Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma Membrane Plasticity of Xenopus laevis Oocyte Imaged with Atomic Force Microscopy

Proteins are known to form functional clusters in plasma membranes. In order to identify individual proteins within clusters we developed a method to visualize by atomic force microscopy (AFM) the cytoplasmic surface of native plasma membrane, excised from Xenopus laevis oocyte and spread on poly-L-lysine coated glass. After removal of the vitelline membrane intact oocytes were brought in contact with coated glass and then rolled off. Inside-out oriented plasma membrane patches left at the glass surface were first identified with the lipid fluorescent marker FM1-43 and then scanned by AFM. Membrane patches exhibiting the typical phospholipid bilayer height of 5 nm showed multiple proteins, protruding from the inner surface of the membrane, with heights of 5 to 20 nm. Modelling plasma membrane proteins as spherical structures embedded in the lipid bilayer and protruding into the cytoplasm allowed an estimation of the respective molecular masses. Proteins ranged from 35 to 2,000 kDa with a peak value of 280 kDa. The most frequently found membrane protein structure (40/μm2) had a total height of 10 nm and an estimated molecular mass of 280 kDa. Membrane proteins were found firmly attached to the poly-L-lysine coated glass surface while the lipid bilayer was found highly mobile. We detected protein structures with distinguishable subunits of still unknown identity. Since X. laevis oocyte is a generally accepted expression system for foreign proteins, this method could turn out to be useful to structurally identify specific proteins in their native environment at the molecular level.
Normalization-Free Chipless RFIDs by Using Dual-Polarized Interrogation

A reliable encoding/detection scheme for chipless radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, free from any normalization procedure, is presented. The key strategy of the present approach consists in storing the information in the difference between vertically and horizontally polarized reflection coefficients of a completely passive tag. The measured reflection coefficients are preemptively filtered in the time domain to remove most of harmful effects due to the antenna coupling and environment multipath, and finally they are subtracted to obtain the differential response. A couple of chipless tag configurations suitable for providing the desired spectral response are presented. The resonators consist of an artificial impedance surface comprising either concentric rectangular loop resonators or square loop resonators loaded with stubs. The presented approach is experimentally verified in a non-anechoic environment, and its robustness is proved. This calibration-free approach could pave the way to practical applicability of chipless RFID tags in realistic scenarios with unknown response.
Bolted Connection Strength and Bolt Hole Size

This study investigated the effects of oversized bolt holes on the properties of bolted connections with steel side members. The intent of the study was to determine (1) how well the European Yield Model (EYM) predicts experimental results for connections with oversized bolt holes and (2) how the loaddeformation behavior of connections is affected by oversized and/or misdrilled holes. Variables included bolt hole size, angle of hole relative to member surface, and orientation of load relative to wood grain. The study revealed that the EYM predicts connection yield load for connections with oversized bolt holes with acceptable accuracy. Results indicated little difference in yield load or maximum load with increased bolt hole size. Results indicated a reduction in load of up to 21 percent with increased bolt hole size and an additional reduction of up to 63 percent when holes were drilled at a 2° angle from perpendicular to the member surface.
Diet and physical activity in relation to weight change among breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to provide an overview of lifestyle changes after breast cancer diagnosis and to examine the relationship between dietary and physical activity changes with weight changes in breast cancer patients. Women with breast carcinomas (n=368) were recruited from eight hospitals and four breast cancer support groups in peninsular Malaysia. Dietary and physical activity changes were measured from a year preceding breast cancer diagnosis to study entry. Mean duration since diagnosis was 4.86±3.46 years. Dietary changes showed that majority of the respondents had decreased their intake of high fat foods (18.8-65.5%), added fat foods (28.3-48.9%), low fat foods (46.8-80.7%), red meat (39.7%), pork and poultry (20.1-39.7%) and high sugar foods (42.1-60.9%) but increased their intake of fish (42.7%), fruits and vegetables (62.8%) and whole grains (28.5%). Intake of other food groups remained unchanged. Only a small percentage of the women (22.6%) had increased their physical activity since diagnosis where most of them (16.0%) had increased recreational activities. Age at diagnosis (β= -0.20, p= 0.001), and change in whole grain (β= -0.15, p= 0.003) and fish intakes (β= 0.13, p= 0.013) were associated with weight changes after breast cancer diagnosis. In summary, the majority of the women with breast cancer had changed their diets to a healthier one. However, many did not increase their physical activity levels which could improve their health and lower risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Duke Activity Status Index for Cardiovascular Diseases: Validation of the Portuguese Translation

