Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Stereotypes in Film Language: a Corpus-assisted Analysis

The present study concentrates on the representation and the reception of gender stereotypes. The analysis was first carried out on an ad hoc corpus of cult romantic comedies and dramedies of AngloAmerican pop contemporary culture and secondly with a perception test. Both the corpus-driven analysis and the test results provide useful insights into the representation, recognition and entrenchment of gender stereotypes in language and in western culture. The preliminary findings generally confirm and validate the scientific literature, although showing some notable new elements.
Compression behavior of warp-knitted spacer fabrics for cushioning applications

Cushioning materials generally absorb kinetic mechanical energy under compression actions at a relatively constant stress over a large range of displacement. However, cushioning materials widely used today are polyurethane (PU) foams with low moisture transmission. As a new class of three-dimensional textile structures, warp-knitted spacer fabrics not only have much better moisture transmission property than PU foams, but also have the similar cushioning performance if appropriate structural parameters are adopted. This paper reports an experimental study on the compression behavior of a series of warp-knitted fabrics made for cushioning applications. These fabrics were produced on a double-needle bar warp knitting machine of gauge 18 by varying different structural parameters including spacer yarn inclination angle and fineness, fabric thickness, and outer layer structure. Both the compression stress-strain curves and energy efficiency diagrams from the testing results were used to analyze the compression behavior of these fabrics and the effect of each structural parameter. The results indicate that warp-knitted spacer fabrics are an ideal class of the energy absorbers for cushioning applications and their energy-absorption capacity can easily be tailored to meet specific end-use requirements by simply varying their structural parameters with the help of efficiency diagrams.
Upregulation of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase in Hepatitis C Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is induced by proinflammatory cytokines and by CTLA-4-expressing T cells and constitutes an important mediator of peripheral immune tolerance. In chronic hepatitis C, we found upregulation of IDO expression in the liver and an increased serum kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (a reflection of IDO activity). Huh7 cells supporting hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication expressed higher levels of IDO mRNA than noninfected cells when stimulated with gamma interferon or when cocultured with activated T cells. In infected chimpanzees, hepatic IDO expression decreased in animals that cured the infection, while it remained high in those that progressed to chronicity. For both patients and chimpanzees, hepatic expression of IDO and CTLA-4 correlated directly. Induction of IDO may dampen T-cell reactivity to viral antigens in chronic HCV infection.
Relationships Between Vertical Jump Strength Metrics and 5 Meters Sprint Time

Relationships Between Vertical Jump Strength Metrics and 5 Meters Sprint Time The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between short sprint time (5 m) and strength metrics of the countermovement jump (CMJ) using a linear transducer in a group of trained athletes. Twenty-five male, trained subjects volunteered to participate in the study. Each volunteer performed 3 maximal CMJ trials on a Smith machine. Peak instantaneous power was calculated by the product of velocity taken with the linear transducer. For sprint testing, each subject performed three maximum 5 m sprints. Only the best attempt was considered in both tests. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients between 5 m sprint performance and strength metrics of the CMJ were generally positive and of clear moderate to strong magnitude (r = -0.664 to -0.801). More noticeable was the significant predictive value of bar displacement time (r= ~0.70) to sprint performance. Nevertheless, a non-significant predictive value of peak bar velocity and rate of force development measurements was found. These results underline the important relationship between 5 m sprint and maximal lower body strength, as assessed by the force, power and bar velocity displacement. It is suggested that sprinting time performance would benefit from training regimens aimed to improve these performance qualities.
Accelerated Aging in HIV Patients

