Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective Inhibition of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Function by Highly Specific Llama-Derived Antibodies

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) have important but distinct roles in tissue homeostasis and disease, including carcinogenesis and tumor progression. A large number of BMP inhibitors are available to study BMP function; however, as most of these antagonists are promiscuous, evaluating specific effects of individual BMPs is not feasible. Because the oncogenic role of the different BMPs varies for each neoplasm, highly selective BMP inhibitors are required. Here, we describe the generation of three types of llama-derived heavy chain variable domains (VHH) that selectively bind to either BMP4, to BMP2 and 4, or to BMP2, 4, 5, and 6. These generated VHHs have high affinity to their targets and are able to inhibit BMP signaling. Epitope binning and docking modeling have shed light into the basis for their BMP specificity. As opposed to the wide structural reach of natural inhibitors, these small molecules target the grooves and pockets of BMPs involved in receptor binding. In organoid experiments, specific inhibition of BMP4 does not affect the activation of normal stem cells. Furthermore, in vitro inhibition of cancer-derived BMP4 noncanonical signals results in an increase of chemosensitivity in a colorectal cancer cell line. Therefore, because of their high specificity and low off-target effects, these VHHs could represent a therapeutic alternative for BMP4+ malignancies. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(11); 2527–40. ©2015 AACR.
Role of the hypoglycemic plant extract cleome droserifolia in improving glucose and lipid metabolism and its relation to insulin resistance in fatty liver.

In this work the mechanism of the hypoglycemic effect of the plant Cleome-Droserifolia (C.d.) was studied in a group of albino rats rendered glucose intolerant by tetracycline (T.) induced fatty liver, and compared with a normal control (C.) rats. The plant extract significantly suppressed the rise in peripheral blood glucose concentrations, both in the basal (fasting) state and after glucose intake. Suppression of basal blood glucose indicated a lowering effect of the plant extract on hepatic glucose output (HGO). The postprandial hypoglycemic effect of the plant extract without increasing insulin secretion was explained by; First: Potentiation of peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity. Second: by diminishing intestinal glucose absorption, which was evident by blunting plasma glucose levels throughout the oral glucose challenge. This plant might prove to have a promising therapeutic value in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, for besides its postprandial hypoglycemic effect, its suppression to hepatic glucose output in the fasting state is a beneficial therapeutic finding in favour of the plant as insulin is the most important drug that brings about this effect. The plant has also got a hypocholesterolemic effect more specifically on low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) which consequently raised the high density lipoprotein cholesterol/low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C/LDL-C) ratio. This adds to its value as a protective and antiatherogenic agent.
A space-efficient and accurate method for mapping and aligning cDNA sequences onto genomic sequence

The mapping and alignment of transcripts (cDNA, expressed sequence tag or amino acid sequences) onto a genomic sequence is a fundamental step for genome annotation, including gene finding and analyses of transcriptional activity, alternative splicing and nucleotide polymorphisms. As DNA sequence data of genomes and transcripts are accumulating at an unprecedented rate, steady improvement in accuracy, speed and space requirement in the computational tools for mapping/alignment is desired. We devised a multi-phase heuristic algorithm and implemented it in the development of the stand-alone computer program Spaln (space-efficient spliced alignment). Spaln is reasonably fast and space efficient; it requires <1 Gb of memory to map and align >120 000 Unigene sequences onto the unmasked whole human genome with a conventional computer, finishing the job in <6 h. With artificially introduced noise of various levels, Spaln significantly outperforms other leading alignment programs currently available with respect to the accuracy of mapped exon–intron structures. This performance is achieved without extensive learning procedures to adjust parameter values to a particular organism. According to the handiness and accuracy, Spaln may be used for studies on a wide area of genome analyses.
Compound heterozygote mutations in SPG7 in a family with adult-onset primary lateral sclerosis

Objective: To identify the genetic defect for adult-onset primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) in a family with 5 patients. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify the shared genetic variants in 3 affected members in a PLS family with 5 affected individuals. Sanger sequencing was used for validation of the variants and for cosegregation analysis. Mitochondrial activity for both patients and unaffected siblings was measured using a SeaHorse metabolic analyzer. Results: Whole-exome sequencing and subsequent cosegregation analysis demonstrated that compound heterozygous missense variants L695P and I743T in SPG7 were the only mutations cosegregating with the disease in an autosomal recessive fashion in this family. The parents and siblings are genetically heterozygous and clinically unaffected. Functional studies suggested that the PLS-associated SPG7 mutants affect mitochondrial function when glucose is reduced. Conclusions: Compound heterozygote mutations in SPG7 are associated with adult-onset PLS, extending the spectrum of SPG7-linked neurologic diseases. Patients with the PLS phenotype should have genetic testing for paraplegin, especially when the condition is familial.
The political influence of peer groups: experimental evidence in the classroom

