Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of pathways responsible for repeat RNA-mediated cellular perturbation in Drosophila models of dominant expanded repeat disease.

xv CHAPTER 1 : Introduction and background. 1 1.1 Human expanded repeat disease.1 1.1.1 A common molecular basis for dominant expanded repeat disease.1 1.2 Expanded polyglutamine protein repeat-mediated pathology.5 1.3 Expanded repeat RNA-mediated pathology.7 1.3. 1 Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2). 7 1.3. 2 Fragile X tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) . 9 1.3. 3 Spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) . 11 1.3. 4 Huntington’s disease like-2 (HDL-2) . 12 1.3. 5 Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) . 12 1.3. 6 Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12) . 13 1.3. 7 RNA-mediated pathology in the polyglutamine diseases.13 1.4 Pathways of repeat RNA-mediated pathology . 15 1.4. 1 Hairpin-forming RNA as a pathogenic agent.15 1.4. 2 Sequestration of MBNL-1 and other proteins.17 1.4. 3 Small RNA processing pathways and bi-directional transcription . 20 1.5 Repeat RNA as a common contributor to dominant expanded repeat disease. 23 1.6 Drosophila as a model for dominant expanded repeat disease . 26 1.6. 1 A Drosophila model to examine pathways of repeat RNA-mediated pathology. 27 CHAPTER 2 : Materials and Methods . 31 2.1 Materials.31 2.2 Methods . 35
The Hidden Subgraph Problem

We introduce a statistical model for the problem of finding a subgraph with specified topology in an otherwise random graph. This task plays an important role in the analysis of social and biological networks. In these type of networks, small subgraphs with a specific structure have important functional roles. Within our model, a single copy of a subgraph is added (`planted') in an Erd\H{o}s-Renyi random graph with $n$ vertices and edge probability $q_0$. We ask whether the resulting graph can be distinguished reliably from a pure Erd\H{o}s-Renyi random graph, and present two types of result. First we investigate the question from a purely statistical perspective, and ask whether there is \emph{any} test that can distinguish between the two graph models. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions that are essentially tight for subgraphs of size asymptotically smaller than $n^{2/5}$. Next we study two polynomial-time algorithms for solving the same problem: a spectral algorithm, and a semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation. For the spectral algorithm, we establish sufficient conditions under which it distinguishes the two graph models with high probability. Under the same conditions the spectral algorithm indeed identifies the hidden subgraph. The spectral algorithm is substantially sub-optimal with respect to the optimal test. We show that a similar gap is present for the SDP approach. This points at a large gap between statistical and computational limits for this problem.
Should we take their children? Caseworkers’ negotiations of ‘good enough’ care for children living with high-conflict parents

ABSTRACT Few studies have explored caseworkers’ perspectives on children’s safety and emotional wellbeing in high-conflict families. Based on focus group and individual interviews with 31 Norwegian child protection services staff, this research concentrated on caseworkers’ assessments when they worry about the intensity of interparental conflicts and their ability to identify the right thresholds for interventions. While the participants agree that excessive conflict is a significant risk factor for children, the findings demonstrate that caseworkers have difficulty assessing the gravity of conflict and potential harmful effects on children, especially when the conflicts are the main cause for concern about the children’s wellbeing. This challenge is related to these professionals’ trouble with understanding how much parents’ behaviours towards each other are normal post-marital conflict and how disputes can affect parenting abilities. The results also show that caseworkers, despite long-lasting concerns, tend not to make care order applications to social welfare boards even if this step is considered. The conclusions include that parents’ higher socio-economic status denotes resilience, overshadowing intense conflict as a risk factor for children’s wellbeing. This perspective combines with the difficult task of deciding what constitutes emotional neglect versus poor parenting abilities to influence caseworkers’ discretionary reasoning and professional convictions.
Pollutant Concentration Patterns of In-Stream Urban Stormwater Runoff

