Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emergence and Genetic Variation of Neuraminidase Stalk Deletions in Avian Influenza Viruses

When avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are transmitted from their reservoir hosts (wild waterfowl and shorebirds) to domestic bird species, they undergo genetic changes that have been linked to higher virulence and broader host range. Common genetic AIV modifications in viral proteins of poultry isolates are deletions in the stalk region of the neuraminidase (NA) and additions of glycosylation sites on the hemagglutinin (HA). Even though these NA deletion mutations occur in several AIV subtypes, they have not been analyzed comprehensively. In this study, 4,920 NA nucleotide sequences, 5,596 HA nucleotide and 4,702 HA amino acid sequences were analyzed to elucidate the widespread emergence of NA stalk deletions in gallinaceous hosts, the genetic polymorphism of the deletion patterns and association between the stalk deletions in NA and amino acid variants in HA. Forty-seven different NA stalk deletion patterns were identified in six NA subtypes, N1–N3 and N5–N7. An analysis that controlled for phylogenetic dependence due to shared ancestry showed that NA stalk deletions are statistically correlated with gallinaceous hosts and certain amino acid features on the HA protein. Those HA features included five glycosylation sites, one insertion and one deletion. The correlations between NA stalk deletions and HA features are HA-NA-subtype-specific. Our results demonstrate that stalk deletions in the NA proteins of AIV are relatively common. Understanding the NA stalk deletion and related HA features may be important for vaccine and drug development and could be useful in establishing effective early detection and warning systems for the poultry industry.
The relationship between humorous leadership and innovative behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between humorous leadership and innovative behavior and the moderator effects of creative requirement and perceived innovation climate, beyond transformational leadership, and leader-member exchange (LMX). Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaire data were collected from 150 employees of various organizations in Germany. Findings – Employees whose leader used humor more frequently reported to be more innovative, when the employees perceived their tasks to require creativity and innovation. Perceived innovation climate did not moderate the relationship. Research limitations/implications – Different humor styles rather than just positive humor should be investigated in the future. Future research should incorporate multi-level designs and objective data on innovative behavior. Practical implications – Humorous leadership is an important element of innovation-relevant leadership behavior. Its use may be integrated in broader leadership.
The other side of the timing equation: a result of clock faults

We analyze the impact of clock faults on product quality and operation in the field. We show that clock faults could: i) give rise to min delay violations; ii) compromise the effectiveness of delay fault testing in screening out possible delay faults; iii) be missed by current functional testing (in addition to possibly be missed by structural testing, as proven by Metra et al. (2004). Therefore, new testing/DFT approaches are needed to avoid the dramatic impact of clock faults on product quality and operation in the field. Various possible approaches are discussed.
Association of LEPR and ANKK1 Gene Polymorphisms with Weight Gain in Epilepsy Patients Receiving Valproic Acid

Background: Weight gain is the most frequent adverse effect of valproic acid (VPA) treatment, resulting in poor compliance and many endocrine disturbances. Similarities in the weight change of monozygotic twins receiving VPA strongly suggests that genetic factors are involved in this effect. However, few studies have been conducted to identify the relevant genetic polymorphisms. Additionally, the causal relationship between the VPA concentration and weight gain has been controversial. Thus, we investigated the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in several appetite stimulation and energy homeostasis genes and the steady state plasma concentrations (Css) of VPA on the occurrence of weight gain in patients. Methods: A total of 212 epilepsy patients receiving VPA were enrolled. Nineteen SNPs in 11 genes were detected using the Sequenom MassArray iPlex platform, and VPA Css was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: After 6 months of treatment, 20.28% of patients were found to gain a significant amount of weight (weight gained ≥7%). Three SNPs in the leptin receptor (LEPR), ankyrin repeat kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1), and α catalytic subunit of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) showed significant associations with VPA-induced weight gain (p < 0.001, p = 0.017 and p = 0.020, respectively). After Bonferroni correction for multiple tests, the genotypic association of LEPR rs1137101, the allelic association of LEPR rs1137101, and ANKK1 rs1800497 with weight gain remained significant. However, the VPA Css in patents who gained weight were not significantly different from those who did not gain weight (p = 0.121). Conclusions: LEPR and ANKK1 genetic polymorphisms may have value in predicting VPA-induced weight gain.
Characterization of fructan from mature leaf blades and elongation zones of developing leaf blades of wheat, tall fescue, and timothy.

