Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lipoprotein processing is required for virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis †

Lipoproteins are a subgroup of secreted bacterial proteins characterized by a lipidated N‐terminus, processing of which is mediated by the consecutive activity of prolipoprotein diacylglyceryl transferase (Lgt) and lipoprotein signal peptidase (LspA). The study of LspA function has been limited mainly to non‐pathogenic microorganisms. To study a potential role for LspA in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections, we have disrupted lspA by allelic replacement in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, one of the world's most devastating pathogens. Despite the presence of an impermeable lipid outer layer, it was found that LspA was dispensable for growth under in vitro culture conditions. In contrast, the mutant was markedly attenuated in virulence models of tuberculosis. Our findings establish lipoprotein metabolism as a major virulence determinant of tuberculosis and define a role for lipoprotein processing in bacterial pathogenesis. In addition, these results hint at a promising new target for therapeutic intervention, as a highly specific inhibitor of bacterial lipoprotein signal peptidases is available.
A new concept: the use of vanadium complexes in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

In the 21st century, patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM), a lifestyle-related disease, will increase more than in the 20th century. DM is threatening because of the development of many severe secondary complications, including atherosclerosis, microangiopathy, renal dysfunction and failure, cardiac abnormalities, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular disorders. Generally, DM is classified as either insulin-dependent type 1 or noninsulin-dependent type 2 DM. Type 1 DM is treated only by daily insulin injections; type 2 DM is treated by several types of synthetic therapeutic substances together with a controlled diet and physical exercise. Even with these measures, the daily necessity for several insulin injections can be painful both physically and mentally, whereas the synthetic therapeutic substances used over the long term often have side effects. For those reasons, the creation and development of a new class of pharmaceuticals for treatment of DM in the 21st century would be extremely desirable. In the last half of the 20th century, investigations of the relationships among diseases and micronutrients, such as iron, copper, zinc, and selenium, have been numerous. Research into the development of metallopharmaceuticals involving the platinum-containing anticancer drug, cisplatin, and the gold-containing rheumatoid arthritis drug, auranofin, has also been widespread. Such important findings prompted us to develop therapeutic reagents based on a new concept to replace either insulin injections or the use of synthetic drugs. After many trials, we noticed that vanadium might be very useful in the treatment of DM. Before the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best in 1921 and its clinical trial for treating DM, the findings in 1899, in which orally administered sodium vanadate (NaVO(3)) was reported to improve human DM, gave us the idea to use vanadium to treat DM. However, it has taken a long time to obtain a scientific explanation as to why the metal ion exhibits insulin-mimetic or blood-glucose lowering effects in in vitro and in vivo experiments. After investigations from many perspectives involving biochemistry and bioinorganic chemistry, vanadyl sulfate (VOSO(4)) and its complexes with several types of ligands have been proposed as useful for treating DM in experimental diabetic animals. On the basis of a mechanistic study, this article reports on recent progress regarding the development of antidiabetic vanadyl complexes, emphasizing that the vanadyl ion and its complexes are effective not only in treating or relieving both types of DM but also in preventing the onset of DM.
Airway smooth muscle and mast cell-derived CC chemokine ligand 19 mediate airway smooth muscle migration in asthma.

RATIONALE Airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperplasia is a feature of asthma, and increases with disease severity. We hypothesized that this results from migration of ASM or progenitors in response to chemokines derived from ASM or mast cells within the ASM bundle. OBJECTIVES To examine expression of the chemokine receptor, CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 7, in vivo by ASM in patients with asthma and healthy control subjects, and by primary cultures of ASM and fibroblasts; to define expression of its ligands, CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 19 and CCL21, in bronchial biopsies, and primary cultures of ASM and mast cells; and to investigate CCR7's role in ASM migration and repair. METHODS ASM was isolated from bronchoscopy and resection tissue. Receptor and chemokine expression was examined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, ELISA, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. CCR7 function was examined by intracellular calcium measurements, chemotaxis, wound healing assays, and measurement of cell proliferation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS ASM, myofibroblasts, and fibroblasts expressed CCR7. CCL19, but not CCL21, was highly expressed in bronchial biopsies by mast cells and vessels in asthma of all severities, ASM in severe disease, and ex vivo ASM and mast cells. ASM CCR7 activation by CCL19-mediated intracellular calcium elevation and concentration-dependent migration, but not proliferation. Importantly, mast cell and ASM-derived CCL19 mediated ASM migration and repair. CONCLUSIONS The CCL19/CCR7 axis may play an important role in the development of ASM hyperplasia in asthma.
Metacercarial polymorphism and genetic variation of Paragonimus heterotremus (Digenea: Paragonimidae), and a re-appraisal of the taxonomic status of Paragonimus pseudoheterotremus

