Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing Disruptive Behavior through Non-Hierarchical Governance

Disruptive behaviors such as flaming and vandalism have been part of the Internet since its beginning. Various models of hierarchical governance have been established and managed in different online venues, with both successes and failures. Recently, a new model of non-hierarchical governance has emerged using crowdsourcing technology to allow an online community to manage itself. How do people view and work with non-hierarchical governance? In this paper, we present an interview study with people from two sites: the video game League of Legends and Weibo, a microblogging site in China. We found that people were passionate about participation in crowdsourcing, but at the same time, struggled with the system, and acted beyond their designated role within the system. We derive implications for designing online non-hierarchical governance from our research.
An essential role for IGF2 in cartilage development and glucose metabolism during postnatal long bone growth

Postnatal bone growth involves a dramatic increase in length and girth. Intriguingly, this period of growth is independent of growth hormone and the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Recently, an IGF2 mutation was identified in humans with early postnatal growth restriction. Here, we show that IGF2 is essential for longitudinal and appositional murine postnatal bone development, which involves proper timing of chondrocyte maturation and perichondrial cell differentiation and survival. Importantly, the Igf2 null mouse model does not represent a simple delay of growth but instead uncoordinated growth plate development. Furthermore, biochemical and two-photon imaging analyses identified elevated and imbalanced glucose metabolism in the Igf2 null mouse. Attenuation of glycolysis rescued the mutant phenotype of premature cartilage maturation, thereby indicating that IGF2 controls bone growth by regulating glucose metabolism in chondrocytes. This work links glucose metabolism with cartilage development and provides insight into the fundamental understanding of human growth abnormalities. Summary: Attenuation of glucose consumption in Igf2 null mice rescued the mutant phenotype of premature cartilage maturation, revealing that IGF2 controls cartilage development in part by regulating glucose metabolism in chondrocytes.
Effects of individualized memory aids on the conversation of persons with severe dementia: A pilot study

Bourgeois has shown that use of simple memory aids enhances the quality of conversation of persons with moderate Alzheimer-type dementia. We replicated Bourgeois' intervention with five people with severe dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination scores 0-4) and diagnoses of Alzheimer-type or vascular dementia, and evaluated the impact of the aids on the proportion of time participants spent on topic in conversation with carers. For three participants, use of the memory aid did not increase the proportion of time-spent on-topic. The remaining two participants, however, spent approximately twice as much time on-topic when using the aid as when conversing without it. Our results extend Bourgeois' work by showing that memory aids are helpful to some people with severe dementia.
Performance impact of partial reconfigurability in lightwave networks

Rearrangeable multihop lightwave networks can be dynamically reconfigured to adapt the connectivity among network stations to prevailing traffic conditions. Most of the literature has analyzed the performance of such networks assuming no limitations on the range of tunability of the transmitters and/or receivers allocated to each network station. Therefore, all connection diagrams could be realized among network stations, within the constraints of the number of transmitters and receivers at each station. Since the number of wavelengths in use may be very large, a practical implementation would restrict the tunability range of each transmitter and receiver to some limited set of contiguous wavelengths, or waveband. However, there is a penalty associated with such restrictions in that all connection diagrams might not be achievable and the network performances could degrade. The author derives lower bounds on the performance degradation experienced by the network when there are tunability limitations. He then proposes and analyzes a waveband assignment and grouping scheme, illustrating that one can design networks with good performance even though there are tunability constraints on the transceivers. He also describes other architectures (multi-fiber physical topology, subcarrier division multiplexing) for which the model and analysis readily apply.
Altered Development of Synapse Structure and Function in Striatum Caused by Parkinson's Disease-Linked LRRK2–G2019S Mutation

