Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LppM impact on the colonization of macrophages by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces several bacterial effectors impacting the colonization of phagocytes. Here, we report that the putative lipoprotein LppM hinders phagocytosis by macrophages in a toll‐like receptor 2‐dependent manner. Moreover, recombinant LppM is able to functionally complement the phenotype of the mutant, when exogenously added during macrophage infection. LppM is also implicated in the phagosomal maturation, as a lppM deletion mutant is more easily addressed towards the acidified compartments of the macrophage than its isogenic parental strain. In addition, this mutant was affected in its ability to induce the secretion of pro‐inflammatory chemokines, interferon‐gamma‐inducible protein‐10, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α. Thus, our results describe a new mycobacterial protein involved in the early trafficking of the tubercle bacillus and its manipulation of the host immune response.
The Hedonic Wage Technique as a Tool for Estimating the Costs of School Personnel: A Theoretical Exposition with Implications for Empirical Analysis.

systems for the distribution of intergovernmental grants Present from the state or federal level to local public school districts are based primarily on factors reflecting the nominal differences in local wealth and/or differences in pupil composition with respect to certain need characteristics such as mental or physical handicaps or cultural disadvantages.1 Until recently little systematic attention had been given to the differences in the costs of educational services across local school districts and the possible ways of incorporating these cost differences into funding formulas which determine the level of intergovernmental grants. The state of Florida has taken the lead in explicit recognition of cost differences by constructing estimates of the cost of living, as a proxy for the cost of education, across local school districts and uses this index to adjust the distribution of state aid to schools. The fundamental difficulty with this approach is that cost of living and cost of education, while related to one another, are not the same thing. The cost of living in a particular school district is but one component in the location and work decisions which affect the supply, and hence the salaries, of school personnel. Moreover, the goods and services that are included in a cost of living index are not necessarily the same goods and services, nor are they consumed in the same proportions, as those included in school district budgets. As an alternative to the cost of living approach, direct measures of
Ethnicity and body image: quantitative and qualitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE Cultural diversity in body image has been studied elsewhere. In this study, we extend previous research by inclusion of (1) multiple ethnic groups for comparison and (2) measures for the assessment of multiple dimensions of body image. METHOD Participants were college students who self-identified as African, Asian, Caucasian, or Hispanic-American. Quantitative measures of weight-related body image and general appearance body image were included. General body image was also assessed qualitatively. RESULTS Caucasian and Hispanic-Americans showed more weight-related body image disturbance than African-Americans and Asian-Americans. African-Americans had the most positive general appearance body image. Ethnic groups were generally similar in their ideal body image traits but some differences occurred for the valuing of skin color and breast size. DISCUSSION This study highlights the importance of studying multiple ethnic groups with multiple measures, rather than simply comparing non-Caucasians to Caucasians on weight-related body image.
An Empirical Study of Liquidity and Information Effects of Order Flow on Exchange Rates

We propose a simple structural model of exchange rate determination that draws from the analytical framework recently proposed by Bacchetta and van Wincoop (2003) and allows us to disentangle the liquidity and information effects of order flow on exchange rates. We estimate this model employing an innovative transaction data-set that covers all direct foreign exchange transactions completed in the USD/EUR market via EBS and Reuters between August 2000 and January 2001. Our results indicate that the strong contemporaneous correlation between order flow and exchange rates is mostly due to liquidity effects. This result also appears to carry through to the four FX intervention events that appear in our sample.
Repeated Moral Hazard, Limited Liability, and Renegotiation

We consider a repeated moral hazard problem, where both the principal and the wealth-constrained agent are risk-neutral. In each of two periods, the principal can make an investment and the agent can exert unobservable effort, leading to success or failure. Incentives in the second period act as carrot and stick for the first period, so that effort is higher after a success than after a failure. If renegotiation cannot be prevented, the principal may prefer a project with lower returns; i.e., a project may be "too good" to be financed or, similarly, an agent can be "overqualified. "
Cell-Passage Activity Is Required for the Malarial Parasite to Cross the Liver Sinusoidal Cell Layer

Liver infection is an obligatory step in malarial transmission, but it remains unclear how the sporozoites gain access to the hepatocytes, which are separated from the circulatory system by the liver sinusoidal cell layer. We found that a novel microneme protein, named sporozoite microneme protein essential for cell traversal (SPECT), is produced by the liver-infective sporozoite of the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei. Targeted disruption of the spect gene greatly reduced sporozoite infectivity to the liver. In vitro cell invasion assays revealed that these disruptants can infect hepatocytes normally but completely lack their cell passage ability. Their apparent liver infectivity was, however, restored by depletion of Kupffer cells, hepatic macrophages included in the sinusoidal cell layer. These results show that malarial sporozoites access hepatocytes through the liver sinusoidal cell layer by cell traversal motility mediated by SPECT and strongly suggest that Kupffer cells are main routes for this passage. Our findings may open the way for novel malaria transmission-blocking strategies that target molecules involved in sporozoite migration to the hepatocyte.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor enhances invasion and induces resistance to apoptosis of colon cancer cells through the Akt/Bcl-x(L) pathway.

