Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Branch Points and Bumpy Metrics for Parametrized Minimal Spheres and Tori

The purpose of this article is to show that when a smooth manifold is given a generic metric, prime minimal two-spheres and prime minimal tori within the manifold do not have branch points. This is an analog within Riemannian geometry of a well-known theorem of Böhme and Tromba which states that solutions to the classical Plateau problem in R have no branch points for generic choice of boundary curve, when n ≥ 4. In addition, the article shows that for generic metrics, all prime minimal two-spheres and two-tori are as Morse nondegenerate as possible—their spaces of Jacobi fields have dimension six or two, respectively.
Youth Media Lifestyles

In this article, the concept of “media lifestyles” is adopted in order to develop a comprehensive approach toward youth engagement in communication media. We explore how 503 Dutch eighth grade students with full access to new technology combine a broad range of media by focusing on their engagement with media while taking various contexts of use into account. Four different media lifestyles of media omnivores, networkers, gamers, and low-frequency users are described. Furthermore, we show how the methodology we used is able to provide more insight into how the distinguished media lifestyles were codetermined by particular media, functions and social contexts. Finally, the implications for the Uses & Gratifications theory are discussed.
Comparative analysis of crowding in multiple locations: Results from fifteen years of research

Abstract Crowding is one of the most frequently studied phenomena in the outdoor recreation literature, but almost all the research focuses on single populations or settings and individual‐level analysis. The present study uses comparative analysis of aggregate data to explore questions that single studies cannot answer. Data come from more than 17,000 individuals in 35 studies of 59 different settings or activities located throughout the northeast, midwest, and northwest United States and New Zealand. All the studies used the same single‐item measure to assess visitor judgments of crowding. Dividing the nine‐point response scale to reflect the percentage of respondents reporting some degree of crowding produced a single crowding rating for each setting. Crowding scores ranged from 12 to 100%, with a mean of 57% (standard deviation, 22%). The analyses suggest that crowding varies by time, resource availability, accessibility and convenience, and management strategy. Factors that did not affect crowding in.
Instructive examples of smooth, complex differentiable and complex analytic mappings into locally convex spaces

For each k ∈ N , we describe a mapping f k : C → E k into a suitable non-complete complex locally convex space E k such that f k is k times continuously complex diﬀerentiable (i.e., a C k C -map) but not C k +1 C and hence not complex analytic. We also describe a complex analytic map from ℓ 1 to a suitable complete complex locally convex space E which is unbounded on each non-empty open subset of ℓ 1 . Finally, we present a smooth map R → E into a non-complete locally convex space which is not real analytic although it is given locally by its Taylor series around each point.
Anticipated Discrimination and a Career Choice in Nonprofit

As a stigmatized group, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered (LGBT) individuals are vulnerable to employment discrimination and receive little legal protection. They have had to cope with discrimination and engage in identity management to conceal their sexual identity. This study seeks to determine whether LGBT individuals, in anticipation of discrimination, have lower initial career expectations, espouse more altruistic work values, and make career choices based on those work values, when compared to heterosexual individuals. Using data from a large survey of postsecondary students, we found that LGBT individuals, after controlling for age, visible minority status, and major of study, reported lower salary expectations than heterosexual individuals. LGBT individuals were also more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to espouse “altruistic” work values and to indicate a career choice in the nonprofit sector. We suggest that “altruism” may be an important work value that is related to a career choice in the public and nonprofit sectors.
A singular vector perspective of 4D‐Var: Filtering and interpolation

Four‐dimensional variational data assimilation (4D‐Var) combines the information from a time sequence of observations with the model dynamics and a background state to produce an analysis. In this paper, a new mathematical insight into the behaviour of 4D‐Var is gained from an extension of concepts that are used to assess the qualitative information content of observations in satellite retrievals. It is shown that the 4D‐Var analysis increments can be written as a linear combination of the singular vectors of a matrix which is a function of both the observational and the forecast model systems.
Systemic administration of PRO051 in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND Local intramuscular administration of the antisense oligonucleotide PRO051 in patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy with relevant mutations was previously reported to induce the skipping of exon 51 during pre-messenger RNA splicing of the dystrophin gene and to facilitate new dystrophin expression in muscle-fiber membranes. The present phase 1-2a study aimed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and molecular and clinical effects of systemically administered PRO051. METHODS We administered weekly abdominal subcutaneous injections of PRO051 for 5 weeks in 12 patients, with each of four possible doses (0.5, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 mg per kilogram of body weight) given to 3 patients. Changes in RNA splicing and protein levels in the tibialis anterior muscle were assessed at two time points. All patients subsequently entered a 12-week open-label extension phase, during which they all received PRO051 at a dose of 6.0 mg per kilogram per week. Safety, pharmacokinetics, serum creatine kinase levels, and muscle strength and function were assessed. RESULTS The most common adverse events were irritation at the administration site and, during the extension phase, mild and variable proteinuria and increased urinary α(1)-microglobulin levels; there were no serious adverse events. The mean terminal half-life of PRO051 in the circulation was 29 days. PRO051 induced detectable, specific exon-51 skipping at doses of 2.0 mg or more per kilogram. New dystrophin expression was observed between approximately 60% and 100% of muscle fibers in 10 of the 12 patients, as measured on post-treatment biopsy, which increased in a dose-dependent manner to up to 15.6% of the expression in healthy muscle. After the 12-week extension phase, there was a mean (±SD) improvement of 35.2±28.7 m (from the baseline of 384±121 m) on the 6-minute walk test. CONCLUSIONS Systemically administered PRO051 showed dose-dependent molecular efficacy in patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, with a modest improvement in the 6-minute walk test after 12 weeks of extended treatment. (Funded by Prosensa Therapeutics; Netherlands National Trial Register number, NTR1241.).
Constant Envelope Precoding for Single-User Large-Scale MISO Channels: Efficient Precoding and Optimal Designs

