Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emerging personal media genres

In this article we argue that the concept of genre has a valuable function within sociological theory, particularly for understanding emerging communicative practices within social and personal media. Genres span the whole range of recognizable forms of communication, play a crucial role in overcoming contingency and facilitate communication. Their function is to enhance composing and understanding of communication by offering interpretative, recognizable and flexible frames of reference. As such, genres generate a sense of stability in modern complex societies. Genres ought to be seen as an intermediary level between the levels of media and text, however influenced by both. They operate as interaction between two interdependent dimensions, conventions and expectations, both of which are afforded by media and specific texts. In this article these relationships are illustrated through two cases of emerging personal media genres: the online diary and the camphone self-portrait.
Ambient Manganese Exposure is Negatively Associated With Human Sperm Motility and Concentration

Background: Occupational and experimental animal studies indicate that exposure to high levels of manganese impairs male fertility, but the effects of ambient manganese in humans are not known. Methods: We measured blood levels of manganese and selenium in 200 infertility clinic clients in a cross-sectional study. Correlations between metals and semen variables were determined, adjusting for other risk factors. Outcomes were low motility (<50% motile), low concentration (<20 million/mL), or low morphology (<4% normal). We also investigated dose–response relationships between quartiles of manganese exposure and sperm parameters. Results: High manganese level was associated with increased risk of low sperm motility (odds ratio = 5.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.6–17.6) and low sperm concentration (2.4; 1.2–4.9). We saw a U-shaped dose–response pattern between quartiles of manganese exposure and all 3 sperm parameters. Conclusion: Ambient exposure to manganese levels is associated with a reduction in sperm motility and concentration. No adverse effects were seen for high selenium.
Cloning of a Genetically Unstable Cytochrome P-450 Gene Cluster Involved in Degradation of the Pollutant Ethyltert-Butyl Ether by Rhodococcus ruber

ABSTRACT Rhodococcus ruber (formerly Gordonia terrae) IFP 2001 is one of a few bacterial strains able to degrade ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), which is a major pollutant from gasoline. This strain was found to undergo a spontaneous 14.3-kbp chromosomal deletion, which results in the loss of the ability to degrade ETBE. Sequence analysis of the region corresponding to the deletion revealed the presence of a gene cluster,ethABCD, encoding a ferredoxin reductase, a cytochrome P-450, a ferredoxin, and a 10-kDa protein of unknown function, respectively. The EthB and EthD proteins could be easily detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and were induced by ETBE in the wild-type strain. Upstream ofethABCD lies ethR, which codes for a putative positive transcriptional regulator of the AraC/XylS family. Transformation of the ETBE-negative mutant by a plasmid carrying theethRABCD genes restored the ability to degrade ETBE. Complementation was abolished if the plasmid carriedethRABC only. The eth genes are located in a DNA fragment flanked by two identical direct repeats of 5.6 kbp. The ETBE-negative mutants carry a single copy of this 5.6-kbp repeat, suggesting that the 14.3-kbp chromosomal deletion resulted from a recombination between the two identical sequences. The 5.6-kbp repeat is a class II transposon carrying a TnpA transposase, a truncated form of the recombinase TnpR, and a terminal inverted repeat of 38 bp. The truncated TnpR is encoded by an IS3-interruptedtnpR gene.
The effects of experimental diabetes mellitus on the adrenergic functions of the rat uterus

In this study the effects of experimental diabetes mellitus on the uterus of the rat during pregnancy were investigated using isolated organ experiments as well as superfusion and RT-PCR experiments. The present set of experiments demonstrated that diabetes increases the speed of the changes in the myometrial functions that normally occur during pregnancy considering both the adrenergic- and the oxytocin system.
Microbiological examination to investigate the differences in microorganisms and antibiotic sensitivity of head and neck space infections

The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility, of aerobic and anaerobic strains in 100 patients with head and neck (single and multiple) abscesses. In total, 114 microbes were isolated. The sensitivity test was performed for both aerobic and anaerobic isolates. Out of 100 patients (65 males, 35 females), 74 presented with single space abscess and 26 patients with multiple space involvement. The submandibular space was the most frequent location for single space and multiple abscesses (76.92%; 84.92%). Predominantly 48 aerobic and 65 anaerobic bacteria were isolated; the most common bacteria being Klebsiella, Clostridium tertium, Staphylococcus aureus and Actinomyces odontolyticus. The anaerobic bacteria were found to be 100% resistant to amoxicillin and penicillin, whereas they were found to be susceptible to erythromycin (100%), cefotaxime (98.48%) and clindamycin (96.96%) respectively. On the other hand, the aerobic strains were resistant to penicillin (47.91%) and sensitive to amoxicillin (79.16%) respectively. Hence, the antibiotics alone cannot determine the odontogenic infection satisfactorily. For immediate recovery of patients, proper basic management of the disease is also equally important.
8 A Cognitive-Developmental Formulation of BPD

