Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enterococcus faecalis utilizes maltose by connecting two incompatible metabolic routes via a novel maltose 6′‐phosphate phosphatase (MapP)

Similar to Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis transports and phosphorylates maltose via a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):maltose phosphotransferase system (PTS). The maltose‐specific PTS permease is encoded by the malT gene. However, E. faecalis lacks a malA gene encoding a 6‐phospho‐α‐glucosidase, which in B. subtilis hydrolyses maltose 6′‐P into glucose and glucose 6‐P. Instead, an operon encoding a maltose phosphorylase (MalP), a phosphoglucomutase and a mutarotase starts upstream from malT. MalP was suggested to split maltose 6‐P into glucose 1‐P and glucose 6‐P. However, purified MalP phosphorolyses maltose but not maltose 6′‐P. We discovered that the gene downstream from malT encodes a novel enzyme (MapP) that dephosphorylates maltose 6′‐P formed by the PTS. The resulting intracellular maltose is cleaved by MalP into glucose and glucose 1‐P. Slow uptake of maltose probably via a maltodextrin ABC transporter allows poor growth for the mapP but not the malP mutant. Synthesis of MapP in a B. subtilis mutant accumulating maltose 6′‐P restored growth on maltose. MapP catalyses the dephosphorylation of intracellular maltose 6′‐P, and the resulting maltose is converted by the B. subtilis maltose phosphorylase into glucose and glucose 1‐P. MapP therefore connects PTS‐mediated maltose uptake to maltose phosphorylase‐catalysed metabolism. Dephosphorylation assays with a wide variety of phospho‐substrates revealed that MapP preferably dephosphorylates disaccharides containing an O‐α‐glycosyl linkage.
Effects of Long versus Short Bout Exercise on Fitness and Weight Loss in Overweight Females

Objective: The specific aim of this study was to determine if three 10 minute bouts of exercise per day (3 × 10) and two 15 minute bouts per day (2 × 15) were as effective as one 30 minute bout per day (1 × 30) for improving VO2 max and weight loss. Methods: Overweight, female college students (body mass index ≥28 kg/m2) were recruited and assessed at baseline and post-treatment for aerobic fitness (Astrand maximal cycle test), weight, skinfold thickness (7-site), and circumference measures (4-site). Following measurement of resting energy expenditure (REE), subjects were asked to follow a self-monitored calorie restricted diet (80% of REE) for the twelve week duration of the study and were assigned (non-random) to one of four treatment groups: 1) a nonexercising control group (control, n = 8), 2) a 30 minutes continuous exercise group (1 × 30, n = 12), 3) a 30 minutes accumulated exercise group (2 × 15, n = 10) and 4) a second 30 minutes accumulated exercise group (3 × 10, n = 8). The exercising subjects participated in aerobic exercise training at 75% of heart rate reserve three to five days per week with all exercise monitored. Results: VO2 max increased significantly while weight, body mass index, sum of skinfolds, and sum of circumferences decreased significantly from baseline to post-treatment in the 1 × 30, 2 × 15 and the 3 × 10 groups, but not in the control group. A tertiary finding was that exercise participation did not differ among the exercising groups with regard to the average number of days per week. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that exercise accumulated in several short bouts has similar effects as one continuous bout with regard to aerobic fitness and weight loss during caloric restriction in overweight, young women.
Fairness and Convergence of CSMA with Enhanced Collision Avoidance (ECA)

This paper presents CSMA/ECA, which combines the efficiency of reservation-based protocols and the simplicity of random access mechanisms. The maximum efficiency of CSMA/CA with optimal parameter adjustment is easily exceeded by CSMA/ECA, even when fixed parameters are used by the latter. CSMA/ECA stations fairly coexist with legacy CSMA/CA and increase the portion of time that is devoted to successful transmissions while decreasing the number of collisions and empty slots. The proposed mechanism initially behaves as a CSMA/CA network, but it progressively converges to a collision-free deterministic operation. The convergence process can be modelled as a Markov Chain to assess the duration of the transitory phase.
Tbx 6-mediated Notch signaling controls somite-specific Mesp 2 expression

Mesp2 is a transcription factor that plays fundamental roles in somitogenesis, and its expression is strictly restricted to the anterior presomitic mesoderm just before segment border formation. The transcriptional on–off cycle is linked to the segmentation clock. In our current study, we show that a T-box transcription factor, Tbx6, is essential for Mesp2 expression. Tbx6 directly binds to the Mesp2 gene upstream region and mediates Notch signaling, and subsequent Mesp2 transcription, in the anterior presomitic mesoderm. Our data therefore reveal that a mechanism, via Tbx6dependent Notch signaling, acts on the transcriptional regulation of Mesp2. This finding uncovers an additional component of the interacting network of various signaling pathways that are involved in somitogenesis.
Idealizations in discourse theory construction: Observational analogues from truthconditional semantics to statutory interpretation

