Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The metagenomics of disease-suppressive soils

Living soils commonly contain a vast microbial diversity and are to be seen as the best reservoir of genetic novelty on Earth. Furthermore, the novel genetic information in the soil microbiota offers an excellent source that can be exploited to foster our understanding of soil functioning. Alternatively, the expected genetic novelty will spur biotechnological innovation. However, only a fraction of the soil microbiota is easily cultivable and therefore our ability to unlock the genetic treasures locked up in it has been strongly hampered. Recently-developed advanced DNA-based methods enable us to directly examine genomic DNA derived from the soil microbiota, obviating the need to cultivate the organisms. Thus, information on the collective soil metagenome is obtained and a particular aim is to explore genes that encode functions of key interest to soil ecology and functioning, as well as biotechnology. In particular, the metagenome of disease-suppressive soils is of interest given the expected prevalence of antibiotic biosynthetic clusters. Due to the complexity of the soil microbiota, deciphering the key genetic information locked up in it is, however, challenging. In this study, we will draw on the experience gained in the context of a trans-European project on the metagenomics of disease-suppressive soils denoted METACONTROL. We first describe the progress achieved in developing the necessary tools for metagenomic exploration. We then report on progress (i.e., what was found) and examine the critical issues and challenges that still impinge on the metagenomic exploration of soil.
The Effects of Concreteness and Semantic Neighbourhood Density on Visual Word Recognition

Visual word recognition response times are known to be influenced by such factors as concreteness (reviewed e.g., Paivio, 1991; Schwanenflugel, 1991) and Semantic Neighbourhood Density (SND; Buchanan, Westbury & Burgess, 2001), which is the proximity of words related by meaning to a target word in semantic memory. Through the use of two standard lexical decision task experiments, the goal of this study was to compare response times for abstract words versus concrete words, while also varying levels of SND using two different stimulus sets. The main and interactive effects of these variables were demonstrated, though conclusions were primarily made based on the data from Experiment 2 because of the use of a more controlled stimulus set, as well as a speed-accuracy trade-off evident in the Experiment 1 data. This investigation represents the first attempt to explore the effects of SND on the visual recognition of abstract words.
Adaptive Synchronization Interface for Hardware-Software Co-Simulation based on SystemC and QEMU

This paper presents a runtime reconfigurable interface for Hardware-Software Co-Simulations. We present our research project for autonomously configuring smart home networks, in which our hardware-software co-simulation is used to simulate network sensor and actuator nodes in an early development stage. The improved architecture of our connection between the SystemC hardware simulator and the virtual machine QEMU, to build the hardware-software co-simulation, is presented. We developed our adaptive simulated time synchronization interface, which keeps QEMU and the hardware simulator SystemC synchronized. We present the runtime low-latency reconfigurability of it, to adapt to frequent changes of loose and tight synchronization timing requirements.
Maternal Consumption of Hesperidin and Naringin Flavanones Exerts Transient Effects to Tibia Bone Structure in Female CD-1 Offspring

Hesperidin (HSP) and naringin (NAR), flavanones rich in citrus fruits, support skeletal integrity in adult and aging rodent models. This study determined whether maternal consumption of HSP and NAR favorably programs bone development, resulting in higher bone mineral density (BMD) and greater structure and biomechanical strength (i.e., peak load) in female offspring. Female CD-1 mice were fed a control diet or a HSP + NAR diet five weeks before pregnancy and throughout pregnancy and lactation. At weaning, female offspring were fed a control diet until six months of age. The structure and BMD of the proximal tibia were measured longitudinally using in vivo micro-computed tomography at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The trabecular bone structure at two and four months and the trabecular BMD at four months were compromised at the proximal tibia in mice exposed to HSP and NAR compared to the control diet (p < 0.001). At six months of age, these differences in trabecular structure and BMD at the proximal tibia had disappeared. At 6 months of age, the tibia midpoint peak load, BMD, structure, and the peak load of lumbar vertebrae and femurs were similar (p > 0.05) between the HSP + NAR and control groups. In conclusion, maternal consumption of HSP and NAR does not enhance bone development in female CD-1 offspring.
Pathways to Gender-equitable Men

