Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acquiring Mood Information from Songs in Large Music Database

Automatic mood information acquiring from music data is an important topic of music retrieval area. In this paper, we try to find the strongest emotional expression of the song in large music databases. By analyzing hundreds of credible reviews from website, a 7 keywords mood model is constructed. 217 songs were collected in our dataset. Every song was divided into several 10s-long segments and our dataset containing 5929 music clips. We used Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) as classifier and four feature selection algorithms to do mood classification experiments. A post-processing method was presented to find the strongest mood expression of each song. From the experiment result, we can see that SVM is the best classifier for mood classification, and Active Selection algorithm can remove weak features effectively. Using SVM classifier, the classification accuracy can achieves 83.33% with 40 features by using active selection algorithm, and 85.42% with 84 features which selected by ReliefF.
Vinpocetine Inhibited the CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide-induced Immune Response in Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

ABSTRACT Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) exert dual roles in immune responses through inducing inflammation and maintaining immune tolerance. A switch of pDC phenotype from pro-inflammation to tolerance has therapeutic promise in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Vinpocetine, a vasoactive vinca alkaloid extracted from the periwinkle plant, has recently emerged as an immunomodulatory agent. In this study, we evaluated the effect of vinpocetine on phenotype of pDCs isolated from C57BL/6 mice and explored its possible mechanism. Our data showed that vinpocetine significantly downregulated the expression of CD40, CD80, and CD86 on pDCs and increased the expression of translocator protein (TSPO), the specific receptor of vinpocetine, in pDCs. Vinpocetine significantly inhibited the Toll-like receptor 9 signaling pathway and reduced the secretion of related cytokines in pDCs through TSPO. Furthermore, viability of pDCs was significantly promoted by vinpocetine. These findings imply that vinpocetine serves as an immunomodulatory agent for pDCs and may be applied for the treatment of pDCs-related autoimmune diseases.
Decentralisation and income inequality in Central and Eastern European countries

Abstract This paper provides empirical evidence for the association between fiscal decentralisation and income distribution for a panel of 11 economies from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) during 1992–2016. We focus on three research topics: the effect of decentralisation on income inequality; the effects of the structure of subnational government finance on income inequality; and the validity of the Kuznets hypothesis. The main findings from the empirical exercise are as follows: first, we provide firm evidence on the presumed favourable effects of fiscal decentralisation on income distribution in the CEE countries; second, our empirical model suggests that the effects of fiscal decentralisation on income inequality are dependent on the source of finance of subnational governments, i.e. intergovernmental transfers may have a role in income equalisation; third, we cannot confirm the validity of the Kuznets hypothesis in CEE countries.
Reframing School Readiness: Case Studies of African-American and Latina Head Start Parents

The “school readiness gap” has been attributed to differences in family life, homeschool connections, and social inequalities. The current school-parent partnership model fails to acknowledge the ways in which parent roles in education, and the home-school relations in which they are embedded, reflect broader social inequalities that affect students. This study utilized a narratological case study approach to examine the school readiness beliefs of African-American and Latina Head Start parents. The guiding research questions were: How do parents conceptualize school readiness and transition practices? Two subquestions were asked: (1) What specific behaviors do parents use to promote their children’s school readiness? and (2) What other factors do parents believe help to promote their children’s transition to kindergarten? Parents’ beliefs about school readiness were examined utilizing a theoretical framework informed by Yosso’s (2005) model of community cultural wealth, LadsonBillings and Tate’s (1995) critical race theory, and the concept of cultural capital. The participants in this study included three African-American parents and three Latina parents.
Welfare to work propensities: administrative record evidence

ABSTRACT The study examines the role of home-to-new-job-hub distance on employment propensity using a unique data set compiled from integrated micro-level administrative records of work-eligible welfare recipients and earnings. Our empirical findings confirm the spatial mismatch hypothesis. Our home-to-new-job-hub distance measure is an innovative weighted measure incorporating both abundance of actual employment opportunities and geographic distance. Other unique contributions of this study include using point-to-point residence and job hub locational information, modelling with community controls and industry-specific analysis. This study also identifies policy implications in advancing employment prospects of inner-city residents receiving government assistance.
Antioxidant, free radical-scavenging activity and cytotoxicity of different solvent extracts and their phenolic constituents from the fruit hull of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)

