Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scope , Photographs , and Willingness to Pay of Citizens for National Bird Conservation : A Contingent Valuation Application in Developing Country

Using the survey data from 605 households in Davao, Philippines, the study estimated the citizen’s willingness to pay (WTP) for an improved conservation program for Philippine Eagles. The study determines if the scope test would pass in valuing an endangered species and whether different presentation of the good (colored vs black and white photographs) significantly affects WTP values. The study shows that endangered species conservation is not a high priority concerns regardless of respondents’ high familiarity to the National bird and perceived credibility of the scenario presented. Only 25% of the households are willing to support the proposed regional Philippine Eagle Program. A very low WTP of only USD0.40 per household per month for the regional Philippine Eagle Conservation Program was estimated. This implies that public funds need to be mobilized from other sources if environmental causes such as that of endangered species conservation are to be supported. Financial constraint was the main reason cited for failure to support improvement for environmental amenities. The context of a developing county offers several explanations to the scope insensitivity found. Also, the significant 48% difference in WTP estimates in favor of using colored photographs reveals huge difference in revenuegenerating efforts.
Real Time Analytics: Algorithms and Systems

Velocity is one of the 4 Vs commonly used to characterize Big Data [5]. In this regard, Forrester remarked the following in Q3 2014 [8]: "The high velocity, white-water flow of data from innumerable real-time data sources such as market data, Internet of Things, mobile, sensors, click-stream, and even transactions remain largely unnavigated by most firms. The opportunity to leverage streaming analytics has never been greater. " Example use cases of streaming analytics include, but not limited to: (a) visualization of business metrics in real-time (b) facilitating highly personalized experiences (c) expediting response during emergencies. Streaming analytics is extensively used in a wide variety of domains such as healthcare, e-commerce, financial services, telecommunications, energy and utilities, manufacturing, government and transportation. In this tutorial, we shall present an in-depth overview of streaming analytics -- applications, algorithms and platforms -- landscape. We shall walk through how the field has evolved over the last decade and then discuss the current challenges -- the impact of the other three Vs, viz., Volume, Variety and Veracity, on Big Data streaming analytics. The tutorial is intended for both researchers and practitioners in the industry. We shall also present state-of-the-affairs of streaming analytics at Twitter.
Characterization of a mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase from Plasmodium falciparum

A mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase gene, PfMAP, from Plasmodium falciparum was recently identified. We expressed this gene in Escherichia coli to test whether it encodes a functional MAP kinase. Recombinant PfMAP kinase autophosphorylates on both the tyrosine and threonine residues within the TXY motif, and readily phosphorylates myelin basic protein as exogenous substrate. This identifies the PfMAP gene product as a true member of the growing family of MAP kinases. Wild‐type PfMAP kinase expressed in COS‐7 (SV40 transformed African green monkey kidney) cells seemed to induce apoptosis in these cells. Western blots and immunoprecipitations indicated that the kinase is expressed during the growth of the parasite in the red blood cell as three major forms: truncated forms with apparent molecular masses of 40 kDa and 80 kDa, and as a protein of ≈150 kDa. The 40 kDa form is present throughout the intraerythrocytic development, whereas the two larger forms are only detected in mature parasites. The 40 kDa and 80 kDa forms are tyrosine phosphorylated, indicating that they represent the active forms of the PfMAP kinase. The total PfMAP kinase activity constantly increases with the maturation of the parasite.
Teaching About Heterosexism and Creating an Empathic Experience of Homophobia

SUMMARY The concept of the “chilly campus climate” for students has long been used to describe women's experiences. The climate for lesbians and gays has not been assessed in this way; however, the attitudes of students toward diverse groups suggest that generally a hostile environment exists for this population. This paper discusses assessing students' attitudes and how this is essential to the process of teaching about heterosexism. Other pedagogical issues and concerns regarding teaching about heterosexism and homophobia are examined. These include examples of teaching exercises intended to create an empathic response from students that reinforces their cognitive understanding of homophobia.
Gene Duplication in Insecticide Resistance

Gene duplication is a widely observed phenomenon in all three kingdoms of life and is considered to be a major driving force in the evolution of genomes and organisms. Gene duplication refers to any duplication event of a region of DNA that contains genes, eventually giving rise to gene families. In a classical sense, gene duplication is considered to predate functional diversification. When a duplicated copy is generated, the surplus copy is released from the selective pressure that is posed by random mutations, which allows the rapid accumulation of mutations without deleterious consequences to the organism (Zhang, 2003). The accumulated mutations can increase the fitness of the organism or create a novel function, thereby playing a major role in evolution through functional divergence (Ohno, 1970; Taylor and Raes, 2004). Paralogous gene family members that share a common ancestor gene are generated from a duplication event, which is distinguished from the orthologous genes in different genomes that share a common ancestor as a result of a speciation event (Hurles, 2004). In another theory, instead one copy retains the original function after gene duplication, both of the two copies become to undergo complementary functional diversification, allowing the evolution of an organism over generations (Force et al., 1999). Whole genome duplication events are also common particularly in plant species having polyploidy genomes. Whole genome duplication has influenced the evolutionary path in many species. One example of extensive gene duplication is the gene amplification. Contrary to gene duplication, which is a doubling mechanism of one gene, gene amplification refers to the process by which the copy number of a particular gene is specifically increased to a greater extent compared to those of other genes, resulting in a dramatic increase in gene dosage. Gene amplification generally results from the repeated replication of a stretch of DNA in a specific region of a genome. Because gene amplification increases the copy number of a gene relatively quickly, it is commonly involved in gene expression control during the development of an organism. Increased copy numbers of a particular gene enables rapid production of a large amount of protein within a short period. The most common mechanism of gene duplication is homologous recombination by unequal crossing-over between short repeated sequences on homologous segments of chromosomes during meiosis. The replication slippage is also responsible for the duplication of small contiguous repeats of DNA. The possibility and frequency of gene duplication depend on the degree of repetitive sequence distribution between two homologous chromosomes. Detailed information on gene duplication mechanisms can be found elsewhere in this book.
Purification and properties of arylsulfatase C from rat liver microsomes.

Arylsulfatase C [EC 3.1. 6.1] was solubilized from rat liver microsomes with Triton X-100 and purified about 2,000-fold with an overall yield of 30-40%. The purification procedure included ion-exchange chromatography, hydrophobic affinity chromatography, and gel filtration. The purified enzyme was homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS, and its monomeric molecular weight was estimated to be about 72,000 daltons. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was about 280,000 daltons as determined by gel filtration in the presence of Triton X-100, suggesting a tetrameric structure for the enzyme molecule. The enzyme showed an isoelectric point of pH 8.1. From its strong affinity toward concanavalin A-Sepharose and colorimetric determination of neutral sugars by the phenol-sulfuric acid method, arylsulfatase C was identified as a glycoprotein. Analysis of the carbohydrates by gas-liquid chromatography demonstrated that the carbohydrate chains of arylsulfatase C were rich in mannose and N-acetyl-glucosamine, suggesting that they are the high mannose-type. This conclusion was supported by the results of digestion of the enzyme with endoglycosidase H.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and usually fatal pulmonary disease for which there are no proven drug therapies. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents have been largely ineffective. The precise relationship of IPF to other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) is not known, despite the observation that different histopathologic patterns of IIP may coexist in the same patient. We propose that these different histopathologic ‘reaction’ patterns may be determined by complex interactions between host and environmental factors that alter the local alveolar milieu. Recent paradigms in IPF pathogenesis have focused on dysregulated epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, an imbalance in TH1/TH2 cytokine profile and potential roles for aberrant angiogenesis. In this review, we discuss these evolving concepts in disease pathogenesis and emerging therapies designed to target pro-fibrogenic pathways in IPF.
A Estimation of the timing of complete excision of exon-7 in PR-SET7/Alb-Cre (PR-SET7)

A Estimation of the timing of complete excision of exon-7 in PR-SET7/Alb-Cre (PR-SET7) livers. Genomic DNAs from the livers of the indicated mice were amplified by PCR (35 cycles) using PRSet7_exon 2 flanking forward and reverse primers (see below) and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Note: The disappearance of 585 bp PCR product corresponding to the wild type allele in genomic DNA from isolated hepatocytes as early as P20 and the parallel appearance of 250 bp PCR product corresponding to the excised locus. P240 hepatocytes contain mainly wild type alleles. B Macroscopic appearance of 45-day-old (P45) PR-SET7 livers and control littermates (WT). C Representative hematoxylin and Eosin staining of liver sections from P45 PR-SET7 mice and control littermates (WT). D Immunohistological staining of liver sections using H4K20Me1 antibodies. Note the normal appearance, normal histology and unaffected global H4K20Me1 staining pattern at the early time point day-45. E F Immunohistological staining of P45 and P120 liver sections with PR-SET7 antibody. Note that in P45 PR-SET7 mice PR-SET7 staining can only be detected in biliary ducts (Red Arrow). In 120-day-old liver sections PR-SET7 is detected in various cells infiltrating the liver parenchyma. Hepatocytes (normal or necrotic cells with large nuclei; Red Arrows) are not stained with the PR-SET7 antibody. B
An examination of regional cerebral blood flow during object naming tasks

The purpose of this study was to examine regional cerebral blood flow using positron emission tomography (PET) during the performance of tasks related to visual confrontation naming. Ten healthy, young participants were scanned twice in each of 5 conditions; blood flow was measured using standard PET [15O]-water technology. Two major findings have replicated previous studies. First, the naming of visually presented objects, whether covert or overt, requires a region of the left inferior cortex including the fusiform gyrus. Second, during overt naming, there is an increase in activity in the inferior or frontal cortex and insula as a consequence of generating speech code. These data are consistent with other studies demonstrating the importance of the inferior temporal regions for semantic processing, and the frontal cortex for word form generation. (JINS, 1998, 4, 160–166.)
International Conference on Computational Science , ICCS 2012 Agent-based algorithm for spatial distribution of objects

In this paper we present an agent-based algorithm for the spatial distribution of objects. The algorithm is a generalization of the bubble mesh algorithm, initially created for the point insertion stage of the meshing process of the finite element method. The bubble mesh algorithm treats objects in space as bubbles, which repel and attract each other. The dynamics of each bubble are approximated by solving a series of ordinary differential equations. We present numerical results for a meshing application as well as a graph visualization application.
Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM To assess the scientific evidence on the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS The databases of PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, and PEDro were manually and electronically searched up to February 2010. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted, and assessed the quality of the publications. A meta-analysis- was performed to quantify the pooled effect of LLLT on pain and function in patients with chronic TMD. RESULTS The literature search identified 323 papers without overlap between selected databases, but after the two-phase study selection, only six randomized clinical trials (RCT) were included in the systematic review. The primary outcome of interest was the change in pain from baseline to endpoint. The pooled effect of LLLT on pain, measured through a visual analog scale with a mean difference of 7.77 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.49 to 18.02), was not statistically significant from placebo. Change from baseline to endpoint of secondary outcomes was 4.04 mm (95% CI 3.06 to 5.02) for mandibular maximum vertical opening; 1.64 mm (95% CI 0.10 to 3.17) for right lateral excursion and 1.90 mm (95% CI: -4.08 to 7.88) for left lateral excursion. CONCLUSION Currently, there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of LLLT in the treatment of TMD.
Iron Is Involved in the Maintenance of Circadian Period Length in Arabidopsis12[W][OA]

Micronutrient iron regulates the plant circadian clock through a chloroplast retrograde signaling pathway. The homeostasis of iron (Fe) in plants is strictly regulated to maintain an optimal level for plant growth and development but not cause oxidative stress. About 30% of arable land is considered Fe deficient because of calcareous soil that renders Fe unavailable to plants. Under Fe-deficient conditions, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) shows retarded growth, disordered chloroplast development, and delayed flowering time. In this study, we explored the possible connection between Fe availability and the circadian clock in growth and development. Circadian period length in Arabidopsis was longer under Fe-deficient conditions, but the lengthened period was not regulated by the canonical Fe-deficiency signaling pathway involving nitric oxide. However, plants with impaired chloroplast function showed long circadian periods. Fe deficiency and impaired chloroplast function combined did not show additive effects on the circadian period, which suggests that plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signaling is involved in the lengthening of circadian period under Fe deficiency. Expression pattern analyses of the central oscillator genes in mutants defective in CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1/LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL or GIGANTEA demonstrated their requirement for Fe deficiency-induced long circadian period. In conclusion, Fe is involved in maintaining the period length of circadian rhythm, possibly by acting on specific central oscillators through a retrograde signaling pathway.
International Meshing Roundtable ( IMR 23 ) Face-centred Voronoi refinement for surface mesh generation

A Frontal-Delaunay surface meshing algorithm for closed 2-manifolds embedded in R3 is presented. This new algorithm is an extension of existing restricted Delaunay-refinement techniques, in which the point-placement scheme is modified to improve element quality in the presence of mesh size constraints. Specifically, it is shown that the use of off-centre Steiner vertices, positioned along facets in the associated Voronoi diagram, typically leads to an improvement in the shapeand size-quality of the resulting surface tessellation. The new method can be viewed as a hybridisation of conventional Delaunay-refinement and advancing-front techniques, in which new vertices are positioned to satisfy both element size and shape constraints. It is shown that by restricting point-placement to faces of the associated Voronoi diagram, the new Frontal-Delaunay algorithm maintains many of the theoretical guarantees commonly associated with conventional restricted Delaunay-refinement techniques. The performance of the new Frontal-Delaunay scheme is investigated experimentally, via a series of comparative studies designed to contrast the performance of the new algorithm with a typical Delaunay-refinement technique. It is shown that the new Frontal-Delaunay algorithm inherits many of the benefits of both Delaunay-refinement and advancing-front type methods, typically leading to the construction of very high quality triangulations in practice. Experiments are conducted using a range of complex benchmarks, verifying the robustness and practical performance of the proposed scheme. c © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of organizing committee of the 23rd International Meshing Roundtable (IMR23).
An RNA-Seq Transcriptome Analysis of Orthophosphate-Deficient White Lupin Reveals Novel Insights into Phosphorus Acclimation in Plants1[W][OA]

Summary: Analysis of all the expressed genes in white lupin roots and leaves shows that acclimation to phosphorous deficiency involves changes in root development and modifications in metabolism. Phosphorus, in its orthophosphate form (Pi), is one of the most limiting macronutrients in soils for plant growth and development. However, the whole-genome molecular mechanisms contributing to plant acclimation to Pi deficiency remain largely unknown. White lupin (Lupinus albus) has evolved unique adaptations for growth in Pi-deficient soils, including the development of cluster roots to increase root surface area. In this study, we utilized RNA-Seq technology to assess global gene expression in white lupin cluster roots, normal roots, and leaves in response to Pi supply. We de novo assembled 277,224,180 Illumina reads from 12 complementary DNA libraries to build what is to our knowledge the first white lupin gene index (LAGI 1.0). This index contains 125,821 unique sequences with an average length of 1,155 bp. Of these sequences, 50,734 were transcriptionally active (reads per kilobase per million reads ≥ 3), representing approximately 7.8% of the white lupin genome, using the predicted genome size of Lupinus angustifolius as a reference. We identified a total of 2,128 sequences differentially expressed in response to Pi deficiency with a 2-fold or greater change and P ≤ 0.05. Twelve sequences were consistently differentially expressed due to Pi deficiency stress in three species, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), potato (Solanum tuberosum), and white lupin, making them ideal candidates to monitor the Pi status of plants. Additionally, classic physiological experiments were coupled with RNA-Seq data to examine the role of cytokinin and gibberellic acid in Pi deficiency-induced cluster root development. This global gene expression analysis provides new insights into the biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in the acclimation to Pi deficiency.
Structural empowerment and anticipated turnover among critical care nurses.

AIM This study examines the relationship between perceptions of structural empowerment and anticipated turnover among critical care nurses. BACKGROUND The literature revealed that work environments that provide access to information, resources, support and opportunity create an environment of more satisfied employees, ultimately reducing turnover. METHOD A sample of 257 nurses completed a background data questionnaire, the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II (CWEQ-II) and the Anticipated Turnover Scale (ATS). RESULTS Nurses in five critical care units perceive themselves to be moderately empowered. Structural empowerment was inversely related to anticipated turnover; those who were more empowered had a lower anticipated turnover score. CONCLUSION Nurses who perceive themselves as empowered have higher levels of organizational commitment. Organizations that support and recognize these characteristics may experience improved retention rates. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT This study is the first to demonstrate a relationship between structural empowerment and anticipated turnover among critical care nurses. Research has demonstrated that workplace behaviours and attitudes are determined by social structures within the workplace. Nurses are responsible for a large portion of health care provided in this country. A serious nursing shortage is expected in the future and will exert pressure on both the supply and the demand of nurses.
Evolution of Double Positive Autoregulatory Feedback Loops in CYCLOIDEA 2 Clade Genes Is Associated with the Origin of Floral

Members of the CYCLOIDEA2 (CYC2) clade of the TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, and PCF transcription factor genes are widely involved in controlling floral zygomorphy, a key innovation in angiosperm evolution, depending on their persistently asymmetric expression in the corresponding floral domains. However, it is unclear how this asymmetric expression is maintained throughout floral development. Selecting Primulina heterotricha as a model, we examined the expression and function of two CYC2 genes, CYC1C and CYC1D. We analyzed the role of their promoters in protein–DNA interactions and transcription activation using electrophoresis mobility shift assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and transient gene expression assays. We find that CYC1C and CYC1D positively autoregulate themselves and cross-regulate each other. Our results reveal a double positive autoregulatory feedback loop, evolved for a pair of CYC2 genes to maintain their expression in developing flowers. Further comparative genome analyses, together with the available expression and function data of CYC2 genes in the core eudicots, suggest that this mechanism might have led to the independent origins of floral zygomorphy, which are associated with plant–insect coevolution and the adaptive radiation of angiosperms.
String Shuffling over a Gap between Parsing and Plan Recognition

We propose a new probabilistic plan recognition algorithm YR based on an extension of Tomita’s Generalized LR (GLR) parser for grammars enriched with the shuffle operator. YR significantly outperforms previous approaches based on topdown parsers, shows more consistent run times among similar libraries, and degrades more gracefully as plan library complexity increases. YR also lifts the restrictions on leftrecursion imposed by approaches based on top-down parsing algorithms. We further propose that context-free shuffle grammars, more than traditional context-free grammars, should be seen as the appropriate analogue of HTN plan libraries in the correspondence of plan recognition and parsing.