Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the sequences and functions of Streptococcus equi M-like proteins SeM and SzPSe

Streptococcus equi (Streptococcus equi subsp. equi), a Lancefield group C streptococcus, causes strangles, a highly contagious purulent lymphadenitis and pharyngitis of members of the family Equidae. The antiphagocytic 58-kDa M-like protein SeM is a major virulence factor and protective antigen. The amino acid sequence and structure of SeM has been determined and compared to that of a second, 40-kDa M-like protein (SzPSe) of S. equi and to those of other streptococcal proteins. Both SeM and SzPSe are mainly alpha-helical fibrillar molecules with no homology other than that between their signal and membrane anchor sequences and are only distantly related to other streptococcal M and M-like proteins. The sequence of SzPSe indicates that it is an allele of SzP that encodes the variable protective M-like and typing antigens of S. zooepidemicus (S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus). SeM is opsonogenic for S. equi but not for the closely related S. zooepidemicus, whereas SzPSe is strongly opsonogenic for S. zooepidemicus but not for S. equi. Both proteins bind equine fibrinogen. SeM and SzPSe proteins from temporally and geographically separated isolates of S. equi are identical in size. The results taken together support previous evidence that S. equi is a clonal pathogen originating from an ancestral strain of S. zooepidemicus. We postulate that acquisition of SeM synthesis was a key element in the success of the clone because of its effect in enhancing resistance to phagocytosis and because protective immunity entails a requirement for SeM-specific antibody.
Bike Network Flow Prediction

Recent network analysis research has made remarkable progress on studying complex networks in a social context with machine learning techniques. One example of such a complex network is the system data of the New York Citibike bike sharing program, which consists of the data from 49 million bike trips in New York City since July 2013. By inspecting the dataset, we find out that significantly more demand could be satisfied if we were able to predict the bike flow between stations and rebalance the bike supplies accordingly. In this paper, we formalize this task as predicting the change in number of bikes at each station, and develop algorithms to predict this change based on snapshots of the network from the past. We find that clustering the network into smaller parts results in more accurate predictions, and propose a novel algorithm for rebalancing the network based on the prediction results from our model.
Dynamic Approach for Web Services Selection

 Abstract— Web Service is a software component invoked over the Web via an XML(1) message that follows the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP(2)), which is a simple XML based protocol to let applications exchange information over HTTP and to transport the messages using open protocols standard. Web Services are based on distributed technology and provide standard means of interoperating between different software applications across and within organizational boundaries with the use of XML. The purpose of web service selection is to select optimal web service for a particular task. When dynamic discovery is used in Web Services, it is common that the result of the discovery contains more than one provider. The purpose of this work is to develop an approach for secured, dynamic and transparent service selection and to evaluate the proposed architecture in terms of what selection techniques should be applied.
Children’s and adolescents’ moral emotion attributions and judgements about exclusion of peers with hearing impairments

Children and adolescents with hearing impairments are at risk of being excluded from activities with hearing peers. Moral emotion attributions may represent important indicators for children’s identification with the moral norm not to exclude peers based on disability. Against this background, we investigated how 10-, 12- and 15-year-olds (N = 215) feel and judge about social exclusion of peers with hearing impairments. Emotion attributions and moral judgements were assessed using four different hypothetical scenarios about the exclusion of peers with hearing impairments (school vs. leisure time, group vs. dyad). Moreover, children’s and adolescents’ inclusive behaviour was assessed by a peer nomination procedure. Results revealed that moral emotion attributions differed as a function of exclusion context and grade. Moreover, participants with inclusive behaviour attributed moral emotions more often than participants with less inclusive behaviour. Implications of the results for moral education are discussed.
Producing Consumption: Women and the Making of Credit Markets

