Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peptides Glycosylated in the Endoplasmic Reticulum of Yeast Are Subsequently Deglycosylated by a Soluble Peptide: N-Glycanase Activity*

Several lines of evidence suggest that soluble peptide:N-glycanase (PNGase) is involved in the quality control system for newly synthesized glycoproteins in mammalian cells. Here we report the occurrence of a soluble PNGase activity inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. The enzyme, which was recovered in the cytosolic fraction, has a neutral pH optimum, and dithiothreitol is required for activity. All of these properties were similar to those of earlier described for mammalian PNGases. Interestingly, the yeast enzyme activity was found to be present almost exclusively in cells in stationary phase; little activity was detected in logarithmic growth phase cells. Upon incubation of a glycosylatable peptide R-Asn-X-Thr-R′ with permeabilized yeast spheroplasts, we detected formation of both glycosylated peptide and the peptide product expected from PNGase-mediated deglycosylation of this glycopeptide, namely, R-Asp-X-Thr-R′. Recent findings that yeast have an active system for the retrograde transport of unfolded (glyco)proteins and glycopeptides out of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) into the cytosol raise the possibility that this PNGase may participate in an early step in degradation of these molecules following their export from the ER.
B and I-band optical micro-variability observations of the BL Lac objects S5 2007+777 and 3C 371

We have observed S5 2007+777 and 3C 371 in the B and I bands for 13 and 8 nights, respectively, during various observing runs in 2001, 2002 and 2004. The observations resulted in almost evenly sampled light curves, $6{-}9$ h long. We do not detect any flares within the observed light curves, but we do observe small amplitude, significant variations, in both bands, on time scales of hours and days. The average variability amplitude on time scales of minutes/hours is ~2.5% and ~$1{-}1.5$% in the case of S5 2007+777 and 3C 371, respectively. The average amplitudes increase to $\sim 5{-}12$% and $\sim 4{-}6$%, respectively, on time scales of days. We find that the B and I band variations are highly correlated, on both short and long time scales. During the 2004 observations, which resulted in the longest light curves, we observe two well defined flux-decay and rising trends in the light curves of both objects. When the flux decays, we observe significant delays, with the B band flux decaying faster than the flux in the I band. As a result, we also observe significant, flux related spectral variations as well. The flux-spectral relation is rather complicated, with loop-like structures forming during the flux evolution. The presence of spectral variations imply that the observed variability is not caused by geometric effects. On the other hand, our results are fully consistent with the hypothesis that the observed variations are caused by perturbations which affect different regions in the jet of the sources.
The MeCP2‐null mouse hippocampus displays altered basal inhibitory rhythms and is prone to hyperexcitability

Rett syndrome is an autism‐spectrum disorder caused by loss of function mutations within the gene encoding methyl CpG‐binding protein 2 (MeCP2). While subtle decreases in synaptic plasticity have been detected within cortical and hippocampal neurons of Mecp2‐null mice, only minimal information exists regarding how the loss of MeCP2 affects network activity in the brain. To address this issue, we compared the intrinsic network activities of Mecp2‐null hippocampal slices derived from symptomatic mice to wild‐type slices. Extracellular and whole‐cell patch recordings revealed that although spontaneous, IPSP‐based rhythmic activity is present in Mecp2‐null slices; its frequency is significantly reduced from wild‐type. This reduction was not associated with alterations in the gross electrophysiological properties of hippocampal neurons, but was associated with a decreased level of spontaneous glutamate receptor‐mediated synaptic currents in hippocampal CA3 neurons. Paradoxically, however, repetitive sharp wave‐like discharges were readily induced in the Mecp2‐null hippocampal slices by a brief train of high‐frequency stimulation commonly used to establish long‐term potentiation at wild‐type slices. Taken together, our data indicate that the Mecp2‐null hippocampal CA3 circuit has diminished basal inhibitory rhythmic activity, which in turn renders the circuitry prone to hyperexcitability. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Imitation and expression of facial affect in autism

Abstract This study examined elicited (posed) affective expressions in children, adolescents, and young adults with autism (N = 18) or Down's syndrome (N = 24). Subjects were asked to (a) imitate five modeled expressions (Imitation task) and (b) produce five labeled expressions (Expression task). Subjects with autism produced recognizable expressions in both tasks, but they produced fewer than did subjects with Down's syndrome when target emotions were labeled but not modeled (Expression). Imitation and Expression tasks were equally difficult for subjects with autism, but subjects with Down's syndrome performed better in Expression than in Imitation. In both tasks, the responses of subjects with autism contained many unusual behaviors, such as bizarre expressions and those that looked “mechanical. ” Results suggest that producing elicited affective expressions is more difficult for persons with autism than for persons with Down's syndrome of similar chronological age, mental age, and IQ.
Frequency of Stimulation during Early Life and Subsequent Emotionality in the Rat

