Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interconnections between Sigma B, agr, and Proteolytic Activity in Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Maturation

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a proficient biofilm former on host tissues and medical implants. We mutagenized S. aureus strain SH1000 to identify loci essential for ica-independent mechanisms of biofilm maturation and identified multiple insertions in the rsbUVW-sigB operon. Following construction and characterization of a sigB deletion, we determined that the biofilm phenotype was due to a lack of sigma factor B (SigB) activity. The phenotype was conserved in a sigB mutant of USA300 strain LAC, a well-studied community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolate. We determined that agr RNAIII levels were elevated in the sigB mutants, and high levels of RNAIII expression are known to have antibiofilm effects. By introducing an agr mutation into the SH1000 or LAC sigB deletion strain, S. aureus regained biofilm capacity, indicating that the biofilm phenotype was agr dependent. Protease activity is linked to agr activity and ica-independent biofilm formation, and we observed that the protease inhibitors phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and α-macroglobulin could reverse the sigB biofilm defect. Similarly, inactivating genes encoding both the aureolysin and Spl extracellular proteases in the sigB mutant restored biofilm capacity. Due to the growing link between murein hydrolase activity and biofilm maturation, autolysin zymography was performed, which revealed an altered profile in the sigB mutant; again, the phenotype could be repaired through protease inactivation. These findings indicate that the lack of SigB activity results in increased RNAIII expression, thus elevating extracellular protease levels and altering the murein hydrolase activity profile. Altogether, our observations demonstrate that SigB is an essential regulator of S. aureus biofilm maturation.
Multi-Step Inflation Prediction with Functional Coefficient Autoregressive Model

Forecasting inflation rate is one of the most important topics in finance and economics. In recent years, China has stepped into a “New Normal” stage of economic development, with a different state from the fast growth period during the past few decades. Hence, forecasting the inflation rate of China with a time-varying model may give high accuracy. In this paper, we investigate the problem of forecasting the inflation rate with a functional coefficient autoregressive (FAR) model, which allows the coefficient to change over time. We compare the FAR model based on the B-splines estimation method with the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model by extensive simulation studies. In addition, with the monthly CPI data of China, we conduct both in-sample analysis and out-of-sample forecasting. The forecasting result shows that the FAR model based on the B-splines estimation method has a better performance than the ARMA model.
Effect of booster seat laws on appropriate restraint use by children 4 to 7 years old involved in crashes.

OBJECTIVE To quantify the independent contribution of recently enacted booster seat laws on appropriate restraint use by child passengers in motor vehicles. DESIGN Longitudinal study of children involved in crashes with data collected via insurance claims records and a validated telephone survey. SETTING Sixteen states and Washington, DC, from December 1, 1998, through December 31, 2004. PARTICIPANTS Probability sample of 5198 vehicles in crashes involving 6102 children aged 4 to 7 years, representing 78 159 vehicles and 91 752 children. MAIN EXPOSURES Booster seat law provisions, child age, state, and secular trends. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Reported appropriate restraint use for this age group, including forward-facing child safety seats, belt-positioning booster seats, and combination seats. RESULTS Children aged 4 to 7 years in states with booster seat laws were 39% more likely to be reported as appropriately restrained than were children in other states (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.70). Children aged 4 to 5 years were 23% more likely (PR,1.23; 95% CI, 0.80-1.42) and children 6 to 7 years twice as likely (PR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.46-2.99) to be reported as appropriately restrained. For children aged 6 to 7 years, when compared with no law, laws through age 7 years were most effective (PR, 3.71; 95% CI, 2.49-5.42), followed by laws through age 4 or 5 years (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.89-2.24). CONCLUSION Given the higher current use of age-appropriate restraints among children 4 to 5 years compared with older children, future upgrades to child restraint laws should include children through at least age 7 years to maximize the number of children properly restrained for their age.
The combined effect of food-simulating solutions, brushing and staining on color stability of composite resins