The importance of credit to low-income households is widely recognized, providing a mechanism for managing poverty. In such households women are generally the money-managers, and as such they are significant consumers of credit. Much less attention has been paid, however, to the role that women play in creating and maintaining some credit markets, thereby becoming central to a key means of consumption. Using data from two recent qualitative studies, one on moneylending and one concerned with mail order (both forms of credit widely used in low-income communities), the paper will explore processes whereby access to credit comes to be largely in the hands on women and the continuing importance of gender in the recruitment of customers and maintenance of credit markets. The paper will suggest that the role of credit provider is a consequence of women's economic vulnerability and domestic responsibilities but that the structure and process of credit provision has the potential to reinforce the providers' economic hardship and financial distress. Central to these outcomes is the need to both ‘risk and trust’ in order to develop and maintain the market and thereby earn. The paper will examine how risking and trusting are undertaken and the consequences of a failure of trust for credit providers.
Effects of Consumption of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Serum Lipid Levels in Humans

Referee: Dr. Marcel Roberfroid, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Faculte de Medicine, Dept. des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Avenue E. Mournier 73, UCL/BCTC, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium The objective of this article is to review existing studies concerning the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on serum cholesterol concentrations, with particular attention on the possible mechanisms of their action. Although not without exception, results from animal and human studies suggest a moderate cholesterol-lowering action of dairy products fermented with appropriate strain(s) of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. Mechanistically, probiotic bacteria ferment food-derived indigestible carbohydrates to produce short-chain fatty acids in the gut, which can then cause a decrease in the systemic levels of blood lipids by inhibiting hepatic cholesterol synthesis and/or redistributing cholesterol from plasma to the liver. Furthermore, some bacteria may interfere with cholesterol absorption from the gut by deconjugating bile salts and therefore affecting the metabolism of cholesterol, or by directly assimilating cholesterol. For prebiotic substances, the majority of studies have been done with the fructooligosaccharides inulin and oligofructose, and although convincing lipid-lowering effects have been observed in animals, high dose levels had to be used. Reports in humans are few in number. In studies conducted in normal-lipidemic subjects, two reported no effect of inulin or oligofructose on serum lipids, whereas two others reported a significant reduction in serum triglycerides (19 and 27%, respectively) with more modest changes in serum total and LDL cholesterol. At present, data suggest that in hyperlipidemic subjects, any effects that do occur result primarily in reductions in cholesterol, whereas in normal lipidemic subjects, effects on serum triglycerides are the dominant feature.
Patterns of Youth Mobility in Uganda

movement and on the spatial pattern itself (House et al. 1968; Shryock and Larmon 1965). In Tropical Africa the widespread modernisation process during this century has produced a marked increase in types of mobility (Gould and Prothero 1975) many of which are the subject of detailed analysis. This paper focuses on one particular migrant group, namely, the growing numbers of educated young people for whom rising job aspirations stimulate
Generalization Characteristics of Complex-Valued Feedforward Neural Networks in Relation to Signal Coherence

Applications of complex-valued neural networks (CVNNs) have expanded widely in recent years-in particular in radar and coherent imaging systems. In general, the most important merit of neural networks lies in their generalization ability. This paper compares the generalization characteristics of complex-valued and real-valued feedforward neural networks in terms of the coherence of the signals to be dealt with. We assume a task of function approximation such as interpolation of temporal signals. Simulation and real-world experiments demonstrate that CVNNs with amplitude-phase-type activation function show smaller generalization error than real-valued networks, such as bivariate and dual-univariate real-valued neural networks. Based on the results, we discuss how the generalization characteristics are influenced by the coherence of the signals depending on the degree of freedom in the learning and on the circularity in neural dynamics.
PbWO4 micro-/nanocrystals in transparent glass-ceramics: Synthesis, structure-property relationship and lanthanide doping

