Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroligin 2 Is Required for Synapse Development and Function at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction

Neuroligins belong to a highly conserved family of cell adhesion molecules that have been implicated in synapse formation and function. However, the precise in vivo roles of Neuroligins remain unclear. In the present study, we have analyzed the function of Drosophila neuroligin 2 (dnl2) in synaptic development and function. We show that dnl2 is strongly expressed in the embryonic and larval CNS and at the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). dnl2 null mutants are viable but display numerous structural defects at the NMJ, including reduced axonal branching and fewer synaptic boutons. dnl2 mutants also show an increase in the number of active zones per bouton but a decrease in the thickness of the subsynaptic reticulum and length of postsynaptic densities. dnl2 mutants also exhibit a decrease in the total glutamate receptor density and a shift in the subunit composition of glutamate receptors in favor of GluRIIA complexes. In addition to the observed defects in synaptic morphology, we also find that dnl2 mutants show increased transmitter release and altered kinetics of stimulus-evoked transmitter release. Importantly, the defects in presynaptic structure, receptor density, and synaptic transmission can be rescued by postsynaptic expression of dnl2. Finally, we show that dnl2 colocalizes and binds to Drosophila neurexin (dnrx) in vivo. However, whereas homozygous mutants for either dnl2 or dnrx are viable, double mutants are lethal and display more severe defects in synaptic morphology. Altogether, our data show that, although dnl2 is not absolutely required for synaptogenesis, it is required postsynaptically for synapse maturation and function.
Examining the Relationships between Delay Discounting, Working Memory, and Fluid Intelligence

i List of Tables . iv List of Figures . v Examining the Relationships between Delay Discounting, Working Memory, and Intelligence. 1 Measuring the Ability to Delay Gratification . 2 Working Memory . 4 Individual differences in working memory. 5 Attention and eye movements . 6 General Fluid Intelligence and Attention . 8 The Relationship Between Working Memory and General Fluid Intelligence with Delay Discounting . 9 Rationale for Current Study . 11 Hypotheses . 12 Method . 16 Participants . 16 Design . 16 Materials . 16 Procedure . 19 Results and Discussion . 21
Journal of Software Maintenance and Evolution: Research and Practice

Research Near-miss function clones in open source software: an empirical study SUMMARY The new hybrid clone detection tool NICAD combines the strengths and overcomes the limitations of both text-based and AST-based clone detection techniques and exploits novel applications of a source transformation system to yield highly accurate identification of cloned code in software systems. In this paper, we present an in-depth study of near-miss function clones in open source software using NICAD. We examine more than twenty open source C, Java and C# systems, including the entire Linux Kernel, Apache httpd, J2SDK-Swing and db4o and compare their use of cloned code in several different dimensions, including language, clone size, clone similarity, clone location and clone density both by proportion of cloned functions and lines of cloned code. We manually verify all detected clones and provide a complete catalogue of different clones in an online repository in a variety of formats. These validated results can be used as a cloning reference for these systems and as a benchmark for evaluating other clone detection tools.
'FIRST WE CRAWLED, THEN WE WALKED, NOW WE WANT TO RUN': AN EXAMINATION OF THE TRANSITION PROCESSES USED BY INCLUSIVE CAMPS

Historically, people with disabilities have had limited access and opportunities to participate in leisure and recreation. Inclusive recreation can expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to experience leisure and serve as a mechanism to reduce prejudice and dispel stereotypes (Devine, 2004; Shank, Coyle, Boyd & Kinney, 1996). Research on inclusive recreation has primarily focused on the outcomes of inclusion and the examination of inclusive practices. However, there has been limited research on inclusive recreation that relates to the development of contexts that break down attitudinal barriers and promote social inclusion. Using the conditions outlined in contact theory, camp experiences can provide an important context for social and physical inclusion (Allport, 1954). Despite research that supports inclusion and best inclusive practices, few organized camps have implemented inclusion into their programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the components that facilitated the transition process of camps becoming inclusive as derived from the experiences of the key individuals involved in this process. For this phenomenological study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants from eight organized camps. Findings from this study indicate four components that facilitated the transition process: advocacy, capacity for iterative development, ‘keyed in’ staff, and recognition of limitations. Practical implications for professionals are discussed.
Disease spread through contiguity and axonal tracts in primary lateral sclerosis