Efforts to promote gender equality have recognized the importance of involving men and boys. Yet, in general, we have done little in terms of large-scale research in the Global South to understand how men are responding to the global gender equality agenda. This article presents findings from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), one of the most comprehensive efforts of its kind to gather data on men’s attitudes and practices related to gender equality in eight low- and middle-income countries: Brazil, Chile, Mexico, India, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. It provides a current picture of men’s attitudes about gender and gender equality, explores the determinants of equitable attitudes, and investigates the associations between equitable attitudes and relationship behaviors. We find that men report positive but ambivalent attitudes toward gender equality, and that education, income, and more equitable practices in men’s childhood homes are associated with men’s more equitable attitudes and practices. Finally, we show that in most countries, men’s equitable attitudes are also associated with more equitable practices, including more participation in the home and reduced use of violence, as well as higher sexual satisfaction. The findings suggest both the need for program approaches that change attitudes, as well as policy and structural approaches that create lived experiences of gender equality for men. Given how much early childhood experiences influenced men's adult attitudes and practices, the findings also emphasize the need for programs and policies to promote equitable caregiving.
Efficacy of an intensive home-based educational intervention programme for 4- to 6-year-old ethnic minority children in the Netherlands

This paper reports the results of an intensive home-based educational intervention programme for 4- to 6-year-old children at risk of educational failure. The programme, Opstap Opnieuw (“Step-up Anew”), was developed in the Netherlands as an alternative to the well-known HIPPY-programme, of which a Dutch version was carried out in the early 1990s for ethnic minority groups, without apparent success. Building on the basic intervention strategy of HIPPY (i.e., involving mothers and paraprofessional aides), a new curriculum was developed based on recent theoretical insights in cognitive and language development, and emergent literacy and numeracy. The programme was carried out with Turkish and Moroccan immigrant families. For the Turkish group, the results were partly positive: There were modest effects of the programme on cognitive development and emergent numeracy, small effects on Turkish language development, but no effects on Dutch language development. In contrast, for the Moroccan group the effects were disappointing. The results are evaluated with respect to recent insights into effective strategies and essential ingredients of early educational intervention programmes.
Determinants of sick-leave length: still limited to diagnosis elements

Abstract Purpose: Sickness certification implies that a health problem impairs ability to work. However, its assessment is seldom performed by physicians. Our objective was, therefore, to assess the specific influence of functional and environmental limitations on the length of sick-leave prescriptions. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study in French general teaching practices and recorded 353 initial sick-leave certifications. For each of them, the functional and environmental limitations were collected using the ATCIF questionnaire, derived from the International Classification of Functioning. Data analysis was based on a linear regression multivariate model. Results: Among the functional limitations, “pain” was the main body function impairment (22% of impairments) and “mobility” the main activity limitation (48%). An environmental barrier was identified in 39% of sick-listed patients, mainly relating to “products and technology” (20%), which refers to workplace factors. The prescription was longer in cases of activity limitations relating to “mobility” and in cases of environmental barriers relating to “products and technology”. The multivariate model explained 27% of the variability of sick-leave length through diagnosis elements and only 7% through functional and contextual elements. Conclusion: In sick-leave prescription, a functional and contextual approach, in addition to the traditional diagnosis-based approach, could better support patients’ shared understanding and follow-up, and accountability towards health authorities. Implication for Rehabilitation Although sickness certification implies that a health problem impairs ability to work, decision on sick-leave length in general practice is primarily based on diagnosis. A more functional and contextual approach could better support patients’ and other health professionals’ shared understanding and follow-up, and accountability towards health authorities. Such evolution requires a change of paradigm in medical education, and the way of reasoning of healthcare professionals.
How personality influences users' needs for recommendation diversity?

The existing approaches for enhancing diversity in online recommendations neglect the user's spontaneous needs that might be potentially influenced by her/his personality. In this paper, we report our ongoing research on exploring the actual impact of personality values on users' needs for recommendation diversity. The results from a preliminary user survey are reported, that show the significantly causal relationship from personality factors (such as conscientiousness) to the users' diversity preference (not only over the item's individual attributes but also on all attributes when they are combined). We further present our plan for the follow-up work and discuss its practical implications.
Electrical resistance across the blood‐brain barrier in anaesthetized rats: a developmental study.