Abstract Paragonimus heterotremus, which is an important pathogen for human paragonimiasis in Asia, is recognized as having the smallest metacercariae (maximum diameter < 300 μm) of any previously reported Paragonimus species. Recently, P. pseudoheterotremus has been described from Thailand as a new species having metacercariae (about 200 μm) slightly smaller than those of Thai P. heterotremus. In fact, the small size of P. pseudoheterotremus metacercariae is compatible with those of P. heterotremus from India and China. In this study in Vietnam, we found variably sized small metacercariae which are expected to consist of both P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus. Contrary to expectation, the adult flukes obtained by separate infection of experimental cats with different sized metacercariae were all identified as P. heterotremus, using both morphological and molecular characteristics. The molecular analyses of an extensive collection of P. heterotremus/P. pseudoheterotremus isolates from Asian countries also indicated that genetic distances between different populations of P. heterotremus are even larger than that between P. pseudoheterotremus and P. heterotremus. The haplotype network showed that all P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus isolates formed a P. heterotremus complex consisting of three groups with strong geographical origins. In addition, the Indian P. heterotremus group is the root of the other P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus populations. Based on the observed metacercarial polymorphisms and genetic variation in P. heterotremus,P. pseudoheterotremus should be considered a geographically isolated population of the P. heterotremus complex.
Prevention of sports injury I: a systematic review of applied biomechanics and physiology outcomes research

Objective To analyse published articles that used interventions aimed at investigating biomechanical/physiological outcomes (ie, intermediate risk factors) for sport injury prevention in order to characterise the state of the field and identify important areas not covered in the literature. Data sources PubMed, Cinahl, Web of Science and Embase were searched using a broad search strategy. Main results Only 144 of 2525 articles retrieved by the search strategy met the inclusion criteria. Crossover study designs increased by 175% in the late 1980s until 2005 but have declined 32% since then. Randomised controlled trial (RCT) study designs increased by 650% since the early 1980s. Protective equipment studies (61.8% of all studies) declined by 35% since 2000, and training studies (35.4% of all studies) increased by 213%. Equipment research studied stability devices (83.1%) and attenuating devices (13.5%) whereas training research studied balance and coordination (54.9%), strength and power (43.1%) and stretching (15.7%). Almost all (92.1%) studies investigated the lower extremity and 78.1% were of the joint (non-bone)-ligament type. Finally, 57.5% of the reports studied contact sports, 24.2% collision and 25.8% non-contact sports. Conclusion The decrease in crossover study design and increase in RCTs over time suggest a shift in study design for injury prevention articles. Another notable finding was the change in research focus from equipment interventions, which have been decreasing since 2000 (35% decline), to training interventions, which have been increasing (213% increase). Finally, there is very little research on overuse or upper extremity injuries.
Paving the Road to Exascale with Many-Task Computing

Exascale systems will bring significant challenges. This work attempts to addresses them through the Many-Task Computing (MTC) paradigm, by delivering data-aware job scheduling systems and fully asynchronous distributed architectures. MTC applications are structured as DAG graphs of tasks, with dependencies forming the edges. The asynchronous nature of MTC makes it more resilient than traditional HPC approaches as the system MTTF decreases. Future highly parallelized hardware is well suited for achieving high throughput with large-scale MTC applications. This work proposes a distributed MTC execution fabric for exascale, MATRIX, which adopts work stealing to achieve load balance. Work stealing was studied through SimMatrix, a scalable simulator, up to exascale with millions of nodes, billions of cores, and trillions of tasks.
The Basic Management Cycle: A Systems Approach to the Management Process

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a new theoretical approach for understanding the management process in organizations. Synthesizing both classical and systems ideas, the concept of a Basic Management Cycle is developed. By reifying the ordering and processes of the essential elements of management, what is developed may be described as a cascading means-ends chain of organized, loosely coupled, interconnected systems, moving from generality toward specificity, that serve as a normative template for the management process. The importance of this paper lies mainly in its synthesis of a number of existing ideas not configured heretofore in the manner presented.
Promoting Transformative Learning Through Reading Fiction

This article is a report on research into the role of fiction in promoting transformative learning in higher education settings. Participants were 131 undergraduate and graduate students from two universities in the United States. To determine the type of learning promoted by reading fiction, we performed qualitative analyses on participants’ written reflections following a learning activity that included the reading of a fictional short story. Our major findings consisted of the following three categories: promoting change (with subcategories of promotes desire for change and stimulates change), new perspectives (with subcategories of opens eyes to new perspectives and opens new/more holistic perspectives), and fosters critical reflections. Supplementary findings were connections with personal experiences, emotional responses, and role models in the story. The types of learning described by our participants coincide with processes that promote transformative learning.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF SPIRITUALITY AND DEPRESSION ON THE SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING OF JAMAICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN JAMAICA

