Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The mediatization of political decision-making processes

To what extent are political decision-making processes mediatized in Switzerland? Based on this initial question, this Ph.D. thesis analyzes media coverage and parliamentary actors' (MPs) strategies and perceptions in three conflicted decision-making processes. Mediatization of politics has become an important concept in political communication and mass media research and refers to behavioral changes and adaptations of political actors, institutions, and processes that are related to (mass) media. Conceptually, the thesis draws on the recent literature on mediatization and suggests an original framework to analyze the mediatization of politics. Empirically, the mediatization of media coverage is investigated by means of a content analysis of six Swiss daily newspapers (N=507). MPs' strategies and perceptions are assessed in face-to-face interviews (N=50). The thesis finds that MPs of the pole parties are more mediatized than MPs of the center-right parties and shows that mediatization of politics is not a fate, but a strategic choice.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, c-MET, β-Catenin, and p53 Expression as Prognostic Indicators in Stage II Colon Cancer

Purpose: Through the use of molecular markers, it may be possible to identify aggressive tumor phenotypes and tailor therapies to treat them. This approach would be particularly useful for stage II colon cancer. The purpose of this study was to define the prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-MET, β-catenin, and p53 protein expression in TNM stage II colon cancer using tissue microarray technology. Experimental Design: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed, resected, and otherwise untreated paraffin-embedded specimens from 134 consecutive patients with Tumor-Node-Metastasis stage II colonic carcinomas for EGFR, c-MET, β-catenin, and p53 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Results: Thirty-five percent, 77, and 65% of tumors exhibited strong (+2 and +3 immunopositivity) expression of EGFR, c-MET, and β-catenin, respectively. Fifty-four percent exhibited nuclear staining for p53 in >10% of the tumor cells. Univariate analysis revealed that increased nuclear p53 expression (P = 0.001), strong membranous EGFR expression (P = 0.04), and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.01) were significantly related to disease recurrence and that p53 (P = 0.02) and EGFR (P = 0.05) expression were associated with decreased survival. Increased nuclear p53 expression also correlated with the presence of distal metastasis (P = 0.027). No significant association was seen between c-MET expression and prognosis, whereas a strong trend was detected between loss of β-catenin (P = 0.065) expression and poor outcome. Multivariate analysis indicated that p53 (P = 0.04), EGFR (P = 0.05), and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.03) were independent predictors of recurrence and that p53 (P = 0.02) and EGFR (P = 0.01) expression were both associated with poor survival. Conclusions: This retrospective tumor microarray study, restricted to Tumor-Node-Metastasis stage II colon cancer patients who did not undergo adjuvant therapy, supports the use of EGFR and p53 as biological markers, which may assist in predicting disease recurrence and survival.
Being Tested: Client Views of HIV Testing Services

HIV testing has been a cornerstone ofHIY prevention efforts since 1985 when an accurate and reliable test for the HIY antibody became available (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1994,2001; World Health Organization, 1990). At present, changes in the technology of testing (e.g., rapid point-of-care testing, home testing) and the enhancement of services for specific populations (such as repeat testers or pregnant women) put even greater emphasis on the need for a clear understanding of what happens when the test is applied and the effectiveness of the pre-test and post-test encounters for HIY prevention and/or treatment. In this study, I sought to enhance our understanding of HIY testing through the investigation of clients' perspectives on, and conceptualizations of, testing services.
Logical Syntax of Language

Rudolf Carnap's entire theory of Language structure "came to me," he reports, "like a vision during a sleepless night in January 1931, when I was ill. " This theory appeared in The Logical Syntax of Language (1934). Carnap argued that many philosophical controversies really depend upon whether a particular language form should be used. This leads him to his famous "Principle of tolerance" by which everyone is free to mix and match the rules of his language and therefore his logic in any way he wishes. In this way, philosophical issues become reduced to a discussion of syntactical properties, plus reasons of practical convenience for preferring one form of language to another. In a tour de force of precise reasoning, Carnap also indicated how two model languages could be constructed. This is one of three books which Open Court is making available in paperback reprint in its Open Court Classics series. The other two are Carnap's The Logical Structure of the World and Schlick's General Theory of Knowledge.
Backproject-filter (BPF) CT image reconstruction using convolutional neural network

