Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacterial Effector Activates Jasmonate Signaling by Directly Targeting JAZ Transcriptional Repressors

Gram-negative bacterial pathogens deliver a variety of virulence proteins through the type III secretion system (T3SS) directly into the host cytoplasm. These type III secreted effectors (T3SEs) play an essential role in bacterial infection, mainly by targeting host immunity. However, the molecular basis of their functionalities remains largely enigmatic. Here, we show that the Pseudomonas syringae T3SE HopZ1a, a member of the widely distributed YopJ effector family, directly interacts with jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) proteins through the conserved Jas domain in plant hosts. JAZs are transcription repressors of jasmonate (JA)-responsive genes and major components of the jasmonate receptor complex. Upon interaction, JAZs can be acetylated by HopZ1a through a putative acetyltransferase activity. Importantly, P. syringae producing the wild-type, but not a catalytic mutant of HopZ1a, promotes the degradation of HopZ1-interacting JAZs and activates JA signaling during bacterial infection. Furthermore, HopZ1a could partially rescue the virulence defect of a P. syringae mutant that lacks the production of coronatine, a JA-mimicking phytotoxin produced by a few P. syringae strains. These results highlight a novel example by which a bacterial effector directly manipulates the core regulators of phytohormone signaling to facilitate infection. The targeting of JAZ repressors by both coronatine toxin and HopZ1 effector suggests that the JA receptor complex is potentially a major hub of host targets for bacterial pathogens.
An Integrated Framework of Corporate Governance and Firm Valuation - Evidence from Switzerland

Recent empirical research shows evidence of a positive relationship between the quality of firm-specific corporate governance and firm valuation. Instead of looking at one single corporate governance mechanism in isolation, we construct a broad corporate governance index and apply five additional variables related to ownership structure, board characteristics, and leverage to provide a comprehensive description of firm-level corporate governance for a representative sample of Swiss firms. To control for potential endogeneity of these six governance mechanisms, we develop a system of simultaneous equations and apply three-stage least squares (3SLS). Our results support the widespread hypothesis of a positive relationship between corporate governance and firm valuation.
Simulation of a 6/4 switched reluctance motor based on Matlab/Simulink environment

A Matlab/Simulink environment to simulate a 6/4-switched reluctance motor is described. From its linear model to the nonlinear model, its dynamics is described and discussed in detail. All simulations are completely documented by their block diagrams and corresponding special Matlab functions and parameters quickly develop its model to the reader. Based on the developed model, simulation studies are performed and compared with measured motor phase currents either for hysteresis and voltage control strategies, and the steady-state motor operation to validate the model.
Methods for estimating prevalence ratios in cross-sectional studies.

OBJECTIVE To empirically compare the Cox, log-binomial, Poisson and logistic regressions to obtain estimates of prevalence ratios (PR) in cross-sectional studies. METHODS Data from a population-based cross-sectional epidemiological study (n = 2072) on elderly people in Sao Paulo (Southeastern Brazil), conducted between May 2003 and April 2005, were used. Diagnoses of dementia, possible cases of common mental disorders and self-rated poor health were chosen as outcomes with low, intermediate and high prevalence, respectively. Confounding variables with two or more categories or continuous values were used. Reference values for point and interval estimates of prevalence ratio (PR) were obtained by means of the Mantel-Haenszel stratification method. Adjusted PR estimates were calculated using Cox and Poisson regressions with robust variance, and using log-binomial regression. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were obtained using logistic regression. RESULTS The point and interval estimates obtained using Cox and Poisson regressions were very similar to those obtained using Mantel-Haenszel stratification, independent of the outcome prevalence and the covariates in the model. The log-binomial model presented convergence difficulties when the outcome had high prevalence and there was a continuous covariate in the model. Logistic regression produced point and interval estimates that were higher than those obtained using the other methods, particularly when for outcomes with high initial prevalence. If interpreted as PR estimates, the ORs would overestimate the associations for outcomes with low, intermediate and high prevalence by 13%, almost by 100% and fourfold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In analyses of data from cross-sectional studies, the Cox and Poisson models with robust variance are better alternatives than logistic regression is. The log-binomial regression model produces unbiased PR estimates, but may present convergence difficulties when the outcome is very prevalent and the confounding variable is continuous.
The instructional use of choice by a prekindergarten teacher : a descriptive study of a classroom phenomenon from multiple perspectives /

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Astragaloside IV Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Through Down-Regulating Cytokines, CCR5 and p-ERK, and Elevating Anti-Oxidative Ability

