpectations and traditional academic values –and is relatively easy to use. The strategyprovides a way of preserving legitimatediversity in response to the homogenisingtendencies of the human capital policies thatare influential in many advanced economies.
Convergent Validity, Situational Stability and Meaningfulness of the Threat Index

A pair of related experiments examined the psychometric properties on the Threat Index (TI), a theoretically based scale for the assessment of threat of death. An extremity scoring revealed that both structured interview and paper-and-pencil versions of the TI were more meaningful to respondents than was a similar instrument utilizing semantic differential dimensions. The TI displayed generally low convergence with Lester's Fear of Death Scale, Tempter's Death Anxiety Scale, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Although the TI demonstrated some capacity to discriminate groups of respondents on the basis of personal characteristics (e.g., religious affiliation), scores on the instrument did not increase as a function of an anxiety-producing experimental manipulation. The high reliability of the TI suggested its functioning as an index of stable conceptual orientation toward death.
CARDIAC FUNCTION, MYOCARDIAL GLUTATHIONE, AND MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-2 LEVELS IN HYPOXIC NEWBORN PIGS REOXYGENATED BY 21%, 50%, OR 100% OXYGEN

After asphyxia, it is standard to resuscitate the newborn with 100% oxygen, which may create a hypoxia-reoxygenation process that may contribute to subsequent myocardial dysfunction. We examined the effects of graded reoxygenation on cardiac function, myocardial glutathione levels, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity during recovery. Thirty-two piglets (1-3 days old, weighing 1.5-2.1 kg) were anesthetized and instrumented for continuous monitoring of cardiac index, and systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures. After 2 h of hypoxia, piglets were randomized to receive reoxygenation for 1 h with 21%, 50%, or 100% oxygen (n = 8 each), followed by 3 h at 21% oxygen. At 2 h of hypoxemia (PaO2 32-34 mmHg), the animals had hypotension, decreased cardiac index, and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure (P < 0.001 vs. controls). Upon reoxygenation, cardiac function recovered in all groups with higher cardiac index and lower systemic vascular resistance in the 21% group at 30 min of reoxygenation (P < 0.05 vs. controls). Pulmonary artery pressure normalized in an oxygen-dependent fashion (100% = 50% > 21%), despite an immediate recovery of pulmonary vascular resistance in all groups. The hypoxia-reoxygenated (21%-100%) hearts had similarly increased MMP-2 activity and decreased glutathione levels (P < 0.05, 100% vs. controls), which correlated significantly with cardiac index and stroke volume during reoxygenation, and similar features of early myocardial necrosis. In neonatal resuscitation, if used with caution because of a slower resolution of pulmonary hypertension, 21% reoxygenation results in similar cardiac function and early myocardial injury as 50% or 100%. The significance of higher oxidative stress with high oxygen concentration is unknown, at least in the acute recovery period.
Grassland Establishment for Wildlife Conservation

Establishing grasslands has important implications for wildlife, especially in areas his- torically rich in grasslands that have since been converted to row crop agriculture. Most grasslands established under farm conservation programs have replaced annual crops with perennial cover that provides year-round resources for wildlife. This change in land use has had a huge influence on grassland bird populations; little is known about its impacts on other terrestrial wildlife species. Wild- life response to grassland establishment is a multi-scale phenomenon dependent upon vegetation structure and composition within the planting, practice-level factors such as size and shape of the field, and its landscape context, as well as temporal factors such as season and succession. Grass - land succession makes management a critical issue. Decisions on how frequently to manage a field depend on many factors, including the location (especially latitude) of the site, the phenology at the site in the particular year, the breeding-bird community associated with the site, and weather and soil conditions. The benefits for a particular species of any management scenario will depend, in part, on the management of surrounding sites, and may benefit additional species but exclude others. Thus, the benefits of grassland establishment and management are location- and species-specific.
Modifying Activities to Produce Functional Outcomes: Effects on the Problem Behaviors of Students with Disabilities

This article presents three empirical demonstrations of desirable effects that accrued from modifying curricular activities in accordance with individual students' interests. Participants were three elementary students with disabilities and diverse labels including autism, mental retardation, and emotional and behavioral disorder. In each case, the instructional objective was held constant; whereas, the context of the activity was modified so that it produced an outcome that was judged to be meaningful and reinforcing to the student. Reversal designs showed that each student exhibited less problem behavior and more on-task responding when the modified activity was presented. These results are discussed in relation to the applied and conceptual literatures on curricular design, student preference, and the expanding enterprise of positive behavioral support.
Intersectionality: are we taking enough notice in the field of work and employment relations?

Intersectional analysis has been developing since its emergence from critical race feminism in the 1980s when it was used to conceptualize the inter-relationship of race and gender and, particularly, the experiences of discrimination and marginalization of black women in employment. While its contribution has been much debated within sociological and gender specific journals, its use still remains relatively limited within studies of work and employment relations. It is argued here that this field of study would benefit from greater engagement with and understanding of an intersectional approach to both the design and interpretation of research. Two lines of reasoning are put forward for this contention: firstly, that the intersectional approach contains an important caution against over-generalization that has been obscured; secondly, that separating the challenge for all academics to be more intersectionally sensitive from the methodological challenges of taking an intersectional approach brings the significance of intersectionality into sharper relief.