Constant envelope (CE) precoding is a very recently developed transmission approach for large antenna array systems, where each antenna is restricted to transmit CE signals and only phases are used to shape desired information signals at the receiver. CE precoding is proposed as a solution for circumventing the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) problem arising in non-CE transmission approaches, which becomes a difficult hardware implementation issue in large antenna array systems. While CE precoding is a nonlinear precoding approach and introduces challenges not seen in the widely-used non-CE linear precoding approach, the former has been shown to hold great potential in large-scale single-user MISO channels from an information rate analysis viewpoint. The present paper considers single-user MISO CE precoding from a transceiver realization viewpoint. We first solve the noise-free receive signal region characterization problem. From the characterization proof, we derive a simple and efficient CE precoder algorithm whose complexity is linear in the number of antennas. Then, we consider optimal CE precoding designs when the system can perform either antenna-subset selection or unequal per-antenna power allocation-both aiming at maximizing the system performance under transmission power constraints. Polynomial-time exact algorithms for the proposed design, via simple search or convex optimization, are developed. Simulation results demonstrate that for large antenna array systems, the proposed CE precoding schemes can yield symbol error probability performance comparable to that of the non-CE maximum ratio transmission scheme.
Design of synchronized supply chains: a six sigma tolerancing approach

A supply chain network can be viewed as a network of facilities in which a customer order will flow through internal business processes such as procurement, production, and transportation, ultimately reaching the required products on time to customers. The delivery performance of such a network can be maximized by pushing the work through the system in a way that the finished products reach the customer in a customer specified delivery window, with a very high probability. This entails synchronization and hence strict control of variability of deliveries at all intermediate points, to ensure that the raw materials and semi-finished work arrive at work spots in a timely fashion. We explore the use of the Motorola six sigma tolerancing methodology to achieve synchronization in supply chains. In particular, we use the six sigma approach to: (1) analyze a given supply chain process for six sigma delivery performance; and (2) design synchronized supply chains to guarantee six sigma delivery performance. We provide an example of a plastics industry supply chain, for which we report analysis and design experiments that demonstrate the use of the six sigma approach in designing synchronized supply chains with high levels of delivery performance.
Genetic Clustering Algorithm for Extractive Text Summarization

Automatic text summarization has become a relevant topic due to the information overload. This automatization aims to help humans and machines to deal with the vast amount of text data (structured and un-structured) offered on the web and deep web. In this paper a novel approach for automatic extractive text summarization called SENCLUS is presented. Using a genetic clustering algorithm, SENCLUS clusters the sentences as close representation of the text topics using a fitness function based on redundancy and coverage, and applies a scoring function to select the most relevant sentences of each topic to be part of the extractive summary. The approach was validated using the DUC2002 data set and ROUGE summary quality measures. The results shows that the approach is representative against the state of the art methods for extractive automatic text summarization.
Microspectrophotometric and immunocytochemical identification of ultraviolet photoreceptors in geckos