1. Ion permeability of the blood‐brain barrier was studied by in situ measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance in anaesthetized rats aged between 17 days gestation and 33 days after birth, and by electron microscopic examination of lanthanum permeability in fetal and neonatal rats aged up to 10 days old. 2. The blood‐brain barrier in 17‐ to 20‐day fetuses had a resistance of 310 omega cm2 but was impermeable to lanthanum, and therefore had properties intermediate between leaky and tight epithelia. 3. From 21 days gestation, the resistance was 1128 omega cm2, indicating a tight blood‐brain barrier and low ion permeability. There was little further change in barrier resistance after birth, and in 28‐ to 33‐day rats, when the brain barrier systems are mature in other ways, vessels had a mean resistance of 1462 omega cm2. 4. In the tight blood‐brain barrier, arterial vessels had a significantly higher resistance than venous vessels, 1490 and 918 omega cm2 respectively. In vessels less than 50 microns diameter and within the normal 60 min experimental period, there was no significant variation in vessel resistance. 5. Hyperosmotic shock caused a rapid decay in resistance (maximal within 5 min), and after disruption of the blood‐brain barrier, vessel resistance was 100‐300 omega cm2 in both arterial and venous vessels, and the effect was reversible. After the application of metabolic poisons (NaCN plus iodoacetate) and low temperature there was a similarly low electrical resistance. 6. It is concluded that the increase in electrical resistance at birth indicates a decrease in paracellular ion permeability at the blood‐brain barrier and is required for effective brain interstitial fluid ion regulation.
Climate Change and Potential Hotspots of Coastal Erosion Along the Southern California Coast

This paper was prepared as the result of work sponsored by the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA). It does not necessarily represent the views of the Energy Commission, Cal/EPA, their employees, or the State of California. The Energy Commission, Cal/EPA, the State of California, their employees, contractors, and subcontractors make no warrant, express or implied, and assume no legal liability for the information in this paper; nor does any party represent that the uses of this information will not infringe upon privately owned rights. This paper has not been approved or disapproved by the California Energy Commission or Cal/EPA, nor has the California Energy Commission or Cal/EPA passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information in this paper. F IN A L P A P E R
Al2O3/ZrO2/Y3Al5O12 Composites: A High-Temperature Mechanical Characterization

An Al2O3/5 vol%·ZrO2/5 vol%·Y3Al5O12 (YAG) tri-phase composite was manufactured by surface modification of an alumina powder with inorganic precursors of the second phases. The bulk materials were produced by die-pressing and pressureless sintering at 1500 °C, obtaining fully dense, homogenous samples, with ultra-fine ZrO2 and YAG grains dispersed in a sub-micronic alumina matrix. The high temperature mechanical properties were investigated by four-point bending tests up to 1500 °C, and the grain size stability was assessed by observing the microstructural evolution of the samples heat treated up to 1700 °C. Dynamic indentation measures were performed on as-sintered and heat-treated Al2O3/ZrO2/YAG samples in order to evaluate the micro-hardness and elastic modulus as a function of re-heating temperature. The high temperature bending tests highlighted a transition from brittle to plastic behavior comprised between 1350 and 1400 °C and a considerable flexural strength reduction at temperatures higher than 1400 °C; moreover, the microstructural investigations carried out on the re-heated samples showed a very limited grain growth up to 1650 °C.
Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour Analysis of Nitrided 316ln Grade Austenitic Stainless Steels Using Gas Nitriding Process

The paper presents the results of an investigation into wear behaviour of gas nitrided stainless steel. Stainless steel has a good corrosion resistance, where they possess a low hardness, wear resistance. By case hardening the stainless steel, the hardness can be increased. Surface hardness can be increased by diffusion of carbon or nascent nitrogen. The gas nitriding is done at 450 – 540 0 C for three different specimens. Nitriding is done in which hard complex nitrides are formed which improves the surface hardness. Non treated austenitic stainless steel specimen was used as a reference material. Wear test were also carried out for comparision. The layers were characterized by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and XRD. Wear test were conducted to characterize the tribological wear behaviour. 1. INTRODUCTION: Austenitic stainless steel is used because of their high resistance to oxidation and corrosion resistance. They find applications extensively used [3-5] in nuclear reactors, automotive parts like cam shafts, cam followers, injectors, bio medical implants, chemical and food industries. Of the various surface hardening techniques available, [1-2] nitriding offers the benefits of high dimensional stability. Stainless steel is a difficult material to nitride, due to the presence of passive oxide film on the surface. Chosen for this work, on the basis of their application and availability, gas nitriding is done for removal of passive oxide film. In the current work, wear experiments were carried out on AISI 316LN material. The specimens were gas nitrided at different time period and wear test was conducted. Also the wear rate was investigated. Untreated specimen was used as reference material. The results are discussed using metallographic techniques.
Developing Dynamic IT Capabilities - A Systems Perspective

