Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘How Do I Choose Thee? Let me Count the Ways’: A Textual Analysis of Similarities and Differences in Modes of Decision-making in China and the United States

This paper investigates the effect of decision-makers' culture on their implicit choice of how to make decisions. In a content analysis of major decisions described in American and Chinese twentieth-century novels, we test a series of hypotheses based on prior theoretical and empirical investigations of cross-cultural variation in human motivation and decision processes. The data show a striking degree of cultural similarity in the relationships between decision content, situational characteristics and the decision mode(s) employed, but also support several hypotheses about cultural differences. As predicted, Chinese decision-makers more frequently used role-based logic (a form of recognition-based decision-making) to arrive at decisions, by virtue of their greater awareness of and need for relational obligations. The hypothesis (based on conjectures about Chinese thinking style and personality differences) that Chinese decision-makers would show more rule-and case-based decision-making (two other variants of recognition-based decision-making) than decision-makers in American novels was also supported. After controlling for other predictor variables, there also was support for the hypothesis (based on comparative analyses of Chinese and Western philosophy) that analytic modes which base decisions on the calculation of best consequences would be used less frequendy by Chinese decision-makers. There was no evidence of greater prevention focus in Chinese decisions. These and other observed cultural similarities and differences in the dynamics of decision mode selection have implications for the study and practice of decision-making in managerial settings.
Photophysics of resonantly and non-resonantly excited erbium doped Ge nanowires

We have fabricated Er doped germanium nanowires of different diameters by pulsed laser deposition and chemical methods. Er induced photoluminescence emission due to the intra-4f 4I13/2→4I15/2 transition of Er energy levels at 1.53 µm has been achieved at room temperature using both resonant (980 nm) and non-resonant (325 nm) excitation of Er ions. The observed 1.53 µm photoluminescence signal upon non-resonant 325 nm excitation is attributed to the Ge related oxygen deficiency centers surrounding the Ge core. For direct excitation, the infrared photoluminescence characteristics have been studied as a function of Er concentration, photon flux, and diameter of the nanowires. The Er related emission signal is found to be enhanced with increase in Er concentration, pump flux of 980 nm, and the nanowire diameter. The time resolved characteristics of the Er induced emission peak have been studied as a function of the pump flux as well as the diameter of the Ge nanowires.
STAT3 Ubiquitylation and Degradation by Mumps Virus Suppress Cytokine and Oncogene Signaling

ABSTRACT Mumps virus is a common infectious agent of humans, causing parotitis, meningitis, encephalitis, and orchitis. Like other paramyxoviruses in the genus Rubulavirus, mumps virus catalyzes the proteasomal degradation of cellular STAT1 protein, a means for escaping antiviral responses initiated by alpha/beta and gamma interferons. We demonstrate that mumps virus also eliminates cellular STAT3, a protein that mediates transcriptional responses to cytokines, growth factors, nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, and a variety of oncogenic stimuli. STAT1 and STAT3 are independently targeted by a single mumps virus protein, called V, that assembles STAT-directed ubiquitylation complexes from cellular components, including STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, DDB1, and Cullin4A. Consequently, mumps virus V protein prevents responses to interleukin-6 and v-Src signals and can induce apoptosis in STAT3-dependent multiple myeloma cells and transformed murine fibroblasts. These findings demonstrate a unique cytokine and oncogene evasion property of mumps virus that provides a molecular basis for its observed oncolytic properties.
PRESERVATION OF CADAVER RENAL ALLOGRAFTS: COMPARISON OF ICE STORAGE AND MACHINE PERFUSION

Preservation of cadaveric renal allografts by ice storage and by machine perfusion after a preliminary flush with a hypertonic citrate solution has been compared in a prospective clinical trial between matched pairs of kidneys from the same cadaver donor. Over a two‐year period, ice storage after flushing with the new solution gave results comparable with machine perfusion. Times of warm ischaemia and total times of storage were similar in ice‐stored and machine‐perfused kidneys and averaged about 16 hours. In each group of recipients, more than half of the kidneys had good early function and one‐year survival times were also similar.
Genetic swarm grammar programming: Ecological breeding like a gardener