Abstract Retinas of the nocturnal geckos, Hemidactylus turcicus, Hemidactylus garnotii, and Teratoscincus scincus, were studied with microspectrophotometry and immunocytochemistry against various visual pigment epitopes to reveal UV-sensitive photoreceptors. From 6–20% of the thinner members of type C double photoreceptors, earlier believed to be blue-sensitive, were found to contain a UV-absorbing visual pigment with λmax at 363–366 nm. The pigment had bleaching and dichroic properties typical of other photoreceptor cell types of the retina. Presumptive UV-sensitive cells in retinal sections were “negatively” labeled as they did not react with either the cone-specific monoclonal antibody COS-1 or with the anti-rhodopsin polyclonal serum AO, which together labeled all of the remaining photoreceptor types (green-sensitive A singles, B doubles, and thicker members of C doubles, as well as the blue-sensitive majority of thinner members of C doubles). UV cells were moderately stained with the mAb K42–41 produced against the 5–6 loop of bovine rhodopsin, which also moderately labeled blue-sensitive cells. mAb OS-2 strongly stained all outer segments, including the UV-sensitive ones. Similarities between gecko UV visual pigments, and UV visual pigments of other vertebrates, as well as possible functional significance of these cells are discussed.
Ancylostoma caninum MTP-1, an Astacin-Like Metalloprotease Secreted by Infective Hookworm Larvae, Is Involved in Tissue Migration

ABSTRACT Infective larvae (L3) of nematodes secrete macromolecules that are critical to infection and establishment of the parasite in the host. The dog hookworm Ancylostoma caninum secretes an astacin-like metalloprotease, Ac-MTP-1, upon activation in vitro with host serum. Recombinant Ac-MTP-1 was expressed in the baculovirus/insect cell system as a secreted protein and was purified from culture medium by two separate methods, cation-exchange fast-performance liquid chromatography and gelatin-affinity chromatography. Recombinant MTP-1 was catalytically active and digested a range of native and denatured connective tissue substrates, including gelatin, collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. A dog was immunized with recombinant Ac-MTP-1 formulated with AS03 adjuvant, and the antiserum was used to immunolocalize the anatomic sites of expression within A. caninum L3 to secretory granules in the glandular esophagus and the channels that connect the esophagus to the L3 surface and to the cuticle. Antiserum inhibited the ability of recombinant MTP-1 to digest collagen by 85% and inhibited larval migration through tissue in vitro by 70 to 75%, in contrast to just 5 to 10% inhibition obtained with preimmunization serum. The metalloprotease inhibitors EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline also reduced the penetration of L3 through skin in vitro by 43 to 61%. The data strongly suggest that Ac-MTP-1 is critical for the invasion process of hookworm larvae, and moreover, that antibodies against the enzyme can neutralize its function and inhibit migration.
Mammographic Density Correlation with Gail Model Breast Cancer Risk Estimates and Component Risk Factors

Background: The Gail model is a validated breast cancer risk assessment tool that is primarily based on nonmodifiable breast cancer risk factors. Conversely, mammographic breast density is strongly correlated with breast cancer risk and responds to risk-modifying interventions. The purpose of our study was to correlate mammographic density with breast cancer risk as calculated by the Gail model and to examine the relative association of each of the model covariates to mammographic density. Methods: The study included 99 participants of the National Surgical Breast and Bowel Project P-1 trial, ages 36 to 74 years, all of whom had a mammogram and Gail model risk estimates done upon trial entry. Baseline mammograms were retrieved and digitized, and mammographic density was assessed by both subjective and computer-assisted objective measures. Results: Mammographic density was 2-fold higher in women with a >15% lifetime risk of breast cancer compared with those with <15% risk, by all density assessment methods. This was equivalent to a 3% to 6% increase in density per 10% increase in risk. Gail model covariates that measured benign or premalignant breast tissue changes accounted for the majority (41%) of the relationship with increased mammographic density. Seven percent of density was not explained by risk factors included in the Gail model. Conclusions: The Gail model does not fully account for the association between breast density and calculated breast cancer risk. Because mammographic density is a modifiable marker, development of a breast cancer risk assessment tool that includes mammographic density could be beneficial for assessing individual risk. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1324–30)
Reverse Engineering and Software Products Reuse to Teach Collaborative Web Portals: A Case Study With Final-Year Computer Science Students

The development of collaborative Web applications does not follow a software engineering methodology. This is because when university students study Web applications in general, and collaborative Web portals in particular, they are not being trained in the use of software engineering techniques to develop collaborative Web portals. This paper presents a strategy for teaching collaborative Web portals based on reverse engineering and reuse mechanisms to engineer the collaborative Web portals' development. This strategy was successfully used in a final-year course of a Computer Science program at Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain. Its use has demonstrated an improvement in the maintainability of the Web projects developed as well as a decrease in the number of failures during the test phase. This is a very important step toward the engineering of Web applications. The students' grades for the same subject, with the same content and lecturers, also improved compared to those from previous years. The strategy, the details of its use, the results obtained after analyzing the projects the students developed, and their final grades are described in this paper.
Relationship between fecal neutral steroid concentrations and malignancy in colon cells

