Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteasome β5i Subunit Deficiency Affects Opsonin Synthesis and Aggravates Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Immunoproteasomes, harboring the active site subunits β5i/LMP7, β1i/LMP2, and β2i/MECL1 exert protective, regulatory or modulating functions during infection-induced immune responses. Immunoproteasomes are constitutively expressed in hematopoietic derived cells, constituting the first line of defense against invading pathogens. To clarify the impact of immunoproteasomes on the innate immune response against Streptococcus pneumoniae, we characterized the progression of disease and analyzed the systemic immune response in β5i/LMP7-/- mice. Our data show that β5i/LMP7 deficiency, which affected the subunit composition of proteasomes in murine macrophages and liver, was accompanied by reduced transcription of genes encoding immune modulating molecules such as pentraxins, ficolins, and collectins. The diminished opsonin expression suggested an impaired humoral immune response against invading pneumococci resulting in an aggravated systemic dissemination of S. pneumoniae in β5i/LMP7-/- mice. The impaired bacterial elimination in β5i/LMP7-/- mice was accompanied by an aggravated course of pneumonia with early mortality as a consequence of critical illness during the late phase of disease. In summary our results highlight an unsuspected role for immuno-subunits in modulating the innate immune response to extracellular bacterial infections.
Discovery of Ambiguous and Unambiguous Discourse Connectives via Annotation Projection

Proceedings of the Workshop on Annotation and Exploitation of Parallel Corpora AEPC 2010. Editors: Lars Ahrenberg, Jorg Tiedemann and Martin Volk. NEALT Proceedings Series, Vol. 10 (2010), 83-92. © 2010 The editors and contributors. Published by Northern European Association for Language Technology (NEALT) http://omilia.uio. no/nealt . Electronically published at Tartu University Library (Estonia) http://hdl.handle. net/10062/15893 .
Measuring the Performance of Ordinal Classification

Ordinal classification is a form of multiclass classification for which there is an inherent order between the classes, but not a meaningful numeric difference between them. The performance of such classifiers is usually assessed by measures appropriate for nominal classes or for regression. Unfortunately, these do not account for the true dimension of the error. The goal of this work is to show that existing measures for evaluating ordinal classification models suffer from a number of important shortcomings. For this reason, we propose an alternative measure defined directly in the confusion matrix. An error coefficient appropriate for ordinal data should capture how much the result diverges from the ideal prediction and how "inconsistent" the classifier is in regard to the relative order of the classes. The proposed coefficient results from the observation that the performance yielded by the Misclassification Error Rate coefficient is the benefit of the path along the diagonal of the confusion matrix. We carry out an experimental study which confirms the usefulness of the novel metric.
Comparing problem-focused, solution-focused and combined problem-focused/solution-focused coaching approach: solution-focused coaching questions mitigate the negative impact of dysfunctional attitudes

ABSTRACT Little is known about impact of different types of questions used in coaching. This study compares the relative impact of 1) SF with 2) PF coaching questions and with 3) a combined problem-focused and solution-focused (PF + SF) coaching questions condition. Despite much discussion about the impact of mental health issues in coaching, there has been little research on how coachees’ dysfunctional attitudes effect coaching outcomes. 80 participants were randomly assigned to PF, SF or PF + SF coaching conditions. It should be noted that a whole coaching session was not conducted – in an experimental self-coaching exercise participants responded to different types of coaching question: SF questions were more effective than PF questions on all measures. SF questions were also more effective at increasing self-efficacy and decreasing negative affect compared to a combined PF + SF approach. Dysfunctional attitudes were found to have a detrimental impact on negative affect following both PF and PF/SF questions but not SF. Further analysis revealed that PF questions were significantly less effective on decreasing negative affect for participants ‘high’ in dysfunctional attitudes, but not for those ‘low’ in dysfunctional attitudes. For those ‘low’ in dysfunctional attitudes all three coaching styles were equally effective in reducing negative affect. No other significant relationships were observed between dysfunctional attitudes on goal attainment measures. This research suggests that SF approaches are more effective than PF or combined PF + SF. Recommendations for future research and potential implications for coaching practice are discussed.
Design and analysis of switching full-order current observer and separation principle for T-S fuzzy system

As the important issues in fuzzy control system, some studies on fuzzy observer and separation principle for total fuzzy system have been done up to now. However, these existing results are far from enough. In order to supplement such theoretical study, this paper gives the design and analysis of switching fuzzy full-order current observer and proves that corresponding separation principle does hold. At last, a numerical simulation and comparison with smooth fuzzy full-order prediction observer is given to assess switching fuzzy full-order current observer and the truth of the separation principle.
Using an Expressive Description Logic: FaCT or Fiction?

