Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Type II Protein Secretion System of Legionella pneumophila Promotes Growth at Low Temperatures

ABSTRACT The gram-negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila grows in both natural and man-made water systems and in the mammalian lung as a facultative intracellular parasite. The PilD prepilin peptidase of L. pneumophila promotes type IV pilus biogenesis and type II protein secretion. Whereas pili enhance adherence, Legionella type II secretion is critical for intracellular growth and virulence. Previously, we observed that pilD transcript levels are greater in legionellae grown at 30 versus 37°C. Using a new pilD::lacZ fusion strain, we now show that pilD transcriptional initiation increases progressively as L. pneumophila is grown at 30, 25, and 17°C. Legionella pilD mutants also had a dramatically reduced ability to grow in broth and to form colonies on agar at the lower temperatures. Whereas strains specifically lacking type IV pili were not defective for low-temperature growth, mutations in type II secretion (lsp) genes greatly impaired the capacity of L. pneumophila to form colonies at 25, 17, and 12°C. Indeed, the lsp mutants were completely unable to grow at 12°C. The growth defect of the pilD and lsp mutants was complemented by reintroduction of the corresponding intact gene. Interestingly, the lsp mutants displayed improved growth at 25°C when plated next to a streak of wild-type but not mutant bacteria, implying that a secreted, diffusible factor promotes low-temperature growth. Mutants lacking either the known secreted acid phosphatases, lipases, phospholipase C, lysophospholipase A, or protease grew normally at 25°C, suggesting the existence of a critical, yet-to-be-defined exoprotein(s). In summary, these data document, for the first time, that L. pneumophila replicates at temperatures below 20°C and that a bacterial type II protein secretion system facilitates growth at low temperatures.
Judgment in Managerial Decision Making

Preface Chapter 1. Introduction to Managerial Decision Making Chapter 2. Common Biases Chapter 3. Framing and the Reversal of Preferences Chapter 4. Motivational and Affective Influences on Decision Making Chapter 5. The Nonrational Escalation of Commitment Chapter 6. Fairness In Decision Making Chapter 7. Common Investment Mistakes Chapter 8. Bounded Ethicality Chapter 9. Making Rational Decisions in Negotiations Chapter 10. Negotiator Cognition Chapter 11. Bounded Awareness Chapter 12. Improving Decision Making References Index
A Dynamic Role of the Medial Temporal Lobe during Retrieval of Declarative Memory in Man

Understanding the role of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in learning and memory is an important problem in cognitive neuroscience. Memory and learning processes that depend on the function of the MTL and related diencephalic structures (e.g., the anterior and mediodorsal thalamic nuclei) are defined as declarative. We have studied the MTL activity as indicated by regional cerebral blood flow with positron emission tomography and statistical parametric mapping during recall of abstract designs in a less practiced memory state as well as in a well-practiced (well-encoded) memory state. The results showed an increased activity of the MTL bilaterally (including parahippocampal gyrus extending into hippocampus proper, as well as anterior lingual and anterior fusiform gyri) during retrieval in the less practiced memory state compared to the well-practiced memory state, indicating a dynamic role of the MTL in retrieval during the learning processes. The results also showed that the activation of the MTL decreases as the subjects learn to draw abstract designs from memory, indicating a changing role of the MTL during recall in the earlier stages of acquisition compared to the well-encoded declarative memory state.
"It Takes Time to Shift Historical Paradigms": Changes in Structure, Governance, Perception, and Practice During a Decade of Child Welfare Policy Reform in Florida

viii Chapter One: Introduction . 1 Statement of Purpose . 1 Significance of the Research . 4 History of Variable-Based and Holistic Approaches . 7 Key components to the variable-based approach . 8 Key components to the holistic approach . 9 Applying a Systems Theory Framework to Child Welfare . 11 Promoting interdisciplinary scientific investigation . 13 Applying knowledge to practical problems . 14 Building partnerships . 14 Acknowledging perspectives of all stakeholders . 14 Influencing policy . 15 The Research Setting . 15 Organization of Chapter
Reasons Behind ERP Package Adoption: A Diffusion of Innovations Perspective