Background The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) assesses the functional capacity of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but there is no Portuguese version validated for CVD. Objectives To translate and adapt cross-culturally the DASI for the Portuguese-Brazil language, and to verify its psychometric properties in the assessment of functional capacity of patients with CVD. Methods The DASI was translated into Portuguese, then checked by back-translation into English and evaluated by an expert committee. The pre-test version was first evaluated in 30 subjects. The psychometric properties and correlation with exercise testing was performed in a second group of 67 subjects. An exploratory factor analyses was performed in all 97 subjects to verify the construct validity of the DASI. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.87 and for the inter-rater reliability was 0.84. Cronbach's α for internal consistency was 0.93. The concurrent validity was verified by significant positive correlations of DASI scores with the VO2max (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). The factor analysis yielded two factors, which explained 54% of the total variance, with factor 1 accounting for 40% of the variance. Application of the DASI required between one and three and a half minutes per patient. Conclusions The Brazilian version of the DASI appears to be a valid, reliable, fast and easy to administer tool to assess functional capacity among patients with CVD.
Indirect Reciprocity and Prosocial Behaviour: Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment

Some of the greatest human achievements are difficult to imagine without prosociality. This article employs a natural field experiment to investigate indirect reciprocity in natural social interactions. We find strong evidence of indirect reciprocity in one‐shot interactions among drivers. Subjects for whom other drivers stopped were more than twice as likely to extend a similar act to a third party. This result is robust to a number of factors including age, gender, social status, presence of onlookers, and the opportunity cost of time. We provide novel evidence for the power of indirect reciprocity to promote prosocial behaviour in the field.
Queries with Guarded Negation (full version)

A well-established and fundamental insight in database theory is that negation (also known as complementation) tends to make queries difficult to process and difficult to reason about. Many basic problems are decidable and admit practical algorithms in the case of unions of conjunctive queries, but become difficult or even undecidable when queries are allowed to contain negation. Inspired by recent results in finite model theory, we consider a restricted form of negation, guarded negation. We introduce a fragment of SQL, called GN-SQL, as well as a fragment of Datalog with stratified negation, called GN-Datalog, that allow only guarded negation, and we show that these query languages are computationally well behaved, in terms of testing query containment, query evaluation, open-world query answering, and boundedness. GN-SQL and GN-Datalog subsume a number of well known query languages and constraint languages, such as unions of conjunctive queries, monadic Datalog, and frontier-guarded tgds. In addition, an analysis of standard benchmark workloads shows that most usage of negation in SQL in practice is guarded negation.
Different Neural Processes Accompany Self-Recognition in Photographs Across the Lifespan: An ERP Study Using Dizygotic Twins

Our appearance changes over time, yet we can recognize ourselves in photographs from across the lifespan. Researchers have extensively studied self-recognition in photographs and have proposed that specific neural correlates are involved, but few studies have examined self-recognition using images from different periods of life. Here we compared ERP responses to photographs of participants when they were 5–15, 16–25, and 26–45 years old. We found marked differences between the responses to photographs from these time periods in terms of the neural markers generally assumed to reflect (i) the configural processing of faces (i.e., the N170), (ii) the matching of the currently perceived face to a representation already stored in memory (i.e., the P250), and (iii) the retrieval of information about the person being recognized (i.e., the N400). There was no uniform neural signature of visual self-recognition. To test whether there was anything specific to self-recognition in these brain responses, we also asked participants to identify photographs of their dizygotic twins taken from the same time periods. Critically, this allowed us to minimize the confounding effects of exposure, for it is likely that participants have been similarly exposed to each other's faces over the lifespan. The same pattern of neural response emerged with only one exception: the neural marker reflecting the retrieval of mnemonic information (N400) differed across the lifespan for self but not for twin. These results, as well as our novel approach using twins and photographs from across the lifespan, have wide-ranging consequences for the study of self-recognition and the nature of our personal identity through time.
All in the Family

Abstract Families are intimately involved in the dynamics of the alcohol/other drug problems of family members with these problems. Their adaptations to a baffling and devastating disorder of loved ones are viewed as normal and not in terms of psychopathology. Recovery resources for family members are examined, together with the need for advocacy in the part of families, expressed in the new recovery advocacy movement.
Perspectives on teaching: Conceptions of teaching and epistemological beliefs of university academics and students in different domains

This study examines how academics and students from different disciplines perceive teaching and knowledge acquisition. University academics and students from both hard and soft disciplines completed the Domain-specific Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire and the Approaches to Teaching Inventory. Results showed that academics held more student-/learning-centred and less teacher-/content-centred conceptions about teaching than students. Furthermore, prior findings on different beliefs about knowledge and teaching in different academic domains were confirmed for the entire sample. Finally, less sophisticated epistemological beliefs were associated positively with an information-transmission/teacher-centred and negatively with a student-/learning-centred view of good teaching. The findings are discussed against the background of effective teaching and the professionalization of university academics.
Effect of Yeast Probiotic on Growth, Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Malondialdehyde Concentration of Broiler Chickens

