Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of BMI and self-efficacy levels on the accuracy in self-reported physical activity recall

The purpose of this study was to compare self-reported and objectively measured physical activity levels among college students with different body mass index (BMI) classifications (normal weight and overweight/obese) in order to determine if BMI influences physical activity recall accuracy. A secondary purpose was to examine the accuracy in physical activity recall by physical activity self-efficacy. On day one 52 college students completed the Marlow Crowne Social Desirability Questionnaire a moderate physical activity self-efficacy questionnaire a vigorous physical activity self-efficacy questionnaire and received an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer to wear for 7 consecutive days. After wearing the accelerometer participants completed self-report physical activity measures including the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). They also completed a self-efficacy towards physical activity recall questionnaire. No significant difference was found between the average minutes per day spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity by normal and overweight/obese groups for the BRFSS IPAQ and ActiGraph GT1M. Also recall accuracy was similar between the normal weight and overweight/obese participants on the BRFSS and IPAQ questionnaires. No significant relationship was found between moderate physical activity self-efficacy and recall accuracy on either the IPAQ or BRFSS. However vigorous physical activity self-efficacy was positively related to recall accuracy on both the IPAQ and BRFSS. These results suggest that BMI does not affect either the amount of physical activity completed or recall accuracy in college students. In contrast vigorous physical activity self-efficacy influences recall accuracy of vigorous physical activity.
A Bacteriophage-Acquired O-Antigen Polymerase (Wzyβ) from P. aeruginosa Serotype O16 Performs a Varied Mechanism Compared to Its Cognate Wzyα

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium that produces highly varied lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structures. The O antigen (O-Ag) in the LPS is synthesized through the Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathway where lipid-linked O-Ag repeats are polymerized by Wzy. Horizontal-gene transfer has been associated with O-Ag diversity. The O-Ag present on the surface of serotypes O5 and O16, differ in the intra-molecular bonds, α and β, respectively; the latter arose from the action of three genes in a serotype converting unit acquired from bacteriophage D3, including a β-polymerase (Wzyβ). To further our understanding of O-polymerases, the inner membrane (IM) topology of Wzyβ was determined using a dual phoA-lacZα reporter system wherein random 3′ gene truncations were localized to specific loci with respect to the IM by normalized reporter activities as determined through the ratio of alkaline phosphatase activity to β-galactosidase activity. The topology of Wzyβ developed through this approach was shown to contain two predominant periplasmic loops, PL3 (containing an RX10G motif) and PL4 (having an O-Ag ligase superfamily motif), associated with inverting glycosyltransferase reaction. Through site-directed mutagenesis and complementation assays, residues Arg254, Arg270, Arg272, and His300 were found to be essential for Wzyβ function. Additionally, like-charge substitutions, R254K and R270K, could not complement the wzyβ knockout, highlighting the essential guanidium side group of Arg residues. The O-Ag ligase domain is conserved among heterologous Wzy proteins that produce β-linked O-Ag repeat units. Taking advantage of the recently obtained whole-genome sequence of serotype O16 a candidate promoter was identified. Wzyβ under its native promoter was integrated in the PAO1 genome, which resulted in simultaneous production of α- and β-linked O-Ag. These observations established that members of Wzy-like family consistently exhibit a dual-periplasmic loops topology, and identifies motifs that are plausible to be involved in enzymatic activities. Based on these results, the phage-derived Wzyβ utilizes a different reaction mechanism in the P. aeruginosa host to avoid self-inhibition during serotype conversion.
EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR THE EVOLUTION OF THE MAMMALIAN BACULUM BY SEXUAL SELECTION

Male genitalia exhibit a taxonomically widespread pattern of rapid and divergent evolution. Sexual selection is generally believed to be responsible for these patterns of evolutionary divergence, although empirical support for the sexual selection hypothesis comes mainly from studies of insects. Here we show that sexual selection is responsible for an evolutionary divergence in baculum morphology among populations of house mice Mus domesticus. We sourced mice from three isolated populations known to be subject to differing strengths of postcopulatory sexual selection and bred them under common‐garden conditions. Mice from populations with strong postcopulatory sexual selection had bacula that were relatively thicker compared with mice from populations with weak selection. We used experimental evolution to determine whether these patterns of divergence could be ascribed to postcopulatory sexual selection. After 27 generations of experimental evolution, populations of mice subjected to postcopulatory sexual selection evolved bacula that were relatively thicker than populations subjected to enforced monogamy. Our data thereby provide evidence that postcopulatory sexual selection underlies an evolutionary divergence in the mammalian baculum and supports the hypothesis that sexual selection plays a general role in the evolution of male genital morphology across evolutionary diverse taxonomic groups.
The Inositol-3-Phosphate Synthase Biosynthetic Enzyme Has Distinct Catalytic and Metabolic Roles