Background Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) has been shown to prevent ischemia-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rat models of ischemia and reperfusion. However, the effects of AS-IV on AKI during sepsis and endotoxinemia is unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of AS-IV on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI. Material/Methods Adult male CD-1 mice were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n=8/group): control group: mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with normal saline; LPS group (10 mg/kg, i.p.); low-dose AS-IV (25 mg/kg; gavage for 7 days) + LPS (i.p., 1 hour after last gavage) group; medial-dose AS-IV (50 mg/kg) + LPS group; high-dose AS-IV (100 mg/kg) + LPS group; high-dose AS-IV alone (100 mg/kg; gavage for 7 days) group. Blood samples were collected at 24 hours after LPS injection, and plasma uric acid and BUN were measured with colorimetric detection kits. The concentration of plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin 1β, renal p-extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and urinary albumin were evaluated by ELISA. The expression of CCR5 in renal tissue was evaluated by PCR and Western blotting. Concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in renal tissue were also measured. Results AS-IV decreased LPS-stimulated production of blood TNF-α and IL-6, LPS-induced the expression of CCR5, and activation of ERK in the kidneys in a rodent model of endotoxinemia. AS-IV attenuated LPS-caused decreased GSH and increased ROS. It also attenuated LPS-induced increases in plasma uric acid, BUN, and urinary albumin. Conclusions AS-IV protects against AKI during bacterial endotoxinemia by attenuating expression of cytokines, CCR5, and p-ERK, and elevating anti-oxidative ability.
Conflicting Evidence or Conflicting Opinions? Two-Sided Expert Discussions Contribute to Experts’ Trustworthiness

This article examines how the way pro and contra information is distributed between two experts in a written discourse influence readers’ evaluations. One hundred and fifty university students read an expert discussion on the topic of computer use in childhood. Information was presented in either a one-sided (each expert holds one position: pro or contra) or two-sided way (both experts provide pro and contra arguments). Results showed that readers judged experts who communicated more consensus-oriented by taking a two-sided stance to be more trustworthy. Additionally, readers in this group subsequently outlined their own opinion toward the topic more confidently. However, the manipulation did not influence how far readers drew on expert information when formulating a response to a writing task. Implications are drawn for helping readers to process expert discussions and for improving expert communication strategies. It is emphasized that expert discussions provide not only content-focused but also rhetorical challenges.
From Therapy to Instruction: The Effect of Systemic Strategies on the Oral Performance of Foreign Language Learners

This paper reports the results of a group intervention based on strategies derived from the systemic therapy model—brief strategic therapy. These strategies aimed at decreasing the anxiety levels commonly found in oral performance tasks related to L2 learning. Thirteen students from different semesters who belonged to two foreign language teaching programs participated in four weekly 40-minute group sessions. The pre- and post-assessments suggest a meaningful reduction of anxiety levels (t = 8.978 p < 0.05; ES = 2.49). The results suggest that the application of the strategies is highly effective and beneficial for anxious L2 learners.
Assessing Methane Emissions from Global Space-Borne Observations

In the past two centuries, atmospheric methane has more than doubled and now constitutes 20% of the anthropogenic climate forcing by greenhouse gases. Yet its sources are not well quantified, introducing uncertainties in its global budget. We retrieved the global methane distribution by using spaceborne near-infrared absorption spectroscopy. In addition to the expected latitudinal gradient, we detected large-scale patterns of anthropogenic and natural methane emissions. Furthermore, we observed unexpectedly high methane concentrations over tropical rainforests, revealing that emission inventories considerably underestimated methane sources in these regions during the time period of investigation (August through November 2003).
Effects of a Social Skills Intervention on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Peers with Shared Deficits

The current study evaluated the effects of the Superheroes Social Skills program (Jenson et al. 2011) in promoting accurate demonstration of target social skills in training and generalization conditions in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and peers with shared social deficits. Three preschool-age children with ASD and 2 typically developing peers with social deficits attended twice-weekly social skills training over 5 weeks, with lessons targeting nonverbal, participation, requesting, and conversation skills. A multiple probe design across social skills replicated across participants was utilized to determine the effect of participation in the intervention on accurate demonstration of target social skills in training and generalized contexts. Results demonstrated improvements in accuracy of target skill demonstration following introduction of intervention. Parental reports of participant social functioning and parent stress were collected as secondary dependent measures, and also suggest improvements associated with intervention. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.
Dismantling Stereotypes About Latinos in STEM

The present study compared the effectiveness of a self-affirmation and a role model guest lecture intervention on reducing students’ perceptions of science-related social identity threat. Participants included 67 Latino high school students enrolled in a college preparation program. Students were randomly assigned either to a self-affirmation intervention or a self-affirmation control task, and the role model intervention was open to all students, with some choosing to participate. Results from an ANCOVA found the combination of both interventions had an identity threat reducing effect of moderate magnitude on perceptions of identity threat, and planned contrasts found statistically significant differences in perceptions of identity threat between students who received both interventions and no intervention, and between students who received both interventions and the self-affirmation task alone. Our research suggests that using multiple and combined interventions might provide an important advantage in order to reduce perceptions of identity threat in Latino students.
Strong-lensing optical depths in a ΛCDM universe – II. The influence of the stellar mass in galaxies