Description Logics form a family of formalisms closely related to semantic networks but with the distinguishing characteristic that the semantics of the concept description language is formally defined, so that the subsumption relationship between two concept descriptions can be computed by a suitable algorithm. Description Logics have proved useful in a range of applications but their wider acceptance has been hindered by their limited expressiveness and the intractability of their subsumption algorithms. This paper addresses both these issues by describing a sound and complete tableaux subsumption testing algorithm for a relatively expressive Description Logic which, in spite of the logic’s worst case complexity, has been shown to perform well in realistic applications.
The Hamiltonian p-Median Problem

We deal, from a theoretical point of view, with the asymmetric Hamiltonian $p$–median problem. This problem, which has many applications, can be viewed as a mixed routing location problem. An ILP-formulation based on a new class of inequalities (subtour number constraints) is presented. The associated Hamiltonian $p$–median polytope is examined, in particular its dimension and its affine hull. We determine which of the defining inequalities induce facets.
Neuromorphic learning towards nano second precision

Temporal coding is one approach to representing information in spiking neural networks. An example of its application is the location of sounds by barn owls that requires especially precise temporal coding. Dependent upon the azimuthal angle, the arrival times of sound signals are shifted between both ears. In order to determine these interaural time differences, the phase difference of the signals is measured. We implemented this biologically inspired network on a neuromorphic hardware system and demonstrate spike-timing dependent plasticity on an analog, highly accelerated hardware substrate. Our neuromorphic implementation enables the resolution of time differences of less than 50 ns. On-chip Hebbian learning mechanisms select inputs from a pool of neurons which code for the same sound frequency. Hence, noise caused by different synaptic delays across these inputs is reduced. Furthermore, learning compensates for variations on neuronal and synaptic parameters caused by device mismatch intrinsic to the neuromorphic substrate.
Catalytic Activity of Mono- and Bi-Metallic Nanoparticles Synthesized via Microemulsions

Water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions were used as a template for the synthesis of mono- and bi-metallic nanoparticles. For that purpose, w/o-microemulsions containing H2PtCl6, H2PtCl6 + Pb(NO3)2 and H2PtCl6 + Bi(NO)3, respectively, were mixed with a w/o-microemulsion containing the reducing agent, NaBH4. The results revealed that it is possible to synthesize Pt, PtPb and PtBi nanoparticles of ~3–8 nm in diameter at temperatures of about 30°C. The catalytic properties of the bimetallic PtBi and PtPb nanoparticles were studied and compared with monometallic platinum nanoparticles. Firstly, the electrochemical oxidation of formic acid to carbon monoxide was investigated, and it was found that the resistance of the PtBi and PtPb nanoparticles against the catalyst-poisoning carbon monoxide was significantly higher compared to the Pt nanoparticles. Secondly, investigating the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol,we found that the bimetallic NPs are most active at 23 °C, while the order of the activity changes at higher temperatures, i.e., that the Pt nanoparticles are the most active ones at 36 and 49 °C. Furthermore, we observed a strong influence of the support, which was either a polymer or Al2O3. Thirdly, for the hydrogenation of allylbenzene to propylbenzene, the monometallic Pt NPs turned out to be the most active catalysts, followed by the PtPb and PtBi NPs. Comparing the two bimetallic nanoparticles, one sees that the PtPb NPs are significantly more active than the respective PtBi NPs.
The Orbital Poles of Milky Way Satellite Galaxies: A Rotationally Supported Disk of Satellites

We use available proper-motion measurements of Milky Way (MW) satellite galaxies to calculate their orbital poles and projected uncertainties. These are compared with a set of recent cold dark matter (CDM) simulations tailored specifically to solve the MW satellite problem. We show that the CDM satellite orbital poles are fully consistent with being drawn from a random distribution, while the MW satellite orbital poles indicate that the “disk of satellites” of the Milky Way is rotationally supported. Furthermore, a bootstrap analysis of the spatial distribution of theoretical CDM satellites also shows that they are consistent with being randomly drawn. The theoretical CDM satellite population thus shows a significantly different orbital and spatial distribution from that of the MW satellites, most probably indicating that the majority of the latter are of tidal origin rather than being dark matter-dominated substructures. A statistic is presented that can be used to test a possible correlation of satellite galaxy orbits with their spatial distribution.
New evidence on the convergence of international income from a group of 29 countries

This paper updates and extends the time-series evidence on the convergence of international incomes using a set of 29 countries over the period 1900–2001. Time-series tests for stochastic convergence are supplemented with tests which provide evidence on the notion of “β-convergence” predicted by the Solow model. The evidence indicates that the relative income series of 21 countries are consistent with stochastic convergence, and that β-convergence has occurred in at least 16 countries at some point during the twentieth century. Further examination of the properties of the β-convergence test provides anecdotal evidence of conditional convergence in three additional countries for which the convergence hypothesis was initially rejected. Consideration of convergence clubs strengthens the evidence in favor of convergence. Analysis of the cross-country dispersion of incomes over time also suggests that convergence has occurred over the 1900–2001 period, particularly within certain clubs, with structural breaks associated with World War II in many countries causing a break in the convergence process.
A radiation driven implosion model for the enhanced luminosity of protostars near HII regions