Water-soluble carbohydrate composition of mature (ceased expanding) leaf blades and the elongation zone of developing leaf blades was characterized in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.). These species were chosen because they differ in mean degree of polymerization (DP) of fructan in the mature leaf blade. Our objective was to compare the nature and DP of the fructan. Vegetative plants were grown with a 14-hour photoperiod and constant 21 degrees C at the leaf base. Gel permeation chromatography of leaf blade extracts showed that the apparent mean fructan DP increased in the order wheat < tall fescue < timothy. Apparent mean DP of elongation zone fructan was higher than that of leaf blade fructan in wheat and timothy, but the reverse occurred for tall fescue. Low DP (</=10) and high DP (>10) pools were found in both tissues of tall fescue and wheat, but concentration of low DP fructan was very low in either tissue of timothy. All three species have high DP fructan. Comigration with standards on thin-layer chromotography showed that wheat contained 1-kestose and a noninulin fructan oligomer series. Tall fescue contained neokestose, 1-kestose and higher oligosaccharides that comigrated with neokestose-based compounds and inulins. Thin-layer chromatography showed that small amounts of fructose-containing oligosaccharides were present in timothy.
Discovering Linkage Points over Web Data

A basic step in integration is the identification of linkage points, i.e., finding attributes that are shared (or related) between data sources, and that can be used to match records or entities across sources. This is usually performed using a match operator, that associates attributes of one database to another. However, the massive growth in the amount and variety of unstructured and semi-structured data on the Web has created new challenges for this task. Such data sources often do not have a fixed pre-defined schema and contain large numbers of diverse attributes. Furthermore, the end goal is not schema alignment as these schemas may be too heterogeneous (and dynamic) to meaningfully align. Rather, the goal is to align any overlapping data shared by these sources. We will show that even attributes with different meanings (that would not qualify as schema matches) can sometimes be useful in aligning data. The solution we propose in this paper replaces the basic schema-matching step with a more complex instance-based schema analysis and linkage discovery. We present a framework consisting of a library of efficient lexical analyzers and similarity functions, and a set of search algorithms for effective and efficient identification of linkage points over Web data. We experimentally evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithms in real-world integration scenarios in several domains.
Comparing simultaneously the effects of extra-dyadic and intra-dyadic experiences on relationship outcomes

This study simultaneously examines everyday negative and positive experiences that affect persons either outside of the intimate relationship (extra-dyadic) or within (intra-dyadic). In addition, we investigate whether the partner’s responses to each of these experiences mediate the link between experience and relationship outcomes. Altogether, 447 individuals who were currently in a relationship filled out an online questionnaire. Self-report measures included extra- and intra-dyadic everyday experiences of negative and positive events as well as corresponding partner responses and relationship satisfaction. Multigroup path analyses revealed that both negative and positive extra-dyadic experiences affect negative and positive intra-dyadic experiences of women, whereas the effects of positive extra-dyadic experiences had mixed effects for men. Furthermore, the perceived partner responses in each of the four experiences were found to be an important predictor with one exception for men’s intra-dyadic positive experiences.
The impact of a career development and mentoring programme on female mental health nurses

Purpose – Literature has shown that mentoring and career development programmes can assist women and minority groups in pursuit of more senior roles. The Challenging Perceptions 12-month, multi-faceted career development and mentoring programme was specifically designed to aid female mental health participants in their attempts to break the glass ceiling, which can be apparent within senior levels of the UK National Health Service. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a career development and mentoring programme on female mental health nurses' career and personal development compared to a matched comparison group. Design/methodology/approach – A longitudinal, qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews conducted with female mental health nurse participants and a matched control group at four time points, six months apart over an 18-month period. Female mental health nurses at F, G, H, I and Nurse Consultant Level who applied to participate in the programme were selected by a panel cons.
Understanding Abuse: A Typology of Abusive Language Detection Subtasks

As the body of research on abusive language detection and analysis grows, there is a need for critical consideration of the relationships between different subtasks that have been grouped under this label. Based on work on hate speech, cyberbullying, and online abuse we propose a typology that captures central similarities and differences between subtasks and discuss the implications of this for data annotation and feature construction. We emphasize the practical actions that can be taken by researchers to best approach their abusive language detection subtask of interest.
Age-related changes in the plasticity and toughness of human cortical bone at multiple length scales

