Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Representing ‘Sex’ in the Research Process

This article explores the relationship between methodologies used for sex research and the way sex is represented in everyday life. Drawing on a cross‐generational study of heterosexuality, this article asks how the relationship between researcher and participant contributes to the production of knowledge around sexuality and how this then relates to the practices and concepts which constitute ‘sex’. Working amongst women and men aged between 15 and 90, analysis involves comparing data drawn from interviews where a 60‐year age gap may separate the researcher and the participant; and those where both are similarly aged. Questions addressed within the article include: Does the researcher’s adaptation of her sexual terminology reflect sensitivity or ageism? How might it direct rather than enable the speaker? How can the data be interpreted as an account of sexual experience? How have participants sought to represent experience which they found emotionally charged, taboo or have difficulty translating into words? What the article argues, therefore, is that an adequate analysis of such data can be achieved only if they are recognised as the outcome of complex layers of social negotiation between two individuals whose aged, gendered and class‐based identities are sometimes shared and, sometimes, widely divergent.
When “They” becomes “We”: Multiple contrasting identities in mixed status groups

The present research investigated the development of multiple in-group identities among minority group members within a higher status majority. Explicit and implicit identification with the in-group (Southern Italy), out-group (Northern Italy), and a superordinate category (Italy) was examined in 29 Southern Italian students living in Northern Italy. On average, participants strongly identified with the in-group, and those who had spent more time in the north simultaneously displayed increased implicit identification with the out-group. As predicted, incorporation of the out-group into the self occurred only in participants who were not already strongly identified with the superordinate category. Implications for intergroup relations and well being of minority group members are discussed.
CD4+ T Cells Modulate Expansion and Survival but Not Functional Properties of Effector and Memory CD8+ T Cells Induced by Malaria Sporozoites

CD4+ helper T cells are critical orchestrators of immune responses to infection and vaccination. During primary responses, naïve CD8+ T cells may need “CD4 help” for optimal development of memory populations. The immunological factors attributed to CD4 help depend on the context of immunization and vary depending on the priming system. In response to immunization with radiation-attenuated Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites, CD8+ T cells in BALB/c mice fail to generate large numbers of effector cells without help from CD4+ T cells – a defect not observed in most systems. Given this unique early dependence on CD4 help, we evaluated the effects of CD4+ cells on the development of functional properties of CD8+ T cells and on their ability to abolish infection. First, we determined that this effect was not mediated by CD4+ non-T cells and did not involve CD1d-restricted NKT cells. We found that CD8+ T cells induced by sporozoites without CD4 help formed memory populations severely reduced in magnitude that could not limit parasite development in the liver. The inability of these “helpless” memory T cells to protect is not a result of defects in effector function, as their capacity to produce cytokines and undergo cytotoxic degranulation was indistinguishable from control memory T cells. These data indicate that CD4+ T help may not be necessary to develop the functional attributes of CD8+ T cells; however they are crucial to ensure the survival of effector and memory cells induced in primary responses.
DNA Immunization with the Cysteine-Rich Interdomain Region 1 of the Plasmodium falciparum Variant Antigen Elicits Limited Cross-Reactive Antibody Responses

ABSTRACT The variant surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum are an important component of naturally acquired immunity and an important vaccine target. However, these proteins appear to elicit primarily variant-specific antibodies. We tested if naked DNA immunization can elicit more cross-reactive antibody responses and allow simultaneous immunization with several variant constructs. Mice immunized with plasmid DNA expressing variant cysteine-rich interdomain region 1 (CIDR1) domains of the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) developed antibodies that were reactive to the corresponding PfEMP1s as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and agglutination of parasitized erythrocytes (PEs). We observed some cross-reactive immune responses; for example, sera from mice immunized with one domain agglutinated PEs of various lines and recognized heterologous domains expressed on the surface of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. We found no significant antigenic competition when animals were immunized with a mixture of plasmids or immunized sequentially with individual constructs. Moreover, mixed or sequential immunizations resulted in greater cross-reactive agglutination responses than immunization with a single domain. Recombinant protein (Sc y179) immunization after priming with DNA (prime-boost regimen) increased antibody titers to the homologous domain substantially but seemed to diminish the cross-reactive responses somewhat. The titer of agglutinating antibodies was previously shown to correlate with protection. Surprisingly, the agglutination titers of sera from DNA immunization were high, similar to those of pooled human hyperimmune sera. These sera also appeared to give limited low-titer variant transcending agglutination. Thus, DNA immunization appears to be a very useful tool for developing variant antigen vaccines.
“I always stop before I get sick”: a qualitative study on French adolescents alcohol use

