Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complexin Stabilizes Newly Primed Synaptic Vesicles and Prevents Their Premature Fusion at the Mouse Calyx of Held Synapse

Complexins (Cplxs) are small synaptic proteins that cooperate with SNARE-complexes in the control of synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion. Studies involving genetic mutation, knock-down, or knock-out indicated two key functions of Cplx that are not mutually exclusive but cannot easily be reconciled, one in facilitating SV fusion, and one in “clamping” SVs to prevent premature fusion. Most studies on the role of Cplxs in mammalian synapse function have relied on cultured neurons, heterologous expression systems, or membrane fusion assays in vitro, whereas little is known about the function of Cplxs in native synapses. We therefore studied consequences of genetic ablation of Cplx1 in the mouse calyx of Held synapse, and discovered a developmentally exacerbating phenotype of reduced spontaneous and evoked transmission but excessive asynchronous release after stimulation, compatible with combined facilitating and clamping functions of Cplx1. Because action potential waveforms, Ca2+ influx, readily releasable SV pool size, and quantal size were unaltered, the reduced synaptic strength in the absence of Cplx1 is most likely a consequence of a decreased release probability, which is caused, in part, by less tight coupling between Ca2+ channels and docked SV. We found further that the excessive asynchronous release in Cplx1-deficient calyces triggered aberrant action potentials in their target neurons, and slowed-down the recovery of EPSCs after depleting stimuli. The augmented asynchronous release had a delayed onset and lasted hundreds of milliseconds, indicating that it predominantly represents fusion of newly recruited SVs, which remain unstable and prone to premature fusion in the absence of Cplx1.
Opportunistic Relaying in Cellular Network for Capacity and Fairness Improvement

In this paper, we study how the cooperative relaying can improve both capacity and fairness in cellular network. The capacity and fairness have a trade-off relationship, so increasing cell throughput deteriorates fairness and vice versa. First, we show that the achievable average throughput region can be enlarged by using the cooperative relaying. This enlarged region means that capacity and fairness can be improved at the same time with an adequate scheduling algorithm. Thus, secondly we propose a generalized scheduling algorithm for cooperative relaying. The proposed scheduling algorithm can improve both capacity and fairness at the expense of cooperation among users. From simulations, we show that the trade-off relationship can be surpassed and the unfairness problem in the heterogeneous channel condition can be solved by the opportunistic relaying.
Synthesis and Characterization of Lipooligosaccharide-Based Conjugate Vaccines for Serotype B Moraxella catarrhalis

ABSTRACT Moraxella catarrhalis is an important cause of otitis media in children and respiratory tract infections in the elderly. Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is a major surface antigen of the bacterium that elicits bactericidal antibodies. Serological studies show that three major LOS types (A, B, and C) have been identified among clinical isolates. Our previous studies demonstrated that the type A LOS-based conjugates were immunogenic in animals. In this study, LOS from type B strain 26397 was detoxified and conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) or a cross-reactive mutant (CRM) of diphtheria toxin to form detoxified LOS (dLOS)-TT and dLOS-CRM, respectively, as vaccine candidates. The molar ratios of dLOS to TT and CRM in the conjugates were 43:1 and 19:1, respectively, while both weight ratios were around 0.9. The antigenicity of the conjugates was similar to that of the LOS, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a rabbit antiserum to strain 26397. Subcutaneous immunization with each conjugate elicited a 180- to 230-fold rise of serum anti-LOS immunoglobulin G in mice and >2,000-fold rise in rabbits. In addition, both mouse and rabbit antisera showed elevated complement-mediated bactericidal activity against the homologous strain, and a representative rabbit antiserum showed bactericidal activity against nine of twelve clinical isolates studied. The bactericidal activity of the rabbit antiserum can be fully inhibited by the type B LOS but not the A or C LOS. These results indicate that the type B LOS-based conjugates can be used as vaccine components for further investigation.
Antecedents of work ability in the cleaning sector: From health, competence and pleasure at work to working conditions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the antecedents of work ability among cleaning workers, especially older cleaning workers. The objective is to understand the physical and psychological working conditions related to low work ability in order to improve those making it difficult to carry out the work. Design/methodology/approach A total of 603 Belgian cleaning workers complete the work ability index and other questionnaires on perceived health, competence, and physical and psychological work conditions. Findings The results confirm that older workers are a risk group in terms of work ability. Beyond the perceived health and skills, the results emphasize the contribution of pleasure at work to understand work ability. Pleasure at work itself is explained by different physical and psychological working conditions among age subgroups. Among workers under 40 years old, work pace and overload are the best predictors of pleasure at work. Among 40-49 years old, use of knowledge and opportunities for training, as well as opportunities for participation, are the best predictors of pleasure; among the oldest workers, however, repetitive movements and social support are the best. Originality/value This paper argues that consideration needs to be given to the fact that different psychological working conditions, especially pleasure at work, are necessary depending on a worker’s age, as well as prevention action for improving work ability.
Articulatory Modeling for Pronunciation Error Detection without Non-Native Training Data Based on DNN Transfer Learning

