Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Performance of Dancers on the Lower Quadrant Y Balance Test

The Lower Quadrant Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ) is an evidence-based screening tool that measures one’s ability to maintain unilateral stance while reaching the contralateral leg in the anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) directions. The purpose of this study was to observe the performance of collegiate dancers on the YBT-LQ and compare it with that of other athletic populations from previously published studies. 39 healthy collegiate dance majors at the Purchase College Conservatory of Dance (ages 17-24 years; mean years of dance training 12.9 ± 3.9 years) participated in this study. Subjects stood on the central platform of the YBT-LQ device and used one foot to slide the reach indicator in each direction. After 3 trials, each subject’s highest score per direction for right and left sides was recorded and used to calculate the reach asymmetry score for each direction. Each reach distance score was normalized by subject leg length and used to compute a composite reach score. Mean values were calculated for each outcome and compared to mean values of other athletes available from the literature, using a one-sample t-test. The mean
Globin-coupled sensors: A class of heme-containing sensors in Archaea and Bacteria

The recently discovered prokaryotic signal transducer HemAT, which has been described in both Archaea and Bacteria, mediates aerotactic responses. The N-terminal regions of HemAT from the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum (HemAT-Hs) and from the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis (HemAT-Bs) contain a myoglobin-like motif, display characteristic heme–protein absorption spectra, and bind oxygen reversibly. Recombinant HemAT-Hs and HemAT-Bs shorter than 195 and 176 residues, respectively, do not bind heme effectively. Sequence homology comparisons and three-dimensional modeling predict that His-123 is the proximal heme-binding residue in HemAT from both species. The work described here used site-specific mutagenesis and spectroscopy to confirm this prediction, thereby providing direct evidence for a functional domain of prokaryotic signal transducers that bind heme in a globin fold. We postulate that this domain is part of a globin-coupled sensor (GCS) motif that exists as a two-domain transducer having no similarity to the PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS)-domain superfamily transducers. Using the GCS motif, we have identified several two-domain sensors in a variety of prokaryotes. We have cloned, expressed, and purified two potential globin-coupled sensors and performed spectral analysis on them. Both bind heme and show myoglobin-like spectra. This observation suggests that the general function of GCS-type transducers is to bind diatomic oxygen and perhaps other gaseous ligands, and to transmit a conformational signal through a linked signaling domain.
Exploit Kashida Adding to Arabic e-Text for High Capacity Steganography

Steganography is the ability to hide information in a cover media such as text, and pictures. An improved approach is proposed to embed secret into Arabic text cover media using Kashida, an Arabic extension character. The proposed approach is maximizing the use of Kashida to hide more information, represented in binary bits, in Arabic text cover media. A stego system has been developed based on this approach. After sufficient testing and evaluation, our system shows promising performance in terms of capacity.
Race and ethnicity correlate with survival in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND Asian centers have consistently reported superior gastric cancer outcomes. Our study examines gastric cancer survival among different races and ethnicities in a large, heterogeneous USA population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma treated in Los Angeles County from 1988 to 2006 were identified from the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program. Patients were categorized by race and ethnicity as White, Asian, Hispanic and Black. RESULTS Of 13 084 patients, 39% were White, 22% Asian, 28% Hispanic, 11% Black and 2% other. Asian patients demonstrated higher survival than Whites, Hispanics and Blacks [median survival (MS) 16.3 versus 8.4, 8.7 and 7.9 months, respectively; log-rank P values < 0.001]. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Asians had improved probability of survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-0.82; P < 0.001]. In patients who underwent curative-intent surgery, Asian patients demonstrated higher survival than Whites, Hispanics and Blacks (MS 32.7 versus 18.8, 19.9 and 18.9 months, respectively; log-rank P values < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Asians had improved probability of survival after surgery (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.88; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Asians with gastric adenocarcinoma have superior outcomes in Los Angeles County. These outcomes verify disparities in gastric cancer survival among different races and ethnicities independent of established clinical and pathologic factors.
Soma-Germ Line Competition for Lipid Phosphate Uptake Regulates Germ Cell Migration and Survival

Lipid phosphates can act as signaling molecules to influence cell division, apoptosis, and migration. wunen and wunen2 encode Drosophila lipid phosphate phosphohydrolases, integral membrane enzymes that dephosphorylate extracellular lipid phosphates. wun and wun2 act redundantly in somatic tissues to repel migrating germ cells, although the mechanism by which germ cells respond is unclear. Here, we report that wun2 also functions in germ cells, enabling them to perceive the wun/wun2–related signal from the soma. Upon Wun2 expression, cultured insect cells dephosphorylate and internalize exogenously supplied lipid phosphate. We propose that Drosophila germ cell migration and survival are controlled by competition for hydrolysis of a lipid phosphate between germ cells and soma.
Regulation of Plasticity and Fibrogenic Activity of Trabecular Meshwork Cells by Rho GTPase Signaling