Spiritual is an integral component of one’s well-being and can serve as a barrier to our wellness as well as a protective factor from ill health. Spirituality helps one to make meaning of life’s circumstances and can be an intrinsic motivator helping to regain balance in our world. This study examined the relationship between spirituality, depression, and subjective well-being in 214 students enrolled in teachers’ colleges in Jamaica. Researchers (Campbell, Roberti, Maynard & Emmanuel, 2009; Kameel & Kamal, 2011; Lipps, Lowe & Gibbons, 2004; Lowe, Lipps & Young, 2009) have documented depression as an issue for college students in Jamaica; however, studies have not yet included students enrolled in teachers’ colleges. Additionally, there is scant research on spirituality and well-being in the Caribbean. This current study tested the extent to which spirituality moderated the relationship between self-reported depression on subjective well-being while controlling for demographic variables like year in college, denomination, and age. The study also tested whether spirituality mediated the relationship between self-reported depression and subjective well-being. All data were collected with self-report measures at a single point in time from a sample of college students. The results of the study supported that there was a significant relationship between depression and spiritual well-being and, between depression and subjective well-being. High levels of depression were related to increase spirituality and depression was found to be significantly related to subjective well-being. The mediation hypothesis was partially supported and the moderation hypothesis was not supported in this study. This study has both practice implication for college counselors to intentionally address spirituality in counseling, and for administrators to include sessions on spiritual exploration and development in the teacher education curriculum. THE RELATIONSHIP OF SPIRITUALITY AND DEPRESSION ON THE SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING OF JAMAICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN JAMAICA
Proteolipid plasmolipin: localization in polarized cells, regulated expression and lipid raft association in CNS and PNS myelin

The proteolipid plasmolipin is member of the expanding group of tetraspan (4TM) myelin proteins. Initially, plasmolipin was isolated from kidney plasma membranes, but subsequent northern blot analysis revealed highest expression in the nervous system. To gain more insight into the functional roles of plasmolipin, we have generated a plasmolipin‐specific polyclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical staining confirms our previous observation of glial plasmolipin expression and proves plasmolipin localization in the compact myelin of rat peripheral nerve and myelinated tracts of the CNS. Western blot analysis indicates a strong temporal correlation of plasmolipin expression and (re‐) myelination in the PNS and CNS. However, following axotomy plasmolipin expression is also recovered in non‐regenerating distal nerve stumps. In addition, we detected plasmolipin expression in distinct neuronal subpopulations of the CNS. The observed asymmetric distribution of plasmolipin in compact myelin, as well as in epithelial cells of kidney and stomach, indicates a polarized cellular localization. Therefore, we purified myelin from the CNS and PNS and demonstrated an enrichement of phosphorylated plasmolipin protein in detergent‐insoluble lipid raft fractions, suggesting selective targeting of plasmolipin to the myelin membranes. The present data indicate that the proteolipid plasmolipin is a structural component of apical membranes of polarized cells and provides the basis for further functional analysis.
Social Learning, Self-Control, Gender, and Variety of Violent Delinquency

ABSTRACT This study tested the role of social learning and self-control theories in the variety of violent delinquent behaviors engaged in by male and female adolescents (N = 833). Results of Tobit analyses indicated that neither theory was able to account for the gender gap. Low self-control was significantly associated with an increase in the variety of violent delinquency among females. Among male respondents, those who were more susceptible to peer pressure engaged in fewer types of violent delinquency. We conclude that theories must actively recognize the role of gender to better account for the differences in violent delinquent behavior.
Comparison between Multiple Lacunar Infarcted Patients with and without Dementia in Nursing Homes in Shimane Prefecture, Japan

We evaluated the activity of daily living (ADL) scores, the frequency of hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM), and the frequency and distribution of white matter lesions in a vascular dementia group with multiple lacunar infarctions (VD group; 20 cases) and a nondemented group with multiple lacunar infarctions (non-D group; 32 cases), relative to a normal control group (29 cases). There were no significant differences in HT and DM among the three groups. ADL scores were significantly lower in the VD than in the non-D group, each of which was lower than in the control group. Frequency of white matter lesions (Binswanger’s disease-like lesions in the frontal and parietal lobes) was significantly higher in the VD than in the non-D group, which was higher than in the control group. We believe that for dementia with multiple lacunar infarctions, diffusely affected cerebrum including white matter lesions, which results in low ADL scores for symptoms, may be a prerequisite.
Optimal Secure Two-Layer IoT Network Design