Life expectancy has been increasing in the last few decades in the Western world and is accompanied by higher occurrence of age-related diseases like metabolic, cardiovascular, and renal diseases and also with a decline in immune functions. In HIV-infected people, due to the use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), life expectancy has increased. As a result, non-AIDS conditions which are age-associated have become more prevalent and appear earlier, resulting in accelerated aging in HIV patients. These non-AIDS conditions in HIV patients are associated with CD4+ T cell counts: lower counts are associated with higher rates of liver, cardiovascular, renal, and neurocognitive disorders. The effect of viral load and cART on the earlier occurrence of age-associated diseases is less significant than the CD4 count effect. Thus, the loss of immune functions in HIV-infected patients may enhance aging.
Ions at Aqueous Interfaces

Studies of aqueous interfaces and of the behavior of ions therein have been profiting from a recent remarkable progress in surface selective spectroscopies, as well as from developments in molecular simulations. Here, we summarize and place in context our investigations of ions at aqueous interfaces employing molecular dynamics simulations and electronic structure methods, performed in close contact with experiment. For the simplest of these interfaces, i.e., the open water surface we demonstrate that the traditional picture of an ionfree surface is not valid for large soft (polarizable) ions such as the heavier halides. Both simulations and spectroscopic measurements indicate that these ions can be present and even enhanced at surface of water. In addition we show that that ionic product of water exhibits a peculiar surface behavior with hydronium but not hydroxide accumulating at the air/water and alkane/water interfaces. This result is supported by surface selective spectroscopic experiments and surface tension measurements. However, it contradicts the interpretation of electrophoretic and titration experiments in terms of strong surface adsorption of hydroxide; an issue which is further discussed here. The applicability of the observed behavior of ions at the water surface to investigations of their affinity for the interface between proteins and aqueous solutions is explored. Simulations
Accuracy of Genome-Enabled Prediction in a Dairy Cattle Population using Different Cross-Validation Layouts

The impact of extent of genetic relatedness on accuracy of genome-enabled predictions was assessed using a dairy cattle population and alternative cross-validation (CV) strategies were compared. The CV layouts consisted of training and testing sets obtained from either random allocation of individuals (RAN) or from a kernel-based clustering of individuals using the additive relationship matrix, to obtain two subsets that were as unrelated as possible (UNREL), as well as a layout based on stratification by generation (GEN). The UNREL layout decreased the average genetic relationships between training and testing animals but produced similar accuracies to the RAN design, which were about 15% higher than in the GEN setting. Results indicate that the CV structure can have an important effect on the accuracy of whole-genome predictions. However, the connection between average genetic relationships across training and testing sets and the estimated predictive ability is not straightforward, and may depend also on the kind of relatedness that exists between the two subsets and on the heritability of the trait. For high heritability traits, close relatives such as parents and full-sibs make the greatest contributions to accuracy, which can be compensated by half-sibs or grandsires in the case of lack of close relatives. However, for the low heritability traits the inclusion of close relatives is crucial and including more relatives of various types in the training set tends to lead to greater accuracy. In practice, CV designs should resemble the intended use of the predictive models, e.g., within or between family predictions, or within or across generation predictions, such that estimation of predictive ability is consistent with the actual application to be considered.
Pediatric emergency medicine asynchronous e-learning: a multicenter randomized controlled Solomon four-group study.

