Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of the C-terminal D0 domain of flagellin in activation of Toll like receptor 5

Flagellin is a wide-spread bacterial virulence factor sensed by the membrane-bound Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) and by the intracellular NAIP5/NLRC4 inflammasome receptor. TLR5 recognizes a conserved region within the D1 domain of flagellin, crucial for the interaction between subunits in the flagellum and for bacterial motility. While it is known that a deletion of the D0 domain of flagellin, which lines the interior of flagella, also completely abrogates activation of TLR5, its functional role remains unknown. Using a protein fusion strategy, we propose a role for the D0 domain in the stabilization of an active dimeric signaling complex of flagellin-TLR5 at a 2:2 stoichiometric ratio. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of flagellin revealed a previously unidentified region of flagellin, the C-terminal D0 domain, to play a crucial role in TLR5 activation. Interestingly, we show that TLR5 recognizes the same hydrophobic motif of the D0 domain of flagellin as the intracellular NAIP5/NLRC4 inflammasome receptor. Further, we show that residues within the D0 domain play a previously unrecognized role in the evasion of TLR5 recognition by Helicobacter pylori. These findings demonstrate that TLR5 is able to simultaneously sense several spatially separated sites of flagellin that are essential for its functionality, hindering bacterial evasion of immune recognition. Our findings significantly contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of TLR5 activation, which plays an important role in host defense against several pathogens, but also in several diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The Measurement of Technology Within Organizations

Research has found technology to play a key role in the explanation of organizational behavior. Although important, the literature lacks comparative studies of the effects of the subunit and job technology on behavior within organizations. One of the reasons for this research deficit is the lack of a multipurpose measure of the technology variable. This research reports on the development and three studies to test the reliability and validity of an instrument to measure the technology level of jobs and subunits. The revised instrument was found to discriminate among jobs in three subunits employing different technologies (a long-linked, a mediating, and an intensive). The instrument was also found useful in differentiating jobs and units by technology within a large complex organization. A third study found the instrument to be reliable as determined by the test-retest method. Overall, the results show the instrument to have promise for comparative research.
Evaluation of PCR‐reverse blot hybridization assay for the differentiation and identification of Mycobacterium species in liquid cultures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of REBA Myco‐ID® assay based on the principle of reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) for the rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the differentiation of MTB from nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and the identification of NTM species in liquid cultures.
Gradients of substrate-bound laminin orient axonal specification of neurons

Little is known about the influence of substrate-bound gradients on neuronal development, since it has been difficult to fabricate gradients over the distances typically required for biological studies (a few hundred micrometers). This article demonstrates a generally applicable technique for the fabrication of substrate-bound gradients of proteins with complex shapes, using laminar flows in microchannels. Gradients that range from pure laminin to pure BSA were formed in solution by using a network of microchannels, and these proteins were allowed to adsorb onto a homogeneous layer of poly-l-lysine. Rat hippocampal neurons were cultivated on these substrate-bound gradients. Analysis of optical images of these neurons showed that axon specification is oriented in the direction of increasing surface density of laminin. Linear gradients in laminin adsorbed from a gradient in solution having a slope of ∇[laminin] > about 0.06 μg (ml⋅μm)−1 (defined by dividing the change of concentration of laminin in solution over the distance of the gradient) orient axon specification, whereas those with ∇[laminin] < about 0.06 μg (ml⋅μm)−1 have no effect.
A New Software Tool to Optimize Frequency Table Selection for Cochlear Implants

Hypothesis: When cochlear implant (CI) users are allowed to self-select the "most intelligible" frequency-to-electrode table, some of them choose one that differs from the default frequency table that is normally used in clinical practice. Background: CIs reproduce the tonotopicity of normal cochleas using frequency-to-electrode tables that assign stimulation of more basal electrodes to higher frequencies and more apical electrodes to lower frequency sounds. Current audiologic practice uses a default frequency-to-electrode table for most patients. However, individual differences in cochlear size, neural survival, and electrode positioning may result in different tables sounding most intelligible to different patients. No clinical tools currently exist to facilitate this fitting. Methods: A software tool was designed that enables CI users to self-select a most intelligible frequency table. Users explore a 2-dimensional space that represents a range of different frequency tables. Unlike existing tools, this software enables users to interactively audition speech processed by different frequency tables and quickly identify a preferred one. Pilot testing was performed in 11 long-term, postlingually deaf CI users. Results: The software tool was designed, developed, tested, and debugged. Patients successfully used the tool to sample frequency tables and to self-select tables deemed most intelligible, which for approximately half of the users differed from the clinical default. Conclusion: A software tool allowing CI users to self-select frequency-to-electrode tables may help in fitting postlingually deaf users. This novel approach may transform current methods of CI fitting.
Toll-Like Receptor Signaling Pathways

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play crucial roles in the innate immune system by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns derived from various microbes. TLRs signal through the recruitment of specific adaptor molecules, leading to activation of the transcription factors NF-κB and IRFs, which dictate the outcome of innate immune responses. During the past decade, the precise mechanisms underlying TLR signaling have been clarified by various approaches involving genetic, biochemical, structural, cell biological, and bioinformatics studies. TLR signaling appears to be divergent and to play important roles in many aspects of the innate immune responses to given pathogens. In this review, we describe recent progress in our understanding of TLR signaling regulation and its contributions to host defense.
Forgotten man: The contribution of John Dyer Cartwright to the football rules debate

This article attempts to examine the debate over the need for nationally accepted football rules which took place in England in the early 1860s. It is partially designed to draw the attention of the reader to those arguments that appeared in print in various newspapers and periodicals around that time. However, it is also intended to highlight the part played in these discussions by John Dyer Cartwright, a journalist writing for The Field: The Country Gentleman's Newspaper, who, it is argued, has hitherto received insufficient credit for his role in seeking to unify the football community. In looking more closely at the rules debate it is also perhaps possible to attain a deeper insight into the divisions that existed between footballers in mid-Victorian England and even develop a greater understanding of the eventual bifurcation in 1863 of the Association and Rugby forms of the game.
An Exploration of Students' Conceptions of Accounting Work

This study, undertaken at an Australian university, investigates undergraduate accounting students' conceptions of accounting work and discusses the relevance of such conceptions for the work readiness of graduates. Findings based on a phenomenographic investigation show variations in students' awareness of the functional and human aspects of accounting work. This awareness ranges from seeing accounting work as being predominantly technical and routine to a keen awareness of the more complex aspects of contemporary accounting work including its ethical aspects. We argue that these findings suggest the need for new kinds of curriculum resources to develop students' conceptions of accounting work to better align them with the needs of professional practice today. It is argued that students will benefit from critically reflecting on their future professional roles in light of the profession's core values and societal obligations, especially in what are widely seen as challenging times for the accounting profession.
Hypoxia-induced treatment failure in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is primarily due to hypoxia-induced radiation resistance rather than hypoxia-induced metastasis

Poor outcome of treatment in advanced cervix carcinoma has been shown to be associated with poor oxygenation of the primary tumour. Hypoxia may cause radiation resistance and promote lymph-node metastasis. The purpose of the study reported here was to investigate whether hypoxia-induced treatment failure in advanced cervix carcinoma is primarily a result of hypoxia-induced radiation resistance or the presence of hypoxia-induced lymph-node metastases at the start of treatment. Thirty-two patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were included in the study. Radiation therapy was given with curative intent as combined external irradiation and endocavitary brachytherapy. The oxygenation status of the primary tumour was measured prior to treatment using the Eppendorf pO2 Histograph. Pelvic and para-aortal lymph-node metastases were detected by magnetic resonance imaging at the time of initial diagnosis. The primary tumours of the patients with metastases (n = 18) were significantly more poorly oxygenated than those of the patients without metastases (n = 14). Multivariate Cox regression analyses involving biological and clinical parameters identified the tumour subvolume having pO2values below 5mmHg (HSV (pO2< 5mmHg) as the only significant, independent prognostic factor for locoregional control, disease-free survival and overall survival. The probabillities of locoregional control, disease-free survival and overall survival were significantly lower for the patients with HSV (pO2< 5 mmHg) above the median value than for those with HSV (pO2< 5 mmHg) below the median value. On the other hand, the outcome of treatment was not significantly different for the patients with metastases and the patients without metastases at the start of treatment, irrespective of clinical end-point. Consequently, treatment failure was primarily a result of hypoxia-induced radiation resistance rather than hypoxia-induced lymph-node metastasis, suggesting that novel treatment strategies aiming at improving tumour oxygenation or enhancing the radiation sensitivity of hypoxic tumour cells may prove beneficial in attempts to improve the radiation therapy of advanced cervix carcinoma. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
Estimation of structure of four-scene comics by convolutional neural networks