Abstract Objective: This study evaluated the effect of food-simulating media associated with brushing and coffee staining on color stability of different composite resins. Materials and methods: Eighty specimens were prepared for each composite: Grandio SO (Voco), Amaris (Voco), Filtek Z350XT (3M/ESPE), Filtek P90 (3M/ESPE). They were divided into four groups according to food-simulating media for 7 days: artificial saliva (control), heptane, citric acid and ethanol. The composite surface was submitted to 10,950 brushing cycles (200 g load) in an automatic toothbrushing machine. The specimens were darkened with coffee solution at 37 °C for 24 h. After each treatment, color measurements were assessed by spectrophotometry, using CIE L*a*b* system. The overall color change (ΔE) was determined for each specimen at baseline (C1) and after the treatments (food-simulating media immersion/C2, brushing/C3 and dye solution/C4). Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s tests (p < .05). Results: The results of RM-ANOVA showed significant differences for composites (p = .001), time (p = .001) and chemical degradation (p = .002). The mean of ΔE for composites were: Z350XT (5.39)a, Amaris (3.89)b, Grandio (3.75)bc, P90 (3.36)c. According to food-simulating media: heptane (4.41)a, citric acid (4.24)a, ethanol (4.02)ab, artificial saliva (3.76)b. For the treatments: dye solution (4.53)a, brushing (4.26)a, after food-simulating media (3.52)b. Conclusions: The composite resin Filtek Z350XT showed significantly higher staining than all other composite resin tested. The immersion in heptane and citric acid produced the highest color alteration than other food-simulating media. The exposure of samples to brushing protocols and darkening in coffee solution resulted in significant color alteration of the composite resins.
Unions and equality: 50 years on from the fight for fair pay at Dagenham

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review historical and contemporary union driven advances in gender and race equality within the movement and the workplace in order to show how far unions have come in the last 50 years, but also to identify continuing equality deficits.Design/methodology/approachAs well as reviewing extant literature in order to provide historical background, the paper draws upon original analysis of the series of biennial TUC Equality Audits, the latest SERTUC equality survey and interviews with national union officers responsible for equality in large-, medium- and small-sized unions.FindingsOver the last 50 years, unions have made considerable progress in representing women both in leadership and democratic structures as well as in the workplace bargaining and consultative arena. However, BAME members remain underrepresented in both domains. A hostile socio-economic/political context threatens to hinder further progress.Research limitations/implicationsIt is quite clear that the authors cannot assess unions’ current record on equality by reference only to outcomes and benefits of big set-piece organisation, industry or sector negotiations. Future research could usefully explore in more depth unions’ qualitative contribution to workplace equality practices in context of challenges in the internal and external environments.Practical implicationsUnions need to step up commitment to integrating equality into the bargaining agenda. They also need to continue investing in campaigning activities and identify ways of making successful outcomes more visible within the union, to members and to non-unionised workers. Workplace unions need to develop strategies to confront the fact that strong equality policies do not necessarily translate into good workplace practices.Originality/valueThe paper provides a long-term evaluation of union progress on equality within the movement itself and the workplace.
Miniaturization of microwave components and antennas using 3D manufacturing

3D multi-material additive manufacturing has promising potential to improve the performance and form factor of microwave and electromagnetic components. The ability to design and produce truly 3D form factors can lead to smaller volume and better performing antennas, allow the combining of different materials to optimize and reduce the weight of distributed circuit designs, and cost effectively produce structural electronic systems. Along with these new capabilities come increased needs for material choices, innovative methods for materials characterization, and changes in the CAD tools that are used for design. These challenges, along with examples of 3D RF design with additive manufacturing are given in this paper.
Reportage and framing of pastoralist-farmer conflicts in Nigerian newspapers

The study examined the reportage and framing of pastoralist-farmer conflicts in the newspapers. Three top newspapers (Punch, Vanguard and The Nation) were randomly selected for analysis. The coverage period was January to December, 2016. Variables measured include nature of covered issues, frequency of reportage, space allotted, placement and frames. Frequency counts, percentages and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to analyse the collected data. Calamity/killing (40.0%) was the most covered issue across the papers, while Vanguard newspapers had the highest (48.2%) reportage of and largest (470cm 2 ) space allotment to the issue. The paper also gave the issue more (60.7%) prominence than other newspapers. More (52.0%) of the issues reported had ethnic slants in their frames, with Vanguard having the largest proportion (40.0%). There was a significant difference in the spaces allotted to pastoralist-farmer conflicts across the newspapers (F= 3.418, p≤0.05). The current framing of pastoralist-farmer conflicts in the newspapers could aggravate the existing tension along ethnic lines. Newspaper editors are implored to be more socially responsible in their publications. Keywords: Newspaper coverage, news frame and pastoralist-farmer conflicts
Ketamine antagonizes nitric oxide release from cerebral cortex after middle cerebral artery ligation in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ischemia or hypoxia activates N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and results in nitric oxide (NO) production. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an NMDA channel blocker can inhibit NO production during ischemia. METHODS Temporary cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery ligation while common carotid arteries were clamped bilaterally for 40 minutes in urethane-anesthetized rats. Extracellular NO concentration in the cortex was recorded through Nafion- and porphyrine-coated carbon fiber electrodes. Ketamine, and NMDA channel blocker, was administered (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 15 minutes before the cerebral artery ligation. RESULTS During middle cerebral artery ligation, cortical NO was increased to its peak (18.76+/-3.36 nmol/L) in 7 minutes and then declined. The overflow of NO can be antagonized by pretreatment with ketamine, dizocilpine maleate (MK801), or N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Local application of nitroprusside also induced NO production. However, this effect was not antagonized by ketamine. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrated that NO release induced by short-term cerebral ischemia can be attenuated by pretreatment with NMDA antagonists.
Management Quality in Public Education: Superintendent Value-Added, Student Outcomes and Mechanisms