OBJECTIVES Asynchronous e-learning allows for targeted teaching, particularly advantageous when bedside and didactic education is insufficient. An asynchronous e-learning curriculum has not been studied across multiple centers in the context of a clinical rotation. We hypothesize that an asynchronous e-learning curriculum during the pediatric emergency medicine (EM) rotation improves medical knowledge among residents and students across multiple participating centers. METHODS Trainees on pediatric EM rotations at four large pediatric centers from 2012 to 2013 were randomized in a Solomon four-group design. The experimental arms received an asynchronous e-learning curriculum consisting of nine Web-based, interactive, peer-reviewed Flash/HTML5 modules. Postrotation testing and in-training examination (ITE) scores quantified improvements in knowledge. A 2 × 2 analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) tested interaction and main effects, and Pearson's correlation tested associations between module usage, scores, and ITE scores. RESULTS A total of 256 of 458 participants completed all study elements; 104 had access to asynchronous e-learning modules, and 152 were controls who used the current education standards. No pretest sensitization was found (p = 0.75). Use of asynchronous e-learning modules was associated with an improvement in posttest scores (p < 0.001), from a mean score of 18.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 17.92 to 18.98) to 21.30 (95% CI = 20.69 to 21.91), a large effect (partial η(2) = 0.19). Posttest scores correlated with ITE scores (r(2) = 0.14, p < 0.001) among pediatric residents. CONCLUSIONS Asynchronous e-learning is an effective educational tool to improve knowledge in a clinical rotation. Web-based asynchronous e-learning is a promising modality to standardize education among multiple institutions with common curricula, particularly in clinical rotations where scheduling difficulties, seasonality, and variable experiences limit in-hospital learning.
Medical complications and deaths in 21 and 56 km road race runners: a 4-year prospective study in 65 865 runners—SAFER study I

Background Cardiac arrest and sudden death during distance-running events have been reported but other medical complications, including serious life-threatening complications have not been well described. Objective To document the incidence and nature of medical complications during 21 and 56 km running races. Design Prospective study. Setting Two Oceans Marathon races (21 and 56 km races). Participants 65 865 race starters (39 511—21 km runners, 26 354—56 km runners). Methods Medical complications (defined as any runner requiring assessment by a doctor at the race medical facility or a local hospital on race day) were recorded in each of the 4 years of the study period. Complications were further subdivided into serious (potentially life-threatening) complications and deaths and were also analysed by system and final diagnosis. Results In the 4 years, 545 medical complications were recorded, resulting in an overall incidence (per 1000 race starters) of 8.27. The incidence of serious (potentially life-threatening) medical complications was 0.56 (37 serious complications). Two deaths occurred in 21 km runners (incidence of 0.05). The most common specific medical complications were exercise-associated collapse (postural hypotension), dermatological conditions, musculoskeletal injuries and serious exercise-associated muscle cramping. Conclusions The incidence of medical complications was higher in 56 km runners but sudden cardiac deaths only occurred in 21 km runners. Serious medical complications were as common in 21 km as in 56 km runners. Risk factors for medical complications need to be determined in 21 and 56 km runners to plan strategies to reduce the risk of adverse medical events in endurance runners.
Motor activity in the large intestine of the pig related to dietary fibre and retention time

1. Large intestine electromyograms were recorded from four pigs receiving successively three diets containing different amounts of fibre (standard cereal diet, milk substitute and milk plus 170 g bran/kg). For each diet the mean retention time of a marker added to one meal was determined. Three occurrences of spontaneous constipation were also studied. 2. Slow waves were observed in the colon only during 10% of the recording time at a frequency of 10.3 ± 1.1/min. Two kinds of spiking activity were recorded on the colon: short spike bursts of 0.5–2 s duration and long spike bursts of approximately 7 s duration. Long spike bursts alone were recorded on the caecum. 3. The mean retention time of the marker was 40 h on the standard diet, 120 h on the milk-substitute diet, and 66 h on the milk plus bran diet. 4. On the standard diet, approximately 1500 colonic long spike bursts were recorded daily and short spike bursts occupied 15% of the recording time. On the milk diet, the number of long spike bursts decreased significantly (P < 0.01) to 500/d and the short spike bursts increased significantly (P < 0.05) to take up to 21% of the time. Intermediate values (1100/d and 19%) were observed when bran was added to the milk diet. The lowest values for long spike bursts (300/d) and highest values for short spike bursts (44% of the time) were observed in constipation. 5. It is concluded that long spike bursts are associated with propulsion of intestinal contents and that short spike bursts are non-propulsive.
IMPIEGO DI DERIVATI DELLE SCORIE DI FORNO AD ARCO ELETTRICO COME MATERIALE ECO-COMPATIBILE NELLA SOVRASTRUTTURA STRADALE

