Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The class E floral homeotic protein SEPALLATA3 is sufficient to loop DNA in ‘floral quartet’-like complexes in vitro

The organs of a eudicot flower are specified by four functional classes, termed class A, B, C and E, of MADS domain transcription factors. The combinatorial formation of tetrameric complexes, so called ‘floral quartets’, between these classes is widely believed to represent the molecular basis of floral organ identity specification. As constituents of all complexes, the class E floral homeotic proteins are thought to be of critical relevance for the formation of floral quartets. However, experimental support for tetrameric complex formation remains scarce. Here we provide physico-chemical evidence that in vitro homotetramers of the class E floral homeotic protein SEPALLATA3 from Arabidopsis thaliana bind cooperatively to two sequence elements termed ‘CArG boxes’ in a phase-dependent manner involving DNA looping. We further show that the N-terminal part of SEPALLATA3 lacking K3, a subdomain of the protein–protein interactions mediating K domain, and the C-terminal domain, is sufficient for protein dimerization, but not for tetramer formation and cooperative DNA binding. We hypothesize that the capacity of class E MADS domain proteins to form tetrameric complexes contributes significantly to the formation of floral quartets. Our findings further suggest that the spacing and phasing of CArG boxes are important parameters in the molecular mechanism by which floral homeotic proteins achieve target gene specificity.
Type management: a key to software reuse in open distributed systems

Reuse of software components available in open distributed systems is a promising approach for efficient development of complex distributed applications. In open distributed systems, type mechanisms are used both to find appropriate external software components and also to guarantee that their respective interfaces match. Furthermore, a type manager allows application developers to interactively browse existing functionality and enables the automatic mediation of compatible software components at run-time. This paper presents a uniform view for handling the functionality offered by software components regardless of context-specific aspects and a framework that allows for the automatic deduction of different flavors of compatibility relations. Finally, we describe our current type management prototype implementation.
Definability problems for graph query languages

Given a graph, a relation on its nodes, and a query language Q of interest, we study the Q-definability problem which amounts to deciding whether there exists a query in Q defining precisely the given relation over the given graph. Previous research has identified the complexity of FO- and CQ-definability. In this paper, we consider the definability problem for regular paths and conjunctive regular path queries (CRPQs) over labelled graphs.
Face recognition via discriminative atom decomposition and linear subspace learning

A novel sparse coding based discriminative decomposition method is proposed to decompose facial image into different components, which are used to guide linear subspace learning for face recognition. A dictionary is learnt from the training samples and each training sample is sparsely represented by atoms in dictionary. And our idea is that discriminative atoms, i.e., atoms which are infrequently used by with relatively large coefficient in sparse coding, tend to carry more discriminative information. Therefore, we decompose a facial image into discriminative component (using discriminative atoms in sparse coding) and indiscriminative component (without using discriminative atoms in sparse coding). During subspace learning, the discriminative component is preserved while the indiscriminative component is suppressed. The experimental results on benchmark face image database suggest that the proposed method achieve good performance.
Including facial gestures in gesture-speech ensembles

Conversational facial gestures fit Kendon’s (2004) specifications of the functions of hand gestures. We illustrate how facial gestures in dialogue, like hand gestures, convey referential content as well as serving pragmatic, interpersonal and interactive functions. Hand and facial gestures often occur together, creating an integrated visual image in gesture–speech ensembles. A semantic features analysis demonstrates how speakers adjust their use of these visible versus audible expressive resources according to context. Speakers who were interacting face-to-face (compared to speakers who could not see their addressee) were significantly more likely to rely on their hand and facial gestures than on their words when describing key semantic features, and their gestures were more likely to convey information that was not in their words.
Broadband Potential in Asian Giants : A Comparison of China and India

Introduction India and the People’s Republic of China (henceforth, China), whose telecommunications networks are among the largest in the world, have a number of areas for broadband use ripe for exploration. For instance, each country is projected to have more Internet users than in the U.S. by 2010 (Nua 1999). China is estimated to produce $11.7 billion worth of e-transactions by 2003 (Heller 2000). A study conducted by India’s National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) and McKinsey indicated that India’s e-business revenue would reach $10 billion by 2008. According to the same study, India’s e-commerce and Internet related software and services exports amounted to $1.2 billion in 2000, and are expected to increase to $3 billion by 2003. China and India account for 38% of the world’s population. The rapid growth in the Internet, e-commerce, and other information and communication technologies (ICT) in these two countries therefore has global significance. A deeper and clearer understanding of the mechanisms by ICT-related developments influence the growth trajectories of broadband technology in the two Asian giants would provide valuable lessons to academics, technology marketers as well as policymakers. Although some studies have compared and contrasted Internet and some ICT-related indicators in the two economies (e.g., Press et al 1999; Press et al 2002) and factors driving them (e.g., Kshetri 2002), little research exists on the broadband industry of these two economies. This paper aims to fill the research gap by examining in depth the factors that could shape the patterns of diffusion of broadband telecommunications technologies in India and China. The remainder of the paper has three sections. The section following this introductory section summarizes the major differences in the broadband industries of the two Asian giants. Next, we compare and contrast the factors that are likely to drive the broadband potential in the two countries. Finally, we provide discussion and some conclusions.
One Sense per Tweeter ... and Other Lexical Semantic Tales of Twitter