Although a number of studies have investigated pollutant transport patterns in urban watersheds, these studies have focused primarily on the upland landscape as the point of interest (i.e., prior to stormwater entering an open stream channel). However, it is likely that in-stream processes will influence pollutant transport when the system is viewed at a larger scale. One initial investigation that can be performed to characterize transport dynamics in urban runoff is determining a pollutant’s temporal distribution. By borrowing from urban stormwater literature, the propensity of a pollutant within a system to be more heavily transported in the initial portion of the storm can be quantified (i.e., the “first flush”). Although uncommon for use in stream science, this methodology allows direct comparison of results to previous studies on smaller urban upland catchments. Multiple methods have been proposed to investigate the first flush effect, two of which are applied in this study to two streams in Knoxville, TN, USA. The strength of the first flush was generally corroborated by the two unique methods, a new finding that allows a more robust determination of first flush presence for a given pollutant. Further, an “end flush” was observed and quantified for nutrients and microbes in one stream, a novel outcome that shows how the newer methodology that was employed can provide greater insight into transport processes and pollutant sources. Explanatory variables for changes in each pollutant’s inter-event first flush strength differed, but notable relationships included the influence of flow rate on microbes and influence of rainfall on Cu2+. The results appear to support the hypothesis that in-stream processes, such as resuspension, may influence pollutant transport in urban watersheds, pointing toward the need to consider in-stream processes in models developed to predict urban watershed pollutant export.
Discovering the type of seed dormancy and temperature requirements for seed germination of Gentiana lutea L. subsp. lutea (Gentianaceae)

Aims There are a number of mechanisms that regulate germination; among these, seed dormancy, one of the most important, is an adaptative mechanism in plants to promote survival by dispersing germination in space and time until environmental conditions are favourable for germination. The main goals of this study were to determine the temperature requirements for seed dormancy release and germination of Gentiana lutea subsp. lutea, to identify the class and level of seed dormancy and to suggest an optimal germination protocol. Methods Seeds belonging to two different localities were subjected to various pre-treatments, including cold stratification (0 and 5°C), warm stratification (25/10°C) and different combinations of these, and then incubated at a range of constant temperatures (5–25°C) and 25/10°C. Embryo growth during pre-treatments and incubation conditions were assessed at different times by measuring the embryo to seed length ratio (E:S ratio). The final germination percentage (FGP) and the germination rate (t50) were calculated. Important Findings Fleshy mature seeds of G. lutea subsp. lutea have linear underdeveloped embryos. Cold stratification at 0°C was effective in overcoming the physiological dormancy (PD) and promoted embryo growth and subsequent germination. After cold stratification at 0°C, both the root and the shoot emerged readily under a wide range of temperatures. G. lutea subsp. lutea seeds showed an intermediate complex morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). As regards the optimal germination protocol for this taxon, we suggest a period of cold stratification at ca. 0°C followed by seed incubation at 10–20°C. The optimal germination temperatures found for seeds of this taxon, as well as its pre-chilling requirement at 0°C, suggest that it is well adapted to a temperate climate; this behavior highlights an increasing threat from global warming for G. lutea, which could reduce the level of natural emergence in the field, prejudicing also the long-term persistence of the natural populations in Sardinia.
How the consumer’s attitude and behavioural intentions are influenced: A case of online food delivery applications in India

Purpose This study aims to identify various risk and benefit perceptions related to the consumers’ use and selection of online food delivery applications (OFDAs) in India. It also discovers the reasons behind consumers’ OFDAs selection behaviour and how it influences their inclusive attitudes and behavioural intentions (word of mouth and re-use intentions). Design/methodology/approach Responses from 337 OFDAs users were subjected to exploratory factor analysis for 5 risk and 2 benefit factors which were tested on a factor model using 31 constructs followed by the structural model. Findings It was found that consumers’ usage and selection behaviour related to OFDAs are not only influenced by the perceived risk and benefit factors but are also responsible for their overall attitudinal and behavioural variations. It was also found that a decrease in risk perception or an increase in benefit perception of consumers will positively influence their overall attitude towards the use of OFDAs. Originality/value Though a lot of studies related to OFDAs have been conducted in India, but they were limited to identifying the technology used in the apps, analysing the user interface or promoting them as start-ups. Moreover, previous literature related with the risk/benefit perceptions linked with the OFDAs is addressed towards Western countries such as USA, Italy and UK. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies that explored the risk/benefit perceptions related to the use and selection of OFDAs in the context of India. Besides, it may also help the stakeholders in OFDA business to align their OFDA features as per the needs of the consumers.
Post-COVID-19 crisis travel behaviour: towards mitigating the effects of perceived risk

