Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“Ritual” in Organizational Culture Theory: Some Theoretical Reflections and a Plea for Greater Terminological Rigor

One of the central foci of the organizational culture literature has been ritual. It is argued here that “ritual” has been used not so much as a formal concept, but as an informal trope in this literature, and that this use of “ritual” as a trope has failed to fulfill the expectations of theorists and practitioners alike. In particular, its ethnocentric character has impeded the study of certain behaviors in organizations that perform social structure through the iconic qualities of formally coordinated interaction patterns. On the basis of a comprehensive literature review, the author proposes a more parsimonious and rigorous conceptualization of “ritual” that is based on an anthropological theory of communication. The following conceptual analysis should be seen as a contribution to the formulation of an integrated theory of organizational culture that, so far, eludes us. ’
Lack of adjunctive effect of 0.1% sodium hypochlorite mouthwash combined to full‐mouth ultrasonic debridement on supragingival plaque, gingival inflammation, and subgingival microbiota: A randomized placebo‐controlled 6‐month trial

To test the adjunctive effect of 0.1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) mouthwash combined to full‐mouth ultrasonic debridement (FMUD) on reducing supragingival plaque, gingival inflammation, and microbial pathogens. In this 6‐month double‐blinded randomized clinical trial, individuals with gingivitis were assigned to test (n = 16) or placebo group (n = 16) and received FMUD followed by rinsing with 0.1% NaOCl (test) or distilled water (placebo), respectively, twice a day for 1 month. Full‐mouth periodontal examination was performed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months posttherapy, and subgingival plaque samples were obtained at the same time points and analysed for their composition by checkerboard. Differences between groups over time were examined by Student t test, Mann–Whitney, generalized linear model, and Friedman and chi‐square tests. Both therapeutic protocols resulted in significant clinical improvement in periodontal parameters over time, except for probing depth and attachment level, which had a slight mean increase of 0.2 mm (p < .01). No significant differences between groups were observed for any clinical parameter (p > .05). Most species (>65%) decreased similarly in levels in both groups over time. Significant reductions in the microbial complexes were seen mainly at 1 and 3 months, but they returned to baseline levels in both groups, except for the red and yellow complexes, and other oral species, which were kept in low levels at 6 months (p < .05). A 0.1% NaOCl mouthwash did not provide additional benefits to FMUD in reducing supragingival plaque, gingivitis, and/or microbial pathogens.
One-Shot Metric Learning for Person Re-identification

Re-identification of people in surveillance footage must cope with drastic variations in color, background, viewing angle and a persons pose. Supervised techniques are often the most effective, but require extensive annotation which is infeasible for large camera networks. Unlike previous supervised learning approaches that require hundreds of annotated subjects, we learn a metric using a novel one-shot learning approach. We first learn a deep texture representation from intensity images with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). When training a CNN using only intensity images, the learned embedding is color-invariant and shows high performance even on unseen datasets without fine-tuning. To account for differences in camera color distributions, we learn a color metric using a single pair of ColorChecker images. The proposed one-shot learning achieves performance that is competitive with supervised methods, but uses only a single example rather than the hundreds required for the fully supervised case. Compared with semi-supervised and unsupervised state-of-the-art methods, our approach yields significantly higher accuracy.
Evaluating the expression of p16 and p27 in oral epithelial dysplasias and oral squamous cell carcinoma: A diagnostic marker for carcinogenesis

Objective: Immunohistochemical evaluation of the degree of expression of p16 and p27 in oral epithelial dysplasia and different histological grades oral squamous carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 5 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), 5 cases of low-risk potentially malignant disorders (PMDs), 5 cases of high-risk PMDs and 5 cases of normal epithelium. Five micrometer thickness sections on a positively charged slide were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for the localization of p16 and p27. The expression of p16 and p27 was assessed in 10 random high-power fields (×40). Staining intensity was graded, and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results and Conclusion: OSCC and high-grade PMDs showed decreased intensity for both p16and P27. In our study, we concluded that p16 and p27 could be used as a diagnostic marker for predicting carcinogenesis in epithelial dysplasia.
Learning English Is Fun via Kahoot : Students ’ Attitude , Motivation and Perceptions