In this work, we realize the image-domain backproject-filter (BPF) CT image reconstruction using the convolutional neural network (CNN) method. Within this new CT image reconstruction framework, the acquired sinogram data is backprojected first to generate the highly blurred laminogram. Afterwards, the laminogram is feed into the CNN to retrieve the desired sharp CT image. Both numerical and experimental results demonstrate that this new CNN-based image reconstruction method is feasible to reconstruct CT images with maintained high spatial resolution and accurate pixel values from the laminogram as of from the conventional FBP method. The experimental results also show that the performance of this new CT image reconstruction network does not rely on the used radiation dose level. Due to these advantages, this proposed innovative CNN-based image-domain BPF type image reconstruction strategy provides promising prospects in generating high quality CT images for future clinical applications.
Protective Activity of Resveratrol in Cardio- and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural nonflavonoid polyphenol compound containing a stilbene structure similar to that of estrogen diethylstilbestrol. It is a fat-soluble compound exist-ing in cis-, trans-, and piceid isomeric forms, isolated for the first time in 1940 from a plant used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. Although initially used for cancer therapy, it has shown beneficial effects against most cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Its beneficial effects are mainly related to its antioxidant properties. Here, we review the metabolism and the ability of RSV to modulate redox signaling and to interact with multiple molecular targets of different intracellular pathways exerting protective effects against cardio-cerebrovascular diseases and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, reporting evidence in animal models and its efficacy and toxicity in humans. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the mechanisms, the biology, and the potential use of resvera- trol to prevent, protect and aid cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases.
Diagnostic Applications for Micro-Synchrophasor Measurements

Author(s): von Meier, Alexandra; Arghandeh, Reza | Abstract: This report articulates and justifies the preliminary selection of diagnostic applications for data from micro-synchrophasors (µPMUs) in electric power distribution systems that will be further studied and developed within the scope of the three-year ARPA-e award titled Micro-synchrophasors for Distribution Systems.
Molecular simulations for the evaluation of binding free energies in lead optimization

The ability to predict, through computer simulation, the free energy of binding between drug‐like ligands and their biological target(s) is one of the most difficult yet rewarding tasks in computer‐aided drug design (CADD) efforts. Successful and consistent predictions are likely to have a profound effect on the efficiency of hit discovery and lead optimization campaigns. However, the route to achieving this goal is paved with challenges resulting from the complexity of the binding process and from the ability to simulate it, given contemporary computational tools. In this review we present the challenges faced by binding free energy simulations within the context of lead optimization, survey the main tools currently in use for performing such calculations, and discuss their applications and performance based on selected examples. Our main conclusion is that despite great progress and numerous success cases, free energy simulations have yet to mature in order to become an integral component of the arsenal of tools available to practitioners in the field of lead optimization. Drug Dev Res 72: 36–44, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A New Tree Frog of the Genus Kurixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam

Abstract: A small rhacophorid frog from southern Vietnam is placed in the genus Kurixalus through molecular phylogenetic analysis. Because it is divergent genetically and morphologically from all known congeners, we describe it as a distinct species, K. viridescens. The species differs from the other congeners by an immaculate green dorsum, which is usually maculated gray to brown in the other species. With the addition of this new species, Vietnam now encompasses seven species of Kurixalus, and can be regarded as the center of speciation of this genus.
Energetic analysis of Pseudomonas fluorescens growth in aerobic chemostat culture.