Aiming at detecting pronunciation errors produced by second language learners and providing corrective feedbacks related with articulation, we address effective articulatory models based on deep neural network (DNN). Articulatory attributes are defined for manner and place of articulation. In order to efficiently train these models of non-native speech without such data, which is difficult to collect in a large scale, several transfer learning based modeling methods are explored. We first investigate three closely-related secondary tasks which aim at effective learning of DNN articulatory models. We also propose to exploit large speech corpora of native and target language to model inter-language phenomena. This kind of transfer learning can provide a better feature representation of nonnative speech. Related task transfer and language transfer learning are further combined on the network level. Compared with the conventional DNN which is used as the baseline, all proposed methods improved the performance. In the native attribute recognition task, the network-level combination method reduced the recognition error rate by more than 10% relative for all articulatory attributes. The method was also applied to pronunciation error detection in Mandarin Chinese pronunciation learning by Japanese native speakers, and achieved the relative improvement up to 17.0% for detection accuracy and up to 19.9% for F-score, which is also better than the lattice-based combination. key words: CALL, CAPT, pronunciation error detection, articulation modeling, transfer learning
Comparison of 25-gauge, Quincke and Whitacre needles for postdural puncture headache in obstetric patients.

OBJECTIVE To compare the frequency of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) and failure rate of spinal anesthesia using 25-gauge Quincke and 25-gauge Whitacre needles in obstetric patients. DESIGN Single blinded, interventional experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY This study was conducted at the Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital, Karachi from November 1, 2003-April 15, 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred females, aged 18-35 years, ASA physical status I and II, with singleton pregnancy undergoing elective or emergency cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive spinal anesthesia either by using 25-gauge Quincke or 25-gauge Whitacre needles. Patients were followed for 3 days postoperatively. Headache, its relation with posture, onset, duration, severity and response to the treatment were recorded. RESULTS Compared with the Whitacre group, frequency of postdural puncture headache was significantly higher in Quincke group (*p=0.015), while the overall occurrence of non-postdural puncture headache (NPDPH) did not differ significantly between two groups (p=0.736). Most of PDPH developed on 2nd postoperative day, were mild in nature and resolved within 48 hours of their onset. There was no significant difference in the failure rate of spinal anesthesia in both groups (p=0.149). CONCLUSION It is suggested that use of 25-gauge Whitacre needle reduces the frequency of PDPH without increasing the failure rate of spinal anesthesia in obstetric patients.
The Management Science Researcher between Theory and Practice

This article discusses a series of management research experiments in the banking sector carried out from the original perspective of the `actor-researcher', that is, by a management researcher who is also a practitioner. It describes some of the epistemological and methodological implications involved in positioning the `actor-researcher', permitting him or her, on the one hand, to play a directly useful role in an organization, and on the other, to generate new scientific knowledge.
Explaining the Under-Representation of Women in Leadership Positions of Sport Organizations: A Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Research suggests that females are vastly under-represented in the upper echelons of sport organizations. As such, the purpose of the current article was to apply a symbolic interactionist perspective to the lacking presence of women in leadership positions of sport organizations. The model proposes that gender-role meanings and stereotypes associated with social and sport ideology may function to limit the capacity of females within the sport context. Specifically, in response to the lower levels of societal power and status afforded to women, females within sport organizations may fail to view themselves as adequate and appropriate leaders and/or coaches thus preventing them from acting as such (i.e., self-limiting behavior). Identity theory and the identity control process are applied to support the linking of these macro and micro processes, respectively. The proposed model also suggests the presence of a moderator; one's self-concept, that may provide a protective mechanism to the potential detrimental affects of ideological meanings, identity formation, and subsequent self-limiting behaviors. Additionally, suggestions for future research are offered.
Regional Personalized Electrodes to Select Transcranial Current Stimulation Target