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and its potential influence on tourist behaviour in the short- to medium-term While the influence of the pandemic on tourist’s perceived risk and its impact on their future travel behaviour is understandably yet to be established, the present paper discusses the potential nexus Additionally, this paper provides tourism practitioners with some recommendations for mitigating the effect of potential heightened perceived risk on travel and tourism decision-making post the COVID-19 crisis Design/methodology/approach: The present paper synthesises contemporary academic literature on perceived risk and post-crisis tourism with emerging information associated with the unfolding COVID-19 crisis Findings: This paper draws empirical evidence from studies related to previous health crises and their impact on tourism, as well as tourist behaviour By discussing previous studies within the context of the on-going COVID-19, it is possible to anticipate the influence that perceived risk associated with the pandemic may have on the post-crisis behaviour of tourists Also, short-term measures to mitigate the effects of risk on tourism are posited to guide practitioners in the future recovery of the sector Research limitations/implications: The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented and on-going crisis for the global tourism industry Hence, the present paper serves as a primer to a broader discussion within the tourism discourse and provides theoretical direction for future tourism research Practical implications: Key to the recovery of the global tourism industry will be encouraging both domestic and international tourism activity However, while the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on tourist behaviour is yet to be substantiated, previous research predicts a situation of heightened perceived risk and the potential cognitive dissonance that may negatively influence tourist decision-making To mitigate this potential effect, governance, augmented immigration policy, destination media profiling, recovery marketing and domestic tourism will be critical interventions Originality/value: This paper is one of the first to discuss the potential influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the post-crisis decision-making process of tourists and their conative behaviour As a primer to further empirical research, this paper sets a pertinent research agenda for academic inquiry within an evolving and increasingly uncertain global tourism market © 2020, Tafadzwa Matiza
Caracterização genética de isolados clínicos de Enterobacter aerogenes e Enterobacter cloacae: determinantes de resistência e virulência

Enterobacter aerogenes and E. cloacae are the two species of this genus most involved in healthcare-associated infections (HAI), that are ESBL and carbapenemase producers. This study has characterized phenotypically and genotypically 51 isolates of E. aerogenes and E. cloacae as originated from infection or colonization in patients admitted to a public hospital in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, by antimicrobial susceptibility profile, analysis of β-lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaKPC, blaVIM, blaIMP and blaSPM), PCR and DNA sequencing, plasmid profile and ERIC-PCR. In both species, the genes blaTEM, blaCTX-M and blaKPC were detected. The DNA sequencing confirmed the variants blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-15 and blaKPC-2 in isolates. It was observed more than one genes conferring resistance in the isolates, including the detection of the three previously cited genes in strains isolated from infection Cabral AB, Caracterização genética de isolados clínicos de Enterobacter. 125 sites. The detection of blaCTX-M was more frequent in isolates from infection sites than from colonization. The blaKPC predominated in E. cloacae isolates obtained from infections, however in E. aerogenes isolates it predominated in samples obtained from colonization. Clonal relationship among all of E. aerogenes isolates was detected by ERIC-PCR. The majority of E. cloacae isolates presented the same ERIC-PCR pattern. Despite the clonal relation that the isolates presented by ERIC-PCR, it was observed different plasmid and resistence profiles, and several resistance genes. The clonal dissemination and the resistance determinants to beta-lactamics antimicrobials accumulation presented by the isolates demonstrated the ability that E. aerogenes and E. cloacae, obtained from colonization and infection, to acquire and maintain different resistance genes.
The influence of growth conditions on the susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to antibiotics

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis disease which is a global health emergency. Lengthy treatment is required due to the intrinsic resistance of M. tuberculosis to most classes of antibiotics and continued survival of drug tolerant persisting populations. This tolerance and persistence may be because of pre-existing populations of bacteria recalcitrant to treatment through phenotypic mechanisms such as slow growth or nonreplicating persistence; or through genotypic alterations resulting in resistance phenotypes. In order to improve treatment, effective in vitro modelling of these populations and factors affecting efficacy is essential. Cell density, growth rate and growth phase were all found to affect the efficacy of isoniazid and rifampicin in this study. M. tuberculosis grown at a high cell density was shown to be less susceptible to antibiotic exposure, this was particularly true for rifampicin. Growth phase was also considered, in the host, a bacterium is likely to encounter nutrient depletion and enter stationary and non-replicating phases. Isoniazid and rifampicin were both less effective the longer M. tuberculosis was in culture. This work demonstrated the need for consideration of multiple factors when designing and modelling treatment of tuberculosis. Using continuous culture M. tuberculosis was grown at a fast (23.1 hours) and slow (69.3) doubling times, with and without isoniazid exposure aiming to elucidate the different responses these populations may have to antibiotic. Genotypic analyses showed that slow growing bacilli developed resistance to isoniazid through mutations specifically in katG codon Ser315 which are present in approximately 50–90% of all isoniazid-resistant clinical isolates. The fast growing bacilli persisted as a mixed population with katG mutations distributed throughout the gene. Phenotypic differences were detected between the populations at the two growth rates including expression of efflux mechanisms and the involvement of antisense RNA/small RNA in the regulation of a drug-tolerant phenotype.
Assessing the temporal transferability of raptor distribution models: Implications for conservation