The computational interpretation of comics is one of the important topics being studied in the field of artificial intelligence and image recognition. There are a lot of challenging tasks to undertake in order to interpret comics, i.e., recognize objects in gray-scaled drawing image, extract emotional information of scenes, and define models of continuous scenes by considering the structure of comics. In this paper, we focused on four scene comics and their transition. Four-scene comics have a structure which originated in four-part of Chinese-poetry so creators clearly draw the semantic distance between each scene. It is very important for expressing the interesting and lyrical aspects of comics. To detect the transition of scenes, convolutional neural networks(CNNs) are constructed and computer experiments were carried out. The results suggest that CNN is able to detect the transition of scenes and that the features of each scene are quite different.
Reading-time studies of second language ambiguity resolution

This article provides a review of studies that have examined the ambiguity resolution strategies employed when processing a second language (L2). The way second language learners parse the L2 input has not yet been thoroughly investigated, although recently there has been an increasing interest in this area. The exploration of the mechanisms L2 learners use to parse ambiguous constructions allows us to examine not only aspects of L2 acquisition that still remain obscure, but also the validity of existing theories of parsing. The studies reported in this article look at three different types of ambiguous construction in the L2, and their results are discussed in relation to the L2 performance pattern. Most of the findings show that even advanced L2 learners are slower readers than native speakers and apply processing routines that depart from those best suited for processing the target language input. In addition, although L2 learners show sensitivity to lexical cues such as verb argument structure when processing the L2 input, they are less likely to rapidly employ structural information on line. The issues of the transfer of processing mechanisms from the first language (L1) to the second as well as the impact of L2 exposure on the adoption of the L2 processing routines are still unresolved and need to be further investigated.
In Defense of an Instrument-Based Approach to Validity

Paul E. Newton (this issue) argues in favor of a conception of validity, viz, “the consensus definition of validity,” according to which the extension of the predicate “is valid” is a subset of “assessment-based decision-making procedure[s], which [are] underwritten by an argument that the assessment procedure can be used to measure the attribute entailed by that decision,” (Newton, this issue). Standing in contrast to this conception of validity is Borsboom’s (2005) account, according to which the extension of the predicate “is valid” is a subset of psychological tests. In Borsboom’s own words, “a test is valid for measuring an attribute if and only if (a) the attribute exists and (b) variations in the attribute causally produce variations in the outcomes of the measurement procedure,” (Borsboom, 2005, p. 150). 1 The consensus definition of validity and Borsboom’s instrument-based accounts are clearly incompatible, and in the course of defending the former, Newton argues against the latter in an effort to motivate his own account. In what follows I assess the two principal reasons Newton gives for rejecting Borsboom’s analysis. The first pertains to differential measurement quality in light of four considerations: adherence to proper measurement procedures and guidelines, the context of the measurement, characteristics of the group being assessed, and the use of measurement outcomes. The second objection is, in effect, the charge that Borsboom’s account (and the instrument-based account in general) underrepresents the concept of validity. I will argue that Newton’s objections to the instrumentbased account either constitute no serious objection to the instrument-based account or they are question begging.
Calibration of Ground-Based Full-Polarimetric Scatterometer for L-, C-, and X-Bands

Abstract A measurement technique for calibrating the HPS(Hongik Polarimetric Sactterometer) for L-, C-, X-band frequencies is presented in this paper. Especially, to overcome the integration problem with a large L-band sensor part, we propose a new compact OMT (Orthogonal Mode Transducer) for L-band. The performances of the integrated HPS system for multi-bands on single platform was evaluated and calibrated by the STCT (Single Target Calibration Technique) and the 2DTST (2D Target Scanning Technique). The evaluation of the calibration accuracy in the field experiment can secure the precise calibration accuracy within 0.5 dB for magnitude correction and less than 4 for phase correction in each bands.
Influence of integrators in the performance of analog-to-information converters

The development of analog-to-information converter if one the challenges in Compressed Sensing. In architectures proposed in the literature, the presence of integrators is a crucial point to the conversion. Hardware implementation of the integrators have great influence in the AIC performance, and using simulation in this work we analyze the AIC performance when some integrator parameters change. It was observed that there is a relation between cutoff frequency and AIC performance and depending on the value of this frequency low values of measurement occurs, and a high gain is necessary, what is a problem in hardware implementations.
Acute Myocardial Response to Stretch: What We (don't) Know

