Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spread and Transmission of Bacterial Pathogens in Experimental Populations of the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

ABSTRACT Caenorhabditis elegans is frequently used as a model species for the study of bacterial virulence and innate immunity. In recent years, diverse mechanisms contributing to the nematode's immune response to bacterial infection have been discovered. Yet despite growing interest in the biochemical and molecular basis of nematode-bacterium associations, many questions remain about their ecology. Although recent studies have demonstrated that free-living nematodes could act as vectors of opportunistic pathogens in soil, the extent to which worms may contribute to the persistence and spread of these bacteria has not been quantified. We conducted a series of experiments to test whether colonization of and transmission between C. elegans nematodes could enable two opportunistic pathogens (Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) to spread on agar plates occupied by Escherichia coli. We monitored the transmission of S. enterica and P. aeruginosa from single infected nematodes to their progeny and measured bacterial loads both within worms and on the plates. In particular, we analyzed three factors affecting the dynamics of bacteria: (i) initial source of the bacteria, (ii) bacterial species, and (iii) feeding behavior of the host. Results demonstrate that worms increased the spread of bacteria through shedding and transmission. Furthermore, we found that despite P. aeruginosa's relatively high transmission rate among worms, its pathogenic effects reduced the overall number of worms colonized. This study opens new avenues to understand the role of nematodes in the epidemiology and evolution of pathogenic bacteria in the environment.
Anti-leaders(hip) in Social Movement Organizations: The case of autonomous grassroots groups

Through the Arab Spring and the Occupy movement, the idea of horizontal, leaderless organization has come to the attention of the mass media. In this article we explore radical, participative-democratic alternatives to leadership through an empirical study of four Social Movement Organizations (SMOs). Whilst there has been some writing on leadership within SMOs, it has mirrored the ‘mainstream’ assumption that leadership is the product of individual leaders possessing certain traits, styles and/or behaviours. In contrast, critical leadership studies (CLS) recognize that leadership is a relational, socially constructed phenomenon rather than the result of a stable set of leadership attributes that inhere in ‘the leaders’. We utilize this framing to analyse how leadership is understood and performed in anarchist SMOs by examining how actors manage meaning and define reality without compromising the ideological commitments of their organizations. Furthermore, we also pay attention to the organizational practices and processes developed to: (a) prohibit individuals from permanently assuming a leadership role; (b) distribute leadership skills and roles; and (c) encourage other actors to participate and take-up these roles in the future. We conclude by suggesting that just because an organization is leaderless, it does not necessarily mean that it is also leadershipless.
White Noise: A Critical Evaluation of Social Work Education's Engagement with Whiteness Studies

Literature about whiteness and white identities has proliferated across the social sciences and humanities over recent years. However, there has so far been only a small amount of writing in social work, almost all concerned with social work education, which has attempted to make use of ideas developed in this body of literature. This paper summarises the major themes examined in the field of whiteness studies and discusses two broad critiques of approaches to the topic, concerned with the reification of whiteness and the reflexive focus of much work in this field. It then evaluates social work education's engagement so far with these concepts and finds that, while social work education literature has started to discuss whiteness, it has not so far considered critical approaches to whiteness studies and has not engaged with recent, more situated and nuanced work about whiteness, such as studies that are concerned with performativity. The paper makes some suggestions about how whiteness studies can be used in social work education to enable more complex understandings of race and power.
Oral evidence in historical environmental impact assessment: soil conservation in Lesotho in the 1930s and 1940s

The data presented in this study were collected to test whether oral methodologies could be used in an ‘historical environmental impact assessment’ of Lesotho's first national soil conservation program in the 1930s and 1940s. Parallels are drawn between the use of oral evidence in the discipline of history and in environmental studies. Elderly informants were found who not only remembered the environmental conditions in detail, but who also described the Basotho perception of the British administration, the impact of the soil conservation structures on agricultural land, and an indigenous monitoring and evaluation process. These data are presented in the format of an ‘historical environmental impact assessment’. It is concluded that there is a historical dimension to local environmental knowledge, that rural people are very capable of monitoring and evaluating technological interventions in the landscape, and that ‘historical environmental impact assessments’ provide a vehicle for presenting historical in.
Ovarian steroid modulation of prolactin surges in cervically stimulated ovariectomized rats.