Context. Molecular clouds near H ii regions tend to harbor more luminous protostars. Aims. We investigate whether a radiation-driven implosion mechanism enhances the luminosity of protostars near regions of high ionizing fluxes. Methods. We performed numerical simulations to model collapse of cores exposed to UV radiation from O stars. We investigated the dependence of mass loss rates on the initial density profiles of cores and variation of UV fluxes. We derived simple analytic estimates of accretion rates and final masses of protostars. Results. The radiation-driven implosion mechanism can increase accretion rates of protostars by 1–2 orders of magnitude. On the other hand, mass loss due to photo-evaporation is not high enough to have a significant impact on the luminosity. The increase in accretion rate results in luminosity 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those of protostars that form without external triggering. Conclusions. Radiation-driven implosion can help explain the observed higher luminosity of protostars in molecular clouds near H ii regions.
Fe x S 2 : A Tunable Source of Highly Spin-Polarized Electrons

Co1 xFexS2: A Tunable Source of Highly Spin-Polarized Electrons L. Wang, K. Umemoto, R. M. Wentzcovitch, T. Y. Chen, C. L. Chien, J. G. Checkelsky, J. C. Eckert, E. D. Dahlberg, and C. Leighton Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, USA Minnesota Supercomputer Institute for Digital Technology and Advanced Computation, University of Minnesota, USA Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, USA Physics Department, Harvey Mudd College, USA School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, USA (Received 4 October 2004; published 11 February 2005)
Advanced Running Performance by Genetic Predisposition in Male Dummerstorf Marathon Mice (DUhTP) Reveals Higher Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein (SREBP) Related mRNA Expression in the Liver and Higher Serum Levels of Progesterone

Long-term-selected DUhTP mice represent a non-inbred model for inborn physical high-performance without previous training. Abundance of hepatic mRNA in 70-day male DUhTP and control mice was analyzed using the Affymetrix mouse array 430A 2.0. Differential expression analysis with PLIER corrected data was performed using AltAnalyze. Searching for over-representation in biochemical pathways revealed cholesterol metabolism being most prominently affected in DUhTP compared to unselected control mice. Furthermore, pathway analysis by AltAnalyze plus PathVisio indicated significant induction of glycolysis, fatty acid synthesis and cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver of DUhTP mice versus unselected control mice. In contrast, gluconeogenesis was partially inactivated as judged from the analysis of hepatic mRNA transcript abundance in DUhTP mice. Analysis of mRNA transcripts related to steroid hormone metabolism inferred elevated synthesis of progesterone and reduced levels of sex steroids. Abundance of steroid delta isomerase-5 mRNA (Hsd3b5, FC 4.97) was increased and steroid 17-alpha-monooxygenase mRNA (Cyp17a1, FC -11.6) was massively diminished in the liver of DUhTP mice. Assessment of steroid profiles by LC-MS revealed increased levels of progesterone and decreased levels of sex steroids in serum from DUhTP mice versus controls. Analysis of hepatic mRNA transcript abundance indicates that sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) may play a major role in metabolic pathway activation in the marathon mouse model DUhTP. Thus, results from bioinformatics modeling of hepatic mRNA transcript abundance correlated with direct steroid analysis by mass spectrometry and further indicated functions of SREBP-1 and steroid hormones for endurance performance in DUhTP mice.
The Mediatization and Framing of European Parliamentary Election Campaigns

The results of this study have shown that in all investigated member states of the EU, the media to varying degrees intervened and shaped their coverage of the 2009 EP election campaigns according to their own needs and logics rather than those of political parties and candidates. Nonetheless, the means of mediatization of media content varied significantly across countries and indicators. It does not seem to be the case that the media in any particular country consistently intervene more than the media in other countries. Rather, it appears to depend on which indicator of mediatization of media content is used for the comparisons. What is required is both more theorizing and empirical research to explore the different dimensions and facets of the mediatization of politics. In this context, it is hoped that this study will serve as a springboard for further research and theory on the mediatization of politics in general and the mediatization of political news coverage in particular.
The interaction between fiscal and monetary policy in Israel