Rationale: Personalizing transcranial stimulations promises to enhance beneficial effects for individual patients. Objective: To stimulate specific cortical regions by developing a procedure to bend and position custom shaped electrodes; to probe the effects on cortical excitability produced when the properly customized electrode is targeting different cortical areas. Method: An ad hoc neuronavigation procedure was developed to accurately shape and place the personalized electrodes on the basis of individual brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) on bilateral primary motor (M1) and somatosensory (S1) cortices. The transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) protocol published by Feurra et al. (2011b) was used to test the effects on cortical excitability of the personalized electrode when targeting S1 or M1. Results: Neuronal excitability as evaluated by tACS was different when targeting M1 or S1, with the General Estimating Equation model indicating a clear tCS Effect (p < 0.001), and post hoc comparisons showing solely M1 20 Hz tACS to reduce M1 excitability with respect to baseline and other tACS conditions. Conclusions: The present work indicates that specific cortical regions can be targeted by tCS properly shaping and positioning the stimulating electrode. Significance: Through multimodal brain investigations continuous efforts in understanding the neuronal changes related to specific neurological or psychiatric diseases become more relevant as our ability to build the compensating interventions improves. An important step forward on this path is the ability to target the specific cortical area of interest, as shown in the present pilot work.
Polarization, Information Collection and Electoral Control

We identify the conditions under which voters can induce political parties to collect information and to select policies which are optimal from the representative voter’s point of view. We show that when parties are office motivated the voting rule should encourage parties to collect information. Voting rules that focus on the opposition party sometimes dominate voting rules that focus on the incumbent party. When parties are policy motivated, they also have to be motivated to select good policies. Generally, it is easier to stimulate policy motivated parties than office motivated parties to collect information. However, in contrast to office motivated parties, policy motivated parties will sometimes select policies that conflict with the representative voter’s interest.
REGRESSION TESTING : TABU SEARCH TECHNIQUE FOR CODE COVERAGE

Software testing is one of the most expensive and critical activities which carries out every time in order to give a best quality of a software product. Here the regression testing which is based on testing mechanism is used to analyze the source code changes and also to make sure that the changes that does not establish new bugs in the earlier validated codes. Now a days many innovative methods are raised in performing the software testing, among them the unit testing which uses minimum time frame and gives more effort in performing a task. Under lots of schedule the unit testing mechanism is done by more developers as the software companies has an enough time to find cooperation among different operations like functionality, quality and time to market. There is an essential to reduce the unit testing time by making it as an automated one and also by making its process as more optimistic.Here, this paper propose a technique called Tabu search based technique for an effective code coverage to cyclomatic complexity which is used to measure the complexity of a program. KeywordsSoftware testing; cyclomatic complexity; tabu search; unit testing.
Direct Evidence for a Chronic CD8+-T-Cell-Mediated Immune Reaction to Tax within the Muscle of a Human T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Virus Type 1-Infected Patient with Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis

ABSTRACT Human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection can lead to the development of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), concomitantly with or without other inflammatory disorders such as myositis. These pathologies are considered immune-mediated diseases, and it is assumed that migration within tissues of both HTLV-1-infected CD4+ T cells and anti-HTLV-1 cytotoxic T cells represents a pivotal event. However, although HTLV-1-infected T cells were found in inflamed lesions, the antigenic specificity of coinfiltrated CD8+ T cells remains to be determined. In this study, we performed both ex vivo and in situ analyses using muscle biopsies obtained from an HTLV-1-infected patient with HAM/TSP and sporadic inclusion body myositis. We found that both HTLV-1-infected CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells directed to the dominant Tax antigen can be amplified from muscle cell cultures. Moreover, we were able to detect in two successive muscle biopsies both tax mRNA-positive mononuclear cells and T cells recognized by the Tax11-19/HLA-A*02 tetramer and positive for perforin. These findings provide the first direct demonstration that anti-Tax cytotoxic T cells are chronically recruited within inflamed tissues of an HTLV-1 infected patient, which validates the cytotoxic immune reaction model for the pathogenesis of HTLV-1-associated inflammatory disease.
Virtual talk as a communicative resource

In face-to-face conversation, participants often give the floor, or the voice, to nonpresent participants ‐ virtual participants. These are made present in the conversation by actual speakers quoting them, voicing them or referring to their opinions. In this paper, we examine instances of such virtual talk. Data are drawn from focus group discussions and public meetings about genetically modified food. Our analyses demonstrate some of the dynamics inherent in the interaction between the speaker, the present participants and one or more virtual participants. We focus on the specific functions of virtual talk, suggesting that it is a communicative resource that can be used to solve a number of different communicative tasks.
Does Unemployment Lead to Crime?