This chapter presents a cognitive-developmental model for understanding borderline personality disorder (BPD) and describes how it may be used in conceptualizing and treating this disorder. The model represents an extension of standard cognitive and schema-focused models. It is developmental in that it postulates that BPD stems from (1) biological and genetic propensities toward affect dysregulation, (2) deficits in the acquisition of affect regulation skills, and (3) the establishment of maladaptive tacit beliefs about oneself and relationships with others. The cognitive-developmental model is similar, in many respects, to traditional cognitive and schema-focused approaches for understanding and treating personality disorders in that it emphasizes the central role of cognitive and perceptual processes in the development and maintenance of clinical disorders. It differs from them in that it incorporates insights from the developmental psychopathology literature (Cicchetti, 1989, 1990; Garber & Dodge, 1992; Rutter & Garmezy, 1983; Sroufe, 1990) and postulates that personality disorders may usefully be understood from a developmental-systems perspective (Geiger & Crick, 2001). Variations in symptom patterns over time and across settings can complicate both the diagnostic and treatment process. With this in mind, the cognitive-developmental model focuses upon commonly occurring features of the disorder and directs our attention toward factors associated with their development and maintenance. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by (1) intense and unstable emotions, (2) behavioral impulsivity, (3) a tendency to view others as uncaring
Organised motions in turbulent boundary layers over a wide range of Reynolds number

The motivation behind this paper comes from the large-scale coherence that has been recently reported in the near-wall and logarithmic regions of wall-bounded turbulent ows. Associated with these are inclined vortical structures that populate the near-wall region. Most often these inclined structures have been inferred as hairpin shaped vortices that have been observed experimentally and evidenced using conditional averaging and two-point correlations. The objective of this study is to analyse three-component velocity elds and determine the instantaneous three-dimensional structure around these large-scale coherent motions and their concurrent existence in the laboratory and the neutral atmospheric surface layer. Starting from two-point correlation we further extend the interrogation of these structures via the instantaneous ow eld. The instantaneous spanwise velocity eld clearly shows the presence of vortical features that resemble the hairpin vortices. Results for spectra for the spanwise velocity component show that energy of large scales ( 6 ) increases with increasing Reynolds number just like the streamwise component.
Total AC Loss Characteristics in a Stacked YBCO Conductor

Four 5 mm-wide YBCO conductors with identical critical current were assembled face to face to obtain a stacked YBCO conductor. The magnetization losses without transport current, the transport losses without external magnetic field, and the total AC losses of the stacked YBCO conductor as well as a single YBCO conductor carrying various transport currents in transverse magnetic fields with various orientations were measured. The difference between the AC loss characteristics of the stacked YBCO conductor and those of the single YBCO conductor was clarified.
Acetic acid and pepsin result in high yield, high purity and low macrophage response collagen for biomedical applications

Collagen based devices are frequently associated with foreign body response. Although several pre- (e.g. species, state of animal, tissue) and post- (e.g. cross-linking, scaffold architecture) extraction method factors have a profound effect on foreign body response, little is known about which and how during the extraction process factors mediate foreign body response. In this study, we assessed the influence of acetic acid and hydrochloric acid and the utilisation or not of pepsin or salt precipitation during collagen extraction on the yield, purity, free amines, denaturation temperature, resistance to collagenase degradation and macrophage response. Acetic acid/pepsin extracted collagen exhibited the highest yield, purity and free amine content and the lowest denaturation temperature. No differences in resistance to collagenase digestion were detected between the groups. Although all treatments exhibited similar macrophage morphology comprised of round cells (M1 phenotype), elongated cells (M2 phenotype) and cell aggregates (foreign body response), significantly more elongated cells were observed on HC films. Although no differences in metabolic activity were observed between the groups, the DNA concentration was significantly lower for the hydrochloric acid treatments. Further, cytokine analysis revealed that hydrochloric acid treatments induced significantly higher IL-1β and TNF-α release with respect to acetic acid treatments. Salt precipitation did not influence the parameters assessed. Collectively, these data suggest that during the collagen extraction process variables should also be monitored as, evidently, they affect the physicochemical and biological properties of collagen preparations.
School start time and sleep in Canadian adolescents

