Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbohydrate moieties of major histocompatibility complex class I alloantigens are not required for their recognition by T lymphocytes

The ability to generate specific cytotoxic responses using purified major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen in liposomes has made it possible to directly assess the importance of class I carbohydrate moieties in T cell recognition of alloantigen. Deglycosylation of affinity-purified H-2Kk to yield a single glycan-free product did not alter the specificity, the magnitude, nor the dose range of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to the class I antigen. It can be concluded that carbohydrate moieties are not required to maintain the necessary conformation of the MHC protein, nor to interact with either the antigen-specific receptor or accessory proteins on precursor CTL.
Diversity, Endemism, Species Turnover and Relationships among Avifauna of Neotropical Seasonally Dry Forests

Summary. Neotropical seasonally dry forests (NSDF) are widely distributed across Latin America and the Caribbean. They possess important levels of species richness and endemism but few studies have assessed the diversity patterns and ecological relationships between the entire avifauna of these threatened forests. Thus, in order to analyse the macro-ecological patterns and the community structure of NSDF avifaunas, we generated species distribution models describing the current geographical distribution of 1,298 bird species inhabiting NSDF. We assessed species richness gradients in terms of distance from the Equator using both linear and polynomial regressions. Then, based on a matrix composed of the presence or absence of species in 563 quadrants, we performed cluster analyses (considering the Simpson dissimilarity index [βSIM] as a distance measure) to identify the main NSDF regions and describe the avifaunal affinities among them. For the identified groups, we estimated the dissimilarity values, using both an ANOSIM test and the βSIM index. Overall, we observed the lack of an equatorial peak for species diversity of NSDF avifauna in the latitudinal gradient and identified 12 avifaunistic groups. The βSIM index among the NSDF avifaunal groups ranged from 0.05-0.73, showing statistically significant differences (R = 0.894, p = 0.001) in species composition among them. Species shared between two or three NSDF groups comprised a higher proportion (∼38%) than those exclusive to each group (∼23%). Only 35 species were shared between the 12 groups. This information supports a separation of the NSDF avifauna into two major groups (northern and southern), as well as the idea of connections during recent geological time among the NSDF in southeastern South America (the so-called Pleistocene Arc Hypothesis). We provide a scientific framework to contextualise the importance of each NSDF nuclei in terms of their avifauna, supplying an ecological basis for future conservation decisions in order to protect their diversity. —Prieto-Torres, D.A. , Rojas-Soto, O.R. , Santiago-Alarcón, D. , Bonaccorso, E. & Navarro-Sigüenza, A.G. (2019). Diversity, endemism, species turnover and relationships among avifauna of neotropical seasonally dry forests. Ardeola, 66: 257-277.
A NeuroDesign Model for IS Research

Full-text article is available through access provided by the publisher. Published in Informing Science: the International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline, 17, 103-132. Retrieved from http://www.inform. nu/Articles/Vol17/ISJv17p103-132Hevner.pdf
Health Belief Model on the Predictors of Healthy Sex Behavior among Commercial Female Sex Workers in Surakarta, Central Java

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that are now a global issue because they are the entrance to HIV transmission. Female sex workers (WPS) have a high risk of contracting and transmitting STIs and HIV / AIDS due to unsafe sex behavior. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of safe sex behavior for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections in female sex workers in Surakarta. Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducetd in Surakarta, Central Java, from December 2017 to January 2018. A sample of 105 female sex workers was selected by fixed disease sample. The dependent variable was safe sex behavior. The independent variables were perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, perceive threat, cues to action, and self-efficacy. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: Safe sex behavior among female sex worker increased with strong perceived benefit (b= 0.18; 95% CI= 0.74 to 0.28; p= 0.001) and strong self-efficacy (b=0.51; 95% CI=0.25 to 0.76; p<0.001). Safe sex behavior decreased with strong perceived barrier (b= 0.15; 95% CI= -0.27 to -0.03; p=0.012). Terdapat hubungan antara persepsi manfaat, efikasi diri dan persepsi hambatan dengan perilaku seks yang aman (F= 10.351; 95% CI= 6.70 to 17.00; p<0.001; R 2 =23.5%). Conclusion: Safe sex behavior among female sex workers increases with strong perceived benefit and strong self-efficacy. Safe sex behavior decreases with strong perceived barrier.
Student characteristics, professional preferences, and admission to medical school