Every year a great part of Italian steel is produced by electric arc furnaces (EAF), that together with blast furnaces represent the main steel making processes used in Italian iron metallurgy. Two million tons of slags are yearly produced together with steel by Italian electric arc furnaces. With respect to environmental laws in force, a portion of this by-product of the iron industry is processed in order to take on proper technical features; therefore it is used in road construction as an alternative to disposal or to other kinds of recovery. As far as particle-size analysis is concerned, these materials are divided and commercialised in three different fractions. The main aim of the present study is to compare the physical-chemical and mechanical features of acceptability of the three different fractions (obtained through the processing of slags) and the requirements provided for by the present environmental set of rules together with the technical recommendations concerning geotechnical and road construction sectors.
Salt Sensitivity, Pulse Pressure, and Death in Normal and Hypertensive Humans

Although factors such as age, blood pressure, and its responsiveness to changes in sodium balance and extracellular fluid volume status (salt sensitivity) are associated with an increased risk of end-organ disease and cardiovascular events in hypertensive subjects, no such relationship with mortality has been demonstrated for salt sensitivity in normotensive subjects. We conducted long-term follow-up of 430 normal and 278 hypertensive subjects in whom assessment of salt sensitivity of blood pressure was performed as long as 27 years ago. We ascertained the status of 596 subjects (85% of the total population), 123 (21%) of whom had died. The following initial measurements were significantly (P <0.002) associated with subjects who had died compared with subjects known to be alive: age at study, pulse pressure, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, hypertension, salt sensitivity, baseline renin levels, and body mass index (but not body weight). A stepwise logistic regression found the following independent predictors of death (odds ratio, 95% CI): age at initial study (1.08, 1.06 to 1.10), baseline blood pressure (1.03, 1.01 to 1.04), sodium sensitivity (1.73, 1.02 to 2.94), and male gender (1.91, 1.15 to 3.17). When survival curves were examined, normotensive salt-sensitive subjects aged >25 years when initially studied were found to have a cumulative mortality similar to that of hypertensive subjects, whereas salt-resistant normotensive subjects had increased survival (P <0.001). These observations provide unique evidence of a relationship between salt sensitivity and mortality that is independent of elevated blood pressure.
Isoflurane Induces a Protein Kinase C α-Dependent Increase in Cell-Surface Protein Level and Activity of Glutamate Transporter Type 3

Glutamate transporters regulate extracellular concentrations of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. We have shown that the commonly used anesthetic isoflurane increased the activity of glutamate transporter type 3 (excitatory amino acid transporter 3, EAAT3) possibly via a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. In this study, we showed that isoflurane induced a time- and concentration-dependent redistribution of EAAT3 to the cell membrane in C6 glioma cells. This redistribution was inhibited by staurosporine, a pan PKC inhibitor, or by 12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo(2,3-a)pyrrolo(3,4-c)-carbazole (Gö6976) at a concentration that selectively inhibits conventional PKC isozymes (PKCα, -β, and -γ). This isoflurane-induced EAAT3 redistribution was also blocked when the expression of PKCα but not PKCβ proteins was down-regulated by the respective antisense oligonucleotides. The isoflurane-induced increase of glutamate uptake by EAAT3 was abolished by the down-regulation of PKCα expression. Immunoprecipitation with an anti-EAAT3 antibody pulled down more PKCα in cells exposed to isoflurane than in control cells. Isoflurane also increased the phosphorylated EAAT3 and the redistribution of PKCα to the particulate fraction of cells. Consistent with the results in C6 cells, isoflurane also increased EAAT3 cell-surface expression and enhanced the association of PKCα with EAAT3 in rat hippocampal synaptosomes. Our results suggest that the isoflurane-induced increase in EAAT3 activity requires an increased amount of EAAT3 protein in the plasma membrane. These effects are PKCα-dependent and may rely on the formation of an EAAT3-PKCα complex. Together, these results suggest an important mechanism for the regulation of glutamate transporter functions and expand our understanding of isoflurane pharmacology at cellular and molecular levels.
Severe Traumatic Injury: Regional Variation in Incidence and Outcome