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) packages have been widely adopted and it is becoming clear that this is driven by multiple rationales that may be simultaneously at odds and complimentary. In this paper, we aim to develop a greater understanding of these rationales by taking ERP packages to be innovations and analysing their adoption with reference to the theory of diffusion of innovations. In particular, we consider the attributes of ERP packages that may affect their adoption such as relative advantage, compatibility, complexiblity, trialability and observability. We argue that users’ perceptions of these attributes are not always accurate and these ’misconceptions’ can further explain reasons for ERP adoption or rejection. Although our analysis aims to provide rich insights into the adoption of ERP packages, the results of the study are arguably of further interest to the more general study of packaged software and the more established literature on custom development.
Shocks to Order Flow Volatility and Stock Returns

In theoretical models, liquidity and order flow volatility are determined by the same exogenous parameters. Thus, order flow volatility can proxy for true (unobserved) liquidity. Levels of and shocks to order flow volatility are significantly correlated with existing illiquidity proxies. Shocks to order flow volatility strongly predict stock returns in the cross-section, even after accounting for risk factors, firm characteristics known to influence returns, and other liquidity measures. The impact of such shocks is reflected in stock prices within one month in large, visible stocks, but takes over six months to be fully reflected in small, neglected stocks.
ProbT: A temporal probabilistic protocol to mitigate the broadcast storm problem in VANETs

VANETs are self-organized networks in which their constituent nodes are vehicles. They can be classified as a subcategory of MANETs. Due to their special characteristics, they demand protocols designed specifically for their scenario of action. Different types of applications can be created for VANETs such as security protocols, traffic management, systems maintenance, comfort for drivers and passengers, and others. In general, applications developed for VANETs make use of broadcast information. However, there are many issues to be considered. One of the central problems is the broadcast storm. In this paper we propose a temporal probabilistic protocol, named ProbT, to mitigate the broadcast storm problem. The ProbT performance was measured and compared to the protocols Blind Flooding, Weighted p-Persistence, AutoCast and Irresponsible Forwarding. Based on the results, the ProbT shows a good performance when compared to the mentioned protocols.
PPAR-α Agonist Fenofibrate Upregulates Tetrahydrobiopterin Level through Increasing the Expression of Guanosine 5′-Triphosphate Cyclohydrolase-I in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Guanosine 5′-triphosphate cyclohydrolase-I (GTPCH-I) is a key limiting enzyme for BH4 synthesis. In the present in vitro study, we investigated whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) agonist fenofibrate could recouple eNOS by reversing low-expression of intracellular BH4 in endothelial cells and discussed the potential mechanisms. After human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hours, the levels of cellular eNOS, BH4 and cell supernatant NO were significantly reduced compared to control group. And the fluorescence intensity of intracellular ROS was significantly increased. But pretreated with fenofibrate (10 umol/L) for 2 hours before cells were induced by LPS, the levels of eNOS, NO, and BH4 were significantly raised compared to LPS treatment alone. ROS production was markedly reduced in fenofibrate group than LPS group. In addition, our results showed that the level of intracellular GTPCH-I detected by western blot was increased in a concentration-dependent manner after being treated with fenofibrate. These results suggested that fenofibrate might help protect endothelial function and against atherosclerosis by increasing level of BH4 and decreasing production of ROS through upregulating the level of intracellular GTPCH-I.
Energy efficiency and sustainable consumption : the rebound effect