We investigate how strong gravitational lensing in the concordanceCDM cosmology is affected by the stellar mass in galaxies. We extend our previous studies, based on ray trac- ing through the Millennium Simulation, by including the stellar components predicted by galaxy formation models. We find that the inclusion of these components greatly enhances the probability for strong lensing compared to a 'dark matter only' universe. The identification of the 'lenses' associated with strong-lensing events reveals that the stellar mass of galaxies (i) significantly enhances the strong-lensing cross-sections of group and cluster haloes and (ii) gives rise to strong lensing in smaller haloes, which would not produce noticeable effects in the absence of the stars. Even if we consider only image splittings � 10 arcsec, the luminous matter can enhance the strong-lensing optical depths by up to a factor of 2.
Impact of Abusive Supervision on Deviant Work Behavior: The Role of Islamic Work Ethic

In this article, we examined the relationship between abusive supervision and deviant workplace behavior and the moderating role of an Islamic Work Ethic. Three hundred and thirty&#8208;six employees in different organizations (specializing in software development, medicine, law enforcement, telecommunication, pharmaceutics, and banking) across Pakistan completed our questionnaire. The results revealed that abusive supervision was positively related to deviant workplace behavior. Moreover, the moderation of an Islamic Work Ethic on the relationship between abusive supervision and deviant work behavior was confirmed. The study contributed in many ways. It expanded literature by revealing a weaker relationship between abusive supervision and deviant behavior when Islamic Work Ethic (IWE) was high. It also tested the conservation of resources theory by providing a plausible reasoning of the role of IWE in employee motivation. By integrating IWE as a resource in the workplace, practitioners would learn that the proper use of resources would produce satisfied workers who would not indulge in deviant workplace behaviors.
Brooding, Reflection, and Distraction: Relation to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury versus Suicide Attempts

The present study examined the relation between cognitive response styles (i.e., brooding, reflection, distraction) and cognitive inflexibility in differentially predicting history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) only, suicide attempt (SA) only, or both (NSSI + SA). College students (N = 352) completed self-report measures of rumination, distraction, and self-harm history, a diagnostic interview, and a computerized task measuring cognitive flexibility. Brooding uniquely predicted SA-only history, while reflection uniquely predicted history of NSSI-only and NSSI + SA. Distraction was associated with lower odds of NSSI-only and NSSI + SA. Cognitive inflexibility was not significantly associated with self-harm history. Cognitive vulnerabilities may help identify individuals who are at risk for self-harm and may differentiate between NSSI and SA.
Temporal evolution of the Evershed flow in sunspots - I. Observational characterization of Evershed clouds

Context. The magnetic and kinematic properties of the photospheric Evershed flow are relatively well known, but not completely understood. The evolution of the flow with time, which is mainly due to the appearance of velocity packets called Evershed clouds (ECs), may provide information to further constrain its origin. Aims. We undertake a detailed analysis of the evolution of the Evershed flow by studying the properties of ECs. In this first paper we determine the sizes, proper motions, location in the penumbra, and frequency of appearance of ECs, as well as their typical Doppler velocities, linear and circular polarization signals, Stokes V area asymmetries, and continuum intensities. Methods. High-cadence, high-resolution, full vector spectropolarimetric measurements in visible and infrared lines are used to characterize the EC phenomenon through a simple line-parameter analysis. Results. ECs appear in the mid penumbra and propagate outward along filaments having large linear polarization signals and enhanced Evershed flows. The frequency of appearance of ECs varies between 15 and 40 min in different filaments. ECs exhibit the largest Doppler velocities and linear-to-circular polarization ratios of the whole penumbra. In addition, lines formed deeper in the atmosphere show larger Doppler velocities, much in the same way as the “quiescent” Evershed flow. According to our observations, ECs can be classified in two groups: type I ECs, which vanish in the outer penumbra, and type II ECs, which cross the outer penumbral boundary and enter the sunspot moat. Most of the observed ECs belong to type I. On average, type II ECs can be detected as velocity structures outside of the spot for only about 14 min. Their proper motions in the moat are significantly reduced with respect to the ones they had in the penumbra.
Selectivity for Complex Shapes in Primate Visual Area V2

To explore the role of visual area V2 in shape analysis, we studied the responses of neurons in area V2 of the alert macaque using a set of 128 grating and geometric line stimuli that varied in their shape characteristics and geometric complexity. Simple stimuli included oriented bars and sinusoidal gratings; complex stimuli included angles, arcs, circles, and intersecting lines, plus hyperbolic and polar gratings. We found that most V2 cells responded well to at least some of the complex stimuli, and in many V2 cells the most effective complex stimulus elicited a significantly larger response than the most effective bar or sinusoid. Approximately one-third of the V2 cells showed significant differential responsiveness to various complex shape characteristics, and many were also selective for the orientation, size, and/or spatial frequency of the preferred shape. These results indicate that V2 cells explicitly represent complex shape information and suggest specific types of higher order visual information that V2 cells extract from visual scenes.
Contrasting pollination modes in three species of Licuala (Arecaceae: Coryphoideae).

