Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Murine Cytomegalovirus m 38 . 5 Protein Inhibits Bax-Mediated Cell Death

Many viruses encode proteins that inhibit the induction of programmed cell death at the mitochondrial checkpoint. Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) encodes the m38.5 protein, which localizes to mitochondria and protects human HeLa cells and fibroblasts from apoptosis triggered by proteasome inhibitors but not from Fas-induced apoptosis. However, the ability of this protein to suppress the apoptosis of murine cells and its role during MCMV infection have not been investigated previously. Here we show that m38.5 is expressed at early time points during MCMV infection. Cells infected with MCMVs lacking m38.5 showed increased sensitivity to cell death induced by staurosporine, MG132, or the viral infection itself compared to the sensitivity of cells infected with wild-type MCMV. This defect was eliminated when an m38.5 or Bcl-XL gene was inserted into the genome of a deletion mutant. Using fibroblasts deficient in the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins Bak and/or Bax, we further demonstrated that m38.5 protected from Baxbut not Bak-mediated apoptosis and interacted with Bax in infected cells. These results consolidate the role of m38.5 as a viral mitochondrion-localized inhibitor of apoptosis and its functional similarity to the human cytomegalovirus UL37x1 gene product. Although the m38.5 gene is not homologous to the UL37x1 gene at the sequence level, m38.5 is conserved among rodent cytomegaloviruses. Moreover, the fact that MCMV-infected cells are protected from both Bakand Bax-mediated cell death suggests that MCMV possesses an additional, as-yet-unidentified mechanism to block Bak-mediated apoptosis.
FAST: forecast and analytics of social media and traffic

We present FAST (\url{http://fast.qcri.org/}), a platform for real-time traffic predictions in online news sources. FAST accurately forecasts the future number of page views of an article based on user traffic and social media engagement signals. To our knowledge, this is the first industrial scale, real-time system for predictive web analytics.
Massive MIMO and small cells: How to densify heterogeneous networks

We propose a time division duplex (TDD) based network architecture where a macrocell tier with a “massive” multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) base station (BS) is overlaid with a dense tier of small cells (SCs). In this context, the TDD protocol and the resulting channel reciprocity have two compelling advantages. First, a large number of BS antennas can be deployed without incurring a prohibitive overhead for channel training. Second, the BS can estimate the interference covariance matrix from the SC tier which can be leveraged for downlink precoding. In particular, the BS designs its precoding vectors to transmit independent data streams to its users while being orthogonal to the subspace spanned by the strongest interference directions; thereby minimizing the sum interference imposed on the SCs. In other words, the BS “sacrifices” some of its antennas for interference cancellation while the TDD protocol allows for an implicit coordination across both tiers. Simulation results suggest that, given a sufficiently large number of BS antennas, the proposed scheme can significantly improve the sum-rate of the SC tier at the price of a small macro performance loss.
THE EFFECT OF PUBLISHED REPORTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON STOCK PRICES

This study adds to the empirical evidence supporting a significant connection between ethics and profitability by examining the connection between published reports of unethical behavior—in terms of environmental pollution—by publicly traded U.S. and multinational firms and the performance of their stock. Using reports of environmental pollution—air, or water pollution or environmental cleanup— published in the Wall Street Journal from 1989 to 1993, the analysis shows that the actual stock performance for those companies was lower than the expected market adjusted returns. Unethical conduct by firms which is discovered and publicized does impact on the shareholders by lowering the value of their stock for an appreciable period of time. Whatever their views on whether ethical behavior is profitable, managers should be able to see a definite connection between unethical behavior and the worth of their firm’s stock. Stockholders, the press and regulators should find this information important in pressing for greater corporate and managerial accountability.
Study of progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in twins (STOPPIT): Findings from a trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis

Objectives: Preterm birth contributes to a range of healthcare problems amongst infants surmounting to sizeable healthcare costs. Twin pregnancies are at particular risk of preterm birth. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of vaginal progesterone gel for the prevention of preterm birth in twin pregnancies. Methods: An economic evaluation was conducted alongside a randomized placebo controlled trial (the STOPPIT trial) of vaginal progesterone gel for the prevention of preterm birth in twin pregnancies. Five hundred women were recruited from nine maternity hospitals in the United Kingdom. The outcomes of the economic evaluation were presented in terms of net benefit statistics, cost-effectiveness acceptability curves, generated using the nonparametric bootstrap method, and the expected value of perfect information. Results: Mean health service costs between the period of randomization and discharge for mother and infant were £28,031 in the progesterone group and £25,972 in the placebo group, generating a mean nonsignificant cost difference of £2,059 (bootstrap mean cost difference £2,334; 95 percent confidence interval: −£5,023, £9,142; p = .33). The probability of progesterone being cost-effective was 20 percent at a willingness to pay threshold of £30,000 per preterm birth prevented. There is little economic justification for conducting further research into the use of vaginal progesterone gel in twin pregnancies for the prevention of preterm birth. Conclusions: Further studies of preventive interventions for preterm birth more generally are required given the scale of the clinical and economic burden of this condition. These studies should be sufficiently powered for economic endpoints and extend beyond hospital discharge.
Gravitational Lorentz Violation and Superluminality via AdS/CFT Duality

