Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-biome metagenomic analyses of soil microbial communities and their functional attributes

For centuries ecologists have studied how the diversity and functional traits of plant and animal communities vary across biomes. In contrast, we have only just begun exploring similar questions for soil microbial communities despite soil microbes being the dominant engines of biogeochemical cycles and a major pool of living biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. We used metagenomic sequencing to compare the composition and functional attributes of 16 soil microbial communities collected from cold deserts, hot deserts, forests, grasslands, and tundra. Those communities found in plant-free cold desert soils typically had the lowest levels of functional diversity (diversity of protein-coding gene categories) and the lowest levels of phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity. Across all soils, functional beta diversity was strongly correlated with taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity; the desert microbial communities were clearly distinct from the nondesert communities regardless of the metric used. The desert communities had higher relative abundances of genes associated with osmoregulation and dormancy, but lower relative abundances of genes associated with nutrient cycling and the catabolism of plant-derived organic compounds. Antibiotic resistance genes were consistently threefold less abundant in the desert soils than in the nondesert soils, suggesting that abiotic conditions, not competitive interactions, are more important in shaping the desert microbial communities. As the most comprehensive survey of soil taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity to date, this study demonstrates that metagenomic approaches can be used to build a predictive understanding of how microbial diversity and function vary across terrestrial biomes.
Quantum-enhanced machine learning

The emerging field of quantum machine learning has the potential to substantially aid in the problems and scope of artificial intelligence. This is only enhanced by recent successes in the field of classical machine learning. In this work we propose an approach for the systematic treatment of machine learning, from the perspective of quantum information. Our approach is general and covers all three main branches of machine learning: supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. While quantum improvements in supervised and unsupervised learning have been reported, reinforcement learning has received much less attention. Within our approach, we tackle the problem of quantum enhancements in reinforcement learning as well, and propose a systematic scheme for providing improvements. As an example, we show that quadratic improvements in learning efficiency, and exponential improvements in performance over limited time periods, can be obtained for a broad class of learning problems.
Cognitive Behavior Evaluation Based on Physiological Parameters among Young Healthy Subjects with Yoga as Intervention

Objective. To investigate the effect of yoga practice on cognitive skills, autonomic nervous system, and heart rate variability by analyzing physiological parameters. Methods. The study was conducted on 30 normal young healthy engineering students. They were randomly selected into two groups: yoga group and control group. The yoga group practiced yoga one and half hour per day for six days in a week, for a period of five months. Results. The yoga practising group showed increased α, β, and δ EEG band powers and significant reduction in θ and γ band powers. The increased α and β power can represent enhanced cognitive functions such as memory and concentration, and that of δ signifies synchronization of brain activity. The heart rate index θ/α decreased, neural activity β/θ increased, attention resource index β/(α + θ) increased, executive load index (δ + θ)/α decreased, and the ratio (δ + θ)/(α + β) decreased. The yoga practice group showed improvement in heart rate variability, increased SDNN/RMSSD, and reduction in LF/HF ratio. Conclusion. Yoga practising group showed significant improvement in various cognitive functions, such as performance enhancement, neural activity, attention, and executive function. It also resulted in increase in the heart rate variability, parasympathetic nervous system activity, and balanced autonomic nervous system reactivity.
Truth-Default Theory (TDT)

Truth-Default Theory (TDT) is a new theory of deception and deception detection. This article offers an initial sketch of, and brief introduction to, TDT. The theory seeks to provide an elegant explanation of previous findings as well as point to new directions for future research. Unlike previous theories of deception detection, TDT emphasizes contextualized communication content in deception detection over nonverbal behaviors associated with emotions, arousal, strategic self-presentation, or cognitive effort. The central premises of TDT are that people tend to believe others and that this “truth-default” is adaptive. Key definitions are provided. TDT modules and propositions are briefly explicated. Finally, research consistent with TDT is summarized.
The DNA repair protein ALKBH2 mediates temozolomide resistance in human glioblastoma cells.