Glaucoma, a prevalent blinding disease is commonly associated with increased intraocular pressure due to impaired aqueous humor (AH) drainage through the trabecular meshwork (TM). Although increased TM tissue contraction and stiffness in association with accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) are believed to be partly responsible for increased resistance to AH outflow, the extracellular cues and intracellular mechanisms regulating TM cell contraction and ECM production are not well defined. This study tested the hypothesis that sustained activation of Rho GTPase signaling induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), TGF‐β, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) influences TM cell plasticity and fibrogenic activity which may eventually impact resistance to AH outflow. Various experiments performed using human TM cells revealed that constitutively active RhoA (RhoAV14), TGF‐β2, LPA, and CTGF significantly increase the levels and expression of Fibroblast Specific Protein‐1 (FSP‐1), α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA), collagen‐1A1 and secretory total collagen, as determined by q‐RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence, immunoblot, flow cytometry and the Sircol assay. Significantly, these changes appear to be mediated by Serum Response Factor (SRF), myocardin‐related transcription factor (MRTF‐A), Slug, and Twist‐1, which are transcriptional regulators known to control cell plasticity, myofibroblast generation/activation and fibrogenic activity. Additionally, the Rho kinase inhibitor‐Y27632 and anti‐fibrotic agent‐pirfenidone were both found to suppress the TGF‐β2‐induced expression of αSMA, FSP‐1, and collagen‐1A1. Taken together, these observations demonstrate the significance of RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in regulation of TM cell plasticity, fibrogenic activity, and myofibroblast activation, events with potential implications for the pathobiology of elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 927–942, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Broadcast scan compression based on deterministic pattern generation algorithm

As advances in technology make integrating more transistors on a single integrated circuit (IC) feasible, test data volume becomes one of major factors of testing system-on-chips (SoCs). The large volume of test data leads to increasing test application time and needs more expensive Automatic test equipment (ATE) with high memory. In this paper, we present broadcast scan compression based on deterministic pattern generation algorithm to reduce the volume of test data. The proposed method further improves compression ratio of the volume of test data by exploiting advances of both broadcast scan compression and pattern generation using linear feedback shift register (LFSR). The volume of test data can be reduced by feeding multiple scan chains from a few LFSRs and by compressing the data using LFSRs. ISCAS'89 benchmark circuits verify the proposed method and the experimental results show that the compression ratio is up to 10× which means test application time also is reduced extremely.
Natural reassignment of CUU and CUA sense codons to alanine in Ashbya mitochondria

The discovery of diverse codon reassignment events has demonstrated that the canonical genetic code is not universal. Studying coding reassignment at the molecular level is critical for understanding genetic code evolution, and provides clues to genetic code manipulation in synthetic biology. Here we report a novel reassignment event in the mitochondria of Ashbya (Eremothecium) gossypii, a filamentous-growing plant pathogen related to yeast (Saccharomycetaceae). Bioinformatics studies of conserved positions in mitochondrial DNA-encoded proteins suggest that CUU and CUA codons correspond to alanine in A. gossypii, instead of leucine in the standard code or threonine in yeast mitochondria. Reassignment of CUA to Ala was confirmed at the protein level by mass spectrometry. We further demonstrate that a predicted is transcribed and accurately processed in vivo, and is responsible for Ala reassignment. Enzymatic studies reveal that is efficiently recognized by A. gossypii mitochondrial alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AgAlaRS). AlaRS typically recognizes the G3:U70 base pair of tRNAAla; a G3A change in Ashbya abolishes its recognition by AgAlaRS. Conversely, an A3G mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae confers tRNA recognition by AgAlaRS. Our work highlights the dynamic feature of natural genetic codes in mitochondria, and the relative simplicity by which tRNA identity may be switched.
On the influences of personality traits on employees engagement with gamified enterprise tools

Gamification techniques are used in enterprises to support employees' engagement with computer-mediated business processes. The potential effectiveness of the incentives brought by gamification techniques are, however, not equally appealing to individuals. To better understand when gamification can be an effective engagement aid, it is important to study how individual differences (personal or character-related) of employees relate with the effectiveness of game mechanics applied to enterprise-class computer tools. Personality is a property of an individual that is known to influence, among others, task performance, learning styles, and gaming preferences. Despite the existence of an abundant body of research, the relationship between the effectiveness of game mechanics in an enterprise setting and the personality of employees is yet to be fully understood. This thesis contributes new knowledge on the matter, by studying the influence of personality traits and gender stereotypes on the behavior of 177 IBM employees that participated in an experiment on gamified learning and social experience. We engaged with the employees of IBM Netherlands and performed a personality trait and gender stereotype inventory by means of a questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire supported our investigation on the descriptive power of personality traits in explaining the differences in participation and engagement in the targeted population. Finally, we validated the effectiveness of state-of-the-art techniques for automated personality assessment, to assess the possibility of developing large-scale experiments on the effect personality traits without the need for questionnaires.
Alopecia Areata Sisaipho: Clinical and Therapeutic Approach in 13 Patients in Spain