This study is aimed to investigate primary level students’ attitude and motivation and perceptions in learning English using Kahoot game. According to current development in Malaysian education field, 21st century learning style is more focused and given importance. Thus, Kahoot, game-based learning platform has been used to stimulate students’ from a rural area in southern Malaysia to learn English as their second language more effectively, actively and interestingly. The research design for this study is action research. Nine students were chosen as the target group for this study. The Kahoot game was conducted for three different topics in English after they completed the lesson each day. The data was collected using Attitude and Motivation Test Battery questionnaires consisting of 10 items, interview session with 5 semi-structured questions for three selected students and results of each Kahoot game played by the students. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis. The results of the questionnaires, interview session and results of the game were shown in figures and tables. Findings of the study show that all the nine students were able to engage actively in the game and they were able to master the target language effectively. They enjoy learning English using games and wish to have more games in future.
Effects of acute intradialytic exercise on cardiovascular responses in hemodialysis patients

Background: In patients with kidney failure requiring hemodialysis (HD) treatment, intradialytic exercise (IDEX) has been advocated for its feasibility and effectiveness in improving important health outcomes. However, IDEX as an adjunct therapeutic strategy is infrequently implemented, in part due to potential risks of IDEX, especially in patients with chronic volume overload. This study was performed to evaluate the safety of IDEX performed at different time points by examining its effect on intradialytic cardiovascular hemodynamics.
Characterization of the Novel Cysteine-rich Extracellular Calmodulin-binding Protein cyrA from Dictyostelium discoideum

A novel calmodulin (CaM)-binding cysteine-rich protein from Dictyostelium, cyrA, with epidermal growth factor-like (EGFL) repeats was discovered and characterized. Calcium-dependent and –independent CaM-binding was verified. Western blots show that full length cyrA is detected constitutively throughout development. Analyses of the extracellular medium reveal that cyrA is cleaved and that the fragments containing the Nterminus are secreted early in development, while those containing the C-terminus are secreted later. In support of this, GFP and immunohistochemistry studies reveal that cyrA localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and secretory vesicles of vegetative cells, and to the extracellular matrix (slime sheath) of migrating slugs. The addition of EGFL1 peptides enhanced cell motility and cAMP-mediated chemotaxis. Finally, cyrA cleavage is regulated by extracellular Dictyostelium CaM and by the extracellular EGFL repeats. In total the data suggest that cyrA is a true matricellular protein that mediates cell motility during multicellular development.
The Evolution of Retirement

We provide a long term perspective on the individual retirement behavior and on the future of early retirement. In a cross-country sample, we find that total pension spending depends positively on the degree of early retirement and on the share of elderly in the population, which increase the proportion of retirees, but has hardly any effect on the per-capita pension benefits. We show that in a Markovian political economic theoretical framework, in which incentives to retire early are embedded, a political equilibrium is characterized by an increasing sequence of social security contribution rates converging to a steady state and early retirement. Comparative statics suggest that aging and productivity slow-downs lead to higher taxes and more early retirement. However, when income effects are factored in, the model suggests that periods of stagnation — characterized by decreasing labor income — may lead middle aged individuals to postpone retirement.
Complexity of the prey spectrum of Agaronia propatula (Caenogastropoda: Olividae), a dominant predator in sandy beach ecosystems of Pacific Central America

