Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Connection between Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate Biosynthesis and Growth on C1 and C2 Compounds in the Methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquensAM1

ABSTRACT Several DNA regions containing genes involved in poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthesis and degradation and also in fatty acid degradation were identified from genomic sequence data and have been characterized in the serine cycle facultative methylotrophMethylobacterium extorquens AM1. Genes involved in PHB biosynthesis include those encoding β-ketothiolase (phaA), NADPH-linked acetoacetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) reductase (phaB), and PHB synthase (phaC). phaA and phaB are closely linked on the chromosome together with a third gene with identity to a regulator of PHB granule-associated protein, referred to as orf3. phaC was unlinked to phaA and phaB. Genes involved in PHB degradation include two unlinked genes predicted to encode intracellular PHB depolymerases (depA anddepB). These genes show a high level of identity with each other at both DNA and amino acid levels. In addition, a gene encoding β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (hbd) was identified. Insertion mutations were introduced into depA, depB, phaA, phaB, phaC, and hbd and also in a gene predicted to encode crotonase (croA), which is involved in fatty acid degradation, to investigate their role in PHB cycling. Mutants indepA, depB, hbd, and croA all produced normal levels of PHB, and the only growth phenotype observed was the inability of the hbd mutant to grow on β-hydroxybutyrate. However, the phaA, phaB, and phaC mutants all showed defects in PHB synthesis. Surprisingly, these mutants also showed defects in growth on C1 and C2 compounds and, for phaB, these defects were rescued by glyoxylate supplementation. These results suggest that β-hydroxybutyryl-CoA is an intermediate in the unknown pathway that converts acetyl-CoA to glyoxylate in methylotrophs and Streptomyces spp.
The radical right in eastern Europe: democracy under siege?

Populist radical right parties have been on the rise across Europe during the past few years, and the Baltic Sea region has not been an exception to this trend. Thus, Michael Minkenberg, Professor of Comparative Politics at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) on the German/Polish border, has produced a very timely study. His book is a distillation of more than two decades of work by one of the foremost researchers of the radical right and a pioneer of the study of the phenomenon in eastern Europe. For the purposes of this monograph, eastern Europe is defined as the postcommunist countries which are now part of the European Union, including the Baltic states, but excluding the former Yugoslav states. Latvia and Estonia receive equal attention to the other countries in the volume, but Lithuania appears less frequently in the text. Although Lithuania has experienced the rise (and fall) of several successful populist parties in the twentyfirst century, none of them could be defined unequivocally as ‘radical right. ’ Minkenberg’s main sources for the Baltic states are articles by the Latvian political scientist Daunis Auers and the Estonian scholar Andres Kasekamp. After an introductory chapter, Minkenberg devotes his second chapter to clarifying concepts, establishing the ‘radical right’ as the most suitable analytical term for the object of his study. Categorizing the radical right is always contentious, but Minkenberg provides a definition which is difficult to disagree with:
PIF1 promotes phytochrome-regulated growth under photoperiodic conditions in Arabidopsis together with PIF3, PIF4, and PIF5

Seedlings growing under diurnal conditions display maximal growth at the end of the night in short-day (SD) photoperiods. Current evidence indicates that this behaviour involves the action of PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 3 (PIF3) together with PIF4 and PIF5, through direct regulation of growth-related genes at dawn coinciding with a PIF3 accumulation peak generated by phytochrome-imposed oscillations in protein abundance. Here, to assess how alterations in PIF3 levels impact seedling growth, the night-specific accumulation of PIF3 was modulated by releasing SD-grown seedlings into continuous light, or by exposing them to a phytochrome-inactivating end-of-day far-red pulse (EOD-FRp). The data show a strong direct correlation between PIF3 accumulation, PIF3-regulated induction of growth-related genes, and hypocotyl elongation, and suggest that growth promotion in SD conditions involves factors other than PIF3, PIF4, and PIF5. Using a pif1 mutant, evidence is provided that PIF1 also contributes to inducing hypocotyl elongation during the dark period under diurnal conditions. PIF1 displayed constitutive transcript levels in SD conditions, suggesting that phytochrome-imposed oscillations in PIF1 protein abundance determine its accumulation and action during the night, similar to PIF3 and in contrast to PIF4 and PIF5, which oscillate diurnally due to a combination of circadian clock-regulated transcription and light control of protein accumulation. Furthermore, using single and higher order pif mutants, the relative contribution of each member of the PIF quartet to the regulation of morphogenesis and the expression of selected growth marker genes under SD conditions, or under SD conditions supplemented with an EOD-FRp, is defined. Collectively, the data indicate that PIF1, PIF3, PIF4, and PIF5 act together to promote and optimize growth under photoperiodic conditions.
Near-Infrared and Millimeter Constraints on the Nuclear Energy Source of the Infrared-luminous Galaxy NGC 4418

