Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
National culture and public service motivation: investigating the relationship using Hofstede’s five cultural dimensions

Much research has focused on finding and explaining the antecedents, correlates, and outcomes of public service motivation (PSM), but little is known about the influence of national context on individuals’ PSM. Previous research suggests that national culture may exert an independent influence on individuals’ PSM. This article examines PSM as an individual-level variable that is related to national culture, which is represented by Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. Using data from the International Social Survey Programme (2005), I investigate the relationship between cultural dimensions and individuals’ PSM. This article demonstrates that masculinity and indulgence are positively related to individuals’ PSM, whereas individualism is negatively associated with individuals’ PSM. However, power distance and uncertainty avoidance have a non-significant relationship with PSM. This article provides partial support for the thesis that national culture is associated with individuals’ PSM, but future research is required to explicate the relationship of cultural characteristics to individuals’ PSM. Points for practitioners Culture influences certain types of behavior both directly and indirectly. The article suggests that cultural tendencies such as masculinity, indulgence, and collectivism have a significant positive influence on individuals’ PSM. Organizational education and socialization enhancing these cultural values are likely to foster employees’ PSM.
Atypical Antidepressant Activity of 3,4-Bis(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl) Furan-2,5-Dione Isolated from Heart Wood of Cedrus deodara, in Rodents

Cedrus deodara (Pinaceae) has been used traditionally in Ayurveda for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. 3,4-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)furan-2,5-dione (BDFD) was isolated from heart wood of Cedrus deodara and was shown to have antiepileptic and anxiolytic activity. Thus, the present study was aimed to explore its anti-depressant effect and to correlate the effect with serotonin and nor adrenaline levels of brain. Albino mice were used as experimental animal. Animals were divided in to three groups; vehicle control, imipramine (30 mg/kg i.p.), BDFD (100 mg/kg i.p.). Tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) was performed to evaluate antidepressant effect of BDFD. BDFD (100 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a significant decrease in immobility time when subjected to FST whereas immobility time was not significantly altered in TST. BDFD treatment increased serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the brain which is indicative of BDFD having possible atypical antidepressant action.
Efficient and easily scalable protein folding strong anion exchange chromatography for renaturation and simultaneous purification of recombinant human asparaginase from E. coli

Recombinant proteins are revolutionizing present day therapeutics. They are generally expressed as insoluble inclusion bodies in the E. coli and mis‐folding, loss of protein, and high cost of down streaming are the hurdles in their recovery. For the first time, we are reporting the refolding with simultaneous purification of rhASP in E. coli using a single step utilizing protein folding‐strong anion exchange chromatography (PF‐SAX). The purification method is also standardized for optimal concentration of solution additives, pH, and mobile phase composition. The results showed purification of rhASP with anion exchange chromatography was effective. Phosphate buffer and slightly alkaline pH produced significant recovery yields and purity profiles. The effect of solution additives such as arginine, glycerol, TMAO, sorbitol, dextran, glutamate, and fructose on rhASP renaturation is also investigated. Significant results were achieved using arginine‐TMAO combination in terms of purity, recovery yield and specific activity of 99%, 78%, and 210 IU/mg, respectively. The work concludes that PF‐SAX refolding method is superior to other conventional methods and it can be applied to large scale purification of rhASP produced in E. coli. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 34:1036–1044, 2018
Perspectives from the Happiness Literature and the Role of New Instruments for Policy Analysis

After having been ignored for a long time by economists, happiness is becoming an object of serious research in 21st century economics. In Section 2 we sketch the present status of happiness economics. In Section 3 we consider the practical applicability of happiness economics, retaining the assumption of ordinal individual utilities. In Section 4 we introduce a cardinal utility concept, which seems to us the natural consequence of the happiness economics methodology. In Section 5 we sketch how this approach can lead to a normative approach to policy problems that is admissible from a positivist point of view. Section 6 concludes.
A recursive method for solving unconstrained tangential interpolation problems

An efficient recursive solution is presented for the one-sided unconstrained tangential interpolation problem. The method relies on the triangular factorization of a certain structured matrix that is implicitly defined by the interpolation data. The recursive procedure admits a physical interpretation in terms of discretized transmission lines. In this framework the generating system is constructed as a cascade of first-order sections. Singular steps occur only when the input data is contradictory, i.e., only when the interpolation problem does not have a solution. Various pivoting schemes can be used to improve numerical accuracy or to impose additional constraints on the interpolants. The algorithm also provides coprime factorizations for all rational interpolants and can be used to solve polynomial interpolation problems such as the general Hermite matrix interpolation problem. A recursive method is proposed to compute a column-reduced generating system that can be used to solve the minimal tangential interpolation problem.
A Critical Role of Bacterioferritin in Salmonella pullorum-Induced IFN-β Expression in DF-1 Cells