Olivid gastropods of the genus Agaronia are dominant predators within invertebrate communities on sandy beaches throughout Pacific Central America. At Playa Grande, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, we observed 327 natural predation events by Agaronia propatula. For each predation event, we documented prey taxa and body size of both predator and prey. The relationship between predator and prey size differed for each of the four main prey taxa: bivalves, crustaceans, heterospecific gastropods, and conspecific gastropods (representing cannibalism). For bivalve prey, there was increased variance in prey size with increasing predator size. Crustaceans were likely subdued only if injured or otherwise incapacitated. Heterospecific gastropods (mostly Olivella semistriata) constituted half of all prey items, but were only captured by small and intermediately sized A. propatula. Large O. semistriata appeared capable of avoiding predation by A. propatula. Cannibalism was more prevalent among large A. propatula than previously estimated. Our findings suggested ontogenetic niche shifts in A. propatula and a significant role of cannibalism in its population dynamics. Also indicated were size-dependent defensive behavior in some prey taxa and a dynamic, fine-scale zonation of the beach. The unexpected complexity of the trophic relations of A. propatula was only revealed though analysis of individual predation events. This highlights the need for detailed investigations into the trophic ecology of marine invertebrates to understand the factors driving ecosystem structuring in sandy beaches.
Altered exocytosis in chromaffin cells from mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases

Chromaffin cells from the adrenal gland (CCs) have extensively been used to explore the molecular structure and function of the exocytotic machinery, neurotransmitter release and synaptic transmission. The CC is integrated in the sympathoadrenal axis that helps the body maintain homoeostasis during both routine life and in acute stress conditions. This function is exquisitely controlled by the cerebral cortex and the hypothalamus. We propose the hypothesis that damage undergone by the brain during neurodegenerative diseases is also affecting the neurosecretory function of adrenal medullary CCs. In this context, we review here the following themes: (i) How the discharge of catecholamines is centrally and peripherally regulated at the sympathoadrenal axis; (ii) which are the intricacies of the amperometric techniques used to study the quantal release of single‐vesicle exocytotic events; (iii) which are the alterations of the exocytotic fusion pore so far reported, in CCs of mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases; (iv) how some proteins linked to neurodegenerative pathologies affect the kinetics of exocytotic events; (v) finally, we try to integrate available data into a hypothesis to explain how the centrally originated neurodegenerative diseases may alter the kinetics of single‐vesicle exocytotic events in peripheral adrenal medullary CCs.
A simple robust method of synthesis of copper–silver core–shell nano-particle: evaluation of its structural and chemical properties with anticancer potency

A simple method of synthesis of a stable bimetallic copper–silver nano-particle (CuAg-NP) was developed by successive reduction of Cu(NO3)2 and AgNO3, using hydrazine hydrate as the reducing agent and gelatin and poly-vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as the capping agents. The round-shaped particles were of a core–shell structure with a core of Cu0 atoms surrounded by a shell of Ag0 atoms. The size and the mol. wt. of the NPs were (100 ± 10) nm and (820 ± 157) Kd, respectively; the particles were crystalline in nature and 90% of the precursors Cu(NO3)2 and AgNO3 were converted to the NPs. The particles were more toxic to cancer cells than normal cells; the dose of the NPs (4–5 μg ml−1), that killed about 75% of the different human cancer cell lines viz, HepG2 (liver cancer), A549 (lung cancer) and AGS (stomach cancer), killed only about 22.5% of the normal cell lines viz, WRL68 (liver) and WI38 (lung). Therefore, the NP may be developed as a potent anticancer drug in future. The more detailed study on the cytotoxicity of the CuAg-NP on the HepG2 cell line revealed that the particles caused cell cycle arrest in a G2/M phase, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, translocation of phosphatidylserine residues from inner to outer leaflets of cell membrane and DNA degradation; these phenomena confirmed that the NP-induced cell death was apoptotic in nature.
Inflammatory mediator polymorphisms associate with initial periodontitis in adolescents

