Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utilisation of Mucin Glycans by the Human Gut Symbiont Ruminococcus gnavus Is Strain-Dependent

Commensal bacteria often have an especially rich source of glycan-degrading enzymes which allow them to utilize undigested carbohydrates from the food or the host. The species Ruminococcus gnavus is present in the digestive tract of ≥90% of humans and has been implicated in gut-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Here we analysed the ability of two R. gnavus human strains, E1 and ATCC 29149, to utilize host glycans. We showed that although both strains could assimilate mucin monosaccharides, only R. gnavus ATCC 29149 was able to grow on mucin as a sole carbon source. Comparative genomic analysis of the two R. gnavus strains highlighted potential clusters and glycoside hydrolases (GHs) responsible for the breakdown and utilization of mucin-derived glycans. Transcriptomic and functional activity assays confirmed the importance of specific GH33 sialidase, and GH29 and GH95 fucosidases in the mucin utilisation pathway. Notably, we uncovered a novel pathway by which R. gnavus ATCC 29149 utilises sialic acid from sialylated substrates. Our results also demonstrated the ability of R. gnavus ATCC 29149 to produce propanol and propionate as the end products of metabolism when grown on mucin and fucosylated glycans. These new findings provide molecular insights into the strain-specificity of R. gnavus adaptation to the gut environment advancing our understanding of the role of gut commensals in health and disease.
Cephalometric landmark detection in dental x-ray images using convolutional neural networks

In dental X-ray images, an accurate detection of cephalometric landmarks plays an important role in clinical diagnosis, treatment and surgical decisions for dental problems. In this work, we propose an end-to-end deep learning system for cephalometric landmark detection in dental X-ray images, using convolutional neural networks (CNN). For detecting 19 cephalometric landmarks in dental X-ray images, we develop a detection system using CNN-based coordinate-wise regression systems. By viewing x- and y-coordinates of all landmarks as 38 independent variables, multiple CNN-based regression systems are constructed to predict the coordinate variables from input X-ray images. First, each coordinate variable is normalized by the length of either height or width of an image. For each normalized coordinate variable, a CNN-based regression system is trained on training images and corresponding coordinate variable, which is a variable to be regressed. We train 38 regression systems with the same CNN structure on coordinate variables, respectively. Finally, we compute 38 coordinate variables with these trained systems from unseen images and extract 19 landmarks by pairing the regressed coordinates. In experiments, the public database from the Grand Challenges in Dental X-ray Image Analysis in ISBI 2015 was used and the proposed system showed promising performance by successfully locating the cephalometric landmarks within considerable margins from the ground truths.
Circannual Rhythm in Body Temperature, Torpor, and Sensitivity to A1 Adenosine Receptor Agonist in Arctic Ground Squirrels

A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) activation within the central nervous system induces torpor, but in obligate hibernators such as the arctic ground squirrel (AGS; Urocitellus parryii), A1AR stimulation induces torpor only during the hibernation season, suggesting a seasonal increase in sensitivity to A1AR signaling. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between body temperature (Tb) and sensitivity to an adenosine A1 receptor agonist in AGS. We tested the hypothesis that increased sensitivity in A1AR signaling would lead to lower Tb in euthermic animals during the hibernation season when compared with the summer season. We further predicted that if a decrease in euthermic Tb reflects increased sensitivity to A1AR activation, then it should likewise predict spontaneous torpor. We used subcutaneous IPTT-300 transponders to monitor Tb in AGS housed under constant ambient conditions (12:12 L:D, 18 °C) for up to 16 months. These animals displayed an obvious rhythm in euthermic Tb that cycled with a period of approximately 8 months. Synchrony in the Tb rhythm within the group was lost after several months of constant L:D conditions; however, individual rhythms in Tb continued to show clear sine wave–like waxing and waning. AGS displayed spontaneous torpor only during troughs in euthermic Tb. To assess sensitivity to A1AR activation, AGS were administered the A1AR agonist N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA, 0.1 mg/kg, ip), and subcutaneous Tb was monitored. AGS administered CHA during a seasonal minimum in euthermic Tb showed a greater drug-induced decrease in Tb (1.6 ± 0.3 °C) than did AGS administered CHA during a peak in euthermic Tb (0.4 ± 0.3 °C). These results provide evidence for a circannual rhythm in Tb that is associated with increased sensitivity to A1AR signaling and correlates with the onset of torpor.
Modeling Group Discussion Dynamics