Transparent glass-ceramic materials containing PbWO<sub>4</sub> crystalline phase were fabricated during heat treatment of lead borate glasses singly doped with Dy<sup>3+</sup> and Er<sup>3+</sup> ions. Luminescence spectra of lanthanide ions in precursor glasses and glass-ceramics were examined under different excitation wavelengths. Strengthening and broadening blue bandwidth linked with <sup>4</sup>F<sub>9/2</sub> → <sup>6</sup>H<sub>15/2</sub> transition of Dy<sup>3+</sup> were observed in glass-ceramic sample under 360 nm excitation. Such behavior is explained by presence of PbWO<sub>4</sub> microcrystals emitting blue light. For Er<sup>3+</sup>-doped glass-ceramic PbWO<sub>4</sub> nanocrystals with size 91 nm were identified. Glass-ceramic system shows shortness and increasing of intensity NIR luminescence line linked to the main <sup>4</sup>I<sub>13/2</sub> → <sup>4</sup>I<sub>15/2</sub> laser transition of Er<sup>3+</sup> ions at third telecommunication window.
Wild-Type BRCA1, but not Mutated BRCA1, Regulates the Expression of the Nuclear Form of β-Catenin

BRCA1 is an essential caretaker protein in the surveillance of DNA damage, is mutated in ∼50% of all hereditary breast cancer cases, and its expression is frequently decreased in sporadic breast cancer. β-Catenin is a multifunctional protein that forms adhesion complex with E-cadherins, α-catenin, and actin, and plays a central role in Wnt signaling through its nuclear translocation and activation of β-catenin–responsive genes. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the Wnt/β-catenin and BRCA1 signaling cascades, it is not known whether there is a link between β-catenin and BRCA1. We observed that the expression of the active nuclear form of β-catenin (also known as ABC, Ser37/Thr41-nonphosphorylated β-catenin, dephosphorylated β-catenin) was lower or absent in the nucleus in most BRCA1 familial breast cancer tissues (17 cases) compared with sporadic breast cancer (14 samples) and normal breast tissues. Wild-type-BRCA1, but not mutated BRCA1, interacted with β-catenin and increased the levels of β-catenin protein expression in vitro. Furthermore, H2O2 induced the interaction of the nuclear form of β-catenin with BRCA1. The active form of β-catenin protein was downregulated upon exposure to H2O2 in the nucleus of BRCA1-deficient HCC1937 breast cancer cells, whereas reconstitution of WT-BRCA1 in HCC1937 cells inhibited this downregulation. This study provides evidence of a novel interaction between BRCA1 and β-catenin, and that loss of BRCA1 leads to impaired expression of the nuclear form of β-catenin, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 8(3); 407–20
Minority Caregivers of Dementia Victims: A Comparison of Black and Hispanic Families

The experiences of 31 Black and 19 Hispanic families caring for dementia victims at home were examined through data collected in two interviews six months apart. Caregivers'health status, mental well-being, attitudes towards caregiving, and use of informal and formal supports were measured. Data were also collected on the patient's degree of mental and physical impairment. The findings indicate that both groups maintain strong feelings of filial support for the aged and have actively involved informal support networks. Formal services are also used, although the attitudes towards them and the factors related to their use varied between the Black and Hispanic respondents. For both groups, the increased use of formal services at the second interview was related to a decrease in informal supports. Health of the caregivers did not appear to be affected although the Hispanics gave evidence of depression. The article discusses implications of these findings.
User-Developed Applications: An Empirical Study of Application Quality and Developer Productivity

As inexpensive microcomputers and easy-to-use software have proliferated throughout organizations, increasing numbers of employees are developing applications. The end-user computing (EUC) literature contains many prescriptions for managing this activity, but there has been little direct empirical examination of the effectiveness of end users as application developers. This paper describes a study in which five different applications were developed independently by paired teams of end users and IS students acting as surrogate IS professionals. This permitted comparison of end users and surrogate IS professionals on the quality of the finished applications and on productivity. The quality analysis focused on technical design and implementation factors as measured by defect counting and a subjective quality attribute rating. Productivity was measured by function point analysis and lines-of-code metrics.The results of the study indicate that the surrogate IS professionals were much more productive and produced higher-quality applications than did the end users. The fact that student surrogates significantly outperformed the end users is particularly interesting since experienced IS professionals might be expected to show even greater differences in productivity and quality. The study should be replicated using IS professionals to confirm the preliminary findings. The results suggest that additional research on the efficacy of end users as application developers is needed.
Effects of salvianolic acid-A on NIH/3T3 fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and gene expression.