A total of 13 patients (11 females and 2 males) with a mean age of 33.4 years (range 9–58 years) were included. The mean follow‐up time was 10.7 years. The sisaipho pattern [Figure 1a] was the initial clinical presentation of AA in five patients (38%). In the remainder eight patients (62%), it developed during the regrowth of alopecia universalis. The most frequent comorbidities were atopic dermatitis in 11 patients (84%), thyroid disorders in 7 patients (54%), and celiac disease and vitiligo in 2 patients (15% each). Nail involvement with trachyonychia was observed in ten patients (77%). Relating to disease management, all patients received active therapy with potent topical corticosteroids. Other concomitant therapies used were intralesional corticosteroids in ten patients (77%), pulse corticosteroid therapy in nine patients (69%), topical immunotherapy in two patients (15%), and oral azathioprine in one patient (8%). Overall complete response was achieved in 12 patients (92%), partial response in 1 patient (8%), without any nonresponder. Clinical relapse after withdrawal of therapy was observed in 6 patients (46%) after a mean follow‐up time of 3.5 months. Both patients with a sisaipho debut as with a pattern of regrowth responded similarly. Adverse effects were detected in 8 patients (62%), including dermal atrophy and striae (four patients), hyperglycemia (one patient), and weight gain (one patient).
Cathepsin B Acts as a Dominant Execution Protease in Tumor Cell Apoptosis Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor

Death receptors can trigger cell demise dependent or independent of caspases. In WEHI-S fibrosarcoma cells, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced an increase in cytosolic cathepsin B activity followed by death with apoptotic features. Surprisingly, this process was enhanced by low, but effectively inhibiting, concentrations of pan-caspase inhibitors. Contrary to caspase inhibitors, a panel of pharmacological cathepsin B inhibitors, the endogenous cathepsin inhibitor cystatin A as well as antisense-mediated depletion of cathepsin B rescued WEHI-S cells from apoptosis triggered by TNF or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Thus, cathepsin B can take over the role of the dominant execution protease in death receptor-induced apoptosis. The conservation of this alternative execution pathway was further examined in other tumor cell lines. Here, cathepsin B acted as an essential downstream mediator of TNF-triggered and caspase-initiated apoptosis cascade, whereas apoptosis of primary cells was only minimally dependent on cathepsin B. These data imply that cathepsin B, which is commonly overexpressed in human primary tumors, may have two opposing roles in malignancy, reducing it by its proapoptotic features and enhancing it by its known facilitation of invasion.
Do decision quality and preference order depend on whether probabilities are verbal or numerical

A surprising but common finding is that decision-making performance seems, on average, unaffected by whether decisions are based on probability phrases or on numerical probabilities. This study, however, shows that on a trial-bytrial basis, preferences change as a function of how gamble probabilities are represented. Decision makers rank ordered positively valued gambles whose probabilities were another individual's verbal or numerical chance estimates of specific events
China in 2011: Anger, Political Consciousness, Anxiety, and Uncertainty

Abstract This paper identifies major trends in China in 2011 and analyzes their implications. The past year has witnessed a continuous rise of anger among social groups, as demonstrated in various forms of social protests. Chinese intellectuals are becoming increasingly politically conscious and calling for political reform. However, the leadership is trapped in the politics of power succession; uncertainty is widespread.
The transverse process, intertransverse space, and vertebral artery in anterior approaches to the lower cervical spine.

OBJECT The microsurgical anatomy of the C3-6 transverse processes and their relationship to the intertransverse space and vertebral artery (VA) were examined with special attention to the aspect exposed in the anterior surgical approach. METHODS Ten adult cadaveric spines were examined (magnification levels X 3-40) after perfusion of the arteries and veins with colored silicone. The morphological detail of the transverse process and intertransverse space, the distances between selected surgical landmarks and the VA were measured, and the means and standard deviations were calculated. The osseous changes in the anterior root of the transverse process were classified according to their extent. The transverse processes became smaller, and the anterior intertransverse spaces and the width of the VA exposed in the space increased in size proceeding from caudal to rostral levels, thus exposing the VA to increased risk of injury during procedures at cephalad levels. The distance between the medial border of the longus colli muscle and the VA decreased when proceeding caudally from C2-3 to C4-5 interspaces but began to increase at the level of C5-6. The VA coursed closer to the lateral border of the vertebral body than to the medial border of the anterior tubercle of transverse process. Osseous changes consisting of thinning or defects in the anterior root of the transverse process were observed from C-3 to C-5. The thinning was most prominent in the lower half of the anterior root just above where the VA ascends behind the lower edge of the anterior root. The osseous change may reflect the erosive effect of the VA on the anterior root of the transverse process. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new information regarding the transverse process and especially the anterior root. An awareness of the thinness and defects in the anterior root of the transverse process and the relationships to the surrounding area will aid in reducing VA injury during anterior approaches to the cervical spine.
An Integrated System for the Detection and Identification of Spambot with Action Session and Length Frequency

