Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Megakaryoblastic Acute Leukemia-1 in ERK1/2-Dependent Stimulation of Serum Response Factor-Driven Transcription by BDNF or Increased Synaptic Activity

Serum response factor (SRF)-mediated transcription contributes to developmental and adult brain plasticity. Therefore, we investigated the role of a newly identified SRF coactivator, MKL1, in the regulation of SRF-driven transcription in rat forebrain neurons. MKL1 expression was found in newborn rat cortical or hippocampal neurons in culture as well as in adult rat forebrain. Immunostaining demonstrated constitutive nuclear localization of MKL1 in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, in the deep layers of the neocortex, and in cultured neurons. Overexpression of MKL1 in primary cortical neurons elevated SRF-driven transcription and enhanced its stimulation by BDNF. In addition, inhibition of endogenous MKL1 by overexpression of a dominant-negative MKL1 mutant or by small interfering RNA reduced BDNF activation of SRF-driven transcription. In neurons, endogenous MKL1 was associated with SRF-regulated chromatin regions of several endogenous genes including c-fos, JunB, Srf, and Cyr61. BDNF activation of MKL1/SRF-driven transcription was dependent on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, which also led to MKL1 phosphorylation. Finally, synaptic activity stimulation of SRF-driven transcription was reduced by inhibition of endogenous MKL1. Conversely, synaptic activity enhanced transcription by overexpressed MKL1. MKL1 regulation by synaptic activity was mediated through the NMDA receptor-activated ERK1/2. These results suggest that neuronal MKL1 contributes to SRF-regulated gene expression induced by BDNF or synaptic activity. In addition, MKL1 appears as a novel mediator of the signaling between ERK1/2 and SRF. Moreover, MKL1 is a likely regulator of SRF-driven transcription programs that underlie neuronal plasticity.
Strategic grouping and performance of Portuguese manufacturing firms: a structural equation modelling approach

The objective of this study is to investigate the strategic factors that influence the overall performance of manufacturing organisations in different industries. Strategic groups were identified using cluster analysis and their overall performance was evaluated. Structural equation modelling was used to verify the existence of significant linkages between competitive factors and firms' overall performance within the identified strategic groups. The results of this study pointed out to the existence of a relationship between strategic group membership and firm's overall performance. Overall, the results tend to emphasise the importance of viewing manufacturing performance from a system-wide perspective.
Serendipity and the realpolitik of negotiations in supply chains

The paper presents evidence of a gap between the competition‐to‐co‐operation narrative of the purchasing, marketing and supply chain management fields and the negotiating practice of professional buyers. Drawing on evidence from negotiation theory and practice, it argues that the discovered buyer behaviour is entirely rational. A plea is made for the study of negotiation in the supply chain management field, and it concludes that the current narrative, describing a journey from uninformed adversarial buyer‐supplier attitudes towards enlightened co‐operative relations in chains, may be more fictional than factual.
Retrieval and annotation of music using latent semantic models

This thesis investigates the use of latent semantic models for annotation and retrieval from collections of musical audio tracks. In particular latent semantic analysis (LSA) and aspect models (or probabilistic latent semantic analysis, pLSA) are used to index words in descriptions of music drawn from hundreds of thousands of social tags. A new discrete audio feature representation is introduced to encode musical characteristics of automatically-identified regions of interest within each track, using a vocabulary of audio muswords. Finally a joint aspect model is developed that can learn from both tagged and untagged tracks by indexing both conventional words and muswords. This model is used as the basis of a music search system that supports query by example and by keyword, and of a simple probabilistic machine annotation system. The models are evaluated by their performance in a variety of realistic retrieval and annotation tasks, motivated by applications including playlist generation, internet radio streaming, music recommendation and catalogue search.
Development and evaluation of an agent-based model of sexual partnership

The agent-based model presented here builds on existing models, allowing for multiple partnerships, including those overlapping in time, to examine sexual partnerships, with the goal of hypothesis testing and guiding data collection. Within each model run, agents are assigned characteristics (including quality, aspiration, courtship duration, and ideal number of lifetime partners) and then search for partners; existing couples choose whether they should break up, remain dating, or become sexual partners. Model behavior was tested across a wide range of parameters and compared with empirical data. The model produces numbers of lifetime sexual partners, and partners in the last year, rates of concurrency, and relationship durations similar to nationally representative data from the United States; it also generates correlations in partners’ quality similar to those reported for marriage and dating partners. Model results highlight the importance of individual preferences, interactions between individuals, and contextual factors in sexual decision making.
A hybrid meta-heuristic method for optimal allocation of UPFCs