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of yeast probiotic on body weight, and the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out on hybrid Hubbard broiler chickens (n = 200). Two-hundred day-old chicks were randomly selected and distributed into four groups of 50 day-old chicks each: Control, C, and treatment groups comprising T1, T2 and T3 administered with 0.25 mL, 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL yeast probiotic, respectively. Chicks were fed a commercial starter diet for the first 28 days of age, followed by pelleted finisher diet from 29 to 42 days. Chickens in T1 had a significantly (p < 0.01) higher body weight at 4th week of age when compared with the control. SOD activity in all treatment groups was not significantly (p > 0.05) different when compared with the control. GPx activity was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in T1, when compared with the control. GPx activity in T2 was higher (p < 0.01) when compared with the control. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in MDA level in all the treatment groups. In conclusion, administering yeast probiotic supplement increased body weight and enhanced serum anti-oxidant enzyme activities of broiler chickens.
BDNF Overexpression in the Forebrain Rescues Huntington's Disease Phenotypes in YAC128 Mice

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expansion of the polyglutamine tract at the N terminus of huntingtin. This mutation reduces levels of BDNF in the striatum, likely by inhibiting cortical Bdnf gene expression and anterograde transport of BDNF from the cerebral cortex to the striatum. Substantial evidence suggests that this reduction of striatal BDNF plays a crucial role in HD pathogenesis. Here we report that overexpression of BDNF in the forebrain rescues many disease phenotypes in YAC128 mice that express a full-length human huntingtin mutant with a 128-glutamine tract. The Bdnf transgene, under the control of the promoter for α subunit of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, greatly increased BDNF levels in the cerebral cortex and striatum. BDNF overexpression in YAC128 mice prevented loss and atrophy of striatal neurons and motor dysfunction, normalized expression of the striatal dopamine receptor D2 and enkephalin, and improved procedural learning. Furthermore, quantitative analyses of Golgi-impregnated neurons revealed a decreased spine density and abnormal spine morphology in striatal neurons of YAC128 mice, which was also reversed by increasing BDNF levels in the striatum. These results demonstrate that reduced striatal BDNF plays a crucial role in the HD pathogenesis and suggest that attempts to restore striatal BDNF level may have therapeutic effects to the disease.
Virgibacillus carmonensis sp. nov., Virgibacillus necropolis sp. nov. and Virgibacillus picturae sp. nov., three novel species isolated from deteriorated mural paintings, transfer of the species of the genus salibacillus to Virgibacillus, as Virgibacillus marismortui comb. nov. and Virgibacillus sal

A group of 13 strains was isolated from samples of biofilm formation on the mural paintings of the Servilia tomb (necropolis of Carmona, Spain) and the Saint-Catherine chapel (castle at Herberstein, Austria). The strains were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study, including (GTG)5-PCR, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridizations, DNA base ratio determination, analysis of fatty acids, polar lipids and menaquinones and morphological and biochemical characterization. In a phylogenetic tree based on neighbour-joining of 16S rDNA sequences, the strains are divided in two major groups, representing three novel species according to DNA-DNA relatedness, that are positioned at approximately equal distances from Virgibacillus and Salibacillus. After comparison of the novel results with existing data, the transfer of the species of Salibacillus to Virgibacillus is proposed, with the resulting new combinations Virgibacillus marismortui comb. nov. and Virgibacillus salexigens comb. nov. Additionally, three novel species are described, for which the names Virgibacillus carmonensis sp. nov., Virgibacillus necropolis sp. nov. and Virgibacillus picturae sp. nov. are proposed. The respective type strains are LMG 20964T (=DSM 14868T), LMG 19488T (=DSM 14866T) and LMG 19492T (= DSM 14867T). Finally, an emended description of the genus Virgibacillus is given.
Analysis of PAPR reduction of DFT-SCFDMA system using different sub-carrier mapping schemes

This paper is concerned with the reduction of peak to average power ratio (PAPR) of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) LTE standard using the single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SCFDMA) for mobile uplink transmission. The PAPR reduction is done based on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spreading technique which is well known as DFT - SCFDMA and in case of LTE which can reduce the PAPR of OFDM signal to a level of single carrier transmission. Note that the needed power of the signals for uplink transmission of LTE is varied depending on the different sub-carrier mapping and modulation techniques. This paper discusses different sub-carrier mapping techniques such as-localized FDMA (IFDMA), distributed FDMA (DFDMA) and interleaved FDMA (IFDMA). To show the effectiveness of DFT-SCFDMA in the reduction of PAPR with different sub-carrier mapping and modulation techniques the results are compared with the conventional OFDMA system. This paper also shows the comparative results of different sub-carrier mapping techniques in terms of symbol error rate (SER). The comparative results show that the DFT-SCFDMA greatly enhances the PAPR reduction for LTE uplink transmission over the conventional OFDMA.
Competition & Growth: The Key Role of R&D Duplication Behind the Inverted U