Antioxidative, skin protective activities, and cytotoxicity of three extracts (water, methanol, and hexane) from the fruit hull of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn. (Guttiferae)) and their phenolic constituents such as α-mangostin, epicatechin, and tannin, were evaluated. The amounts of α-mangostin, total flavonoid, and total tannin were different among the three extracts, except those of total tannin in methanol and hexane extracts. For the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical-scavenging, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation experiment, the water extract showed higher activity than the methanol extract and hexane extract. α-Mangostin, epicatechin, and tannin also revealed these antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities. When added simultaneously with H2O2 (200 μM) to keratinocyte cells, the water extract (50 μg/mL), epicatechin (200 μM), and tannin (200 μM) effectively protected cells from oxidative damage, but the methanol extract, hexane extract, and α-mangostin did not. The methanol extract and hexane extract exhibited moderate cytotoxicity, whereas α-mangostin showed strong cytotoxicity. The present study provides the evidence that Garcinia mangostana extracts, especially the G. mangostana water extract, act as antioxidants and cytoprotective agents against oxidative damage, which is at least partly due to its phenolic compounds in mangosteen.
Interactive radio instruction : impact, sustainability, and future directions

This study of Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) presents the accessibility and effectiveness of radio as a tool for active learning inside and outside of the classroom. It synthesizes the knowledge and experience accumulated over the past twenty-five years in the use of radio for instruction in more than twenty developing countries. In much of the world, computers are not going to become available anytime soon. Thus, radio continues to offer these school-aged students and adult learners the only real possibility of enrichment from the world outside. This study provides a balanced account of the successes and failures of the international experience with IRI. Readers are reminded of the need for a long-range vision toward matters of implementation, ownership, and institutionalization during the length and breath of complex processes of educational reform and innovation.
Voluntary Carbon Offsets a Solution for Reducing Tourism Emissions? Assessment of Communication Aspects and Mitigation Potential

Contrary to most sectors, to date the tourism and aviation industries have not managed to level off greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, effective mitigation through technological innovation or structural and behavioural change cannot be expected shortly. Airlines and tourism companies appear to use carbon offsetting as a last resort. However, offsetting is generally acknowledged as a second-best solution for mitigating emissions, after reducing energy use. This paper seeks to determine the mitigation potential of voluntary carbon offsetting by comparing public and industry awareness of climate change and aviation emissions, and attitudes to various mitigation measures with relevant online communication by 64 offset providers. Methods were a literature review and online content analyses. Overall, the gaps that were identified between awareness, attitude and actual behaviour are not bridged by provider communication. From this perspective, the mitigation potential of voluntary carbon offsetting for achieving reductions of tourism transport emissions is estimated as low. The same conclusion is reached by comparing carbon dioxide volumes of flight offsets with actual air travel emissions. Current sales of flight offsets compensate less than 1% of all aviation emissions.
Cloning and Characterization of a Helicobacter bizzozeronii Urease Gene Cluster

The urease gene cluster from Helicobacter bizzozeronii was cloned and sequenced. A genomic library was constructed in a u -ZAPII vector using TSP 5091-digested H. bizzozeronii chromosomal DNA. Four overlapping recombinant bacteriophages carrying the H. bizzozeronii urease genes were identified by using a fragment of H. bizzozeronii ureB as a probe. Sequence analysis of two clones (pHB1 and pHB3) revealed seven open reading frames encoding proteins with predicted masses of 26.5, 60.3, 21.7, 19.5, 28.6, 21.7 and 29.6 kDa representing the structural genes, Urease A and B and its accessory genes, urease I, E, F, G and H, respectively. In addition, three open reading frames upstream of the ureA gene encoding a putative tRNA transferase, a putative Glucose inhibited division protein B (GidB) and a protein with unknown function were also identified. A clone (pHB5) containing a complete urease gene cluster was constructed. The homologue analysis revealed that UreA polypeptide exhibited 64-90% identity to that of Helicobacter heilmanii, Helicobacter felis, Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter mustelae and Helicobacter hepaticus. UreB polypeptides exhibited 76.8-96% identity to that of H. heilmanii, H. felis, H. pylori, H. mustelae and H. hepaticus. The UreI, E, F, G and H also showed 44-86% identity to that of H. pylori. Among these accessory genes, UreE had a lowest percentage identity to that of H. pylori.
Heteromerization of chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 with α1A/B-adrenergic receptors controls α1-adrenergic receptor function