Summary The aim of this study was to assess the temporal transferability of species distribution models (SDMs) and their potential implications for bird conservation. We quantified the loss and fragmentation of Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus and Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus habitats over 13 years (2001–2014) in a highly dynamic landscape in north-western Spain. For this purpose, priority habitats for the target species were modelled at four different spatial scales using an ensemble forecasting framework. To explore the temporal transferability of our ensemble predictions, the models were back-projected to the land cover conditions in 2001 and evaluated using historical occurrence data. In addition, models calibrated with historical data were projected to the land cover conditions in 2014 and evaluated using updated occurrence data. Changes in availability and connectivity of suitable habitats between both years were estimated at four spatial scales from a set of widely-used indicators. SDMs showed a good predictive accuracy but with limited temporal transferability due to changes in the species-habitat relationships between 2001 and 2014. The results showed a decrease in the avaliability of suitable habitats of 33.4% and 47.7% for Montagu’s Harrier and Common Kestrel, respectively; with the subsequent increase in their fragmentation. However, our estimates were found to be strongly dependent on the scale of analysis and model transferability. Changes in habitat availability and connectivity ranged from -48% to +54% for Montagu’s Harrier, and from +116% to +5.6% for Common Kestrel. We call for caution when using SDMs beyond the model calibration time period to guide bird conservation. This is especially important for raptors, often characterised by low population sizes and large home ranges, and particularly sensitive to unstable, highly dynamic environmental conditions. In light of these results, specific, long-standing monitoring protocols remain essential to ensure accurate modelling performance and reliable future projections.
Prevalence of Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, and Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii in pet cats from four provincial communities in Thailand

Bartonella species are Gram-negative alpha proteobacteria and intracellular parasites of erythrocytes, endothelial and dendritic cells. Many are zoonotic pathogens of various mammalian reservoir hosts and are transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods. Recently, there have been several reports indicating that cats are important reservoir hosts for Bartonella pathogens, including those that cause cat scratch disease affecting humans in many countries including in Thailand. To assess more completely the role of cats as reservoir hosts for Bartonella pathogens in Thailand, 139 blood samples were collected from companion cats from a single community in each of four provinces (Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Nakhon Ratchasima) from January 2014 to January 2015. The blood samples were assessed for the presence and identification of Bartonella spp. by molecular methods. In addition, various potential risk factors were assessed. Overall, 13 (9.4%) pet cats were found to be infected with Bartonella species including Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae and Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii. This is the first evidence of the discovery of Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii DNA in pet cats in Asia. Further studies of Bartonella spp. prevalence in other locations in Thailand should be investigated.
Influence of female managers' emotional display on frontline employees' job satisfaction: a cross-level investigation in an emerging economy

Emotions and emotional labor play a crucial role in professional interactions. Due to the increasing participation share of women managers in the workforce, especially in the customer-oriented service context, this study adopts a multilevel approach and mobilizes person–job fit theory to investigate whether the emotional labor of female managers influences the association between customer orientation and job satisfaction in frontline employees in a services setting. ,The participants were 124 immediate female managers working in bank branches and their 896 customer-facing employees in China. ,The results show that the positive relationship between customer orientation and job satisfaction in frontline employees is strengthened by increases in female managers' deep acting, but it is weakened with the increase in their surface acting. ,The study findings provide support for scholars and financial service organizations as they seek to better understanding the dynamics behind the mobilization of women's emotions and their extent. In term of limitations, the data were taken from a single type of organization located in the northern cities of China, so it can be expected that the findings of this study will not generalize to all contexts. ,This paper is the first to investigate female managers' emotional labor employing a cross-level analysis in financial services setting.
Scaling methods in ecological modelling

Modelling is often confronted with scaling problems, because modelling—directly or indirectly—always implies scaling. This is because models simplify. Simplification usually means aggregation, and aggregation is a scaling process. As scaling cannot be avoided in modelling, it should carefully be addressed and resolved, at least to the degree possible. In this paper, we give an overview of scaling approaches in ecological modelling. We propose to classify scaling approaches into pre‐model scaling, in‐model scaling and post‐model scaling depending on the timing of the scaling relative to the main modelling process. We show general approaches, examples and potential application problems for each category. We suggest that scaling problems might be more widespread than previously thought. These scaling problems are matched with a range of solutions, but often these solutions will have to be adapted and tailored to the specific scaling case. Thus, we recommend that ecologists be aware of scaling challenges especially where models do not explicitly aim at scaling. Developing general test systems for scaling methods may help to broaden and enhance the application of scaling methods in ecology.