Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No . 2-98 Content Analysis of Online Discussion in an Applied Educational Psychology

This study analyzed discussion in an online conference that supplemented class discussion using an instructional method called the starter-wrapper technique within a traditional graduate level educational psychology course. Various quantitative measures were recorded to compare instructor and student participation rates. In addition, Henri’s (1992) model for content analysis of computer-mediated communication was employed to qualitatively analyze the electronic discourse. Using this model, five key variables were examined: (1) student participation rates; (2) electronic interaction patterns; (3) social cues within student messages; (4) cognitive and metacognitive components of student messages; and (5) depth of processing—surface or deep—within message posting. Transcript content analyses showed that, while students tended to post just the one required comment per week in the conference, their messages were lengthy, cognitively deep, embedded with peer references, and indicative of a student oriented environment. Moreover, students were using high level cognitive skills such as inferencing and judgment as well as metacognitive strategies related to reflecting on experience and self-awareness. Weekly conference activity graphs revealed that student electronic comments became more interactive over time, but were highly dependent on the directions of discussion starter. To better understand the impact of electronic conferencing discourse, modifications to Henri’s model as well as qualitative research suggestions were offered.
The Mexico Earthquake of September 19, 1985—The Incident Wavefield in Mexico City during the Great Michoacán Earthquake and Its Interaction with the Deep Basin

We used the vertical displacement records of the ground motion in Mexico City during the great 1985 Michoacan earthquake to identify the nature of the waves responsible for the heavy damage suffered by the town. The records at the different stations exhibit very similar waveshapes. A multichannel phase analysis shows the arrival, from the source zone, of a strong coherent wavetrain which represent the most of the energy incident at periods around 3 sec. We interpreted this arrival as the regional continental phase Lg. The study of other instrumental data in the period range relevant to the present investigation shows the efficiency of Lg propagation between the subduction zone and Mexico City. We have computed the response to Lg waves of a sedimentary basin whose characteristics correspond to the deep basin beneath Mexico City. The amplification reaches a value of about 5. The results obtained are in good agreement with the response of the basin to a single obliquely incident plane wave. The durations of the theoretical signals are similar to those of actual observations at sites in the hills zone and in the intermediate zone.
B Cell Intrinsic Mechanisms Constraining IgE Memory

Memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells are key elements of adaptive humoral immunity. Regardless of the immunoglobulin class produced, these cells can ensure long-lasting protection but also long-lasting immunopathology, thus requiring tight regulation of their generation and survival. Among all antibody classes, this is especially true for IgE, which stands as the most potent, and can trigger dramatic inflammatory reactions even when present in minute amounts. IgE responses and memory crucially protect against parasites and toxic components of venoms, conferring selective advantages and explaining their conservation in all mammalian species despite a parallel broad spectrum of IgE-mediated immunopathology. Long-term memory of sensitization and anaphylactic responses to allergens constitute the dark side of IgE responses, which can trigger multiple acute or chronic pathologic manifestations, some punctuated with life-threatening events. This Janus face of the IgE response and memory, both necessary and potentially dangerous, thus obviously deserves the most elaborated self-control schemes.
PERFORMANCE OF CHROM AGAR MEDIUM AND CONVENTIONAL METHODS FOR DETECTION OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS.

Background:- Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are responsible for hospital and community acquired infections. There are many laboratory methods for detection of MRSA. Chromogenic media have been used for the last few years for the quick detection of MRSA. Objective :- Aim of this study was to compare the performance of conventional methods and chromogenic media for the detection of MRSA in a tertiary care hospital. Material and method: - 200 consecutive isolates of S. aureus confirmed by conventional methods, collected in a tertiary care hospital were used for this study. Cefoxitin and oxacillin disc diffusion test used as conventional methods and Chromogenic media i.e. oxacillin resistant screen agar base (ORSAB) was used for detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus . All confirmed MRSA were checked by gold standard mecA base PCR method. Result: - Out of 200 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 50,52 and 47 strains were MRSA by Cefoxitin disc diffusion method, oxacillin disc diffusion method and oxacillin resistant screen agar base (ORSAB) method respectively. Specificity was 100%, 98.66%, 98.66% by Cefoxitin disc diffusion, oxacillin disc diffusion and ORSAB method respectively. Conclusion: - In conclusion, cefoxitin disc diffusion was the best for the phenotypic detection of MRSA because their sensitivity and specificity were better than oxacillin and ORSAB.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells Derived from Embryos at Different Stages of Development Share Similar Transcription Profiles