We present near-infrared and millimeter investigations of the nucleus of the infrared-luminous galaxy NGC 4418, which previous observations suggest possesses a powerful buried active galactic nucleus (AGN). We find the following main results: (1) The infrared K-band spectrum shows CO absorption features at 2.3–2.4 μm from stars and very strong H2 emission lines. The luminosity ratios of H2 emission lines are suggestive of a thermal origin, and the equivalent width of the H2 1–0 S(1) line is the second largest observed to date in an external galaxy, after the well-studied strong H2-emitting galaxy NGC 6240. (2) The infrared L-band spectrum shows a clear polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission feature at 3.3 μm, which is usually found in star-forming galaxies. The estimated star formation luminosity from the observed PAH emission can account for only a small fraction of the infrared luminosity. (3) Millimeter interferometric observations of the nucleus reveal a high HCN (1–0) to HCO+ (1–0) luminosity ratio of ∼1.8, as has been previously found in pure AGNs. (4) The measurements of HCN (1–0) luminosity using a single-dish millimeter telescope show that the HCN (1–0) to infrared luminosity ratio is slightly larger than the average, but within the scattered range, for other infrared-luminous galaxies. All of these results can be explained by the scenario in which, in addition to energetically insignificant, weakly obscured star formation at the surface of the nucleus, a powerful X-ray–emitting AGN deeply buried in dust and high-density molecular gas is present.
Fixed-Parameter Tractability, Definability, and Model-Checking

In this article, we study parameterized complexity theory from the perspective of logic, or more specifically, descriptive complexity theory. We propose to consider parameterized model-checking problems for various fragments of first-order logic as generic parameterized problems and show how this approach can be useful in studying both fixed-parameter tractability and intractability. For example, we establish the equivalence between the model-checking for existential first-order logic, the homomorphism problem for relational structures, and the substructure isomorphism problem. Our main tractability result shows that model-checking for first-order formulas is fixed-parameter tractable when restricted to a class of input structures with an excluded minor. On the intractability side, for every $t\ge 0$ we prove an equivalence between model-checking for first-order formulas with t quantifier alternations and the parameterized halting problem for alternating Turing machines with t alternations. We discuss the close connection between this alternation hierarchy and Downey and Fellows' W-hierarchy. On a more abstract level, we consider two forms of definability, called Fagin definability and slicewise definability, that are appropriate for describing parameterized problems. We give a characterization of the class FPT of all fixed-parameter tractable problems in terms of slicewise definability in finite variable least fixed-point logic, which is reminiscent of the Immerman--Vardi theorem characterizing the class PTIME in terms of definability in least fixed-point logic.
Availability of mental health service providers and suicide rates in Slovenia: a nationwide ecological study

Aim To investigate the influence of socioeconomic factors, mental health service availability, and prevalence of mental disorders on regional differences in the suicide rate in Slovenia. Methods The effects of different socioeconomic factors, mental health service availability, and mental disorders factors on suicide rates from 2000-2009 were analyzed using a general linear mixed model (GLMM). Pearson correlations were used to explore the direction and magnitude of associations. Results Among socioeconomic factors, unemployment rate ranked as the most powerful predictor of suicide and an increase of one unit in the unemployment rate increased regional suicide rate by 2.21 (β = 2.21, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.87-2.54, P < 0.001). On the other hand, higher marriage/divorce ratio was negatively related to the suicide rate and an increase of one unit in marriage/divorce ratio reduced regional suicide rate by 1.16 (β = -1.16, 95% CI = -2.20 to -0.13, P < 0.031). The most influential mental health service availability parameter was higher psychiatrist availability (4 psychiatrists and more working at outpatient clinics per 100 000 inhabitants), which was negatively correlated with the suicide rate and reduced regional suicide rate by 2.95 (β = -2.95, 95% CI = -4.60 to -1.31, P = 0.002). Another negatively correlated factor was the antidepressant/anxiolytic ratio higher than 0.5, which reduced the regional suicide rate by 2.32 (β = -2.32, 95% CI = -3.75 to -0.89, P = 0.003). Among mental health disorders, only the prevalence of alcohol use disorders was significantly related to the regional suicide rates and an increase of one unit in the prevalence of alcohol use disorders per 1000 inhabitants increased the regional suicide rate by 0.02 (β = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.01- 0.03, P = 0.008). Conclusions Besides unemployment, which was a very strong predictor of suicide rates, unequal availability of mental health services and quality of depressive disorder treatment may contribute to variations in suicide rates in different regions.
Robustness of λ-tracking in the gap metric

