Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Additive Spanners

This paper considers additive and purely additive spanners. We present a new purely additive spanner of size O(n7/5) with additive stretch 4. This construction fills in the gap between the two existing constructions for purely additive spanners, one for 2-additive spanner of size O(n3/2) and the other for 6-additive spanner of size O(n4/3), and thus answers a main open question in this area. In addition, we present a construction for additive spanners with O(n1+δ) edges and additive stretch of O(n1/2−3δ/2) for any 3/17 ≤ δ < 1/3, improving the stretch of the existing constructions from O(n1−3δ) to O(√n1−3δ). Finally, we show that our (1,n1/2−3δ/2)-spanner construction can be tweaked to give a sublinear additive spanner of size O(n1+3/17) with additive stretch O(√distance).
UP GRADE is the European Journal for the Informatics Professional, published bimonthly

UPGRADE is the anchor point for UPENET (UPGRADE European NETwork), the network of CEPIS member societies’ publications, that currently includes the following ones: • Informatica, journal from the Slovenian CEPIS society SDI • Informatik-Spektrum, journal published by Springer Verlag on behalf of the CEPIS societies GI, Germany, and SI, Switzerland • ITNOW, magazine published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British CEPIS society BCS • Mondo Digitale, digital journal from the Italian CEPIS society AICA • Novática, journal from the Spanish CEPIS society ATI • OCG Journal, journal from the Austrian CEPIS society OCG • Pliroforiki, journal from the Cyprus CEPIS society CCS • Pro Dialog, journal from the Polish CEPIS society PTI-PIPS • Tölvumál, journal from the Icelandic CEPIS society ISIP
The Content of the Psychological Contract

The perceived obligations of the two parties to the employment relationship, the employee and the organization, were explored using the critical incident technique. Incidents were elicited which exceeded or fell below the treatment which each party might reasonably expect from the other; obligations were then inferred from these incidents. Respondents were a representative sample of UK employees (n=184), and a sample of UK managers (n=184) (the organization group). Twelve categories of organization obligation and seven of employee obligation were inferred from these data. While the two groups identified the same content categories as each other, they did so with different relative frequency. The organization group quoted more relational than transactional forms of organizational obligation, the employee group the reverse. This finding was attributed to a lack of trust of the organization by employees, and to their job insecurity. The groups, however, did not differ in terms of the frequency of the most commonly cited employee obligations; timekeeping, good work and honesty. This was taken to indicate the prevalence of a traditional and input-oriented view of employee obligations. Examples were discovered of a reciprocal element to the contract. It was concluded that, despite the level of agreement between the two parties regarding the elements of the psychological contract, they were in danger of holding different perceptions of its balance; and that organizations should only expect employee commitment if they themselves have fulfilled their side of the contract.
Characterization of a potent varicella-zoster virus-encoded trans-repressor

Using a transient expression assay in Vero cells, we have shown that the protein product from gene 61 of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can repress the function of the VZV encoded trans-activators on putative viral immediate-early, early, and late gene promoters. The repression is exerted at the transcriptional level and requires functional gene 61 protein. This trans-repressor is the herpes simplex type 1 ICP0 (a trans-activator) homolog, as defined by gene location, the sharing of a cysteine-rich putative zinc-binding finger in the amino-terminal region, and limited amino acid homology. Open reading frame 61 (ORF61)-mediated trans-repression appears to be specific for VZV-encoded trans-activators in that it has no effect on simian virus 40 and Rous sarcoma virus promoters. Moreover, it does not inhibit trans-activation of the human T-lymphotropic virus type I and human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeats by tax and tat genes, respectively. We constructed plasmids with mutations in ORF61 and tested them for their ability to inhibit trans-activator (VZV genes 4 and 62)-mediated activation of the viral thymidine kinase promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct. Mutants containing interruptions in ORF61 lost their trans-repressing ability, as demonstrated at both the protein and steady-state RNA levels. These results suggest that the ORF61 protein product can mediate down-regulation of VZV gene expression.
Hyperactivity induced by prenatal BrdU exposure across several experimental conditions

Behavioral results are sometimes not reproducible even in the positive controls of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) tests. Effects of several factors on the results should be considered. In the present paper, we examined the effects of strain‐, gender‐, and test‐condition differences on BrdU‐induced hyperactivity. The results showed that BrdU‐induced hyperactivity was reproducible in two rat strains (SD and F344 rats), rodent species (rat and mouse), and both sexes. When the level of background sound in a test room was increased, the hyperactivity was persistent, resulting in no effect of background sound on BrdU‐induced hyperactivity. Thus, we have demonstrated that the BrdU‐animal model is a useful positive control via prenatal exposure to validate the entire DNT test process.
Pharmacological Enhancement of Cardiac Gap Junction Coupling Prevents Arrhythmias in Canine LQT2 Model

Gap junctions contribute to the transmural heterogeneity of repolarization in the normal heart and under conditions of prolonged QT interval in the diseased heart. This study examined whether enhancing of gap junction coupling can reduce transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) and prevent torsade de pointes (TdP) in a canine LQT2 model. Canine left ventricular wedge preparations were perfused with delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr) blocker d-sotalol to mimic LQT2 and the antiarrhythmic peptide 10 (AAP10) was used as a gap junction coupling enhancer. As compared with the control group, the LQT2 group had significantly augmented TDR and higher incidence of TdP associated with increased nonphosphorylated connexin 43 (Cx43). AAP10 prevented augmentation of TDR and induction of TdP while rescuing Cx43 phosphorylation. There was no significant change in the quantity and spatial distribution of Cx43. These data indicate that gap junction enhancer AAP10 can prevent augmentation of TDR and suppress TdP by preventing dephosphorylation of Cx43 in a LQT2 model.
Soviet propaganda and the neutron bomb decision

Abstract In July 1977, newly elected President Jimmy Carter suddenly found himself confronted with a difficult neutron bomb decision. With a narrow victory in Congress, pro neutron‐bomb forces had successfully presented the President with the authority to proceed with production. Unfortunately, as the months passed, Carter failed to move swiftly with production of the neutron warheads which many NATO alliance members saw as a much needed deterrent to the Warsaw PACT'S massive armor superiority. Confronted with mounting international and domestic opposition to the neutron weapon, Jimmy Carter, in the fall of 1977, insisted that the NATO allies officially support American production of the warheads before the United States would produce it. Spurred on by Carter's indecision and by certain NATO members’ reluctance to officially support the weapon, the Soviet Union shifted its propaganda machine into high gear in a massive effort to sway international opinion against the weapon. During the first few months of.
Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage to predict early failure of Bernese periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia.

BACKGROUND Hip dysplasia leads to abnormal loading of articular cartilage, which results in osteoarthritis. Pelvic osteotomies such as the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy can improve the mechanics of the joint, but the results are variable and appear to depend on the amount of preexisting arthritis. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) is a technique designed to measure early arthritis, and it potentially could be used to select hips with too severe arthritis to benefit from a joint-preserving reconstructive procedure. The purpose of our study was to identify radiographic, clinical, and magnetic resonance imaging measurements that predict failure after pelvic osteotomy. METHODS We performed a cohort study of forty-seven patients undergoing a Bernese periacetabular osteotomy for the treatment of hip dysplasia. Our goal was to identify preoperative radiographic factors, such as the grade of arthritis, joint congruency, and the dGEMRIC index, that are associated with a poor outcome after osteotomy. RESULTS Hips in which the osteotomy did not fail had a significant decrease in pain compared with their status preoperatively (p < 0.0001). Hips in which the osteotomy did fail had had significantly more arthritis on preoperative radiographs (as demonstrated by the joint space width and the Tönnis grade [p = 0.01]), more subluxation (p = 0.02), and a lower dGEMRIC index (p < 0.001) than the hips in which the osteotomy did not fail. Multivariate analysis identified the dGEMRIC index as the most important predictor of failure of the osteotomy. CONCLUSIONS Bernese periacetabular osteotomy for the treatment of hip dysplasia can decrease pain and improve function in symptomatic dysplastic hips. The dGEMRIC index, as an early measure of osteoarthritis, appears to be useful for identifying poor candidates for a pelvic osteotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Fathering attitudes and practices: Influences on children's development

This study examined direct and indirect influences of fathers’ reported parenting beliefs and practices on children's development. Participants included 525 fathers and mothers of toddlers enrolled in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project in 14 communities across the United States. Results show that fathers’ modernity defined as endorsing more child-directed versus adult-directed parenting attitudes was a correlate of maternal beliefs and maternal supportiveness, and was directly associated with higher cognitive scores for the focus child. The importance of the parental transaction was also observed in the combined effects of paternal and maternal modernity on child development.
Hands on what?: comparing children's mouse-based and tangible-based interaction

We investigate the similarities and differences -- in terms of quantitative performance and qualitative behaviors -- between how children solve an object manipulation task using mouse-based input versus tangible-based input. This work examines the assumption common in tangible computing that direct physical manipulation is beneficial for certain spatial tasks. We describe an ecologically valid comparison of mouse-based versus tangible-based input for a jigsaw puzzle task in order to better understand the tradeoffs in choosing input and interaction styles. We include a traditional cardboard puzzle for comparative purposes. The results of an experiment with 132 children indicate children are more successful and faster at solving puzzles using a tangible-based approach. Detailed temporal analysis indicates that pairs in the tangible group spend most of their time using a combination of epistemic and pragmatic actions which support mental problem solving. Conversely, pairs in the mouse group use an ineffective trial and error strategy.
Resilience and vulnerability in children of multiple-risk families

Abstract Under high-risk conditions of genetic and family environmental origins, some children maintain a high level of adaptive behavior, whereas others develop serious problems. What distinguishes these children? Using measures systematically obtained in a 10-year longitudinal study, standard case studies were developed on 18 resilient children with healthy adaptation throughout development (psychiatric assessment) and on 26 troubled children with serious persistent problems. All children had family risks of affective illness in both parents and a highly chaotic and disturbed family life. Well children of well parents and well-functioning families were a comparison group. The children were preadolescent or adolescent at the time of most recent assessment. The ill and well families had similar demographic characteristics. Resilient and control children were very similar on most measures. Troubled children as a group had lower scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised, were more often shy, had poor academic achievement, and had a history of poor peer relationships. Resilient children elicited more positive reactions from teachers, were more likely to be the favored child in the family, and had more positive self-perceptions. Profiles of each child showed competing processes of vulnerability and coping. Children used a wide range of methods for coping with parental and family pathology. Resilience appeared variably robust or fragile depending on the combinations of risks and supportive factors present and the styles of coping with stress.
Pro-Environmental Habits: Propensity Levels in Behavioral Change1

A proposed model for behavioral change is described as a process in several steps from habitual nonenvironmentally friendly behavior to environmentally friendly behavior. Every step is linked to factors promoting or impeding further progress. Data from a questionnaire addressed to a random sample of 500 Swedish adults supported the hypothesis that general factors such as environmental values and a sense of responsibility for the environment will be more influential in an early phase rather than in a later phase of changing established habits regarding purchases of washing and washing-up detergents, respectively. Furthermore, in a later phase of transition, specific beliefs about particular products will affect the testing and evaluation of a new behavior.
Transcriptomic insights into mechanisms of symbiotic cooperation

Intraspecific genetic variation can affect community structure and ecosystem processes (Bolnick et al. 2011). It can also influence phenotypic expression by genotypes within other species to produce genotype‐by‐genotype (G × G) interaction (Falconer & Mackay 1996). Evolution of one species drives correlated evolution of others when it causes G × G for fitness (Thompson 2005). However, the mechanisms by which species interact also influence evolutionary outcomes (Kummel & Salant 2006; Golubski & Klausmeier 2010; Akçay & Simms 2011; Grman et al. 2012). To identify genes and putative functional mechanisms underlying G × G interactions, Heath et al. (2012) analysed natural variation in the symbiotic transcriptome of the mutualistic nutritional symbiosis between a legume host Medicago truncatula and the facultative endosymbiotic rhizobium Sinorhizobium meliloti. Using twelve microarrays, the authors simultaneously measured host and symbiont gene expression in root nodules from four factorial pairings of host and symbiont genotypes that produced G × G in host fitness (Fig. 1, upper panel). Rhizobium gene expression was influenced by rhizobium and plant genotype and the G × G interaction (Fig. 1, lower panel), whereas plant gene expression was influenced primarily by plant genotype. The authors identified rhizobium genes that might contribute to G × G in host plant fitness. Heath et al. (2012) have moved beyond the constraints of single organism analysis towards a more realistic understanding of plants and bacteria as organisms inextricably linked with symbioses that affect even basic patterns of gene expression.
Hematogenous Pyelonephritis in Rats. II. Production of Chronic Pyelonephritis by Escherichia coli.∗