We propose an integrated system for detection and identification of spambot with action session and length frequency based on the notion of control-flow graph, which models interactions of the end-user’s machine and browser with the Web site, and assists a lot in detecting possible anomalies. User’s interaction with the web is premised on Document Object Model (DOM) Events since the DOM forms a representation of the Web page which shows acceptance of asynchronous input from the user. The DOM is a platform-independent, event-driven interface which accepts input from the user and allows programs and scripts to access and update the content of the page. Proof of concept will be established by deploying the DOM antiSpambot as an add-on for Mozilla Firefox using JavaScript.
The Quality of American Life: Perceptions, Evaluations, and Satisfactions

benefits require a fundamental recasting of economic and sociopolitical structures lest permanent stagflation erode the impact of present and future allocations. Clearly, when social welfare expenditures in the United States have increased from under $9,000 million in 1940 to over $200,000 million in 1973, and when total government spending exclusive of defense now absorbs roughly 32 percent of national income, it is obvious that further advances in welfare require basic structural changes. Without these, further extension of the welfare state will become counterproductive. Far from limiting himself to the decline of economic surplus, the author discusses a variety of other issues, such as changes in the stratification system, the weakening of political regimes and the emergence of an ethic of hedonistic consumerism, which are connected with the rise of the welfare state. He shows, for example, that the format of conventional interest-group politics has been undermined by the welfare state. While it is true that the claims and expectations rooted in a person's occupation remain central, they are now crisscrossed by contradictory or competing pulls that arise out of claims for welfare benefits. It is much more difficult than in the past for a person to calculate rationally where his political interests lie. "A person's linkage to the mode of production . is (now) based both on his occupation and on the institutions of social welfare" (p. 83). This may help account for the decline of relatively stable class-based politics, and the increase of independent voters in recent decades, as well as for the strains in the functioning of electoral and parliamentary institutions in the recent period. Janowitz concludes with a series of observations on the need to increase a welfare society's ability to deal with the problems he has outlined. Though somewhat vague in detail, one nevertheless gathers that he favors both large-scale planning efforts and increasing citizens' participation through self-regulation. Space does not allow me to even indicate the many areas in which I differ from Janowitz; for example, his definition of the welfare state as any state that allocates "at least 8 to 1o percent of the gross national product to welfare" (p. 2) seems inadequate, since this definition would make Kuwait and Albania into welfare states. But my main object is to alert the reader that this work is indispensable for any social scientist concerned with our current predicaments, and especially for those among us who are committed to the idea of the welfare system and yet have begun to realize that spending is not enough. LEwIs A. COSER State University of New York at Stony Brook
Comparing Bertrand and Cournot Outcomes in the Presence of Public Firms

We revisit the classic comparison between Bertrand and Cournot outcomes in a mixed market with private and public firms. A departure from the standard setting, i.e., one where all firms maximize profits, provides new insights. A welfare-maximizing public firm's price is strictly lower while its output is strictly higher in Cournot competition. And whereas the private firm's quantity is strictly lower in Cournot (as in the standard setting), its price can be higher or lower. Despite this ambiguity, both firms, public and private, earn strictly lower profits in Cournot. The consumer surplus is strictly higher in Cournot under a linear demand structure. All these results also hold with more than two firms under a wide range of parameterizations. The ranking reversals also hold in a richer setting with a partially privatized public firm, where the extent of privatization is endogenously determined by a welfare-maximizing government. As a by-product of our analysis, we find that in a differentiated duopoly setting, partial privatization always improves welfare in Cournot but not necessarily in Bertrand competition.
When Catholics turn right: the effects of the Islamic terrorism threat on the fragmented Catholic Italian voters

ABSTRACT Italy, as well as most European countries, has been hit by a wave of anxiety arising from groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda, whose effects on political attitudes are still under-examined. This article investigates the effect of the perceived threat of Islamic terrorism as a potential driver for a ‘right turn’ in the Catholic Italian electorate with open-ended interviews and an Internet-based experiment in which voters were randomly assigned to a terrorism threat manipulation and to a control condition (N = 138). The results show that the Islamic terroristic threat significantly increased the support for centre-right leaders who promoted in-group identity and out-group hostility towards Muslims. Implications for the debate about the effects of perceived threat on political opinions and the relevance of the findings beyond the Italian case are discussed at the end of the article.