We present evidence about the ways that school superintendents add value in Israel’s primary and middle schools. Superintendents are the CEOs of a cluster of schools with powers to affect the quality of schooling, and we extend the approach used in recent literature to measure teachers’ value added, to assess school superintendents. We exploit a quasi-random matching of superintendent and schools, and estimate that superintendent value added has positive and significant effects on primary and middle school students’ test scores in math, Hebrew, and English. One standard deviation improvement in superintendent value added increases test scores by about 0.04 of a standard deviation in the test score distribution. The effect doesn’t vary with students’ socio-economic background, is highly non-linear, increases sharply for superintendents in the highest-quartile of the value added distribution, and is larger for female superintendents. We explore several mechanisms for these effects and find that superintendents with higher value added are associated with more focused school priorities and more clearly defined working procedures, but no effect on school resources and no effect on total teachers’ on the job and external training, although there is a significant effect on the composition of the former. Another important effect is that schools with higher quality superintendents are more likely to address school climate, violence and bullying, and implement related interventions which lead to lower violence in school. A new superintendent is also associated with a higher likelihood that the school principal is replaced.
Spacetime stereo: a unifying framework for depth from triangulation

Depth from triangulation has traditionally been treated in a number of separate threads in the computer vision literature, with methods like stereo, laser scanning, and coded structured light considered separately. In this paper, we propose a common framework, spacetime stereo, which unifies many of these previous methods. Viewing specific techniques as special cases of this general framework leads to insights regarding the solutions to many of the traditional problems of individual techniques. Specifically, we discuss a number of innovative possible applications such as improved recovery of static scenes under variable illumination, spacetime stereo for moving objects, structured light and laser scanning with multiple simultaneous stripes or patterns, and laser scanning of shiny objects. To suggest the practical utility of the framework, we use it to analyze one of these applications: recovery of static scenes under variable, but uncontrolled, illumination. Based on our analysis, we show that methods derived from the spacetime stereo framework can be used to recover depth in situations in which existing methods perform poorly.
The Cytotoxic Effects of Camptothecin and Mastoparan on the Unicellular Green Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

We have recently reported that protease inhibitors affecting the activity of the proteasome cause necrotic cell death in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii instead of inducing apoptosis as shown for some mammalian cell lines. Therefore, we have studied other well‐known inducers of apoptosis in mammalian cells for their effects on C. reinhardtii cells. Mastoparan caused rapid cell death without a prominent lag‐phase under all growth conditions, whereas the cytotoxic effect of the topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin exclusively occurred during the cell‐division phase. Essentially no differences between wall‐deficient and wild‐type cells were observed with respect to dose‐response and time‐course of camptothecin and mastoparan. In cultures of the wall‐deficient strain, cell death was accompanied by swelling and subsequent disruption of the cells, established markers of necrosis. In case of the wild‐type strain, camptothecin and mastoparan caused accumulation of apparently intact, but dead cells instead of cell debris due to the presence of the wall. Both in cultures of the wall‐deficient and the wild‐type strains, cell death was accompanied by an increase of the protein concentration in the culture medium indicating a lytic process like necrosis. Taking together, we have severe doubts on the existence of an apoptotic program in case of C. reinhardtii.
Effects of Progesterone and Estradiol on Uterine Secretion of Prostaglandin F2α in Response to Oxytocin in Ovariectomized Sows1