Barfod, A.S. , Burholt, T. and Borchsenius, F. (Dept. of Systematic Botany, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Aarhus, Nordlandsvej 68, DK-8240 Risskov, Denmark) 2003. Contrasting pollination modes in three species of Licuala (Arecaceae: Coryphoideae). Telopea 10(1): 207–223. The pollination modes of Licuala spinosa, L. distans and L. peltata were studied in Peninsular Thailand. The differences in flowering behaviour and mechanisms that promote pollination are described. The pollen counts and frequent visits of calliphorid flies and halictid bees suggest that these are the most likely pollinators in L. spinosa followed by eumenid wasps and tachinid flies. Species of Trigona bees collected in the flowers of L. distans and L. peltata had high pollen loads. They were present during both anthesis and the receptive phase of the flowers and are probably responsible for pollination.
Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Circumstances, Motivation, and Readiness Scale

Background Treatment motivation has always been an important issue in substance abuse treatment. In recent decades, several instruments have been developed to measure this concept. Objectives In this study, cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the circumstances, motivation and readiness scale (CMR) are illustrated in a sample of Iranian addicts. Materials and Methods The translation process followed Beaton et al.’s (2000) guideline for the cross-cultural adaptation of self-administered questionnaires, including the steps of translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, and pre-testing. The final version of the Persian CMR was assessed for internal consistency and construct validity (n = 203). Results There was one eliminated item in the cross-cultural adaptation process. Also, four items that had low correlation with the total score were excluded from the questionnaire during the initial analysis. Using the remaining items, Principle axis factoring with Promax rotation was performed and three factors, circumstance, motivation, and readiness, were identified. The secondary order three factor model provided a good statistical and conceptual fit for the data. Internal consistency met the criterion for a reliable measure (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.840). The α range for these identified factors was 0.597 to 0.837. Conclusions Although the CMR was originally designed for use in TC treatment, this study suggests that it is also applicable, with some modifications, in short-term residential camps. Also, it is concluded that the Persian translation of the CMR can be applied for studies among Persian addicts.
Discovering almost any hidden motif from multiple sequences

We study a natural probabilistic model for motif discovery. In this model, there are <i>k</i> background sequences, and each character in a background sequence is a random character from an alphabet Σ. A motif <i>G</i>=<i>g</i><sub>1</sub><i>g</i><sub>2</sub>… <i>g</i><sub><i>m</i></sub> is a string of <i>m</i> characters. Each background sequence is implanted with a probabilistically generated approximate copy of <i>G</i>. For a probabilistically generated approximate copy <i>b</i><sub>1</sub><i>b</i><sub>2</sub>… <i>b</i><sub><i>m</i></sub> of <i>G</i>, every character is probabilistically generated such that the probability for <i>b</i><sub><i>i</i></sub>&neq; <i>g</i><sub><i>i</i></sub> is at most α. In this article, we develop an efficient algorithm that can discover a hidden motif from a set of sequences for any alphabet Σ with |Σ|≥ 2 and is applicable to DNA motif discovery. We prove that for α < 1/8(1- 1/|Σ|), there exist positive constants <i>c</i><sub>0</sub>, &epsis;, and Δ<sub>2</sub> such that if there are at least <i>c</i><sub>0</sub> log <i>n</i> input sequences, then in <i>O</i>(<i>n</i><sup>2</sup>/<i>h</i>(log <i>n</i>)<sup><i>O</i></sup>(1)) time this algorithm finds the motif with probability at least 3/4 for every <i>G</i>∈ Σ<sup>ρ</sup>-Ψ<sub>ρ, <i>h</i>,&epsis;</sub>(Σ), where <i>n</i> the length of longest sequences, ρ is the length of the motif, <i>h</i> is a parameter with ρ≥ 4<i>h</i>≥ Δ<sub>2</sub>log <i>n</i>, and Ψ<sub>ρ, <i>h</i>,&epsis;</sub>(Σ) is a small subset of at most 2<sup>−Θ(&epsis;<sup>2</sup> <i>h</i>)</sup> fraction of the sequences in Σ<sup>ρ</sup>.