—In this paper, we present a formal model of group discussion dyanmics. An understanding of the face-to-face communications in a group discussion can provide new clues about how humans collaborate to accomplish complex tasks and how the collaboration protocols can be learned. It can also help us to evaluate and facilitate brainstorming sessions. We will discuss the following three ﬁndings about the dynamics: Meetings in diﬀerent languages and on diﬀerent topics could follow the same form of dynamics; The functional roles of the meeting participants could be better understood by inspecting not only their individual speaking and activity features but also their interactions with each other; The outcome of a meeting could be predicted by inspecting how its participants interact.
Rotaviruses Associate with Cellular Lipid Droplet Components To Replicate in Viroplasms, and Compounds Disrupting or Blocking Lipid Droplets Inhibit Viroplasm Formation and Viral Replication

ABSTRACT Rotaviruses are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. Early stages of rotavirus assembly in infected cells occur in viroplasms. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that viroplasms associate with lipids and proteins (perilipin A, ADRP) characteristic of lipid droplets (LDs). LD-associated proteins were also found to colocalize with viroplasms containing a rotaviral NSP5-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion protein and with viroplasm-like structures in uninfected cells coexpressing viral NSP2 and NSP5. Close spatial proximity of NSP5-EGFP and cellular perilipin A was confirmed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Viroplasms appear to recruit LD components during the time course of rotavirus infection. NSP5-specific siRNA blocked association of perilipin A with NSP5 in viroplasms. Viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), NSP5, and perilipin A cosedimented in low-density gradient fractions of rotavirus-infected cell extracts. Chemical compounds interfering with LD formation (isoproterenol plus isobutylmethylxanthine; triacsin C) decreased the number of viroplasms and inhibited dsRNA replication and the production of infectious progeny virus; this effect correlated with significant protection of cells from virus-associated cytopathicity. Rotaviruses represent a genus of another virus family utilizing LD components for replication, pointing at novel therapeutic targets for these pathogens.
Psychosocial Predictors of Change in Physical Activity and Quality of Life in the PESSOA Program: A School-based Intervention Study

Background: Only 36% of 10-11 years Portuguese youngsters meet the recommendations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and they decrease progressively to 4% in the ages of 16-17 years. The aim of this study is to analyze if self-determination theory and social support variables predict change in physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL) in a school-based intervention study – PESSOA Program, which is a cluster randomized controlled trial that addresses mediator variables within an ecological model. Methods: Our sample was comprised of 1052 youngsters, aged 10-16 years (M=12.50 ± 1.11) allocated to control (n=207), intervention1 (n=365) and intervention2 (n=480) groups. Personal and social indicators of psychosocial health were assessed. P redictor variables were selected through hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results: Main results were: a) increases in perceived parental and peer support accounted for the most of the PA positive changes; b) positive changes in PA were associated with increases in autonomous motivation; c) increased perceived parental and peer support, and relatedness, accounted for the most of the QoL positive changes; and, d) competence was the main predictor of positive changes in QoL. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that positive changes in PA and QoL were predicted through the increased perceived social support, the fulfillment of general basic psychological needs and, the endorsement of more autonomous forms of motivation toward PA. Keywords: Psychosocial predictors, Self-determination Theory, Physical activity, Quality of life, PESSOA Program
Real-Time Specularity Detection Using Unnormalized Wiener Entropy

Specularity is a common phenomenon in the real world and can provide both challenges and opportunities for computer vision algorithms. In this paper, we propose a new method to detect specularities in real time. This method is based on an unnormalized version of the Wiener Entropy which is commonly used in audio spectral analysis. Experiment results demonstrate our proposed methodology's efficacy in specularity detection on both natural and synthetic images. Its potential in the 3D movie industry and for helping compute stereo correspondence in the presence of specularities is described.
Antioxidant properties of scopoletin isolated from Sinomonium acutum

Scopoletin was isolated from Sinomonium acutum and studied using four experimental models designed to assess antioxidant properties. The results indicated that scopoletin scavenged superoxide anion in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction system in a concentration‐dependent manner, but did not inhibit xanthine oxidase. Scopoletin may therefore be responsible for the superoxide anion scavenging activity seen in Sinomonium acutum extracts and may be of use in preventing superoxide anion‐induced damage in vivo. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crepuscular and nocturnal illumination and its effects on color perception by the nocturnal hawkmoth Deilephila elpenor

SUMMARY Recent studies have shown that certain nocturnal insect and vertebrate species have true color vision under nocturnal illumination. Thus, their vision is potentially affected by changes in the spectral quality of twilight and nocturnal illumination, due to the presence or absence of the moon, artificial light pollution and other factors. We investigated this in the following manner. First we measured the spectral irradiance (from 300 to 700 nm) during the day, sunset, twilight, full moon, new moon, and in the presence of high levels of light pollution. The spectra were then converted to both human-based chromaticities and to relative quantum catches for the nocturnal hawkmoth Deilephila elpenor, which has color vision. The reflectance spectra of various flowers and leaves and the red hindwings of D. elpenor were also converted to chromaticities and relative quantum catches. Finally, the achromatic and chromatic contrasts (with and without von Kries color constancy) of the flowers and hindwings against a leaf background were determined under the various lighting environments. The twilight and nocturnal illuminants were substantially different from each other, resulting in significantly different contrasts. The addition of von Kries color constancy significantly reduced the effect of changing illuminants on chromatic contrast, suggesting that, even in this light-limited environment, the ability of color vision to provide reliable signals under changing illuminants may offset the concurrent threefold decrease in sensitivity and spatial resolution. Given this, color vision may be more common in crepuscular and nocturnal species than previously considered.
Mobile Patient Monitoring for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Work Domain Analysis and Rapid Prototyping Results

