Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional characterization of residues within the carnitine/acylcarnitine translocase RX2PANAAXF distinct motif

The mitochondrial carnitine/acylcarnitine carrier (CAC) is characterized by the presence of a distinct motif, RXXPANAAXF, within its sixth transmembrane α-helix. In this study, we analysed the role of the amino acids of this motif in the structure-function relationships of the human CAC by using two complementary approaches. First, we performed functional analysis in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans of selected mutations with structural and functional relevance. Second, similar mutant human CACs were biochemically characterized after their reconstitution into liposomes. Both analyses have provided relevant information on the importance and role of the CAC motif residues in the activity and metabolic function of CAC. Only the two adjacent alanines, Ala281 and Ala282 in the human CAC, have been found not to be crucial for transport activity and in vivo function. Results obtained from amino acid substitutions of residues Arg275, Asn280 and Phe284 of human CAC together with structural analysis using molecular modelling of the carrier suggest that R275, N280 and F284 are involved in substrate binding during acylcarnitine/carnitine translocation. Furthermore, functional analysis of mutations of residues Pro278 and Ala279 in A. nidulans, together with kinetic data in reconstituted liposomes, suggest a predominant structural role for these amino acids.
Counselor professional identity: construction and validation of the counselor professional identity measure

The purpose of this study was to create a reliable and valid measure of counselor professional identity (CPI) that could be used with all counseling specialties and across the career span. A comprehensive definition of counselor professional identity was derived from the literature and used as the framework for creating the measure. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the original six subscale structure of the instrument was too simplistic. To gain a better understanding of the factor structure of the measure, exploratory factor analysis, also was conducted. Findings from both the confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis, along with results from additional exploratory analyses are reported. Implications for the counseling profession are discussed in relation to the findings.
Multiresolution point-set surfaces

Multiresolution representations of 3D surfaces make it possible to concentrate the efforts of a modification at the appropriate level of detail. This paper introduces a multiresolution representation for point-set surfaces. At each level, the point set is smoothed and downsampled, and the geometric details are encoded along the smoothed surface normal. The resulting structure is only slightly larger than the original point set and allows to reconstruct it precisely. We demonstrate how it can be used for surface deformation and for frequency band scaling.
Growth in the Middle East and North Africa

This paper analyzes the weak growth performance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during 1980-2000 using an empirical model of long-run growth. The relative importance of the factors affecting growth is shown to vary across 16 MENA countries. In GCC countries, where oil revenues are significant, large governments appear to have been a key factor stifling private-sector growth and impeding diversification. In other MENA countries poor institutional quality has held back growth. Political instability is also shown to have played a role. While the MENA region`s growth differential with east Asia is explained well in the 1980s, this is less so in the 1990s.
Improving Multilingual Interaction for Consumer Robots through Signal Enhancement in Multichannel Speech

Social robotics have become a trend in contemporary robotics research, since they can be successfully used in a wide range of applications. One of the most fundamental communication skills a consumer robot must have is the oral interaction with a human, in order to provide feedback or accept commands. There are quite a few well established Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) tools, however without providing efficient results, especially in less popular languages, and more importantly under noisy conditions. The current paper investigates different voice activity detection and noise elimination methodologies to be used with ASRbased oral interaction with an affordable budget robot, NAO v4. Acoustically semi-stationary environments are assumed, which in conjunction to the high background noise of the NAO's microphones make the ASR quite difficult to succeed. Full Title: Improving multilingual interaction for consumer robots through signal enhancement in multichannel speech Additional Information:
Advances in Modelling of Complex Systems : Preface to the Special Issue

This special issue of Recherche Operationnelle is devoted to recent research which significantly enhances our ability to model, either mathematically or algorithmically, increasingly complex service systems. All the papers in this issue are methodological in nature, even though the first paper addresses a very practical approach. This collection of papers begins with a survey by Dr Khaled Hussain and Mr Varol Kaptan of recent advances which allow modelling and simulation to be conducted in a very realistic visual setting. We all know how frustrating it can be to deal with the need to determine whether the objects we model are represented in a realistic manner, and whether the simulation conditions are indeed realistic. The approach described in this first paper is based on the premise that the system being simulated has a realistic visual counterpart, e.g. some natural scenery (as in a military tactical simulation), a room (as when people’s behaviour may be simulated), some roads or an airport (as when a transportation system has to be simulated), a hospital operating room (as when a surgical procedure needs to be simulated), and so on. In all of these cases, the real world being simulated can be based on an actual video sequence of the real world setting. It can be even more realistic and the simulation can be conducted within a video viewing of the real world itself. This paper shows how this can actually be done and describes a system that has been designed and developed at the University of Central Florida and at Imperial College to achieve this. In such a simulator, the simulated conditions are the real world itself, while the behaviour of synthetic objects or synthetic changes to real objects is what is being simulated. The value of such simulations
Decentralized Co-allocation of Interrelated Resources in Dynamic Environments

The vision of transparent, on-demand resource utilization in distributed and open environments requires resource management techniques that are robust, scalable and able to adapt to the dynamic environment. In this paper, we propose a decentralized resource allocation algorithm for the co-allocation of interrelated resources for repeated jobs in real-time. Resource broker agents autonomously allocate resources for the execution of jobs based on information from past allocations. The coordination between agents for an overall efficient resource allocation emerges through individual feedback that agents receive from the quality of previous resource allocation decisions. The coordination between agents is achieved without any communication. We present experimental results demonstrating that the proposed algorithm is able to adapt to the dynamic environment for an efficient utilisation of the system resources.
A method for distinguishing consanguinity and population substructure using multilocus genotype data.

We use the patterns of homozygosity at multiple loci to distinguish between excess homozygosity caused by consanguineous mating and that due to undetected population subdivision (the Wahlund effect). Clarification of the underlying causes of excess homozygosity is of practical importance in explaining the occurrence of recessive genetic disorders and in forensic match probability calculations. We calculated a likelihood surface for two parameters: C, the proportion of the population practicing consanguinity, and theta, the genetic correlation due population subdivision. To illustrate the method, we applied it to multilocus genotypic data of two U.K. Asian populations, one practicing a high frequency of cousin marriage, and another in which caste endogamy was suspected. The method was able to successfully distinguish the different patterns of relatedness. The method also returned accurate estimates of C and theta using simulated data sets. We show how our method can be extended to allow for degrees of inbreeding closer than cousin unions, including selfing. With closer inbreeding, the relatedness of recent ancestors beyond the parents becomes an issue.
Elevated High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Alienor Study

Background Lipid metabolism and particularly high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may be involved in the pathogenic mechanism of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, conflicting results have been reported in the associations of AMD with plasma HDL and other lipids, which may be confounded by the recently reported associations of AMD with HDL-related genes. We explored the association of AMD with plasma lipid levels and lipid-lowering medication use, taking into account most of HDL-related genes associated with AMD. Methods The Alienor study is a population-based study on age-related eye diseases performed in 963 elderly residents of Bordeaux (France). AMD was graded from non mydriatic color retinal photographs in three exclusive stages: no AMD (n = 430 subjects, 938 eyes); large soft distinct drusen and/or large soft indistinct drusen and/or reticular drusen and/or pigmentary abnormalities (early AMD, n = 176, 247); late AMD (n = 40, 61). Associations of AMD with plasma lipids (HDL, total cholesterol (TC), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG)) were estimated using Generalized Estimating Equation logistic regressions. Statistical analyses included 646 subjects with complete data. Results After multivariate adjustment for age, sex, educational level, smoking, BMI, lipid-lowering medication use, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and for all relevant genetic polymorphisms (ApoE2, ApoE4, CFH Y402H, ARMS2 A69S, LIPC rs10468017, LIPC rs493258, LPL rs12678919, ABCA1 rs1883025 and CETP rs3764261), higher HDL was significantly associated with an increased risk of early (OR = 2.45, 95%CI: 1.54–3.90; P = 0.0002) and any AMD (OR = 2.29, 95%CI: 1.46–3.59; P = 0.0003). Association with late AMD was far from statistical significance (OR = 1.58, 95%CI: 0.48–5.17; p = 0.45). No associations were found for any stage of AMD with TC, LDL and TG levels, statin or fibrate drug use. Conclusions This study suggests that elderly patients with high HDL concentration may be at increased risk for AMD and, further, that HDL dysfunction might be implicated in AMD pathogenesis.
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF HARMONIC FEATURES USING STRING MATCHING TECHNIQUES

We focus on the harmonic content of music pieces, considering Harmonic Pitch Class Profiles as audio features to segment audio pieces. The features are compared using Optimal Transposition Index and correlation adapted measures, ensuring robustness to timbre variations or detuning issue s. No other audio feature is used for describing audio pieces. The identification of approximate repetitions is handled by string matching techniques applied to musical content. We define a new iterative inference algorithm detecting major repetitions, based on several existing string alignment al gorithms. The techniques employed ensure robustness to temporal changes or local transpositions between structur al parts.
A recurrent neural network for solving the shortest path problem

