Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knotted vs. Unknotted Proteins: Evidence of Knot-Promoting Loops

Knotted proteins, because of their ability to fold reversibly in the same topologically entangled conformation, are the object of an increasing number of experimental and theoretical studies. The aim of the present investigation is to assess, on the basis of presently available structural data, the extent to which knotted proteins are isolated instances in sequence or structure space, and to use comparative schemes to understand whether specific protein segments can be associated to the occurrence of a knot in the native state. A significant sequence homology is found among a sizeable group of knotted and unknotted proteins. In this family, knotted members occupy a primary sub-branch of the phylogenetic tree and differ from unknotted ones only by additional loop segments. These “knot-promoting” loops, whose virtual bridging eliminates the knot, are found in various types of knotted proteins. Valuable insight into how knots form, or are encoded, in proteins could be obtained by targeting these regions in future computational studies or excision experiments.
In search of lesbian space? The experience of Manchester's gay village

This paper discusses the socio-cultural processes that shape homosexual leisure space, specifically examining the experiences of lesbians. In doing so, it seeks to contribute to the emergent body of tourism research focusing on gendered and sexualized leisure. Its primary contribution to gender tourism research, however, is to provide further support for the conceptualization of leisure processes and spaces as both heterosexist and androcentric. The paper thus begins by briefly discussing the socio-cultural construction of gay space and the powerful dynamics that underpin its emotional geography. It then briefly discusses the study's methodological approach before presenting and discussing the findings of the research conducted with lesbians in Manchester's gay village - one of the UK's first and most successful gay and lesbian quarters. The paper reveals how sexuality and gender combine to constrain women's consumption of public leisure space and suggests that, whilst homosexual spaces have emotional and psychological importance as empowering places in a heterosexual world, in the case of the Manchester gay village, this homosexual space does not empower lesbians because of the homo-patriarchic power dialectics characterizing its socio-cultural construction. The women interviewed in the study do have territorial ambitions in the village - their own space is important to them, it confirms their place in the village and it supports the development of social networks for lesbians in a hostile, hetero-patriarchic world. Yet, it emerges that lesbian space is an exceptionally difficult homosexual space to claim since the more powerful and more established gay male community in that area does not particularly welcome women.
Three generations of Lancashire women

In 1914 opportunities for working-class women's sports participation were limited and peripheral, but the 1980s, policy reforms resulted in the then Sports Council identifying women as a ‘target group’. Subsequently the notion that barriers to women's participation are issues to be identified and resolved has become commonplace in contemporary sports participation and development. In this paper I wish to track the changes in sports participation in the lives of a group of Lancashire women over the last 98 years, from 1914 to the present day. I do this from a personal perspective by exploring the life history of my grandmother and mother and interweaving this with an autoethnographic narrative of my own experiences. I document the changes from an individual who had no opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity, through to myself who has achieved a career based upon it. These three sporting histories illustrate the shift in women's participation from overt marginalisation from the sports arena to greater acceptance. This change in opportunities to enter the male-dominated world of sport is due to various socio-historical factors. In terms of changes in the broader historical context, women have the vote, legislated rights and the hegemonic dominance of men's sport has been challenged and resisted. In the more specific context of my family history, upward social mobility has opened up both educational and sporting opportunities for me which were not available to my working-class parents or grandparents. These opportunities have enabled me to enjoy a lifestyle which would have been inconceivable for my grandmother. By exploring our sporting histories and, through them, the changes in working-class women's lives in the United Kingdom more generally, my aim is to recognise that the previous generations' struggle for the opportunity to take part in sport has afforded benefits for my generation.
Developing Enlightened Leaders for Industry and Community

What does it take to develop enlightened leaders who can transform their organizations and communities? The quest to develop enlightened leaders who are self-aware, learning centered, adaptable, interpersonally competent, and team oriented is a challenge faced by many management programs. The Master of Science program in Executive Leadership and Organization Change (ELOC) was designed to develop enlightened leaders who can demonstrate outstanding and transformative leadership in their organizations and communities. The ELOC program is an innovative executive-level master’s program designed to develop leadership and change management skills through the pedagogical framework of ACT (action learning, competency development, and teamwork). ELOC students participated in a public engagement practicum course in the first summer of their program. A description of the ELOC program as well as a description of the service-learning course is presented. Key components in the program and course that facilitated the desired executive leadership development are highlighted.
Book Review: Giving and Volunteering in the Netherlands: Sociological and Psychological Perspectives

and What might be the shape of future American educational pluralism? As a former board of education member in Prince Edward County, Virginia (home to one of the cases in the Brown decision and one home to the massive resistance-to-desegregation movement) and a “yellow dog” Democrat, I found these books to be engaging and a bit unsettling. School choice during massive resistance was a code term for support for segregation. So, I have been very suspicious of the current school choice movement. I must say, in credit to these books, every one of the 30 essays caused me to question my assumptions about education and about civic life. I am closer to being convinced that educational pluralism can occur in the United States without educational Balkanization. I am convinced that education now has to be the independent variable that functions to socialize, in different ways in different kinds of schools, young people toward a predisposition for civic participation. These books are well worth reading.
Debt Overhang in a Business Cycle Model