INTRODUCTION Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM; World Health Organization astrocytoma grade IV) is the most frequent and most malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite multimodal therapy, all such tumors practically recur during the course of therapy, causing a median survival of only 14.6 months in patients with newly diagnosed GBM. The present study was aimed at examining the expression of the DNA repair protein AlkB homolog 2 (ALKBH2) in human GBM and determining whether it could promote resistance to temozolomide chemotherapy. METHODS ALKBH2 expression in GBM cell lines and in human GBM was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and gene expression analysis, respectively. Drug sensitivity was assessed in GBM cells overexpressing ALKBH2 and in cells in which ALKBH2 expression was silenced by small-interfering (si)RNA. ALKBH2 expression following activation of the p53 pathway was examined by western blotting and qRT-PCR. RESULTS ALKBH2 was abundantly expressed in established GBM cell lines and human GBM, and temozolomide exposure increased cellular ALKBH2 expression levels. Overexpression of ALKBH2 in the U87 and U251 GBM cell lines enhanced resistance to the methylating agents temozolomide and methyl methanesulfonate but not to the nonmethylating agent doxorubicin. Conversely, siRNA-mediated knockdown of ALKBH2 increased sensitivity of GBM cells to temozolomide and methyl methanesulfonate but not to doxorubicin or cisplatin. Nongenotoxic activation of the p53 pathway by the selective murine double minute 2 antagonist nutlin-3 caused a significant decrease in cellular ALKBH2 transcription levels. CONCLUSION Our findings identify ALKBH2 as a novel mediator of temozolomide resistance in human GBM cells. Furthermore, we place ALKBH2 into a new cellular context by showing its regulation by the p53 pathway.
Paradoxical Infrastructures

In recent years, a dramatic increase in the study of infrastructure has occurred in the social sciences and humanities, following upon foundational work in the physical sciences, architecture, planning, information science, and engineering. This article, authored by a multidisciplinary group of scholars, probes the generative potential of infrastructure at this historical juncture. Accounting for the conceptual and material capacities of infrastructure, the article argues for the importance of paradox in understanding infrastructure. Thematically the article is organized around three key points that speak to the study of infrastructure: ruin, retrofit, and risk. The first paradox of infrastructure, ruin, suggests that even as infrastructure is generative, it degenerates. A second paradox is found in retrofit, an apparent ontological oxymoron that attempts to bridge temporality from the present to the future and yet ultimately reveals that infrastructural solidity, in material and symbolic terms, is more apparent than actual. Finally, a third paradox of infrastructure, risk, demonstrates that while a key purpose of infrastructure is to mitigate risk, it also involves new risks as it comes to fruition. The article concludes with a series of suggestions and provocations to view the study of infrastructure in more contingent and paradoxical forms.
Changes in the Producer-Consumer Relationship - Towards Digital Transformation

The purpose of this paper is to analyze shifts in the producer- consumer relationship resulting from the increased use of digital technologies. In this study, we aim to understand how this relationship is fundamentally changing and the role of digital technologies in such a change. Therefore, we provide a state-of-the-art review of information systems and management litera- ture using analysis techniques borrowed from the method of grounded theory. The results of our study indicate that the constructs of digital density, digital in- terconnectedness, and consumer-centricity are key drivers of changes in the producer-consumer relationship. With the growing role of digital technologies in both society and organizations, our study contributes with implications for information technology and business managers, offering them insights on how to deal with this phenomenon. Finally, our study provides a useful framework for future interdisciplinary research in this field.
Reply to Tracy Dennison and Sheilagh Ogilvie: The European Marriage pattern and the Little Divergence

This reply reviews the evidence presented by Dennison and Ogilvie that the European Marriage Pattern did not contribute to economic growth in Early Modern Europe (EMP). First, we argue that the link between the EMP and economic growth is not conceptualized correctly. Age of marriage is not a correct index of the degree to which countries were characterized by EMP. Secondly, we show that our alternative interpretation of the EMP, focusing on the underlying institutions and the related balance of power between men and women, solves this problem. We find a strong correlation between economic growth and female agency.
One-year outcome and incidence of anorexia nervosa and restrictive eating disorders among adolescent girls treated as out-patients in a family-based setting

Abstract Aims To study the 1-year outcome and to analyse predictors of outcome of a cohort of adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa (AN) or restrictive eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOSr) treated as out-patients in a family-based programme at a specialized eating disorder service. To calculate the incidence of anorexia nervosa among treatment-seeking girls younger than 18 in Uppsala County from 2004 to 2006. Methods A total of 168 female patients were offered treatment, and 141 were followed-up 1 year after starting treatment, 29 with AN and 112 with EDNOSr. Results Of the 29 girls who initially had AN, 6 (20%) had a good outcome and were free of any form of eating disorder at follow-up; only 1 (3%) had AN. Of the patients with EDNOSr, 54 (48%) had a good outcome and were free of eating disorders. Three (3%) had a poor outcome and had developed AN. The incidence of AN was 18/100,000 person-years in girls younger than 12 and 63/100,000 in girls younger than 18. Conclusion Restrictive eating disorders, including AN, in children and adolescents can be successfully treated in a family-based specialized out-patient service without in-patient care.
Comparing the Mental Health of Female Athlete and Non-Athlete Students in the City of Indica

