Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A revision of Holm's Early and early Mid Cambrian hyoliths Of Sweden

ABSTRACT. Re‐examination of type specimens of Early Cambrian and early Mid Cambrian hyoliths from Sweden confirms placement of Hyolithes teretiusculus Linnarsson in Hexitheca Syssoiev, and reassignment to the order Hyolithida rather than Orthothecida. Inclusion of Hyolithes affinis Holm within Decoritheca Syssoiev is re‐confirmed, and Hyolithes socialis Linnarsson is now referred to Nevadotheca Malinky and Slapylites Marek. An operculum included under Hyolithes oelandicus Holm is transferred provisionally to Maxilites Marek, and conchs of that species are placed under Tulenicornus Val'kov with question. No other hyolith species of Holm can be definitely assigned to genus. The rarity of well preserved opercula is a major impediment to recognizing hyolith taxa confidently, and we follow Holm in attributing the comparative rarity of opercula to the fact that in some hyolith taxa the operculum may have been composed of a different, and perhaps less stable, material than the rest of the conch.
Local sustainable development: a knowledge base for adaptation planning

ABSTRACT Towards the end of the century, Serbia will face a dramatic increase in annual temperature between 2°C and 6°C and decrease in annual accumulated precipitation up to 12%. Recent 2014 floods in Serbia, with more than 30 victims, and more than 30,000 displaced people, with overall damage close to €1.5 billion, reflected those trends and the likely risks that region will face due the changing climate. Those risks may influence the development process at the local level. This paper assesses the existing priority measures in local sustainable development strategies and re-interprets their characteristics using a methodological framework for the definition of adaptation measures. It offers a new understanding of the ongoing local sustainable development approach in the potentially most vulnerable municipalities in Serbia. The study focused on following properties of developmental measures: cost-effectiveness, structural characteristics, target realm, spatial determination, time frame, climate responsiveness, and sector and budget allocation of development measures at the local level. The results of the analysis suggest that the initiation of adaptation planning should consider the improvement of the methodological framework – the introduction of inter-sectoral and cross-sectoral planning practice, cost–benefit analysis, the involvement of individual actors in planning and dynamic planning approaches.
The Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 Expresses a DNA Methyltransferase Specific for the Recognition Sequence of the Restriction Endonuclease PvuI

ABSTRACT By use of restriction endonucleases, the DNA of the cyanobacteriumSynechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 was analyzed for DNA-specific methylation. Three different recognition sites of methyltransferases, a dam-like site including N6-methyladenosine and two other sites with methylcytosine, were identified, whereas no activities of restriction endonucleases could be detected in this strain. slr0214, aSynechocystis gene encoding a putative methyltransferase that shows significant similarities to C5-methylcytosine-synthesizing enzymes, was amplified by PCR and cloned for further characterization. Mutations inslr0214 were generated by the insertion of anaphII gene cassette. Analyses of chromosomal DNAs of such mutants demonstrated that the methylation pattern was changed. The recognition sequence of the methyltransferase was identified as 5′-CGATCG-3′, corresponding to the recognition sequence ofPvuI. The specific methyltransferase activity was significantly reduced in protein extracts obtained from mutant cells. Mutation of slr0214 also led to changed growth characteristics of the cells compared to wild-type cells. These alterations led to the conclusion that the methyltransferase Slr0214 might play a regulatory role in Synechocystis. The Slr0214 protein was also overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified protein demonstrated methyltransferase activity and specificity for PvuI recognition sequences in vitro. We propose the designation SynMI (Synechocystismethyltransferase I) for the slr0214-encoded enzyme.
Temporal Aspects of Ca2+ and Myosin Phosphorylation during Myogenic and Norepinephrine-Induced Arteriolar Constriction

Previous studies demonstrated that maintenance of steady-state myogenic tone requires Ca2+-dependent myosin phosphorylation. The present studies furthered these observations by examining temporal relationships among Ca2+, myosin phosphorylation and vessel diameter during acute increases in intraluminal pressure and norepinephrine stimulation. Rat cremaster muscle arterioles were cannulated and loaded with the Ca2+-sensitive indicator fura-2. The extent of myosin phosphorylation was measured using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Acute increases in intraluminal pressure caused a biphasic increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), characterized by a transient peak followed by a decline to a steady-state level which remained significantly higher than control values. Peak [Ca2+]i was significantly related to vessel distension and increased with the change in wall tension. Increased intraluminal pressure resulted in a monophasic increase in myosin phosphorylation that was significantly correlated with instantaneous wall tension. In general, norepinephrine induced larger [Ca2+]i transients and a biphasic myosin phosphorylation pattern. The results demonstrate: (a) major roles for Ca2+ and myosin phosphorylation in arteriolar myogenic and norepinephrine-induced responses; (b) that changes in Ca2+ and phosphorylation during a myogenic response are related to changes in wall tension, and (c) differences in Ca2+ and phosphorylation patterns between the two modes of contraction reflect possible differences in underlying signaling mechanisms. The data further emphasize that spontaneous arteriolar tone represents a state of maintained smooth muscle activation that requires increases in [Ca2+]i and myosin light-chain phosphorylation.
Determining macroeconomic indicators to implement a short-term forecasting model for VAT revenue