Mutations in the gene encoding leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) can cause Parkinson's disease (PD), and the most common disease-associated mutation, G2019S, increases kinase activity. Because LRRK2 expression levels rise during synaptogenesis and are highest in dorsal striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs), we tested the hypothesis that the LRRK2–G2019S mutation would alter development of excitatory synaptic networks in dorsal striatum. To circumvent experimental confounds associated with LRRK2 overexpression, we used mice expressing LRRK2–G2019S or D2017A (kinase-dead) knockin mutations. In whole-cell recordings, G2019S SPNs exhibited a fourfold increase in sEPSC frequency compared with wild-type SPNs in postnatal day 21 mice. Such heightened neural activity was increased similarly in direct- and indirect-pathway SPNs, and action potential-dependent activity was particularly elevated. Excitatory synaptic activity in D2017A SPNs was similar to wild type, indicating a selective effect of G2019S. Acute exposure to LRRK2 kinase inhibitors normalized activity, supporting that excessive neural activity in G2019S SPNs is mediated directly and is kinase dependent. Although dendritic arborization and densities of excitatory presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic dendritic spines in G2019S SPNs were similar to wild type, G2019S SPNs displayed larger spines that were matched functionally by a shift toward larger postsynaptic response amplitudes. Acutely isolating striatum from overlying neocortex normalized sEPSC frequency in G2019S mutants, supporting that abnormal corticostriatal activity is involved. These findings indicate that the G2019S mutation imparts a gain-of-abnormal function to SPN activity and morphology during a stage of development when activity can permanently modify circuit structure and function. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mutations in the kinase domain of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) follow Parkinson's disease (PD) heritability. How such mutations affect brain function is poorly understood. LRRK2 expression levels rise after birth at a time when synapses are forming and are highest in dorsal striatum, suggesting that LRRK2 regulates development of striatal circuits. During a period of postnatal development when activity plays a large role in permanently shaping neural circuits, our data show how the most common PD-causing LRRK2 mutation dramatically alters excitatory synaptic activity and the shape of postsynaptic structures in striatum. These findings provide new insight into early functional and structural aberrations in striatal connectivity that may predispose striatal circuitry to both motor and nonmotor dysfunction later in life.
An Essential Role for the Stalk Region of CD8β in the Coreceptor Function of CD81

The CD8αβ heterodimer is integral to the selection of the class I-restricted lineage in the thymus; however, the contribution of the CD8β chain to coreceptor function is poorly understood. To understand whether the CD8β membrane proximal stalk region played a role in coreceptor function, we substituted it with the corresponding sequence from the CD8α polypeptide and expressed the hybrid molecule in transgenic mice in place of endogenous CD8β. Although the stalk-swapped CD8β was expressed on the cell surface as a disulfide-bonded heterodimer at equivalent levels of expression to an endogenous CD8β molecule, it failed to restore selection of CD8+ class I MHC-restricted T cells and it altered the response of peripheral T cells. Thus, the stalk region of the CD8β polypeptide has an essential role in ensuring functionality of the CD8αβ heterodimer and its replacement compromises the interaction of CD8 with peptide-MHC complexes.
Antitumor Efficacy of PD 115934 ( NSC 366140 ) against Solid Tumors of Mice 1