Objective: The present study aimed to compare mental health of female athlete and non-athlete students in the city of Indica. The research methodology was a descriptive survey, which initially described the mental health and then compared it among the students. Methods: The statistical population of the study included all high school girls in the academic year of 2012-2013 in the city of Indica accounting for 919 subjects. The sampling was done in this study by two methods of census (enumeration) and multi-stage cluster random sampling. Due to the limited number of athletes (85 subjects), all were included in the study sample. Of the non-athletic population, 106 non-athlete subjects were selected using Cochran formula by multi-stage cluster random sampling method. The measurement tool in this study was the Goldberg and Hiller GHQ Standard Questionnaire (1979) consisting of two parts. The first part includes demographic information, including questions about demographic and individual characteristics of study samples such as age, type of illness, etc. The second part consisted of 28 questions to measure four subscales (somatic symptoms, anxiety, social functioning and depression). The reliability (reliability coefficient) of the questionnaire was obtained as 0.85 through Cronbach's alpha coefficient. For data analysis, the descriptive statistics was used in order to summarize the data, and the inferential statistics, including Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Mann-Whitney tests were used to test the hypotheses. Results: The results showed significant differences between physical symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and depression in two groups of female athlete and non- athlete students.
Comparing student-selected and teacher-assigned pairs on collaborative writing

Despite the preponderance of theoretical and empirical evidence that suggests the use of pair/group work to promote second language learning, it is still unclear who can best form high performance groups. Should students be allowed to choose their working partners, or should teachers themselves assign students to pairs? This study set out to compare the nature of student-selected and teacher-assigned pairs while they were engaged in collaborative writing. All learner talk was audio recorded, transcribed and analysed for the quantity, type and resolution of language related episodes (LREs) as well as the patterns of dyadic interaction. Furthermore, the study examined the texts produced using both quantitative and qualitative measures. Our findings suggest that the teacher-assigned pairs generated significantly more LREs than the student-selected pairs, while there was no significant difference in the patterns of interaction between the two pairing methods. Meanwhile, the qualitative analysis of learner talk revealed a considerable amount of off-task behavior among the members of student-selected pairs. Moreover, as far as the outcome of pair work (collaborative writing) was concerned, the teacher-assigned pairs noticeably outperformed the student-selected pairs on measures of fluency and accuracy. Also, they produced significantly better texts in terms of organization, grammar and vocabulary.
The joint impact of collectivistic value orientation and independent self-representation on group creativity

Which antecedents and group processes are beneficial to creativity in groups? Taking a component-based approach of individualism–collectivism (I-C), we proposed that the combination of collectivistic value orientation and independent self-representation of group members enhances group creativity. In an interactive group brainstorming experiment (N = 68 triads), we manipulated group members’ value orientation and their self-representation via priming methods and examined group creativity using both a consensual and an objective measure of idea originality. Results indicated that groups generated ideas that are more original when members combined a collectivistic value orientation with independent self-representation than with interdependent self-representation. In contrast, differences in self-representation did not have a significant effect when an individualistic value orientation was activated. We also identified specific group processes characteristic of the predicted combinatorial effect: In creative groups, there was more open communication. Implications of these findings for research on group creativity and future directions are discussed.
Computational Analysis of Interaction between Mycobacterial Antigens Rv0679c and Rv0180c with Toll like Receptors of Human and Mouse

Toll like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in the innate immune response to infectious agents. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli and its antigens interaction with TLR-2-1 and TLR-4-MD2 were shown to activate intracellular signalling which determines the outcome of the disease. Present study focused on two new antigens Rv0679c and Rv0180c of M.tb H37Rv and their interactions with human and mouse TLRs using computational approach. Structures of Rv0679c and Rv0180c antigens of M.tb were generated using I-TASSER and docked with TLR-2-1 and TLR-4-MD2 complexes of human and mouse using Cluspro2.0. Rv0180c antigen has better binding energy to both human and mouse TLR-2-1 and TLR-4-MD2 compared to Rv0679c and other mycobacterial antigens. The Rv0679c and Rv0180c antigens have better binding energy to TLR 4-MD2 complex compared to TLR-2-1 in both human and mouse. Both antigens has better binding energy to mouse TLRs compared to human except where Rv0180c has better binding to human TLR-2-1. Our findings suggest that Rv0180c might be the preferred for binding to TLRs than Rv0679c and within TLRs, TLR-4MD2 for interaction. General Terms Invasive mechanism of mycobacterial antigens using TLRs
Psychopathological and Cognitive Effects of Therapeutic Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis: A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Study