In recent years, microblogs such as Twitter have emerged as a new communication channel. Twitter in particular has become the target of a myriad of content-based applications including trend analysis and event detection, but there has been little fundamental work on the analysis of word usage patterns in this text type. In this paper — inspired by the one-sense-perdiscourse heuristic of Gale et al. (1992) — we investigate user-level sense distributions, and detect strong support for “one sense per tweeter”. As part of this, we construct a novel sense-tagged lexical sample dataset based on Twitter and a web corpus.
Inflammatory Cytokines in General and Central Obesity and Modulating Effects of Physical Activity

Context Chronic systemic inflammation in obesity originates from local immune responses in visceral adipose tissue. However, assessment of a broad range of inflammation-mediating cytokines and their relationship to physical activity and adipometrics has scarcely been reported to date. Objective To characterize the profile of a broad range of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the impact of physical activity and energy expenditure in individuals with general obesity, central obesity, and non-obese subjects. Design, Setting, and Participants A cross-sectional study comprising 117 obese patients (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30) and 83 non-obese community-based volunteers. Main Outcomes Measures Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured. Physical activity and energy expenditure (MET) were assessed with actigraphy. Adipometrics comprised BMI, weight, abdominal-, waist- and hip-circumference, waist to hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR). Results General obesity was associated with significantly elevated levels of IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-γ and TNF-α, central obesity with significantly elevated IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13 and IFN-γ-levels. In participants with general obesity, levels of IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 were significantly elevated in participants with low physical activity, even when controlled for BMI which was negatively associated with physical acitivity. Cytokines significantly correlated with adipometrics, particularly in obese participants. Conclusions Results confirm up-regulation of certain pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in obesity. In obese subjects, physical activity may lower levels and thus reduce pro-inflammatory effects of cytokines that may link obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes.
Using Dynamic Probe for Deadlock Detection in Component-Based System

Component-based development has gained a lot of attention in recent years. As a software development paradigm, it enhances the reusability and reduces the complexity but it also brings new challenges to Component-based System (CBS) reliability especially for deadlock problem. Since the CBS has a unique character which is component based, the composition might easily cause the deadlock of component connection in semantic and hurt the system reliability. In this paper, we present Dynamic Probe(DP) strategy for the deadlock problem of CBS. First a formal semantic model is proposed to abstract the interaction among the components for analyzing the deadlock connection, and then DP Detection algorithm is used to detect the deadlock loops, if the deadlock connections are detected then DP Elimination algorithm is used to evaluated the components reliability by several measurement indexes to find the component, which reliability lower than other components, and then replace it. Last, by the comparison to other related work, the result shows that the proposed strategy can both achieve lower processing cost and higher reliability.
Performance Analysis of Distributed Layer 1 VPN

Rapid advances in next-generation SONET/SDH technology along with distributed control architectures using GMPLS have enabled new service provisioning capabilities. In particular, a key paradigm is the new layer 1 virtual private (L1 VPN) network framework, which allows clients to directly provision their own services without deploying expensive infrastructures. This paper proposes performance analysis of distributed L1 VPN. Detailed performance analysis and results are also presented
Structural and Temporal Properties of Email and Spam Networks

In this paper we present a large-scale measurement study and analysis of e-mail traffic collected on an Internet backbone link. To the best of our knowledge this is one of the largest studies of network-wide behavior of e-mail traffic. We consider e-mail networks connecting senders and receivers that have communicated via e-mail, capturing their social interactions. Our study focuses on temporal and structural properties of these e-mail networks. By analyzing the structural properties of e-mail networks, first we confirm that legitimate e-mail traffic generates a small-world, scale-free network that can be modeled similarly to many other social networks, but we also show that, contrary to previous work, e-mail traffic as a whole does not exhibit a scale-free behavior. We show that this deviation is caused by the unsocial behavior of unsolicited e-mail traffic. We also analyze how various structural properties of e-mail networks change over time and reveal the structural properties that are indicative of the unsocial behavior of spam traffic. Finally, we show that our findings can be used to identify spam traffic in regular e-mail traffic without inspecting the e-mail contents.
Probiotics and periodontal health