We study the macroeconomic implications of the debt overhang distortion on firms׳ investment and labor decisions. We show that the distortion arises when the levels of investment and labor are non-contractible and chosen after the signing of the debt contract. The financial friction manifests itself as investment and labor wedges that move counter-cyclically, increasing during recessions when the risk of default is high. Their dynamics amplify and propagate the effects of shocks to productivity, government spending, volatility, and funding costs. Both the size and the persistence of these effects are quantitatively important.
Perspectives on oracy—towards a theory of practice

Throughout recorded history scholars have made evident their deep concern to explore the relationships between thought and language in its various forms. From the logic-based metaphysics of Parmenides, the dialectic of Zeno and Socrates, through Descarte’s cogito, to the empiricism of Locke and Kant’s Critique of practical reason, philosophers have attempted to deal with supremely important but troubling issues connected with the nature of knowing, the relationship between thought and language and the role of experience in the construction of meaningful thought. Locke’s rejection of innate ideas was quite revolutionary for his time and from some perspectives he may be accorded a special place in the rise of empiricism and the rejection of a priori knowledge. Whatever ideas we have, Locke argued (Essay concerning human understanding), derive from sensation and perception. Thinking requires ideas, which come from experience. Locke’s contemporary importance lay in his clear assertion that knowledge about the world was purely verbal. From this perspective a major challenge for all peoples is to abstract meaning from experience through language. From a twenty-first-century position, Locke’s philosophical stance is part of ‘educated commonsense’ as Russell (1991) puts it, except we are still left with the baffling psycho-neurological question as to how the mind builds conception from perception of sensations. Piaget’s early work on cognition emphasized the role of sensation and experience, as the organism developed increasingly sophisticated mental structures through adaptation and accommodation, driven by a phylogenetically inherited capacity for developmental change. Such pedagogy as has been derived from Piagetian research, however has often taken the point on the provision of an environment rich in experience, and missed the point by conflating children’s activity with psychological action. Vygotsky’s criticism of Piagetian cognitive modelling
Effect of nonpersistent pesticides on estrogen receptor, androgen receptor, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Nonpersistent pesticides are considered less harmful for the environment, but their impact as endocrine disruptors has not been fully explored. The pesticide Switch was applied to grape vines, and the maximum residue concentration of its active ingredients was quantified. The transactivation potential of the pesticides Acorit, Frupica, Steward, Reldan, Switch, Cantus, Teldor, and Scala and their active compounds (hexythiazox, mepanipyrim, indoxacarb, chlorpyrifos‐methyl, cyprodinil, fludioxonil, boscalid, fenhexamid, and pyrimethanil) were tested on human estrogen receptor α (ERα), androgen receptor (AR) and arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in vitro. Relative binding affinities of the pure pesticide constituents for AR and their effect on human breast cancer and prostate cancer cell lines were evaluated. Residue concentrations of Switch's ingredients were below maximum residue limits. Fludioxonil and fenhexamid were ERα agonists (EC50‐values of 3.7 and 9.0 μM, respectively) and had time‐dependent effects on endogenous ERα‐target gene expression (cyclin D1, progesterone receptor, and nuclear respiratory factor 1) in MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells. Fludioxonil, mepanipyrim, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, and chlorpyrifos‐methyl were AhR‐agonists (EC50s of 0.42, 0.77, 1.4, 4.6, and 5.1 μM, respectively). Weak AR binding was shown for chlorpyrifos‐methyl, cyprodinil, fenhexamid, and fludioxonil. Assuming a total uptake which does not take metabolism and clearance rates into account, our in vitro evidence suggests that pesticides could activate pathways affecting hormonal balance, even within permitted limits, thus potentially acting as endocrine disruptors. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 1201–1216, 2014.
The relationship between musical ability and literacy skills

Research has shown that a relationship exists between phonological awareness and literary skills. It has been suggested that a structured programme of musical activities can be used to help children develop a multi-sensory awareness and response to sounds. The relationship between musical ability and literacy skills was examined in a study that showed an association between rhythmic ability and reading. A further pilot intervention study showed that training in musical skills is a valuable additional strategy for assisting children with reading difficulties.
Fast accessing Web3D contents using lightweight progressive meshes