Objectives: To study possible psychopathological symptoms and cognitive deficits, abuse induction, as well as general tolerability and effects on quality of life, fatigue and motor function in cannabis-naïve patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with a free-dose cannabis plant extract (Sativex). Methods: In an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group crossover trial, 17 cannabis-naïve patients with MS were assessed at baseline and at the end of the cannabis and placebo phases of the trial (each of 3 weeks) by means of Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (of which 1 dimension is the Paced Auditory Serial Additional Test that was used to evaluate cognition), Visual Analogue Scale on health-related quality of life, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29, and Fatigue Severity Scale. Results: Postplacebo versus postcannabinoid scores showed that no significant differences could be detected on all the variables under study. A significant positive correlation was found between &Dgr;-9-tetrahydrocannabinol blood levels and scores at the General Symptomatic Index and at the "interpersonal sensitivity," "aggressive behaviour," and "paranoiac tendencies" subscales of the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised. No serious adverse events, abuse tendencies, or direct withdrawal symptoms were reported. Increased desire for Sativex with secondary depression was reported in 1 subject. Conclusions: Cannabinoid treatment did not induce psychopathology and did not impair cognition in cannabis-naïve patients with MS. However, the positive correlation between blood levels of &Dgr;-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and psychopathological scores suggests that at dosages higher than those used in therapeutic settings, interpersonal sensitivity, aggressiveness, and paranoiac features might arise, although greater statistical power would be necessary to confirm this finding.
Basal forebrain atrophy is a distinctive pattern in dementia with Lewy bodies

We determined brain atrophy patterns in dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease using voxel-based morphometry, an indirect volumetry. Ten patients with dementia with Lewy bodies, 10 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 10 controls were included. All groups were matched for age; sex and global differences in voxel intensities were included as confounding covariates. We observed basal forebrain atrophy discriminating dementia with Lewy bodies from Alzheimer's disease. Compared to controls, atrophy of lateral prefrontal cortex and left premotor cortex was seen in dementia with Lewy bodies whereas atrophy of the medial temporal cortex, posterior parietal cortex, thalamus and temporo-occipital areas was observed in Alzheimer's disease. Atrophy of insular cortex was found in both patient groups.
Set-up of a Robust NARX Model Simulator of Gas Turbine Start-up

This paper documents the set-up and validation of nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) models of a heavy-duty single-shaft gas turbine. The considered gas turbine is a General Electric PG 9351FA located in Italy. The data used for model training are time series data sets of five different maneuvers taken experimentally during the start-up procedure. The trained NARX models are subsequently used to predict other five experimental data sets and comparisons are made among the outputs of the models and the corresponding measured data. Therefore, this paper addresses the challenge of setting up robust NARX models, by means of an accurate selection of training data sets and a sensitivity analysis on the number of neurons. Moreover, a new performance function for the training process is defined to weigh more the most rapid transients. The final aim of the developed simulation models is the set-up of a powerful and easy-to-build simulation tool which can be used for both control logic tuning and gas turbine diagnostics, characterized by good generalization capability.
Salient Endogenous Social Interactions Effects: An Experimental Investigation

We experimentally disentangle two potential sources for endogenous social interactions effects. By comparing groups where the group norm is publicly observable with those where it is not we can measure the size of any endogenous observation effect. By comparing connected with disconnected groups we can measure the size of any endogenous strategic interaction effect. Results are provided for both the stag hunt coordination game and the prisoners dilemma. We find strong evidence of an endogenous observation effect in the stag hunt game but not prisoners dilemma. We find no evidence of an endogenous strategic interaction effect in either game. While our results point towards a conformity effect we argue that information on the group norm primarily acts as a coordinating device.
Sustainable entrepreneurship in universities and environmental values / Emprendimiento sostenible en la universidad y valores ambientales

Abstract The study of sustainable entrepreneurship is still in the very early stages, and many questions have been raised. The aim of this study is to shed light on the characteristics associated with entrepreneurs, and potential entrepreneurs, among university teaching and research staff, whose entrepreneurship is grounded in sustainability. A sample of 2,671 university faculty members (55.9% men and 35.6% women) aged between 24 and 77 (M = 44.45, SD = 9.60) responded to an electronic questionnaire about business start-ups that contained items designed to evaluate ecocentric and anthropocentric values and attitudes. The results support the hypothesis that ecocentrism is chiefly associated with the desire to set up a sustainable company. The findings of this study are useful from a theoretical (to elucidate the characteristics of the sustainable entrepreneur) and practical standpoint (to guide the implementation of curricular innovations in university) with a view to optimizing the presence of sustainability within the university sphere.