Detection of patient deterioration and triage (prioritization of care) are two critical tasks in the high risk environment and interdisciplinary care model of patients in an intensive care unit. To make decisions and plan treatments, clinicians need to observe, integrate, communicate, and understand a wide range of information from various devices located at the bedsides of multiple patients. However, several technological and physical limitations prevent them from optimally performing these tasks, which negatively impact the capabilities of healthcare teams. The Monitoring Messenger concept was developed to overcome some of these challenges by integrating information on a mobile device and supporting team decision-making and information exchange. Results from the initial phases of this project: requirements definition using Cognitive Work Analysis and rapid device prototyping are presented in this paper.
A new differential space-time modulation scheme for MIMO systems with four transmit antennas

In this paper, a new differential space-time modulation (DSTM) scheme for 4×4 multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems is proposed. This scheme is used for MIMO systems where the channel coefficients are not available at both the transmitter and the receiver. The transmission matrices used in this scheme belong to the Weyl group. Simulation results show that this new scheme with four transmit antennas outperforms the well-known Tarokh's differential space-time block coding (DSTBC) scheme. The spectral efficiency of this scheme can be up to 3 bit/s/Hz.
A Window Into the Lives of Queer Youth: A Review of In a Queer Voice: Journeys of Resilience From Adolescence to Adulthood

This essay reviews Michael Sadowski's book In a Queer Voice: Journeys of Resilience from Adolescence to Adulthood. Through a series of interviews completed over multiple years, the book gives voice to the lived experiences of queer youth and provides useful insights for parents and educators to make a positive difference in the lives of queer youth. Sadowski's book is a valuable resource for educators, parents, and those looking to gain deeper insight into how queer youth can successfully mature into adulthood.
Automated Correction for Syntax Errors in Programming Assignments using Recurrent Neural Networks

We present a method for automatically generating repair feedback for syntax errors for introductory programming problems. Syntax errors constitute one of the largest classes of errors (34%) in our dataset of student submissions obtained from a MOOC course on edX. The previous techniques for generating automated feed- back on programming assignments have focused on functional correctness and style considerations of student programs. These techniques analyze the program AST of the program and then perform some dynamic and symbolic analyses to compute repair feedback. Unfortunately, it is not possible to generate ASTs for student pro- grams with syntax errors and therefore the previous feedback techniques are not applicable in repairing syntax errors. We present a technique for providing feedback on syntax errors that uses Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) to model syntactically valid token sequences. Our approach is inspired from the recent work on learning language models from Big Code (large code corpus). For a given programming assignment, we first learn an RNN to model all valid token sequences using the set of syntactically correct student submissions. Then, for a student submission with syntax errors, we query the learnt RNN model with the prefix to- ken sequence to predict token sequences that can fix the error by either replacing or inserting the predicted token sequence at the error location. We evaluate our technique on over 14, 000 student submissions with syntax errors. Our technique can completely re- pair 31.69% (4501/14203) of submissions with syntax errors and in addition partially correct 6.39% (908/14203) of the submissions.
International Relationship Marketing: Intellectual Foundations and Avenues for Further Research

Relationship marketing is a central and important tenet in marketing thought, and considerable research effort in the discipline has been devoted to examining various facets of relationship marketing, resulting in a large body of knowledge. In this study, the authors specifically focus on the international dimension of the relationship marketing literature and use citation and cocitation data to identify and unfold its intellectual foundations. The goal is to provide new and meaningful avenues for further research using the knowledge structure on which international relationship marketing stands. The examination of the literature spans more than 40 years, divided into three time periods that permit detection of longitudinal trends as well as meaningful visual representations of the cocitation data. Overall, the authors survey 29 key publications and identify 3,509 articles that include 230,684 citations, examining the data for 1972–1993, 1994–2003, and 2004–2013 to unfold research possibilities. Drawing on the analysis of emergent multidimensional scaling results, the authors discuss potential international relationship marketing research incorporating social relations and networking, new ventures, internationalization, trust and commitment, tacit knowledge, and cultural values.
Optimal Sizing of Hybrid Wind/PV/Diesel Generation in a Stand-Alone Power System Using Markov-Based Genetic Algorithm