Summary and Conclusions 1) Chronic bilateral pyelonephritis without manifest hydronephrosis was produced experimentally in the albino rat by a simple non-surgical technique. This experimental disease provides a model for study of human pyelonephritis. 2) Renal inflammation tended to persist after infection had disappeared. 3) Vascular disesae and hypertension did not develop; however, the lesions were of insufficient severity to produce azotemia.
The impact of environmental factors on the milk ejection and stress of dairy cows

Farm breeding of cattle is organized so that the animals are kept in a controlled environment (an closed corner, feeding time, milking time, workers), where daily animal encounter with familiar sounds, smells, movements and equipment. Any positive or negative change of environment causes certain physiological reactions of cattle on it. Negative stimuli (relocation, new technological activities, unidentified sounds and people) disrupt the homeostasis of the animals and lead them into a state of stress. During stress in cattle appears central inhibition of milk ejection from the alveoli of the udder, causing its incomplete emptying which could lead to pathological changes. In stressful situation, there is a connection between nervous (SA system), endocrine (HPA-axis) and the immune system. Stimuli from the outside were obtained through sight, hearing, smell and touch, leading to nerve impulses which then activate the endocrine system (increased levels of cortisol, β-endorphin, adrenaline, and reducing levels of oxytocin in the blood), whose actions over a long time lead to decline in immune response and susceptibility to disease. Many studies suggest an association between central inhibition of milk ejection and stressful situations (first milking of primiparious cattle, environment changes), but the very principle of inhibition is not fully understood. Some studies indicate an association between endogenous opioids (β-endorphin) and catecholamines (adrenalin) in the central inhibition of milk ejection, however, there is still no clear evidence and there is still plenty to do in this area.
Do Psychiatric Patients Do Better Clinically if They Live With Certain Kinds of Families?

Many forms of severe mental illness have biological origins. Nonetheless, the kinds of family environments that psychiatric patients live in are reliably associated with how likely patients are to relapse. This article describes some characteristics of families that place patients at increased risk for relapse, and outlines the behaviors that such families engage in. Behavior in these families is not especially pathological, but because psychiatric patients may be especially sensitive to stress, even fairly common characteristics of family life may trigger underlying biological vulnerabilities that could eventually culminate in relapse.
GroupTime : Probabilistic Scheduling

Introduction Perhaps one of computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW)’s greatest successes of the past decade has been group scheduling. But virtually all major groupware systems available today present a binary view of group calendaring: users are either free or they are busy. This presents the false appearance that all of a user’s free time is equally free. In reality, not all “available” times are equally free—people often prefer to keep large blocks of free time open for work, or try to avoid scheduling nonessential meetings the night before a large assignment is due, for instance.
Do biotic interactions modulate ecosystem functioning along stress gradients? Insights from semi-arid plant and biological soil crust communities

Climate change will exacerbate the degree of abiotic stress experienced by semi-arid ecosystems. While abiotic stress profoundly affects biotic interactions, their potential role as modulators of ecosystem responses to climate change is largely unknown. Using plants and biological soil crusts, we tested the relative importance of facilitative–competitive interactions and other community attributes (cover, species richness and species evenness) as drivers of ecosystem functioning along stress gradients in semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystems. Biotic interactions shifted from facilitation to competition along stress gradients driven by water availability and temperature. These changes were, however, dependent on the spatial scale and the community considered. We found little evidence to suggest that biotic interactions are a major direct influence upon indicators of ecosystem functioning (soil respiration, organic carbon, water-holding capacity, compaction and the activity of enzymes related to the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles) along stress gradients. However, attributes such as cover and species richness showed a direct effect on ecosystem functioning. Our results do not agree with predictions emphasizing that the importance of plant–plant interactions will be increased under climate change in dry environments, and indicate that reductions in the cover of plant and biological soil crust communities will negatively impact ecosystems under future climatic conditions.