Salmonella enterica serovar Pullorum (S. pullorum) causes pullorum disease in poultry and results in great economic losses to the poultry industry. Although an eradication program has been successfully performed in some countries, it remains a major threat to countries with poor poultry disease surveillance. Currently there are no effective control measures for pullorum disease except eradication. In particular, the pathogenesis of S. pullorum infection is still largely unknown. Here we identified bacterioferritin (Bfr) as a major antigen of S. pullorum to elicit a humoral immune response. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Bfr induces activation of IFN-β promoter and mRNA expression in DF-1 cells, and that the amino acids 1–50 form a critical domain involved in IFN-β expression. Moreover, we found that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was essential for Bfr-induced IFN-β expression. Importantly, S. pullorum-induced IFN-β expression was totally abolished by deficiency of Bfr in the bacteria, indicating that Bfr plays a critical role in S. pullorum induced IFN-β expression in DF-1 cells. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of the host response to S. pullorum infection.
Global pattern of NPP to GPP ratio derived from MODIS data: effects of ecosystem type, geographical location and climate

To examine the global pattern of the net primary production (NPP)/gross primary production (GPP) ratio of the Earth's land area along geographical and climatic gradients. The global planetary ecosystem. The 4-year average annual NPP/GPP ratio of the Earth's land area was calculated using 2000-03 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. The global pattern of the NPP/GPP ratio was investigated by comparing it among each typical terrestrial ecosystem and plotting it along a geographical and climatic gradient, including latitude, altitude, temperature and precipitation. The global terrestrial ecosystem had an average NPP/GPP ratio value of 0.52 with minor variation from 2000 to 2003. However, the NPP/GPP ratio showed considerable spatial variation associated with ecosystem type, geographical location and climate. Densely vegetated ecosystems had a lower NPP/GPP ratio than sparsely vegetated ecosystems. Forest ecosystems had a lower NPP/GPP ratio than shrub and herbaceous ecosystems. Geographically, the NPP/GPP ratio increased with altitude. In the Southern Hemisphere, the NPP/GPP ratio decreased along latitude from 30 degrees to 10 degrees and it exhibited high fluctuation in the Northern Hemisphere. Climatically, the NPP/GPP ratio exhibited a decreasing trend along enhanced precipitation when it was less than 2300 mm year(-1) and a static trend when the annual precipitation was over 2300 mm. The NPP/GPP ratio showed a decreasing trend along temperature when it was between -20 degrees C and 10 degrees C, and showed an increasing trend along rising temperature when it was between -10 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Within each ecosystem, the NPP/GPP ratio revealed a similar trend to the global trend along temperature and precipitation. The NPP/GPP ratio exhibited a pattern depending on the main climatic characteristics such as temperature and precipitation and geographical factors such as latitude and altitude. The findings of this research challenge the widely held assumption that the NPP/GPP ratio is consistent regardless of ecosystem type.
Edgar: the Embedding-baseD GrAph MineR

In this paper we present the novel graph mining algorithm Edgar which is based on the well-known gSpan algorithm. The need for another subgraph miner results from procedural abstraction (an im- portant technique to reduce code size in embedded systems). Assembler code is represented as a data flow graph and subgraph mining on this graph returns frequent code fragments that can be extracted into proce- dures. When mining for procedural abstraction, not the number of data flow graphs a fragment occurs in is important but the number of all non-overlapping occurrences in all graphs. Several changes in the min- ing process are therefore necessary. As traditional pruning strategies are inappropriate, Edgar uses a new embedding-based frequency and on av- erage saves 160% more instructions compared to classical approaches.
Sustainable Business Models: The Contribution of Network Organization and Governance Modes