Macroeconomic indicators are a good source of information for short-term forecasting due to several reasons: they cover different areas of the economy and provide faster modes of dissemination. In this study we use a set of indicators to obtain a valid forecast for VAT revenue using a blend of statistical methods such as transfer functions and principal component analysis. The objective is to enforce parsimony and avoid multicollinearity problems with minimum information loss. In a previous paper we combine several macroeconomic indicators obtaining good predictive performance in terms of prediction error and RMSE for VAT revenue. In this study we add some leading indicators related to consumption for maximizing prediction accuracy. The evaluations involved splitting the data into a training sample and a validation sample using one-step ahead forecast during the validation period and comparing results with the observed values of VAT revenue. The results in the validation sample account for the improvement in model prediction. We apply the proposed method to quarterly data beginning in 1995 and ending in the last quarter of 2017.
Class Attitudes in America: Sympathy for the Poor, Resentment of the Rich, and Political Implications

This book explains a long-standing puzzle in American politics: why so many Americans support downwardly redistributive social welfare programs, when such support seems to fly in the face of standard conceptions of the American public as antigovernment, individualistic, and racially prejudiced. Bringing class attitudes into the investigation, Spencer Piston demonstrates through rigorous empirical analysis that sympathy for the poor and resentment of the rich explain American support for downwardly redistributive programs – not only those that benefit the middle class, but also those that explicitly target the poor. The book captures an important and neglected component of citizen attitudes toward a host of major public policies and candidate evaluations. It also explains why government does so little to combat economic inequality; in key instances, political elites downplay class considerations, deactivating sympathy for the poor and resentment of the rich.
Fuzzy clustering of gradient‐echo functional MRI in the human visual cortex. Part II: Quantification

Fuzzy cluster analysis (FCA) is a new exploratory method for analyzing fMRI data. Using simulated functional MRI (fMRI) data, the performance of FCA, as implemented in the software package Evident, was tested and a quantitative comparison with correlation analysis is presented. Furthermore, the fMRI model fit allows separation and quantification of flow and blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contributions in the human visual cortex. In gradient‐recalled echo fMRI at 1.5 T (TR = 60 ms, TE = 42 ms, radiofrequency excitation flip angle [ϑ] = 10°–60°) total signal enhancement in the human visual cortex, ie, flow‐enhanced BOLD plus inflow contributions, on average varies from 5% to 10% in or close to the visual cortex (average cerebral blood volume [CBV] = 4%) and from 10% to 20% in areas containing medium‐sized vessels (ie, average CBV = 12% per voxel), respectively. Inflow enhancement, however, is restricted to intravascular space (= CBV) and increases with increasing radiofrequency (RF) flip angle, whereas BOLD contributions may be obtained from a region up to three times larger and, applying an unspoiled gradient‐echo (GRE) sequence, also show a flip angle dependency with a minimum at approximately 30°. This result suggests that a localized hemodynamic response from the microvasculature at 1.5 T maybe extracted via fuzzy clustering. In summary, fuzzy clustering of fMRI data, as realized in the Evident software, is a robust and efficient method to (a) separate functional brain activation from noise or other sources resulting in time‐dependent signal changes as proven by simulated fMRI data analysis and in vivo data from the visual cortex, and (b) allows separation of different levels of activation even if the temporal pattern is indistinguishable. Combining fuzzy cluster separation of brain activation with appropriate model calculations allows quantification of flow and (flow‐enhanced) BOLD contributions in areas with different vascularization.
Low-kilovoltage multi-detector row chest CT in adults: feasibility and effect on image quality and iodine dose.