Many organisations still have difficulty obtaining value from their IT spend. The literature indicates that two ways of improving this situation is via better strategic business/IS alignment and the development of a dynamic IS capability. It is argued that the development of these skills occurs within a complex, dynamic social system and have the characteristics of wicked problems and are poorly investigated using the dominant IS research paradigm. A systems perspective demonstrates why many organisations are unable to improve strategic alignment and develop dynamic capabilities. Feedback within the social system inhibits changes in managerial and organisational behaviour. It is demonstrated that the effect of feedback loops within the work environment means that simple remedies such as the call to improve communication between business and IS managers or to change organisational structure, that are common in the IS literature, are likely to be ineffective. One property of a complex system is that the act of understanding a problem is also an act of changing the situation. The research reported here allows managers to understand how the social system in which they operate limits their understanding and choices for action. This understanding may then allow them to improve their situation, develop an IT related dynamic capability and, eventually, improve firm performance.
Reflective Practice Online—Exploring the Ways Social Workers Used an Online Blog for Reflection

Social workers are increasingly using social media for networking, peer support, reflection, and fun. Social media presents exciting opportunities for social work practice; however, social workers and employers of social workers need to understand the challenges and conflicts that can occur. This study explored the experiences of social workers who used an online blog for reflection, describing different levels of engagement with reflection and the development of an online community of practice to support isolated social workers. This study is significant because although there are many studies that describe the experiences of students using a blog for reflection, the author has been unable to identify another study that focuses on the ways social workers engaged with a blog for reflection.
Parent-child pre-school activities can affect the development of literacy skills

This paper considers the nature of joint (parent–child) pre–school activities in the home, and their potential to contribute to the development of early reading skills. Parents gave details of the nature and frequency of any play–based activities that they routinely completed with their children. Their children were assessed on various aspects of phonological awareness, as well as their receptive vocabulary and short–term memory at four years old. One year later they completed a similar battery that also included measures of reading and spelling ability. Children who engaged in a variety of pre–school, parent–child activities showed the best achievement in reading one year later. The frequency of joint activities was also found to impact on reading attainment, vocabulary, memory and aspects of phonological awareness. The importance of shared storybook reading for later independent reading ability was reiterated by this study.
Translation as Social Action: Brecht’s ‘Political Texts’ in Greek

This paper places an influential anthology of Brecht’s texts in the context of the Greek junta (1967-1974). Drawing on the sociological work of Pierre Bourdieu, it shows how the text constitutes an euphemisation of the power of a politically active publisher who opposed the regime with what came to be seen as ‘social art’ by various agents of the publishing field at the time. It also demonstrates how the tactical presentation of the material in the anthology helps map the oppression of the Nazi rule onto the junta while identifying a ‘plural-self’ that opposes symbolic and physical violence.
Cytotoxic-T-Lymphocyte Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E5 Peptide with CpG-Oligodeoxynucleotide Can Eliminate Tumor Growth in C57BL/6 Mice

ABSTRACT Previously, we identified human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E5 as a tumor rejection antigen that can induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to protect against tumor growth (D. W. Liu et al., J. Virol. 74:9083-9089, 2000). In the present study, we further mapped the CTL epitope of E5 protein by analyzing E5-specific CD8+ gamma interferon-positive (IFN-γ+) double-positive cells in C57BL/6 mice with flow cytometry. The results showed the region spanning amino acids 25 to 33 (VCLLIRPLL) contained the potential Db-restricted CTL epitope. Subsequently, to determine whether peptide E5 25-33-based vaccination could induce E5-specific CTL activity, syngeneic animals received E5 25-33 emulsified with either CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN 1826) or Freund's adjuvant, and the growth of the tumors was monitored. The results showed that although both adjuvants induced E5-specific CD8+ IFN-γ+ T cells and eradicated E5-containing tumor growth, CpG ODN was found to stimulate stronger CTL response than Freund's adjuvant. We also compared the immune response of the effector/memory/recall phase induced by E5 25-33 peptide or by E5 protein that was synthesized in vivo by adenovirus-based E5 gene delivery. E5 25-33 peptide plus CpG ODN was shown to be a superior vaccine compared to the adenovirus-based E5 gene. Interestingly, their chronological patterns of immune response were similar, suggesting that E5 25-33 is a major CTL peptide of E5 protein.
Feature selection by high dimensional model representation and its application to remote sensing

As the number of feature increases, classification accuracy may decrease. Additionally, computational overload increases with a large number of features. For effective classification performance and shortened the training time, the redundant features should be eliminated before the classification process. In this paper, a new HDMR-based feature selection approach is presented, sorting the features with respect to their sensitivity coefficient calculated by HDMR sensitivity analysis. With the experiments conducted, the HDMR-based feature selection approach is competitive with sequential forward feature selection method and faster in terms of computational time, especially when dealing with datasets having a large number of features.