This paper proposes a hybrid meta-heuristic method for determining the optimal allocation of FACTS devices in power systems. The optimal allocation of FACTS may be expressed as a nonlinear mixed integer problem that has integer and continuous variables corresponding to the location variables and control ones, respectively. The proposed method makes use of a hybrid meta-heuristic method with two layers. Layer 1 determines the allocation with Tabu search (TS) while Layer 2 evaluates the control variables with evolutionary particle swarm optimization (EPSO). The proposed method is successfully applied to a sample system.
Strain differences in antioxidants in rat models of cardiovascular disease exposed to ozone

Abstract We examined the hypothesis that antioxidant substances and enzymes in lung, heart and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) are altered in response to O3 in cardiovascular disease and/or metabolic syndrome (CVD)-prone rat models. CVD strains [spontaneously hypertensive (SH), SH stroke-prone (SHSP), SHHF/Mcc heart failure obese (SHHF), insulin-resistant JCR:LA-cp obese (JCR) and Fawn-Hooded hypertensive (FHH)] were compared with normal strains [Wistar, Sprague–Dawley (SD) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY)]. Total glutathione (GSH + GSSG or GSx), reduced ascorbate (AH2), uric acid (UA) and antioxidant enzymes were determined in lung, heart and BALF immediately (0 h) or 20-h post 4-h nose-only exposure to 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 ppm O3. Basal- and O3-induced antioxidant substances in tissues varied widely among strains. Wistar rats had a robust O3-induced increase in GSx and AH2 in the lung. Two CVD strains (JCR and SHHF) had high basal levels of AH2 and GSx in BALF as well as high basal lung UA. Across all strains, high BALF GSx was only observed when high BALF AH2 was present. CVD rats tended to respond less to O3 than normal. High-basal BALF AH2 levels were associated with decreased O3 toxicity. In summary, large differences were observed between both normal and CVD rat strains in low-molecular weight antioxidant concentrations in lung, BALF and heart tissue. Wistar (normal) and JCR and SHHF (CVD) rats appeared to stand out as peculiar in terms of basal- or O3-induced changes. Results elucidate interactions among antioxidants and air pollutants that could enhance understanding of cardiopulmonary disease.
Leaking confidential information by non-malicious user behavior in Enterprise Systems - an empirical study

Information assets of enterprises are vulnerable to theft and need to be protected to avoid information leakage to unauthorized parties. Technical countermeasures to protect confidential information fall to short, as information leaks can emerge from non-malicious behavior of users while they execute a business process in an Enterprise System. Our study investigates characteristics of security incidents in which users are authorized to access information in a secure domain, but cause information flow into an unsecure domain without any malicious objectives. We use a qualitative research method to explore the context, activities, and behaviors that lead to leakage of confidential information. We will collect empirical data in three sequential phases with interviews. In the first phase informants will be security consultants for Enterprise Systems, in the second phase company’s security managers will be interviewed and finally narratives are collected from end users. We employ the grounded theory approach to analyze the data and formulate the theoretical framework. The findings are expected to provide insights into the sources of confidential information leakage caused by non-malicious user behavior in Enterprise Systems.
A Local Feature Aggregation Method for Music Retrieval

The song-level feature summarization is an essential building block for browsing, retrieval, and indexing of digital music. This paper proposes a local pooling method to aggregate the feature vectors of a song over the universal background model. Two types of local activation patterns of feature vectors are derived; one representation is derived in the form of histogram, and the other is given by a binary vector. Experiments over three publicly-available music datasets show that the proposed local aggregation of the auditory features is promising for music-similarity computation. key words: music retrieval, music search, music information retrieval, supervector
Pre‐purchase satisfaction and first‐time buyer behaviour: some preliminary evidence

While the customer satisfaction/dissatisfaction literature is extensive and continually expanding, there has been little focus on pre‐purchase satisfaction of first‐time buyers and its likely impact on buying behaviour. Applies a field‐based approach to examine and assess the nature of pre‐purchase satisfaction and investigate its impact on first‐time buyer behaviour. Indicates that pre‐purchase satisfaction can be distinguished from anticipated satisfaction and that it helps to predict first‐time purchases. Discusses the implications of the findings and provides directions for further research.
Network modeling of sexually transmitted diseases

dynamic contact network models, on the other hand, keep the number of parameters under control. They were built upon the establishment of static network models with additional parameters to control the dynamics of networks. For example, the models in [13, 42] started with the static configuration model algorithm. They both allow arcs to drop and form over time, but use different algorithms to maintain the chosen degree distribution. For example, the model in [25] adopted an algorithm that creates the small-world model when forming and dropping arcs. All these models have great potential of being incorporating into disease modeling. However, none of the dynamic contact network models have been validated either by large dynamic network data, which is still missing for comparison, or by the available static contact network data. Compared to the progress made in population interaction modeling, the modeling of disease interaction has been less studied. The presence of STDs which cause genital ulceration, such as HSV-2 and syphilis, has long been suspected to be an important cofactor of HIV spread [16]. [23] built an agent-based simulation model to study the synergistic impact of syphilis on HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia. Their results show that it is possible and also effective to bring down HIV incidence by successfully implementing a national syphilis action plan. The same cost-effectiveness analysis would also be desirable for HSV-2, especially given that the estimated global prevalence of HSV-2 is 536 million, including 23.6 million new cases worldwide in 2003 [32], and also that HSV-2 has been found to be highly prevalent in places where HIV incidence is high [24].
Development of the Sensory Processing Measure-School: initial studies of reliability and validity.