Our goal in this report was to determine whether symptom progression in primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) was consistent with disease spread through axonal pathways or contiguous cortical regions. The date of symptom onset in each limb and cranial region was obtained from 45 PLS patient charts. Each appearance of symptoms in a new body region was classified as axonal, contiguous, possibly contiguous, or unrelated, according to whether the somatotopic representations were adjacent in the cortex. Of 152 spread events, the first spread event was equally divided between axonal (22) and contiguous (23), but the majority of subsequent spread events were classified as contiguous. Symptom progression in PLS patients is consistent with disease spread along axonal tracts and by local cortical spread. Both were equally likely for the first spread event, but local cortical spread was predominant thereafter, suggesting that late degeneration does not advance through long axonal tracts. Muscle Nerve 49:439–441, 2014
Effects of Wet/Dry-Cycling and Plasma Treatments on the Properties of Flax Nonwovens Intended for Composite Reinforcing

This research analyzes the effects of different treatments on flax nonwoven (NW) fabrics which are intended for composite reinforcement. The treatments applied were of two different kinds: a wet/dry cycling which helps to stabilize the cellulosic fibers against humidity changes and plasma treatments with air, argon and ethylene gases considering different conditions and combinations, which produce variation on the chemical surface composition of the NWs. The resulting changes in the chemical surface composition, wetting properties, thermal stability and mechanical properties were determined. Variations in surface morphology could be observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed significant changes to the surface chemistry for the samples treated with argon or air (with more content on polar groups on the surface) and ethylene plasma (with less content of polar groups). Although only slight differences were found in moisture regain and water retention values (WRV), significant changes were found on the contact angle values, thus revealing hydrophilicity for the air-treated and argon-treated samples and hydrophobicity for the ethylene-treated ones. Moreover, for some of the treatments the mechanical testing revealed an increase of the NW breaking force.
A Critical Review of Construct Indicators and Measurement Model Misspecification in Marketing and Consumer Research

A review of the literature suggests that few studies use formative indicator measurement models, even though they should. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to (a) discuss the distinction between formative and reflective measurement models, (b) develop a set of conceptual criteria that can be used to determine whether a construct should be modeled as having formative or reflective indicators, (c) review the marketing literature to obtain an estimate of the extent of measurement model misspecification in the field, (d) estimate the extent to which measurement model misspecification biases estimates of the relationships between constructs using a Monte Carlo simulation, and (e) provide recommendations for modeling formative indicator constructs. Copyright 2003 by the University of Chicago.
Anomalous scaling in nanopore translocation of structured heteropolymers

Translocation through nanopores has emerged as a new experimental technique to probe the physical properties of biomolecules. The question of how the typical translocation time for a single unstructured polymer depends on its length has already triggered many theoretical and computational studies. Here, we address the same question, but for structured RNA molecules where the breaking of base-pairing patterns is the main barrier for translocation. Within a simple model, we calculate the typical time for single-stranded RNAs with random sequences to translocate through an idealized nanopore. It is believed that with respect to secondary structure formation, such a random RNA is typically either frozen into a single dominant structure (glassy phase) or many different structures with similar total energies coexist (molten phase), depending on the temperature and the base-pairing energetics. We find that these two phases can be clearly distinguished by their translocation behavior in the absence of an external voltage bias. In both cases, the typical translocation time depends on the sequence length as a power law with an exponent that exceeds the naively expected exponent of two for purely diffusive translocation. However, whereas in the molten phase the exponent is constant, at a value of 5/2, the exponent increases rapidly with decreasing temperature in the glassy phase. We explain the behavior in the molten phase and the qualitative trend in the glassy phase theoretically.
Financial Stability and Optimal Interest-Rate Policy

We study optimal interest-rate policy in a New Keynesian model in which the economy can experience financial crises and the probability of a crisis depends on credit conditions. The optimal adjustment to interest rates in response to credit conditions is (very) small in the model calibrated to match the historical relationship between credit conditions, output, inflation, and likelihood of financial crises. Given the imprecise estimates of key parameters, we also study optimal policy under parameter uncertainty. We find that Bayesian and robust central banks will respond more aggressively to financial instability when the probability and severity of financial crises are uncertain.
The International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health.

In September 2007 the World Health Organisation (WHO) published the Children and Youth version of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF-CY) [1]. The WHO has been replacing the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps first published in 1980. The revision started with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for adults (ICF) published in 2001. The aim of the revision is to address some of the difficulties with the previous classification system; in particular the problems of nomenclature, and to try and resolve the difference of emphasis implicit in the medical and social models of disability which have often been seen as opposed to each other. The specific aims of ICF-CY are: to provide a scientific basis for understanding and studying health and health-related states, outcomes and determinants; to establish a common language for describing health and health-related states to improve communication between different users such as healthcare workers, researchers, policy makers and the public including people with disabilities; to permit comparison of data across countries, health care disciplines, services and time; and to provide a systematic coding scheme for health information systems.
Use of the da Vinci Minimally Invasive Robotic System for Resection of a Complicated Paraspinal Schwannoma With Thoracic Extension: Case Report