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to examine French adolescents’ experiences and perception of alcohol use. Method: Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with a total of 57 adolescents ranging from 12 to 18 years old. Measures: All interviews were conducted according to a similar discussion grid. Coding and analysis were carried out with N’vivo software. The coding grid was drawn up according to team consensus, using a cross-reference approach, based on phenomenology and discourse analysis. Results: Adolescents are mostly introduced to alcohol consumption in family contexts while peer-influence usually increases this to regular or even excessive consumption. Consuming alcohol in this way is often seen as a means of fostering and strengthening friendships as well as of assuming one’s identity. Adolescents tend to play down their alcohol use, deeming it to be a transitory phase. They limit their consumption according to the effects it induces rather than to the number of drinks. Recommendations: Specific alcohol harm-reduction strategies for adolescents appear to be a promising way to prevent alcohol misuse and an innovative technique could be to focus on setting limits on alcohol consumption based on adolescents’ proprioceptive sensations.
Multimodal video annotation for contemporary dance creation

This paper presents a video annotator that supports multimodal annotation and is applied to contemporary dance as a creation tool. The prototype, developed for Tablet PCs, explores bimanual interaction, using pen and touch input interfaces. This combination can be more natural and familiar than the traditional input interfaces (keyboard or mouse). Contemporary dance is a domain where this type of flexible interaction with video material is relevant in order to augment and improve the rehearsal and creative processes. Motion tracking is used to define the dynamic behavior of the annotations and voice input complements the other modalities. The paper describes the design decisions done by the multidisciplinary development team and the current status of the tool.
Stretching and unzipping nucleic acid hairpins using a synthetic nanopore

We have explored the electromechanical properties of DNA by using an electric field to force single hairpin molecules to translocate through a synthetic pore in a silicon nitride membrane. We observe a threshold voltage for translocation of the hairpin through the pore that depends sensitively on the diameter and the secondary structure of the DNA. The threshold for a diameter 1.5 < d < 2.3 nm is V > 1.5 V, which corresponds to the force required to stretch the stem of the hairpin, according to molecular dynamics simulations. On the other hand, for 1.0 < d < 1.5 nm, the threshold voltage collapses to V < 0.5 V because the stem unzips with a lower force than required for stretching. The data indicate that a synthetic nanopore can be used like a molecular gate to discriminate between the secondary structures in DNA.
Fostering literacy acquisition of students with developmental disabilities: Assisted reading with predictable trade books.

Abstract Developmentally handicapped “beginning readers” in an intermediate level special education classroom participated in an assisted reading, literature based instructional intervention using a series of high interest, predictable trade books. Implemented over a five‐month period, the instruction engaged students in story reading supported by a combination of teacher modeling of fluent reading, repeated and choral reading of predictable text, and use of multiple cues in written language. Results from three 9‐ to 11‐year‐old students who had, after more than four years of schooling, shown minimal progress toward literacy acquisition indicate that the students made gains in reading fluency and comprehension, sight vocabulary, and effective use of reading strategies.
Assessing Integrated Writing Tasks for Academic Purposes: Promises and Perils

The five studies presented in this special issue offer unique evidence, analyses, and theoretical rationales for assessment tasks that involve writing in reference to information from source material with substantial content. I review the five studies in respect to five “promises” and five “perils,” concluding that, collectively, the promises were mostly fulfilled, but so were most of the perils. The promises are that these task types (a) provide realistic, challenging literacy activities; (b) engage test takers in writing that is responsible to specific content; (c) countertest method or practice effects associated with conventional item types; (d) evaluate language abilities consistent with construction-integration or multiliteracies models of literacy; and (e) offer diagnostic value for instruction or self-assessment. The perils of these task types, however, are that they (a) confound the measurement of writing abilities with abilities to comprehend source materials; (b) muddle assessment and diagnostic information together; (c) involve genres that are ill-defined and so difficult to score; (d) require threshold levels of abilities for competent performance, producing test results that may not compare neatly across different ability levels; and (e) elicit texts in which the language from source materials is hard to distinguish from examinees' own language production.
The Politics of ‘Cyberconflict’

The turn of the century witnessed the emergence of a new kind of conflict named ‘cyberconflict’, meaning conflict in computer-mediated environments (cyberspace). This article seeks to introduce the key terms and themes of cyberconflict and argue that two different trends occur: one between ethnic or religious groups fighting in cyberspace, as they do in real life; and second, between a social movement and its antagonistic institution (hacktivism).
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study and a histopathological analysis.

