Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification and properties of transgelin: a transformation and shape change sensitive actin-gelling protein

We have purified the transformation and shape change sensitive isoform of an actin associated polypeptide doublet previously described by us (Shapland, C., P. Lowings, and D. Lawson. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 107:153- 161) and have shown that it is evolutionarily conserved as far back as yeast. The purified protein: (a) binds directly to actin filaments at a ratio of 1:6 actin monomers, with a binding constant (Ka) of approximately 7.5 x 10(5) M-1; and (b) causes actin filament gelation within 2 min. Although these activities are controlled by ionic strength (and may be mediated by positively charged amino acid residues) the molecule remains as a monomer irrespective of ionic conditions. EM reveals that the addition of this protein to actin filaments converts them from a loose, random distribution into a tangled, cross-linked meshwork within 1 min, and discrete tightly aggregated foci after 10 min. By use of an "add-back" cell permeabilization system we can rebind this molecule specifically to actin filaments in cells from which it has previously been removed. Since the protein is transformation sensitive and gels actin, we have named it transgelin.
Political discourse networks and the conflict over software patents in Europe

In 2005, the European Parliament rejected the directive 'on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions', which had been drafted and supported by the European Commission, the Council and well-organised industrial interests, with an overwhelming majority. In this unusual case, a coalition of opponents of software patents prevailed over a strong industry-led coalition. In this article, an explanation is developed based on political discourse showing that two stable and distinct discourse coalitions can be identified and measured over time. The apparently weak coalition of software patent opponents shows typical properties of a hegemonic discourse coalition. It presents itself as being more coher- ent, employs a better-integrated set of frames and dominates key economic arguments, while the proponents of software patents are not as well-organised. This configuration of the discourse gave leeway for an alternative course of political action by the European Parlia- ment. The notion of discourse coalitions and related structural features of the discourse are operationalised by drawing on social network analysis. More specifically, discourse network analysis is introduced as a new methodology for the study of policy debates. The approach is capable of measuring empirical discourses both statically and in a longitudinal way, and is compatible with the policy network approach.
Comparison of differentiation potential of male mouse adipose tissue and bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells into germ cells

Background: Recent publications about differentiation of stem cells to germ cells have motivated researchers to make new approaches to infertility. In vitro production of germ cells improves understanding differentiation process of male and female germ cells. Due to the problem of using embryonic stem cells (ESC), it’s necessary the mentioned cells be replaced with some adult multi-potent stem cells in laboratories. Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain germ cells from appropriate source beyond ESC and compare differential potentials of adipocytes derived stem cells (ADMSCs) with bone marrow derived stem cells (BMMSCs). Materials and Methods: To find multi-potential entity, after providing purified ADMSCs and BMMSCs, differentiation to osteoblast and adipocyte was confirmed by using appropriate culture medium. To confirm mesenchymal lineage production superficial markers (expression of CD90 and CD44 and non-expression of CD45 and CD31) were investigated by flowcytometry. Then the cells were differentiated to germ cells in inductive medium containing retinoic acid for 7days. To evaluate germ cells characteristic markers [Dazl (Deleted in azoospermia-like), Mvh (Mouse vasa homolog gene), Stra8 (Stimulated by retinoic acid) and Scp3 (Synaptonemal complex protein 3)] flowcytometry, imunoflorescence and real time PCR were used. Results: Both types of cells were able to differentiate into osteoblast and adipocyte cells and presentation of stem cell superficial markers (CD90, CD44) and absence of endothelial and blood cell markers (CD31, CD45) were confirmative The flowcytometry, imunoflorescence and real time PCR results showed remarkable expression of germ cells characteristic markers (Mvh, Dazl, Stra8, and Scp3). Conclusion: It was found that although ADMSCs were attained easier and also cultured and differentiated rapidly, germ cell markers were expressed in BMMSCs significantly more than ADMSCs. This article extracted from M.Sc. thesis. (Maryam Hosseinzadeh Shirzeily)
Vocabulary acquisition and young learners: Different tasks, similar involvement loads