Objectives: A potential new avenue to address the shortage of country doctors is to change the rules for admission to medical school. We therefore study the link between high-school grade point average and prospective physicians’ choice to work in rural areas. To further inform the discussion about rules for admission, we also study the effects of other predictors: a measure of students’ attitudes towards risk; whether they waited for their place of study (Wartesemester); whether their parents worked as medical doctors; and whether they have some practical experience in the medical sector. Methods: We conducted two internet surveys in 2012 and 2014. In the first survey, the sample comprised 701 students and in the second, 474 students. In both surveys, we asked students for their regional preferences; in the 2014 survey, we additionally asked students for their first, second, and third preferences among a comprehensive set of specializations, including becoming a general practitioner. In both surveys, we asked students for basic demographic information (age and gender), their parents’ occupation, a measure of subjective income expectations, a measure of risk attitudes, and their high-school grade point average (Abiturnote), and First National Boards Examination grade (Physikum). In 2014, we additionally asked for waiting periods (Wartesemester) as well as for prior professional experience in the health-care sector. Results: We find that three factors increase the probability of having a preference for working in a rural area significantly, holding constant all other influences: having a medical doctor among the parents, having worse grades in the high-school grade point average, and being more risk averse. Moreover, we find that those willing to work in the countryside have significantly more experience in the medical sector before admission to medical school. Discussion: Our results suggest that a change in the selection process for medical school may increase the supply of country doctors. Instead of focusing on the high-school grade point average, universities could even more intensely screen for study motivation through interviews or by taking into account students’ background, extracurricular activities, or waiting periods.
Learning from Point Sets with Observational Bias

Many objects can be represented as sets of multidimensional points. A common approach to learning from these point sets is to assume that each set is an i.i. d. sample from an unknown underlying distribution, and then estimate the similarities between these distributions. In realistic situations, however, the point sets are often subject to sampling biases due to variable or inconsistent observation actions. These biases can fundamentally change the observed distributions of points and distort the results of learning. In this paper we propose the use of conditional divergences to correct these distortions and learn from biased point sets effectively. Our empirical study shows that the proposed method can successfully correct the biases and achieve satisfactory learning performance.
Synthesis of New Nitrofluoroquinolone Derivatives with Novel Anti-Microbial Properties against Metronidazole Resistant H. pylori

One of the major therapeutic approaches to preventing relapse and accelerating the healing of duodenal and gastric ulcers is the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance among clinical strains of H. pylori, alternative approaches using newly discovered antimicrobial agents in combination with the standard regimens for the treatment of H. pylori are increasingly needed. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of newly synthesized 8-nitroflouroqunolone derivatives when used either alone or when combined with metronidazole against metronidazole-resistant H. pylori. Based on the standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and checkerboard titration assay, all of the tested compounds showed interesting antimicrobial activity against 12 clinical strains of H. pylori, with the best in vitro effect for compound 3c. In addition, synergistic and additive activities of some of the tested compounds were observed when combined with metronidazole. Furthermore, among the tested nitroflouroquinolone derivatives, compound 3b showed significant urease inhibition activity with IC50 of 62.5 µg/mL. These results suggest that 8-nitroflouroquinolone derivatives may have a useful role in combination with anti-H. pylori drugs in the management of H. pylori-associated diseases.
Elsevier Editorial System(tm) for Accident Analysis & Prevention Manuscript Draft Injury-risk Behaviors in Preschoolers Injury-risk Behaviors in Preschoolers 2

Unintentional injuries continue to be a serious public-health problem for children and are higher for boys than for girls, from infancy through adulthood. Literature on differential socialization concerning risky behaviors and gender stereotypes suggests that sex differences in unintentional injuries could be explained by children's differential feedback to social pressure, leading to behaviors which conform to masculine and feminine stereotypes. We made the prediction that boys' and girls' conformity with masculine stereotypes influences injury-risk behaviors among preschoolers. Masculinity scores, femininity scores, and injury-risk behaviors of 170 three-to six-year-old children (89 boys and 81 girls) were measured indirectly on two scales filled out by their parents. Results show that boys' and girls' injury-risk behaviors are predicted by masculine stereotype conformity and that girls' masculine behaviors decline with increasing age. These results underline the impact of gender roles — and of the differential socialization associated with those roles — on sex differences in children's risky behaviors as early as the preschool period. Abstract Unintentional injuries continue to be a serious public-health problem for children and are higher for boys than for girls, from infancy through adulthood. Literature on differential socialization concerning risky behaviors and gender stereotypes suggests that sex differences in unintentional injuries could be explained by children's differential feedback to social pressure, leading to behaviors which conform to masculine and feminine stereotypes. We made the prediction that boys' and girls' conformity with masculine stereotypes influences injury-risk behaviors among preschoolers. Masculinity scores, femininity scores, and injury-risk behaviors of 170 three-to six-year-old children (89 boys and 81 girls) were measured indirectly on two scales filled out by their parents. Results show that boys' and girls' injury-risk behaviors are predicted by masculine stereotype conformity and that girls' masculine behaviors decline with increasing age. These results underline the impact of gender roles — and of the differential socialization associated with those roles — on sex differences in children's risky behaviors as early as the preschool period.
Correlation between thermotolerance and membrane properties in Paramecium aurelia