We provide a framework for the design of sustainable business models. While extant literature on business models focuses on unlocking positive externalities, we propose a business model framework that effectively addresses negative externalities. A taxonomy based on transorganizational models and governance modes classifies instruments that counsel behaviour patterns. Sustainability strategies that deal with externalities often merge instruments to manage multi-stakeholder responsibilities and exchanges. The framework draws upon three established research themes network organizational models, governance modes, and instrumental stakeholder theory to distinguish between six instrument classes. To illustrate its potential for analysis the paper compiles instruments within these classes, contrasts selected instruments, and applies the framework to diverse sustainability examples. We find preliminary evidence for superior performance of plural instruments for sustainability strategies, and identify key areas of research for advancing sustainable business models.
Analysis of the dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in head and neck cancer. The first intron of EGFR gene is polymorphic (9-23 CA repeats) and transcription declines when the number of repeats increases. PATIENTS AND METHODS EGFR polymorphism (fluorescent genotyping) and expression (ligand-binding assay) were analyzed in tumors and normal tissues from 112 patients (100 men, 12 women; mean age 60 years). RESULTS The number of CA repeats varied from 15 to 22. Allelic distribution was trimodal (predominance of 16, 20 and 18 CA repeats). EGFR concentrations were significantly higher (P=0.02) in homozygous tumors as compared with heterozygous. Considering homozygous tumors, or classifying genotypes as short/long/intermediary (two alleles <17 versus two alleles > or =17 versus others), no relationship was observed between tumoral EGFR genotype and expression. In the 76 tumors exhibiting at least one 16-CA allele, the length of the remaining allele was inversely correlated to EGFR expression (P=0.047). Tumoral EGFR expression, performance status (WHO criteria) and node involvement were independent predictors of specific survival (P <0.01). Tumoral or normal tissue EGFR genotype did not influence survival. CONCLUSIONS Intron 1 EGFR polymorphism may be implicated in the regulation of EGFR expression in head and neck tumors.
The Changing Pattern of Endomyocardial Fibrosis in South-West Nigeria

Background Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a restrictive cardiomyopathy, the prevalence of which is declining globally. This study was carried out to determine if there were changing patterns in its local prevalence in South-West Nigeria. Methods We reviewed the medical records of all patients admitted to or attending the cardiology clinic or medical outpatient/specialty clinics in the Department of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, South-West Nigeria. Medical data for those with EMF from January 2003 to December 2009 were retrieved and analyzed. Results Only three cases of EMF were identified from a total of 12,794 medical patients containing a subset of 7956 cardiac patients. The prevalence of EMF was 0.02% and 0.04% for medical and cardiac patients, respectively. All the patients with EMF were in the second or third decades of life, and had right ventricular EMF and atrial fibrillation, but no eosinophilia. Conclusion This study shows that the prevalence of EMF has declined in the study area from 10% in the 1960s and 1970s to 0.02% for medical cases and 0.04% for cardiac cases in the first decade of the 21st century. Right ventricular EMF still predominates, but without eosinophilia. Improved health care delivery's positive impact on the control of communicable diseases might be responsible for these observed changes. More work needs to be done both within and outside Nigeria to follow this trend and unravel the mystery surrounding this poorly understood cardiac disease.
Studying Deterrence Among High-Risk Adolescents

Pathways to Desistance How and why do many serious adolescent offenders stop offending while others continue to commit crimes? This series of bulletins presents findings from the Pathways to Desistance study, a multidisciplinary investigation that attempts to answer this question. Investigators interviewed 1,354 young offenders from Philadelphia and Phoenix for 7 years after their convictions to learn what factors (e.g., individual maturation, life changes, and involvement with the criminal justice system) lead youth who have committed serious offenses to persist in or desist from offending. As a result of these interviews and a review of official records, researchers have collected the most comprehensive dataset available about serious adolescent offenders and their lives in late adolescence and early adulthood. These data provide an unprecedented look at how young people mature out of offending and what the justice system can do to promote positive changes in the lives of these youth. Highlights The Pathways to Desistance study followed more than 1,300 serious juvenile offenders for 7 years after their conviction. In this bulletin, the authors present some key findings on the link between perceptions of the threat of sanctions and deterrence from crime among serious adolescent offenders. Selected findings are as follows: • There was no meaningful reduction in offending or arrests in response to more severe punishment (e.g., correctional placement, longer stays). • Policies targeting specific types of offending may be more effective at deterring youth from engaging in these specific offenses as opposed to general policies aimed at overall crime reduction. • In response to an arrest, youth slightly increased their risk perceptions, which is a necessary condition for deterrence. • Creating ambiguity about detection probabilities in certain areas or for certain types of crime may have a deterrent effect by enhancing the perceived risk of getting caught. Although deterrence is one of the foundations of the juvenile justice and criminal justice systems, little is known about how the fear or threat of sanctions affects the decisionmaking process among adolescent offenders. These youth are an important focus of research attention, given their disproportionate rates of participation in serious crime, the diversity of their offending patterns and developmental backgrounds, and the strong likelihood of desistance as they transition to adulthood. Policymakers who understand the role of deterrence in a broader context of developmental change and life course transitions have important information as they consider how to respond to crimes that adolescents …
Spectral Modeling of the High-Energy Emission of the Magnetar 4U 0142+614