Analysis of total and individual fecal neutral steroids in different groups of intestinal pathology from 105 patients was performed to investigate a relationship between neutral steroid concentration and malignant potentiality of colon cells. The fecal concentration of total neutral steroids was significantly higher in patients with colon cancer (57.3 ± 2.4 mmol/kg of wet feces) and patients with malignant degenerative polyps at Stage I or II (49.5 ± 2.9) compared with controls (36.9 ± 3.5) as well as patients with adenomatous polyps (22.4 ± 2.0). Moreover, a significant correlation was found between total neutral steroid concentrations and coprostanol concentrations in patients with colon cancer (r = 0.928) and in patients with malignant polyps (r = 0.915). Coprostanol results only from the biohydrogenation of Δ 5‐3β‐OH steroids by anerobic bacteria because the analysis of a malignant colon tumor in comparison with a healthy colon wall showed that cholesterol is the only steroid included in membrane cells, and that the incubation of Clostridium or Bacteroides with Δ5‐3β‐OH steroids, such as cholesterol (steroid of animal origin) or β‐sitosterol (steroid of plant origin) converts these steroids into coprostanol at a level of efficiency greater than 45%. The findings suggest that high levels of coprostanol reflecting a high growth of anerobic bacteria through the gut are related to the malignant potentiality of colon cells. The screening of neutral fecal steroids should provide a valuable parameter for predicting the malignancy of colon cells.
An Intentional Perspective on Partial Agile Adoption

Nowadays, the agile paradigm is one of the most important approaches used for software development besides structured and traditional life cycles. To facilitate its adoption and minimize the risks, different metamodels have been proposed trying to unify it. Yet, very few of them have focused on one fundamental question: How to partially adopt agile methods? Intuitively, choosing which practices to adopt from agile methods should be made based on their most prioritized goals in the software development process. To answer this issue, this paper proposes a model for partial agile methods adoption based on intentional (i.e., goal) perspectives. Hence, adoption can be considered as defining the goals in the model, corresponding to the intentions of the software development team. Next, by mapping with our goal-based model, suitable practices for adoption could be easily found. Moreover, the relationship between roles and their dependencies to achieve a specific goal can also be visualized. This will help the software development team to easily identify the vulnerabilities associated with each goal and, in turn, help to minimize risks.
Paxillin LD4 Motif Binds PAK and PIX through a Novel 95-kD Ankyrin Repeat, ARF–GAP Protein: A Role in Cytoskeletal Remodeling

Paxillin is a focal adhesion adaptor protein involved in the integration of growth factor- and adhesion-mediated signal transduction pathways. Repeats of a leucine-rich sequence named paxillin LD motifs (Brown M.C., M.S. Curtis, and C.E. Turner. 1998. Nature Struct. Biol. 5:677–678) have been implicated in paxillin binding to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and vinculin. Here we demonstrate that the individual paxillin LD motifs function as discrete and selective protein binding interfaces. A novel scaffolding function is described for paxillin LD4 in the binding of a complex of proteins containing active p21 GTPase–activated kinase (PAK), Nck, and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, PIX. The association of this complex with paxillin is mediated by a new 95-kD protein, p95PKL (paxillin-kinase linker), which binds directly to paxillin LD4 and PIX. This protein complex also binds to Hic-5, suggesting a conservation of LD function across the paxillin superfamily. Cloning of p95PKL revealed a multidomain protein containing an NH2-terminal ARF–GAP domain, three ankyrin-like repeats, a potential calcium-binding EF hand, calmodulin-binding IQ motifs, a myosin homology domain, and two paxillin-binding subdomains (PBS). Green fluorescent protein- (GFP-) tagged p95PKL localized to focal adhesions/complexes in CHO.K1 cells. Overexpression in neuroblastoma cells of a paxillin LD4 deletion mutant inhibited lamellipodia formation in response to insulin-like growth fac- tor-1. Microinjection of GST–LD4 into NIH3T3 cells significantly decreased cell migration into a wound. These data implicate paxillin as a mediator of p21 GTPase–regulated actin cytoskeletal reorganization through the recruitment to nascent focal adhesion structures of an active PAK/PIX complex potentially via interactions with p95PKL.
Enhancing graduate employability: best intentions and mixed outcomes

This article reports on a study for the Higher Education Funding Council for England on the impact of employability skills teaching and learning on graduate labour market prospects. The findings of the study cast doubt on the assumption that these skills can be effectively developed within classrooms. Detailed information gathered at university department level is drawn on to assess how academics perceive and engage in the teaching and learning of employability skills. It is argued that, despite the best intentions of academics to enhance graduates’ employability, the limitations inherent within the agenda will consistently produce mixed outcomes. Furthermore, it is argued that resources would be better utilised to increase employment‐based training and experience, and/or employer involvement in courses, which were found to positively affect immediate graduate prospects in the labour market and, therefore, support graduates in the transitional stage into employment.