Objectives:The public health implications of regional variation in incidence and outcome of severe traumatic injury remain to be analyzed. The objective of this study was to determine whether the incidence and outcome associated with severe traumatic injury differs across geographic regions of North America. Methods:A prospective, observational study was conducted of the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium of all patients in 9 North American sites (6 US and 3 Canadian) sustaining severe traumatic injury from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007 followed to hospital discharge. Eligible patients were assessed by organized emergency medical services, and had field-based physiologic criteria including systolic blood pressure ≤90 mm Hg, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤12, respiratory rate <10 or >29 per minute, advanced airway procedure, or traumatic death in the field. Census data were used to determine rates adjusted for age and sex. The main outcome measures were incidence rate, mortality rate, case fatality rate, and survival to discharge for patients sustaining severe traumatic injury assessed by EMS. Results:The total catchment population of 20.5 million yielded 7080 cases of severe traumatic injury. Median age was 36 years and 67% were male. The median incidence of EMS-assessed severe traumatic injury per 100,000 population across sites was 37.4 (interquartile range [IQR] = 24.6–69.6); survival ranged from 39.8% to 80.8%, with a median of 64.5% (IQR = 55.5–78.4). About 942 cases were pronounced dead at the scene and 5857 patients were transported to hospital; 4477 (63.2%) were discharged alive. The median incidence of severe trauma due to a blunt mechanism, transported to hospital, was 25.8 (IQR = 13.1–44.3); survival ranged from 52.6% to 87.3%, with a median of 78.0% (IQR = 68.4–83.5). The median incidence of severe penetrating trauma, transported to hospital, was 2.6 (IQR = 1.5–10.4); survival ranged from 37.5% to 84.7%, with a median of 67.5% (IQR = 54.1–75.9). All P values for differences across sites for incidence and survival were <0.001. Conclusions:In this study involving 9 geographic regions in North America, there were significant and important regional differences in severe traumatic injury, incidence, and outcome. These differences were sustained for patients with either isolated blunt or penetrating injury mechanisms.
Can Memories of Traumatic Experiences or Addiction Be Erased or Modified? A Critical Review of Research on the Disruption of Memory Reconsolidation and Its Applications

Recent research suggests that the mere act of retrieving a memory can temporarily make that memory vulnerable to disruption. This process of “reconsolidation” will typically restabilize the neural representation of the memory and foster its long-term storage. However, the process of reconsolidating the memory takes time to complete, and during this limited time window, the original memory may be modified either by the presentation of new information or with pharmacological agents. Such findings have prompted rising interest in using disruption during reconsolidation as a clinical intervention for anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use disorders. However, “boundary conditions” on memory reconsolidation may pose significant obstacles to clinical translation. The aim of this article is to critically examine the nature of these boundary conditions, their neurobiological substrates, and the potential effect they may have on disruption of reconsolidation as a clinical intervention. These boundary conditions also highlight potential constraints on the reconsolidation phenomenon and suggest a limited role for memory updating consistent with evolutionary accounts of associative learning for threat and reward. We conclude with suggestions for future research needed to elucidate the precise conditions under which reconsolidation disruption may be clinically useful.
Mechanical Properties of Polymer Concrete

Polymer concrete was introduced in the late 1950s and became well known in the 1970s for its use in repair, thin overlays and floors, and precast components. Because of its properties like high compressive strength, fast curing, high specific strength, and resistance to chemical attacks polymer concrete has found application in very specialized domains. Simultaneously these materials have been used in machine construction also where the vibration damping property of polymer concrete has been exploited. This review deals with the efforts of various researchers in selection of ingredients, processing parameters, curing conditions, and their effects on the mechanical properties of the resulting material.