PURPOSE To assess the feasibility of low-kilovoltage (ie, 80-kV) chest computed tomography (CT) protocols for adults and the effect of such protocols on image quality and iodine dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS Preliminarily, 90 patients (30 women, 60 men; mean age, 59 years) requiring contrast material-enhanced chest CT were randomly assigned to one of three protocol groups: protocol A, with use of 80 kV and 135 mAs; protocol B, with use of 80 kV and 180 mAs; or the standard protocol, with use of 120 kV and 90 mAs. Contrast material injection protocols were standardized in all groups. Image noise was calculated and plotted against patient weight. Subsequently, another 52 consecutive patients (11 women, 41 men; mean age, 57 years) were assigned to one of the protocols according to their weight: Patients weighing less than 60 kg were assigned to protocol A; patients weighing 60-75 kg, to protocol B; and patients weighing more than 75 kg, to the standard protocol. Two readers evaluated the CT images qualitatively by using a five-point scale. Statistical analyses were performed by using analysis of variance, kappa, and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS In the preliminary study, the mean image noise values with protocols A (24 HU) and B (20 HU) were significantly higher (P <.001) than that with the standard protocol (12 HU). With protocols A and B, in the patients weighing more than 60 kg and more than 75 kg, respectively, the noise increased exponentially with patient weight. In the subsequent study, qualitative analysis revealed no significant difference between the low-kilovoltage examinations and the standard examination. Compared with use of the standard protocol, use of protocols A and B resulted in the iodine-based contrast material dose being reduced by 54% and 39%, respectively. CONCLUSION Weight-adapted low-kilovoltage contrast-enhanced chest CT examinations can be routinely performed with 80 kV. Use of these protocols results in good diagnostic image quality and makes it possible to reduce contrast material use by more than 50%.
Production of adenovirus vectors and their use as a delivery system for influenza vaccines

Importance of the field: With the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses that have crossed species barriers and are responsible for lethal infections in humans in many countries, there is an urgent need for the development of effective vaccines which can be produced in large quantities at a short notice and confer broad protection against these H5N1 variants. In order to meet the potential global vaccine demand in a pandemic scenario, new vaccine-production strategies must be explored in addition to the currently used egg-based technology for seasonal influenza. Areas covered in this review: Adenovirus (Ad) based influenza vaccines represent an attractive alternative/supplement to the currently licensed egg-based influenza vaccines. Ad-based vaccines are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and their production process does not require either chicken eggs or labor-intensive and time-consuming processes necessitating enhanced biosafety facilities. Most importantly, in a pandemic situation, this vaccine strategy could offer a stockpiling option to reduce the response time before a strain-matched vaccine could be developed. What the reader will gain: This review discusses Ad-vector technology and the current progress in the development of Ad-based influenza vaccines. Take home message: Ad vector-based influenza vaccines for pandemic preparedness are under development to meet global vaccine demand.
Inspiratory muscle training in a child with nemaline myopathy and organ transplantation

Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a congenital muscular disease characterized by cytosolic accumulation of thinfilament protein aggregates, resulting in the appearance of electron-dense rods in affected sarcomeres (1). Thinfilament myopathies, such as NM, have been associated with impaired myofiber regeneration, disrupted calcium homeostasis, and altered contraction speed (2, 3). Clinically, symptoms of NM include stable or slowly progressive weakness of the facial, respiratory, and proximal appendicular muscles (3). The type of genetic variation does not reliably predict disease course (4). Disease presentation may vary from a severe congenital form, marked by lack of spontaneous movement, respiratory failure, and early mortality to adultonset disease, with comparatively mild proximal and respiratory weakness (5). In patients with NM, respiratory muscle weakness can lead to symptoms, including impaired central respiratory drive leading to sleep apnea (6), pulmonary restriction due to chest wall defects, progressive scoliosis, and inspiratory muscle weakness, or a combination of deficits (5). Greater numbers of nemaline rods in the diaphragm and accessory respiratory muscles have been reported in patients with ventilatory insufficiency (4). Progressive ventilatory insufficiency has been associated with early mortality (5). Despite the presence of histologic and functional adaptations of respiratory muscle in NM, specific inspiratory strength training strategies have not been previously reported. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the use of inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) to increase inspiratory performance in an adolescent with NM affecting cardiorespiratory function, recent organ transplantation, and delayed postoperative ventilatory recovery. We present this case as evidence that children with NM may be able to improve inspiratory performance with moderateintensity training.
First Report of the Epiphytic Dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus caribaeus in the Temperate Waters off Jeju Island, Korea: Morphology and Molecular Characterization