Periodontitis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases. The etiology is clearly bacterial and a number of putative bacterial pathogens have been associated with the disease, including Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythus and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Comparatively, little attention has been paid to the identification of health-associated and potentially beneficial bacterial species that may reside in the gingival sulcus. Probiotic technology represents a breakthrough approach to maintaining oral health by using natural beneficial bacteria, commonly found in healthy mouths, to provide a natural defense against those bacteria which are thought to be harmful to teeth and gums. This article endeavors to introduce the concepts of probiotics in periodontics.
Modeling Delegation through an i*-based Approach

This paper introduces generic delegation patterns modeled with the strategic actors of the i* framework. We argue that this modeling approach together with reasoning mechanisms offers a potentially more substantive approach to understand the nature of delegation relationships in a variety of social and technical contexts. Furthermore, we hope that understanding the underlying assumptions and constructs through the use of the delegation modeling framework will not only inform analysts of a better design for delegation policies, but also assist in the understanding of intricate situations in which different delegation models appear.
Adenosine A1 Receptor Protects Against Cisplatin Ototoxicity by Suppressing the NOX3/STAT1 Inflammatory Pathway in the Cochlea

Cisplatin is a commonly used antineoplastic agent that produces ototoxicity that is mediated in part by increasing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the NOX3 NADPH oxidase pathway in the cochlea. Recent studies implicate ROS generation in mediating inflammatory and apoptotic processes and hearing loss by activating signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1). In this study, we show that the adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) protects against cisplatin ototoxicity by suppressing an inflammatory response initiated by ROS generation via NOX3 NADPH oxidase, leading to inhibition of STAT1. Trans-tympanic administration of the A1AR agonist R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) inhibited cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, as measured by auditory brainstem responses and scanning electron microscopy in male Wistar rats. This was associated with reduced NOX3 expression, STAT1 activation, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and apoptosis in the cochlea. In vitro studies in UB/OC-1 cells, an organ of Corti immortalized cell line, showed that R-PIA reduced cisplatin-induced phosphorylation of STAT1 Ser727 (but not Tyr701) and STAT1 luciferase activity by suppressing the ERK1/2, p38, and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. R-PIA also decreased the expression of STAT1 target genes, such as TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and reduced cisplatin-mediated apoptosis. These data suggest that the A1AR provides otoprotection by suppressing NOX3 and inflammation in the cochlea and could serve as an ideal target for otoprotective drug therapy. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of solid tumors. Its use results in significant and permanent hearing loss, for which no US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment is currently available. In this study, we targeted the cochlear adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) by trans-tympanic injections of the agonist R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) and showed that it reduced cisplatin-induced inflammation and apoptosis in the rat cochlea and preserved hearing. The mechanism of protection involves suppression of the NOX3 NADPH oxidase enzyme, a major target of cisplatin-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the cochlea. ROS initiates an inflammatory and apoptotic cascade in the cochlea by activating STAT1 transcription factor, which is attenuated by R-PIA. Therefore, trans-tympanic delivery of A1AR agonists could effectively treat cisplatin ototoxicity.
Factors that determine the magnitude and time course of human H- reflexes in locomotion

The soleus H-reflex amplitude is deeply modulated during locomotion in humans (Capaday and Stein, 1986). Moreover, at a constant stimulus intensity, the slope of the relationship between the amplitude of the soleus H-reflex and the background electromyogram (EMG) changes with different locomotor tasks (Capaday and Stein, 1987a). Two further aspects are studied here. First, we recorded the reflex during overlapping speeds of walking (2.0–7.5 km/hr) and running (5–9 km/hr) to determine whether the speed, the motor output, or the form of locomotion was most important in setting the slope of this relationship between H-reflex and background EMG. Second, we determined the time course of change in the H-reflex amplitude and the possible site of action for the reflex depression during the transition from standing to walking. The primary determinant of the slope was found to be the form of locomotion. The differences between running and walking could not be explained entirely by either movement speed or motor output. For walking, the slope varied inversely with the speed and the motor output of locomotion. This compensation in slope as a function of motor output may prevent saturation of the motoneuron pool. The appropriate reflex amplitudes for a particular locomotor pattern are activated rapidly and completely within a reaction time, and simultaneously with the activation of muscle activity for the initiation of walking. Mechanisms for the rapid change seen during the initiation of locomotion most likely act presynaptically on the muscle spindle afferents. The time course and magnitude of this change are correlated with the activity of the tibialis anterior muscle.
Using the lost letter technique to measure real-life behavioral effects of alcohol use