Significance α1-Adrenergic receptors are important for the regulation of vascular function and are targeted clinically for blood pressure control. Here, we provide evidence that α1A/B-adrenergic receptors (AR) form heteromeric complexes with chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) on the cell surface of vascular smooth muscle cells. We show that disruption of α1A/B-AR:CXCR4 heteromeric complexes inhibits α1-AR–mediated functions in vascular smooth muscle cells and that treatment with CXCR4 agonists enhances the potency of the α1-AR agonist phenylephrine to increase blood pressure. These findings extend the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating α1-AR and provide an example of G protein-coupled receptor heteromerization with important functional implications. Compounds targeting the α1A/B-AR:CXCR4 interaction could provide an alternative pharmacological approach to modulating blood pressure. Recent evidence suggests that chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) contributes to the regulation of blood pressure through interactions with α1-adrenergic receptors (ARs) in vascular smooth muscle. The underlying molecular mechanisms, however, are unknown. Using proximity ligation assays to visualize single-molecule interactions, we detected that α1A/B-ARs associate with CXCR4 on the cell surface of rat and human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Furthermore, α1A/B-AR could be coimmunoprecipitated with CXCR4 in a HeLa expression system and in human VSMC. A peptide derived from the second transmembrane helix of CXCR4 induced chemical shift changes in the NMR spectrum of CXCR4 in membranes, disturbed the association between α1A/B-AR and CXCR4, and inhibited Ca2+ mobilization, myosin light chain (MLC) 2 phosphorylation, and contraction of VSMC upon α1-AR activation. CXCR4 silencing reduced α1A/B-AR:CXCR4 heteromeric complexes in VSMC and abolished phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ fluxes and MLC2 phosphorylation. Treatment of rats with CXCR4 agonists (CXCL12, ubiquitin) reduced the EC50 of the phenylephrine-induced blood pressure response three- to fourfold. These observations suggest that disruption of the quaternary structure of α1A/B-AR:CXCR4 heteromeric complexes by targeting transmembrane helix 2 of CXCR4 and depletion of the heteromeric receptor complexes by CXCR4 knockdown inhibit α1-AR–mediated function in VSMC and that activation of CXCR4 enhances the potency of α1-AR agonists. Our findings extend the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating α1-AR and provide an example of the importance of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) heteromerization for GPCR function. Compounds targeting the α1A/B-AR:CXCR4 interaction could provide an alternative pharmacological approach to modulate blood pressure.
Success as social: Exploring young people's understandings of success in rural Java

Using the case of desa wisata adat (official tourism and traditional cultural village) Ngadas, East Java, Indonesia, this thesis explores the meanings of success from the perspectives of rural young people and how the particular local context of Ngadas shaped their understandings of success. Unlike many rural young people in Indonesia, young people from Ngadas are known for their land ownership, successful farming, low rate of urbanisation and low participation in formal education. With its particular social, economic and cultural background, young people from Ngadas serves as a valuable case study to understand Indonesian rural youth success as it is situated within the village. In this research, I utilise Bourdieu’s theory of practice to focus on the practices of young people for success and explore the capitals and habitus within Ngadas (the field). In doing so, I explore how the adat (customs, rituals, values) is significantly embedded within young people’s practices for success in three key aspects of their lives: work practices, familial/relational practices and religious practices. Drawing on six weeks of ethnographic fieldwork with six youth participants and four village leaders, data were collected through focus group discussion or klumpukan, auto-driven photo-elicitation, individual interviews, and participant observation. My study shows that for young people in Ngadas, their success practices were underpinned by a form of social capital that is founded on reciprocity or a gift exchange which is embedded within and shaped by adat, and in turn also serves to maintain adat. The significance of social capital for young people’s success explains how success in Ngadas is founded on strong relationships, reciprocity, a sense of belonging, and a sense of community to maintain harmony or guyub rukun. Thus, social capital for young people’s success holds a symbolic value not only for the individual, but also for the field of Ngadas. The case study of young people in Ngadas also presents an understanding of success as illusio, a sense of purpose that is gained from investing in social relationships. It is an understanding of success as a sense of being and belonging with and for others that ties young people’s individual success to the collective success of Ngadas as an economic, social and cultural community.
Caribbean Women Finding a Balance between Returning to Higher Education and Being Successful: Voices from Jamaica.

Over the last two decades there has been a dramatic increase in continuing education enrollment among non-traditional-aged females both in Jamaica and overseas. This article explores the academic experiences of Jamaican women returning to college, placing emphasis on support services within the higher education institutions attended and on these women’s successes, challenges and strategies for successful academic and social integration into the higher education environment. A narrative inquiry and a feminist approach to research making women more visible provided this study’s findings, which include the women’s valuing education, feeling accomplished, and feeling empowered. Integration into these environments, a major challenge, includes physical and psychological pressures, family obligations and financial difficulties. Amplifying these women’s voices is of the essence, in understanding the efficacy of this student population. Recommendations for further research are provided and the study’s findings hold significant implications for non-traditional/part-time/evening college students in higher education in Jamaica. Recommendations include, higher education institutions and policy makers learning more about the academic experiences of women over 25, and increases in the flexibility of the environment as it relates to support services.
Accurate estimation of tip shape for reconstructing AFM image