This papers considers the postulated link between crime and unemployment. It outlines the main theoretical premises for such a relationship and critically summarises the empirical work to date before introducing the specific approach used in the analysis reported here. This is essentially a cross section econometric analysis of crime rates which concludes that unemployment per se has no direct influence on the level of crime. There is evidence that previous studies which reported such a connection were erroneous and that these errors resulted from a confusion between unemployment and the more general concept of economic welfare. Further analysis reveals that there is no evidence that crime is higher among ethnic minorities or in non-rural communities, nor unfortunately that increased policing actually reduces crime.
Evidence for an Instructive Role of Retinal Activity in Retinotopic Map Refinement in the Superior Colliculus of the Mouse

Although it is widely accepted that molecular mechanisms play an important role in the initial establishment of retinotopic maps, it has also long been argued that activity-dependent factors act in concert with molecular mechanisms to refine topographic maps. Evidence of a role for retinal activity in retinotopic map refinement in mammals is limited, and nothing is known about the effect of spontaneous retinal activity on the development of receptive fields in the superior colliculus. Using anatomical and physiological methods with two genetically manipulated mouse models and pharmacological interventions in wild-type mice, we show that spontaneous retinal waves instruct retinotopic map refinement in the superior colliculus of the mouse. Activity-dependent mechanisms may play a preferential role in the mapping of the nasal-temporal axis of the retina onto the colliculus, because refinement is particularly impaired along this axis in mutants without retinal waves. Interfering with both axon guidance cues and activity-dependent cues in the same animal has a dramatic cumulative effect. These experiments demonstrate how axon guidance cues and activity-dependent factors combine to instruct retinotopic map development.
Robust end-to-end deep audiovisual speech recognition

Speech is one of the most effective ways of communication among humans. Even though audio is the most common way of transmitting speech, very important information can be found in other modalities, such as vision. Vision is particularly useful when the acoustic signal is corrupted. Multi-modal speech recognition however has not yet found wide-spread use, mostly because the temporal alignment and fusion of the different information sources is challenging. This paper presents an end-to-end audiovisual speech recognizer (AVSR), based on recurrent neural networks (RNN) with a connectionist temporal classification (CTC) loss function. CTC creates sparse "peaky" output activations, and we analyze the differences in the alignments of output targets (phonemes or visemes) between audio-only, video-only, and audio-visual feature representations. We present the first such experiments on the large vocabulary IBM ViaVoice database, which outperform previously published approaches on phone accuracy in clean and noisy conditions.
Methamphetamine-Induced Rapid and Reversible Changes in Dopamine Transporter Function: An In Vitro Model

This laboratory has demonstrated that a single methamphetamine (METH) injection rapidly and reversibly decreases the activity of the dopamine transporter (DAT), as assessed ex vivo in synaptosomes prepared from treated rats. This decrease does not occur because of residual drug introduced by the original injection or nor is it associated with a change in binding of the DAT ligand WIN35428. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism or mechanisms of this METH effect by determining whether direct application of this stimulant to synaptosomes causes changes in DAT similar to those observed ex vivo. Similar to the ex vivoeffect, incubation of striatal synaptosomes with METH decreased DAT activity, but not WIN35428 binding: the effect on activity was not eliminated by repeated washing of synaptosomes. Also, as observedex vivo, incubation with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, but not cocaine or methylphenidate, caused a METH-like reduction in DAT function. The rapid and reversible METH-induced diminution in DAT activity did not occur because of a change in membrane potential, as assessed in vitro andex vivo by [3H]tetraphenylphosphonium accumulation. However, the METH-related decline in DAT function may be attributed to phosphorylation because NPC15437, a protein kinase C inhibitor, attenuated the METH-induced decline in DAT function. Similarities between previously reported effects ex vivo of a single METH injection on serotonin and norepinephrine transporter function and effects of direct METH application in vitro were also found. Together, these data demonstrate that the in vitro incubation model mimics the rapid and reversible effects observed after a single METH injection.
Grasping and folding knots

String stretched tightly along a sequence of fixed grasp points takes the shape of a polygonal arc. In this work, we investigate how many points are necessary and sufficient to grasp and tie arbitrary knots while maintaining tension, so that the string remains polygonal. This approach allows reasoning that is entirely geometric, which does not rely on potentially inaccurate dynamic models of the string or detailed knowledge of physical characteristics of the string. Algorithms are proposed to determine the contact locations, and generate the motions needed to tie arbitrary knots. This work shows that a number of grasp points that is linear in the number of crossings in a knot diagram is sufficient to immobilize string in a polygonal shape with the topology of an arbitrary knot, or to fold or unfold the knot from a straight configuration.