Colon cancer overexpresses insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1-R), as compared with normal or adenomatous mucosa, and it has been postulated that colorectal cancer cells depend on the IGF1/IGF1-R pathway for their growth and progression. In this study, using the human colon cancer cell line HCT116, we find that established HCT116/IGF1-R transfectants exhibit a more aggressive transformed phenotype than the parental cell line, as demonstrated by their higher proliferation rate in response to IGF1, higher degree of anchorage-independent growth, resistance to serum deprivation-induced apoptosis, and higher migratory capability in a monolayer "wounding assay. " When injected into nude mice, HCT116/IGF1-R transfectants were highly invasive and produced distant metastases, whereas the parental cell did not. Moreover, the overexpression of IGF1-R in these cells was associated with IGF1-R-induced activation of Akt and up-regulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-x(L). We also show that Akt pathway mediates IGF1-R-induced Bcl-x(L) expression at transcriptional level. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that IGF1-R/Akt/Bcl-x(L) pathway may contribute to a more aggressive malignant phenotype, in a subset of colorectal cancers.
Coincidence of small-scale spatial discontinuities in leaf morphology and nuclear microsatellite variation of Quercus petraea and Q. robur in a mixed forest.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The taxon complex comprising Quercus petraea and Q. robur shows distinct morphologies and ecological preferences, but mostly low differentiation in various types of molecular markers at a broad spatial range. Local, spatially explicit analyses may reveal patterns induced by microevolutionary processes operating mainly over short distances. However, no attempts have been made to date to explore the potential of spatial analyses combining morphological and genetic data of these oaks. METHODS A mixed oak stand was studied to elucidate the small-scale population genetic structure. All adult individuals were classified and putative hybrids were identified using multivariate discrimination analysis of leaf morphological characters. Likewise, all trees were genotyped with five nuclear microsatellites, and a Bayesian assignment method was applied based on maximum likelihood of multilocus genotypes for taxon and putative hybrid classification. KEY RESULTS Multivariate analyses of leaf morphological data recognized two groups with few individuals as putative hybrids. These groups were significantly differentiated at the five microsatellites, and genetic taxon assignment coincided well with morphological classification. Furthermore, most putative hybrids were assigned to the taxon found in their spatial neighbourhood. When grouping trees into clusters according to their spatial positions, these clusters were clearly dominated by one taxon. Discontinuities in morphological and genetic distance matrices among these clusters showed high congruence. CONCLUSIONS The spatial-genetic analyses and the available literature led to the assumption that reproductive barriers, assortative mating, limited seed dispersal and microsite-induced selection in favour of the locally adapted taxon at the juvenile stage may reinforce taxon-specific spatial aggregation that fosters species separation. Thus, the results tend to support the hypothesis that Q. petraea and Q. robur are distinct taxa which share a recent common ancestry. Occasional hybrids are rarely found in adults owing to selection during establishment of juveniles.
A homogeneous sample of sub-damped Lyman α systems – II. Statistical, kinematic and chemical properties

Damped Lyman a systems (DLAs), with N(HI) > 2 x 10 2 0 atom cm - 2 , observed in the spectra of quasars have allowed us to quantify the chemical content of the Universe over cosmological scales. Such studies can be extended to lower column densities, in the sub-DLA range [10 1 9 3.5. In this paper, we use a homogeneous sample of sub-DLAs from the European Southern Oberservatory (ESO) Ultraviolet-Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) archives presented in Paper I, to determine observationally for the first time the shape of the column density distribution, f(N), down to N(H I) = 10 1 9 atom cm - 2 . The results are in good agreement with the predictions from Peroux et al. We also present the kinematic and clustering properties of this survey of sub-DLAs, which appear to be marginally different from the DLAs. We compare low- and high-ionization transition widths and find that the properties of the sub-DLAs span roughly the parameter space of DLAs. We also find hints of an increase of metallicity in systems with larger velocity widths in the metal lines, although the statistical significance of this result is low. Then we analyse the chemical content of this sample in conjunction with a compilation of abundances from 72 DLAs taken from the literature. As previously reported, the individual metallicities traced by [Fe/H] of these systems evolve mildly with redshift. Moreover, we analyse the H I column-density-weighted mean abundance, which is believed to be an indicator of the metallicity of the Universe. Although the number statistics is limited in the current sample, the results suggest a slightly stronger evolution of this quantity in the sub-DLA range. The effect is predominant at z < 2 and most of the evolution observed lies in this redshift range. Observational arguments support the hypothesis that the evolution we probe in the sub-DLA range is not due to their lower dust content. Therefore, these systems might be associated with a different class of objects, which better trace the overall chemical evolution of the Universe. Finally, we present abundance ratios of [Si/Fe], [O/Fe], [C/Fe] and [Al/Fe] for sub-DLAs in conjunction with DLA measurements from the literature. The elemental ratios in sub-DLAs are comparable with those from DLAs. It is difficult to decipher whether the observed values are the effect of nucleosynthesis or are due to differential dust depletion. The metallicities are compared with two different sets of models of galaxy evolution in order to provide constraints on the morphology of quasar absorbers.
An examination of neuro-cognitive functioning and its relationship with physical activity intensity levels and cardiovascular fitness, and the importance of a holistic approach to the development and education of a child