Several studies have addressed cytokine gene polymorphisms and their possible associations with periodontitis. We examined the association between salivary anti‐ and pro‐inflammatory mediator polymorphisms and initial periodontitis in Finnish adolescents, taking into account the effect of smoking. Salivary samples of 93 clinically examined adolescents from Eastern Finland were analyzed. Their oral health and smoking habits were recorded. Periodontal probing depth (PPD), and bleeding on probing (BOP) at four sites per tooth, root calculus (RC), and visible plaque index (VPI) were recorded from the index teeth. Salivary MMP‐8 median values were assessed. The sites with ≥4 mm PD were categorized as follows: PPD1 = one or more ≥4 mm pocket, PPD2 = two or more ≥4 mm pockets, and PPD3 = three or more ≥4 mm pockets. Genomic DNA was extracted from 300 μl of the saliva samples by genomic QIAamp® DNA Blood Mini Kit and genotyped for polymorphisms. Genetic variants for genotyping were selected from the following genes of interest: S100A8, FCGR2A, FCGR2B, IL10, MMP8, MMP3, MMP13, VDR, TLR4, MMP2, MPO, ELANE, IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN, CD28, MMP9, DDX39B, NFKBIL1, LTA, TNF, SOD2, IL6, TLR4, TIMP1, and SYN1. After false discovery rate control (FDR), polymorphisms in MMP3 (rs679620, rs520540, rs639752), CD28 (rs3116496), and VDR (rs2228570) associated (FDR q < 0.05) with deepened periodontal pockets. Smoking did not affect the results. Genetic polymorphisms of pro‐inflammatory mediators MMP3, CD28, and VDR seem to link to initial periodontitis.
Ambulatory Antibiotic Stewardship through a Human Factors Engineering Approach: A Systematic Review

Introduction: In the United States, most antibiotics are prescribed in ambulatory settings. Human factors engineering, which explores interactions between people and the place where they work, has successfully improved quality of care. However, human factors engineering models have not been explored to frame what is known about ambulatory antibiotic stewardship (AS) interventions and barriers and facilitators to their implementation. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and searched OVID MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL to identify controlled interventions and qualitative studies of ambulatory AS and determine whether and how they incorporated principles from a human factors engineering model, the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety 2.0 model. This model describes how a work system (ambulatory clinic) contributes to a process (antibiotic prescribing) that leads to outcomes. The work system consists of 5 components, tools and technology, organization, person, tasks, and environment, within an external environment. Results: Of 1,288 abstracts initially identified, 42 quantitative studies and 17 qualitative studies met inclusion criteria. Effective interventions focused on tools and technology (eg, clinical decision support and point-of-care testing), the person (eg, clinician education), organization (eg, audit and feedback and academic detailing), tasks (eg, delayed antibiotic prescribing), the environment (eg, commitment posters), and the external environment (media campaigns). Studies have not focused on clinic-wide approaches to AS. Conclusions: A human factors engineering approach suggests that investigating the role of the clinic's processes or physical layout or external pressures' role in antibiotic prescribing may be a promising way to improve ambulatory AS.
The correlates of slow gait and its relation with social network among older adults in Singapore

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to identify socio-demographic correlates of slow gait speed among Singapore older adult residents and to examine the relationship between slow gait speed and the older adult residents’ social network, physical health status, disability and mental health status. Methods: Trained interviewers administered the adapted 10/66 research protocol through face-to-face interviews to 2565 respondents aged 60 and over. Information on gait test, socio-demographic characteristics, obesity, social network, physical status and activity, overall health, disability and mental health status were collected. The gait test was completed by 2192 participants. Slow gait was defined as walking speed of 1 standard deviation (SD) below age and gender specific mean gait of the sample. Results: The prevalence of slow gait speed after adjusting for age and gender was 13.7%. Slow gait speed was more prevalent among Indians, respondents with low education, and those who were retired. Those with slow gait speed were significantly associated with lower probability of being unemployed and attending religious activities. They were significantly associated with not being physically active and reported a higher disability score. Conclusion: Older adult residents’ socio-demographic factors were found to be associated with gait speed. Those with slow gait speed were not physically active and had less frequent contact with people through religious activities and this might place them at risk of being socially isolated, which can have consequences. Gait speed can be included as a routine assessment tool to identify at-risk groups for interventions which aim to keep the older adults socially engaged and healthy.
Study of Antidepressant-like Effects of Combination of Ginseng Total Saponins and Polygala Tenuifolia Total Glycosiders in Mice