Insufficient sleep is a serious problem in adolescents and school start time is thought to be a key contributor. This study provided the first comprehensive assessment of school start times across Canada and examined whether school start times were associated with sleep duration and tiredness among adolescents. We collected information on school start times from 362 schools that participated in the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children study. We calculated sleep duration from weekday bedtime and wake time reported by 29 635 students (aged 10–18 years). We classified weekday sleep as sufficient if it met national recommendations, and used data on self‐reported tiredness at school in the morning. Random‐effects regression models estimated the association of school start time with sleep duration, sleep sufficiency and tiredness. On average, schools started at 08:43 hours. Students slept an average of 8:36 h on weekdays and 69% met sleep duration recommendations, but 60% reported feeling tired in the morning. Every 10‐min delay in school start time corresponded with 3.2 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.0, 4.5] additional minutes of sleep, a 1.6% (95% CI: 0.5, 2.8) greater probability of sufficient sleep and a 2.1% (95% CI: 1.0, 3.2) smaller probability of feeling tired at school in the morning. Students from schools that started later slept longer, were more likely to meet sleep recommendations and were less likely to report feeling tired in the morning. The study adds weight to the mounting evidence that delaying school start time benefits adolescent sleep.
Why is neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy underused for locally advanced rectal cancer?

In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), i.e. T3-4 and/or N+ disease, results obtained with surgery alone have been disappointing, with recurrence rates in historical reports of about 50%. Improvements in surgical techniques, in particular, the adoption of total mesorectal excision (TME), have significantly reduced the incidence of local recurrence. Moreover, the development of trimodality therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, has further improved clinical outcome. Adjuvant 5-fluorouracil-based chemoradiation (CRT) has been shown to improve local disease control, prolonging overall survival with respect to surgery alone or surgery plus radiotherapy. For this reason, CRT was recommended as standard treatment for LARC by the National Institute of Health consensus conference in 1990 [2]. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NCRT) followed by TME is currently considered the standard treatment for LARC in Europe and North America. The paradigm shift from adjuvant CRT to NCRT was mainly a consequence of the findings of the German Rectal Cancer Study, a randomized trial comparing the safety and efficacy of the two treatment strategies in 823 patients with LARC. Lower long-term toxicity (14% vs. 24%, p = 0.01) and a reduction in local recurrence (6% vs. 13%, p = 0.006) were observed in the preoperative treatment arm, whereas no differences in survival rates were demonstrated. The neoadjuvant approach also improved tumor resectability due to downstaging, increasing the possibility of sphincter functionality preservation (39% vs. 19%, p = 0.004) [3].
Local disorder in crystalline and amorphous germanium.

Anharmonic contributions to the pair potential of near-neighbor interactions of crystalline and amorphous germanium have been determined by temperature-dependent x-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The measurements have been carried out at the K edge of Ge in the temperature range 77\char21{}450 K and analyzed by the cumulant method. In c-Ge the temperature dependence of the first four cumulants has been determined for the first three coordination shells. The radial distribution function of the nearest-neighbor atoms has been found Gaussian in the examined temperature range; the second and third shell distance distributions show a symmetric but non-Gaussian behavior even below the Debye temperature. Cumulants have been related to the force constants of the effective pair potential. The harmonic contribution to thermal disorder has been extracted from the second cumulant for each coordination shell and compared with the mean square relative displacements calculated by harmonic models of lattice dynamics; experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations. In amorphous germanium the first shell radial distribution function is asymmetric even at the lowest temperatures. Static and dynamic effects to the local disorder have been separately determined and compared with the results of previous studies.
Recycling assessment of multilayer flexible packaging films using design of experiments

The viability of recycling post-industrial packaging waste, compounded from multilayer laminated PET-PE films, for production of polymer blends with good physico-mechanical performance is analyzed. Initially, several PET-PE model-blends were prepared from fresh polymers and were compounded with different formulations, based on design of experiments (DOE). Polymer compatibilizers based on maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) and glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA) have been used to promote the compatibilization reaction. The physico-mechanical properties of the model-blends were evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). Finally, the post-industrial waste was compounded with the same concentration of compatibilizers in the previous set of model-blends. The DOE methodology showed to be a useful tool for assessing the recycling, since it helped to produce recycled materials with acceptable physico-mechanical properties. Between both compatibilizers studied, PE-g-MA showed to be the best additive for compatibilization due to the presence of a polyamide component in the waste, which undergoes a kinetically favorable compatibilization reaction.
Evolution of large eddies in compressible shear layers

The evolution of large turbulent eddies has been investigated in seven supersonic shear layers with average convective Mach numbers Mc¯ ranging from 0.22 to 0.86 and with large variation in density and velocity ratios. A two-laser, single-detector planar laser-induced fluorescence technique was used to visualize the flow and its evolution. Two-dimensional pattern matching yielded the convective velocity of the eddies. For Mc¯>0.3, fast and slow modes of eddy propagation were detected in supersonic–subsonic and supersonic–supersonic combinations, respectively. An empirical model for the convective velocity is proposed. Plan views reveal coexistence of two- and three-dimensional disturbances. Interaction among eddies appears significantly suppressed. The findings have direct impact on supersonic jet noise and are very relevant to supersonic combustion.
Platelet-rich fibrin constructs elute higher concentrations of transforming growth factor-β1 and increase tendon cell proliferation over time when compared to blood clots: a comparative in vitro analysis.