A weak quantum mechanical coupling is constructed permitting superluminal communication within a preferred region of a gravitating AdS{sub 5} spacetime. This is achieved by adding a spatially nonlocal perturbation of a special kind to the Hamiltonian of a four-dimensional conformal field theory with a weakly coupled AdS{sub 5} dual, such as maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. In particular, two issues are given careful treatment: (1) the UV-completeness of our deformed conformal field theory (CFT), guaranteeing the existence of a ''deformed string theory'' AdS dual and (2) the demonstration that superluminal effects can take place in AdS, both on its boundary as well as in the bulk. Exotic Lorentz-violating properties such as these may have implications for tests of general relativity, addressing the cosmological constant problem, or probing behind horizons. Our construction may give insight into the interpretation of wormhole solutions in Euclidean AdS gravity.
Neutrophil-derived IL-1β Is Sufficient for Abscess Formation in Immunity against Staphylococcus aureus in Mice

Neutrophil abscess formation is critical in innate immunity against many pathogens. Here, the mechanism of neutrophil abscess formation was investigated using a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus cutaneous infection. Gene expression analysis and in vivo multispectral noninvasive imaging during the S. aureus infection revealed a strong functional and temporal association between neutrophil recruitment and IL-1β/IL-1R activation. Unexpectedly, neutrophils but not monocytes/macrophages or other MHCII-expressing antigen presenting cells were the predominant source of IL-1β at the site of infection. Furthermore, neutrophil-derived IL-1β was essential for host defense since adoptive transfer of IL-1β-expressing neutrophils was sufficient to restore the impaired neutrophil abscess formation in S. aureus-infected IL-1β-deficient mice. S. aureus-induced IL-1β production by neutrophils required TLR2, NOD2, FPR1 and the ASC/NLRP3 inflammasome in an α-toxin-dependent mechanism. Taken together, IL-1β and neutrophil abscess formation during an infection are functionally, temporally and spatially linked as a consequence of direct IL-1β production by neutrophils.
Social Network Analysis

Network analysis has been used extensively in sociology over the last twenty years. This special issue of Sociological Methods & Research reviews the substantive contributions that network analysis has made to five areas: political sociology, interorganizational relations, social support, social influence, and epidemiology. To introduce the novice to current developments in the field, this introductory article presents an overview of the key concepts and methods which are popular among sociologists and which have been used to advance knowledge in these substantive areas. Remaining articles are also discussed briefly, with speculations offered on some of the more promising avenues of inquiry recently under exploration.
Valuable Therefore Not Threatening

Previous findings demonstrate that believing in the value of diverse groups is related to positive attitudes toward immigrants. Based on these results, we hypothesized that pro-diversity beliefs are negatively related to discrimination of immigrants. In a representative multinational survey study (Study 1; N = 6,500), we demonstrate that diversity beliefs of nonimmigrant citizens from seven different European countries are negatively related to their discriminatory behavioral tendencies against immigrants. Moreover, it is revealed that this relationship is mediated by reduced realistic and symbolic threat. These findings are replicated in an experimental study (Study 2; N = 64), which confirms that diversity beliefs causally influence discriminatory behavioral tendencies. However, in the economic context of Study 2, the relationship is mediated by realistic but not by symbolic threat.
On the Throughput Maximization in Dencentralized Wireless Networks

A distributed single-hop wireless network with K links is considered, where the links are partitioned into M clusters each operating in an orthogonal subchannel with bandwidth W . We consider a general shadow-fading model, described with parameters (; $), where denotes the probability of shadowing and $ represents the average power of the cross-link channels. The main goal of this paper is to maximize the network throughput. This is achieved by: i) proposing a distributed and non-iterative power allocation strategy, where the objective function for each user is to maximize its best estimate (based on its local information, i.e., direct channel gain) of the average network throughput, and ii) choosing the optimum value for 1 M K. We analyze the throughput of the network in terms of M and (; $) in the asymptotic case of K ! 1. It is proved that when the number of links is large, the optimum power allocation strategy for each user is the threshold-based on-off power scheme (i.e., links with a direct channel gain above certain threshold transmit at full power and the rest remain silent). Under the on-off power scheme, it is demonstrated that the maximum achievable network throughput for every value of 1 M K, 0 < 1 and $ 1 is achieved at M = 1.
Scanning electron microscope studies of the small intestine of rats maintained on a low protein diet and infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