PD115934 (NSC 366140) is a soluble pyrazoloacridine derivative presently undergoing preclinical toxicology evaluation with the anticipa tion of Phase I human investigation. The agent displayed both human and murine solid tumor selectivity in vitro in a soft agar disk diffusion assay, relative to its activity against murine LI210 leukemia. In vivo it was highly active against solid tumors colon adenocarcinoma 38 and pancreas ductal carcinoma 03, which was consistent with the cellular cytotoxicity seen in the disk diffusion assay. A log cell kill of >4.0 was demonstrated in vivo against both models. PD1I5934 was administered by both bolus and infusional therapy. After completion of these trials, it was determined that this compound was a schedule category III agent, i.e., a schedule-independent agent with peak plasma level toxicity. The main toxicity encountered with infusional therapy was myelosuppression. With bolus therapy, central nervous system toxicities were dose limiting. On the basis of our preclinical infusion studies, we recommend a 2-h infusion twice weekly in humans in order to obtain a total dose of 360 mg/m2 over 8 weeks.
Platycodon grandiflorus alleviates DNCB-induced atopy-like dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of crude extract from Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) roots on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Materials and Methods: To develop atopic dermatitis-like lesions, 200 μl of 0.3% 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitro benzene (DNCB) in acetone/olive oil (3:1) was applied 3 times a week for 2 weeks on the shaved skin of their backs. PG extract was dissolved in saline and orally administrated at concentrations of 300 and 500 mg/kg every day for 2 weeks. The therapeutic effect of PG on AD-like skin lesions was assessed by measuring skin severity scores and epithermal thickness, serum total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, histopathological findings for inflammatory cells including mast cells, macrophage and T cells, and mRNA expression of various cytokines related to the inflammatory and allergic response. The significance of inter-group differences was analyzed using the ANOVA test. Data were considered to be significant when P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Results: Oral treatment of PG suppressed AD-like skin lesions according to the assessment of skin severity and epithermal thickness in the DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice. This alleviation was further correlated with a reduction of elevated serum total IgE or cytokine mRNA in the PG-treated group compared with vehicle-treated positive group. In addition, infiltrated inflammatory cells decreased on the skin lesions compared with vehicle-treated group. Conclusion: These results suggest that PG may have a potential therapeutic effect for AD via the inhibition of both inflammatory and allergic reaction.
Emerging roles of pulmonary macrophages in driving the development of severe asthma

Asthma is recognized as a heterogeneous disorder, although in most patients, the clinical manifestations are effectively managed with established combination therapies. However, 5–10% of asthmatics have severe asthma, which does not respond to treatment, and these patients account for >50% of asthma‐related healthcare costs. New investigations into the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid resistance in severe asthma indicate that pulmonary macrophages may play central roles in promoting airway inflammation, particularly in asthma that is resistant to steroid therapy. Importantly, factors that are linked to the activation of pulmonary macrophages may contribute to glucocorticoid resistance and severe asthma. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the roles of pulmonary macrophages in the mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance and the pathogenesis of severe asthma. We discuss the role of macrophage phenotype, infection, IFN‐γ, LPS, associated signaling pathways, TNF‐α, MIF, and other macrophage‐associated factors. Understanding the pathogenesis of steroid‐resistant severe asthma will contribute to the identification of optimal therapeutic strategies for the effective management of the disease.
Principal components dynamic block quantization for multichannel SAR

This paper concerns the on-board data volume reduction for a single-platform multichannel Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system. In such a system, the unambiguous Doppler spectrum reconstructed on-ground is enlarged at the cost of an increased amount of acquired data. Since the signals received by a multichannel SAR instrument are intrinsically correlated, such correlation can be exploited to represent the signals in a smaller set of components, introducing a controlled distortion. This way, a reduced amount of data can be quantized and transmitted on-ground. Data simulations have been performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. By analysis of the simulation results, efficient reduction of data volume is achieved, even keeping low enough the additional distortion introduced in the reconstructed data.
Towards a comprehensive integration of subjective parameters in database browsing

Today, cyberspace provides the user with quantities of distributed multimedia information. Whereas adequate technical tools were developed that enable the user to actually access this database, information technology still lacks plasticity to handle requests based on subjective parameters, i.e. non-explicit requests. In human-human communication however, such complex and variable information can be transmitted by words, even if the meaning associated varies from one actor to the other. We propose an experimental framework in which, through intensive interaction, the machine and the user develop a common language through which they can establish mutual understanding over visual perceptions. We describe the mechanisms underlying the development of this language and which allow the user to have full control, both functionally and structurally of the system.
Le Rôle des marchés de capitaux dans la croissance et le développement économique