We recently introduced swarm grammars as an extension of Lindenmayer systems to model dynamic growth processes in 3D space through a large number of interacting (swarm) agents. Grammatical rewrite rules define different types of agents and their evolution over time. Sets of parameters determine specific interaction behaviors among the generated swarms. As we will show, swarm grammars lend themselves to creating an ecology of interacting entities and dynamic structures that are built by a multitude of agents. In addition to a rather traditional approach of evolving swarm grammars through interactive genetic programming, we explore new ways of designing ecologies of swarm agents by immersing the breeder into the growth and evolution processes. The system designer takes on the role of a 'tinkerer' or 'gardener', who is equipped with tools to influence and shape the on-going growth, evolutionary, and other dynamic processes within the swarm grammar ecology. Spatial genetic operators can be directed to specific locations within the evolving swarms. This enables the breeder to overview large numbers of phenotypic developmental processes and implicitly direct their evolution.
On Vertical Mergers and Their Competitive Effects

It is well known that vertical integration cats change the pricing incentive of an upstream producer. However, it has not been noticed that vertical integration may also change the pricing incentive of downstream producer and the incentive of a competitor in choosing input suppliers. I develop an equilibrium theory of vertical merger that incorporates these additional strategic considerations. Under fairly general conditions, a vertical merger will result in both efficiency gains and a collusive effect. The competitive effects of a vertical merger depend on the cost of switching suppliers and the degree of downstream product differentiation. Copyright 2001 by the RAND Corporation.
Current Status of European Oyster Decline and Restoration in Germany

Marine ecosystems of temperate regions are highly modified by human activity and far from their original natural status. The North Sea, known as an intensively used area, has lost its offshore oyster grounds due to overexploitation in a relatively short time. Native oyster beds as a once abundant and ecologically highly important biogenic reef-type have vanished from the North Sea ecosystem in most areas of both their former distribution and magnitude. Worldwide, oyster stocks have been severely exploited over the past centuries. According to estimates, about 85% of the worldwide oyster reef habitats have been destroyed over the course of the last century. This loss of oyster populations has meant far more than just the loss of a valuable food resource. Oyster reefs represent a characteristic benthic community which offers a variety of valuable ecosystem services: better water quality, local decrease of toxic algal blooms, increase in nutrient uptake, increase of bentho-pelagic coupling, increase in species richness, increase of multidimensional biogenic structures which provide habitat, food, and protection for numerous invertebrate and fish species. The aim of oyster restoration is to promote redevelopment of this valuable missing habitat. The development of strategies, methods, and procedures for a sustainable restoration of the European oyster Ostrea edulis in the German North Sea is currently a focus of marine nature conservation. Main drivers for restoring this ecological key species are the enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the marine environment. Results of these investigations will support the future development and implementation of a large-scale and long-term German native oyster restoration programme to re-establish a healthy population of this once-abundant species now absent from the region.
Quality of life in cancer rehabilitation: the role of life goal adjustment

A cancer diagnosis affects patients' quality of life (QOL) as well as their pursuit of life goals. However, numerous studies have shown surprisingly stable QOL measures in cancer patients over time. We propose that life goal adjustment can act as the missing link in explaining this response shift. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine associations between life goal adjustment and patients' QOL at baseline and over the course of 20 months.
Signet Ring Cells in Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Carcinomas Have a More Aggressive Biological Behavior