Summary In undernourished rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis partial villus atrophy was observed in large areas of the anterior and posterior regions of the intestine. In addition, the following changes in structure were observed; some areas of the intestine contained misshapen villi which lacked microvilli on the lateral surfaces; cell-like bodies devoid of microvilli appeared to be budded off from the sides and tips of some malformed villi and there appeared to be extensive leakage of blood constituents into the lumen of the intestine. Morphological changes were present up to day 24 of the infection when the experiment was terminated. The possible consequences of the extensive breakdown of villus structure are discussed.
Boosting HMMs with an application to speech recognition

Boosting is a general method for training an ensemble of classifiers with a view to improving performance relative to that of a single classifier. While the original AdaBoost algorithm has been defined for classification tasks, the current work examines its applicability to sequence learning problems, focusing on speech recognition. We apply boosting at the phoneme model level and recombine expert decisions using multi-stream techniques.
Does everybody lie? characterizing answerers in health-related CQA

The study described in the paper aims at multi-faceted characterization of active community question answering (CQA) users who provide answers to health-related questions. The study employs various research techniques - both qualitative (surveys) and quantitative. With two online surveys we get insights into 1. perception of online health-related information and its use by patients by medical professionals and 2. motivtion of most active CQA answerers, a significant share of which apparently constitute users with medical education. In the second series of experiments we apply topic modeling to a yearly collection of questions and answers from a popular Russian CQA servce in order to find users focused on a particular topic. Further, we attempt to find users with professional medical backround based on the lexis of their answers. The obtained results provide a beter understanding of motivation and backround of CQA users and can be used for the improvement of CQA services, as well as for solving problems such as CQA content quality evaluation, expert search, and question routing, etc.
Examining Age and Experience Differences in Use of Knowledge in the World in Everyday Technology Interactions

Competence in technology use during everyday activities is required for continued independence of older adults, and rapid technological changes have made effective design of learning support beyond formal training crucial to maintain this competence. Older adults have reported a preference for specific training and text manuals when they learn to use technologies, but no research has systematically examined what is actually used in everyday life. This study examined age and experience differences in the use of external support (knowledge in the world) over a ten day period. Interviews with participants about technology encounters during this period were analyzed. Three categories of knowledge in the world were identified: social support, instruction, and on-device information. Age differences were found in use of social support and instruction. Age and experience differences were found in use of on-device information. These results confirm the importance of good instructional support for older adults that accommodates age-related declines and differences in specific knowledge. Data also suggest that development of a simple and reliable method for older adults to obtain social support may help low technology older adults to more effectively use everyday technologies and to resolve problems.
A randomized outpatient trial of a decision-support information technology tool.

BACKGROUND Decision-support information technology is often adopted to improve clinical decision making, but it is rarely rigorously evaluated. Congress mandated the evaluation of Problem-Knowledge Couplers (PKC Corp, Burlington, Vt), a decision-support tool proposed for the Department of Defense's new health information network. METHODS This was a patient-level randomized trial conducted at 2 military practices. A total of 936 patients were allocated to the intervention group and 966 to usual care. Couplers were applied before routine ambulatory clinic visits. The primary outcome was quality of care, which was assessed based on the total percentage of any of 24 health care quality process measures (opportunities to provide evidence-based care) that were fulfilled. Secondary outcomes included medical resources consumed within 60 days of enrollment and patient and provider satisfaction. RESULTS There were 4639 health care opportunities (2374 in the Coupler group and 2265 in the usual-care group), with no difference in the proportion of opportunities fulfilled (33.9% vs 30.7%; P = .12). Although there was a modest improvement in performance on screening/preventive measures, it was offset by poorer performance on some measures of acute care. Coupler patients used more laboratory and pharmacy resources than usual-care patients (logarithmic mean difference, 71 dollars). No difference in patient satisfaction was observed between groups, and provider satisfaction was mixed. CONCLUSION This study provides no strong evidence to support the utility of this decision-support tool, but it demonstrates the value of rigorous evaluation of decision-support information technology.
EGG SIZE VARIABILITY IN TREMATODES: TEST OF THE BET-HEDGING HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis according to which egg size variability in hermaphroditic parasites results from bet-hedging was investigated in a comparative analysis using trematodes as a model. We hypothesized that the species reproducing mainly by self-fertilization should produce smaller eggs than those species that regularly practice cross-fertilization. Indeed, because self-fertilization is usually associated with inbreeding depression, selection should favor individuals spreading the risk of genetically disturbed development across more but smaller eggs, instead of producing fewer eggs, each possessing a large resource supply, of which many may fail to develop because of genetic deficiencies. On the basis of earlier theoretical and empirical studies, we assumed that the ratio length of testis–length of ovary positively correlates with the mating group size and, hence, with opportunities for cross-fertilization. In accordance with the bet-hedging hypothesis, we found, across trematode species, a positive relationship between this ratio and the mean egg volume produced by adults. This result was, however, observed only for the trematodes infecting birds and not for the species infecting fishes and mammals. In addition, once the influence of trematode phylogeny was taken into account, there was no significant trend, suggesting that phylogenetic legacies played a large role in generating the previous signal. Experimental tests of the bet-hedging hypothesis will be necessary to clarify the matter.
Mutational analysis of human DNase I at the DNA binding interface: Implications for DNA recognition, catalysis, and metal ion dependence