This study informally defines 'idealizatiori and specifies three differences in the way in which idealizations are used in empiricist and rationalist linguistic methodologies. These affect the content that specific sets of idealizations should express, the extent to which a sei of idealizations is rendered maximally explicit, and the perceptual acuity ofthe observer the sets are to serve. The study then exemplifies an empiricist methodology in constructing a sei of idealizations for statutory Interpretation. A sei of idealizations underlying a truthconditional linguistic semantic theory is used äs observational analogues. Although many differences distinguish the two Systems, both facilitate a common broad function, the maximally intentionless construal of liieral meaning. Since idealizations work in conjunction with theoretical claims in the case of semantic theory, and wiih various guides to Interpretation in the case of legal studies, one infers correctly that the collective function of the idealizations in both Systems will be to define certain aspects ofa speech event in which the possibility ofmisunderStanding is reducedasfar aspossible. Thus one may discover systematic correlations between the macrofunction of theoretical Statements and the content of auxiliary Statements in the theoretical frarneworks of various disciplines. In Thilosophy and discourse analysis', Kasher (1985) explains that a characteristic philosophical approach is one which critically examines central aspects of a theory in another discipline, focussing particularly on those aspects taken äs assumed, primitive or axiomatic by its members. In reviewing this contribution to the Handbook of Discourse Analysis, Frawley remarks that many discourse analysts would profit if they were to become less content with accepting their own unexamined theoretical notions and were to adopt Kasher's philosophical, critical attitude. NeoEmpiricists, Frawley believes, especially need to clarify their thinking with respect to the role that idealization plays in discourse theory construction; 01655-4888/89/0009-0191 $2.00 Text 9 (2) (1989), pp. 191-229 © Mouton de Gruyter
Functional characterizationofthe glxRdeletionmutantof CorynebacteriumglutamicumATCC 13032 : involvementofGlxR in acetatemetabolismand carbon catabolite repression

Recently, a cyclic AMP receptor protein homologue, GlxR, was reported to bind to the upstream regions of several genes involved in the regulation of diverse physiological processes in Corynebacterium glutamicum. However, the function of GlxR has not yet been explored in C. glutamicum in vivo using a glxR deletion mutant. Therefore, this study examines the role of GlxR as a repressor in glyoxylate bypass and carbon catabolite repression (CCR) using a deletion mutant. The disruption of glxR resulted in a severe growth defect, but growth was restored by complementation with the glxR and crp genes from C. glutamicum and Streptomyces coelicolor, respectively. The production of isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase (MS) was significantly increased in the glxR mutant. The specific activities of both enzymes were increased in the glxR mutant, regardless of the carbon source. In accordance, the promoter activities of ICL and MS using lacZ fusion were derepressed in the glxR mutant. In addition, the glxR mutant exhibited derepression of the gluA gene for glutamate uptake in the presence of glucose, thereby relieving CCR by glucose. These results indicate that GlxR plays an important role in CCR as well as in acetate metabolism.
Adolescent substance abuse treatment incorporating "Rites of Passage"

This investigation assessed the effectiveness of an adolescent substance abuse treatment program that incorporated "Rites of Passage. " Named Gender Based Treatment (GBT), the treatment program sought to address adolescent developmental needs through the use of rituals, myth and story telling, and initiation most subjects. It is speculated that an interaction effect between the traditional form of treatment and the new GBT positively influenced subjects' abstinence and relapse rate, illegal behavior, self-esteem and coping behaviors.
Mesenchymal stem cells protect cigarette smoke‐damaged lung and pulmonary function partly via VEGF–VEGF receptors

Progressive pulmonary inflammation and emphysema have been implicated in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while current pharmacological treatments are not effective. Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been identified as one such possible strategy for treatment of lung diseases including acute lung injury (ALI) and pulmonary fibrosis. However, their role in COPD still requires further investigation. The aim of this study is to test the effect of administration of rat MSCs (rMSCs) on emphysema and pulmonary function. To accomplish this study, the rats were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) for 11 weeks, followed by administration of rMSCs into the lungs. Here we show that rMSCs infusion mediates a down‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory mediators (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, MCP‐1, and IL‐6) and proteases (MMP9 and MMP12) in lung, an up‐regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2, and transforming growth factor (TGFβ‐1), while reducing pulmonary cell apoptosis. More importantly, rMSCs administration improves emphysema and destructive pulmonary function induced by CS exposure. In vitro co‐culture system study of human umbilical endothelial vein cells (EA.hy926) and human MSCs (hMSCs) provides the evidence that hMSCs mediates an anti‐apoptosis effect, which partly depends on an up‐regulation of VEGF. These findings suggest that MSCs have a therapeutic potential in emphysematous rats by suppressing the inflammatory response, excessive protease expression, and cell apoptosis, as well as up‐regulating VEGF, VEGF receptor 2, and TGFβ‐1. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 323–335, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Receipt and Rated Adequacy of Stress Management Training is Related to PTSD and Other Outcomes among Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans

The present study examines the relationship between receipt of stress management training, ratings of the adequacy of the training, and several outcome variables of interest to the military, including physical symptoms, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), morale, leadership, retention intentions, and marital functioning. Results indicate that soldiers receiving training and rating the training as adequate also reported fewer negative outcomes (physical symptoms, symptoms of PTSD) and more positive outcomes (morale, leadership, retention intentions, marital functioning) even after controlling for combat exposure. Discussion of the results focuses on implications of these findings for the Army and for soldiers' health. Limitations of the present study are also discussed.
Neutralization of IL-18 Reduces Neutrophil Tissue Accumulation and Protects Mice Against Lethal Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium Endotoxemia1

In addition to stimulating IFN-γ synthesis, IL-18 also possesses inflammatory effects by inducing synthesis of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-1β and the chemokines IL-8 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α. We hypothesized that neutralization of IL-18 would have a beneficial effect in lethal endotoxemia in mice. IL-1β converting enzyme (ICE)-deficient mice, lacking the ability to process mature IL-18 and IL-1β, were completely resistant to lethal endotoxemia induced by LPS derived from either Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurium. In contrast, both wild-type and IL-1β−/− mice were equally susceptible to the lethal effects of LPS, implicating that absence of mature IL-18 or IFN-γ but not IL-1β in ICE−/− mice is responsible for this resistance. However, IFN-γ-deficient mice were not resistant to S. typhimurium LPS, suggesting an IFN-γ-independent role for IL-18. Anti-IL-18 Abs protected mice against a lethal injection of either LPS. Anti-IL-18 treatment also reduced neutrophil accumulation in liver and lungs. The increased survival was accompanied by decreased levels of IFN-γ and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 in anti-IL-18-treated animals challenged with E. coli LPS, whereas IFN-γ and TNF concentrations were decreased in treated mice challenged with S. typhimurium. In conclusion, neutralization of IL-18 during lethal endotoxemia protects mice against lethal effects of LPS. This protection is partly mediated through inhibition of IFN-γ production, but mechanisms involving decreased neutrophil-mediated tissue damage due to the reduction of either chemokines (E. coli LPS) or TNF (S. typhimurium LPS) synthesis by anti-IL-18 treatment may also be involved.
filib++ , Expression Templates and the Coming Interval Standard

In this paper we investigate how a C++ class library can be improved by the concept of expression templates. Our rst result is a saving of rounding mode switches which considerably increases the performance. Our second result deals with handling the discontinuity ag that will probably be decided to be raised whenever a function is called outside its domain (loose evaluation). We discuss several alternatives and propose an expression related ag that can be used in a thread safe manner. Both results are reviewed with respect to the coming IEEE standard for interval arithmetic.
Interactive Digital Games for Geography Teaching and Understanding Geographical Space

This article aims to analyze and discuss the use of digital interactive games, such as learning tools to be used by educators in the classroom, as a resource for geography teaching-learning process in the early grades. This discussion arose from the analysis by geography course graduation students of the Federal University of Para (UFPA), in the years 2013 and 2014, at which this tool has gained recognition of its potential by students. In this sense, the objective is a brief discussion, based on the analysis of some selected examples on how these digital games can become fundamental importance of resources for teaching Geography and how these should be used and applied in the classroom by educators in a critical way, which will allow students to have adequate learning about the geographic space.
An Evaluation of Communication-Optimal P Algorithms