Introduction: It is reported that regular physical activity (PA) is linked to increased neuro-cognitive function (NCF) in children, with moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) showing the most benefits (Syvaoja et al. 2015). What remains unclear is i) which elements of cognition, are affected by exercise intensities in healthy youth and ii) what model could demonstrate the importance of a holistic approach to the development and education of an individual. Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the association between NCF with PA, Cardiovascular Fitness (CVF), and psychological determinants in Irish youth mean age 12.25 years, at a crucial time point in their development. Specific attention was given to identifying whether a specific level of PA contributes to efficient NCF, while also investigating a potential model to demonstrate the importance of a holistic approach to the development and education of an individual. Methods: Information was gathered on participants (n = 262) levels of PA (Actigraph Accelerometer GT1M, GT3X, or GT3X+), CV (20m progressive shuttle run test), NCF (Reaction time (RTI) Attention (AST), Working Memory (SWM), Cognitive Flexibility (RVP) and Executive Functioning), health and wellbeing (KIDSCREEN 27) and academic achievement (AA). Results: This study reported that Light PA, Moderate PA, MVPA, Vigorous PA and CVF associated with NCF. A model of all variables was developed to demonstrate the importance of a holistic approach to child development. Path analysis (AMOS 21) demonstrated a good fit for this proposed model (NFI = .863, TLI = .998, CFI = .996 and RMSEA = .007). Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that performance in NCF tasks are associated with specific PA intensity levels and CVF. The statistical significance of the proposed model highlights the importance of a holistic approach in the development and education of an individual. Future Recommendations: A longitudinal study is warranted to monitor and evaluate the development of NCF and the proposed model in preadolescence as they progress through to adolescence years. Adolescence is a time where a lot of change occurs with potential effects on NCF development. Research is needed on the effect of pre-and- post PA on NCF. This thesis along with previous research has demonstrated that there is a relationship between PA intensity levels, CVF and NCF.
Capitalising on Culture: an Evaluation of Culture-led Urban Regeneration Policy

Municipal authorities throughout Western Europe are attempting to drive regeneration of their urban centres through policies designed to attract inward investment and tourism. In an attempt to woo these outside economic agents in, a variety of cultural consumption oriented policies have been developed and marketed. These include investment in hard cultural-infrastructure such as museums or art galleries, and in less physical aspects such as holding events like the European Capital of Culture. A polemical debate surrounds this use of cultural policy with a clearly economic agenda. This paper gives a brief synopsis of some culture-led regeneration models, addresses the validity of arguments from both sides of the debate, and in the year that Cork 2005 celebrates its year as European Capital of Culture, looks at how the event brings the battle out into the public domain. KeywordsCultural tourism, place-marketing, social inclusion, urban
Sexual Minorities’ Gender Norm Conformity and Sexual Satisfaction: The Mediating Effects of Sexual Communication, Internalized Stigma, and Sexual Narcissism

Abstract Objective: Sexual satisfaction has implications for well-being and may be related to gender norms. This study was conducted to understand the relationship between U.S. sexual minority (SM) individuals’ gender norm conformity and levels of sexual satisfaction, as well as examining the following potential mediators: sexual communication, internalized stigma, and sexual narcissism. Methods and Results: A path analysis (N = 142) revealed that, for SM individuals, higher conformity to feminine norms was related to lower sexual satisfaction through higher internalized stigma. In addition, higher conformity to feminine norms for SM individuals was positively associated with sexual narcissism. Conclusion: Implications related to sexual satisfaction for SM individuals are discussed.
A pairwise ranking based approach to learning with positive and unlabeled examples