AFM image is often distorted due to the influence of the tip shape. This problem has become one of the major obstacles in nano-observation. Therefore it is necessary to develop a compensation method to improve the quality of the AFM image. The common used method today is image reconstruction with deconvolution operator based on the tip shape built through blind tip estimation algorithm. However, the current algorithm has difficulties in getting the optimal noise threshold, which is essential for reducing the noise influence during the tip evaluation. This paper proposed a new method to solve this problem, through which the optimal threshold can be easily determined based on the comparison of tip section profile Pα and tip standard profile Ps. The experimental results validate the effect of the proposed method, and it also shows that the image quality has been greatly improved.
Anaplasma marginale Outer Membrane Protein A Is an Adhesin That Recognizes Sialylated and Fucosylated Glycans and Functionally Depends on an Essential Binding Domain

ABSTRACT Anaplasma marginale causes bovine anaplasmosis, a debilitating and potentially fatal tick-borne infection of cattle. Because A. marginale is an obligate intracellular organism, its adhesins that mediate entry into host cells are essential for survival. Here, we demonstrate that A. marginale outer membrane protein A (AmOmpA; AM854) contributes to the invasion of mammalian and tick host cells. AmOmpA exhibits predicted structural homology to OmpA of A. phagocytophilum (ApOmpA), an adhesin that uses key lysine and glycine residues to interact with α2,3-sialylated and α1,3-fucosylated glycan receptors, including 6-sulfo-sialyl Lewis x (6-sulfo-sLex). Antisera against AmOmpA or its predicted binding domain inhibits A. marginale infection of host cells. Residues G55 and K58 are contributory, and K59 is essential for recombinant AmOmpA to bind to host cells. Enzymatic removal of α2,3-sialic acid and α1,3-fucose residues from host cell surfaces makes them less supportive of AmOmpA binding. AmOmpA is both an adhesin and an invasin, as coating inert beads with it confers adhesiveness and invasiveness. Recombinant forms of AmOmpA and ApOmpA competitively antagonize A. marginale infection of host cells, but a monoclonal antibody against 6-sulfo-sLex fails to inhibit AmOmpA adhesion and A. marginale infection. Thus, the two OmpA proteins bind related but structurally distinct receptors. This study provides a detailed understanding of AmOmpA function, identifies its essential residues that can be targeted by blocking antibody to reduce infection, and determines that it binds to one or more α2,3-sialylated and α1,3-fucosylated glycan receptors that are unique from those targeted by ApOmpA.
The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Disability Trajectory of the Elderly in China

Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Surveys of 2005, 2008 and 2011, the authors analyzed the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on disability trajectory (DT) by multivariate logistic regression and a group-based model. Analysis shows that three types of DT exist for elders: Type 1, independent; Type 2, low start, rapidly increasing in late life; and Type 3, high start, rapid development. Literate elderly and elderly with higher occupational status are more likely to be assigned to a higher level DT type. Poor economic status (ES) always aggravates the development trend of DT. When designing programs preventing disability of older adults, differences of DTs should be considered.
Porphyromonas gingivalis Induction of MicroRNA-203 Expression Controls Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 in Gingival Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Porphyromonas gingivalis is a pathogen in severe periodontal disease. Able to exploit an intracellular lifestyle within primary gingival epithelial cells (GECs), a reservoir of P. gingivalis can persist within the gingival epithelia. This process is facilitated by manipulation of the host cell signal transduction cascades which can impact cell cycle, cell death, and cytokine responses. Using microarrays, we investigated the ability of P. gingivalis 33277 to regulate microRNA (miRNA) expression in GECs. One of several miRNAs differentially regulated by GECs in the presence of P. gingivalis was miRNA-203 (miR-203), which was upregulated 4-fold compared to uninfected controls. Differential regulation of miR-203 was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). Putative targets of miR-203, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and SOCS6, were evaluated by qRT-PCR. SOCS3 and SOCS6 mRNA levels were reduced >5-fold and >2-fold, respectively, in P. gingivalis-infected GECs compared to controls. Silencing of miR-203 using a small interfering RNA construct reversed the inhibition of SOCS3 expression. A dual luciferase assay confirmed binding of miR-203 to the putative target binding site of the SOCS3 3′ untranslated region. Western blot analysis demonstrated that activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), a downstream target of SOCS, was diminished following miR-203 silencing. This study shows that induction of miRNAs by P. gingivalis can modulate important host signaling responses.