The shortest path problem is the classical combinatorial optimization problem arising in numerous planning and designing contexts. In this paper, a recurrent neural network for solving the shortest path problem is presented. The proposed recurrent neural network is able to generate optimal solutions to the shortest path problem. The performance and operating characteristics of the recurrent neural network are demonstrated by use of illustrative examples. <<ETX>>
Use of the Barthel index and modified Rankin scale in acute stroke trials.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Barthel Index (BI) and the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) are commonly used scales that measure disability or dependence in activities of daily living in stroke victims. The objective of this study was to investigate how these scales were used and interpreted in acute stroke trials. METHODS We identified from MEDLINE the major efficacy trials with neuroprotective drugs, thrombolytic drugs, and anticoagulants in acute ischemic stroke published between January 1995 and December 1998. We selected those trials that used the BI and/or MRS as outcome parameters. RESULTS Fifteen trials fulfilling the inclusion criteria were identified. The BI was used in 13 and the MRS in 8. In 4 trials mean and median scores of the BI were used, and in 1 trial median scores of the MRS were compared. Primary end points included the BI in 7, the MRS in 6, and both the BI and MRS in 3. With regard to the BI, a variety of sum scores between 50 and 95 were used as cutoff scores to define favorable outcome. Favorable outcome on the MRS was defined as either </=1 or </=2. CONCLUSIONS Among the efficacy trials in acute stroke, we found remarkable differences in the choice of primary end points and in the definition of favorable outcome on both the BI and MRS. This lack of consensus strongly hinders the design, interpretation, and comparison of acute stroke trials. In general, it may be easier to define poor outcome instead of favorable outcome. Poor outcome could be defined if any of the following end points are reached: death, institutionalization due to stroke, MRS >3, or BI <60.
First-Generation College Students and Their Pursuit of the American Dream.

First-generation college students, students whose parents have not earned a four-year degree, are not new to higher education, but their increasing presence at private, four-year institutions requires careful attention from administration and faculty. The rising costs of higher education combined with the nation’s recent economic decline have made earning a college degree and achieving the American dream nearly impossible for these students. This qualitative research study seeks to understand the lives of first-generation college students at a small, private college in the Northeast. It draws on the analyses of demographic, interview, and case study data to examine the experiences of first-generation students and then to compare them to related research in the fields of sociology, psychology, and college access and preparation. The study results in three distinct case studies that provide insight into the individual lives of firstgeneration students. It concludes with specific steps this institution can take to respond to the needs of this growing population on its campus. Recommendations, though specific to the case, can be applied to other institutions facing similar challenges.
Cooperative Diversity Performance in Millimeter Wave Radio Systems

The constantly increasing demand for capacity in modern communication systems such as wireless backhaul has led to the employment of frequencies above 10 GHz where the dominant fading mechanism is rain attenuation which is usually modelled as a lognormal random variable (when expressed in dB - log-lognormal in linear scale). In addition, in the context of green communications the use of cooperative diversity techniques can be considered as an important tool which improves the performance, reliability and efficiency of such systems. In this paper, the outage performance analysis of a cooperative system operating at frequencies above 10 GHz is presented, where the propagation medium consists of spatially correlated fading channels. In addition, the energy and spectral efficiency of various multiple-access protocols as well as different relay retransmission and receiver combining techniques are investigated. Moreover, it is proposed that the high correlation coefficient between various rain fading channels can be exploited by the relay to estimate the rain fading of the next hop. Extended numerical results present the impact of various system parameters on the end-to-end performance. Finally, comparison with an energy- and bandwidth- equivalent direct link highlights the system parameter regions where cooperative diversity offers gains over non-cooperation.
Preventive Medicine

Background. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between receptivity to cigarette promotions and smoking uptake in a cohort of adolescents. Methods and Measures. This was a prospective cohort study of 480 4thto 11th-grade students conducted in three rural Vermont K–12 schools. Cigarette use was determined by self-report at baseline, 12 months (survey 2), and 21 months (survey 3). Proportional odds models were used to evaluate smoking uptake as a function of baseline measures of cigarette use, receptivity to cigarette promotions, and confounding factors, including grade, parental education, peer smoking, and family smoking. Adolescents were receptive to cigarette promotions if they owned or were willing to use a personal item bearing a cigarette brand logo [cigarette promotional item (CPI)]. Smoking status was measured using a 6-point ordinal index that combined experience and attitudes: 0 5 never smoker/not susceptible to smoking, 1 5 never smoker/susceptible to smoking, 2 5 puffer (1 cigarette or less in lifetime), 3 5 noncurrent experimenter (2–99 cigarettes in lifetime/none in past 30 days), 4 5 current experimenter, and 5 5 smoker ($100 cigarettes in lifetime). Results. The 480 students were equally distributed across grade at baseline. Environmental exposure to smoking was high, and 30% were receptive to cigarette promotions at baseline. Higher levels on the smoking index at baseline were associated with higher grade in school, peer smoking, and receptivity to cigarette promotions. One hundred eighty-five students (38.5%) had moved to a higher category on the smoking index
E-Selectin-Dependent Signaling Via the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Vascular Endothelial Cells1