Accessing Web3D contents is relatively slow through Internet under limited bandwidth. Preprocessing of 3D models can certainly alleviate the problem, such as 3D compression and progressive meshes (PM). But none of them considers the similarity between components of a 3D model, so that we could take advantage of this to further improve the efficiency. This paper proposes a similarity‐aware data reduction method together with PM, called lightweight progressive meshes (LPM). LPM aims to excavate similar components in a 3D model, generates PM representation of each component left after removing redundant components, and organizes all the processed data using a structure called lightweight scene graph. The proposed LPM possesses four significant advantages. First, it can minimize the file size of 3D model dramatically without almost any precision loss. Because of this, minimal data is delivered. Second, PM enables the delivery to be progressive, so called streaming. Third, when rendering at client side, due to lightweight scene graph, decompression is not necessary and instanced rendering is fully exerted. Fourth, it is extremely efficient and effective under very limited bandwidth, especially when delivering large 3D scenes. Performance on real data justifies the effectiveness of our LPM, which improves the state‐of‐the‐art in accessing Web3D contents. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equal ratings but separate meanings: Stereotypes and the construal of traits.

The same trait may imply different behaviors when applied to members of differently stereotyped groups. For example, these studies show that aggressive connotes physical violence when applied to a construction worker but verbal abuse when applied to a lawyer. Such stereotype-driven construals of traits can be more readily explained by a parallel-constraint-satisfaction model of impression formation (Z. Kunda & P. Thagard, 1996) than by more traditional models of representation commonly used by social psychologists. These studies show also that stereotypes affect predictions about a person's trait-related behavior even after the stereotype's impact on the trait itself has been undermined by individuating information about that person. The parallel-constraint-satisfaction model is better able to account for such a pattern than are earlier, serial models of stereotype use.
Parent Styles Associated with Children's Self-Regulation and Competence in School.

This study assessed three dimensions of parent style, autonomy support, involvement, and provision of structure in 64 mothers and 50 fathers of elementary-school children in Grades 3-6, using a structured interview. Aspects of children's self-regulation and competence were measured through children's self-reports, teacher ratings, and objective indices. Results are discussed in terms of the motivational impact of the parent on school competence and adjustment and in terms of transactional models of influence
Cellular organization of the human epidermal basal layer: Clues sustaining a hierarchical model

Abstract Purpose: The basal layer of adult interfollicular epidermis is a highly dynamic cellular system, ensuring the continuous physiological renewal of this tissue, as well as regenerative processes in the context of wound healing. In human skin, despite its major importance for the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis and regenerative processes, the functional organization of basal keratinocytes is still debated today. Progress in this understanding is closely linked to the development of research models enabling investigations of the different coexisting basal keratinocyte subpopulations, to address their specific functional and molecular characteristics, particularly through clonal analyses. We review here different strategies that have led to significant advances in the knowledge of human basal keratinocyte properties, at both phenotypic and functional levels. Conclusions: Convincing clues supporting a hierarchical organization of the keratinocyte basal layer in humans have emerged from the different functional studies. In particular, the hierarchical model constitutes a straight forward interpretation of the clearly non-equivalent potentialities observed when basal keratinocytes were studied individually in a cell culture context.
Self-Assessment as a Learned Reinforcer during Computer Interactive Math Performance

Following a preexperimental assessment of computer interactive math performance, four 6thgrade students from a regular education classroom participated in an ABAB reversal of treatment design. Prior to training, students were given an opportunity to self-assess their speed and accuracy of math performance at the computer. Treatment entailed computer-displayed monetary reinforcement for correct self-assessments. During treatment, monetary reinforcement for correct self-assessmentswas faded, whereas feedback for accuracy of self-assessmentswas sustained. Following treatment, students were given an opportunity to perform math problems while self-assessing their speed and accuracy independent of any form of monetary reinforcement. Thiswas followed by a session in which all opportunities to self-assess were removed and a final session during which students were again given opportunities to self-assess their performance at the computer. Data indicate that three of four students demonstrated high rates of correct problems/minute during the self-assessment only conditions. Implications from this study support the theory that, with practice, self-assessment may become a source of secondary reinforcement and may sustain high rates of academic behavior in the absence of external reward systems. Ramifications regarding self-assessment as a learned reinforcer are discussed.
E.coli MukB protein involved in chromosome partition forms a homodimer with a rod‐and‐hinge structure having DNA binding and ATP/GTP binding activities.