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Applications of robotics to minimally invasive spine surgery have produced several benefits while sparing patients the morbidity of traditional open surgery. Minimally invasive spine surgery offers the advantages of less pain and less blood loss, along with quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays. The da Vinci robotic surgical system has recently been adapted to neurosurgical applications. This article details a posterior approach using a tubular retraction system in conjunction with an anterior approach using the da Vinci robot to completely remove large spinal schwannomas with intrathoracic extension. This technique is an example of a novel application of existing technology initially developed for other applications. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Two patients with large thoracic schwannomas extending into the chest cavity are reviewed. We present images and video of the combined minimally invasive approach used to completely remove the lesions without complications. CONCLUSION: This report describes a novel neurosurgical application of an existing minimally invasive robotic surgical system.
Sketchy Rendering for Information Visualization

We present and evaluate a framework for constructing sketchy style information visualizations that mimic data graphics drawn by hand. We provide an alternative renderer for the Processing graphics environment that redefines core drawing primitives including line, polygon and ellipse rendering. These primitives allow higher-level graphical features such as bar charts, line charts, treemaps and node-link diagrams to be drawn in a sketchy style with a specified degree of sketchiness. The framework is designed to be easily integrated into existing visualization implementations with minimal programming modification or design effort. We show examples of use for statistical graphics, conveying spatial imprecision and for enhancing aesthetic and narrative qualities of visualization. We evaluate user perception of sketchiness of areal features through a series of stimulus-response tests in order to assess users' ability to place sketchiness on a ratio scale, and to estimate area. Results suggest relative area judgment is compromised by sketchy rendering and that its influence is dependent on the shape being rendered. They show that degree of sketchiness may be judged on an ordinal scale but that its judgement varies strongly between individuals. We evaluate higher-level impacts of sketchiness through user testing of scenarios that encourage user engagement with data visualization and willingness to critique visualization design. Results suggest that where a visualization is clearly sketchy, engagement may be increased and that attitudes to participating in visualization annotation are more positive. The results of our work have implications for effective information visualization design that go beyond the traditional role of sketching as a tool for prototyping or its use for an indication of general uncertainty.
Inhaled crocidolite mutagenicity in lung DNA.

We used transgenic mice carrying the lacI reporter gene to study the mutagenesis potential of asbestos crocidolite. The animals were exposed by nose-only inhalation to an aerosol containing 5.75 mg/m(3) crocidolite dust for 6 hr/day and 5 consecutive days. After 1, 4, and 12 weeks, we examined four end points: the cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage, the lung load of crocidolite, the hydrophobic DNA adducts, and the mutations in the lacI reporter gene. Twelve weeks after exposure, nearly 10% of the inhaled fibers remained in the lung (227 +/- 103 ng/mg lung). There was evidence of a typical inflammatory response consisting of multinucleate macrophages at weeks 4 and 12, whereas immediately after the exposure, we observed numerous polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The mutant frequency significatively increased during the fourth week after the exposure: 13.5 [time] 10(-5) in the exposed group versus 6. 9 10(-5) in the control group. The induction factor, defined by the ratio of checked mutants of exposed mice to checked mutants of control mice, was 1.96. The mutation spectrum of control lung DNA and exposed lung DNA was similar, suggesting the possible involvement of a DNA repair decrease in crocidolite-treated animals. We used the (32)P-postlabeling method and did not detect any increase of either 5 mC or bulky adduct in treated mice. This is the first study that demonstrates asbestos mutagenicity in vivo after a nose-only inhalation. ImagesFigure 1Figure 2
Women “Take Care,” Men “Take Charge”: Managers' Stereotypic Perceptions of Women and Men Leaders

This study explored possible underpinnings of findings from earlier research in which women's overall leadership competence was less favorably evaluated than men's. The authors examined perceptions held by senior managers, 34% of whom were CEOs, of women's and men's effectiveness at 10 key leadership behaviors. Respondents generally perceived that women were more effective than men at care-taking leader behaviors; and that men were more effective than women at action-oriented, “take-charge” leader behaviors. Notably, male respondents perceived that the behavior at which men leaders most outperformed women was problem-solving. The authors propose that this perception could potentially undermine the influence of women leaders.
Macroeconomic Implications of Downward Wage Rigidities