Between 1 to 10 and 22 to 32 days of age rats were subjected to 3 min. of handling or electric shock at frequencies of 0, ½, 1, 2, or 4 times daily. Frequency of stimulation exerted significant effects either independently or in interaction with the age at which the manipulation occurred. For animals manipulated during the first 10 days of life, the relationship between magnitude of stimulation and emotional reactivity was curvilinear; stimulation at frequencies of up to 2 periods per day reduced emotionality, whereas emotionality in animals receiving 4 periods of stimulation per day tended to return to the level shown by control animals.
Neo-conservatives, Neo-liberals, the New Left and Inclusion: Stirring the pot

Layers of policy often conflict with one another. In this paper, different layers of policy - and more importantly the different intellectual stables from which they emerge are explored in relation to inclusion. There are those of the New Right, with its emphasis on individualism, the free market, tradition and the family; and there are those of the new centre-left, which stresses the importance of community and 'stakeholder welfare'. We argue that there are attempts in much recent policy to fuse both kinds of thinking and that expressions about the need for a plural, tolerant, inclusive education system sometimes sit uneasily with policy which foregrounds the benefits of choice, selection and the comparison of schools on the basis of their pupils' attainment. While proclamations from politicians about benefits of inclusion are to be welcomed, the effects of exhortation will be counteracted by policy whose effects are to promote competition.
Efficient descriptor learning for large scale localization

Many robotics and Augmented Reality (AR) systems that use sparse keypoint-based visual maps operate in large and highly repetitive environments, where pose tracking and localization are challenging tasks. Additionally, these systems usually face further challenges, such as limited computational power, or insufficient memory for storing large maps of the entire environment. Thus, developing compact map representations and improving retrieval is of considerable interest for enabling large-scale visual place recognition and loop-closure. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to compress descriptors while increasing their discriminability and match-ability, based on recent advances in neural networks. At the same time, we target resource-constrained robotics applications in our design choices. The main contributions of this work are twofold. First, we propose a linear projection from descriptor space to a lower-dimensional Euclidean space, based on a novel supervised learning strategy employing a triplet loss. Second, we show the importance of including contextual appearance information to the visual feature in order to improve matching under strong viewpoint, illumination and scene changes. Through detailed experiments on three challenging datasets, we demonstrate significant gains in performance over state-of-the-art methods.
Enhanced word classing for model M

Model M is a superior class-based n-gram model that has shown improvements on a variety of tasks and domains. In previous work with Model M, bigram mutual information clustering has been used to derive word classes. In this paper, we introduce a new word classing method designed to closely match with Model M. The proposed classing technique achieves gains in speech recognition word-error rate of up to 1.1% absolute over the baseline clustering, and a total gain of up to 3.0% absolute over a Katz-smoothed trigram model, the largest such gain ever reported for a class-based language model.
Effect of D3 dopamine receptor on dopamine D4 receptor expression and function in renal proximal tubule cells from Wistar–Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background: Dopamine receptors induce natriuresis in kidney. Previous studies have shown interactions between different subtypes of dopamine receptors in renal proximal tubule (RPT) cells. We hypothesize that D3 receptors have an interaction with D4 receptors in RPT cells from normotensive rats (Wistar-Kyoto, WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods: Immunoblotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to examine the expression of D3 and D4 receptors. Na+–K+-ATPase activity was used to measure the function of receptors. The distribution and colocalization of D3 and D4 receptors were detected by confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation. Results: D3 receptor agonist PD128907 increased the mRNA and protein expression of D4 receptors in RPT cells from WKY rats, but decreased that from SHRs. In the presence of PLC blocker (U73122, 10−6mol/l) or PKC inhibitor 19 -31 (10−6mol/l), the up-regulation of D3 receptor on D4 receptor was lost in WKY cells. Moreover, stimulation with PD128907 for 30 minutes decreased D4 receptor degradation in WKY cells, not in SHR cells. D3 and D4 receptors colocalized and co-immunoprecipitated in RPT cells. PD128907 increased co-immunoprecipitation of D3 and D4 receptors in WKY RPT cells, but not in SHR RPT cells. Pre-treatment with D3 receptor agonist also increases D4 receptor mediated inhibitory effect on Na+–K+-ATPase activity in WKY cells, but not in SHR cells. Conclusion: Renal D3 receptor regulates the expression and function of D4 receptor in RPT cells via PLC /PKC signaling pathway, the loss of this interaction might be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension.
Robust learning aided by context