We have derived hESC from biopsied blastomeres of cleavage stage embryos under virtually the same conditions we used for the derivation of hESC lines from inner cell mass of blastocyst stage embryos. Blastomere-derived hESC lines exhibited all the standard characteristics of hESC including undifferentiated proliferation, genomic stability, expression of pluripotency markers and the ability to differentiate into the cells of all three germ layers both in vitro and in vivo. To examine whether hESC lines derived from two developmental stages of the embryo differ in gene expression, we have subjected three blastomere-derived hESC lines and two ICM-derived hESC lines grown under identical culture conditions to transcriptome analysis using gene expression arrays. Unlike previously reported comparisons of hESC lines which demonstrated, apart from core hESC-associated pluripotency signature, significant variations in gene expression profiles of different lines, our data show that hESC lines derived and grown under well-controlled defined culture conditions adopt nearly identical gene expression profiles. Moreover, blastomere-derived and ICM-derived hESC exhibited very similar transcriptional profiles independent of the developmental stage of the embryo from which they originated. Furthermore, this profile was evident in very early passages of the cells and did not appear to be affected by extensive passaging. These results suggest that during derivation process cells which give rise to hESC acquire virtually identical stable phenotype and are not affected by the developmental stage of the starting cell population.
Staphylococcus aureus Alpha-Toxin Induces the Formation of Dynamic Tubules Labeled with LC3 within Host Cells in a Rab7 and Rab1b-Dependent Manner

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that causes severe infectious diseases that eventually lead to septic and toxic shock. S. aureus infection is characterized by the production of virulence factors, including enzymes and toxins. After internalization S. aureus resides in a phagosome labeled with Rab7 protein. Here, we show that S. aureus generates tubular structures marked with the small GTPases Rab1b and Rab7 and by the autophagic protein LC3 at early times post-infection. As shown by live cell imaging these tubular structures are highly dynamic, extend, branch and grow in length. We have named them S. aureus induced filaments (Saf). Furthermore, we demonstrate that the formation of these filaments depends on the integrity of microtubules and the activity of the motor protein Kinesin-1 (Kif5B) and the Rab-interacting lysosomal protein (RILP). Our group has previously reported that α-hemolysin, a secreted toxin of S. aureus, is responsible of the activation of the autophagic pathway induced by the bacteria. In the present report, we demonstrate that the autophagic protein LC3 is recruited to the membrane of S. aureus induced filaments and that α-hemolysin is the toxin that induces Saf formation. Interestingly, increasing the levels of intracellular cAMP significantly inhibited Saf biogenesis. Remarkably in this report we show the formation of tubular structures that emerge from the S. aureus-containing phagosome and that these tubules generation seems to be required for efficient bacteria replication.
Pathology, pathotype and phylogenetic analyses of a natural outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in farming ducks of Bangladesh

The present study was aimed at pathological investigation and genomic analysis of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus from a natural outbreak of ducks in Bangladesh. Characteristics clinically signs observed were tremor of neck, head pressing on ground and diarrhoea with higher mortality. At necropsy hemorrhages and congestion were observed in upper respiratory tract, intestinal mucosa, ovarian follicles and meninges. Brush paint hemorrhages on pancreas were characteristics. Using histopathology, widespread hemorrhages were seen in parenchymatous organs. The lungs alveoli were drown with serofibrinous fluid. Focal necroses were common in pancreas and hepatocytes showed cytoplasmic vacuolation. Typing and sub-typing of the viruses were carried out by amplifying and sequencing matrix protein (M), hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. These genes were used in phylogenetic analyses and the studied viruses were belonging to clade 2.3. 2.1. Presence of amino acid Glutamine (Q/238) and Glycine (G/240) (H5 numbering) and "PQGERRRKR*GLF" motif in the HA cleavage site indicating the affinity of the viruses to avian species and HPAI viruses respectively. Ducks in farming system are susceptible to clinical infection with HPAI. Continuous molecular and epidemiological surveillance onto the genomics of AIV in ducks is needed to monitor further mutation and emergence of pandemic AIV.
Technical Analysis of cDNA Microarrays

Background There is extensive variation in gene expression among individuals within and between populations. Accurate measures of the variation in mRNA expression using microarrays can be confounded by technical variation, which includes variation in RNA isolation procedures, day of hybridization and methods used to amplify and dye label RNA for hybridization. Methodology/Principal Findings In this manuscript we analyze the relationship between the amount of mRNA and the fluorescent signal from the microarray hybridizations demonstrating that for a wide-range of mRNA concentrations the fluorescent signal is a linear function of the amount of mRNA. Additionally, the separate isolation, labeling or hybridization of RNA does not add significant amounts of variation in microarray measures of gene expression. However, single or double rounds of amplification for labeling do have small but significant affects on 10% of genes, but this source of technical variation is easy to avoid. To examine both technical and stochastic biological variation, mRNA expression was measured from the same five individuals over a six-week time course. Conclusion There were few, if any, meaningful differences in gene expression among time points. Thus, microarray measures using standard laboratory procedures can be precise and quantitative and are not subject to significant random biological noise.
Regulation of Anti–double-stranded DNA B Cells in Nonautoimmune Mice: Localization to the T–B Interface of the Splenic Follicle