This paper presents an evaluation of several communication-optimal algorithms implementing the diamP class of failure detectors. The first algorithm is based on a reliable broadcast primitive, involving a quadratic number of messages to manage a suspicion. The second algorithm uses exclusively one-to-one communication, involving a linear number of messages to manage a suspicion, but with a higher latency to propagate the suspicion to the rest of processes. A third algorithm reduces this latency using an additional one-to-all communication mechanism. We evaluate the quality of service provided by these algorithms, in terms of the capability of the failure detector to provide right answers and the reaction time after a failure.
Application of Software and Web-based Tools for Sustainability Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Recently, new approaches to organizational level sustainability management and reporting have emerged in the form of software and web-based applications. At first glance, it appears that such software and web-tools are applicable in small and medium-sized enterprises since they offer userfriendly and cost-effective alternatives to implement, manage and report on company-wide sustainability activities. Nevertheless, it remains academically and practically uncertain if such technologies will be adopted by a great number of SMEs. Using the Technology-OrganizationEnvironment (TOE) model as a theoretical framework and empirical data from a recent survey with 1,250 German SMEs, this paper investigates various firm-internal and external factors that might influence managers’ decisions to adopt or reject this new technology. As a result, this paper can help determine which factors play a role in the adoption of sustainability management software and web-tools in SMEs.
A novel approach to reduce oscillations in path planning based on potential field approach, by applying Nesterov's accelerated gradient

This paper presents a method to reduce the oscillations of potential field-based path planning approach in presence of obstacles and in narrow passages. The oscillation issue might impede path planning progress and cause problems in implementation. The proposed method uses Nesterov's accelerated gradient (NAG) which is a first order optimization method. Compared to other first order methods used in potential field approach, NAG generates smoother paths with faster convergence rate. To determine the effectiveness of the proposed method, a comparative study has been conducted between performance of basic gradient descent, momentum and proposed method.
Vermeer, materialism, and the transcendental in art

This text argues that the materials and techniques of Vermeer’s paintings largely account for their “aesthetic effect. ” This notion works in opposition to many art historical descriptions of the work (and the work of other artists) which tend to disregard the non-narrative and materialist elements of the construction in favor of transcendent and idealist analysis.
REQUIREMENTS ELICITATION FRAMEWORK FOR CLOUD APPLICATIONS

Requirements elicitation helps in identifying the customers and stakeholders requirements in constructing software or a system. In this paper, literature survey is performed for the challenges and issues in different elicitation methods. From literature survey it is clear that there is no relevant Elicitation Topic Map (1) for specific system and application domains. No standardized elicitation methods for cloud providers (2). Large scale distributed software projects (3) suffer information overload, inadequate stakeholder input prioritization of requirements. The paper presents a Requirements elicitation framework for cloud applications. The framework uses Social networks for identifying and analysing stakeholders. The framework also combines storytelling method and audio technologies for eliciting requirements. Finally Elicitation Topic Map (ETM) is developed for cloud applications.
Dietary Recommendations to Prevent and Manage Chronic Pediatric Health Conditions: Adherence, Intervention, and Future Directions

This review provides a summary of the dietary aspects of pediatric health conditions. Within each condition, dietary recommendations are reviewed, and adherence rates, factors affecting adherence, and known interventions are reported. Findings indicate that knowledge is necessary but not sufficient for dietary change. Interventions specifically targeting diet appear more promising than interventions aimed at global treatment adherence. Behavioral interventions and group treatment modalities also appear promising. Recommendations for future research include a systematic assessment of barriers to dietary adherence across populations, integration of the research on normative development of eating behavior in childhood, and the application of this information to the design and implementation of future treatment.
A type system for regular expressions

Regular expressions are used to match and extract text. It is easy for developers to make syntactic mistakes when writing regular expressions, because regular expressions are often complex and different across programming languages. Such errors result in exceptions at run time, and there is currently no static support for preventing them. This paper describes practical experience designing and using a type system for regular expressions. This type system validates regular expression syntax and capturing group usage at compile time instead of at run time---ensuring the absence of PatternSyntaxExceptions from invalid syntax and IndexOutOfBoundsExceptions from accessing invalid capturing groups. Our implementation is publicly available and supports the full Java language. In an evaluation on five open-source Java applications (480kLOC), the type system was easy to use, required less than one annotation per two thousand lines, and found 56 previously-unknown bugs.
‘I liked the text about the little bird.’ Five intellectually disabled persons talk about texts

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate if Reciprocal Teaching (RT) could scaffold the active reading of adults with intellectual disabilities. A study was performed with a group of five intellectually disabled participants, aged 28–42 years. The participants were able to decode words but they read very slowly and in an uncritical way. The participants were exposed to a programme for reading strategies instruction, Reciprocal Teaching. This programme is influenced by the concept of scaffolding, which is an application of Vygotsky's theory of the importance of interplay between support and challenge for development. In RT the text is read paragraph by paragraph. During the reading four reading comprehension strategies are practised: generating questions, summarizing, clarifying word meanings or confusing text, and predicting what might occur in the next paragraph. To start with, the participants (a) did not like the idea of text talks (b) did not like stopping to discuss after each paragraph (c) had a tendency to drift away from the text. However, after a few text talks they became familiar with the idea of text talks and the four strategies. The participants appreciated the text talks and said that they wanted to continue with them.