mukB mutants of Escherichia coli are defective in the correct partitioning of replicated chromosomes. This results in the appearance of normal‐sized anucleate (chromosome‐less) cells during cell proliferation. Based on the nucleotide sequence of the mukB gene, the MukB protein of 177 kDa was predicted to be a filamentous protein with globular domains at the ends, and also having DNA binding and nucleotide binding abilities. Here we present evidence that the purified MukB protein possesses these characteristics. MukB forms a homodimer with a rod‐and‐hinge structure having a pair of large, C‐terminal globular domains at one end and a pair of small, N‐terminal globular domains at the opposite end; it tends to bend at a middle hinge site of the rod section. Chromatography in a DNA‐cellulose column and the gel retardation assay revealed that MukB possesses DNA binding activity. Photoaffinity cross‐linking experiments showed that MukB binds to ATP and GTP in the presence of Zn2+. Throughout the purification steps, acyl carrier protein was co‐purified with MukB.
Finite-size effects in the dynamics of neutrally buoyant particles in turbulent flow

The dynamics of neutrally buoyant particles transported by a turbulent flow is investigated for spherical particles with radii of the order of the Kolmogorov dissipative scale or larger. The pseudo-penalization spectral method that has been proposed by Pasquetti et al. (Appl. Numer. Math., vol. 58, 2008, pp. 946–954) is adapted to integrate numerically the simultaneous dynamics of the particle and of the fluid. Such a method gives a unique handle on the limit of validity of point-particle approximations, which are generally used in applicative situations. Analytical predictions based on such models are compared to result of very well-resolved direct numerical simulations. Evidence is obtained that Faxén corrections reproduce dominant finite-size effects on velocity and acceleration fluctuations for particle diameters up to four times the Kolmogorov scale. The dynamics of particles with larger diameters is consistent with predictions obtained from dimensional analysis.
Contextualizing Emotional Display Rules: Examining the Roles of Targets and Discrete Emotions in Shaping Display Rule Perceptions

The present investigation explored how emotional display rules at work differed as a function of discrete emotions and specific work targets. Display rules for the positive emotion of happiness were most likely to involve expressing the emotion as felt or expressing it with less intensity than is felt. Display rules for the negative emotions of sadness and anger were equally likely to involve showing nothing of the emotion or showing the emotion with less intensity than is felt. In contrast, display rules for fear, disgust, and contempt were most likely to involve showing nothing of the emotions. Furthermore, display rules differed across organizational targets, with the most control over emotional displays occurring for customer targets and the least control occurring for coworker targets. In sum, emotional display rules at work appear to be much more complex and nuanced than has been shown in previous organizational research.
Dimensions of Equality

The egalitarian values of equality and priority are standardly given maximal scope in that they are applied to the overall condition of peoples' lives and to temporally complete lifetimes. They are also standardly restricted to interpersonal choices. This paper argues that egalitarian values can also reasonably be applied to particular dimensions of lives, to people at particular times, and to choices made about one person's life. It contends that these special applications of egalitarianism are easier to defend in the case of priority than in the case of equality.
Mast Cell–Mediated Stimulation of Angiogenesis: Cooperative Interaction Between A2B and A3 Adenosine Receptors

Abstract— Adenosine is released during tissue injury, ischemia and tumor growth, and promotes angiogenesis. Because mast cells accumulate in the proximity of new blood vessel development, we examined if they may contribute to adenosine-induced angiogenesis. We found that HMC-1 human mast cells express A2A, A2B, and A3 adenosine receptors. The adenosine agonist NECA (100 &mgr;mol/L) increased interleukin-8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietin-2 mRNA expression. NECA-induced secretion of IL-8 and VEGF was verified by ELISA. A2B receptors mediate VEGF and IL-8 secretion because neither CGS21680 (selective A2A agonist) nor IB-MECA (selective A3 agonist) produced this effect, and it was inhibited by the selective A2B antagonist IPDX but not by the selective A2A antagonist SCH58261 or the selective A3 antagonist MRS1191. In contrast, the selective A3 agonist IB-MECA (EC50 1 nmol/L) stimulated angiopoietin-2 expression. Conditioned media from NECA-activated HMC-1 stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation and migration, and induced capillary tube formation. Capillary formation induced by mast cell–conditioned media was maximal if both HMC-1 A2B and A3 receptors were activated, whereas activation of A2B receptor alone was less effective. Thus, adenosine A2B and A3 receptors act in a functional cooperative fashion to promote angiogenesis by a paracrine mechanism involving the differential expression and secretion of angiogenic factors from human mast cells.