Abstract Introduction and aims: People’s behaviors after alcohol use are more extreme and alcohol has a narrowing effect on a person’s cognitive capacity. We tested this effect, making use of the Lost-Letter Technique (LLT), in which the return rate of “lost letters” by public mail is used to measure altruistic behavior. We hypothesized that return rates would be lower when people are under the influence of alcohol, and that an anti-alcohol prime in the address would even further decrease return rates. Design and methods: 768 letters were dropped, half of those at times when some degree of intoxication was likely versus when sober passers-by were common. Three different addressees were used to convey an anti-alcohol cue, a charitable cue, and a neutral cue. Results: The average response rate was 33.1%, and was significantly lower during late bar hours than during lunch hours (20.3% versus 45.8%). Also, when envelopes were found by people who were more likely to have consumed alcohol, anti-alcohol cues gained significantly lower response rates (12.7% versus 23.1%). Discussion and conclusions: This study confirms that alcohol use causes less altruistic behavior and different responses to alcohol-related cues, suggesting that LLT is a promising method to study people’s behavior. Future research could also focus on other substances, (mood-)states, and technology as a means of data collection.
Globalization in History: A Geographical Perspective

This Paper argues that a geographical perspective is fundamental to understanding comparative economic development in the context of globalization. Central to this view is the role of agglomeration in productivity performance; size and location matter. The tools of the new economic geography are used to illuminate important episodes when the relative position of major economies radically changed: the rise of the United States at the beginning and of East Asia at the end of the 20th century. It is suggested that while lack of high quality institutions has been a major reason for falling behind geographic disadvantages also merit attention.
Is mistrust self-ful fi lling ?

The degree to which you expect others to behave in a trustworthy manner is crucial for your willingness to trust. An interesting question, however, is whether your expectation (if manifested) can affect the likelihood that your trust is repaid. The answer to this question has important implications for the stability of trust (or lack thereof). To observe whether expectations impact the repayment of trust, we ran an experiment based on a variation of the trust game of Berg et al. (1995) called the lost wallet game (Dufwenberg and Gneezy, 2000). In the game, a sender is endowed with $50, which he can keep or send to a receiver. If the sender sends (i.e., trusts), the receiver receives $150 of which she can return any amount to the sender. Subjects play the game twice as receivers. The first time, they do not know the amount the sender expects back. The second time, they are informed of the sender's expectation. Half of them are matched with senders with high expectations and the rest with senders with low expectations. We test whether observing a high/low expectation increases/decreases the amount returned. In this context, it is useful to consider the theory of guilt aversion (Battigalli and Dufwenberg, 2007) as it assumes a direct impact of the sender's expectations on the receiver's returned amount. Specifically,
A critical review of prenatal attachment research.

Abstract This paper outlines the differences in stance between traditional social work practice and the disability movement. It suggests that professionals need to come to accept disabled people's own definitions of disability, as a basis for good practice in the context of community care. They can also offer their support to user-led organisations and become active in facilitating the kind of representation of disabled people which will guarantee them a voice in policy-making.
The effect of vitamin D derivatives on vascular calcification associated with inflammation.

BACKGROUND Vitamin D sterols may modulate vascular response to inflammation and vascular calcification (VC). METHODS Rat aortic rings (RARs) and human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs) were treated in vitro with phosphate (P), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), calcitriol (CTR) and paricalcitol (PCT). Rats having undergone subtotal nephrectomy (Nx) (n = 66) on a high-phosphorus diet were treated with Escherichia coli lipopolysacharide (LPS) (40-400 μg/kg/day) or LPS plus CTR (80 ng/kg/48 h) or LPS plus PCT (240 ng/kg/48 h) for 14 days. RESULTS In vitro, the addition of TNF-α to the medium increased the mineral content of RAR and HVSMC. Treatment with both vitamin D analogues decreased bone morphogenetic protein 2 but did not modify Runx-2. Calcification was prevented only by PCT. In vivo, treatment with LPS increased plasma levels of TNF-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-1alfa and induced calcification. The concomitant administration of LPS with either CTR or PCT led to a significant decrease in cytokine plasma levels and the decrease was more accentuated after treatment with PCT than with CTR. Rats treated with CTR showed an elevation in aortic Ca and marked Von Kossa staining; however, rats treated with PCT did not increase aortic Ca and did not show Von Kossa staining. CONCLUSION Treatment with PCT resulted in more marked anti-inflammatory effect than treatment with CTR and, as opposed to CTR, PCT prevented VC.