L'objectif de cette these est de contribuer aux niveaux theorique et empirique a l analyse sur le lien finance-croissance tout en insistant sur le role des banques et sur celui des marches. La question centrale est la suivante : dans quelle mesure le developpement financier (DF) stimule-t-il la croissance et le developpement economiques ? La premiere partie consiste a developper des modeles de croissance endogene integrant le secteur financier et a tester empiriquement l effet du DF sur la croissance. La deuxieme partie aborde les determinants de la duree de la stabilite bancaire, le phenomene de contagion a travers les marches de capitaux et les mesures pour renforcer la stabilite financiere. Les principaux resultats sont les suivants : (1) Il existe un lien theorique positif entre le DF et la croissance avec toutefois des effets de seuil. (2) Un systeme financier (SF) base sur les banques ne pourrait amorcer un processus de croissance que si le developpement educatif a franchi un certain seuil permettant aux banques de collecter et d allouer efficacement les ressources . Un SF a preeminence de marche ne pourrait stimuler la croissance que si le developpement economique a atteint un certain seuil permettant aux agents economiques de prendre part au marche. (3) Il apparait plusieurs cas ou le sens de la causalite part de la finance a la croissance. (4) Le SF mondial a de fortes chances de connaitre une crise bancaire tous les 10 ans ou plus, meme si il a ete stable jusqu a la periode precedant la crise. (5) Le marche boursier americain apparait comme le leader mondial : les chocs sur le marche americain se transmettent rapidement aux autres marches. Alors que Hong Kong et Thailande apparaissent comme les leaders de la zone asiatique. Les implications de politiques economiques sont : (a) Les pays en voie de developpement ont interet a developper leurs systemes financiers par la voie d une liberalisation financiere progressive. (b) Les pays en voie de developpement ont interet a investir dans l education pour que le systeme bancaire, principale composante de leurs systemes financiers, puisse stimuler la croissance economique. (c) Une surveillance permanente du systeme financier mondial qui passe par une coordination internationale des efforts de supervision prudentielle et de reglementation au niveau national.
Human Th17 cells: Are they different from murine Th17 cells?

Type 17 Th (Th17) cells have been identified as a distinct population of CD4+ effector T cells different from Th1 and Th2 cells. While the pre‐eminent cytokine of Th1 cells is IFN‐γ and that of Th2 cells is IL‐4, the distinctive cytokine of Th17 cells is IL‐17A. However, although murine and human Th1 and Th2 cells exhibit strong similarities, human and murine Th17 cells seem to differ in several aspects.
The role of emotion in psychotherapeutic change for medically unexplained symptoms

Abstract Objectives: Evidence of the contribution of emotional processes to the emergence, maintenance, and experience of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) suggests that clinical approaches which target these processes could be beneficial. In this study, qualitative methods were used to examine patients’ perspectives and subjective experiences of emotional processes in the context of a psychotherapy assessment and treatment service for MUS provided in a hospital emergency department (ED). Methods: Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with ED patients presenting with MUS who received a course of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy treatment. Results: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed with three superordinate themes emerging: Barriers to examining emotional processes; reflections on the therapeutic process; psychological change; and improved well-being. Obstacles to clinical engagement in treatment for MUS were described in relation to patients’ and therapists’ ability to identify, address, and utilize emotion processes. Specific elements of this work were identified as integral components of the psychotherapy change process for MUS. Conclusions: Directly observing the physical effects of emotional experiencing in MUS provides sensory evidence that can enable patients to make mind–body connections. Psycho-emotional processes warrant further study to explore the applicability to other conceptual models for assessing and treating MUS. Clinical and methodological significance: In this article, we highlight that Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) are a priority area for both physical and mental health care services. We present findings relevant to the effectiveness of a novel psychotherapy innovation within a hospital emergency department (ED). The use of interpretative phenomenological analysis to study the experiences of ED clients with MUS offers an established qualitative method for exploring the processes underlying therapeutic change. The results provide new insights around obstacles to engagement alongside potential solutions when addressing the psychological needs of clients with MUS. Although emotion processes have been described as a potentially important change process for MUS and in psychotherapy more generally, little empirical research has studied these two areas collectively.
Reliability-based long term hydro/thermal reserve allocation of power systems with high wind power penetration