ABSTRACT Inositol levels, maintained by the biosynthetic enzyme inositol-3-phosphate synthase (Ino1), are altered in a range of disorders, including bipolar disorder and Alzheimer's disease. To date, most inositol studies have focused on the molecular and cellular effects of inositol depletion without considering Ino1 levels. Here we employ a simple eukaryote, Dictyostelium discoideum, to demonstrate distinct effects of loss of Ino1 and inositol depletion. We show that loss of Ino1 results in an inositol auxotrophy that can be rescued only partially by exogenous inositol. Removal of inositol supplementation from the ino1− mutant resulted in a rapid 56% reduction in inositol levels, triggering the induction of autophagy, reduced cytokinesis, and substrate adhesion. Inositol depletion also caused a dramatic generalized decrease in phosphoinositide levels that was rescued by inositol supplementation. However, loss of Ino1 triggered broad metabolic changes consistent with the induction of a catabolic state that was not rescued by inositol supplementation. These data suggest a metabolic role for Ino1 that is independent of inositol biosynthesis. To characterize this role, an Ino1 binding partner containing SEL1L1 domains (Q54IX5) and having homology to mammalian macromolecular complex adaptor proteins was identified. Our findings therefore identify a new role for Ino1, independent of inositol biosynthesis, with broad effects on cell metabolism.
Chapter 4: Simulating a Deformable Object Using a Surface Mass Spring System

This paper introduces volume springs that provide the volume effect to a surface model when it is deformed. The estimation of the properties of the model takes the real material properties into consideration, where each spring stiffness is derived based on the elasticity, rigidity and compressibility modulus. The proposed model can be adopted to simulate soft objects such as a deformable human breast, and it can be further extended to address other material properties.
Preparing Teachers to Become Lifelong Learners: Exploring the Use of Fiction to Develop Multiliteracies and Critical Thinking

Drawing upon research from a SSHRC grant entitled Creating a Canadian “Voice”: Lifelong Learning, the Craft of Fiction Writing, and Citizenship, we examine how multiliteracies and critical thinking can be fostered using a framework of lifelong learning for teachers. We provide examples from authors and key informants who discuss learning and fiction writing to argue that there are benefits for diverse learners in using wider, more inclusive definitions of literacy associated with multiliteracies. We also provide examples of how multimodal technologies can foster learning connected to critical thinking and multiliteracies.
The Family Adoption Communication (FAC) Model

ABSTRACT Presented is a theoretical model explaining how family communication about adoption evolves over time. Based on data from a national longitudinal study of the effects of openness in adoption (Grotevant & McRoy, 1998), the Family Adoption Communication (FAC) model describes the dynamic processes inherent in adoption-related communication and uses a contextual perspective that considers the developmental needs of children to explain the discrepancies between family members' perceptions of openness. After explaining the theoretical underpinnings and components of the model, we present case studies that provide empirical support for the model and suggest opportunities for theoretical refinement and future research.
The impact of agile principles on market-driven software product development

Agile development methods such as XP, SCRUM, Lean Software Development and others have gained much popularity during the last years. Agile methodologies promise faster time-to-market, satisfied customers and high quality software. While these prospects are appealing, the suitability of agile practices to different domains and business contexts still remains unclear. In this paper we investigate the applicability of agile principles in the context of market-driven software product development (MDPD), focusing on pre-project activities. This paper presents results of a comparison between typical properties of agile methods to the needs of MDPD, as well as findings of a case study conducted at Ericsson, an early adopter of agile product development. The results show misalignment between the agile principles and needs of pre-project activities in market-driven development. This misalignment threatens to subtract from the positive aspects of agile development, but maybe more importantly, threaten the overall product development by disabling effective product management.
Being black, foreign and woman: African immigrant identities in the United States

This paper contextualizes racial and ethnic identities in shaping African women’s work lives in the USA. While the literature on black immigrant groups has posited that ethnic identities are often deployed to shield black immigrants from racism, my findings indicate that for a group of African women, their racial and ethnic identities are viewed as potential sources of discrimination. As black immigrant women from middle-class backgrounds in their home countries, they also articulate experiences with racism and downward social and occupational mobility. Accounting for how race and ethnicity intersect in the lives of black immigrant groups can nuance our understanding of racial identities and highlight diversity in experiences among national and regional groups. Focusing on particular health-care settings further suggests the importance of professional contexts in shaping the identity formations of recent black immigrants.
CORRIGENDUM: Nyctalopin is essential for synaptic transmission in the cone dominated zebrafish retina