Form-input, m-output, finite-dimensional, linear systems satisfying the classical assumptions of adaptive control (i.e., (i) minimum phase, (ii) relative degree one and (iii) “positive” highfrequency gain), it is well known that the adaptive λ-tracker ‘u = −k e, k̇ = max{0, |e|−λ}|e|’ achieves λ-tracking of the tracking error e if applied to such a system: all states of the closedloop system are bounded and |e| is ultimately bounded by λ, where λ > 0 is prespecified and may be arbitrarily small. Invoking the conceptual framework of nonlinear gap metric, we show that the λ-tracker is robust. In the present setup this means in particular that the λ-tracker copes with bounded input and output disturbances and, more importantly, it may even be applied to a system not satisfying one of the classical conditions (i)-(iii) as long as the initial conditions and the disturbances are “small” and the system is “close” (in terms of “small” gap) to a system satisfying (i)-(iii).
An Investigation of Preservice Teachers’ Engagement and Perceptions of Science Learning in Outdoor Learning Environments

Science education programs that use both formal and informal instruction provide students with more engaging experiences than when only using traditional instruction. However, educators often do not know of, or are uncomfortable with using informal resources. Thus, understanding how educators view and experience science learning in informal environments is necessary for increasing the likelihood that these educators will integrate informal science resources into their curricula. The purpose of this study is to investigate relationships amongst preservice teacher engagement during informal, outdoor learning activities, and perceptions about using informal resources during their future teaching career. During this study, preservice teachers (n=5) took part in a one- day, nature-based fieldtrip as part of a General Science education course. During this fieldtrip, they learned science content and how to teach science in a fieldtrip setting. Using a four-dimensional framework of engagement (i.e., behavioral, cognitive, affective, agentic), I analyzed video, eye-tracking, and interview data to identify moments of engagement, preservice teachers’ perceptions of the fieldtrip, and their integration ideas for using outdoor learning environments in their future teaching career. Participants’ actions indicated their engagement across all four dimensions. Participants thought highly of using outdoor learning environments as potential teaching tools, and could identify some way they could integrate them into future teaching practices. No clear relationship existed between observable engagement actions and preservice teachers’ future integration ideas; However, participants’ overall past experiences with informal learning environments (including the General Science fieldtrip) appeared to largely influence their perceptions and integration ideas. Participants who had no prior teaching experiences drew primarily on their experiences as a student, whereas participants with informal and formal teaching experiences drew upon their experiences as a teacher more than their experiences as a student. Observable engagement actions and interview responses also suggested some participants underwent personally meaningful learning experiences.
Employees are equal, but some are more equal than others: Dominance, agreeableness and status inconsistency among men and women

Status inconsistency is a situation in which there is an objective or subjective mismatch between, for example, a person’s education and his/her income. This mismatch may translate into status enhancement, wherein rewards exceed one's human capital, or into status detraction, wherein one's human capital exceeds one's rewards. Although status inconsistency affects employees’ attitudes and behaviors, little is known about individual differences in this variable. The current study investigates whether the relationships of agreeableness and dominance—with objective and subjective status inconsistency vary by gender. We sampled 375 employees and found that agreeable men, but not dominant women, experience a backlash effect for expressing gender-non-congruent traits. In addition, our results show that agreeable employees perceive themselves as status-enhanced when in fact they are not. Finally, we show that objective status inconsistency mediates the relationships of agreeableness and dominance with subjective status inconsistency.
A note on micro-instability for Hamiltonian systems close to integrable

In this note, we consider the dynamics associated to an epsilon-perturbation of an integrable Hamiltonian system in action-angle coordinates in any number of degrees of freedom and we prove the following result of "micro-diffusion": under generic assumptions on h and f , there exists an orbit of the system for which the drift of its action variables is at least of order square root of epsilon, after a time of order the inverse of square root of epsilon. The assumptions, which are essentially minimal, are that there exists a resonant point for h and that the corresponding averaged perturbation is non-constant. The conclusions, although very weak when compared to usual instability phenomena, are also essentially optimal within this setting.
Complex Formation by the Human Rad51B and Rad51C DNA Repair Proteins and Their Activities in Vitro *