Growth of wages, unemployment, employment and vacancies exhibit strong asymmetries between expansionary and contractionary phases. In this paper we analyze to what degree downward wage rigidities in the bargaining process affect other variables of the economy. We introduce asymmetric wage adjustment costs in a New-Keynesian DSGE model with search and matching frictions in the labor market. We find that the presence of downward wage rigidities strongly improves the fit of the model to the skewness of variables and the relative length of expansionary and contractionary phases even when detrending the data. Due to the asymmetry, wages increase more easily in expansions, which limits vacancy posting and employment creation, similar to the flexible wage case. During contractions nominal wages decrease slowly, shifting the main burden of adjustment to employment and hours worked. The asymmetry also explains the differing transmission of positive and negative demand shocks from wages to inflation. Downward wage rigidities help explaining the asymmetric business cycle of many OECD countries where long and smooth expansions with low growth rates are followed by sharp but short recessions with large negative growth rates.
Early genome duplications in conifers and other seed plants

A new phylogenomic approach reveals that conifer genomes are duplicated despite rare polyploidy among extant species. Polyploidy is a common mode of speciation and evolution in angiosperms (flowering plants). In contrast, there is little evidence to date that whole genome duplication (WGD) has played a significant role in the evolution of their putative extant sister lineage, the gymnosperms. Recent analyses of the spruce genome, the first published conifer genome, failed to detect evidence of WGDs in gene age distributions and attributed many aspects of conifer biology to a lack of WGDs. We present evidence for three ancient genome duplications during the evolution of gymnosperms, based on phylogenomic analyses of transcriptomes from 24 gymnosperms and 3 outgroups. We use a new algorithm to place these WGD events in phylogenetic context: two in the ancestry of major conifer clades (Pinaceae and cupressophyte conifers) and one in Welwitschia (Gnetales). We also confirm that a WGD hypothesized to be restricted to seed plants is indeed not shared with ferns and relatives (monilophytes), a result that was unclear in earlier studies. Contrary to previous genomic research that reported an absence of polyploidy in the ancestry of contemporary gymnosperms, our analyses indicate that polyploidy has contributed to the evolution of conifers and other gymnosperms. As in the flowering plants, the evolution of the large genome sizes of gymnosperms involved both polyploidy and repetitive element activity.
T. E. Harris’ contributions to interacting particle systems and percolation

This is a bird’s eye view of T. E. Harris’ work on interacting particle systems and percolation, and of its impact on later work in probability theory and mathematical physics. nal illness and death was a great loss to me personally and professionally, as well as to probability theory in Southern California and beyond. For three decades, he and I were the primary probabilists at USC and UCLA respectively. Our approach to mathematics and our mathematical interests were very similar. My wife Chris and I enjoyed many wonderful social occasions at the Harris home in Beverly Hills with Ted and Connie. They were great hosts. The conversation was always stimulating. They were interested in so many things! Ted initiated the Southern California Probability Symposium in about 1970. It is probably the oldest meeting of its type in the US, and continues to provide an exciting place for interactions among Southern California probabilists to this day. In two of the years { 1989 and 2007 { the meeting was dedicated to Ted. The rst was on the occasion of his 70th birthday, and the second was in his memory. Even after his retirement, Ted attended the USC probability seminar regularly { always sitting in the front row, and asking perceptive questions. Few mathematicians have had a greater ratio of number of ideas to number of papers. Ted wrote many fewer papers (31) than most prominent mathematicians, but each is a jewel. In each of the several areas in which he worked, he was among the
Low Systolic Blood Pressure and Mortality From All-Cause and Vascular Diseases Among the Rural Elderly in Korea; Kangwha Cohort Study

Abstract The association between low systolic blood pressure (SBP) and vascular diseases is unclear. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the association between SBP, especially low SBP, and mortality from all causes and vascular diseases among the elderly in Korea. Six thousand two hundred ninety four residents in a rural community were followed-up for deaths from 1985 to 2008. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by Cox proportional hazard model. A stratified analysis was conducted by age at enrolment. Among the elderly aged 65 and above, the lowest SBP (<100 mm Hg) group had an elevated aHR for mortality from vascular diseases (aHR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2–3.9) including stroke (aHR = 2.4, 95% CI = 0.9–6.3) and ischemic heart diseases (aHR = 5.1, 95% CI = 1.0–26.0) compared to those with SBP of 100–119 mm Hg, while higher SBP was associated with higher mortality. This J-curve association was generally maintained when analysis was restricted to those with fair or good self-rated health, or those with no known vascular diseases. In people below 65, increasing SBP nearly monotonically increased the mortality from all-cause and vascular diseases. Our results suggest that elderly persons with low SBP should be treated with caution, since low SBP may increase vascular mortality.