PRL secretion induced by cervical stimulation (CS) in the intact rat is characterized by a daily diurnal surge (1900 h) which recurs for 10 days and a daily nocturnal surge (0500 h) which lasts for 11 days. In ovariectomized (OV) rats, CS induces attenuated PRL surges which last for only 6 days. This study describes the effect of SC Silastic implants of estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P) on the magnitude and persistence of PRL surges in OV-CS rats. Placement of P at 1500 h and CS at 1900 h day 0 (D-0) resulted in nocturnal surges of PRL on D-2 which were significantly greater than those of blank-implanted rats. Diurnal surges of PRL on D-2 were equivalent in P and blank-implanted rats. Placement of E2 at 0800 h on the day before CS at 1900 h on D-0 resulted in an enhanced diurnal surge and extinction of the nocturnal surge of PRL on D-2 compared to blank-implanted rats. In the absence of CS, OV rats presented diurnal but no nocturnal surges of PRL in response to E2. When steroid implantation was delayed u.
Antibiotic prescribing practice in the management of cough or diarrhea among children attending hospitals in Addis Ababa: a cross-sectional study

Background Irrational use of antibiotics is a global problem. Failure to follow clinical guidelines is one of the main reasons for irrational use of antibiotics. Cough and/or diarrhea are the main childhood illnesses in Ethiopia, and health care providers are expected to follow the national guideline while managing these illnesses. This study tried to assess the extent of adherence to the guideline while managing cases of childhood diarrhea and/or cough. Methods The study was conducted in 23 hospitals in Addis Ababa. Data were collected prospectively from April to June 2016 using a structured questionnaire. A total of 1,073 children aged 2–59 months who visited the hospitals for cough or diarrhea during the study period were included in the study. Equal number of cases were allocated to each hospital and consecutive cases were included in the study until the calculated sample size was attained for each hospital. Data collectors approached cases after they were seen by the health care provider. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. Result Of the total number of cases, an antibiotic was prescribed for 794 (74.0%) of the children. Cotrimoxazol 209 (26.3%), amoxicillin 185 (23.3%), and cephalosporines 174 (21.9%) were the three most commonly prescribed antibiotics. Six hundred eighty-eight (86.6%) of the prescriptions were determined to be inappropriate. Of the inappropriate prescriptions, 631 (91.7%) were for prescribing antibiotics when not necessary and 57 (8.3%) were for prescribing the wrong spectrum of antibiotics. Using multivariate analysis, a child not having diarrhea was independently associated with appropriate antibiotic prescription (adjusted odds ratio =0.261, 95% confidence interval: 0.095–0.714). The prescriber being qualified as a pediatrician was an independent predictor of inappropriate antibiotic prescription (adjusted odds ratio =9.967, 95% confidence interval: 4.221–23.532). Conclusion The magnitude of inappropriate antibiotic prescription while managing cough and/or diarrhea in our setting was high. It needs urgent action to prevent emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
Towards Flexible Transparent Electrodes Based on Carbon and Metallic Materials

Flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) with high stability and scalability are in high demand for the extremely widespread applications in flexible optoelectronic devices. Traditionally, thin films of indium thin oxide (ITO) served the role of FTEs, but film brittleness and scarcity of materials limit its further application. This review provides a summary of recent advances in emerging transparent electrodes and related flexible devices (e.g., touch panels, organic light-emitting diodes, sensors, supercapacitors, and solar cells). Mainly focusing on the FTEs based on carbon nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nanotubes and graphene) and metal materials (e.g., metal grid and metal nanowires), we discuss the fabrication techniques, the performance improvement, and the representative applications of these highly transparent and flexible electrodes. Finally, the challenges and prospects of flexible transparent electrodes will be summarized.
Regulation and Localization of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 in Rat Uterus

The transient receptor potential channels are membrane-binding proteins that are nonselectively permeable for cations, such as Ca2+ and Mg2+, in numerous mammalian cells. The extracellular or intracellular ions play key roles in physiological functions including muscle contraction, cytokine production, insulin release, and apoptosis. Although transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) channels are implicated in nonreproductive tissues, the presence of TRPM2 has been reported in endometrium of uterus. To examine whether the expression of TRPM2 gene in uterus is due to gonadal steroid hormones or hormone-independent effect, the uterine TRPM2 gene was monitored in uterus of mature rat during estrous cycle and of immature rat after treatment with gonadal steroid estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4) with/without estrogen receptor antagonist Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) 182780. We examined real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry to demonstrate the expression and localization of the uterine TRPM2 gene. The level of TRPM2 messenger RNA and protein are dramatically induced at proestrus, then dropped to base line levels at metestrus, and restored its level at diestrus. The results imply that uterine TRPM2 expression levels are regulated by gonadal steroid hormone E2. Moreover, the E2-induced TRPM2 expression is inhibited by cotreatment with ICI 182780 or P4. Furthermore, the immune-reactive TRPM2 is observed in myometrium and stromal cell of endometrium and also showed alterations in TRPM2 expression during estrus cycle. This study suggests that TRPM2 may be involved in calcium absorption or uterine contraction and the latter may be related to implantation or labor by endogenous sex steroid hormones.
Why Humanistic Psychology Lost Its Power and Influence in American Psychology