Human deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I), an enzyme used to treat cystic fibrosis patients, has been systematically analyzed by site‐directed mutagenesis of residues at the DNA binding interface. Crystal structures of bovine DNase I complexed with two different oligonucleotides have implicated the participation of over 20 amino acids in catalysis or DNA recognition. These residues have been classified into four groups based on the characterization of over 80 human DNase I variants. Mutations at any of the four catalytic amino acids His 134, His 252, Glu 78, and Asp 212 drastically reduced the hydrolytic activity of DNase I. Replacing the three putative divalent metal ion‐coordinating residues Glu 39, Asp 168, or Asp 251 led to inactive variants. Amino acids Gin 9, Arg 41, Tyr 76, Arg 111, Asn 170, Tyr 175, and Tyr 211 were also critical for activity, presumably because of their close proximity to the active site, while more peripheral DNA interactions stemming from 13 other positions were of minimal significance. The relative importance of these 27 positions is consistent with evolutionary relationships among DNase I across different species, DNase I‐like proteins, and bacterial sphingomyelinases, suggesting a fingerprint for a family of DNase I‐like proteins. Furthermore, we found no evidence for a second active site that had been previously implicated in Mn2+‐dependent DNA degradation. Finally, we correlated our mutational analysis of human DNase I to that of bovine DNase I with respect to their specific activity and dependence on divalent metal ions.
Phytochrome A Mediates Blue-Light Enhancement of Second-Positive Phototropism in Arabidopsis

Hypocotyl phototropism of etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings is primarily mediated by the blue-light receptor kinase phototropin 1 (phot1). Phot1-mediated curvature to continuous unilateral blue light irradiation (0.5 μmol m−2 s−1) is enhanced by overhead pre-treatment with red light (20 μmol m−2 s−1 for 15 min) through the action of phytochrome (phyA). Here, we show that pre-treatment with blue light is equally as effective in eliciting phototropic enhancement and is dependent on phyA. Although blue light pre-treatment was sufficient to activate early phot1 signaling events, phot1 autophosphorylation in vivo was not found to be saturated, as assessed by subsequently measuring phot1 kinase activity in vitro. However, enhancement effects by red and blue light pre-treatment were not observed at higher intensities of phototropic stimulation (10 μmol m−2 s−1). Phototropic enhancement by red and blue light pre-treatments to 0.5 μmol m−2 s−1 unilateral blue light irradiation was also lacking in transgenic Arabidopsis where PHOT1 expression was restricted to the epidermis. Together, these findings indicate that phyA-mediated effects on phot1 signaling are restricted to low intensities of phototropic stimulation and originate from tissues other than the epidermis.
Alternative male reproductive tactics drive asymmetrical hybridization between sunfishes (Lepomis spp.)

The potential role of alternative reproductive tactics in circumventing premating isolating mechanisms and driving hybridization between species has long been recognized, but to date there is little empirical support from natural systems. Hybridization occurs between bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) and it is known to be asymmetrical (male bluegill × female pumpkinseed). Here, we test whether this pattern is driven by a recognition failure by pumpkinseed females or by an alternative cuckolder reproductive tactic in bluegill males. Using genetic parentage data, we found that bluegill cuckolders fathered 24.9% of the larvae in bluegill nests, but no evidence that pumpkinseed females spawned in bluegill nests. Pumpkinseed cuckolders fathered 8.7% of the larvae in pumpkinseed nests, whereas bluegill cuckolders fathered 13.6% of the larvae in those nests. Bluegill cuckolders thus frequently spawn in pumpkinseed nests and are responsible for the asymmetrical hybridization between the species. We discuss the evolutionary consequences of interactions between bluegill and pumpkinseed and the role of alternative reproductive tactics in adaptation and introgression.