Bioenergetic analysis of the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens on phenol chemostat culture was carried out. The data were checked for consistency using carbon and available electron balances. Similar estimates were obtained using Pirt's model based on Monod approach and a modified model based on substrate consumption rate being rate limiting. Coupled with the covariate adjustment estimation technique, the best estimates were the Maximum Likelihood Estimates (MLE) based on the complete data. For the aerobic growth of P. fluorescens growth on phenol, ηmax = 0.262 and me = −0.017/h. From the 95% confidence intervals, a maximum of about 25? 27% of the energy contained in phenol is incorporated into the P. fluorescens biomass. The balance (73? 75%) is evolved as heat with little or no energy needed for the maintenance of the respective organisms.
Purification and characterization of the -amylase isolated from Penicillium camemberti PL21

The amylase family of enzymes is a great significance due to its wide area of potential application. α-amylase from Penicillium camemberti PL21 obtained from I. N. A. (The technological laboratory of Agriculture National Institute Paris- France) and using orange waste as substrates was produced under optimum conditions, after 168 h of incubation and subjected for purification and characterization. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography. A trial for the purification of α-amylase resulted in an enzyme with specific activity of (154.2 units/ml/mg protein) with (38.5 folds) purification . The α-amylase activity increased by enzyme concentration rise. The optimum substrate concentration for soluble starch was 1 % (w/v) while the optimum incubation temperature was 30oC. The purified α-amylase enzyme had a maximum activity at pH 6 and the Km value for solublestarch was 0.92 mg/ml. Analyses of this enzyme for molecular mass was carried out by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, which revealed one band 60. 5 Kda. Key words: Penicillium camemberti PL21, α-amylase, purification, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis.
Avaliação dos medicamentos prescritos para pacientes submetidos à terapia nutricional enteral no CTI

Objectives: To describe, retrospectively, the intervention of the resident pharmacist to patients in Enteral Nutrition Terapy (ENT) in ICU of the University Hospital of Espirito Santo and the proﬁle of drug therapy use by enteral feeding tube in this sector. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study. The medical records of patients on drug therapy by enteral feeding tubes were analyzed in the ICU of the University Hospital of the Espirito Santo from August to October 2012. Results: 17 patients were included with a mean age of 64.8 ± 16.2 years. Of the total number of prescription drugs by enteral feeding tubes (n = 42), the majority was in solid form (85.7%). Complications with the enteral tubes more found in the study were obstruction and removal by the patient. 30 pharmaceutical interventions in relation to drugs administration by enteral feeding tubes were observed, and the physician was present in 19 interventions, the nursing in 8 and 3 interventions matched to three professions (physician, nurses and nutritionists), for the work of all involved. Conclusion: The study allowed to prove the importance of the insertion of the pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team of patient care with enteral feeding tubes. Measures such as preparation of a manual for drugs administration via enteral feeding tubes and orientation related to the drug administration to members of the team can optimize the administration of ENT, enabling better supply of nutrients and the best therapy for critically ill patients.
The Circadian Rhythm of Stomatal Opening: Evidence for the Involvement of Potassium and Chloride Fluxes

Snaith, P. J. and Mansfield, T. A. 1986. The circadian rhythm of stomatal opening: evidence for the involvement of potassium and chloride fluxes. —J. exp. Bot. 37: 188-199. Epidermal strips were taken from plants of Commelina communis at opposite phases of an entrained circadian rhythm, at times which corresponded to the middle of the day phase and the middle of the night phase. Earlier observations of much reduced opening in response to external stimuli in the night phase were confirmed. Evidence is now presented that uptake or retention of specific ions by the guard cells is affected by the phase of the rhythm. The overt expression of the rhythm was reduced if the epidermis was presented with potassium iminodiacetate instead of potassium chloride. Iminodiacetate is a non-absorbable anion, and this result suggested that chloride uptake is important for the full expression of the rhythm. The use of an anion channel inhibitor (DIDS) gave strong support for this conclusion. Reduced uptake of chloride would explain an earlier observation that formation of malate is greater during the night phase. When the guard cells were presented with sodium chloride instead of potassium chloride there was still an overt expression of the rhythm, but this was of reduced magnitude. This suggests that potassium movements might contribute to the rhythm, and studies of ionic fluxes using 86Rb as a tracer showed greater effluxes during the night phase. It is concluded that the circadian rhythm in stomatal opening may be the result of a varying ability of the guard cells to accumulate or retain both chloride and potassium ions.
Caractérisation hydrodynamique des sols : analyse simplifiée des essais de drainage interne