Myocardial stretch, as result of acute hemodynamic overload, is one of the most frequent challenges to the heart and the ability of the heart to intrinsically adapt to it is essential to prevent circulatory congestion. In this review, we highlight the historical background, the currently known mechanisms, as well as the gaps in the understanding of this physiological response. The systolic adaptation to stretch is well-known for over 100 years, being dependent on an immediate increase in contractility—known as the Frank-Starling mechanism—and a further progressive increase—the slow force response. On the other hand, its diastolic counterpart remains largely unstudied. Mechanosensors are structures capable of perceiving mechanical signals and activating pathways that allow their transduction into biochemical responses. Although the connection between these structures and stretch activated pathways remains elusive, we emphasize those most likely responsible for the initiation of the acute response. Calcium-dependent pathways, including angiotensin- and endothelin-related pathways; and cGMP-dependent pathways, comprising the effects of nitric oxide and cardiac natriuretic hormones, embody downstream signaling. The ischemic setting, a paradigmatic situation of acute hemodynamic overload, is also touched upon. Despite the relevant knowledge accumulated, there is much that we still do not know. The quest for further understanding the myocardial response to acute stretch may provide new insights, not only in its physiological importance, but also in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Politicians' estimated height as an indicator of their popularity

Previous research has found that an electoral candidates' eight is correlated with their image. Many studies have found that height is a great asset for a candidate as height correlates with electoral outcome. In this research the previously obtained results were partially confirmed—in the first study the supporters of a given candidate estimated him as taller than his opponents (confirmed by six out of 10 candidates). The second study, conducted during the presidential elections in Poland, showed that electorate-perceived height of candidates for the Presidency changed after the first phase of elections (confirmed by three from six main candidates). These changes in electoral-perceived height depended more upon their electoral support than attitudes toward them. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical Fluctuations in Cortical Models Near Instability

Computational studies often proceed from the premise that cortical dynamics operate in a linearly stable domain, where fluctuations dissipate quickly and show only short memory. Studies of human electroencephalography (EEG), however, have shown significant autocorrelation at time lags on the scale of minutes, indicating the need to consider regimes where non-linearities influence the dynamics. Statistical properties such as increased autocorrelation length, increased variance, power law scaling, and bistable switching have been suggested as generic indicators of the approach to bifurcation in non-linear dynamical systems. We study temporal fluctuations in a widely-employed computational model (the Jansen–Rit model) of cortical activity, examining the statistical signatures that accompany bifurcations. Approaching supercritical Hopf bifurcations through tuning of the background excitatory input, we find a dramatic increase in the autocorrelation length that depends sensitively on the direction in phase space of the input fluctuations and hence on which neuronal subpopulation is stochastically perturbed. Similar dependence on the input direction is found in the distribution of fluctuation size and duration, which show power law scaling that extends over four orders of magnitude at the Hopf bifurcation. We conjecture that the alignment in phase space between the input noise vector and the center manifold of the Hopf bifurcation is directly linked to these changes. These results are consistent with the possibility of statistical indicators of linear instability being detectable in real EEG time series. However, even in a simple cortical model, we find that these indicators may not necessarily be visible even when bifurcations are present because their expression can depend sensitively on the neuronal pathway of incoming fluctuations.
On the Perturbative Expansion of Boundary Reflection Factors of the Supersymmetric Sinh-Gordon Model

The supersymmetric sinh–Gordon model on a half-line with integrable boundary conditions is considered perturbatively to verify conjectured exact reflection factors to one loop order. Propagators for the boson and fermion fields restricted to a half-line contain several novel features and are developed as prerequisites for the calculations.
Cardiovascular Reactivity to Behavioral Stress in Young Males With and Without Marginally Elevated Casual Systolic Pressures

SUMMARY Heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure levels were compared ID 60 young males during various resting and stressful conditions. Subjects included 29 who had and 31 who had not shown occasional casual SBP readings $ 135 mm Hg under low stress conditions. These groups were further divided into those who snowed above-average and below-average HR increases at onset of a stressful shock-avoidance task (high vs low HR reactors). High HR reactors, who were equally distributed in both casual SBP groups, also showed higher SBP than low reactors during avoidance, and higher HR and SBP during a pre-stress rest period and two other stresses, the cold pressor test and viewing an erotic dim (p's< 0.01). During less stressful conditions (relaxation in the laboratory, family doctor readings, and self-determinations at home), no HR, SBP, or DBP differences were seen between high and low HR reactors. Subjects with casual SBPs $ 135 showed higher mean SBP than those with casual SBPs< 135 under all resting and stressful conditions (p's< 0.05) and generally higher DBP as well. Highest mean SBP levels during prestress rest and later stresses were shown by subjects with both casual SBPs i> 135 and high HR reactivity to the avoidance task, and lowest by subjects with neither trait. Incidence of parental hypertension was greater among high than low HR reactors, and greatest among high reactors with casual SBPs 2: 135, suggesting that HR reactivity to stress may help predict future hypertension.