SUMMARY The relationship between thermotolerance and membrane properties was studied by using a ciliated protozoan, Paramecium aurelia. P. aurelia is a complex of sibling species termed `syngens' whose cell morphology appear similar on microscopic examination. From the comparison of tolerance to increasing temperature among 14 syngens of P. aurelia, we selected syngens 2 and 3 as low thermotolerant examples, and syngens 8 and 10 as high thermotolerant examples. The membrane resistance of high thermotolerant syngens measured by injection of a constant inward current was greater than that of low thermotolerant syngens. Membrane fluidity measurements of living cells using the fluorescent dye, 6-lauroyl-2-dimethylaminonaphtalene (laurdan) showed that the fluidity at the cultured temperature was decreased in high thermotolerant syngens compared to that of low thermotolerant syngens. However, when the temperature was increased to the killing temperature of each syngens, the fluidity was increased to almost the same level irrespective of syngen. Furthermore, analysis of fatty acids extracted from whole cells showed that the ratios of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids was smaller in high thermotolerant syngens than in low thermotolerant syngens. These results suggest that the thermotolerance of P. aurelia syngens is determined by the membrane fluidity which is related to the fatty acids composition.
Anterobasal Temporal Lobe Lesions Alter Recurrent Functional Connectivity within the Ventral Pathway during Naming

An increasing amount of evidence supports a crucial role for the anterior temporal lobe (ATL) in semantic processing. Critically, a selective disruption of the functional connectivity between left and right ATLs in patients with chronic aphasic stroke has been illustrated. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the consequences that lesions on the ATL have on the neurocognitive network supporting semantic cognition. Unlike previous work, in this magnetoencephalography study we selected a group of patients with small lesions centered on the left anteroventral temporal lobe before surgery. We then used an effective connectivity method (i.e., dynamic causal modeling) to investigate the consequences that these lesions have on the functional interactions within the network. This approach allowed us to evaluate the directionality of the causal interactions among brain regions and their associated connectivity strengths. Behaviorally, we found that semantic processing was altered when patients were compared with a strictly matched group of controls. Dynamic causal modeling for event related responses revealed that picture naming was associated with a bilateral frontotemporal network, encompassing feedforward and feedback connections. Comparison of specific network parameters between groups revealed that patients displayed selective network adjustments. Specifically, backward connectivity from anterior to posterior temporal lobe was decreased in the ipsilesional hemisphere, whereas it was enhanced in the contralesional hemisphere. These results reinforce the relevance of ATL in semantic memory, as well as its amodal organization, and highlight the role of feedback connections in enabling the integration of the semantic information.
Disaffected Democracies: What's Troubling the Trilateral Countries?