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the MRL-lpr/lpr murine model for SLE are characterized by the presence of serum anti–double-stranded (ds)DNA antibodies (Abs), whereas nonautoimmune individuals have negligible levels of these Abs. To increase the frequency of anti-DNA B cells and identify the mechanisms involved in their regulation in nonautoimmune mice, we have used Ig transgenes (tgs). In the present study, we used the VH3H9 heavy (H) chain tg which expresses an H chain that was repeatedly isolated from anti-dsDNA Abs from MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Because the VH3H9 H chain can pair with endogenous L chains to generate anti–single-stranded DNA, anti-dsDNA, and non-DNA B cells, this allowed us to study the regulation of anti-dsDNA B cells in the context of a diverse B cell repertoire. We have identified anti-dsDNA B cells that are located at the T–B interface in the splenic follicle where they have an increased in vivo turnover rate. These anti-dsDNA B cells exhibit a unique surface phenotype suggesting developmental arrest due to antigen exposure.
Comparative snow accumulation and melt during rainfall in forested and clear-cut plots in the Western Cascades of Oregon

Snow accumulation was compared between forested and clear-cut plots in the transient snow zone of the western Cascade Range of Oregon, and measured snowmelt in both plots was compared to melt predicted by energy balance analyses. The absence of forest vegetation affected both snow accumulation and amount of energy available for melt during rainfall. Because intercepted snow melted in the forest canopy and reached the ground as meltwater, water equivalents in the clear-cut plot were commonly 2–3 times greater than those in the forested plot. During the largest rain-on-snow event of the study, measured water outflow (rain plus snowmelt) in the clear-cut plot was 21% greater than in the forested plot. Estimates made from microclimatological data show that during the common period of melt, total energy available in the clear-cut plot was 40% greater than that in the forested plot. Because of greater wind speed in the clear-cut plot, combined sensible and latent heat transfers in the clear-cut plot were nearly triple those of the forested plot.
Bridging the gap between eye tracking and crowdsourcing

Visual attention constitutes a very important feature of the human visual system (HVS). Every day when watching videos, images or browsing the Internet, people are confronted with more information than they are able to process, and analyze only part of the information in front of them. In parallel, crowdsourcing has become a particularly hot topic, enabling to scale subjective experiments to a large crowd with diversity in terms of nationalities, social background, age, etc. This paper describes a novel framework with the aim to bridge these two fields, by providing a new way of measurements of user's experience in a subjective crowdsourcing experiment. This study goes beyond self-reported methods, and provide a new kind of information for the context of crowdsourcing: visual attention. The results show that it is possible to estimate visual attention, in a non-intrusive manner and without using self-reported methods or specialized equipment, with a precision as high as 14.1% in the horizontal axis and 17.9% in the vertical axis. This accuracy is sufficient for many kinds of measurements that can be efficiently executed only in non-controlled environments.
Interval-valued linguistic summaries of databases

The so-called linguistic summaries of databasesare the semi-natural language sentences that enable distilling th e most relevant information from large numbers of tuples, and present it in the human consistent forms. Recently, the methods of constructing and evaluating lin- guistic summaries have been based on Zadeh's fuzzy sets, whi ch represent uncertain data. The main aim of the paper is to enhance and generalize the Yager's approach to linguistic summarization of data. This enhancement is based on interval-valued fuzzy sets. The newly presented methods enable handling fuzzy concepts, whose membership degrees are not given by real values explicitly, but are approximated by intervals in (0, 1). From now on, the Yager's approach can be viewed as a special case of the method presented in this paper. Finally, illustrative examples ar e presented. Keywords: interval-valued fuzzy set, interval-valued linguistic va ri- able, interval-valued linguistic quantifier, linguistic s ummary of database, interval-valued linguistic summary of database.
“ Estimating the Value of The Boss : Evidence from CEO Hospitalization Events ” *

This paper shows that Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) meaningfully affect firm performance. Using variation in CEO exposure resulting from the number of days a CEO is hospitalized, we provide estimates of the effect of CEOs on firm policies, holding firm and CEO matches constant. We have four main findings. First, CEOs have an economically and statistically significant effect on profitability, revenue, and investment outcomes. Firms whose CEOs are hospitalized underperform when their chief executives are sick but otherwise exhibit similar performance relative to other firms. Second, we find robust CEO effects for relatively young and highly educated CEOs, and for CEOs in rapidly growing environments, settings where the value of CEOs actions are arguably highest. Third, we show that CEOs are unique: the hospitalization of other senior executives does not have similar effects on performance. Fourth, consistent with the idea that hospitalizations meaningfully affect CEO potential at the firm level, we find that even relatively short hospitalizations lead to significant increases in turnover probabilities. Overall, our findings demonstrate that CEOs are a key determinant of firm performance, and that the value of CEO succession and contingency plans is likely to be substantial. * Contact information: Bennedsen (morten.bennedsen@insead.edu), Pérez-González (francisco.perez@stanford.edu), and Wolfenzon (dw2382@columbia.edu). We are grateful to the Danish Social Science Research Foundation for financial support and to the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency, and the Research Office in Statistics Denmark for providing us with data. We are particularly grateful to Penille Bang and Kamilla Heurlen for their help with accessing various data sources. All errors are our own.
Meridional Heat Advection due to Mixed Rossby Gravity Waves in the Equatorial Indian Ocean