Objective:To clarify the biologic behavior of esophageal signet ring cell (SRC) carcinomas of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). To evaluate the accuracy of pretreatment biopsies in diagnosing true SRC carcinoma. Background:In contrast with gastric cancer, little is known about the biologic behavior and prognosis of SRC. Methods:All adenocarcinomas (ADC) of the esophagus and GEJ-patients undergoing primary resection between 1990 and 2009 were included (n = 920). Specimens containing SRCs (n = 114) were classified according to World Health Organization criteria (>50% SRC or <50% SRC). Results:Thirty-two patients showed more than 50% SRC and 71 patients showed less than 50% SRC. Overall cancer-specific 5-year survival was worse for SRC (22.4%, P < 0.0001) and for SRC > 50% (13.6%, P = 0.0001) compared with ADC. Complete resection was achieved in 86.5% of patients (n = 697) in ADC, 69.5% (n = 57) in SRC < 50%, and 78.1% (n = 25) in SRC > 50% (vs ADC, respectively, P < 0.0001 and P = 0.1801). In 379 pN + R0 patients, the median number of positive lymph nodes was comparable between ADC and SRC < 50% (4 vs 5, P = 0.207) or SRC > 50% (4 vs 8, P = 0.077). Compared with ADC, SRC > 50% showed more pN3's (30% vs 61%, P = 0.006), higher recurrence (56% vs 42% for ADC, P = 0.003), and local-regional recurrences (29% vs 16%, P = 0.002). Pretreatment biopsies were unreliable to define the presence of SRC > 50% (sensitivity = 56.3%, positive predictive value = 43.9%). Conclusions:SRCs are aggressive neoplasms associated with poorer prognosis than other ADCs after primary esophagectomy. Because our data suggest that pretreatment biopsies failed to reliably define presence of SRC > 50%, presence of SRCs in pretreatment biopsies seems to be of no use to define treatment strategy or prognosis.
Structural Changes in Senescing Oilseed Rape Leaves at Tissue and Subcellular Levels Monitored by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry through Water Status

Changes in cell water distribution during leaf senescence in oilseed rape plants are uncovered using NMR relaxometry combined with micrographs and physiological characterization. Nitrogen use efficiency is relatively low in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) due to weak nitrogen remobilization during leaf senescence. Monitoring the kinetics of water distribution associated with the reorganization of cell structures, therefore, would be valuable to improve the characterization of nutrient recycling in leaf tissues and the associated senescence processes. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry was used to describe water distribution and status at the cellular level in different leaf ranks of well-watered plants. It was shown to be able to detect slight variations in the evolution of senescence. The NMR results were linked to physiological characterization of the leaves and to light and electron micrographs. A relationship between cell hydration and leaf senescence was revealed and associated with changes in the NMR signal. The relative intensities and the transverse relaxation times of the NMR signal components associated with vacuole water were positively correlated with senescence, describing water uptake and vacuole and cell enlargement. Moreover, the relative intensity of the NMR signal that we assigned to the chloroplast water decreased during the senescence process, in agreement with the decrease in relative chloroplast volume estimated from micrographs. The results are discussed on the basis of water flux occurring at the cellular level during senescence. One of the main applications of this study would be for plant phenotyping, especially for plants under environmental stress such as nitrogen starvation.
Nuclear Entry of Hepatitis B Virus Capsids Involves Disintegration to Protein Dimers followed by Nuclear Reassociation to Capsids

Assembly and disassembly of viral capsids are essential steps in the viral life cycle. Studies on their kinetics are mostly performed in vitro, allowing application of biochemical, biophysical and visualizing techniques. In vivo kinetics are poorly understood and the transferability of the in vitro models to the cellular environment remains speculative. We analyzed capsid disassembly of the hepatitis B virus in digitonin-permeabilized cells which support nuclear capsid entry and subsequent genome release. Using gradient centrifugation, size exclusion chromatography and immune fluorescence microscopy of digitonin-permeabilized cells, we showed that capsids open and close reversibly. In the absence of RNA, capsid re-assembly slows down; the capsids remain disintegrated and enter the nucleus as protein dimers or irregular polymers. Upon the presence of cellular RNA, capsids re-assemble in the nucleus. We conclude that reversible genome release from hepatitis B virus capsids is a unique strategy different from that of other viruses, which employs irreversible capsid destruction for genome release. The results allowed us to propose a model of HBV genome release in which the unique environment of the nuclear pore favors HBV capsid disassembly reaction, while both cytoplasm and nucleus favor capsid assembly.
Analysis of the Entrepreneurial Immigrant Profile in Spain