OBJECTIVE The history and development of the Sensory Processing Measure-School are detailed, and findings of initial pilot studies are reported. METHOD Multiple reviews, focus groups, case studies, and two pilot studies were used to develop the early versions of the tool. Internal consistency and discriminatory ability were examined. RESULTS Internal consistency measured with Cronbach's alphas ranged from . 93 to . 99 in the first pilot study and . 70 to . 99 in the second pilot study. Children who were typically developing were correctly classified 92.3% of the time, and children with sensory issues were correctly classified 72% of the time. CONCLUSION Initial results suggest that the tool is reliable and valid and discriminates children with and without sensory processing issues. Further research is under way with larger samples.
Match and mismatch between objective and subjective improvements in upper limb function after stroke

Abstract Purpose: To identify stroke patients showing a match between an objectively meaningful improvement in upper-limb motor capacity and subjectively meaningful improvement in upper-limb performance after stroke, as well as determinants of matching and non-matching. Methods: Changes in upper-limb capacity in 39 stroke patients were measured over 17 weeks using the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). Subjective change was measured with the Stroke Impact Scale Hand domain (SIS-Hand) and the Motor Activity Log (MAL). Patients showing a match between objective and subjective improvements (matchers) and patients showing a mismatch (non-matchers) were identified. Subsequently, determinants for the matchers were modeled using a logistic regression analysis. Results: A significant association was found between improvements on the ARAT and MAL (p = 0.011), but not for improvements on the ARAT and SIS-Hand. For the ARAT and SIS-Hand level of education and mood significantly improved the model. The probability of a match between objective and subjective outcomes in lower-educated patients with a positive mood was estimated to be 0.83, whereas in higher-educated patients with a negative mood it was estimated to be 0.07. Conclusions: Mismatches between objective and subjective outcomes are relevant for practitioners evaluating rehabilitation goals, and for defining outcome variables in future upper limb rehabilitation trials. Implications for Rehabilitation In upper limb rehabilitation after stroke, a match between capacity and self-perception outcome measures is not self-evident. Regarding these potential mismatches, practitioners and patients should consider carefully which goals to set, and how to evaluate upper limb rehabilitation after stroke; preferably with capacity measures and self-perception measures combined.
The development of lymphopenia in uremic patients undergoing extracorporeal irradiation of the blood with portable beta units.

A prototype of a portable /sup 90/Sr//sup 90/Y irradiator for extracorporeal irradiation of the blood (ECIB) is described. Eight patients with chronic uremia received median trausit doses of 14 to 57 rads during an average of 160 hr continuous ECIB. In all patients the lymphocyte concentration remained around 50 to 60% of the preEClB value during the following 200 days of observation. When these results are compared with the development and degree of lymphopenia in patients receiving higher transit doses (100 to 500 rads), a dose- response effect seems likely. The construction of a portable beta unit that can be used in the clinic without any risk of exposure is only compatible with the use of sources that deliver very low transit doses. The duration of treatment required to significantly deplete the entire lymphoid mass using such minimal transit doses would, however, be prohibitive.
Monitoring Harmful Microalgae by Using a Molecular Biological Technique

In recent years, cultivation of fish and shellfish possesses an important portion for securing enough seafood all over the world. While, fisheries industry handling fish and shellfish derived from cultivation in addition to natural seafood are exposed to the danger of mass mortality of the reared and toxicities of bivalves, sometimes resulting in serious economic losses and physiological damages by seafood poisoning.
Development of topographic order in the mammalian retinocollicular projection