With the remarkable growth of the Internet and communication technologies over the past few decades, Internet of Things (IoTs) is enabling the ubiquitous connectivity of heterogeneous physical devices with software, sensors, and actuators. IoT networks are naturally two layers with the cloud and cellular networks coexisting with the underlaid device-to-device communications. The connectivity of IoTs plays an important role in information dissemination for mission-critical and civilian applications. However, IoT communication networks are vulnerable to cyber attacks including the denial-of-service and jamming attacks, resulting in link removals in the IoT network. In this paper, we develop a heterogeneous IoT network design framework in which a network designer can add links to provide additional communication paths between two nodes or secure links against attacks by investing resources. By anticipating the strategic cyber attacks, we characterize the optimal design of the secure IoT network by first providing a lower bound on the number of links a secure network requires for a given budget of protected links, and then developing a method to construct networks that satisfy the heterogeneous network design specifications. Therefore, each layer of the designed heterogeneous IoT network is resistant to a predefined level of malicious attacks with minimum resources. Finally, we provide case studies on the Internet of Battlefield Things to corroborate and illustrate our obtained results.
Hearing Loss in Children and Adults: Audiometric Configuration, Asymmetry, and Progression

Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize the sensorineural hearing losses of a group of children and adults along three parameters important to the hearing instrument fitting process: 1) audiometric configuration, 2) asymmetry of loss between ears, and 3) progression of loss over several years. Design Audiograms for 248 60- and 61-yr-old adults and 227 6-yr-old children were obtained from the audiological database at Boys Town National Research Hospital. Based on right-ear air-conduction thresholds, the configurations were assigned to one of six categories: sloping, rising, flat, u-shaped, tent-shaped, and other. Left- and right-ear thresholds were compared to determine asymmetry of loss. Progression of loss was evaluated for 132 children for whom additional audiograms over an 8-yr period were available. Results In general, the children's hearing losses were more evenly distributed across configuration categories while most of the adult's audiograms were sloping or u-shaped in configuration. The variability of loss at each frequency was greater for the children than the adults for all configuration categories. Asymmetrical losses were more common and the degree of asymmetry at each frequency was more extensive among the children than the adults. A small number of children showed either improved or deteriorated hearing levels over time. In those children for whom progressive hearing loss occurred, no frequency was more vulnerable than another. Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that substantial differences in audiological characteristics exist between children and adults. Implications for amplification include the development of appropriate fitting protocols for unusual audiometric configurations as well as protocols for binaural amplification in cases of asymmetric hearing losses.
A piecewise linear convolution interpolation with third-order approximation for real-time image processing

This paper presents a high-performance architecture of a piecewise linear convolution interpolation for digital image. The kernel of the proposed method is built up of piecewise linear polynomial and approximates the ideal sinc-function in interval [−2, 2]. The proposed architecture reduces the computational complexity of generating weighting coefficients and provides a simple hardware architecture design, low computation cost and is easy to meet real-time requirement. The architecture is implemented on the Virtex-II FPGA, and the VLSI architecture has been successfully designed and implemented with TSMC 0. 13µm standard cell library. The simulation results indicate that the interpolation quality of the proposed architecture is better than cubic convolution interpolations mostly, which is able to process various-ratio image scaling for HDTV in real-time.
Efficacy of language intervention in the early years

Background Oral language skills in the preschool and early school years are critical to educational success and provide the foundations for the later development of reading comprehension. Methods In a randomized controlled trial, 180 children from 15 UK nursery schools (n = 12 from each setting; Mage = 4;0) were randomly allocated to receive a 30-week oral language intervention or to a waiting control group. Children in the intervention group received 30 weeks of oral language intervention, beginning in nursery (preschool), in three group sessions per week, continuing with daily sessions on transition to Reception class (pre-Year 1). The intervention was delivered by nursery staff and teaching assistants trained and supported by the research team. Following screening, children were assessed preintervention, following completion of the intervention and after a 6-month delay. Results Children in the intervention group showed significantly better performance on measures of oral language and spoken narrative skills than children in the waiting control group immediately after the 30 week intervention and after a 6 month delay. Gains in word-level literacy skills were weaker, though clear improvements were observed on measures of phonological awareness. Importantly, improvements in oral language skills generalized to a standardized measure of reading comprehension at maintenance test. Conclusions Early intervention for children with oral language difficulties is effective and can successfully support the skills, which underpin reading comprehension.