Abstract Although the immigrant population in Spain has decreased due to the economic crisis of the past five years, few studies have analysed this group. The objective of this research has been to profile the immigrant who decides to start a business in Spain. In order to learn about the probability of immigrant workers being entrepreneurs as a function of their socio-demographic characteristics, data from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics from 2005 to 2016 have been analysed and fieldwork carried out during August and September 2016 on immigrants who are self-employed. The results show a lower rate of entrepreneurship in the immigrant population vis-a-vis the native population and the fact that creating their own business begins at an earlier age for immigrants when compared to the national average.
A family of synthetic riboswitches adopts a kinetic trapping mechanism

Riboswitches are sequences of RNA that control gene expression via RNA–ligand interactions, without the need for accessory proteins. Riboswitches consist of an aptamer that recognizes the ligand and an expression platform that couples ligand binding to a change in gene expression. Using in vitro selection, it is possible to screen large (∼1013 members) libraries of RNA sequences to discover new aptamers. However, limitations in bacterial transformation efficiency make screening such large libraries for riboswitch function in intact cells impractical. Here we show that synthetic riboswitches function in an E. coli S30 extract in a manner similar to how they function in intact E. coli cells. We discovered that, although this family of riboswitches regulates the initiation of protein translation, the fate of whether an RNA message is translated is determined during transcription. Thus, ligand binding does not bias a population of rapidly equilibrating RNA structures, but rather, co-transcriptional ligand binding kinetically traps the RNA in a conformation that supports efficient translation. In addition to providing new insights into the mechanisms of action of a family of synthetic riboswitches, our experiments suggest that it may be possible to perform selections for novel synthetic riboswitches in an in vitro system.
Antibody screening database for protein kinetic modeling

Knowledge‐based proteomic studies rely on the availability of quality antibodies. The increasing number of commercially available antibodies covers a wide range of protein networks; however, performance of each antibody can vary, depending on what type of cells, treatments, and time points are studied. Here, we describe an antibody database in which we screened 279 antibodies against multiple cell lysates after various treatments and from different time points. We applied these quality‐confirmed antibodies on protein arrays, showing their utility for protein kinetic modeling.
Zosteriform idiopathic atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini

Idiopathic atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (IAPP) is a rare disease of unknown etiology characterized by well-defined atrophic plaques with a “cliff-drop” border that show no signs of inflammation, sclerosis, and induration. The trunk is most commonly affected site. It usually affects the body in a bilaterally symmetrical distribution, although asymmetric involvement has also been reported. Very few cases occurring in a zosteriform distribution have been reported. In this article, the author reports a rare case of IAPP in an 18-year-old male where the lesions are distributed in a zosteriform distribution on the trunk.
Deep-Sea Biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea: The Known, the Unknown, and the Unknowable

Deep-sea ecosystems represent the largest biome of the global biosphere, but knowledge of their biodiversity is still scant. The Mediterranean basin has been proposed as a hot spot of terrestrial and coastal marine biodiversity but has been supposed to be impoverished of deep-sea species richness. We summarized all available information on benthic biodiversity (Prokaryotes, Foraminifera, Meiofauna, Macrofauna, and Megafauna) in different deep-sea ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea (200 to more than 4,000 m depth), including open slopes, deep basins, canyons, cold seeps, seamounts, deep-water corals and deep-hypersaline anoxic basins and analyzed overall longitudinal and bathymetric patterns. We show that in contrast to what was expected from the sharp decrease in organic carbon fluxes and reduced faunal abundance, the deep-sea biodiversity of both the eastern and the western basins of the Mediterranean Sea is similarly high. All of the biodiversity components, except Bacteria and Archaea, displayed a decreasing pattern with increasing water depth, but to a different extent for each component. Unlike patterns observed for faunal abundance, highest negative values of the slopes of the biodiversity patterns were observed for Meiofauna, followed by Macrofauna and Megafauna. Comparison of the biodiversity associated with open slopes, deep basins, canyons, and deep-water corals showed that the deep basins were the least diverse. Rarefaction curves allowed us to estimate the expected number of species for each benthic component in different bathymetric ranges. A large fraction of exclusive species was associated with each specific habitat or ecosystem. Thus, each deep-sea ecosystem contributes significantly to overall biodiversity. From theoretical extrapolations we estimate that the overall deep-sea Mediterranean biodiversity (excluding prokaryotes) reaches approximately 2805 species of which about 66% is still undiscovered. Among the biotic components investigated (Prokaryotes excluded), most of the unknown species are within the phylum Nematoda, followed by Foraminifera, but an important fraction of macrofaunal and megafaunal species also remains unknown. Data reported here provide new insights into the patterns of biodiversity in the deep-sea Mediterranean and new clues for future investigations aimed at identifying the factors controlling and threatening deep-sea biodiversity.
Mammary Gland Density Predicts the Cancer Inhibitory Activity of the N-3 to N-6 Ratio of Dietary Fat