The first synapse in the vertebrate visual system is the photoreceptor synapse between rod and cone photoreceptors and the second-order bipolar cells. Although mutations in the nyctalopin gene (NYX) in humans lead to congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB1), affecting synaptic transmission between both types of photoreceptors and ON-bipolar cells, the function of nyctalopin in cone-dominant animal models has not been studied. Because the larval zebrafish retina is cone-dominant, we isolated the zebrafish nyx ortholog and raised a polyclonal antibody against the protein. Nyctalopin is expressed postsynaptically in both synaptic layers of the retina. Functional disruption via morpholino antisense injection leads to characteristic defects in the electroretinogram and defects in visual contrast sensitivity. We therefore demonstrated that nyctalopin plays a similar role in retinal synapse function in the cone pathway as in the rod pathway, thereby creating a genetic model for CSNB1 and its effects on cone vision.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Primary Care Experiences of Children: A Review of the Literature

Substantial racial and ethnic disparities persist in children’s health and use of health services in the United States. Although equitable access to primary care services is widely promoted as one of the most feasible remedies to reduce health disparities, there has only recently been an effort to assess its quality, particularly for children. Racial and socioeconomic differences in access to care have been previously well documented, but recent research has begun to elucidate differences in more qualitative experiences in the receipt of primary care. This article presents a synthesis and critique of the existing research according to the core attributes of primary care: first-contact care, longitudinality, comprehensiveness, and coordination. Finally, the article proposes an agenda for further research into the pathways by which racial and ethnic disparities in primary care exist.
Differences in Brain Waves of Normal Persons and Stroke Patients during Action Observation and Motor Imagery

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in brain waves between action observation and motor imagery of stroke patients and normal subjects, and to compare them. [Methods] Twelve stroke patients and twelve normal persons participated in this research. Each group executed action observation and the motor imagery training for 3 minutes, and before and during each intervention the brain waves were measured for 3 minutes, and the relative alpha power and relative beta power analyzed. [Results] Both normal persons and stroke patients showed significant differences in relative alpha power during action observation, but no significant difference in relative alpha power was found during motor imagery. The relative beta power increased similarly in both groups but it was more significantly different during action observation than during motor imagery. [Conclusion] Both action observation and motor imagery can be used as a therapeutic method for motor learning. However, action observation induces stronger cognitive activity, so for the stroke patients who have difficulty with fine motor representation, action observation might be a more effective therapy.
Relational Antecedents of Information Flow Integration for Supply Chain Coordination

A new model of competition, where competition is among supply chain networks rather than individual firms, is transforming traditional market-based buyer-supplier relations to one of competition among cooperative sets. In order to integrate and realize performance gains from participating in cooperative supply networks, the importance of information sharing across the supply chain has been emphasized in different literature streams. In this study, we examine the relational antecedents of this critical aspect of supply chain integration—that is, information flow integration. Our objective is to investigate the relationship between relational orientation of the focal firm, as characterized by (1) long-term orientation of its supply chain relationships, (2) asset specificity, and (3) interaction routines and the information flow integration between a firm and its supply chain partners. A research model was developed and data were collected from 110 supply chain and logistics managers in manufacturing and retail organizations. Our results suggest that tangible and intangible resources invested in supply chain relationships enable the integration of information flows with supply chain partners. Specifically, formal and informal interaction routines that take time and effort to develop enable integration of informational flows across a firm's supply chain. Investments in relation-specific assets and long-term orientation in relationships enable the development of these interaction routines.
Is 2D Information Enough For Viewpoint Estimation?