Objective To investigate the antidepressant-like effects of combination of ginseng total saponins(GTS) and polygala tenuifolia total glycosiders(PTG) in mice.Method The factorial design analysis of variance(ANOVA) was employed to investigate the appropriate combination of GTS and PTG.The forced swim and tail suspension test were performed to evaluate the efficacy of SYG.Open field test was used to assess the psycho-stimulant side-effects.C57BL/6J mice(for tail suspension test) and ICR mice(for forced swim test) were randomly separated into 11 groups(n = 10): control(distilled water),positive control(10 mg/kg,paroxetine for TST,amitriptyline for FST),or treated with SYG(nine groups). All drugs and water were administered by gastric gavages(20 mL/kg) once daily for seven days.The behavioural tests in mice were conducted on the 7th day after the last administration.To compare the antidepressant effects of SYG,GTS and PTG,C57BL/6J mice(for tail suspension test) and ICR mice(for forced swim test) were randomly separated into 13 groups(n = 10): control(distilled water),positive control(10 mg/kg,paroxetine for TST,amitriptyline for FST),or treated with SYG(37.5,75,150 mg/kg),GTS,PTG(18.75,37.5,75,150 mg/kg). All drugs and water were administered by gastric gavages(20 mL/kg) once daily for seven days.The behavioural tests in mice were conducted on the 7th day after the last administration.Results In the factorial design,SYG reduced the immobility time in the tail susupension and forced swim test at doses of 75 mg/kg(GTS∶PTG = 50∶25) and 150 mg/kg(GTS∶PTG = 100∶50)(P 0.05). Accordingly,the appropriate combination of GTS and PTG was 2∶1.SYG did not produce significant effects on the locomotor activity in the open-field test.In the subsequent test,GTS reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension test at doses of 75,150 mg/kg(P 0.01,P 0.05),but did not reduce the immobility time in the forced swim test.PTG reduced the immobility time in the forced swim test at doses of 18.75,37.5 mg/kg(P 0.01,P 0.05),but did not reduce the immobility time in the tai suspension test.However,SYG reduced the immobility time both in the forced swim and tail suspension test at doses of 37.5~150 mg/kg(P 0.01,P 0.05). Conclusion The prescription composed of GTS and PTG could be used as a potential effective antidepressant candidate drug after further research has been done.
Acceptance of sugar reduction in yoghurt among Moroccan population

Introduction Morocco has recently developed a plan of reducing sugar consumption to reinforce prevention of non-communicable diseases and to contribute to the achievement of global voluntary targets for non-communicable diseases set by ICN2 by 2025. The objective of the present study was to assess acceptance of yogurts with different percentage reduction of sugar by the Moroccan population. Methods A total of 201 participants (age > 15 y.) were recruited to determine the level of sugar reduction in yogurt. Sucrose was added to a plain yoghurt in the following different concentrations 166.5; 149.8; 133.2; 116.5; 99; 83.2 mM/l, corresponding to the reduction of sugar of 0%, -10%, -20%, -30%, -40% and -50%, respectively, compared available yogurt in local market. Overall, the acceptability scores of the different yoghurts were based on liking, “Just About Right” (JAR) and purchase intent scales was used to score the different yoghurts. Results Yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were highly accepted by 81% and 74% of respondents. Based on JAR score, yoghurt with 20% (133.2mM/l) and 30% (116.5 mM/l) reduction were considered as “Just about right” by 42.7% and 44.3% respectively. Best average score of purchase intent was obtained for sucrose concentration of 149.8 mM/l. 35.8% and 40.3% for yoghurt with sucrose concentration of 133.2 mM/l and 116.5 mM/l respectively. Conclusion The finding from this study indicated that yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were most accepted by respondents. Advocacy before dairy industry to have them commit towards sugar reduction in yogurt is needed, in order to help achieving the national sugar reduction strategy in Morocco.