OBJECT Proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy imaging of the ratio of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to creatine (Cr) has proved efficacious as a localizing tool in demonstrating the metabolic changes associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. To analyze the significance of these MR spectroscopy findings further, the authors explored the relationship between regional alterations in the NAA/Cr ratio in hippocampi measured preoperatively and histopathological findings in hippocampi resected in patients with intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). METHODS Twelve patients in whom the diagnosis of MTLE had been made and 12 healthy volunteers with no known history of neurological disease underwent high-resolution 1H MR spectroscopy imaging of NAA and Cr (0.64 cm3 nominal voxel resolution) in five voxels spanning the anteroposterior length of the hippocampus. The authors correlated the NAA/Cr ratio with neuropathological findings in resected hippocampi, specifically glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity and pyramidal neuronal loss. A linear regression analysis of the ipsilateral NAA/Cr ratio revealed a statistically significant relation to the extent of hippocampal neuronal loss in only the CA2 sector (correlation coefficient [r] = -0.66, p < 0.03). The ipsilateral NAA/Cr ratio displayed significant regressions with GFAP immunoreactivity from all the CA sectors (r values ranged from -0.69 and p < 0.01 for the CA4 sector to -0.88 and p < 0.001 for the CA2 sector) except for the CA1. The extent of neuronal cell loss in every hippocampal subfield (r = 0.71-0.74, p < 0.007), except the CA2 (p = 0.08), correlated to the extent of neuronal cell loss in the dentate gyrus. There was no significant relationship between the duration or frequency of seizures and the mean ipsilateral NAA/Cr ratio; however, the mean density of GFAP-immunopositive cells correlated with seizure frequency (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS The NAA/Cr ratio may not measure the full extent of hippocampal neuronal cell loss. The significant association of the NAA/Cr ratio with the GFAP immunoreactivity of most CA sectors indicates that the NAA/Cr ratio may provide a more accurate measurement of recent neuronal injury caused by epileptic activity. The coupling between neuronal impairment and astroglial GFAP expression may indicate the close association between neuronal and glial dysfunction in patients with epilepsy.
A Systematic Literature Review to Determine the Web Accessibility Issues in Saudi Arabian University and Government Websites for Disable People

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shown great commitment and support in past 10 years towards the higher education and transformation of manual governmental services to online through web. As a result number of university and e-government websites increased but without following the proper accessibility guidelines. Due to this many disable peoples may not be fully benefited the contents available on university and government websites. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, there are more than one billion people all over the world facing different kind of disabilities. Almost 720,000 Saudi nationals are disable which is about 4% of total Saudi population. The objective of this study is to review the existing literature to identify the web accessibility issues in Saudi Arabian university and government websites through a systematic literature review. Several scholarly databases were searched for the research studies published on web accessibility evaluation globally and in Saudi Arabia from 2009 to 2017. Only 15 (6 based on Saudi Arabia and 9 global) research articles out of 123 articles fulfilled the selection criteria. Literature review reveals that web accessibility is a global issue and many countries around the world including Saudi Arabia are facing web accessibility challenges. Moreover web accessibility guidelines WCAG 1.0 and WCAG 2.0 are not addressing many problems which are faced by user and some guidelines were not effective to avoid the user problems. However, findings in this study open a new dimension in web accessibility to do extensive research to determine the web accessibility criterions/standards in context of Saudi Arabia.
Applying psychological-type theory to faith: spirituality, prayer, worship and scripture

Psychological type was developed by Carl Jung and expanded by Katherine Briggs and Isabel Myers into the Myers-Briggs-Type Indicator. The MBTI® is now frequently used by churches in several contexts. This article explores ways in which psychological-type theory might be applied to aspects of faith, including spirituality, prayer, worship and scripture. Each aspect of faith is considered separately and explored for those aspects which might be found valuable for those whose dominant function is sensing, intuition, thinking or feeling. These distinctive perspectives are discussed in light of the Christian doctrine of creation and the theology of individual differences.
Factors Associated with Mental Health Court Nonparticipation and Negative Termination

Mental health court outcomes research shows moderate success in reducing criminal recidivism. Far less research concentrates on defendants who do not choose to participate or are negatively terminated. Eight years of data from a suburban Midwestern mental health court indicate that substance abuse history and having multiple psychiatric diagnoses increased the odds of nonparticipation, while a bipolar diagnosis, the other category of diagnosis, and referral source, decreased the odds. For those negatively terminated, being male, racial minority status, having multiple diagnoses, a charge of stealing, and committing a new crime while under Municipal Mental Health Court supervision increased the odds of negative termination. A substance abuse history, increased mental health court attendance, receiving disability income, and psychiatric medication prescription decreased the odds of negative termination. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed, including better engagement strategies for participation and treatment.
The Interaction of FABP with Kapα