Why did humanistic psychology lose its power and influence in American psychology? Previous answers have focused on the historical shortcomings of the humanistic movement, a perspective that essentially “blames the victim. ” In contrast, this article suggests that two outside forces—mainstream American psychology and conservative forces in the larger culture—also played a role in undermining the humanistic vision. The article concludes that humanistic psychology lost its power and influence, in large measure, because it is inherently incompatible with the basic assumptions and values of contemporary mainstream psychology and with the conservative ideologies that have increasingly gained power in American culture since the 1960s. Implications of this analysis for the future of the humanistic movement are presented.
Patient satisfaction with implant-retained mandibular overdentures: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was evaluation of the effect of age, gender, and past prosthetic history (duration of edentulism, number of complete dentures before implant treatment, and number of adjustment appointments) on patients' ratings of satisfaction (comfort, hygiene, retention, appearance, speech, mastication, and overall satisfaction). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, 55 patients who were treated with mandibular overdentures retained by splinted implants from 1998 to 2004 and met the inclusion criteria of the study were selected. Each patient was asked to fill out a questionnaire to evaluate his/her general satisfaction with the implant prostheses and other aspects of satisfaction such as comfort, aesthetic, function, and hygiene. Data were analyzed using a marginal model and the generalized estimating equations methodology to assess the relationship between the scores and the patients' demographic and past prosthetic histories. Significance was accepted at 5% and expressed as p values and odds ratio (OR). RESULTS Gender had significant correlation with comfort (p < .0001). Years of being edentulous prior to implant/prosthetic treatment had direct effects on the general satisfaction and satisfaction of comfort (p < .01). One extra denture used before implant treatment resulted in less comfort (p < .01) and poorer function (p < .001). Elders were more satisfied with aesthetic (OR = 0.96) and comfort (OR = 2.96). Number of adjustment appointments had a positive correlation with comfort (p < .001) and a negative correlation with satisfaction of aesthetic (p < .001). CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrated that satisfaction was correlated with age, gender, and past prosthetic history in the patients rehabilitated with the implant-supported overdentures.
Motivating Students to Read Journal Articles

A technique is described that motivates students to complete assigned readings of journal articles. The technique requires students to write a summary and critique of each article on an 8 × 5 in. index card. Students completing the readings receive two types of tangible benefits: extra course credit and use of their notecards during subsequent tests. Objective assessment of the technique in two classes indicated that students turned in notecards for 73.7% of the readings, and only one student failed to submit any notecards. Students responded positively to the technique on an end-of-term survey.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the spine in children. Long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND Langerhans cell histiocytosis causes destructive lesions in a child's spine. Few large, long-term studies have evaluated the clinical and radiographic presentation, natural history, outcomes of modern treatment approaches, and maintenance of normal spinal growth and stability after the diagnosis of this disease in children. METHODS Twenty-six children with biopsy-proven Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving the spine were treated at our institution between 1970 and 2003. They had a total of forty-four involved vertebrae (twenty cervical, fourteen thoracic, and ten lumbar). Vertebral body collapse was measured on radiographs and classified as grade I (0% to 50% collapse) or grade II (51% to 100% collapse) and subclassified as A (symmetric collapse) or B (asymmetric collapse). Lesions of the posterior elements of the spine were classified as grade III. Twenty-three children were followed for two years or more (mean, 9.4 years), and the analyses of treatment and long-term outcomes were performed in that group of patients. RESULTS There was a predominance of lesions in the cervical spine (p </= 0.02). Sixteen (62%) of the twenty-six children were found to have multifocal skeletal disease. Cervical and lumbar lesions were more commonly associated with multilevel spinal disease. The extent of the initial collapse seen radiographically was grade IA for twenty vertebrae, IB for three, IIA for ten, IIB for nine, and III for two. Grade-I lesions were more likely to be associated with symmetric collapse than were grade-II lesions. Spinal deformity developed in four children, and two later required spinal fusion. No relationship was observed between the grade of the initial collapse and the subsequent development of spinal deformity. Despite heterogeneous treatment, all patients were alive and well with resolution of all presenting signs and symptoms and no evidence of active disease at the time of the most recent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS We found a particularly high prevalence of lesions in the cervical spine and a high prevalence of multiple skeletal lesions. In contrast to the classic finding of vertebra plana, we found that more severe lesions often led to asymmetric collapse; yet, asymmetric collapse was not found to be associated with the development of subsequent spinal deformity. The natural history of these lesions in the spine in the absence of systemic disease or spinal deformity is such that aggressive surgical management is usually not indicated; only follow-up is necessary to monitor recovery and spinal balance.
Hypermutagenesis in mutA cells is mediated by mistranslational corruption of polymerase, and is accompanied by replication fork collapse