On presente une methode simple d'analyse des essais de drainage interne classiquement utilises au champ pour determiner les proprietes de conduction et de retention des sols partiellement satures en eau. La resolution de l'equation unidirectionnelle verticale des transferts avec l'hypothese du gradient de charge hydraulique constant dans le temps, couplee a une description des cinetiques de redistribution, par des fonctions puissance du temps, conduit a des expressions analytiques simples de la conductivite hydraulique et de la pression en fonction de l'humidite. La comparaison a des mesures in situ effectuees sur 5 sols de caracteristiques tres differentes montre l'applicabilite et la bonne precision de la methode [. ]
Simulación del proceso de fermentación de cerveza artesanal Fermentation Process Simulation of Homebrewing Beer

Resumen El objetivo de la presente investigacion fue estudiar el comportamiento del proceso de fermentacion de cerveza artesanal mediante un modelo matema-tico dinamico. El modelo contiene las tasas de cambio de las variables de estado concentracion de glucosa, maltosa y maltotriosa. La variable de sali-da es la concentracion de etanol y como variable auxiliar contempla la con-centracion de biomasa (levaduras). Este modelo fue programado en el ambiente Matlab-Simulink y para su integracion numerica se utilizo el me-todo de Dormand-Prince de cuarto grado con tamano de paso de integra-cion variable y una tolerancia relativa de 10 –8 . Para conocer sus parametros mas importantes se realizo un analisis de sensibilidad local. Ademas se llevo a cabo un experimento para producir cerveza artesanal a una temperatura constante (21°C). Se implementaron 14 unidades experimentales (fermenta-dores) con las mismas condiciones iniciales. De cada fermentador, se midie-ron las concentraciones de las variables de estado incluidas en el modelo matematico. Usando los resultados experimentales el modelo se calibro me-diante los algoritmos de optimizacion minimos cuadrados no lineales y evo-lucion diferencial. De acuerdo con las estadisticas sesgo (BIAS), coeficiente de correlacion (r), raiz cuadrada del cuadrado medio (RMSE), error medio absoluto (MAE) y eficiencia de modelacion (EF) se encontro un buen ajuste entre las predicciones del modelo y las mediciones de las variables de estado despues de la estimacion de los parametros.
A Reappraisal of the Origin and Basal Radiation of the Osteichthyes