The human Rad51 protein is essential for DNA repair by homologous recombination. In addition to Rad51 protein, five paralogs have been identified: Rad51B/Rad51L1, Rad51C/Rad51L2, Rad51D/Rad51L3, XRCC2, and XRCC3. To further characterize a subset of these proteins, recombinant Rad51, Rad51B-(His)6, and Rad51C proteins were individually expressed employing the baculovirus system, and each was purified from Sf9 insect cells. Evidence from nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid pull-down experiments demonstrates a highly stable Rad51B·Rad51C heterodimer, which interacts weakly with Rad51. Rad51B and Rad51C proteins were found to bind single- and double-stranded DNA and to preferentially bind 3′-end-tailed double-stranded DNA. The ability to bind DNA was elevated with mixed Rad51 and Rad51C, as well as with mixed Rad51B and Rad51C, compared with that of the individual protein. In addition, both Rad51B and Rad51C exhibit DNA-stimulated ATPase activity. Rad51C displays an ATP-independent apparent DNA strand exchange activity, whereas Rad51B shows no such activity; this apparent strand exchange ability results actually from a duplex DNA destabilization capability of Rad51C. By analogy to the yeast Rad55 and Rad57, our results suggest that Rad51B and Rad51C function through interactions with the human Rad51 recombinase and play a crucial role in the homologous recombinational repair pathway.
Perceptual Measures of Task Characteristics: The Biasing Effects of Differing Frames of Reference and Job Attitudes.

The study reported here examines the extent to which variations in the perceptions of job characteristics may be associated, not with objective task characteristics, but with perceptual biases reflecting individuals' frames of reference and general job attitudes. Results show that perceptual assessments of task characteristics vary with the individual's frame of reference and job attitudes.
THE PATH TO EXPERTISE IN PORTUGUESE AND USA BASKETBALL PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to analyze the path to expertise of Portuguese and USA basketball players according to their specific playing position (i.e. guards, forwards and centers). The information needed to achieve this purpose was collected through a validated questionnaire applied to 75 Portuguese and 45 USA players in the Portuguese League. This questionnaire provided detailed information about the quantity and type of sporting activities performed throughout their careers. The results suggest some variability in the path followed by the players according to a playing position, except for the conformity displayed regarding early sport diversification (especially between six and ten years of age). The main findings emerging from this comparison suggest that while the Portuguese basketball players specialize in basketball earlier, the USA players seem to be guided to maintain a more comprehensive and diversified approach until 18 years of age.
Heuristics for multi-item two-echelon spare parts inventory control problem with batch ordering in the central warehouse

We consider a multi-item two-echelon inventory system in which the central warehouse operates under a (Q;R) policy, and each local warehouse implements (S i 1; S) policy. The objective is to find the policy parameters minimizing expected system-wide inventory holding and fixed ordering costs subject to an aggregate mean response time constraint at each facility. We propose a Lagrangian heuristic that employs a column generation method and a greedy algorithm. We also consider variants of this heuristic, which are based on the sequential determination of policy parameters (first the order quantities and then the reorder points and basestock levels), as done frequently in practice. As opposed to the heuristics for multi-echelon inventory optimization problems in the literature, our heuristics guarantee feasibility. We propose a lower bound for the optimal expected total cost and show that this bound is asymptotically tight in the number of parts. In an extensive computational study, we test the performances of the heuristics against this lower bound. The performance of the Lagrangian heuristic is found to be extremely well, which improves even further as the number of parts increases. Finally, we show numerically that sequential determination of policy parameters performs less satisfactorily while the computational benefits are limited. Keywords: Inventory, Two-Echelon, Multi-Item, Batch Ordering, Spare Parts, Lagrangean heuristics.
(α, k)-anonymity: an enhanced k-anonymity model for privacy preserving data publishing

Privacy preservation is an important issue in the release of data for mining purposes. The k-anonymity model has been introduced for protecting individual identification. Recent studies show that a more sophisticated model is necessary to protect the association of individuals to sensitive information. In this paper, we propose an (α, k)-anonymity model to protect both identifications and relationships to sensitive information in data. We discuss the properties of (α, k)-anonymity model. We prove that the optimal (α, k)-anonymity problem is NP-hard. We first presentan optimal global-recoding method for the (α, k)-anonymity problem. Next we propose a local-recoding algorithm which is more scalable and result in less data distortion. The effectiveness and efficiency are shown by experiments. We also describe how the model can be extended to more general case.
The Repositioning of Citizenship Emergent Subjects and Spaces for Politics

nection to the national state. The transformations afoot today raise questions about this proposition insofar as they significantly alter those conditions that in the past fed the articulation between citizenship and the national state. The context for this possible alteration is defined by two major, partly interconnected conditions. One is the change in the position and institutional features of national states since the s resulting from various forms of globalization. These range from economic privatization and deregulation to the increased prominence of the international human-rights regime. The second is the emergence of multiple actors, groups, and communities partly strengthened by these transformations in the state, and increasingly unwilling automatically to identify with a nation as represented by the state. Addressing the question of citizenship against these transformations entails a specific stance. It is quite possible to posit that, at the most abstract or formal level, not much has changed over the last century in the essential features of citizenship. The theoretical ground from which I address the