Convergence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the Social Sector

This report highlights five key trends and how their coming together will shape the social sector of the future. Based on extensive review of existing research and in-depth interviews with thought leaders and nonprofit leaders and activists, it explores the trends (Demographic Shifts; Technological Advances; Networks Enabling Work to be Organized in New Ways; Rising Interest in Civic Engagement and Volunteerism; and Blurring of Sector Boundaries) and looks at the ways nonprofits can successfully navigate the changes. The monograph is by La Piana Consulting, a national firm dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and foundations

Analysis of Influence of Segmentation, Features, and Classification in sEMG Processing: A Case Study of Recognition of Brazilian Sign Language Alphabet

Sign Language recognition systems aid communication among deaf people, hearing impaired people, and speakers. One of the types of signals that has seen increased studies and that can be used as input for these systems is surface electromyography (sEMG). This work presents the recognition of a set of alphabet gestures from Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) using sEMG acquired from an armband. Only sEMG signals were used as input. Signals from 12 subjects were acquired using a MyoTM armband for the 26 signs of the Libras alphabet. Additionally, as the sEMG has several signal processing parameters, the influence of segmentation, feature extraction, and classification was considered at each step of the pattern recognition. In segmentation, window length and the presence of four levels of overlap rates were analyzed, as well as the contribution of each feature, the literature feature sets, and new feature sets proposed for different classifiers. We found that the overlap rate had a high influence on this task. Accuracies in the order of 99% were achieved for the following factors: segments of 1.75 s with a 12.5% overlap rate; the proposed set of four features; and random forest (RF) classifiers

<i>Ureaplasma diversum</i> Genome Provides New Insights about the Interaction of the Surface Molecules of This Bacterium with the Host

<div><p>Whole genome sequencing and analyses of <i>Ureaplasma diversum</i> ATCC 49782 was undertaken as a step towards understanding <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i> biology and pathogenicity. The complete genome showed 973,501 bp in a single circular chromosome, with 28.2% of G+C content. A total of 782 coding DNA sequences (CDSs), and 6 rRNA and 32 tRNA genes were predicted and annotated. The metabolic pathways are identical to other human ureaplasmas, including the production of ATP via hydrolysis of the urea. Genes related to pathogenicity, such as urease, phospholipase, hemolysin, and a Mycoplasma Ig binding protein (MIB)—Mycoplasma Ig protease (MIP) system were identified. More interestingly, a large number of genes (n = 40) encoding surface molecules were annotated in the genome (lipoproteins, multiple-banded antigen like protein, membrane nuclease lipoprotein and variable surface antigens lipoprotein). In addition, a gene encoding glycosyltransferase was also found. This enzyme has been associated with the production of capsule in mycoplasmas and ureaplasma. We then sought to detect the presence of a capsule in this organism. A polysaccharide capsule from 11 to 17 nm of <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i> was observed trough electron microscopy and using specific dyes. This structure contained arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose. In order to understand the inflammatory response against these surface molecules, we evaluated the response of murine macrophages J774 against viable and non-viable <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i>. As with viable bacteria, non-viable bacteria were capable of promoting a significant inflammatory response by activation of Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2), indicating that surface molecules are important for the activation of inflammatory response. Furthermore, a cascade of genes related to the inflammasome pathway of macrophages was also up-regulated during infection with viable organisms when compared to non-infected cells. In conclusion, <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i> has a typical ureaplasma genome and metabolism, and its surface molecules, including the identified capsular material, represent major components of the organism immunopathogenesis.</p></div

Gene synteny and phylogeny.

<p>(A) Syntenic maps of ureaplasma genomes. Sybil map used <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i> ATCC 49782 as a reference genome. (B) Phylogenetic trees based on 32 concatenated proteins of <i>Mollicutes</i>.</p

Capsule of <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i>.

<p>(A) Electron microscopy of cells <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i> ATCC 49782 obtained in the cultured isolates from mucovulvovaginal bovine semen and treated with red ruthenium dye, showing polysaccharide materials (electrodense external region indicated with arrowheads). Bar 100 nm. (B) Percentage of monosaccharides in capsular components of <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i> ATCC 49782.</p

Virulence and pathogenicity mechanisms.

<p>(A) Virulence map of <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i> ATCC 49782. (B) Schematic representation of the urease gene cluster from <i>U</i>. <i>diversum</i> ATCC 49782. Structural subunits: <i>ure</i>A (gudiv_255), <i>ure</i>B (gudiv_254), and <i>ure</i>C (gudiv_253). Accessory proteins <i>ure</i>E (gudiv_252), <i>ure</i>F (gudiv_251), <i>ure</i>G (gudiv_250), and <i>ure</i>D (gudiv_249) (C) Diagram of <i>Ureaplasma diversum</i> Multiple-Banded Antigen-like protein (MBA-like—gudiv_653) and locus and similarity of MBA-like with the human ureaplasmal Multiple-Banded Antigen (MBA) (Accession number: AF055358.2).</p

General features of the genome of <i>Ureaplasma diversum</i> ATCC 49782 compared to human ureaplasmas and other members of <i>Mycoplasma</i>, <i>Acholeplasma</i> and <i>Phytoplasma</i> species.

<p>General features of the genome of <i>Ureaplasma diversum</i> ATCC 49782 compared to human ureaplasmas and other members of <i>Mycoplasma</i>, <i>Acholeplasma</i> and <i>Phytoplasma</i> species.</p

Coding DNA sequences (CDSs) of <i>Ureaplasma diversum</i> ATCC 49782 genome classified by TIGR role category.

<p>Coding DNA sequences (CDSs) of <i>Ureaplasma diversum</i> ATCC 49782 genome classified by TIGR role category.</p