In a power system with high wind power penetration, reserve allocation is a major problem of system planning and operation due to the uncertainty and fast fluctuation of wind speeds. In order to achieve long term sustainable solution for electricity supply, the impacts of the installation of wind farms on system reliability have to be carefully studied. This paper describes the impact of installation of wind farms on the system reserve and reliability from a long term planning point of view. A multi-state wind farm model and a multi-state load model are combined using universal generating function (UGF) to simulate the fluctuation of wind speed, reliability of wind turbine generators and uncertainty of load. A reliability-based hydro/thermal reserve allocation method is proposed to determine the conventional reserve required for power systems with high wind power penetration. The IEEE-RBTS has been modified to illustrate the applications of the proposed method.
The bldC Developmental Locus of Streptomyces coelicolor Encodes a Member of a Family of Small DNA-Binding Proteins Related to the DNA-Binding Domains of the MerR Family

ABSTRACT The bldC locus, required for formation of aerial hyphae in Streptomyces coelicolor, was localized by map-based cloning to the overlap between cosmids D17 and D25 of a minimal ordered library. Subcloning and sequencing showed that bldC encodes a member of a previously unrecognized family of small (58- to 78-residue) DNA-binding proteins, related to the DNA-binding domains of the MerR family of transcriptional activators. BldC family members are found in a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Constructed ΔbldC mutants were defective in differentiation and antibiotic production. They failed to form an aerial mycelium on minimal medium and showed severe delays in aerial mycelium formation on rich medium. In addition, they failed to produce the polyketide antibiotic actinorhodin, and bldC was shown to be required for normal and sustained transcription of the pathway-specific activator gene actII-orf4. Although ΔbldC mutants produced the tripyrrole antibiotic undecylprodigiosin, transcripts of the pathway-specific activator gene (redD) were reduced to almost undetectable levels after 48 h in the bldC mutant, in contrast to the bldC+ parent strain in which redD transcription continued during aerial mycelium formation and sporulation. This suggests that bldC may be required for maintenance of redD transcription during differentiation. bldC is expressed from a single promoter. S1 nuclease protection assays and immunoblotting showed that bldC is constitutively expressed and that transcription of bldC does not depend on any of the other known bld genes. The bldC18 mutation that originally defined the locus causes a Y49C substitution that results in instability of the protein.
Software requirements and specifications - a lexicon of practice, principles and prejudices

Foreword by Jon Bentley. Preface. Acknowledgements. Introduction. A. Ambiguity. The Application Domain. Arboricide. Aspects of Software Development. B. The Bridges of Konigsberg. Brilliance. C. The Calendar. Classification. Composition. Connection Domains. Connection Frames. Context Diagrams. Critical Reading. D. Dataflow Diagrams--1. Dataflow Diagrams--2. Definitions. Dekker. Descriptions. Designations. Deskilling. Domain Characteristics. Domain Interactions. Domains. E. Entity-Relation Span. Events and Intervals. Existence. F. Frame Diagrams. The Fudge Factor. G. Graphic Notations. H. Hierarchical Structure. I. Identity. Implementation Bias. Individuals. Informal Domains. Is. J. JSP Frame. L. Logical Positivism. M. Machines. Mathematics. Method. Misfits. Models. Mood. A Multi-Frame Problem--1. A Multi-Frame Problem--2. N. The Narrow Bridge. O. Object-Oriented Analysis. P. The Package Router Problem. Partial Descriptions. Phenomena. Poetry. Polya. Predicate Logic. Problem Complexity. The Problem Context. Problem Frames. Problem Sensitivity. Procrustes. R. Raw Materials. Refutable Descriptions. Reification. Requirements. Restaurants. Rough Sketches. S. Scope of Description. Shared Phenomena. Simple Control Frame. Simple IS Frame. Software. Software Engineering. Span of Description. Specifications. T. Top-Down. Tree Diagrams. Trip-lets. W. What and How. Bibliography. Index.