The structure of human cortical bone evolves over multiple length scales from its basic constituents of collagen and hydroxyapatite at the nanoscale to osteonal structures at near-millimeter dimensions, which all provide the basis for its mechanical properties. To resist fracture, bone’s toughness is derived intrinsically through plasticity (e.g., fibrillar sliding) at structural scales typically below a micrometer and extrinsically (i.e., during crack growth) through mechanisms (e.g., crack deflection/bridging) generated at larger structural scales. Biological factors such as aging lead to a markedly increased fracture risk, which is often associated with an age-related loss in bone mass (bone quantity). However, we find that age-related structural changes can significantly degrade the fracture resistance (bone quality) over multiple length scales. Using in situ small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction to characterize submicrometer structural changes and synchrotron X-ray computed tomography and in situ fracture-toughness measurements in the scanning electron microscope to characterize effects at micrometer scales, we show how these age-related structural changes at differing size scales degrade both the intrinsic and extrinsic toughness of bone. Specifically, we attribute the loss in toughness to increased nonenzymatic collagen cross-linking, which suppresses plasticity at nanoscale dimensions, and to an increased osteonal density, which limits the potency of crack-bridging mechanisms at micrometer scales. The link between these processes is that the increased stiffness of the cross-linked collagen requires energy to be absorbed by “plastic” deformation at higher structural levels, which occurs by the process of microcracking.
Socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour : a rapid review

This review was conducted to inform the scoping and development of the full report. It considers the empirical relationship between socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour, highlighting (wherever possible) the evidence relating to the UK (as a whole or its constituent nations) and the Republic of Ireland. Socioeconomic disadvantage will be considered at both individual and aggregate levels. Common indicators that have been explored in primary research studies include unemployment, economic recession and socioeconomic deprivation, at the aggregate level; and occupational social class, education, income/debt, housing tenure and labour market position (economic position/employment status), at the individual level.
Effect of environmental enrichment on fearful behavior and gastrin‐releasing peptide receptor expression in the amygdala of prenatal stressed rats

Prenatal stressed offspring exhibit more fearful behavior in behavioral tests, which can be reversed by environmental enrichment (EE). However, the physiological basis of these phenomena remains unclear. Previous studies revealed that abnormal fearful behavior of prenatally stressed offspring may be a consequence of increased activities of CRFergic systems (corticotropin‐releasing factor and its receptors) in the amygdala. Gastrin‐releasing peptide receptors (GRPR) also have an important role in regulating amygdala‐dependent, fear‐related learning. The aim of this study was to examine weather prenatal stress and EE can affect the expression of GRPR in the amygdala. We reported here that prenatal chronic stress (subjected to immobilization and bright light stress for 45 min three times per day) caused increased fearfulness in defensive withdrawal test but had no effect on the expression of GRPR in the amygdala. However, enriched environment housing treatment on postnatal days 21–60 can dramatically increase the expression of GRPR in amygdala and reduce fearfulness in the defensive withdrawal test. Our results demonstrate for the first time that EE can modify the expression of GRPR in the amygdala, which might contribute to our understanding of the physiological effects of environmental enrichment. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Web User-Session Inference by Means of Clustering Techniques

This paper focuses on the definition and identification of ldquoWeb user-sessionsrdquo, aggregations of several TCP connections generated by the same source host. The identification of a user-session is non trivial. Traditional approaches rely on threshold based mechanisms. However, these techniques are very sensitive to the value chosen for the threshold, which may be difficult to set correctly. By applying clustering techniques, we define a novel methodology to identify Web user-sessions without requiring an a priori definition of threshold values. We define a clustering based approach, we discuss pros and cons of this approach, and we apply it to real traffic traces. The proposed methodology is applied to artificially generated traces to evaluate its benefits against traditional threshold based approaches. We also analyze the characteristics of user-sessions extracted by the clustering methodology from real traces and study their statistical properties. Web user-sessions tend to be Poisson, but correlation may arise during periods of network/hosts anomalous behavior.
Between abstraction and complexity

Theoretical, conceptual and methodological choices must be framed in relation to concrete explanatory and interpretive dilemmas, not ontological foundations. In engaging with the limits and possibilities of recent assemblage-based work in urban studies, our concern has been to help forge new analytical tools for deciphering emerging patterns of planetary urbanization, which have unsettled the coherence and viability of earlier intellectual frameworks. As urbanization is changing, so too must urban theory change, and it must do so in ways that provide critical purchase on emergent sociospatial divisions, conflicts, struggles and transformations at all spatial scales and across divergent places and territories. To this end, responding to several strands of the debate on assemblage urbanism that has unfolded in previous issues of City, here we clarify our meta-theoretical stance, address several methodological questions and reiterate our arguments regarding the importance of a reinvigorated geopolitical economy of planetary urbanization. We insist on the importance of abstraction as a necessary methodological moment in any reflexive approach to urban knowledge formation.
The zero-distribution and the asymptotic behavior of a Fourier integral