Abstract Laufer and Hulstijn (2001) suggest that the motivational-cognitive construct of involvement may explain and predict different levels of effectiveness for vocabulary-learning tasks. Drawing on their original work and on later research on the involvement load hypothesis (ILH), this study set out to compare the effectiveness of carefully-designed tasks for incidental vocabulary acquisition in children. Thirty-eight EFL elementary-level 10-year-olds from a public school in Warsaw, Poland, participated in the experiment. Divided into three groups, the participants performed three different sequences of tasks, each sequence inducing similar levels of involvement load. In order to measure receptive lexical learning and retention of meaning and spelling, the children were tested with an orthography test, an L2-L1 translation test, and a multiple-choice test immediately after the treatment, and one week later. In support of the ILH, the MANOVA results showed no significant differences between the treatments (irrespective of them being input- or output-based) in any of the test measurements, either in the immediate or in the delayed posttest. We discuss the results in light of the ILH, and outline some limitations and possible implications for pedagogy.
On Choosing Server- or Client-Side Solutions for BFT

Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) protocols have the ability to work correctly even when up to a threshold f of system servers are compromised. This makes them appealing for the construction of critical systems connected to the Internet, which are constantly a target for cyber attacks. BFT protocols differ based on the kind of application, deployment settings, performance, access control mechanisms, number of servers in the system, and protocol implementation. The large number of protocols present in the literature and their differences make it difficult for a system builder to choose the solution that best satisfies the requirements of the system that he wants to build. In particular, the main difference among BFT protocols lies in their system models: server-side versus client-side. In the server-side model each client relies on the system to consistently order and replicate updates, while in the client-side model each client actively participates in the protocol. In this article, we classify BFT protocols as server-side or client-side. We analyze the trade-offs between the two models, describe systems that use these models and the trade-offs they choose, highlight the research gaps, and provide guidelines to system builders in order to choose the solution that best satisfies their needs.
The Role and Importance of Program Quality in Outdoor Adventure Programs for Youth: Examining Program Quality Indicators as Predictors of Outcome Achievement among NOLS Participants

Abstact: Youth outdoor and adventure programs are increasingly being expected to provide evidence that their programs are effective in achieving outcomes. While this is an important goal, participant outcomes are difficult to program for as they are influenced by many variables including the active role of the participant, the leader, the social and physical environments, and a myriad of contextual variables. However, program quality manifests at the point of service, and thus remains malleable by the program. Results of this study highlight the importance of program quality indicators on participant development and more specifically, which elements of program quality are most predictive of program outcomes.
Hierarchical value map of religious tourists visiting the Vatican City/Rome

ABSTRACT Constructing a hierarchical value map, a psychological structure is explored to understand how religious tourists perceive the sites they visit in terms of site attributes, the benefits religious tourists seek, and their own personal values. The sample comprised foreign tourists who visited Catholic religious sites with religious tourism as their primary purpose. Using means-end chain theory, a hierarchical value map of selected religious tourists was created. A typology comprising three prominent sets of values was discovered: religious and pious values, spiritual values, and values associated with tourism and responsibility. The most salient attribute–consequence–value (A–C–V) linkage was as follows: ‘the opportunity to explore the traditions and history of religious sites’ (A)—‘had a genuinely religious experience’ (C)—‘learned about the history of my religion’ (C)—‘enhancement of faith and spirituality’ (V).
Revisiting Corporate Social Media: Challenges and Implications from a Long-Term Study

In a multi-step assessment of a corporate social media platform, which has been implemented in a large company for internal collaboration, we identified three major challenges regarding acceptance and adoption of the platform: (1) diverging perspectives & uncertain top-down communication, (2) functionality jungle & high usage complexity, and (3) lacking collaboration & customization. Based on these challenges, we discuss potential implications for design and implementation of corporate social media. The challenges and implications were derived from data gathered in two rounds of polling employees of the company, where we found that the surveyed employees tended to initially accept the internally implemented social media platform. Nevertheless, by assessing their attitude one and a half years later, we came to understand that the employees have rarely adopted the platform into their daily work practices. This finding led us to analyze in detail the qualitative data gathered along with the survey, as it holds valuable examples and explanations to better understand this phenomenon. Besides presenting the results of the surveys, this paper focuses on the discussion of challenges and implications for enhancing collaboration and supporting adoption processes of social media in workplaces.
Multi-user diversity in a spectrum sharing system

We investigate the effects of multi-user diversity in a spectrum sharing system where secondary users restrictively utilize a spectrum licensed to primary users only if interference perceived at primary users is regulated below a predetermined level. This interference regulation affects the characteristics of multiuser diversity gains previously known in non-spectrum sharing systems. Our numerical and analytical results show that the multiuser diversity gain in a spectrum sharing system increases differently according to conditions given by the transmit power of secondary users, P, and a predetermined interference temperature, Q - if P is sufficiently larger than Q, the multiuser diversity gain in terms of capacity scales like log2 (W (Ns)) similarly to a previously known scaling law in the non-spectrum sharing systems, where W(middot) and Ns denote a Lambert W function and the number of secondary transmitters, respectively. However, the scaling law of multiuser diversity gain becomes log2(Ns) as P becomes sufficiently larger such that P Gt QNs.
A decentralized architecture for consolidating personal information ecosystems: The WebBox