Empirical studies of multitask learning provide some evidence that the performance of a learning system on its intended targets improves by presenting to the learning system related tasks, also called contexts, as additional input. Angluin, Gasarch, and Smith, as well as Kinber, Smith, Velauthapillai, and Wiehagen, have provided mathematical justification for this phenomenon in the inductive inference framework. However, their proofs rely heavily on self-referential coding tricks; that is, they directly code the solution of the learning problem into the context. Fulk has shown that for the Ex- and Bc-anomaly hierarchies, such results, which rely on self-referential coding tricks, do not hold robustly. In this work we analyze robust versions of learning aided by context and show that? in contrast to Fulk's result above? context also aids learning robustly. Also studied is the difficulty of the functional dependence between the intended target tasks and useful associated contexts.
Expressions of neo-traditional patriarchal power in the speeches of President Zuma

Abstract A retrospective view of South African President Jacob Zuma's delivery portfolio provides evidence of unfulfilled promises and continued erosion of democratic principles and practices enshrined in the constitution. In the election address of 6 May 2009, as well as the inaugural speech of 9 May 2009, one notes a much more inward-looking, ‘man of the people’ approach than that of his predecessor, President Mbeki, who advocated pan-Africanism as the foremost priority. In President Zuma's election speech of 6 May 2009, he constantly foregrounds local affiliations and references to his own positive personal qualities, addressing exclusively the ANC majority votership, while at his inauguration he addresses the entire nation. There is a visibly distinct shift from extreme subjective authorship in the election speech to attempted objectivity in the inaugural address, as the signs of the individual authorial presence are reduced in the inaugural speech, in order to attempt a more inclusive rhetoric. Furthermore, his State of the Nation address of 2011 is characterised by an overriding theme of self-praise, other-blaming and veiled threats. In summary then, President Zuma's speeches signal a radical shift from Africanism and pan-Africanism and from the agenda of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), to neo-traditional, patriarchal notions of governance.
High‐school Students’ Informal Reasoning and Argumentation about Biotechnology: An indicator of scientific literacy?

The aim of this research was to explore Australian high‐school students’ argumentation and informal reasoning about biotechnology. Data were obtained from semi‐structured interviews with 10 Year‐8 students (12–13 years old), 14 Year‐10 students (14–15 years old) and 6 Year‐12 students (16–17 years old) from six metropolitan high schools in Perth, Western Australia. The transcripts were analysed using both Toulmin’s argumentation pattern and informal reasoning patterns (rational, emotive, and intuitive) as frameworks. The notion of scientific literacy was used as the basis of the theoretical framework to examine the data. Most students used no data or only simple data to justify their claims. Students of all year groups used intuitive and emotive informal reasoning more frequently than rational. Rational informal reasoning was associated with more sophisticated arguments.
‘Teaching’ or ‘support’? The poisoned chalice of the role of Students’ Skills Centres

After the 1992 Further and Higher Education Reform Act enabled polytechnics and the qualifying franchised colleges to be renamed universities or higher education institutions, the dominance of the rhetoric of skill development aggravated long‐standing schisms between further and higher education about whether or not degree‐level courses should be available in further education. One aspect of these disagreements concerns the dominance of a skills deficit model and its influence in learning and teaching. This article draws on the findings of a study into the role of a Students’ Skills Centre (SSC) in a post‐1992 university. It focuses on how and why working in SSCs is envisaged as a subordinate function, as a ‘support’ and not a ‘teaching’ role. The research study utilised both quantitative and qualitative research methods in a case‐study design to examine the nature of students’ requests for help in an SSC. The article argues that academic skills, including writing, study and key skills, are more effective if taught in a subject/disciplinary‐specific context. Hence, lecturers in the SSC had to provide intensive teaching, which, at the same time, also addressed this contextual dimension. This is a complex and highly specialised teaching process, yet, despite the yearly increase in numbers of students attending the centre for help, university managers and some academic staff refused to acknowledge the complexity of the nature of students’ learning requirements or the teaching function of the role of lecturers working in the SSC.
LearnCoil-VMF: computational evidence for coiled-coil-like motifs in many viral membrane-fusion proteins1

Abstract Crystallographic studies have shown that the coiled-coil motif occurs in several viral membrane-fusion proteins, including HIV-1 gp41 and influenza virus hemagglutinin. Here, the LearnCoil-VMF program was designed as a specialized program for identifying coiled-coil-like regions in viral membrane-fusion proteins. Based upon the use of LearnCoil-VMF, as well as other computational tools, we report detailed sequence analyses of coiled-coil-like regions in retrovirus, paramyxovirus and filovirus membrane-fusion proteins. Additionally, sequence analyses of these proteins outside their putative coiled-coil domains illustrate some structural differences between them. Complementing previous crystallographic studies, the coiled-coil-like regions detected by LearnCoil-VMF provide further evidence that the three-stranded coiled coil is a common motif found in many diverse viral membrane-fusion proteins. The abundance and structural conservation of this motif, even in the absence of sequence homology, suggests that it is critical for viral-cellular membrane fusion. The LearnCoil-VMF program is available at http://web.wi. mit.edu/kim
Fathers' perceptions of their roles during in-home training for children with autism.

