Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing an evidence‐base for accessibility for people with aphasia

Background: Discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited in many countries and therefore research on communication accessibility for people with aphasia has become a priority. Aims: The aim of this paper is to summarise and discuss the results of a series of research studies, carried out in one Centre, into accessibility issues for people with aphasia, focusing on the accessibility of community environments and the accessibility of information. Main Contribution: When asked about the accessibility of the community generally, people with aphasia reported both physical and societal barriers and facilitators, as well as barriers and facilitators related to other people. Many people with aphasia still do not receive written health information about aphasia and, when they do, the information is often written at a level too high for them to read. In terms of the accessibility of written information on websites about aphasia, high‐quality websites may not be easily accessible to people with aphasia. For accessible websites to be delivered, the involvement of people with aphasia is paramount. Conclusions: There are three common themes emerging from this series of research studies. First, accessibility is an important and often emotive issue for people with aphasia. Second, people with aphasia are marginalised by a communicatively inaccessible society. Third, there is considerable diversity among people with aphasia about their perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to communication in the community.
Tracking the Biogenesis and Inheritance of Subpellicular Microtubule in Trypanosoma brucei with Inducible YFP-α-Tubulin

The microtubule cytoskeleton forms the most prominent structural system in Trypanosoma brucei, undergoing extensive modifications during the cell cycle. Visualization of tyrosinated microtubules leads to a semiconservative mode of inheritance, whereas recent studies employing microtubule plus end tracking proteins have hinted at an asymmetric pattern of cytoskeletal inheritance. To further the knowledge of microtubule synthesis and inheritance during T. brucei cell cycle, the dynamics of the microtubule cytoskeleton was visualized by inducible YFP-α-tubulin expression. During new flagellum/flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) biogenesis and cell growth, YFP-α-tubulin was incorporated mainly between the old and new flagellum/FAZ complexes. Cytoskeletal modifications at the posterior end of the cells were observed with EB1, a microtubule plus end binding protein, particularly during mitosis. Additionally, the newly formed microtubules segregated asymmetrically, with the daughter cell inheriting the new flagellum/FAZ complex retaining most of the new microtubules. Together, our results suggest an intimate connection between new microtubule formation and new FAZ assembly, consequently leading to asymmetric microtubule inheritance and cell division.
Three new eudesmanoids from the Formosan soft coral Nephthea erecta

Chemical investigations on the organic extract of the Formosan soft coral Nephthea erecta led to the isolation of two new eudesmanoids, (4R*,5S*,6Z,10R*)-8-oxo-eudesm-6-en-5α,11-diol (1) and (6E,10R )-4,5-dioxo-11-methoxy-eudesm-6-ene (2), together with one new tri-nor-eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, (4S*,5E,10R*)-7-oxo-tri-nor-eudesm-5-en-4β-ol (3). The structures of metabolites 1–3 were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with those reported in the literature. The anti-inflammatory activity using RAW 264.7 macrophages and their cytotoxicity against selected cancer cells of 1–3 were evaluated in vitro.
Detection of HBsAg mutants in the blood donor population of Pakistan

Background Infection with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to be one of the leading healthcare issues in Pakistan, affecting over 6 million people. The existence of HBsAg mutants is well documented in many countries. In Pakistan, HBV screening in the majority of the blood banks is performed by Rapid Detection Devices or ELISA tests. These tests are designed to detect HBsAg, but may not detect the mutant HBsAg. Failure to detect the HBsAg mutant may result in the transmission of HBV infection from donor to recipient. Hence, there is a need to identify a HBsAg assay which can detect mutants in a country where simple and conventional HBsAg assays with varying sensitivity and specificity are used to detect HBV infections. Material and methods Three routinely used diagnostic tests (Rapid Detection Devices, ELISA and CLIA) for HBsAg were compared with the LIAISON® XL Murex HBsAg Quant Assay to determine the prevalence of HBV mutants in the Pakistani blood donor population. The samples of blood donors from different cities of Pakistan were collected. The testing was performed using SD Bioline rapid assay (n = 1500), ELISA (n = 1500), and Abbott ARCHITECT®CLIA system (n = 1500) at the centers where the donations were collected. All samples (n = 4500) were re-tested for comparative analysis on the LIAISON® XL Murex HBsAg Quant assay (DiaSorin S.p.A.). PCR testing was performed as a gold standard on all discordant samples. Results 119/4500 (2.64%) of the samples were positive for antibodies against HBsAg. The sensitivity of SD Bioline Rapid, GB HBsAg ELISA, Abbott ARCHITECT® and LIAISON® XL Murex HBsAg Quant assay was 17.24%, 43.75%, 90.91%and 100% respectively. The specificity of SD Bioline Rapid, GB HBsAg ELISA, Abbott ARCHITECT® and LIAISON® XL Murex HBsAg Quant Assay was 98.82%, 99.59%, 100% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion LIAISON® XL Murex HBsAg Quant assay is a highly sensitive, specific and accurate screening assay for detecting wild type as well as mutant HBsAg.
Book Review: Parents’ jobs and children’s lives

Dr Eva Schmitt-Rodermund studied at the Universities of Giessen and Jena, Germany. She is currently Assistant Professor at the College for Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Jena, Department of Developmental Psychology. Her main research interests are acculturative change and development among immigrants, cross-cultural comparisons, career development, and transitions during adolescence.
Mutational Analysis of Topological Determinants in Prion Protein (PrP) and Measurement of Transmembrane and Cytosolic PrP during Prion Infection*

The prion protein (PrP) can adopt multiple membrane topologies, including a fully translocated form (SecPrP), two transmembrane forms (NtmPrP and CtmPrP), and a cytosolic form. It is important to understand the factors that influence production of these species, because two of them, CtmPrP and cytosolic PrP, have been proposed to be key neurotoxic intermediates in certain prion diseases. In this paper, we perform a mutational analysis of PrP synthesized using an in vitro translation system in order to further define sequence elements that influence the formation of CtmPrP. We find that substitution of charged residues in the hydrophobic core of the signal peptide increases synthesis of CtmPrP and also reduces the efficiency of translocation into microsomes. Combining these mutations with substitutions in the transmembrane domain causes the protein to be synthesized exclusively with the CtmPrP topology. Reducing the spacing between the signal peptide and the transmembrane domain also increases CtmPrP. In contrast, topology is not altered by mutations that prevent signal peptide cleavage or by deletion of the C-terminal signal for glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor addition. Removal of the signal peptide completely blocks translocation. Taken together, our results are consistent with a model in which the signal peptide and transmembrane domain function in distinct ways as determinants of PrP topology. We also present characterization of an antibody that selectively recognizes CtmPrP and cytosolic PrP by virtue of their uncleaved signal peptides. By using this antibody, as well as the distinctive gel mobility of CtmPrP and cytosolic PrP, we show that the amounts of these two forms in cultured cells and rodent brain are not altered by infection with scrapie prions. We conclude that CtmPrP and cytosolic PrP are unlikely to be obligate neurotoxic intermediates in familial or infectiously acquired prion diseases.
The relationship among reported disclosure of sexual orientation, anti-discrimination policies, top management support and work attitudes of gay and lesbian employees.

There is currently very little research to support the popularly held claim that “closeted” homosexual workers will have a less positive work‐related attitude and no empirical investigation of companies that prohibit discrimination on grounds of sexuality. This study used data from a survey of 744 homosexual employees to determine the relationships of reported disclosure of sexual orientation, anti‐discrimination policies and top management support for equal rights with relevant work attitudes. All three independent variables were found to be significantly related to affective organizational commitment and conflict between work and home. Additionally, anti‐discrimination policies and top management support were related to job satisfaction. However, none of the independent variables were significantly associated with continuance organizational commitment or job stress. It is suggested that human resource managers concerned with integrating gay and lesbian employees begin by educating top managers and creating a work environment in which disclosure of homosexual orientation is supported.
Enablers for Adoption of Contingent Technology Production Strategies in Mature Industries

The paper aims to analyse the correlation between the adoption of technology production strategies and firm competitiveness, considering them under the view of contingent firm theory. In order to test the research hypotheses, the case of the tile ceramic cluster in Spain has been considered. Two surveys were carried out by the authors, covering a representative sample of the cluster. The paper tries to demonstrate that technology production strategies tend to be aligned with situational demand factors rather than with firm objectives. The reasons lie basically in the sector globalization perspective as well as a changing customer environment. The study also concludes that firm survival depends on the firm’s or firms’ tendency to adopt flexible and proactive strategies (technology and marketing-wise) aligned with their competitive environment. The conclusions suggest recommendations which could help and guide firms in their selection and/or adoption of technology production strategies which could contribute to the improvement of their competitiveness. The statistical analysis of the survey results concluded in a classification of the industry’s firms according to their contingent technology strategies as well as to their financial economic results in defined groups.
Increased GLP-1 response to oral glucose in pre-pubertal obese children

Abstract Background: Gastrointestinal hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related complications. However, few data are available in youth. The objective of this study was to investigate the GLP-1 response to oral glucose load in obese pre-pubertal children and its relationship with insulin secretion. Methods: Ten pre-pubertal obese children [five boys; 10.5±1.6 years; body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS): 2.2±0.5] and 10 controls (eight boys; 9.9±1.2 years; BMI-SDS: –0.7±0.5) underwent a modified oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to evaluate post-load glucose, insulin and GLP-1 responses. Insulin sensitivity [homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI)] and secretion [HOMA-beta, insulinogenic index (IGI)] indexes, area under the curve (AUC) for glucose, insulin and GLP-1 were calculated. Results: In obese children GLP-1 AUC values were higher and correlated with BMI-SDS (r=0.45; p=0.04), HOMA-IR (r=0.53; p=0.01) and fasting glucose (r=0.68; p=0.001). Conclusions: Obese children showed an increased GLP-1 response to oral glucose. These changes might likely represent a compensatory mechanism to avoid post-prandial hyperglycemia and allow a normal glucose tolerance.
Examining Cognitive Models of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Adolescents

Three influential theoretical models of OCD focus upon the cognitive factors of inflated responsibility (Salkovskis, 1985), thought-action fusion (Rachman, 1993) and meta-cognitive beliefs (Wells and Matthews, 1994). Little is known about the relevance of these models in adolescents or about the nature of any direct or mediating relationships between these variables and OCD symptoms. This was a cross-sectional correlational design with 223 non-clinical adolescents aged 13 to 16 years. All participants completed questionnaires measuring inflated responsibility, thought-action fusion, meta-cognitive beliefs and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Inflated responsibility, thought-action fusion and meta-cognitive beliefs were significantly associated with higher levels of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. These variables accounted for 35% of the variance in obsessive-compulsive symptoms, with inflated responsibility and meta-cognitive beliefs both emerging as significant independent predictors. Inflated responsibility completely mediated the effect of thought-action fusion and partially mediated the effect of meta-cognitive beliefs. Support for the downward extension of cognitive models to understanding OCD in a younger population was shown. Findings suggest that inflated responsibility and meta-cognitive beliefs may be particularly important cognitive concepts in OCD. Methodological limitations must be borne in mind and future research is needed to replicate and extend findings in clinical samples.
From the Woman Question in Technology to the Technology Question in Feminism

There have, by now, been a number of thorough-going critiques of what has variously been called the ‘equality’, ‘equity’ or ‘liberal’ approach to understanding ‘the woman problem in technology’ by those who would prefer to focus on ‘the technology question in feminism’. Most of these critiques adopt deconstructivist techniques to expose the limitations of equality approaches, including, most centrally, their assumptions about the neutrality of technology and the limited nature of equality programmes designed simply to increase access for women to that technology. However, the critiques themselves have so far failed to come up with convincing alternative interventionist strategies, either because the universalizing tendency of their theoretical perspective gives rise to interventions that fail to deal with the diverse and fragmented nature of women's experiences and needs, or because recognition of this diversity and fragmentation leaves very little common ground on which to build successful intervention strategies. This article addresses this dilemma in the context of computing and IT education and draws on empirical research on women's experiences of computing and IT in two different educational settings where issues of gender difference and equality were managed in very contrasting ways. It then offers some suggestions for how both a critical and constructivist discourse on technology might be made to coexist in educational programmes designed to promote gender equality.
Prediction of methane production from dairy cows using existing mechanistic models and regression equations.

Ruminants may contribute to global warming through the release of methane gas by enteric fermentation. Until now, methane emissions from ruminants were estimated using simple regression equations. The objective of this study was to compare the capacity of dynamic and mechanistic models to that of regression equations to predict methane production from dairy cows. The updated version of the model of Baldwin et al. and a modified version of the model of Dijkstra et al. and the regression equations of Blaxter and Clapperton and Moe and Tyrrell were challenged with 32 experimental diets selected from 13 publications. The predictive capacity of mechanistic models and regression equations was evaluated by comparing predicted and observed methane production using regression analysis. Results of regression showed better prediction of methane production with mechanistic models than with regression equations. The modified model of Dijkstra et al. predicted methane production with the higher R2 (.71) and the smaller error of prediction (19.87% of the observed mean). The model of Baldwin et al. predicted methane production with a similar R2 (.70) but a higher error of prediction (36.93%). However, a large proportion of this error can be eliminated by a correction factor. Predictions using the equations of Moe and Tyrrell and Blaxter and Clapperton were poor (R2 = .42 and .57; error of prediction = 33.72% and 22.93%, respectively). This study demonstrated that from a large variation in diet composition, mechanistic models allow the prediction of methane production more accurately than simple regression equations.
Socialized Scholarship: It Starts with Us