This study investigated the effect of a broad range of dietary ratios of n-3:n-6 fatty acids on mammary gland density and mammary cancer risk. Cancer was induced in female rats by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Purified diet that provided 30% of dietary kilocalories from fat was formulated to contain ratios of n-3:n-6 fatty acids from 25:1 to 1:25. Mammary gland density was determined by digital analysis, fatty acids by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection, and other plasma analytes via ELISA. Mammary gland density was reduced dose dependently at n-3:n-6 ratios from 1:1 to 25:1 (r = −0.477, P = 0.038), with a 20.3% decrease of mammary gland density between n-3:n-6 of 1:1 versus 25:1, P < 0.001. Mammary carcinogenesis was inhibited in the absence or presence of tamoxifen (1 mg/kg diet) in a manner predicted by mammary gland density. Plasma n-3 fatty acid concentrations failed to increase above an n-3:n-6 ratio of 5:1, and changes in specific plasma n-3 or n-6 fatty acids were not predictive of mammary gland density or cancer inhibitory activity. A strong reciprocal effect of the n-3:n-6 ratio on plasma leptin (decreased, P = 0.005) and adiponectin (increased, P < 0.001) was observed indicating adipose tissue function was modulated. However, neither cytokine was predictive of mammary gland density. Plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) decreased with increasing dietary n-3:n-6 ratio (P = 0.004) and was predictive of the changes in mammary gland density (r = 0.362, P < 0.005). These findings indicate that (i) mammary gland density predicted the carcinogenic response, (ii) the n-3:n-6 ratio exerts effects in the presence or absence of hormonal regulation of carcinogenesis, and (iii) signaling pathways regulated by IGF-I are potential targets for further mechanistic investigation. Cancer Prev Res; 4(10); 1675–85. ©2011 AACR.
Coronary angioplasty in octogenarians. Quality of life and costs.

BACKGROUND Improvement in quality of life is the major motivation for angioplasty in very elderly patients. The alleviation of symptoms with this method is therefore of particular interest. However, little is known about the impact of angioplasty in terms of quality of life in octogenarian patients and what the treatment costs are. METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively compared patients aged 80 years or above (n=34, 83+/-3 years) with younger patients (n=34, 62+/-8 years) regarding their quality of life following coronary angioplasty. Patients were interviewed immediately following angioplasty and 6 months later using the SF-36 health survey. Key determinants of costs and follow-up for 6 months were documented. The number of diseased vessels, interventions performed and number of lesions treated were comparable in both groups. Success rates were lower in the octogenarian than in the control group (88 vs 97%). In both groups angioplasty significantly improved the ability to fulfil physical role expectations and decreased bodily pain. Both the effects on Role Physical and on Bodily Pain were more pronounced in the octogenarian patients. Determinants of costs did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that in octogenarians with symptomatic coronary heart disease, coronary angioplasty significantly increases physical abilities and decreases pain. Further, these effects were more pronounced in octogenarian patients than in younger patients.