We have used the anterograde axon tracer 1,1′-dioctodecyl-3,3,3′,3′- tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (Dil) to characterize the development of topographic order in the rat retinocollicular projection. Retinal axons were labeled by Dil injections covering 0.15– 2% of peripheral temporal, nasal, superior, or inferior retina, or more central retina, in rats ranging in age from embryonic day 20 to postnatal day (P) 19. At P11-P12 and later, such injections label retinal axons that form overlapping arbors restricted to a topographically correct terminal zone covering about 1% of the superior colliculus (SC) area. At perinatal ages, though, axons labeled from each retinal site are distributed in the SC over much of its medial- lateral axis and extend caudally well beyond the rostral-caudal location of their correct terminal zone; some continue caudally into the inferior colliculus. Axons typically form side branches and often arborize at topographically incorrect positions throughout the SC; however, they appear to branch preferentially in a region that includes, but is much larger than, their correct terminal zone. The mature, retinotopically ordered projection emerges during an early postnatal remodeling period through the rapid remodeling of the early, diffuse projection. This process involves the large-scale removal of axons, axon segments, branches, and arbors from topographically inappropriate positions concurrently with a dramatic increase in branching and arborization at topographically correct locations. Quantitative measurements show that elimination of aberrant branches without loss of the primary axons contributes substantially to the development of order. By P6, fewer mistargeted axons persist, but those that do persist tend to branch or arborize more extensively in topographically inappropriate regions. By P8, the labeling patterns begin to approximate those seen at maturity. Further refinement leads to an adultlike topographic ordering of axonal arborizations by P11- P12. At maturity, some axons take very indirect routes to reach their correct terminal zone. However, such trajectory changes typically correct only small positional inaccuracies, indicating that axons and axon segments that make larger targeting errors do not survive the remodeling phase. Previous retrograde labeling studies indicate that some retinal axons make topographic targeting errors (O'Leary et al., 1986; Yhip and Kirby, 1990), but none have suggested the degree of diffuseness revealed by anterograde labeling with Dil. Our findings show that directed axon growth is inadequate as a mechanism to develop the topographic ordering of retinal axons in the rat SC. Rather, mechanisms that control the removal of mistargeted axons and promote the arborization of correctly positioned axons are critical for the development of retinotopic order. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
An improved extreme learning machine to classify multinomial datasets using particle swarm optimisation

In this paper, we propose a particle swarm-based extreme learning machine (ELM) to classify datasets with varying number of classes. This work emphasises on a couple of important parameters, like maximisation of classification accuracy and minimisation of training time. As a machine classifier, an ELM has been chosen, which is an improvement over back propagation network. For each of the input dataset an optimised target was determined by using particle swarm optimisation (PSO) technique. Those specific targets are used with the input data to train the ELM during classification process. For this, some of the benchmark classification datasets are used. To compare the proposed method and some of the existing methods an extensive experimental study has been carried out; a comparative analysis is done by taking parameters like percentage of classification accuracy, training time and complexity of the computing algorithm.
Perturbed Zinc Homeostasis in Rural 3–5-y-Old Malawian Children Is Associated With Abnormalities in Intestinal Permeability Attributed to Tropical Enteropathy

Tropical enteropathy and zinc deficiency are major public health problems worldwide. Tropical enteropathy is characterized by reduced mannitol absorption with normal or increased lactulose absorption when a dual sugar absorption test is administered, the results of which are reported as the lactulose:mannitol ratio (L:M). Zinc homeostasis is quantified with a dual stable isotope test. This study tested the hypothesis that endogenous fecal zinc (EFZ) was correlated with the L:M. A dual sugar absorption test and dual stable isotope test were performed on 25 asymptomatic Malawian children aged 3–5 y at risk for tropical enteropathy and zinc deficiency. EFZ and net zinc retention were estimated and correlated with the L:M. Twenty-two children (88%) had an abnormal L:M (L:M >0.10), and the L:M was 0.24 ± 0.10 (mean ± SD). EFZ was 1.68 ± 1.06 mg/d, a quantity greater than is seen in healthy populations from the developed world. EFZ was positively correlated with the L:M (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). Net zinc retention (0.67 ± 1.6 mg/d) was negatively correlated with the L:M (r = −0.47, p = 0.02). This suggests that perturbed zinc homeostasis is associated with subclinical enteropathy in these children.
OFDM signal up and down frequency conversions by a sampling method using a SOA-MZI

Up and down frequency conversions are performed in the range 0.5–39.5 GHz with an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing data format by using a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Mach-Zehnder Interferometer. Frequency conversion is achieved by the sampling technique using an optical pulse source at a sampling frequency of 7.8 GHz with 10-ps width optical pulses. Characterizations of the quality of the OFDM signal up and down conversions are done for different target frequencies, symbol rates, and numbers of subcarriers. We show that the maximum bit rate can attain up to 245.76 Mb/s for both up and down conversions.
Serotype-specific amplification of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with nested primer pairs was used to diagnose scrub typhus and identify the Rickettsia tsutsugamushi serotype. The primer pairs used for PCR were designed on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of the gene that encodes the 56-kDa antigen. Serotype-specific primers were used in the second PCR amplification. Five serovariants, the Gilliam, Karp, Kato, Kawasaki, and Kuroki strains of R. tsutsugamushi, were identified by nested PCR. In addition, the serotype identified by PCR with DNA from blood clots was the same as that of the strain isolated from five patients with scrub typhus. These findings indicate that this method is useful for diagnosis and identification of the rickettsial serotype in infected patients.