Owing to the Kyoto Protocol and the growing depletion of natural resources, renewable energies have attracted much attention. This paper considers 25-kW wind-turbine generator, 5-kW PV and 30-kW diesel generator as unit sizes for generation planning in a stand-alone power system. The investment cost (installation and unit costs) and fuel cost are minimized while retaining the reliability requirement and CO emission limit. First, the fuzzy-c-means (FCM) is employed to cluster the operation states for system load, wind-turbine generations (WTG), and PV in 8760 h. Then, the Markov models for the system load, WTG, and photovoltaic (PV) are established. The Markov models are embedded into the genetic algorithm to determine the optimal sizes for WTG, PV, and the diesel generator. The simulation results reveal that computation time can be reduced greatly while optimality can be still retained, compared with the traditional method using chronological data.
Attitude, Machiavellianism and the Rationalization of Misreporting

Audit standards around the world describe three factors, known together as the fraud triangle, that purportedly predict the likelihood of fraudulent financial reporting (IAASB, 2009; PCAOB, 2005). The first two factors, opportunity and incentive/pressure, are largely accepted as being associated with fraud (Erickson, Hanlon, & Maydew, 2004; Graham, Harvey, & Rajgopal, 2005; Wells, 2001), whereas the third factor, attitude/rationalization, remains a relative mystery (Hogan, Rezaee, Riley, & Velury, 2008; Wells, 2004). I conducted an experiment in which participants were provided the opportunity and motivation to misreport, in order to explore attitude and rationalization in greater detail. As expected, I found that participants whose attitude favors misreporting and individuals who are higher in Machiavellianism are both more likely to misreport; and participants who misreport experience negative emotions (affect). Of concern, however, is that higher Machiavellians who misreport feel significantly less guilt than others who misreport. When I changed the experimental setting and asked participants to think about common rationalizations they may use, in an attempt to reduce rationalizing before they made their reporting decision, significantly fewer participants misreported; while those who still misreported rationalized to an even greater extent. Implications for future research and fraud detection and prevention are discussed.
An Empirical Test of the Theory of Gamified Learning

Background The theory of gamified learning provides a theoretical framework to test the impact of gamification efforts upon learner behaviors and attitudes, as well as the effect of these behavioral and attitudinal changes on learning. It does so by providing mediating and moderating processes linking specific game elements to learning outcomes. Aim This article links specific game elements common to leaderboards (conflict/challenge, rules/goals, and assessment) with a focal learner behavior, time-on-task, by exploring educational research on competition and psychological research on goal-setting theory. Method The mediating process of the theory of gamified learning is tested experimentally by assigning learners completing an online wiki-based project to a gamified version with a leaderboard or to a control version without a leaderboard. Leaderboard achievement was not tied to course grades. Results Random assignment to leaderboards supported a causal effect. Students with leaderboards interacted with their project 29.61 more times, on average, than those in a control condition. Bootstrapping was used to support the mediation of the effect of gamification on academic achievement by this amount of time. Conclusion The mediating process of the theory of gamified instruction is supported. Leaderboards can be used to improve course performance under certain circumstances.
Parental perceptions of life context variables for involvement in their young children's education

The purpose of this study was to discover Turkish parents’ perceptions of life context variables, including personal knowledge and skills and personal time and energy for involvement activities in their young children's education. The scales used in this study were based on parents’ self-report, and included: (1) Parental Perceptions of Personal Knowledge and Skills for Involvement Activities and (2) Parental Perceptions of Personal Time and Energy for Involvement Activities. Moreover, a demographic survey was developed and used as the second instrument in this study. The results suggested that parents as a group tend to have positive perceptions of life context variables for involvement in their young children's education and their income is the strongest predictor of these perceptions.
Dactylitis also involving the synovial sheaths in the palm of the hand: two more cases studied by magnetic resonance imaging

We previously reported on the case of a 37 year old woman suffering from B27 positive psoriatic arthritis and showing dactylitis of the middle finger also involving the uncommon synovial sheaths communicating with the ulnar bursa.1 The continuity of flexor synovial sheath involvement was shown by ultrasonography. We have recently seen two similar cases, which we studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One patient also had synovitis together with pitting oedema of the dorsum of the hand, which has been described in elderly patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). 2-5 We previously reported on the case of a 37 year old woman suffering from B27 positive psoriatic arthritis and showing dactylitis of the middle finger also involving the uncommon synovial sheaths communicating with the ulnar bursa.1 The continuity of flexor synovial sheath involvement was shown by ultrasonography. We have recently seen two similar cases, which we studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One patient also had synovitis together with pitting oedema of the dorsum of the hand, which has been described in …