Abstract Thirty ovariectomized sows were used in an experiment designed to determine whether the ability of the porcine uterus to release prostaglandin (PG) F2α in response to oxytocin is regulated by progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2). Sows were assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1) no steroids (ovariectomized controls; n = 8), 2) E2 (n = 8), 3) P4 (n = 7), or 4) E2 + P4 (n = 7). P4 and E2 were administered so as to mimic the normal temporal changes that occur in these hormones during the estrous cycle. A group of intact sows (n = 9) was included for comparison. All sows received an injection of oxytocin (30 IU, i.v.) on Days 12, 15, and 18 postestrus. Jugular venous blood samples were collected from 60 min before through 120 min after injection of oxytocin for quantification of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α (PGFM). Preinjection baseline concentrations of PGFM, the magnitude of the PGFM response above baseline, and area under the PGFM response curve (AUC) were calculated for each sow on each day and compared among treatment groups by ANOVA. Among the ovariectomized sows receiving steroid replacement, baseline concentrations of PGFM were low on Day 12 postestrus in all four groups. On Days 15 and 18, baseline concentrations remained low in the two groups that did not receive P4 but increased in those that did. Both the magnitude of the response to oxytocin and AUC were small on Day 12 postestrus in all 4 groups. By Day 15, the magnitude of the response and AUC increased in the group that received both P4 and E2 but remained low in the other three groups. By Day 18, responses to oxytocin were greater in both groups that received P4 than in those that did not. Baseline concentrations were similar in intact sows and in those that received both P4 and E2 on all three days examined. The magnitude of the response and the AUC were greater in the ovariectomized sows receiving P4 and E2 replacement than in the intact control sows on Days 15 and 18 postestrus. From these results, we conclude that P4 and E2 interact to control the time when the uterus begins to secrete PGF2α in response to oxytocin and the amount of PGF2α secreted.
Intestinal Bacterial Communities That Produce Active Estrogen-Like Compounds Enterodiol and Enterolactone in Humans

ABSTRACT Lignans are dietary diphenolic compounds which require activation by intestinal bacteria to exert possible beneficial health effects. The intestinal ecosystem plays a crucial role in lignan metabolism, but the organisms involved are poorly described. To characterize the bacterial communities responsible for secoisolariciresinol (SECO) activation, i.e., the communities that produce the enterolignans enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone (EL), a study with 24 human subjects was undertaken. SECO activation was detected in all tested fecal samples. The intestinal bacteria involved in ED production were part of the dominant microbiota (6 × 108 CFU g−1), as revealed by most-probable-number enumerations. Conversely, organisms that catalyzed the formation of EL occurred at a mean concentration of approximately 3 × 105 CFU g−1. Women tended to have higher concentrations of both ED- and EL-producing organisms than men. Significantly larger amounts of EL were produced by fecal dilutions from individuals with moderate to high concentrations of EL-producing bacteria. Two organisms able to demethylate and dehydroxylate SECO were isolated from human feces. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, they were named Peptostreptococcus productus SECO-Mt75m3 and Eggerthella lenta SECO-Mt75m2. A new 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe specific for P. productus and related species was designed and further used in fluorescent in situ hybridization experiments, along with five additional group-specific probes. Significantly higher proportions of P. productus and related species (P = 0.012), as well as bacteria belonging to the Atopobium group (P = 0.035), were typical of individuals with moderate to high concentrations of EL-producing communities.
A qualitative approach to investigate leakages in low-cost housing provision in Malaysia

Abstract Over the years, Malaysian Government and housing developers have been providing low-cost housing (LCH) yet; shortage of homes for the low-income earners (LIEs) is high. Accessibility and affordability is a big issue in LCH scheme for the LIEs. Hence, this paper presents the qualitative approach to investigate LCH leakages in Malaysia. The purpose of this strategy is to explore the LCH leakage phenomenon from the participants. To achieve this, data were collected via in-depth oral interviews and validated via secondary sources. Thematic analysis was adopted and three themes emerged. Seven states and one territory in Malaysia were covered. From the findings, the participants agree on the high shortage of LCH. It is sadder that Malaysia is still experiencing LCH shortage after several years of LCH provision. Irregularities in auction of property, sales or rental within the moratorium period, non-compliance by housing developers with list of eligible buyers from the state government housing department, non-construction of LCH by developers because of unmerited waiver granted by state, politics in allocation of people’s housing program, allocation to non-eligible pro-government persons, and under-declaration of income by house-buyers were identified by the participants as the root causes of LCH leakages in Malaysia. Cumulative ruling for construction of LCH as against the conventional per project, joint task force comprises of planning office, land office, and state government housing department to monitor, engraved on LCH land title deed, functional open registration system (ORS), and central credit reference information system for eligibility check among others were recommended to mitigate LCH leakages. Keywords : demand-supply gap, housing developers, leakages, low-cost housing, low-income earners, qualitative approach