Introduction S.Sorrell and H.Herring PART I: MICRO REBOUND EFFECTS The Evidence for Direct Rebound Effects S.Sorrell Fuel Efficiency and Automobile Travel in Germany: An Econometric Analysis of the Rebound Effect M.Frondel , J.Peters and C.Vance PART II: MACRO REBOUND EFFECTS Modelling the Economy-Wide Rebound Effect G.Allen , M.Gilmartin , P.G. McGregor , J.K. Swales and K.Turner Specifying Technology for Analyzing Rebound H.Saunders Energy Efficiency and Economic Growth: The 'Rebound Effect' as a Driver R.U. Ayres and B.Warr Exploring Jevons' Paradox S.Sorrell PART III: REBOUND EFFECTS AND SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION Time-Use Rebound Effects: An Activity-Based View of Consumption M.Jalas Rebound and Rational Public Policy Making R.Levett Avoiding Rebound through a Steady-State Economy J.S. Norgard Sufficiency and the Rebound Effect H.Herring Conclusion S.Sorrell & H.Herring
Sex differences in co-occurring conditions of children with autism spectrum disorders

This study investigated differences in co-occurring diagnoses made in females compared to males with autism spectrum disorders in 913 children (746 males and 167 females) living in the United States with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis identified via caregiver-reported data from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2007. The results indicated that overall, females had significantly fewer reported autism spectrum disorder co-occurring conditions than males. Females, compared to males, with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis had lower rates of past learning disorder, current mild learning disorder, and past anxiety diagnoses. Females with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than males to have been diagnosed with a speech problem in the past, while males with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than females to have a current diagnosis of a mild learning disability and a past diagnosis of learning disability. In addition, males with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were more likely than females to have two or more co-occurring diagnoses. These findings provide insight into trends in sex differences in autism spectrum disorder co-occurring conditions.
Transcription in Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Very little is understood of the structure of mycoplasma promoters, and this limits interpretation of genomic sequence data in these species. In this study the transcriptional start points of 22 genes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae were identified and the regions 5' to the start point compared. Although a strong consensus -10 region could be seen, there was only a weak consensus in the -35 region. A high proportion of transcripts had heterogeneous 5'-ends and characterisation of the sequence of the 5'-ends of two transcripts established that the heterogeneity was derived from initiation of transcription at reduced levels between 1 and 4 bases 5' to the major starting point. In addition to this apparently unique feature, a high proportion of transcripts lacked a 5' untranslated leader region that could contain a ribosomal binding site. Such leaderless transcripts are seen rarely in other bacterial species. Although the promoter regions for a number of members of lipoprotein multigene families were examined, no obvious explanation for regulation of expression was apparent. Using the data from this study an improved matrix for prediction of M.pneumoniae promoters was derived. Application of this matrix to the sequences immediately 3' and 5' to each predicted start codon in the genome suggested that most M. pneumoniae transcriptional start points were likely to occur between 5 and 30 bases 5' to the start codon.
On the effectiveness of random jumps in an influence maximization algorithm for unknown graphs

In our previous work, we have proposed a problem called influence maximization for unknown graphs, and a heuristic algorithm for solving the problem. Influence maximization for unknown graphs is the problem of detecting a set of influential nodes in a social network using only the limited knowledge about its topological structure that is obtained from a limited amount of probing. In this paper, we extend the method of probing used in our previous algorithm, and propose an influence maximization algorithm for unknown graphs, which we call IMUG-RF (Influence Maximization for Unknown Graphs with Random Flight). IMUG-RF greedily probes the node with the highest expected degree and also periodically probes a randomly selected node in the network. Through simulation, we show that IMUG-RF can successfully identify influential seed nodes in real social networks.
RiceWiki: a wiki-based database for community curation of rice genes