AbstractThis study examines heat advection due to mixed Rossby gravity waves in the equatorial Indian Ocean using moored buoy observations at (0°, 80.5°E) and (0°, 90°E) and an ocean general circulation model (OGCM) output. Variability associated with mixed Rossby gravity waves is defined as that at periods of 10–30 days, where both observations and the OGCM results show high energy in meridional velocity and meridional gradient of temperature. The 10–30-day variability in meridional velocity causes convergence of heat flux onto the equator, the net effect of which amounts to 2.5°C month−1 warming at the depth of the thermocline. Detailed analysis shows that the wave structure manifested in temperature and velocity is tilted in the x–z plane, which causes the phase lag between meridional velocity and meridional temperature gradient to be a half cycle on the equator and results in sizable thermocline warming. An experiment with a linear continuously stratified model shows that the contributions of many bar.
Subtree Mining for Question Classification Problem

Question Classification, i.e., putting the questions into several semantic categories, is very important for question answering. This paper introduces a new application of using subtree mining for question classification problem. First, we formulate this problem as classifying a tree to a certain label among a set of labels. We then present a use of subtrees in the forest created by the training data to the tree classification problem in which maximum entropy and a boosting model are used as classifiers. Experiments on standard question classification data show that the uses of subtrees along with either maximum entropy or boosting models are promising. The results indicate that our method achieves a comparable or even better performance than kernel methods and also improves testing efficiency.
Managing Arabian Gulf Sailfish ‐ Issues of Transboundary Migration

The Arabian Gulf coastline covers eight political entities. Relatively small in geographical dimension, this semi-enclosed basin reduces exclusive economic zones into constrictive juxtaposed boundary areas. These zones are substantially smaller than the familiar "200 mile limit" EEZs characteristic of coasts facing open oceans, exhibiting distance limits approximating 60 nautical miles in the northern Gulf to 15 miles near the Strait of Hormuz. This substantially increases the incidences of straddling and transboundary fish movements across the territorial waters of Gulf nations. The sailfish Istiophorus platypterus is illustrated as a case example. Tagging data have shown transboundary migratory patterns of sailfish within the Gulf. The importance of sailfish to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) results primarily from revenue generation in the recreational fishing (and tourism) sector, the need to maintain biodiversity levels for a healthy marine ecosystem and the species' inherent intrinsic value. Rates of tag recapture attributed to transboundary migration into Iranian waters indicate significant incidental sailfish by-catch in drifting gillnets, raising concerns that multiple users may exceed sustainable limits. Federal Law 23 (1999) requires the UAE to manage its fisheries optimally within sustainable limits. Development of any sound management plans will require understanding of migration patterns, habitat preferences and other life history parameters, as well as the participatory input from affected multinational stakeholders. This paper purports to describe early indicators contributing to the possible overexploitation of this Gulf fishery, thus suggesting that in-depth stock assessment and management considerations are warranted.
Total and Distributed Plantar Loading in Subjects With Stage II Tibialis Posterior Tendon Dysfunction During Terminal Stance

Background: In subjects with stage II tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction (TPTD), the function of the tibialis posterior muscle is altered and may be associated with a change in total and distributed loading. Methods: Thirty subjects with a diagnosis of stage II TPTD and 15 matched control subjects volunteered to participate in a study to examine the total and distributed plantar loading under the foot during the terminal stance phase of gait. Plantar loading, measured as the subject walked barefoot, was assessed using instrumented flexible insoles. A secondary analysis was done to explore the contribution of flatfoot kinematics to plantar loading patterns. Results: Overall, there was reduced total plantar loading in subjects with stage II TPTD compared with controls. Accounting for differences in total loading, the presence of clinically measured weakness in subjects with TPTD was associated with reduced lateral forefoot loading. Medial longitudinal arch height was significantly correlated with loading patterns but explained only 21% of the variance in observed loading patterns. Conclusion: Subjects with TPTD who are strong exhibited loading patterns similar to controls. Changes in total and distributed loading during terminal stance suggest there are altered ankle mechanics at push-off during the functional task of gait. Clinical Relevance: Strength, in the presence of TPTD, may be important to stabilize the midfoot during gait and might be important in rehabilitation protocols.