ABSTRACT The earliest Actinoptergyii (ray-finned fishes) and Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes) have been studied intensely, and a consistent picture of interrelationships has begun to emerge for the latter. In contrast, there has been minimal documentation of the pattern of character acquisition leading to the osteichthyan crown. We review the synapomorphies proposed for various levels within osteichthyan phylogeny (total group; Acanthodes + crown group; crown group; Sarcoptergyii; Actinopterygii), confirming some, rejecting others, and making new additions. This distribution of characters is used to interpret the placement of problematic Siluro-Devonian genera traditionally assigned to Actinopterygii, and suggests these taxa are stem osteichthyans. Earlier placements of these forms within the crown are symptomatic of taxonomies based on unpolarized similarities rather than synapomorphies.
Reversibility of deleterious effects of the pisciculture byproduct nitrite on cultured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The effects of nitrite (NO − ) on the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated, due to their relevance to worldwide aquaculture. Hematological parameters - functional haemoglobin (oxy+deoxy-Hb, %), methaemoglobin (MetHb%), and hematocrit (Hct) - and - plasma osmolality, plasma chloride ((Cl − )) and magnesium ((Mg 2+ )) concentrations - were analysed. Two experiments were conducted, each with its own non-contaminated con- trol, 8 tilapias for each group. In experiment 1 (48 hours), and the first 48 hours of experiment 2, fish were contaminated with 0.4 mM NO − (added as NaNO2). In experiment 2, ambient NaNO − was removed for the second 48 hours. NaNO − exposure increased plasma (NO − ) to 0.4 mM, which increased MetHb from 10.8 ± 2.5% to 46.8 ± 8.0%, and conse- quently decreased functional Hb from 89.2 ± 2.5% to 53.2 ± 8.0%. NaNO2 removal led to recovery of both parameters. Both Hct and plasma Mg 2+ were lowest in fish recovering from nitrite exposure. Thus, these parameters did not show recovery. Plasma osmolality and (Cl − ) were not affected by NaNO − , probably due to the moderate rise in plasma (NO − ). O. niloticus was thus sensitive to 48 hours of exposure to 0.4 mM NaNO2, and partially recovered from its effects after 48 hours in sodium nitrite-free water. Cultivators of Nile tilapia should thus consider the toxicity of nitrite, especially in aquaculture systems using recirculating water.
Increased fluctuations of butterfly populations towards the northern edges of species' ranges

Data from a national butterfly monitoring scheme were analysed to test the theory that animal populations are more variable towards the edges of species ranges Nine of the 24 species tested fluctuated with significantly greater amplitude nearer their northern limits, providing the first clear evidence of this phenomenon among ectotherms With some species, the pattern of fluctuations also varied across ranges with populations increasing and decreasing more gradually, and perhaps cyclically, over several generations in the north
The cost of resistance and the maintenance of genetic polymorphism in host—pathogen systems

By using models which incorporate both numerical and gene-frequency dynamics, we investigate the conditions for a stable polymorphism in host disease resistance when there is a genetically uniform pathogen. We show that polymorphism is more likely when the difference in resistance conferred by alternative alleles is large rather than small. This conforms with the frequent observation of major gene effects on resistance. Moreover, when allelic differences in resistance are large, polymorphism is possible over a wide range of costs, including situations where costs approach values close to zero. The actual resistance cost that can be sustained in such polymorphic populations is dependent on the transmission mode and the intensity of disease-independent population regulation. Expectations regarding resistance costs in any particular host—pathogen system will be dependent on knowledge of the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of that system.
A novel polymorphism of resistin gene and its association with meat quality traits in Chinese Bos taurus

Searching for candidate gene polymorphisms and their relationship with meat quality traits is an important issue for Bos taurus industry. In this study, we evaluated polymorphism of resistin (RETN) gene involved in energy metabolism. Using the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technology, a novel missense substitution single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) g.2528T>C was identified in the exon 2 region of the RETN gene. Allele frequencies, gene heterozygosity, effective allele number and polymorphism information content of the bovine RETN SNP in six populations were investigated and calculated by the χ 2 test. The distribution of the polymorphism from the studied six B. taurus breeds was not uniform. Our results suggested that Qinchuan, Luxi and Luxi × Simmental were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Moreover, the polymorphism and its association with meat quality traits were analyzed in 369 Qinchuan and 73 Nanyang individuals. The analyzed SNP in the RETN revealed a significant association with marbling and intramuscular fat (p < 0.05). We observed that TT genotype was associated with a heightened marbling score when compared with the TC and CC in Qinchuan and Nanyang breeds. In Qinchuan breed, we also found that TT genotype was associated with an increased intramuscular fat content when compared with the TC. Such associations were not observed on backfat thickness, loin-muscle area and loin-muscle depth. This study showed that polymorphism of the RETN gene is potentially associated with B. taurus meat quality traits.