Gene-activating lipophilic compounds are carried into the nucleus when loaded on fatty-acid-binding proteins (FABP). Some of these proteins are recognized by the α-Karyopherin (Kapα) through its nuclear localization signal (NLS) consisting of three positive residues that are not in a continuous sequence. The Importin system can distinguish between FABP loaded with activating and non-activating compounds. In the present study, we introduced molecular dynamics as a tool for clarifying the mechanism by which FABP4, loaded with activating ligand (linoleate) is recognized by Kapα. In the first phase, we simulated the complex between KapαΔIBB (termed “Armadillo”) that was crystallized with two NLS hepta-peptides. The trajectory revealed that the crystal-structure orientation of the peptides is rapidly lost and new interactions dominate. Though, the NLS sequence of FABP4 is cryptic, since the functional residues are not in direct sequence, implicating more than one possible conformation. Therefore, four possible docked conformations were generated, in which the NLS of FABP4 is interacting with either the major or the minor sites of Kapα, and the N → C vectors are parallel or anti-parallel. Out of these four basic starting positions, only the FABP4-minor site complex exhibited a large number of contact points. In this complex, the FABP interacts with the minor and the major sites, suppressing the self-inhibitory interaction of the Kapα, rendering it free to react with Kapβ. Finally, we propose that the transportable conformation generated an extended hydrophobic domain which expanded out of the boundary of the FABP4, allowing the loaded linoleate to partially migrate out of the FABP into a joint complex in which the Kapα contributes part of a combined binding pocket.
Low Dynamic State of Viral Competition in a Chronic Avian Hepadnavirus Infection

ABSTRACT The dynamic state of infection of 11 ducks with the duck hepatitis B virus was investigated. Chronic infections were established in newly hatched ducklings by inoculation with a mixture of wild-type virus and a mutant virus with a partial replication defect. As expected, the wild-type virus was rapidly enriched in the virus population during the spread of infection. Enrichment thereafter was correlated with normal growth of the liver, with the average mutant-to-wild-type ratio stabilizing for at least 2 months beyond the time at which the liver mass stabilized. Using experimentally determined growth rates for the mutant and wild-type viruses, we estimated that after the spread of infection, competition between the two virus strains was limited by the amount of replication required to infect new hepatocytes in the growing livers. The results suggest that, in a chronically infected liver, the selection of variants with a replication rate advantage is inefficient and that the emergence of such variants would depend on induced liver cell turnover, such as that occurring during chronic hepatitis.
Seroepidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus in Macaca Mulatta from a Village in Yunnan, China, where Infection with this Virus Is Endemic

Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a significant public health concern and has been identified as a zoonotic infection. Objectives Since no reports have characterized the epidemiological and genotypic features of HEV infections in Macaca mulatta (rhesus macaques) from Yunnan, China, where swine HEV infections are endemic, we aimed to investigate these characteristics. Materials and Methods Seroepidemiological and molecular characterization of HEV in both Macaca mulatta and pigs from the Yunnan province of China were conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-nested PCR (RT-nPCR). Four hundred and eighty-two stool samples (320 from Macaca mulatta and 162 from pigs) and 92 serum samples (all from Macaca mulatta) were collected for the detection of HEV RNA and anti-HEV antibodies (IgG/IgM). Results Thirty-three rhesus macaques (35.87%) were positive for HEV IgG. Of these, 3 were also positive for HEV IgM. Four different strains of swine HEV RNA were detected in pigs; however, we failed to detect any in Macaca mulatta. Conclusions Results indicate that Macaca mulatta may not be a natural reservoir of HEV.
Cerebral Ischemic Lesions on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Are Associated With Neurocognitive Decline After Cardiac Surgery

Background and Purpose— Improvements in cardiac surgery mortality and morbidity have focused interest on the neurological injury such as stroke and cognitive decline that may accompany an otherwise successful operation. We aimed to investigate (1) the rate of stroke, new ischemic change on MRI, and cognitive impairment after cardiac valve surgery; and (2) the controversial relationship between perioperative cerebral ischemia and cognitive decline. Methods— Forty patients (26 men; mean [SD] age 62.1 [13.7] years) undergoing intracardiac surgery (7 also with coronary artery bypass grafting) were studied. Neurological, neuropsychological, and MRI examinations were performed 24 hours before surgery and 5 days (MRI and neurology) and 6 weeks (neuropsychology and neurology) after surgery. Cognitive decline from baseline was determined using the Reliable Change Index. Results— Two of 40 (5%) patients had perioperative strokes and 22 of 35 (63%) tested had cognitive decline in at least one measure (range, 1 to 4). Sixteen of 37 participants (43%) with postoperative imaging had new ischemic lesions (range, 1 to 17 lesions) with appearances consistent with cerebral embolization. Cognitive decline was seen in all patients with, and 35% of those without, postoperative ischemic lesions (P<0.001), and there was an association between the number of abnormal cognitive tests and ischemic burden (P<0.001). Conclusion— We have provided a reliable estimate of the rate of stroke, postoperative ischemia, and cognitive impairment at 6 weeks after cardiac valve surgery. Cognitive impairment is associated with perioperative ischemia and is more severe with greater ischemic load.