Elevated mistranslation induces a mutator response termed translational stress‐induced mutagenesis (TSM) that is mediated by an unidentified modification of DNA polymerase III. Here we address two questions: (i) does TSM result from direct polymerase corruption, or from an indirect pathway triggered by increased protein turnover? (ii) Why are homologous recombination functions required for the expression of TSM under certain conditions, but not others? We show that replication of bacteriophage T4 in cells expressing the mutA allele of the glyV tRNA gene (Asp→Gly mistranslation), leads to both increased mutagenesis, and to an altered mutational specificity, results that strongly support mistranslational corruption of DNA polymerase. We also show that expression of mutA, which confers a recA‐dependent mutator phenotype, leads to increased lambdoid prophage induction (selectable in vivo expression technology assay), suggesting that replication fork collapse occurs more frequently in mutA cells relative to control cells. No such increase in prophage induction is seen in cells expressing alaVGlu tRNA (Glu→Ala mistranslation), in which the mutator phenotype is recA‐independent. We propose that replication fork collapse accompanies episodic hypermutagenic replication cycles in mutA cells, requiring homologous recombination functions for fork recovery, and therefore, for mutation recovery. These findings highlight hitherto under‐appreciated links among translation, replication and recombination, and suggest that translational fidelity, which is affected by genetic and environmental signals, is a key modulator of replication fidelity.
Focusing the kaleidoscope: exploring distributed leadership in an English university

In the UK and elsewhere, the idea of ‘distributing leadership’ in universities is becoming more popular. Yet, there is surprisingly little research on this topic. This paper reports on a funded study which explored how one institution had implemented a newly conceived ‘distributed’ leadership model, specifically to investigate the impact of the model on the academics who had taken on the new leadership positions within the university. The study adopted an exploratory, sequential mixed methods design with in-depth interviews (n = 30) being undertaken first, followed by an online survey (n = 177). The findings suggest that the challenge of ‘distributed leadership’ in universities is complex on a number of levels: the plurality of the institutional mission; the diversity of possible leadership/management roles; the challenge of effective communication; and the effects of traditional academic values and identities, which may support but may also be antithetical to the strategic direction of the institution.
Hábitos alimentarios y de actividad física de alumnado de Educación Primaria: estudio descriptivo de un colegio de Pontevedra

The increase of overweight and obesity in children is a current problem of public health. The implementation of educational strategies on healthy life habits at an early age is a suitable way of prevention and change. The aim of this study was to describe the food habits and student´s sport activity in a primary school in Pontevedra to obtain preliminary educative information for future interventions. On a sample of 75 students of 4o grade of Primary Education school Sagrado Corazon (Pontevedra, Spain) was provided an ad hoc questionnaire of 20 questions about their food and physical activity behaviour. In addition, Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The results distinguished that 32% does not perform mid-morning breakfast and 10.6% of the students have overweight. The level of physical activity is higher in boys than girls. According to the results we can notice that educational promotional strategies are needed to increase the levels of physical activity and nutrition Knowledge for primary education.
The Inner Regions of Disk Galaxies: A Constant Baryonic Fraction?

For disk galaxies (spirals and irregulars), the inner circular-velocity gradient dRV0 (inner steepness of the rotation curve) correlates with the central surface brightness ∑*,0 with a slope of ~0.5. This implies that the central dynamical mass density scales almost linearly with the central baryonic density. Here I show that this empirical relation is consistent with a simple model where the central baryonic fraction ƒbar,0 is fixed to 1 (no dark matter) and the observed scatter is due to differences in the baryonic mass-to-light ratio Mbar / LR (ranging from 1 to 3 in the R-band) and in the characteristic thickness of the central stellar component Δz (ranging from 100 to 500 pc). Models with lower baryonic fractions are possible, although they require some fine-tuning in the values of Mbar/LR and Δz. Regardless of the actual value of ƒbar,0, the fact that different types of galaxies do not show strong variations in ƒbar,0 is surprising, and may represent a challenge for models of galaxy formation in a Λ Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmology.