Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adenosine Signaling and the Energetic Costs of Induced Immunity

Life history theory predicts that trait evolution should be constrained by competing physiological demands on an organism. Immune defense provides a classic example in which immune responses are presumed to be costly and therefore come at the expense of other traits related to fitness. One strategy for mitigating the costs of expensive traits is to render them inducible, such that the cost is paid only when the trait is utilized. In the current issue of PLOS Biology, Bajgar and colleagues elegantly demonstrate the energetic and life history cost of the immune response that Drosophila melanogaster larvae induce after infection by the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina boulardi. These authors show that infection-induced proliferation of defensive blood cells commands a diversion of dietary carbon away from somatic growth and development, with simple sugars instead being shunted to the hematopoetic organ for rapid conversion into the raw energy required for cell proliferation. This metabolic shift results in a 15% delay in the development of the infected larva and is mediated by adenosine signaling between the hematopoietic organ and the central metabolic control organ of the host fly. The adenosine signal thus allows D. melanogaster to rapidly marshal the energy needed for effective defense and to pay the cost of immunity only when infected.
Effect of Different Rates of Ethanol Additive on Fermentation Quality of Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum)

The effect of different rates of ethanol additive on fermentation quality of napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) and residual water soluble carbohydrate were studied in the experiment. The addition rate of ethanol was 0%, 1.5%, 2.5%, 3.5%, 4.5% on fresh weight of napiergrass. The laboratory silos were kept in the room, then were opened on I, 3, 5, 7, 14, 30 days after ensiling and the changes of silage quality were analyzed, respectively. There was a fast and large reduction in pH from the 5th day of ensiling to below 4.2 except for the 4.5% treatment. After five days the pH of silage decreased slowly and the pH of the ethanol additions was lower than the control. Lactic acid content of ethanol treatments increased significantly (p 0.05) difference among the ethanol addition silages. The volatile fatty acids content of silage increased gradually from the first day of ensiling and reached the peak on 14th day or 30th day and the content of ethanol addition treatment was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control. The experimental results indicated that adding ethanol inhibited the use of protein and water soluble carbohydrate of aerobic bacteria and reduced the silage losses during the early stage of ensiling and thus supplied more fermentation substrate for lactic acid bacteria and improved the fermentation quality of napiergrass.
LES COMPOSANTES DE L'ENTRAÎNEMENT À L'IMPROVISATION ACTIVES DANS LA GESTION DES IMPRÉVUS EN SALLE DE CLASSE DU NIVEAU SECONDAIRE

La gestion de classe est l’une des principales difficultes eprouvees par les enseignantes et enseignants novices. Cependant, avec le temps, ils developpent une certaine assurance devant les imprevus, notamment en raison de leur capacite a improviser. La presente etude vise a identifier certaines composantes de l’entrainement a l’improvisation actives dans la gestion des imprevus en classe du secondaire. Les resultats montrent qu’un tel entrainement peut developper la vigilance et la rapidite d’execution devant une situation non planifiee.
Extensive Shared Chemosensitivity between Malaria and Babesiosis Blood-Stage Parasites

ABSTRACT The apicomplexan parasites that cause malaria and babesiosis invade and proliferate within erythrocytes. To assess the potential for common antiparasitic treatments, we measured the sensitivities of multiple species of Plasmodium and Babesia parasites to the chemically diverse collection of antimalarial compounds in the Malaria Box library. We observed that these parasites share sensitivities to a large fraction of the same inhibitors and we identified compounds with strong babesiacidal activity.
Ideology, Hegemony and Accounting Discourse: A Case Study of the National Union of Journalists

Abstract This paper is concerned with accounting's role in the maintenance of an advanced capitalist state. Using a broadly cultural Marxist perspective, it is concerned with the uses to which accounting is put and how the use of accounting can obscure other more politically fruitful ways of seeing. The paper then considers possible historical and material explanations for accounting's relationship with the state. Finally it considers the workings of accounting in a political struggle inside the National Union of Journalist and the possibility that with a powerful hegemonic leadership, accounting may be used to highlight important material conditions without obscuring other issues. "To understand ideologies is to understand both the past and the present more deeply; and such an understanding contributes to our liberations" (Eagleton, 1976, p viii).
Multiplex Networks 1 Running Head: MULTIPLEX NETWORKS The Coevolution of Multiplex Networks in Organizational Communities

This research examines how multiplex organizational networks coevolve. Evolutionary and network theories were used to develop hypotheses about tie formation in both uniplex and multiple networks in organizational communities. Based on data between 1997 and 2005 collected from the records of development projects in the field of Information and Communication Technology for Development, the study demonstrates that dynamics in one network are significant drivers of tie formation in the other network at both dyadic and triadic levels. In particular, results show that the effects of common thirdparty ties and structural embeddedness exist across multiplex networks, leading to the formation of dense local clusters of organizations. Further, the study explains endogenous and exogenous mechanisms that lead to the formation of multiplex ties. The results suggest that resource similarity of organizational dyads, resource width, and organizational centrality have positive effects on the propensity of multiplex tie formation. These results have implications for organizations’ networking strategies in a wide variety of developing as well as developed organizational communities.
Handling Uncertainty with Active Logic

a: Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742b: Department of Computer Science, Bowie State University, Bowie MD 20715c: Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742d: Linguistics Department, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742
Inhibition of Lipolysis Decreases Lipid Oxidation and Gluconeogenesis From Lactate But Not Fasting Hyperglycemia or Total Hepatic Glucose Production in NIDDM

We determined whether overnight inhibition of lipolysis by a long-acting nicotinic acid derivative (acipimox) decreases gluconeogenesis from lactate in NIDDM patients. For this purpose, 250 mg of acipimox or placebo was administered in a double-blind crossover study at 2400, 0400, and 0800 to 8 NIDDM patients (54 ± 4 yr of age, body mass index 29.5 ± 1.3 kg/m2, fasting plasma glucose 11 ± 1 mM). The next morning, total hepatic glucose production (glucose Ra) and gluconeogenesis from lactate were determined using primed, continuous infusions of [3-3H]glucose and [U-14C]acetate. Glucose and lipid oxidation rates were measured using indirect calorimetry. Mean overnight serum free fatty acid concentrations averaged 242 ± 8 μM after acipimox and 721 ± 30 μM after placebo (P < 0.001). Inhibition of lipolysis decreased lipid oxidation from 33 ± 3 to 22 ± 2 J · kg−1 · min−1 (P < 0.001) and increased carbohydrate oxidation from 15 ± 3 to 23 ± 2 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 (P < 0.005). Gluconeogenesis from lactate decreased by ∼ 40%, from 6.2 ± 0.6 to 3.8 ± 0.5 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 (P < 0.005); lactate oxidation increased from 5.6 ± 0.8 to 7.9 ± 1.1 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 (P < 0.005), with no change in plasma lactate concentrations or total lactate Rd. Fasting plasma glucose concentrations were comparable at 2400 (10.0 ± 1.1 vs. 10.6 ± 1.3 mM, acipimox vs. placebo) and between 0900 and 1000 (10.6 ± 1.3 and 11.3 ± 1.3 mM, respectively). Also, total glucose production rates remained unchanged (14.0 ± 1.2 vs. 14.9 ± 1.3 mol · kg−1 · min−1, respectively). Serum growth hormone (2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 0.5 ± 0.2 μg/l, P < 0.05) and cortisol (444 ± 19 vs. 352 ± 28 nM, P < 0.05) concentrations were higher after acipimox than placebo administration. We conclude that inhibition of lipolysis decreases lipid oxidation and gluconeogenesis from lactate, but fails to lower fasting plasma glucose concentrations and total hepatic glucose production in NIDDM patients.
Expression of the native cholera toxin B subunit gene and assembly as functional oligomers in transgenic tobacco chloroplasts

Abstract The B subunits of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (LTB) and cholera toxin of Vibrio cholerae (CTB) are candidate vaccine antigens. Integration of an unmodified CTB-coding sequence into chloroplast genomes (up to 10,000 copies per cell), resulted in the accumulation of up to 4.1% of total soluble tobacco leaf protein as functional oligomers (410-fold higher expression levels than that of the unmodified LTB gene expressed via the nuclear genome). However, expresssion levels reported are an underestimation of actual accumulation of CTB in transgenic chloroplasts, due to aggregation of the oligomeric forms in unboiled samples similar to the aggregation observed for purified bacterial antigen. PCR and Southern blot analyses confirmed stable integration of the CTB gene into the chloroplast genome. Western blot analysis showed that the chloroplast- synthesized CTB assembled into oligomers and were antigenically identical with purified native CTB. Also, binding assays confirmed that chloroplast-synthesized CTB binds to the intestinal membrane GM1-ganglioside receptor, indicating correct folding and disulfide bond formation of CTB pentamers within transgenic chloroplasts. In contrast to stunted nuclear transgenic plants, chloroplast transgenic plants were morphologically indistinguishable from untransformed plants, when CTB was constitutively expressed in chloroplasts. Introduced genes were inherited stably in subsequent generations, as confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. Increased production of an efficient transmucosal carrier molecule and delivery system, like CTB, in transgenic chloroplasts makes plant-based oral vaccines and fusion proteins with CTB needing oral administration commercially feasible. Successful expression of foreign genes in transgenic chromoplasts and availability of marker-free chloroplast transformation techniques augurs well for development of vaccines in edible parts of transgenic plants. Furthermore, since the quaternary structure of many proteins is essential for their function, this investigation demonstrates the potential for other foreign multimeric proteins to be properly expressed and assembled in transgenic chloroplasts.
Lexicase selection outperforms previous strategies for incremental evolution of virtual creature controllers

Evolving robust behaviors for robots has proven to be a challenging problem. Determining how to optimize behavior for a specific instance, while also realizing behaviors that generalize to variations on the problem often requires highly customized algorithms and problem-specific tuning of the evolutionary platform. Algorithms that can realize robust, generalized behavior without this customization are therefore highly desirable. In this paper, we examine the Lexicase selection algorithm as a possible general algorithm for a wall crossing robot task. Previous work has resulted in specialized strategies to evolve robust behaviors for this task. Here, we show that Lexicase selection is not only competitive with these strategies but after parameter tuning, actually exceeds the performance of the specialized algorithms.
A new high efficiency RF switch-mode power amplifier architecture for pulse encoded signals

A new architecture for RF switch-mode power amplifiers is proposed. In this design, a pulse encoded signal switches a single RF power device with a broadband output match coupled to an output diplexer. The broadband termination impedance across the device minimizes switching losses. A complementary diplexer design is used to implement a bandpass reconstruction filter required for the pulse encoded signal as well as a broadband bandstop filter to separate out-of-band spectral power from the reconstructed output signal. The bandstop filter output terminal also provides an option to enhance power efficiency by incorporating an energy recovery circuit in a feedback loop to the DC power supply. The recovery circuit has the potential to significantly boost power efficiency under back-off conditions. Simulated results are presented for a 2 GHz 25 W GaN power device. For a sigma-delta encoded pulse train, the power efficiency is 65.5% at an output power of 43.7 dBm and for a pulse position modulated signal the power efficiency is 65.7% efficiency at an output power of 44.3 dBm.
Acetylcholine Receptor Gating: Movement in the α-Subunit Extracellular Domain

Acetylcholine receptor channel gating is a brownian conformational cascade in which nanometer-sized domains (“Φ blocks”) move in staggering sequence to link an affinity change at the transmitter binding sites with a conductance change in the pore. In the α-subunit, the first Φ-block to move during channel opening is comprised of residues near the transmitter binding site and the second is comprised of residues near the base of the extracellular domain. We used the rate constants estimated from single-channel currents to infer the gating dynamics of Y127 and K145, in the inner and outer sheet of the β-core of the α-subunit. Y127 is at the boundary between the first and second Φ blocks, at a subunit interface. αY127 mutations cause large changes in the gating equilibrium constant and with a characteristic Φ-value (Φ = 0.77) that places this residue in the second Φ-block. We also examined the effect on gating of mutations in neighboring residues δI43 (Φ = 0.86), ɛN39 (complex kinetics), αI49 (no effect) and in residues that are homologous to αY127 on the ɛ, β, and δ subunits (no effect). The extent to which αY127 gating motions are coupled to its neighbors was estimated by measuring the kinetic and equilibrium constants of constructs having mutations in αY127 (in both α subunits) plus residues αD97 or δI43. The magnitude of the coupling between αD97 and αY127 depended on the αY127 side chain and was small for both H (0.53 kcal/mol) and C (−0.37 kcal/mol) substitutions. The coupling across the single α–δ subunit boundary was larger (0.84 kcal/mol). The Φ-value for K145 (0.96) indicates that its gating motion is correlated temporally with the motions of residues in the first Φ-block and is not synchronous with those of αY127. This suggests that the inner and outer sheets of the α-subunit β-core do not rotate as a rigid body.
Cancer Biology and Signal Transduction Pp2a Inhibition Is a Common Event in Colorectal Cancer and Its Restoration Using Fty720 Shows Promising Therapeutic Potential

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a tumor suppressor that regulates many signaling pathways crucial for cell transformation. In fact, decreased activity of PP2A has been reported as a recurrent alteration in many types of cancer. Here, we show that PP2A is frequently inactivated in patients with colorectal cancer, indicating that PP2A represents a potential therapeutic target for this disease. We identified overexpression of the endogenous PP2A inhibitors SET and CIP2A, and downregulation of regulatory PP2A such as PPP2R2A and PPP2R5E, as contributing mechanisms to PP2A inhibition in colorectal cancer. Moreover, we observed that its restoration using FTY720 impairs proliferation and clonogenic potential of colorectal cancer cells, induces caspase-dependent apoptosis, and affects AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 activation status. Interestingly, treatment with FTY720 showed an additive effect with 5-fluorouracil, SN-38, and oxaliplatin, drugs used in standard chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. These results suggest that PP2A activity is commonly decreased in colorectal cancer cells, and that the use of PP2A activators, such as FTY720, might represent a potential novel therapeutic strategy in colorectal cancer.
Controlled metamorphosis of animated objects

Although many animation, deformation and metamorphosis techniques have been proposed, the simultaneous combination of those three transformations has never been addressed for three-dimensional objects so far. This paper presents a framework for controlling metamorphosis between two animated implicit models built from skeletal elements. It relies on the animated BlobTree model that encompasses the animation and metamorphosis in a unified and coherent fashion. Our method is general and supports a wide range of animation systems such as key-frames or physically based systems.
A Temporal Model for Interactive Multimedia Scenarios

Many authoring tools let authors create scenarios, but very few let them create an active multimedia scenario that will not only play itself back, but will change course dynamically, depending on user interactions. Our temporal model provides a new way to represent asynchronous and synchronous temporal events, allowing authors to create scenarios that offer viewers seamless, transparent options.
Why education about religions and beliefs? European policy recommendations and research

Following a discussion of the ambiguities of the language of religious education, the chapter argues that learning about religious diversity at some depth should be part of the education of all young people, whether studying in a religious context or not. The paper argues that European policy development, notably in the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and European research concerning religious education, have made a positive contribution to discussion about the rationale for the study of religions in public education, establishing networks of communication for exchanging ideas on pedagogy and policy and for further collaborative research.
Guideline-Appropriate Care and In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure in Teaching and Nonteaching Hospitals: Findings From Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure

Background—Despite increasing awareness regarding evidence-based guidelines, considerable gaps exist for heart failure (HF) quality of care at teaching hospitals (TH) and nonteaching hospitals (NTH). We analyzed data from Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)-HF to compare the rates and trends of guideline-recommended care at TH and NTH for patients with HF. Method and Results—Baseline patient characteristics, performance measures, and in-hospital outcomes were compared between 197 187 HF patients admitted to TH and 106 924 patients admitted to NTH between 2005 and 2014. Patients treated in TH were younger and were more likely to be black and uninsured. Defect-free care (defined as 100% compliance with performance measures) was similar in both group of hospitals (crude rates: 88% at TH versus 86% at NTH, adjusted odds ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.73–1.34) as were individual performance measures: discharge instruction, documentation of ejection fraction, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor antagonists, use of &bgr;-blocker, and smoking cessation counseling. During the study period, there was improvement in adherence with performance measures over time, with no significant difference at TH (adjusted odds ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.30; P<0.01) and NTH (adjusted odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.17; P=0.01; interaction P value 0.07). Conclusions—Data from the GWTG-HF program suggest that there was improving and comparable adherence with HF performance measures and use of guideline-recommended therapies irrespective of hospital teaching status.
Increased Inner Ear Susceptibility to Noise Injury in Mice With Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

We aimed to investigate the pathophysiology of diabetes-associated hearing impairment in type 1 diabetes using mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes (C57BL/6J; male). Hearing function was evaluated 1, 3, and 5 months after induction of diabetes (five diabetic and five control animals per time point) using auditory-evoked brain stem responses (ABRs). Mice (four diabetic and four control) were exposed to loud noise (105 dB) 5 months after induction of diabetes. ABRs were measured before and after noise exposure. Cochlear blood flows were measured by laser-Doppler flowmeter. Spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) were counted. Vessel endothelial cells were observed by CD31 immunostaining. Chronologic changes in the ABR threshold shift were not significantly different between the diabetic and control groups. However, vessel walls in the modiolus of the cochleae were significantly thicker in the diabetic group than the control group. Additionally, recovery from noise-induced injury was significantly impaired in diabetic mice. Reduced cochlea blood flows and SGC loss were observed in diabetic mice cochleae after noise exposure. Our data suggest that diabetic cochleae are more susceptible than controls to loud noise exposure, and decreased cochlear blood flow due to sclerosis of the vessels and consequent loss of SGCs are possible mechanisms of hearing impairment in diabetic patients.
Classifying language-related developmental disorders from speech cues: the promise and the potential confounds

Speech and spoken language cues offer a valuable means to measure and model human behavior. Computational models of speech behavior have the potential to support health care through assistive technologies, informed intervention, and efficient long-term monitoring. The Interspeech 2013 Autism SubChallenge addresses two developmental disorders that manifest in speech: autism spectrum disorders and specific language impairment. We present classification results with an analysis on the development set including a discussion of potential confounds in the data such as recording condition differences. We hence propose study of features within these domains that may inform realistic separability between groups as well as have the potential to be used for behavioral intervention and monitoring. We investigate template-based prosodic and formant modeling as well as goodness of pronunciation modeling, reporting above chance classification accuracies. Index Terms: autism spectrum disorders, intonation, specific language impairment, goodness of pronunciation
Exploiting Ontologies to Achieve Semantic Convergence Between Different CC / PP-like RDF Schemes for Representing Devices ’ Capabilities : the SADiC Approach

The CC/PP and the UAProf are two related frameworks that aim at defining a general and extensible format to describe the capabilities of the user-end terminals for accessing contents and services provided by the Internet and by the Web in particular. Both CC/PP and UAProf are based on RDF and have logically equivalent architectures. However, notwithstanding their logical bindings, they appear to be parallel standards, i.e., equivalent but not compatible. This paper explains the reasons for the incompatibility between CC/PP and UAProf and presents the approach followed by the Semantic API for the Delivery Context (SADiC) in order to achieve rigorously the required semantic convergence between these frameworks – as well as, in general, between all the CC/PP-like RDF schemes – by exploiting the concepts of the Semantic Web, without influencing the standards’ bodies themselves.