The zero-distribution of the Fourier integral ∫ ∞ −∞ Q(u)e du, where P is a polynomial with leading term −u2m (m ≥ 1) and Q an arbitrary polynomial, is described. To this end, an asymptotic formula for the integral is established by applying the saddle point method.
Apkinson - A Mobile Monitoring Solution for Parkinson's Disease

In this paper we want to present our work on a smartphone application which aims to provide a mobile monitoring solution for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. By unobtru-sively analyzing the speech signal during phone calls and with a dedicated speech test, we want to be able to determine the severity and the progression of Parkinson’s disease for a patient much more frequently than it would be possible with regular check-ups. Theapplication consists of four major parts. There is a phone call detection which triggers the whole processing chain. Secondly, there is the phone call recording which has proven to be more challenging than expected. The signal analysis, another crucial component, is still in development for the phone call analysis. Additionally, the application collects several pieces of meta information about the calls to put the results into deeper context. After describing how the speech signal is affected by Parkinson’s disease, we sketch the overall application architecture and explain the four major parts of the current implementation in further detail. We then present the promising results achieved with the ﬁrst version of a dedicated speech test. In the end, we outline how the project could receive further improvements in the future.
Asthma drug linked with Churg-Strauss syndrome

The Food and Drug Administration in the United States has warned that zafirlukast (Accolate), a new asthma drug, may be associated with the Churg-Strauss syndrome–a rare and often fatal multisystem vasculitis. The warning was issued after six patients taking the drug developed the syndrome. Zafirlukast is a leukotriene inhibitor–the first of a new class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents approved in the United States for prophylaxis against asthma. It has been on the market there since September 1996 and is available in several European countries. The drug is expected to …
Using activity diaries: Some methodological lessons

Descriptions of how people use time can tell us much about quality of life, social and economic well-being, and patterns of leisure, work, travel, and communication. Self-administered activity diaries are one of the main methods available for capturing data on time use. This paper discusses some of the methodological issues surrounding the use of self-administered activity diaries as a tool for capturing data on communication and travel activities. Its main concern is to highlight the lessons learnt from the use of self-administered activity diaries as a supplementary method of data collection in a recent study. This study assessed whether different levels of access to, and use of, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enable different paces of life in different communities, and how this process might be contributing to social and spatial polarisation. The insights gained into how activity dairies can be successfully applied are relevant to research within any discipline where this method of data collection is being considered.
Establishing the feasibility of assessing the mental health of children displaced by the Syrian conflict

Background. In the humanitarian crisis context of conflict zones, collecting data is essential for identifying and addressing the mental health needs of refugee children to avoid mass suffering. This study tested the feasibility of recruiting refugees caring for children and using established and brief parent-report questionnaires in a challenging context to collect mental health data on refugee children displaced by Syria's conflict. Methods. Caregivers of 4–10-year olds attending primary schools run by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Generation Freedom in and near refugee camps on the Syrian–Turkish border were invited to complete the Pediatric Emotional Distress Scale (PEDS) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results. It was possible to reach 144 adult refugees caring for children with research participation information and use informed consent procedures. A total of 106 caregivers completed the questionnaires yielding a good return rate (74%). Eighty-two (77.4%) caregivers had complete data on the PEDS and 61 (57.5%) on the SDQ. Almost half (49%) of the children met the clinical cut-off for being anxious/withdrawn and 62% for being fearful rated using the PEDS and 45% for SDQ rated emotional symptoms. More than a third had clinical levels of behavioural problems on both scales. Conclusions. It proved feasible to collect child mental health data in challenging conditions in the context of the Syrian crisis with support from a local NGO providing humanitarian assistance. The PEDS performed better than the SDQ in this context. High levels of emotional distress and behavioural problems in children reiterate the urgent need for evidence-based psychosocial support.
Chicanas Holding Doctoral Degrees: Social Reproduction and Cultural Ecological Approaches

This article discusses reproduction theory and the cultural ecologists' predictions for “castelike minorities” in light of a study of 100 Chicanas who have earned academic doctorates from U.S. institutions of higher education. As minority women from predominantly low-income, traditionally ooriented families, their successful negotiation of the educational system fails to support the inexorability of intergenerational transmission of gender, class, and ethnic stratification. The strategies of resistance employed by these high-achieving Chicanas to overcome formidable barriers confronted in their pursuit of the doctorate are viewed as a crucial element in their academic success. REPRODUCTION THEORY, CULTURAL ECOLOGY, MEXICAN AMERICANS IN HIGHER EDUCATION, MINORITY STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT