Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feminist Phase Analysis in Public Relations: Where Have We Been? Where Do We Need to Be?

Feminist phase theory provides a classification system for analyzing any evolution in our thinking about women across the disciplines. The 2-fold purpose of this article is, first, to suggest further avenues through which to apply Tetreault's (1985) groundbreaking work and, second, to propose a sixth stage relevant to public relations research. Feminist phase theory defines 5 phases of such research: male scholarship, compensatory, bifocal, feminist, and multifocal. Now, 6 years into the new millennium, I propose adding a sixth, integrative phase. That stage, I argue, will conceptualize women and men in public relations not only as communication professionals, but as human beings often struggling to integrate their work, family, and community lives.
Multiple Hypothesis Testing by Clustering Treatment Effects

Multiple hypothesis testing and clustering have been the subject of extensive research in high-dimensional inference, yet these problems usually have been treated separately. By defining true clusters in terms of shared parameter values, we could improve the sensitivity of individual tests, because more data bearing on the same parameter values are available. We develop and evaluate a hybrid methodology that uses clustering information to increase testing sensitivity and accommodates uncertainty in the true clustering. To investigate the potential efficacy of the hybrid approach, we first study a stylized example in which each object is evaluated with a standard z score but different objects are connected by shared parameter values. We show that there is increased testing power when the clustering is estimated sufficiently well. We next develop a model-based analysis using a conjugate Dirichlet process mixture model. The method is general, but for specificity we focus attention on microarray gene expression data, to which both clustering and multiple testing methods are actively applied. Clusters provide the means for sharing information among genes, and the hybrid methodology averages over uncertainty in these clusters through Markov chain sampling. Simulations show that the hybrid method performs substantially better than other methods when clustering is heavy or moderate and performs well even under weak clustering. The proposed method is illustrated on microarray data from a study of the effects of aging on gene expression in heart tissue.
Primary care factors associated with cervical screening coverage in England.

BACKGROUND The National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme was established to decrease the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in England. METHODS To identify socioeconomic and general practice factors associated with cervical screening coverage in England, a national cross-sectional study was conducted using data on 26 497 476 female patients registered with 7970 practices in 152 English primary care trusts (PCTs). The 2008-09 data on cervical screening coverage rates from the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) database were used with data on QOF indicators, staffing levels and socioeconomic status. RESULTS The mean cervical screening coverage rate was 78.5% at the PCT level and 83.5% at the practice level. At both levels, cervical screening coverage was significantly negatively associated with the index of multiple deprivation score, percentage of female patients aged 25-49 years and percentage of ethnic minority patients. Also, at the practice level, the percentage of female patients aged 50-64 years, overall QOF score and records and information score were significantly positively associated with cervical screening coverage. CONCLUSIONS Cervical screening coverage was significantly lower in PCTs and practices serving higher percentages of younger-aged women, non-Caucasian individuals and those living in socioeconomic deprivation. It is therefore important to adopt strategies to improve cervical screening coverage in these groups.
The Relationship between Parenting Stress and Behavior Problems of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Two 9- to 10-month-long studies (N = 137) examined the interaction between parenting stress and behavior problems in children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs). Study 1 focused on very young children, and Study 2 employed a wider range of child ages; both studies assessed these factors at 2 points in time. The researchers noted a strong association between parenting stress and child behavior problems when they controlled for other factors, such as ASD severity and intellectual functioning (Study 1 and 2). However, Study 1 indicated that when the children were very young (2:6–4:0 years), ASD severity related most strongly to parenting stress. In addition, both Study 1 and Study 2 indicated that parenting stress at Time 1 was a stronger predictor of child behavior problems at Time 2, rather than vice versa.
Multicenter Evaluation of BBL CHROMagar MRSA Medium for Direct Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Surveillance Cultures of the Anterior Nares

ABSTRACT Active surveillance for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is among the strategies recommended by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America for control of nosocomial MRSA infections. Infection control and laboratory personnel desire rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive methods to enhance surveillance activities. A multicenter study was performed to evaluate a new selective and differential chromogenic medium, BBL CHROMagar MRSA (C-MRSA) medium (BD Diagnostics, Sparks, MD), which enables recovery and concomitant identification of MRSA strains directly from nasal swab specimens taken from the anterior nares. Specimens were inoculated to C-MRSA and Trypticase soy agar with 5% sheep blood agar (TSA II, BD Diagnostics). Mauve colonies on C-MRSA at 24 h and 48 h and suspicious colonies on TSA II were confirmed as Staphylococcus aureus by Gram stain morphology and a coagulase test. In addition, the results of C-MRSA were compared to results of susceptibility testing (five different methods) of S. aureus strains isolated on TSA II. A total of 2,015 specimens were inoculated to C-MRSA and TSA II. Three hundred fifty-four S. aureus isolates were recovered; 208 (59%) were oxacillin (methicillin) susceptible and 146 (41%) were oxacillin resistant (MRSA). On C-MRSA, 139/146 or 95.2% of MRSA isolates were recovered, whereas recovery on TSA II was 86.9% (127/146) (P = 0.0027). The overall specificity of C-MRSA was 99.7%. When C-MRSA was compared to each susceptibility testing method, the sensitivity and specificity, respectively, were as follows: oxacillin MIC by broth microdilution, 94.4% and 96.7%; oxacillin screen agar, 94.3% and 96.7%; PBP2′ latex agglutination, 93.7% and 98.5%; cefoxitin disk diffusion, 95.0% and 98.1%; and mecA PCR, 95.1% and 98.1%. In this study, C-MRSA was superior to TSA II for recovery of MRSA from surveillance specimens obtained from the anterior nares and was comparable to conventional, rapid, and molecular susceptibility methods for the identification of MRSA isolates.
Audio contributions to semantic video search

This paper summarizes the contributions to semantic video search that can be derived from the audio signal. Because of space restrictions, the emphasis will be on non-linguistic cues. The paper thus covers what is generally known as audio segmentation, as well as audio event detection. Using machine learning approaches, we have built detectors for over 50 semantic audio concepts.
Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases

Background: Stem-cell-based therapy is a promising new approach to handling neurodegenerative diseases. One of the most promising cellular sources is bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also termed multipotent stromal cells. MSCs represent an autologous source and are abundant and non-tumorigenic. Additionally, MSCs possess the useful characteristics of homing and chemokine secretion. Objective/methods: Since neurodegenerative diseases have many pathological processes in common, a specific therapeutic agent could potentially ameliorate the symptoms of several distinct neurodegenerative diseases. In this review we demonstrate the wide variety of mechanisms by which MSCs can influence neurodegenerative processes. Results/conclusions: The mechanisms by which transplanted MSCs influence neurodegenerative diseases can be broadly classified as cellular replacement or paracrine secretion, with the latter subdivided into trophic factor secretion or immunomodulation by cytokines. Emerging research suggests that genetic manipulations before transplantation could enhance the therapeutic potential of MSCs. Such manipulation could turn the cells into a ‘Trojan horse’, to deliver specific proteins, or promote reprogramming of the MSCs into the neural lineage. Clinical trials testing MSC-based therapies for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis are in progress.
REGARDING THE IF OUTPUT CONDUCTANCE OF SIS TUNNEL JUNCTIONS AND THE INTEGRATION WITH CYROGENIC InP MMIC AMPLIFIERS

There is a strong interest in the Submillimeter community to increase the IF bandwidth of SIS receivers in order to facilitate extra-galactic astronomy. However, increasing the IF bandwidth generally also means increasing the IF operating frequency of the mixer, because it is very difficult to achieve a good IF impedance match to a low noise amplifier (LNA) for more than an octave bandwidth. Complicating the matter is that most cryogenic amplifiers do not have a very good input match, which nearly always results in severe standing waves between the mixer and amplifier, especially since the amplifier is connected to the mixer via a finite (10 cm) length of coaxial line. The use of a cryogenic isolator would eliminate the standing wave issue, however all of the currently available cryogenic isolators have less than an octave of bandwidth. The second approach would be to integrate a low noise amplifier into the mixer block, minimizing the distance between the junction and LNA. In this paper we investigate the SIS junction’s IF output conductance and the possible integration of SIS mixers with InP MMIC low noise amplifiers, as an alternative to the traditional matching network/isolator approach. In particular we look into the use of a grounded Gate and grounded Source configured low noise InP amplifier, and the performance one is likely to achieve.
Quantitative Effect of luxS Gene Inactivation on the Fitness of Helicobacter pylori

ABSTRACT Furanone metabolites called AI-2 (autoinducer 2), used by some bacterial species for signaling and cell density-regulated changes in gene expression, are made while regenerating S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) after its use as a methyl donor. The luxS-encoded enzyme, in particular, participates in this activated methyl cycle by generating both a pentanedione, which is transformed chemically into these AI-2 compounds, and homocysteine, a precursor of methionine and SAM. Helicobacter pylori seems to contain the genes for this activated methyl cycle, including luxS, but not genes for AI-2 uptake and transcriptional regulation. Here we report that deletion of luxS in H. pylori reference strain SS1 diminished its competitive ability in mice and motility in soft agar, whereas no such effect was seen with an equivalent ΔluxS derivative of the unrelated strain X47. These different outcomes are consistent with H. pylori's considerable genetic diversity and are reminiscent of phenotypes seen after deletion of another nonessential metabolic gene, that encoding polyphosphate kinase 1. We suggest that synthesis of AI-2 by H. pylori may be an inadvertent consequence of metabolite flux in its activated methyl cycle and that impairment of this cycle and/or pathways affected by it, rather than loss of quorum sensing, is deleterious for some H. pylori strains. Also tenable is a model in which AI-2 affects other microbes in H. pylori's gastric ecosystem and thereby modulates the gastric environment in ways to which certain H. pylori strains are particularly sensitive.
Exploring storage bottlenecks in Linux-based embedded systems

With recent advances in non-volatile memory technologies and embedded hardware, large, high-speed persistent-storage devices can now realistically be used in embedded systems. Traditional models of storage systems, including the implementation in the Linux kernel, assume the performance of storage devices to be far slower than CPU and system memory speeds, encouraging extensive caching and buffering over direct access to storage hardware. In an embedded system, however, processing and memory resources are limited while storage hardware can still operate at full speed, causing this balance to shift, and leading to the observation of performance bottlenecks caused by the operating system rather than the speed of storage devices themselves. In this paper, we present performance and profiling results from high-speed storage devices attached to a Linux-based embedded system, showing that the kernel's standard file I/O operations are inadequate for such a set-up, and that `direct I/O' may be preferable for certain situations. Examination of the results identifies areas where potential improvements may be made in order to reduce CPU load and increase maximum storage throughput.
A divergence of opinion: how those involved in child and family social work are responding to the challenges of the Internet and social media

This discussion paper suggests that there is possibly a divergence of opinion taking place within the field of child and family social work and that the stated positions are influencing how practitioners identify and deal with risks and opportunities afforded by the Internet and social media. The suggested divergence is examined and the conclusion drawn is that what is taking place mirrors the fact that the introduction of any new technology inevitably brings with it division and debate. In seeking to understand the reaction to digital technology consideration is given to a series of wider social discourses on childhood and risk which includes the controversial notion that the profession is a harbinger of moral panic and that the management of risk has been broadened from child protection to child safety. The discussion paper concludes by calling for child and family social work practitioners to have a balanced debate that needs to be not only informed by current research but also by an open and honest discussion about personal use and an acknowledgement
Nir2, a Novel Regulator of Cell Morphogenesis

ABSTRACT Cell morphogenesis requires dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, a process that is tightly regulated by the Rho family of small GTPases. These GTPases act as molecular switches by shuttling between their inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound forms. Here we show that Nir2, a novel protein related to Drosophila retinal degeneration B (RdgB), markedly affects cell morphology through a novel Rho-inhibitory domain (Rid) which resides in its N-terminal region. Rid exhibits sequence homology with the Rho-binding site of formin-homology (FH) proteins and leads to an apparent loss of F-actin staining when ectopically expressed in mammalian cells. We also show that Rid inhibits Rho-mediated stress fiber formation and lysophosphatidic acid-induced RhoA activation. Biochemical studies demonstrated that Nir2, via Rid, preferentially binds to the inactive GDP-bound form of the small GTPase Rho. Microinjection of antibodies against Nir2 into neuronal cells markedly attenuates neurite extension, whereas overexpression of Nir2 in these cells attenuates Rho-mediated neurite retraction. These results implicate Nir2 as a novel regulator of the small GTPase Rho in actin cytoskeleton reorganization and cell morphogenesis.
Image Segmentation with Texture Gradient and Spectral Clustering

For some applications the whole image cannot be processed directly because it is inefficient and impractical. Segmentation results in a set of images that cover the entire image. This work proposes a two stage segmentation method, which effectively process both the textured and non-textured regions. Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform, an extension of discrete wavelet transform, extracts texture feature from the image and orientation median filtering reduces the double edge effect at the texture edges. Watershed transform of Gaussian gradient of combined texture and non-texture feature give the first stage segmentation. The initial segmentation into super-pixels reduces computational burden and the second stage uses spectral clustering technique to cluster these primitive regions. General Terms Feature, segmentation, interpolation, clustering, algorithm.
On a Three-Link Model of the Dynamics of Standing up and Sitting down

Motion of a biped in the sagittal plane is represented by a three-link planar model with torque actuators at every joint. With this model a method is proposed by which postural stability and four motions of the biped can be realized: sitting down, standing up, bending, and squatting. The method is used to derive open loop and feedback torques. Open loop torques are derived from the records of a man performing each of these four motions. The feedback torques are derived as linear sums of the sensed angles and angular rates. This work is relevant to estimating internal feedback gains in the human body solely from remote and external measurements.
Notch1 Perturbation of Hemopoiesis Involves Non-Cell- Autonomous Modifications

To study the effects of Notch on hemopoiesis we used a bone marrow transduction/transplantation model and compared the transduced and nontransduced populations in reconstituted mice. While cells expressing a constitutively active form of murine Notch1 (Notch1IC) completely lacked B cells, a profound suppression of the B lineage was also seen in the nontransduced compartment. Experiments performed with retroviral supernatants of varying titers showed that the perturbations of B cell development among the nontransduced population correlated with the percentage of Notch1IC-transduced cells inoculated into the mice. The myeloid lineage of the Notch1IC-transplanted mice was altered as well, and this also affected the nontransduced population that had features of excessive maturation. To explore the basis of these non-cell-autonomous modifications we prepared conditioned medium from ex vivo cultures of Notch1IC-transplanted mice bone marrow and showed that it inhibited B cell maturation and promoted myeloid differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we found that the T cell leukemia/lymphomas that occur in Notch1IC-transplanted mice were accompanied by abnormal maturation of nontransduced T cells in the bone marrow. These findings indicate that modifications of neighboring cells through non-cell-autonomous modifications take part in multiple facets of the activity of Notch on hemopoiesis.
New carbohydrate‐active enzymes identified by screening two metagenomic libraries derived from the soil of a winter wheat field

Soils are rich, diversified environments where β‐glucosidases abound because of their importance in organic matter degradation. The aim of this work was to discover new β‐glucosidases by constructing two metagenomic DNA libraries from soil samples collected in winter and spring from a field of winter wheat.
Molecular endpoints of Ca 2 + / calmodulin-and voltage-dependent inactivation of Cav 1 . 3 channels