Recent top performing methods for viewpoint estimation make use of 3D information like 3D CAD models or 3D landmarks to build a 3D representation of the class. These 3D annotations are expensive and not really available for many classes. In this paper we investigate whether and how comparable performance can be obtained without any 3D information. We consider viewpoint estimation as a 1-vs-all classification problem on the previously detected object bounding box. In this framework we compare several features and parameter configurations and show that the modern representations based on Fisher encoding and convolutional neural network based features together with a neighbor viewpoints suppression strategy on the training data lead to comparable or even better performance than 3D methods.
Identification of novel mutations in the carbohydrate sulfotransferase gene (CHST6) causing macular corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) is a rare corneal dystrophy that is characterized by abnormal deposits in the corneal stroma, keratocytes, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium, accompanied by progressive clouding. It has been classified into three immunophenotypes--MCD types I, IA, and II--according to the serum level of sulfated keratan sulfate (KS) and immunoreactivity of the corneal tissue. Recently, mutations in a new carbohydrate sulfotransferase gene (CHST6) encoding corneal glucosamine N-acetyl-6-sulfotransferase (C-GlcNac-6-ST) have been identified as the cause of MCD. Mutation screening of the CHST6 gene has been undertaken to identify the underlying mutations in five unrelated British families with MCD. METHODS DNA was extracted from venous blood obtained from all participants, and the coding region of CHST6 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were analyzed by direct sequencing and restriction enzyme digestion. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to assess the presence of KS in serum from the probands of MCD-affected families participating in the study. RESULTS Six novel missense mutations--four homozygous and two compound heterozygous--were identified in the CHST6 gene. The ELISA showed that the disease in all patients participating in the study was of MCD type I, including the subtype IA. CONCLUSIONS These novel mutations are thought to result in loss of corneal sulfotransferase function, which would account for the MCD phenotype.
Multiple sclerosis: report on 200 cases from Iran

C linical findings of 200 patients in Iran with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) according to Poser et al.’s criteria and positive findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been reviewed. The clinical course was relapsing-remitting (RR) for 88%, primary progressive (PP) for 7% and secondary progressive (SP) for 5% of cases. The mean age of onset was 27±7.4 years for the whole group and 37.1±8.8 years for PPMS. The gender ratio was 2.5:1 female:male. Involvement of the pyramidal system was the most common mode of presentation. Five per cent of patients had positive family history for the disease, 14% of patients had benign MS and 12% with disease duration longer than five years had an Expanded Disability Status Scale-2. The optico-spinal form was not a common form of presentation in the group.
Conceptual and Measurement Challenges in Research on Cognitive Reserve

Abstract Cognitive reserve, broadly conceived, encompasses aspects of brain structure and function that optimize individual performance in the presence of injury or pathology. Reserve is defined as a feature of brain structure and/or function that modifies the relationship between injury or pathology and performance on neuropsychological tasks or clinical outcomes. Reserve is challenging to study for two reasons. The first is: reserve is a hypothetical construct, and direct measures of reserve are not available. Proxy variables and latent variable models are used to attempt to operationalize reserve. The second is: in vivo measures of neuronal pathology are not widely available. It is challenging to develop and test models involving a risk factor (injury or pathology), a moderator (reserve) and an outcome (performance or clinical status) when neither the risk factor nor the moderator are measured directly. We discuss approaches for quantifying reserve with latent variable models, with emphasis on their application in the analysis of data from observational studies. Increasingly latent variable models are used to generate composites of cognitive reserve based on multiple proxies. We review the theoretical and ontological status of latent variable modeling approaches to cognitive reserve, and suggest research strategies for advancing the field. (JINS, 2011, 17, 593–601)
The impact of training stress on married family therapy trainees and their families: a focus group study

Married students and their spouses (N=17) in Purdue MFT Doctoral Program participated in exploratory qualitative research involving focus group interviews evaluating the effects of program stress on their marriages and families. Participants were organized into Married-with-Children or Married-without-Children groups. The two focus groups are compared and contrasted with descriptive commentary highlighted by participant quotations. Students described themselves as stressed by high program demands, implicit-explicit faculty expectations of student performance, hoops, and little family time. Spouses experienced intense social isolation during fist year, anger towards program demands. Changes made to the program as a result of the study are detailed.
Natural killer-mediated lysis of normal and malignant target cells, and its regulation by monocytes

After depletion of monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells were partially purified from peripheral blood by Percoll density gradient sedimentation. The NK cells were then cultured for 1 d and assayed for their cytotoxicity against various types of normal and malignant target cells. All types of target cells tested were found to be susceptible to NK cells. The susceptible targets were autologous T and B lymphocytes, mitogen-induced T and B blasts, monocytes, large granular lymphocytes, autologous or allogeneic lymphoma and leukemia cells isolated from patients, and cultured cell lines, including those resistant to interferon-activated lymphocytes. Such a broad spectrum of cytotoxicity was demonstrated in 1 d of culture, and freshly prepared NK cells were not cytotoxic, or, if anything, were less cytotoxic. Monocytes and their supernatants, added throughout the course of culture, markedly inhibited the development of their cytotoxicity. These results may suggest that, although NK cells having ability to lyse autologous normal and malignant target cells are present in vivo, their lytic activity is regulated by coexisting monocytes.