We present an empirical spectral modeling of the high-energy emission of the anomalous X-ray pulsar 4U 0142+614 based on simultaneous Swift and INTEGRAL observations from X- to γ-ray energies. We adopted models contained in the XSPEC analysis package, as well as models based on recent theoretical studies, and restricted ourselves to those combinations of up to three components that produced a good fit while requiring the lowest number of free parameters. Only three models were found to satisfactorily fit the 0.5-250 keV spectrum of 4U 0142+614: (1) a ~0.4 keV blackbody and two power laws, (2) a resonant cyclotron scattering model plus a power law, and (3) two log-parabolic functions. We found that only the latter two models do not overpredict the infrared/optical emission observed simultaneously from this AXP, and only the log-parabolic functions can naturally account for the upper limits set by COMPTEL in the γ-ray range. A possible interpretation of the two log parabolae in terms of inverse Compton scattering of soft X-ray photons by very energetic particles is discussed.
Preferential loss of serotonin markers in caudate versus putamen in Parkinson's disease.

Interest in serotonergic involvement in Parkinson's disease (PD) has focussed recently on the possibility that the remaining serotonin neurons innervating striatum (caudate and putamen) might release dopamine as a 'false transmitter'--an action that could have both beneficial and harmful (e.g. promotion of levodopa-induced dyskinesias) consequences. Evidence for a brain serotonergic disturbance in PD is derived in large part from findings of decreased binding of different radioligands to the serotonin transporter (SERT), one 'marker' of serotonin neurons. However, it is not known whether the reported changes in SERT binding reflect actual changes in levels of SERT protein or whether concentrations of all serotonin markers are similarly and markedly decreased in the two striatal subdivisions. We measured levels of SERT immunoreactivity, and for comparison, protein levels of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH; the marker synthetic enzyme) using a Western blot procedure, as well as concentrations of serotonin, its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and dopamine by HPLC in post-mortem striatum of patients with PD and normal controls. Whereas concentrations of dopamine were severely decreased (caudate, -80%; putamen, -98%) and showed little (caudate) or no (putamen) overlap between individual control and patient values, levels of all four serotonin markers were less markedly reduced (-30% to -66%) with some patients having distinctly normal levels. Unlike the preferential loss of dopamine in putamen, the caudate was affected more than putamen by loss of all serotonin markers: serotonin (-66% versus -51%), 5-HIAA (-42% versus -31%), SERT (-56% versus -30%) and TPH (-59% versus -32%). Striatal serotonin concentration was similar in the subset of patients reported to have had dyskinesias versus those not reported to have had this drug complication. Previous findings of decreased SERT binding are likely explained by loss of SERT protein. Reduced striatal levels of all of the key serotonergic markers (neurotransmitter and metabolite, transporter protein, synthesizing enzyme protein) provide strong evidence for a serotonergic disturbance in PD, but with some patients affected much more than others. The more marked caudate reduction suggests that raphe neurons innervating this area are more susceptible to 'damage' than those innervating putamen and that any functional impairment caused by striatal serotonin loss might primarily involve the caudate. Questions related to the, as yet undetermined, clinical consequences in PD of a striatal serotonin deficiency (caudate: cognitive impairment? ) and preservation (putamen: levodopa-induced dyskinesias? ) should be addressed in prospective brain imaging and pharmacological studies.
Black Hole Mass and Eddington Ratio as Drivers for the Observable Properties of Radio-loud and Radio-quiet QSOs

Recent studies of black holes in the nuclei of both active and normal galaxies have yielded relationships that permit a physical interpretation of the principal components of the spectra of QSOs. It is shown that principal component (or eigenvector) 1 (PC1) is driven predominantly by L/LEdd, and principal component 2 (PC2) is driven by accretion rate. This results in a PC2 versus PC1 diagram in which lines of constant black hole mass are diagonal. Using a sample consisting of the low-redshift PG objects supplemented by 75 radio-loud QSOs, it is shown that such a diagram effectively distinguishes radio-loud from radio-quiet objects and demonstrates that both narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies and broad absorption line QSOs lie at the high L/LEdd extreme, although these two types of objects are well separated in the PC2 direction. A simple picture that ties together physical parameters (black hole mass and Eddington ratio) and classification of active galactic nuclei is presented. Based on the location of core-dominated and lobe-dominated radio-loud QSOs, orientation can be modeled as a third parameter in this scheme, implying an enhancement in the radio flux of core-dominated objects.