PROBLEM Currently, most research related to parents of children with autism has focused on mothers, and little is known about the fathers' interaction with their children. PURPOSE The purpose of the qualitative study is to assist in more fully describing and understanding fathers' perceptions of their roles, relationships with their children with autism, and participation in an in-home training intervention designed to enhance parent-child interactions as well as child language and social interactions. METHODS In depth semi-structured interviews with 10 fathers were conducted at home, videotaped, transcribed, and reviewed for common themes and significant statements FINDINGS Five common themes were discovered, fathers expressed their view of their roles, and fathers reported the father-directed in-home intervention was effective in enhancing father-child relationships. CONCLUSION Communication between fathers and their children appears to be the key to a successful relationship. Although verbal communication deficit is a predominant feature of autism, these fathers noted other ways of effective communicating including time spent playing or just being with the child.
Means of Integrating Audio Content Analysis Algorithms

Two generic mechanisms are proposed that facilitate the efficient integration of audio content analysis algorithms. The first mechanism, priorityrule based interleaving of algorithms, allows the simultaneous interoperation of several bottom-up analysis modules by interleaving their atomic steps. It aims at increased accuracy through controlled manipulation of common data. The second mechanism, top-down routing of requests for data, allows high-level predictions to direct the bottom-up analysis towards verifying the predicted hypotheses by observations. Examples from automatic music transcription are presented to clarify the use of the proposed methods.
The normative and scientific justifications for development theory

Abstract This article argues that liberal and structuralist versions of development theory do provide a scientific basis for the management of emancipatory social change by answering its positivistic and cultural relativistic critics. It shows that positivism depends on methodological individualism, that this principle does not hold in societies where market systems and free individuals have yet to be created. It then shows that liberal development theory does provide a scientific basis for creating such institutions, and therefore for the necessary changes in individual behaviour that it must entail. Second, it shows that individualism is an inadequate basis for understanding and managing the complex and hierarchical institutions of late capitalist society, and therefore the need to use the scientific insights provided by modern institutional theory in order to do so. Then, third, it shows that imposing these principles threatens many of the values and understandings that governed societies that have been based on ethnic exclusivism, theocracy, patriarchy or commandism. It shows that development necessarily generates social conflict, but also that local values and understandings cannot simply be repressed because they do provide people with the basis on which they live their lives. It argues that practitioners must respect these traditions where they can, but find ways of adapting their insights to local needs, values and capacities.
Personal Interaction with Researchers or Detached Synthesis of the Evidence: Modelling the Health Policy Paradox

Personal interaction between health policy makers and researchers is widely seen as the key to enhancing research use, but there are also increasing demands that policies be based on syntheses of the available evidence. A potential paradox arises in that whilst interaction may result in greater use of the evidence it might also lead to a partial selection of evidence, not consistent with a systematic overview. The ‘interfaces and receptor’ model, developed for a World Health Organization project analysing health research utilisation, facilitates examination of these issues. It highlights the importance of analysing the diffeent cultures of researchers and policy makers, and the permeability of the various interfaces between them. It also focuses attention on the key role that policy makers play as the receptors, or receivers, of research and how issues of training and organisational culture and structures might be of increasing importance in assisting research to move up the various steps of the ladder of utilisation. Case studies taken from previous work how the interfaces and receptor model can be applied to: help analyse research utilisation; explore the paradox; and contribute to an evidence-base for policies aimed at building effective research systems.
A new method of dynamic gesture recognition using Wi-Fi signals based on Adaboost

In order to find a method for dynamic gesture recognition without adjusting parameters according to different gestures and different training environment, a new method based on Adaptive Boosting (Adaboost) classification method is proposed to implement dynamic gesture recognition in this paper. The combination of Gaussian filter and Median filter is applied to preprocess the data. Six predefined dynamic gestures were tested in our experiment. A large number of experiments show that our method can achieve high accuracy of gesture recognition, with the average recognition rate of 95.20%. Also, the comparison between the proposed and the traditional classification method was discussed. According to the obtained results, the method presented in this paper is more effective with less time cost for dynamic gesture recognition.
Stress Pre-Entry in Motor Systems

Stress pre-entry is the occurrence, before it is due, of the stressed component in a series of rapidly produced movements. The phenomenon appeared in speech (experimentally produced spoonerisms) and in patterns of finger movement: serial-order errors were usually a stressed element entering before its time. The probability of serial-order errors was also found to increase as a function of rate of action. Several explanations are possible, but the model that best fits the data is one of a scanning device for determining serial order of rapidly produced behavior.