AIM:To investigate the mechanisms of salvianolic acid A (SA-A) against liver fibrosis in vitro.METHODS:NIH/3T3 fibroblasts were cultured routinely, and incubated with 10(-4) mol/L-10(-7)mol/L SA-A for 22h. The cell viability was assayed by (3)H proline incorporation, cell proliferation by (3)H TdR incorporation, cell collagen synthetic rate was measured with (3)H proline impulse and collagenase digestion method.The total RNA was prepared from the control cells and the drug treated cells respectively, and alpha(1) I pro-collagen mRNA expression was semi-quantitatively analyzed with RT-PCR.RESULTS:10(-4)mol/L SA-A decreased cell viability and exerted some cytotoxiciy,while 10(-5)mol/L -10(-7)mol/L SA-A did not affect cell viability, but inhibited cell proliferation significantly, and 10(-6)mol/L SA-A had the best effect on cell viability among these concentrations of drugs. 10 (-5)mol/L -10(-6)mol/L SA-A inhibited intracellular collagen synthetic rate, but no significant influence on extracellular collagen secretion. Both 10(-5)mol/L and 10(-6)mol/L SA-A could decrease alpha(1)I pro-collagen mRNA expression remarkably.CONCLUSION:SA-A had potent action against liver fibrosis. It inhibited NIH/3T3 fibroblast proliferation, intracellular collagen synthetic rate and type I procollagen gene expression, which may be one of the main mechanisms of the drug.
Spontaneous remission in a patient with therapy‐related myelodysplastic syndrome (t‐MDS) with monosomy 7

We describe a case of spontaneously reversible refractory anaemia, a subtype of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), with monosomy 7 secondary to chronic treatment with azathioprine (AZA) in a young renal transplant recipient. AZA was stopped after that conventional cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) had demonstrated the existence of a monosomy 7 clone. 4 months later, haematological values had considerably improved and the karyotypic examination as well as the FISH analysis were normal. The spontaneous remission of this MDS with monosomy 7, which is usually associated with a particularly poor prognosis, could be due to the recovery of a better immunosurveillance following the withdrawal of AZA.
Lifelong learning in Japan - a lifeline for a ‘maturing’ society?

Lifelong learning is realized in different ways in different countries. Socio-economic and cultural factors are important determinants of implementation. Japan is a self-styled ‘maturing’ society with an ageing population. It is wealthy, but undergoing rapid social, economic and technological change that poses a threat to its sense of community. Its economy is faltering for the first time since reconstruction after World War II. In the author's view, based on desk study and a visit to relevant agencies in Nagoya and Tokyo in June 1999, lifelong learning is seen to be a key means for addressing these three central issues - ageing, community and economic change. National bodies have deliberated on the problems and informed themselves of needs and options for development. They have articulated policies to promote and celebrate learning of all kinds at any point of life through adult, vocational and community education. Initial education is perceived to have a key role in inculcating aptitude for, and positive attitudes towards, learning over the lifespan. This paper argues that, in Japan, lifelong learning is viewed as a ‘lifeline’ i.e. a vital means of communication on these issues between the national ‘think tanks’, bureaucrats and the Japanese public. The Bureau of Lifelong Learning of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture (Monbusho) seeks to develop and implement policies to achieve these goals.
Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii Strain 5021_13, Isolated from Cerebrospinal Fluid