Rice is the most important staple food for a large part of the world’s human population and also a key model organism for biological studies of crops as well as other related plants. Here we present RiceWiki (http://ricewiki.big.ac.cn), a wiki-based, publicly editable and open-content platform for community curation of rice genes. Most existing related biological databases are based on expert curation; with the exponentially exploding volume of rice knowledge and other relevant data, however, expert curation becomes increasingly laborious and time-consuming to keep knowledge up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive, struggling with the flood of data and requiring a large number of people getting involved in rice knowledge curation. Unlike extant relevant databases, RiceWiki features harnessing collective intelligence in community curation of rice genes, quantifying users' contributions in each curated gene and providing explicit authorship for each contributor in any given gene, with the aim to exploit the full potential of the scientific community for rice knowledge curation. Based on community curation, RiceWiki bears the potential to make it possible to build a rice encyclopedia by and for the scientific community that harnesses community intelligence for collaborative knowledge curation, covers all aspects of biological knowledge and keeps evolving with novel knowledge.
Constraining the number of compact remnants near Sgr A

Due to dynamical friction stellar mass black holes and neutron stars are expected to form high-density cusps in the inner parsec of our Galaxy. These compact remnants, expected to number around 20 000, may be accreting cold dense gas present there, and give rise to potentially observable X-ray emission. Here we build a simple but detailed time-dependent model of such emission. The possibility that these accretion flows are radiatively inefficient is taken into account and brings in some uncertainty in the conclusions. Despite this uncertainty, we find that at least several X-ray sources of this nature should be detectable with Chandra at any one time. Turning this issue around, we also ask a question of what current observational constraints might be telling us about the total number of compact remnants. In our ‘best guess’ model, a cusp of ∼40 000 remnants overpredicts the number of discrete sources and the total X-ray luminosity of the inner parsec, and is hence ruled out. In the most radiatively inefficient scenario that we consider, the radiative efficiency is set to be as small as ɛ= 10−5. In this rather unlikely scenario, a cusp of ∼40 000 black holes would be allowed by the data, but several individual sources should still be visible. Future observations of the distribution and orbits of the cold ionized gas in the inner parsec of our Galaxy will put tighter constraints on the cusp of compact remnants.
The Policy-Making Process

I. INTRODUCTION. 1. Challenges Facing Policy Making. 2. The Limits of Analysis. 3. Incrementalism and the Intelligence of Democracy. II. CONVENTIONAL GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. 4. The Imprecision of Voting. 5. Elected Functionaries. 6. Bureaucracy. 7. Interest Groups in Policy Making. III. BROADER INFLUENCES ON POLICY MAKING. 8. The Privileged Position of Business. 9. Political Inequality. 10. Impaired Inquiry. IV. IMPROVING POLICY MAKING. 11. Making the Most of Analysis. 12. More Democracy?
Trust in surveys and games - a matter of money and location?

This paper explores methods to study trust. Answers to survey questions and choices in a trust game are obtained from subjects approached by mail executing their tasks at home as well as from classroom subjects. No discernable differences between the results obtained by these methods were observed. Furthermore, one group of subjects played the trust game with hypothetical payments. This changed trust behavior dramatically, whereas trustworthiness was unaffected. Subjects without financial incentives exhibited less trust. Trust choices with hypothetical payments were significantly correlated with survey trust answers whereas there was no such correlation for the corresponding choices with real payments.
Auctions versus Posted-Price Selling

wo most popular selling methods -- posted-price selling and auctions -- are compared in this paper. We confirm the common belief that auctions are most often used when the distribution of the object's value is widely dispersed. The choice of selling methods usually depends on the costs of displaying, storing and auctioning. In the absence of auctioning costs, auctioning at every instant is optimal. The 'dispersion' of a distribution is then formally defined and developed. Using the definition of dispersion, we prove that auctions becomes preferable when a potential buyer's valuation becomes more dispersed. Finally, the optimization of a social planner is studied and we find that the monopoly seller's price can be higher or lower than that of the social optimum.
Active Surveillance of the Trachea or Throat for MRSA Is More Sensitive than Nasal Surveillance and a Better Predictor of MRSA Infections among Patients in Intensive Care