E-selectin, a cytokine-inducible adhesion molecule, supports rolling and stable arrest of leukocytes on activated vascular endothelium. Previous studies have suggested that this transmembrane protein can also transduce signals into the endothelial cell. We now demonstrate activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade in cultured HUVEC in response to E-selectin-dependent leukocyte adhesion and Ab-mediated cross-linking of cell surface E-selectin. Adhesion of increasing numbers of HL60 cells to IL-1β-activated HUVEC stimulated robust increases in MAPK activity that were abrogated by an E-selectin blocking Ab. Cross-linking of cell surface E-selectin with Abs, as a mimic of multivalent ligand engagement, strongly stimulated MAPK/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-dependent MAPK activation and concomitant up-regulation of mRNA for c-fos, an immediate early response gene, whereas Ab cross-linking of HLA class I molecules (present at comparable density) failed to do so. Coimmunoprecipitation documented Ras, Raf-1 and, phospho-MEK complex formation. Unactivated HUVEC transduced with a full-length adenoviral E-selectin construct also exhibited cross-link-induced MAPK activation, macromolecular complex formation, and c-fos up-regulation, whereas HUVEC transduced with a cytoplasmic domain deletion mutant failed to respond. These observations indicate that E-selectin can transduce an activating stimulus via the MAPK cascade into the endothelial cell during leukocyte adhesion.
More Than 100 Million Women Are Missing

It is often said that women make up a majority of the world’s population. They do not. This mistaken belief is based on generalizing from the contemporary situation in Europe and North America, where the ratio of women to men is typically around 1.05 or 1.06, or higher. In South Asia, West Asia, and China, the ratio of women to men can be as low as 0.94, or even lower, and it varies widely elsewhere in Asia, in Africa, and in Latin America. How can we understand and explain these differences, and react to them?
Wriggle: an exploration of emotional and social effects of movement

Wriggle is a research prototype game that can be played either with or without movement as input. We conducted an experiment to see whether movement adds emotional impact and increases social connectedness. We found effects on arousal and results approaching significance for social connection, demonstrating the potential for this approach to help us better understand the impact of movement on user experience.
Soluble Guanylate Cyclase &agr;1&bgr;1 Limits Stroke Size and Attenuates Neurological Injury

Background and Purpose— Nitric oxide mediates endothelium-dependent vasodilation, modulates cerebral blood flow, and determines stroke outcome. Nitric oxide signals in part by stimulating soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to synthesize cGMP. To study the role of sGC in stroke injury, we compared the outcome of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in mice deficient in the &agr;1 subunit of sGC (sGC&agr;1−/−) with that in wild-type mice. Methods— Blood pressure, cerebrovascular anatomy, and vasoreactivity of pressurized carotid arteries were compared in both mouse genotypes. Cerebral blood flow was measured before and during middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion. We then assessed neurological deficit and infarct volume after 1 hour of occlusion and 23 hours of reperfusion and after 24 hours of occlusion. Results— Blood pressure and cerebrovascular anatomy were similar between genotypes. We found that vasodilation of carotid arteries in response to acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside was diminished in sGC&agr;1−/− compared with wild-type mice. Cerebral blood flow deficits did not differ between the genotypes during occlusion, but during reperfusion, cerebral blood flow was 45% less in sGC&agr;1−/− mice. Infarct volumes and neurological deficits were similar after 24 hours of occlusion in both genotypes. After 1 hour of ischemia and 23 hours of reperfusion, infarct volumes were 2-fold larger and neurological deficits were worse in sGC&agr;1−/− than in the wild-type mice. Conclusion— sGC&agr;1 deficiency impairs vascular reactivity to nitric oxide and is associated with incomplete reperfusion, larger infarct size, and worse neurological damage, suggesting that cGMP generated by sGC&agr;1&bgr;1 is protective in ischemic stroke.