ABSTRACT We report here the 4.1-Mb draft genome sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii strain 5021_13, a cerebrospinal fluid isolate from northern India. This genome information will help studies toward understanding the epidemiology and pathogenicity of this important nosocomial pathogen.
A CDC42 Homologue in Claviceps purpurea Is Involved in Vegetative Differentiation and Is Essential for Pathogenicity

ABSTRACT Claviceps purpurea, a biotrophic pathogen of cereals, has developed a unique pathogenic strategy including an extended period of unbranched directed growth in the host's style and ovarian tissue to tap the vascular system. Since the small GTPase Cdc42 has been shown to be involved in cytoskeleton organization and polarity in other fungi, we investigated the role of Cdc42 in the development and pathogenicity of C. purpurea. Expression of heterologous dominant-active (DA) and dominant-negative (DN) alleles of Colletotrichum trifolii in a wild strain of C. purpurea had significant impact on vegetative differentiation: whereas DA Ctcdc42 resulted in loss of conidiation and in aberrant cell shape, expression of DN Ctcdc42 stimulated branching and conidiation. Deletion of the endogenous Cpcdc42 gene was not lethal but led to a phenotype comparable to that of DN Ctcdc42 transformants. ΔCpcdc42 mutants were nonpathogenic; i.e., they induced no disease symptoms. Cytological analysis (light microscopy and electron microscopy) revealed that the mutants can penetrate and invade the stylar tissue. However, invasive growth was arrested in an early stage, presumably induced by plant defense reactions (necrosis or increased production of reactive oxygen species), which were never observed in wild-type infection. The data show a significant impact of Cpcdc42 on vegetative differentiation and pathogenicity in C. purpurea.
Comparative Process Tracing in Housing Studies

Abstract Comparative social and political research often contains a historical dimension. Lately it has become fashionable to refer to this dimension with the term ‘path dependence’. In this article we propose an approach to comparative housing research that takes the path dependence of social and political processes seriously. In contrast to the traditional understanding of historical research, this approach, which can be called ‘comparative process tracing’, is quite strongly theoretically informed. We see comparative process tracing as an analysis in two steps. In the first step the goal is to reconstruct as closely as possible a chain of ideal-type social mechanisms made portable to other contexts by the assumption of thin rationality. In the second step, these processes are compared making use of ideal type periodisation. We have, together with others, applied comparative process tracing to an analysis of the Nordic housing policies. The article discusses the basic ideas behind the approach in that research and reflects on how to develop it further. It also presents some analytical tools that were used in the Nordic project to facilitate comparison between processes, e.g. an analytical distinction between critical junctures and focal points, a periodisation based on an ideal-type evolution model of housing provision, and a ladder of institutionalisation based on Lukes’ ‘three faces of power’.
A Process‐Oriented Evaluation of a Computerised Treatment for Dyslexia

A sample of 131 10–14‐year‐old Dutch children with reading and spelling difficulties received a treatment for dyslexia. The treatment was computer‐based and focused on learning to recognise and use the phonological and morphological structure of Dutch words. The treatment consisted of several modules, each addressing specific links between phonological concepts and the writing system. A process‐oriented evaluation of this treatment showed a time course of effects that was specifically related to the timing of treatment components. The children showed a cascade of improvements that corresponded to the presentation order of the treatment modules. These findings indicate that the computerised treatment based on inferential algorithms provides an effective tool in the remediation of dyslexia.
The Imprecise Science of Evaluating Scholarly Performance

In a growing number of countries, government-appointed assessment panels develop ranks on the basis of the quality of scholarly outputs to apportion budgets in recognition of evaluated performance and to justify public funds for future R&D activities. When business and management journals are being grouped in broad quality categories, a recent study has noted that this procedure was placing the same journals in essentially the same categories. Drawing on journal quality categorizations by several German- and English-speaking business departments and academic associations, the author performs nonparametric tests and correlations to analyze whether this claim can be substantiated. In particular, he examines the ability of broad quality categorizations to add value to governmental, administrative, and academic decision making by withstanding the criticism traditionally levied at research quality assessments.