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common causes of infection in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although surveillance culture for MRSA is recommended for ICU patients, no comparative study investigating the optimal sites and frequency of culture has been performed in this population. Methods A prospective observational cohort study was performed in an 18-bed emergency intensive care unit (EICU) in a tertiary teaching hospital. A total of 282 patients were included. Samples for MRSA detection were obtained at the time of admission, 48 h after admission, and then weekly thereafter. All subjects were routinely monitored for the development of MRSA infection during their stay in the ICU. Results MRSA colonization was detected in 129 (46%) patients over the course of the study. The sensitivity of MRSA surveillance culture was significantly higher in throat or tracheal aspirates (82%; 106/129) than in anterior nares (47%; 61/129) (P<0.001). The sensitivity of MRSA surveillance culture for subsequent MRSA infection and MRSA pneumonia was also higher in the throat/trachea (69 and 93%, respectively) than in the anterior nares (48 and 50%, respectively). The area under the curve for subsequent MRSA infection was higher in trachea/throat (0.675) than in the anterior nares (0.648); however, this difference was not significant (P>0.05). The area under the curve for MRSA pneumonia was significantly higher in trachea/throat (0.791; 95% CI, 0.739-0.837) than anterior nares (0.649; 95% CI, 0.590-0.705) (P = 0.044). Conclusion MRSA colonization was more common in the trachea/throat than in the anterior nares in ICU patients. Cultures from throat or tracheal aspirates were more sensitive and predictive of subsequent MRSA pneumonia than cultures from the anterior nares in this population.
Organic and inorganic–organic thin film structures by molecular layer deposition: A review

The possibility to deposit purely organic and hybrid inorganic–organic materials in a way parallel to the state-of-the-art gas-phase deposition method of inorganic thin films, i.e., atomic layer deposition (ALD), is currently experiencing a strongly growing interest. Like ALD in case of the inorganics, the emerging molecular layer deposition (MLD) technique for organic constituents can be employed to fabricate high-quality thin films and coatings with thickness and composition control on the molecular scale, even on complex three-dimensional structures. Moreover, by combining the two techniques, ALD and MLD, fundamentally new types of inorganic–organic hybrid materials can be produced. In this review article, we first describe the basic concepts regarding the MLD and ALD/MLD processes, followed by a comprehensive review of the various precursors and precursor pairs so far employed in these processes. Finally, we discuss the first proof-of-concept experiments in which the newly developed MLD and ALD/MLD processes are exploited to fabricate novel multilayer and nanostructure architectures by combining different inorganic, organic and hybrid material layers into on-demand designed mixtures, superlattices and nanolaminates, and employing new innovative nanotemplates or post-deposition treatments to, e.g., selectively decompose parts of the structure. Such layer-engineered and/or nanostructured hybrid materials with exciting combinations of functional properties hold great promise for high-end technological applications.
Virtual team collaboration: building shared meaning, resolving breakdowns and creating translucence

Managing international teams with geographically distributed participants is a complex task. The risk of communication breakdowns increases due to cultural and organizational differences grounded in the geographical distribution of the participants. Such breakdowns indicate general misunderstandings and a lack of shared meaning between participants. In this paper, we address the complexity of building shared meaning. We examine the communication breakdowns that occurred in two globally distributed virtual teams by providing an analytical distinction of the organizational context as the foundation for building shared meaning at three levels. Also we investigate communication breakdowns that can be attributed to differences in lifeworld structures, organizational structures, and work process structures within a virtual team. We find that all communication breakdowns are manifested and experienced by the participants at the work process level; however, resolving breakdowns may require critical reflection at other levels. Where previous research argues that face‐to‐face interaction is an important variable for virtual team performance, our empirical observations reveal that communication breakdowns related to a lack of shared meaning at the lifeworld level often becomes more salient when the participants are co‐located than when geographically distributed. Last, we argue that creating translucence in communication structures is essential for building shared meanings at all three levels.