It is a notable irony that as democracy replaces other forms of governing throughout the world, citizens of the most established and prosperous democracies (the United States and Canada, Western European nations, and Japan) increasingly report dissatisfaction and frustration with their governments. Here, some of the most influential political scientists at work today examine why this is so in a volume unique in both its publication of original data and its conclusion that low public confidence in democratic leaders and institutions is a function of actual performance, changing expectations, and the role of information.The culmination of research projects directed by Robert Putnam through the Trilateral Commission and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, these papers present new data that allow more direct comparisons across national borders and more detailed pictures of trends within countries than previously possible. They show that citizen disaffection in the Trilateral democracies is not the result of frayed social fabric, economic insecurity, the end of the Cold War, or public cynicism. Rather, the contributors conclude, the trouble lies with governments and politics themselves. The sources of the problem include governments' diminished capacity to act in an interdependent world and a decline in institutional performance, in combination with new public expectations and uses of information that have altered the criteria by which people judge their governments.Although the authors diverge in approach, ideological affinity, and interpretation, they adhere to a unified framework and confine themselves to the last quarter of the twentieth century. This focus--together with the wealth of original research results and the uniform strength of the individual chapters--sets the volume above other efforts to address the important and increasingly international question of public dissatisfaction with democratic governance. This book will have obvious appeal for a broad audience of political scientists, politicians, policy wonks, and that still sizable group of politically minded citizens on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific.
Use of Health-Related Online Support Groups: Population Data from the California Health Interview Survey Complementary and Alternative Medicine Study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of online support group (OSG) use by those with chronic health problems and to identify characteristics associated with use of OSGs and face-to-face groups. METHODS: 6, 795 Californians living with chronic health problems were asked to describe OSG use, face-to-face support group use, and frequency/perceived benefit of support group use. RESULTS: 16% had used a face-to-face group for health, and 1.8% reported having used an OSG. OSG use was associated with depression/anxiety (OR = 3.51), stroke (OR = 3.03), diabetes (OR = 2.96), cancer (OR = 2.86), and arthritis (OR = 2.52). Use of OSGs was also associated with greater education (OR = 12.2), higher income (OR = 3.1), use of complementary/alternative therapies (OR = 5.2), and worse health status (OR = 3.1). Those with asthma (OR = 0.4), over age 65 (OR = 0.2), and Latinos (OR = 0.2) were less likely to use OSGs. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of use of OSGs for those with chronic health conditions is low, but internet-based health-related services have potential to increase the reach of support services for those living with chronic conditions.
Precise Energy Modeling for the Bluetooth Low Energy Protocol

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a wireless protocol well suited for ultra-low-power sensors running on small batteries. BLE is described as a new protocol in the official Bluetooth 4.0 specification. To design energy-efficient devices, the protocol provides a number of parameters that need to be optimized within an energy, latency and throughput design space. To minimize power consumption, the protocol parameters have to be optimized for a given application. Therefore, an energy-model that can predict the energy consumption of a BLE-based wireless device for different parameter value settings, is needed. As BLE differs from the original Bluetooth significantly, models for Bluetooth cannot be easily applied to the BLE protocol. Since the last one year, there have been a couple of proposals on energy models for BLE. However, none of them can model all the operating modes of the protocol. This paper presents a precise energy model of the BLE protocol, that allows the computation of a device's power consumption in all possible operating modes. To the best of our knowledge, our proposed model is not only one of the most accurate ones known so far (because it accounts for all protocol parameters), but it is also the only one that models all the operating modes of BLE. Furthermore, we present a sensitivity analysis of the different parameters on the energy consumption and evaluate the accuracy of the model using both discrete event simulation and actual measurements. Based on this model, guidelines for system designers are presented, that help choosing the right parameters for optimizing the energy consumption for a given application.
Male primary teachers’ fear and uncertainty surrounding physical contact

ABSTRACT Young children often look to their teachers for affection and acceptance, particularly if they are sick or upset. However, many male primary teachers do not feel comfortable with this aspect of their role. Consequently, many men choose not to make physical contact with their students in order to protect themselves from accusations of inappropriate behaviour. Using a mixed methodology of survey and interviews, this research provides an in-depth analysis of the fear and uncertainty male primary teachers experience in relation to physical contact, and the key factors that contribute to its difficulty.
A catalogue of novel bovine long noncoding RNA across 18 tissues

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) have been implicated in diverse biological roles including gene regulation and genomic imprinting. Identifying lncRNA in bovine across many differing tissue would contribute to the current repertoire of bovine lncRNA, and help further improve our understanding of the evolutionary importance and constraints of these transcripts. Additionally, it could aid in identifying sites in the genome outside of protein coding genes where mutations could contribute to variation in complex traits. This is particularly important in bovine as genomic predictions are increasingly used in genetic improvement for milk and meat production. Our aim was to identify and annotate novel long non coding RNA transcripts in the bovine genome captured from RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) data across 18 tissues, sampled in triplicate from a single cow. To address the main challenge in identifying lncRNA, namely distinguishing lncRNA transcripts from unannotated genes and protein coding genes, a lncRNA identification pipeline with a number of filtering steps was developed. A total of 9,778 transcripts passed the filtering pipeline. The bovine lncRNA catalogue includes MALAT1 and HOTAIR, both of which have been well described in human and mouse genomes. We attempted to validate the lncRNA in libraries from three additional cows. 726 (87.47%) liver and 1,668 (55.27%) blood class 3 lncRNA were validated with stranded liver and blood libraries respectively. Additionally, this study identified a large number of novel unknown transcripts in the bovine genome with high protein coding potential, illustrating a clear need for better annotations of protein coding genes.