Gambierdiscus spp. are epiphytic, benthic dinoflagellates. Some species have been shown to be toxic and cause ciguatera fish poisoning. We report, for the first time, the occurrence of Gambierdiscus caribaeus isolated from the waters off Jeju Island in Korea. Its morphology was similar to that of the original Belize strains of G. caribaeus. Gambierdiscus caribaeus has been reported in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Floridian coast. Our report extends its range to the North Pacific Ocean. The plates of the Korean strain were arranged in a Kofoidian series of Po, 3′, 7′′, 6c, 6s, 5′′′, 1p, and 2′′′′, morphologically closer to other strains of G. caribaeus than to G. carpenteri. When properly aligned, its small subunit (SSU) rDNA was 0.5% different from those of Gambierdiscus sp. C‐1, a strain that was isolated from the waters off eastern Japan, but was 2.4–4.0% different from those of the NOAA strains of G. caribaeus and 3.1–3.4% different from those of the NOAA strains of G. carpenteri. Additionally, the D1–D3 large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequence of the Korean strain of G. caribaeus was 4.7–5.3% different from those of the NOAA strains of G. caribaeus and 7.1–7.5% different from those of all reported G. carpenteri strains, including the NOAA strains. In phylogenetic trees based on SSU and LSU rDNA sequences, our Korean strain was basal to the clade consisting of the NOAA strains of G. caribaeus, which in turn was sister clade to all reported G. carpenteri strains.
The implementation of adaptive requirements engineering process based on case-based reasoning

One major reason of failure in IT projects is a problem in requirements given by stakeholders, such as incomplete, inconsistent, and incorrect requirements. Requirements Engineering (RE) is a phase in software development life cycle that plays a critical role in determining software requirements from user requirements. Therefore RE could be very influential in determining software quality. Factors that influence the process of RE are organization culture, application domain, and the characteristics of the project. Characteristics and attributes of the IT project should determine the choice of RE processes and techniques. In this paper we present the adaptive process of RE which is based on IT projects characteristics and attributes. We believe conducting RE process based on the right IT projects characteristics and attributes will give more benefits in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Case-based reasoning approach was adopted for the adaptive process of RE in this study. The IT project parameters that used are project size, complexity, requirements volatility, project category, degree of safety criticality, time and cost constraints. Output of adaptive process of RE is a RE process model recommendation. To evaluate the RE adaptive process, prototype software were developed and used three IT projects as case studies. Results from the experiment showed that the RE process model recommendation helps developer in conducting RE process and the output recommendation satisfied its users.
Do sleep difficulties exacerbate deficits in sustained attention following traumatic brain injury?

Abstract Sustained attention has been shown to be vulnerable following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sleep restriction and disturbances have been shown to negatively affect sustained attention. Sleep disorders are common but under-diagnosed after TBI. Thus, it seems possible that sleep disturbances may exacerbate neuropsychological deficits for a proportion of individuals who have sustained a TBI. The aim of this prospective study was to examine whether poor sleepers post-TBI had poorer sustained and general attentional functioning than good sleepers post-TBI. Retrospective subjective, prospective subjective, and objective measures were used to assess participants’ sleep. The results showed that the poor sleep group had significantly poorer sustained attention ability than the good sleep group. The differences on other measures of attention were not significant. This study supports the use of measures that capture specific components of attention rather than global measures of attention, and highlights the importance of assessing and treating sleep problems in brain injury rehabilitation. (JINS, 2010, 16, 17–25.)
The Rhetoric of the Organizational Saga: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of the Organizational Communication Culture of the Louisiana State Police.

This dissertation is a fantasy theme analysis of the organizational communication culture of the Louisiana State Police. This study interprets the rhetorical function of the organizational sagas of State Police. State Police has a distinct history aligned with Louisiana Politics. In 1937, General Louis F. Guerre, the first superintendent, envisioned a new State Police, immune from political pressures, "soldiers of the law in the first line of defense for society. " The symbolic persona of LSP has survived through fifty-six years of politics and policing as the state's ranking law enforcement agency. As participant observer, the researcher gathered communication data and observations through interviews, informal conversations, and surveys with veteran troopers and cadets. The surveys provide data for content analysis and to correct discrepancies. A fantasy theme analysis as a taxonomy of the symbolic convergence theory of communication provides the methodology to discover and interpret narrative and dramatic communication materials. This study reconstructs the rhetorical visions and sagas as the social reality of the organization to determine how and why members create culture through communication. This analysis validates two overarching organizational sagas of Soldiers of the Law and The Academy. These function as the members' common symbolic bond to the organization. v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. The study reveals that the symbolic personae function as the unifying elements of the sagas and the members1 identification with the organization. Documented in the study are three patterns of symbolic convergence as consciousness creating, raising, and sustaining communication. The LSP Training Academy experience and the graduation ritual function as consciousness creating and raising communication strategies through which new recruits are acculturated into the organization. Finally, consciousness sustaining communication is documented through Internal Affairs sessions. The study confirms that State Police is an organization in flux. In response to crisis, members create new fantasy themes and rhetorical visions as strategies to accommodate change. The organizational sagas of State Police function rhetorically as primary communication forms through which members create, raise, and sustain the culture and make sense of the chaos of organizational life.