A large fraction of binary classification problems arising in web applications are of the type where the positive class is well defined and compact while the negative class comprises everything else in the distribution for which the classifier is developed; it is hard to represent and sample from such a broad negative class. Classifiers based only on positive and unlabeled examples reduce human annotation effort significantly by removing the burden of choosing a representative set of negative examples. Various methods have been proposed in the literature for building such classifiers. Of these, the state of the art methods are Biased SVM and Elkan & Noto's methods. While these methods often work well in practice, they are computationally expensive since hyperparameter tuning is very important, particularly when the size of labeled positive examples set is small and class imbalance is high. In this paper we propose a pairwise ranking based approach to learn from positive and unlabeled examples (LPU) and we give a theoretical justification for it. We present a pairwise RankSVM (RSVM) based method for our approach. The method is simple, efficient, and its hyperparameters are easy to tune. A detailed experimental study using several benchmark datasets shows that the proposed method gives competitive classification performance compared to the mentioned state of the art methods, while training 3-10 times faster. We also propose an efficient AUC based feature selection technique in the LPU setting and demonstrate its usefulness on the datasets. To get an idea of the goodness of the LPU methods we compare them against supervised learning (SL) methods that also make use of negative examples in training. SL methods give a slightly better performance than LPU methods when there is a rich set of negative examples; however, they are inferior when the number of negative training examples is not large enough.
Department of Economics Working Paper University of Massachusetts Amherst Financialization in Kaleckian Economies with and without Labor Constraints Financialization in Kaleckian Economies with and without Labor Constraints

Most Kaleckian models assume a perfectly elastic labor supply, an assumption that is questionable for many developed economies. This paper presents simple labor-constrained Kaleckian models and uses these models to compare the implications of …nancialization under labor-constrained and dual-economy conditions. The paper complements the analysis in Skott and Ryoo (2008) which did not include labor-constrained Kaleckian economies. We show that for plausible parameter values the …nancial changes commonly associated with …nancialization tend to be expansionary in both dual-economy and labor-constrained settings.
Hunting for smells in natural language tests

Tests are central artifacts of software systems and play a crucial role for software quality. In system testing, a lot of test execution is performed manually using tests in natural language. However, those test cases are often poorly written without best practices in mind. This leads to tests which are not maintainable, hard to understand and inefficient to execute. For source code and unit tests, so called code smells and test smells have been established as indicators to identify poorly written code. We apply the idea of smells to natural language tests by defining a set of common Natural Language Test Smells (NLTS). Furthermore, we report on an empirical study analyzing the extent in more than 2800 tests of seven industrial test suites.
Cremona transformations, surface automorphisms and plane cubics

We give a method for constructing many examples of automorphisms with positive entropy on rational complex surfaces. The general idea is to begin with a quadratic Cremona transformation that fixes a reduced cubic curve and then use the group structure on the cubic to understand when the indeterminacy and exceptional behavior of the transformation may be eliminated by repeated blowing up.
New advances in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)

Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) have increased in frequency throughout the world. In addition to an increase in frequency, recent CDI epidemics have been linked to a hypervirulent C. difficile strain resulting in greater severity of disease. Although most mild to moderate cases of CDI continue to respond to metronidazole or vancomycin, refractory and recurrent cases of CDI may require alternative therapies. This review provides a brief overview of CDI and summarizes studies involving alternative antibiotics, toxin binders, probiotics, and immunological therapies that can be considered for treatment of acute and recurrent CDI in severe and refractory situations.
Resource Allocation with Flexible Channel Cooperation in Cognitive Radio Networks

We study the resource allocation problem in an OFDMA-based cooperative cognitive radio network, where secondary users relay data for primary users in order to gain access to the spectrum. In light of user and channel diversity, we first propose FLEC, a novel flexible channel cooperation scheme. It allows secondary users to freely optimize the use of channels for transmitting primary data along with their own, in order to maximize performance. Further, we formulate a unifying optimization framework based on Nash bargaining solutions to fairly and efficiently allocate resources between primary and secondary networks, in both decentralized and centralized settings. We present an optimal distributed algorithm and a suboptimal centralized heuristic, and verify their effectiveness via realistic simulations. Under the same framework, we also study conventional identical channel cooperation as the performance benchmark, and propose algorithms to solve the corresponding optimization problems.
BREAKING F 5 IN COLOR IMAGES WITH LOW EMBEDDING RATES

The F5 steganographic algorithm poses a challenge to steganalysis by successfully avoiding visual and χ attacks. This paper presents a novel algorithm that efficiently breaks F5 in color images, even with low embedding rates. The test results show that the proposed method can accurately break F5 when relatively short messages (4×4 color image) are embedded into a 256 × 256 color image.