Most existing PIM tools either suffer from having data isolated by being siloed in an application or only interact with specific tools offered through specific services. The consequences are that what people can do with their own data becomes constrained by what services application developers afford. We propose a web-standards based architecture called WebBox to support easy maintenance and repurposing of one's own data for private, social or public publishing, collaboration and reuse.
Contradictions Resolved: An Analysis of Two Theories of the Achievement Gap

Background Value-added modeling (VAM) has been used to rank teachers and assess teacher and school quality. The apparent relationship between value-added teacher rankings and gains in student performance provide a foundation for the view that the contribution of teachers to student performance is the largest factor influencing student achievement, suggesting that differences in teacher quality might explain the persistence of the gap in student achievement as students advance throughout the K–12 years. However, several studies raise questions about the reliability and validity of VAM. Purpose The purpose of this article is to reconcile the evidence that the contribution of teachers to student achievement is large with the evidence that value-added rankings are unreliable and possibly invalid. Design The method involves an analytical review of the available evidence, development of a theoretical explanation for the contradictory results, and a test of this explanation using path analysis with three longitudinal datasets involving nationally representative samples of schools and students. Conclusion The hypothesis that the contribution of teachers to student performance is the strongest factor influencing student achievement is not supported. A stronger factor is the degree to which students believe that they are proficient students. This is consistent with the view that the persistence of the achievement gap is better explained as the outcome of structural factors embedded in the conventional model of schooling that undermines the self-efficacy, engagement, effort, and achievement of students who enter kindergarten performing below the level of their more advantaged peers.
Calibration Belt for Quality-of-Care Assessment Based on Dichotomous Outcomes

Prognostic models applied in medicine must be validated on independent samples, before their use can be recommended. The assessment of calibration, i.e., the model's ability to provide reliable predictions, is crucial in external validation studies. Besides having several shortcomings, statistical techniques such as the computation of the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and its confidence intervals, the Hosmer–Lemeshow statistics, and the Cox calibration test, are all non-informative with respect to calibration across risk classes. Accordingly, calibration plots reporting expected versus observed outcomes across risk subsets have been used for many years. Erroneously, the points in the plot (frequently representing deciles of risk) have been connected with lines, generating false calibration curves. Here we propose a methodology to create a confidence band for the calibration curve based on a function that relates expected to observed probabilities across classes of risk. The calibration belt allows the ranges of risk to be spotted where there is a significant deviation from the ideal calibration, and the direction of the deviation to be indicated. This method thus offers a more analytical view in the assessment of quality of care, compared to other approaches.
Anisotropic elasticity and force extrapolation to improve realism of surgery simulation

We describe the latest developments of the minimally invasive hepatic surgery simulator prototype developed at INRIA. The goal of this simulator is to provide a realistic training test-bed for performing laparoscopic procedures. Therefore, its main functionality is to simulate the deformation and cutting of tri-dimensional anatomical models with the help of two virtual laparoscopic surgical instruments. Throughout the paper, we present the general features of the simulator including the implementation of different bio-mechanical models based on linear elasticity and finite element theory and the integration of two force-feedback devices in the simulation platform. More precisely, we describe two important developments that improve the overall realism of the simulator. First, we can create bio-mechanical models that include the notion of anisotropic deformation. Indeed, we have generalized the linear elastic behavior of anatomical models to "transversally isotropic" materials, i.e. materials having one privileged direction of deformation. The second improvement is related to the problem of haptic rendering. Currently, we are able to achieve a simulation frequency of 25 Hz (visual real-time) with anatomical models of complex geometry and behavior. But to achieve a good haptic feedback requires a frequency update of applied forces typically above 300 Hz (haptic real-time). Thus, we propose a force extrapolation algorithm in order to reach haptic real-time.
A Vector-Hydrophone's Minimal Composition for Finite Estimation-Variance in Direction-Finding Near/Without a Reflecting Boundary