Ca entry through high voltage–gated Ca (CaV1 and CaV2) channels selectively triggers numerous neurobiological processes, including transmitter release, gene transcription, and memory formation (Berridge et al., 2000). Fitting with these vital roles, CaV1/2 channels are highly regulated through a variety of feedback mechanisms that inactivate channels in response to either intracellular Ca elevations (e.g., Ca-dependent inactivation [CDI]) or voltage-dependent conformational changes (e.g., voltage-dependent inactivation [VDI]). The initial steps involved in these prototypic forms of regulation have been studied extensively. For example, it is known that Ca binds to a constitutively associated calmodulin (CaM), which then interacts with other sites on the channel to induce CDI (Lee et al., 1999, 2003; Peterson et al., 1999; Zühlke et al., 1999; Erickson et al., 2001, 2003; Pitt et al., 2001; Mori et al., 2004; Dick et al., 2008; Tadross et al., 2008). Similarly, it is well accepted that voltage-dependent conformational changes of CaV1/2 channels are initially triggered by movement of four homologous voltage-sensing domains, each consisting of transmembrane helices S1–S4 (Swartz, 2008). These rearrangements open the intracellular gate, comprised of distal S6 segments (Liu et al., 1997; Xie et al., 2005),
Clinical Features and Course of Ocular Toxocariasis in Adults

Purpose To investigate the clinical features, clinical course of granuloma, serologic findings, treatment outcome, and probable infection sources in adult patients with ocular toxocariasis (OT). Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we examined 101 adult patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with OT. Serial fundus photographs and spectral domain optical coherence tomography images of all the patients were reviewed. A clinic-based case-control study on pet ownership, occupation, and raw meat ingestion history was performed to investigate the possible infection sources. Results Among the patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with OT, 69.6% showed elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Granuloma in OT involved all retinal layers and several vitreoretinal comorbidities were noted depending on the location of granuloma: posterior pole granuloma was associated with epiretinal membrane and retinal nerve fiber layer defects, whereas peripheral granuloma was associated with vitreous opacity. Intraocular migration of granuloma was observed in 15 of 93 patients (16.1%). Treatment with albendazole (400 mg twice a day for 2 weeks) and corticosteroids (oral prednisolone; 0.5–1 mg/kg/day) resulted in comparable outcomes to patients on corticosteroid monotherapy; however, the 6-month recurrence rate in patients treated with combined therapy (17.4%) was significantly lower than that in patients treated with corticosteroid monotherapy (54.5%, P = 0.045). Ingestion of raw cow liver (80.8%) or meat (71.2%) was significantly more common in OT patients than healthy controls. Conclusions Our study discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for OT. Evaluation of total IgE, in addition to anti-toxocara antibody, can assist in the serologic diagnosis of OT. Combined albendazole and corticosteroid therapy may reduce intraocular inflammation and recurrence. Migrating feature of granuloma is clinically important and may further suggest the diagnosis of OT. Clinicians need to carefully examine comorbid conditions for OT. OT may be associated with ingestion of uncooked meat, especially raw cow liver, in adult patients.
Joint Delivery of Unicast and E-MBMS Services in LTE Networks

Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard enhances Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) to provide highly efficient transmission of multicast/broadcast services. This paper aims at clarifying which is the best option for the Enhanced MBMS (E-MBMS) network configuration according to the operator needs. Besides, it describes the main technical features of the new E-MBMS LTE standard, for both streaming and file delivery, and derives optimum operation modes. Some relevant conclusions are drawn from a set of simulation results calibrated with International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication (ITU-R) guidelines. Regarding streaming delivery, results show that increasing the MBMS over a Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area size allows employing a higher modulation and coding scheme level, which entails more streaming channels per MBSFN area. Concerning file delivery, results show that the reduction in the mean throughput of unicast users matches exactly the percentage of stolen subframes. Besides, the hybrid approach suggested in this paper improves the file delivery efficiency while eliminating the dependency on a MBMS threshold.