Of social scholarship—admittedly a more specific concept than that of social networking—I would like to say what Mahatma Gandhi allegedly replied when asked what he thought about Western civilization: I think it would be a good idea. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter facilitate modes of digital sociality that, for all the press they are generating, don’t really represent a major shift in the way we do scholarship per se. In the interests of full disclosure, I must admit that my sense that current social networking platforms haven’t substantially impacted on modes of scholarship may be because I just don’t get them. I’m a lousy Facebooker, though I recognize that it works for hordes of folks. Likewise with Twitter I am sporadic, though I find it an effective mode both of circulating scholarly news and of creating a distributed virtual conference in dialogue with the conventional one it annotates. Nevertheless, I think I have some insights to offer into where social scholarship might take us, given that for the last two decades I’ve been spending most of my time as a scholar working digitally and collaboratively. And collaboration is ineluctably, for better or for worse, social. Socialized Scholarship: It Starts with Us
Automatic rectangular building detection from VHR aerial imagery using shadow and image segmentation

This paper introduces a novel approach for the automated detection of rectangular buildings from monocular very high resolution (VHR) aerial images. The overall idea of this work is first to decompose the image into small homogeneous regions and treat all regions as candidates. According to the position of the shadows, a merging process is then performed over regions having similar spectral characteristics to produce building regions whose shapes are appropriate to rectangles. The experimental results prove that the proposed method is applicable in various areas (high dense urban, suburban, and rural) and is highly robust and reliable.
Molecular mechanisms of immunosuppression by cyclosporine, FK506, and rapamycin

The immunosuppressant cyclosporine A revolutionized treatment of graft rejection. Two newer agents, FK506 and rapamycin, show great clinical potential. These drugs suppress the immune system by forming protein-drug complexes that interact with and inhibit key components of the signal transduction pathways required for T-cell activation. The target of the cyclophilin A-cyclosporine A and FKBP12-FK506 complexes is calcineurin, a protein phosphatase required for signaling via the T-cell receptor. Cyclosporine A and FK506 nephrotoxicity may reflect renal-specific functions of calcineurin. The target of the FKBP12-rapamycin complex is TOR, a lipid and protein kinase homolog that is likely to be required for T-cell proliferation in response to interleukin-2. The identification of cyclosporine A, FK506, and rapamycin targets reveals much concerning T-cell signaling and provides the means to design novel immunosuppressants with reduced toxicity.
Constructing Topic Hierarchies from Social Media Data

Constructing topic hierarchies from the data automatically can help us better understand the contents and structure of information and benefit many applications in security informatics. The existing topic hierarchy construction methods either need to specify the structure manually, or are not robust enough for sparse and noisy social media data such as microblog. In this paper, we propose an approach to automatically construct topic hierarchies from microblog data in a bottom up manner. We detect topics first and then build the topic structure based on a tree combination method. We conduct a preliminary empirical study based on the Weibo data. The experimental results show that the topic hierarchies generated by our method provide meaningful results.
Borders and Social Distinction in the Global Suburb

What happens in historical white-flight suburbs when social hierarchies can no longer be marked easily by physical distance? What kinds of anxieties about boundaries and borders are evident, and with what consequences? This study examines these questions through a 1997 ethnographic study of a largely white, middle-class neighborhood in Irvine, California ("Ridgewood") that depended heavily upon service labor by working-class immigrant Latinos. The Ridgewood case suggests that the social landscape of the household service economy is unlikely to usher in a new era of pluralist integration or to promote a cosmopolitan outlook in global suburbs. Instead, it appears to generate anxieties about both physical and social boundaries. Middle-class residents of Ridgewood marked social distinction through a wide range of everyday practices: through the "talk of crime" and the fortification of physical boundaries, through the legal and informal regulation of aesthetics, and through daily practices that regulated the behavior of service workers within community space. Such practices maintained social distance in circumstances of spatial proximity and even intimacy. These patterns are not entirely new, of course: in many ways they resurrect the dynamics of servitude and social distinction in colonial contexts or in the antebellum American South. However, the Ridgewood case also illustrates what we might expect of emerging global suburbs, and how concerns about local and national border control intersect.
Investigation of emotionally morphed speech perception and its structure using a high quality speech manipulation system

A series of perceptual experiments using morphed emotional speech sounds was conducted. A high-quality speech modi ﬁ - cation procedure STRAIGHT [1] extended to enable auditory morphing[2] was used for providing CD quality test stimuli. The test results indicated that naturalness of morphed speech samples were comparable to natural speech samples and resyn-thesized samples without any modi ﬁ cations when interpolated. It also indicated that the proposed morphing procedure enables to provide stimulus continuum between different emotional expressions. Partial morphing tests were also conducted to evaluate relative contributions and interdependence between spectral, temporal and source parameters.