Ever since the seminal work of Sargent and Wallace (1981) it has been recognised, however, that granting legal independence to a central bank is not sufficient to keep monetary policy effective on a sustained basis. Recently Woodford (1994, 2001), Canzoneri et al (2002) and others emphasised that for monetary policy to be effective it should not be dominated by fiscal policy. Alternatively, in addition to granting legal independence to the central bank, the fiscal policy regime must be such that it does not allow changes in the price level to become the mechanism through which the condition for government solvency is satisfied. In other words the framework of fiscal policy should result in a monetary dominant regime.
DEBT AND NEW FINANCING IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES : LOOKING BACK , THINKING AHEAD

Effective financing for development must reconcile the objective of meeting the large needs of poor countries with that of maintaining their debts at sustainable levels. Recognizing the need to overcome extreme poverty and spur sustainable development in low-income countries (LICs), the international community has adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As highlighted in the recent report of the U.N. Millennium Project (2005), attaining these comprehensive and ambitious poverty-reduction and development targets by 2015 will require substantial efforts by the recipients to improve their policies, as well as significant levels of external financing. At the same time, many poor countries have a history of severe debt problems, which imposed a heavy burden on their economies and ultimately led to adoption of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative in 1996, its enhancement in 1999, and proposals for additional debt relief, more recently. The challenge for development finance going forward is therefore twofold: to ensure that poor countries receive sufficient funds to meet their ambitious development goals and, at the same time, to avoid sowing the seeds of a future debt crisis.
Searching for the Prosocial Personality

The search for the prosocial personality has been long and controversial. The current research explores the general patterns underlying prosocial decisions, linking personality, emotion, and overt prosocial behavior. Using a multimethod approach, we explored the links between the Big Five dimensions of personality and prosocial responding. Across three studies, we found that agreeableness was the dimension of personality most closely associated with emotional reactions to victims in need of help, and subsequent decisions to help those individuals. Results suggest that prosocial processes, including emotions, cognitions, and behaviors, may be part of a more general motivational process linked to personality.
TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TYPOLOGY OF ILLEGAL DRUG MARKETS

Ethnographic research is particularly well suited to investigate emergent phenomena and to access and describe populations and social environments which are obscured from normal observation. Ongoing ethnographic research on Manhattan's Lower East Side combines direct observation and qualitative interviews to describe the wide variety of local retail drug markets, the social contexts in which they evolve, and how the interactions between the various markets affect drug availability, styles of distribution, patterns of use, and types of crime and violence associated with particular types of markets. By drawing a multifaceted sample, the study offers a moving picture of how trends in drug use and distribution emerge, mature, encounter difficulties, and metamorphose. The research compares and contrasts distributors who participate in markets that are differentiated according to the social and technical organization of distribution. It also documents the differential and changing sociodemographic composition of consumer groups associated with the variety of illegal drug markets and describes transformations over time in the behaviors, beliefs and norms of each category of users with regard to drug distribution and use. Crime Prevention Studies, volume 11, pp. 121-152 122 — Ric Curtis and Travis Wendel
Statin Treatment Increases Lifespan and Improves Cardiac Health in Drosophila by Decreasing Specific Protein Prenylation

Statins such as simvastatin are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors and standard therapy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in mammals. Here we show that simvastatin significantly increased the mean and maximum lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila) and enhanced cardiac function in aging flies by significantly reducing heart arrhythmias and increasing the contraction proportion of the contraction/relaxation cycle. These results appeared independent of internal changes in ubiquinone or juvenile hormone levels. Rather, they appeared to involve decreased protein prenylation. Simvastatin decreased the membrane association (prenylation) of specific small Ras GTPases in mice. Both farnesyl (L744832) and type 1 geranylgeranyl transferase (GGTI-298) inhibitors increased Drosophila lifespan. These data are the most direct evidence to date that decreased protein prenylation can increase cardiac health and lifespan in any metazoan species, and may explain the pleiotropic (non-cholesterol related) health effects of statins.
Chromosomal Microarray Analysis of Consecutive Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using an Ultra-High Resolution Chromosomal Microarray Optimized for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Copy number variants (CNVs) detected by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) significantly contribute to understanding the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other related conditions. In recognition of the value of CMA testing and its impact on medical management, CMA is in medical guidelines as a first-tier test in the evaluation of children with these disorders. As CMA becomes adopted into routine care for these patients, it becomes increasingly important to report these clinical findings. This study summarizes the results of over 4 years of CMA testing by a CLIA-certified clinical testing laboratory. Using a 2.8 million probe microarray optimized for the detection of CNVs associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, we report an overall CNV detection rate of 28.1% in 10,351 consecutive patients, which rises to nearly 33% in cases without ASD, with only developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID) and/or multiple congenital anomalies (MCA). The overall detection rate for individuals with ASD is also significant at 24.4%. The detection rate and pathogenic yield of CMA vary significantly with the indications for testing, age, and gender, as well as the specialty of the ordering doctor. We note discrete differences in the most common recurrent CNVs found in individuals with or without a diagnosis of ASD.