An underwater acoustic vector-hydrophone is composed of two or three spatially collocated but orthogonally oriented velocity-hydrophones, plus an optional collocated pressure-hydrophone. A minimum vector-hydrophone configuration is herein identified for finite-variance direction-finding by identifying the necessary and sufficient vector-hydrophone configuration nonsingularity in the Fisher Information Matrix. Three collocated velocity hydrophones are recommended for boundaryless direction-finding (one along the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis), and a pressure hydrophone collocated with a collocated pair of x-axis and y-axis velocity hydrophones are recommended for direction finding near a rigid-boundary or pressure-release boundary
Recruitment manoeuvres in acute respiratory distress syndrome: Little evidence for routine use

Acutely injured lungs consist of heterogeneous regions of aerated and collapsed alveoli. Implementation of alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (RMs) for the management hypoxemic respiratory failure, however, has been controversial. Randomized controlled trials have not demonstrated a significant benefit to support the routine use of RMs in patients experiencing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Nevertheless, the use of RMs continues to be a topic of clinical interest.
On the radio properties of the highest redshift quasars

We present deep radio observations of the most distant complete quasar sample drawn from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Combining our new data with those from literature, we obtain a sample which is ∼100 per cent complete down to S1.4 GHz= 60 μJy over the redshift range 3.8 ≤z≤ 5. The fraction of radio detections is relatively high (∼43 per cent), similar to what observed locally in bright optical surveys. Even though the combined radio and optical properties of quasars remain overall unchanged from z∼ 5 to the local Universe, there is some evidence for a slight overabundance of radio-loud (RL) sources at the highest redshifts when compared with the lower-z regime. Exploiting the deep radio Very Large Array observations, we present the first attempt to directly derive the radio luminosity function of bright quasars at z≳ 4. The unique depth – both in radio and optical – allows us to thoroughly explore the population of optically bright Fanaroff–Riley type II (FR II) quasars up to z∼ 5 and opens a window on the behaviour of the brightest FR I sources. A close investigation of the space density of RL quasars also suggests a differential evolution, with the more luminous sources showing a less-pronounced cut-off at high z when compared with the less-luminous ones.
Information Maximization Fails to Maximize Expected Utility in a Simple Foraging Model

Information theory has successfully explained the organization of many biological phenomena, from the physiology of sensory receptive elds to the variability of certain DNA sequence ensembles. Some scholars have proposed that information should provide the central explanatory principle in biology, in the sense that any behavioral strategy that is optimal for an organism’s survival must necessarily involve ecient information processing. Here we challenge this view by providing a counterexample. We present an analytically tractable model for a particular instance of a perception-action loop: a creature searching for a wandering food source conned to a one-dimensional ring world. The model incorporates the statistical structure of the creature’s world, the eects of the creature’s actions on that structure, and the creature’s strategic decision process. The underlying model takes the form of a Markov process on an innite
Parallel processes: getting it write?

Abstract This paper offers a critical reflection on the processes surrounding the writing of a book aimed at foster carers and residential workers. By utilising the concept of parallel process as well as the four modes of reflection identified by Gillian Ruch in 2000, we explore the ways in which the wider context of both direct work with children and reflective practice have been impacted by the tensions between relationally based, child-centred practice and wider managerialist imperatives. The paper draws parallels between these practice tensions and those currently in play within the academy. By employing a dialogical and reflective analysis of the process and interactions surrounding the writing of a practitioner-targeted book, the paper demonstrates the ways in which critical and process reflection post-event took place, considering the heretofore unexplored parallel processes between writing for practice, and practice. In so doing, it identifies the ways in which the authors mirrored practitioners in relation to the management of anxiety, a sense of constrained autonomy and confidence, and an avoidance of recognising and challenging structural and political context. Implications for the creation of practice literature and for the academy are considered.
2 Misleading Learners: Co-opting Your Spam Filter

Using statistical machine learning for making security decisions introduces new vulnerabilities in large scale systems. We show how an adversary can exploit statistical machine learning, as used in the SpamBayes spam filter, to render it useless—even if the adversary’s access is limited to only 1% of the spam training messages. We demonstrate three new attacks that successfully make the filter unusable, prevent victims from receiving specific email messages, and cause spam emails to arrive in the victim’s inbox.
Approximating lapped transforms through unitary postprocessing

We deal with the approximation of a nonsquare lapped transform matrix by another matrix. This second matrix is constrained to be the product of two stages: one lapped transform and a unitary postprocessing step, in such a way that approximation is accomplished by modifying the postprocessing stage alone. Viewing both matrices as transforms, the goal is to minimize the variance of the output error (discrepancy) for given input signal statistics. An extension of the result to frequency responses of filter bank transfer matrices is also given along with an example to demonstrate the feasibility of the method. The example demonstrates the potential use of the method in modifying transforms which can be applied in audio compression.