OBJECTIVE To compare the concentration of a representative growth factor (transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-β]1) eluted from a platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFMatrix), a platelet-rich fibrin membrane (PRFMembrane), and a whole blood clot (BC) over time, and to compare the mitogenic effect of the eluents from each construct. STUDY DESIGN In vitro study. SAMPLE POPULATION PRFMatrix, PRFMembrane, and BC (n=4/construct/time point). METHODS Each construct was placed in tissue culture wells containing media for 7 days. The media was collected and replenished on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 and the concentration of eluted TGF-β1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Canine tendon cells were subjected to additional aliquots of the conditioned media and the amount of cell proliferation compared. RESULTS The media from both PRFM (PRFMatrix and PRFMembrane) constructs contained significantly more (P≤.026) TGF-β1 at days 1 and 3 and produced a significant increase (P≤.044) in cell proliferation at all time points compared with the BC. The PRFMembrane media contained significantly more (P≤.05) TGF-β1 at days 1 and 3 and produced a significant increase (P≤.002) in cell proliferation at all time points compared with the PRFMatrix. CONCLUSIONS Both PRFM constructs are comprised of a dense fibrin scaffold that contains increased concentrations of TGF-β1 and are capable of increasing tendon cell proliferation over time when compared with a BC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The sustained increase in growth factor availability in PRFM constructs may be beneficial in the healing of biologically compromised tissues.
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) concentrations in the breast milk of women in Quebec.

OBJECTIVES This study documented the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) in the breast milk of women from Quebec, Canada, and assessed the impact of various sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on these levels. METHODS From 1988 to 1990, milk samples were obtained from 536 Quebec women and analyzed for seven PCB congeners and p,p'-DDE. Information was obtained on subjects' physical, sociodemographic, and lifestyle characteristics. RESULTS Mean concentrations were 0.52 mg/kg lipids (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50, 0.54) and 0.34 mg/kg lipids (95% CI = 0.32, 0.35) for PCBs (Aroclor 1260) and DDE, respectively. Age and history of breast-feeding showed statistically significant correlations with PCB and DDE concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Concentrations of PCBs and DDE measured in this study are at the lower end of the concentration range recently reported for women living in industrialized countries. The modulating factors identified here should be considered when conducting studies on organochlorine exposure and disease.
Calibration and Alignment are Separable: Evidence From Prism Adaptation

Abstract In 2 prism adaptation experiments, the authors investigated the effects of limb starting position visibility (visible or not visible) and visual feedback availability (early or late in target pointing movements). Thirty-two students participated in Experiment 1 and 24 students participated in Experiment 2. Independent of visual feedback availability, constant error was larger and variable error was smaller for target pointing when limb starting position was visible during prism exposure. Independent of limb starting position visibility, aftereffects of prism exposure were determined by visual feedback availability. Those results support the hypothesis that calibration is determined by limb starting position visibility, whereas alignment is determined separately by visual feedback availability.
Knee extension strength and vertical jumping performance in nordic combined athletes.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to measure knee extension strength and vertical jumping performance characteristics in nordic combined athletes. METHODS Unilateral knee extension isometric maximal force (MF) and rate of force development (RFD) were measured by a special dynamometer, and unilateral isokinetic peak torque (PT) at angular velocities of 60 and 180 deg/sec by a Cybex II dynamometer. Maximal squat (SJ) and counter-movement jumps (CMJ) were performed on force platform. Nine nordic combined athletes as the experimental group and 12 untrained male university students as the control group participated. RESULTS Nordic combined athletes had a greater (p<0.05) absolute and relative (body mass-related) values of knee extension isometric MF and isokinetic PT, isometric RFD as well as jumping height in SJ and CMJ, than controls. The jumping height in CMJ was greater (p<0.05) compared with SJ only in nordic combined athletes. Jumping height in SJ and CMJ correlated significantly (p<0.05) with knee extension isometric RFD (r=0.62-0.83) and isokinetic PT at angular velocity of 60 deg/sec (r=0.70-0.82) in nordic combined athletes and untrained men. No significant correlation was obtained between unilateral knee extension isometric MF and isokinetic PT or vertical jumping height. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated a markedly higher voluntary maximal and explosive force-generating capacity of the extensor muscles of lower extremities in nordic combined athletes compared with untrained men, which indicates the adaptation to specific explosive type of strength training.