It is common wisdom that in a static setting, increased rivalry among rms is bene cial to consumers. What is not as obvious is that an increase in competition may be bene cial in a dynamic setting, at least, up to a particular threshold. Importantly, the bene cial impact of competition may be attributable to a result I label the Volume E¤ect. This paper presents a theoretical R&D patent race endogenous growth model with rms vying to become the next monopolist. Competitors utilize R&D expenditures in order to increase the probability of winning the race, a process that generates quality improvements and growth. Consumers obtain utility from both the quantity and quality of the good. R&D e¤ort is endogenously determined and importantly, growth is driven by deliberate R&D e¤ort, as opposed to an exogenous innovation process, which is typically the case in vertical innovation R&D-based growth models. Additionally, rms, here, are strictly expected pro t maximizers. Within the macroeconomic-industrial organization, Schumpeterian-based literature, I build upon the vertical innovations-oriented models of Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt et al. (2002),1 and Robert Barro and Xavier Sala-i-Martin (2004). My goal is to shed some light on the following eight questions: (1) Does an exogenous increase in competition encourage rms to increase R&D e¤ort, discourage rms, have no e¤ect, or have an ambiguous e¤ect? (2) Is it possible to have increased competition dampen R&D e¤ort at the rm level yet, despite this, have the equilibrium growth rate respond positively to competition? (3) What role might R&D duplication play? (4) Does my model generate an inverted Urelationship between competition and growth as found by Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt
Mediterranean Style Diet and 12-Year Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases: The EPIC-NL Cohort Study

Background A recent meta-analysis showed that a Mediterranean style diet may protect against cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Studies on disease-specific associations are limited. We evaluated the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) in relation to incidence of total and specific CVDs. Methods The EPIC-NL Study is a cohort of 40,011 men and women aged 20–70 years, examined between 1993 and 1997, with 10–15 years of follow-up. Diet was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire and the MDS was based on the daily intakes of vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts, grains, fish, fatty acids, meat, dairy, and alcohol. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were ascertained through linkage with national registries. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for age, sex, cohort, smoking, physical activity, total energy intake, and educational level. Results In 34,708 participants free of CVD at baseline, 4881 CVD events occurred, and 487 persons died from CVD. A two unit increment in MDS (range 0–9) was inversely associated with fatal CVD (HR: 0.78; 95%CI: 0.69–0.88), total CVD (HR: 0.95 (0.91–0.98)), myocardial infarction (HR: 0.86 (0.79–0.93)), stroke (HR: 0.88 (0.78–1.00)), and pulmonary embolism (HR: 0.74 (0.59–0.92)). The MDS was not related to incident angina pectoris, transient ischemic attack and peripheral arterial disease. Conclusion Better adherence to a Mediterranean style diet was more strongly associated with fatal CVD than with total CVD. Disease specific associations were strongest for incident myocardial infarction, stroke and pulmonary embolism.
Estudio sobre la continuidad del juego en el voleibol masculino infantil / Study about game continuity in children´s volleyball

El proposito del estudio fue apoyar con resultados el debate por la necesidad de adaptar el reglamento en las categorias menores. El unico cambio dado actualmente en el ambito espanol, con respecto a las normas internacionales, es la supresion del libero en la categoria estudiada. Se analizaron datos del unico campeonato de Espana en el que se permitio su participacion. Los resultados no se muestran positivos desde una de las variables consideradas con mas valor formativo: la continuidad. Del mismo modo, el ataque de primer tiempo, accion critica debatida por su especializacion temprana, da una relacion positiva con el criterio focal estudiado. Resultados similares se encontraron en factores contextuales como el set y la fase de juego (saque o recepcion). PALABRAS CLAVE: “Analisis del juego”, “iniciacion deportiva”, “reglas de juego”, “continuidad”, voleibol. ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to give information for debate about the needs to adaptation the game rules in children´s volleyball. Only there is one change between international and children´s rules in Spain. We analysed data from the only championship played in Spain when it was allowed to play with “libero”. Results don´t show a positive dependence with one of the most important factors in the player’s development: continuity. First tempo is other critical factor in the debate about early specialitation. There´s no a lot presence in this case, but it also show a positive dependence with continuity. Other contextual factors like set match playing or the different match phase (serve or reception), are in relationship with continuity. KEY WORDS: “match analysis”, “sport initiation”, “game rules”, “continuity”, “volleyball”