People who belong to the same group often behave alike. Is this because people with similar preferences naturally associate with each other or because group dynamics cause individual preferences and/or the information that they have to converge? We address this question with a natural experiment. We find no evidence that peer political identification affects individual identification. But we do find that peer engagement affects political identification: a more politically engaged peer group encourages individual political affiliation to move from the extremes to the centre.
THE SPORT BEHAVIOR OF YOUTH, PARENTS, AND COACHES The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

This study assessed the frequency of good and poor sport behaviors as perceived by young athletes, parents, and coaches. A secondary goal was to examine related sportspersonship attitudes. A total of 803 young athletes in the fifth through eighth grades, representing 10 different sports, completed a behavioral and attitudinal survey, as did 189 of their parents and 61 of their coaches. The sample was drawn from three regions of the United States. Specific behavioral and attitudinal frequency data suggest that there are significant ethical problems occurring in many youth sport programs. Results are discussed in relation to the concepts of collective norms and moral atmosphere.
Variations in the distribution of okadaic acid in organs and biological fluids of mice related to diarrhoeic syndrome

Okadaic acid (OA) is the main toxin produced by dinoflagellates which can accumulate in the hepatopancreas of mussels and cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning in consumers. This toxin is also a tumour promoter and a specific potent inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. No specific target organ is known for this toxin. This study concerns the distribution of [3H]OA in organs and biological fluids of Swiss mice having received a single dose per os of AO (50 mg/kg). The determination of the toxin extracted from mouse organs 24 h after administration of [3H]OA and derivatised with 9-anthryldiazo methane (ADAM) before HPLC and fluorescent detection showed the highest concentration in intestinal tissue and stomach. This distribution was even more pronounced in intestinal tissue, when animal were given per os 90 mg/kg which induced diarrhoea. The high concentrations of [3H]OA in intestinal tissues and contents 24 h after administration demonstrates a slow elimination of OA. When the dose of OA was increased from 50–90 mg/kg, the concentrations of the toxin in the intestinal content and faeces increased proportionally. A good correlation was found between an increase of OA in the intestinal tissue and the diarrhoea in animals given 90 mg/kg orally. Moreover OA was present in liver and bile and in all organs including skin and also fluids. Altogether these results confirmed an enterohepatic circulation of OA as previously shown. These data also revealed that in acute OA intoxication the concentration of the toxin in the intestinal tissues reaches cytotoxic concentrations in accordance with the diarrhoea which is the main symptom of OA poisoning.
Influence Factors on Job Satisfaction among Malaysia Educator: A Study of UUM Academic Staffs

Over the past several years, considerable attention has been given to role conflict, role clarity, job tension, and job satisfaction as four very important determinants of the performance of individuals and their impact on the operational effectiveness of the organization. Without neglecting the concept of communication in the organization, this study empha- sized the empathy variable as a new dimension in examining its effect within the traditional framework of role conflict, role clarity, job tension, and job satisfaction. There is limited research found on the educational fields, thus this research attempt to see the contribution of empathy among academic staff in educational sector. This paper aims to investigate the antecedents of job satisfaction among academic staff in Malaysia. Using primary data collection method, a total of 100 academic staffs at Universiti Utara Malaysia were surveyed with a questionnaire. From the literature, four antecedents of job satisfaction are identified. Each variable is measured using 5-point interval scale: job tension (9 items), role conflict (8 items), role clarity (5 items), and empathy (6 items) and job satisfaction (9 items). The data were analyzed using Structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 16. Confirmatory factor analysis of measurement models indicate adequate goodness of fit at GFI=0.906, P-Value=0.075, RMSEA=0.054 and ratio (cmin/df) = 1.287. the finding supports one significant direct effect in the revised model, thus supporting the hypothesis of empathy is negatively related to job satisfaction (β = -5.475, cr = - 2.442, p < 0.001).
Does gender bias against female leaders persist? Quantitative and qualitative data from a large-scale survey

The present study of 60,470 women and men examined evaluations of participants’ current managers as well as their preferences for male and female managers, in general. A cross-sex bias emerged in the ratings of one’s current boss, where men judged their female bosses more favorably and women judged male bosses more favorably. The quality of relationships between subordinates and managers were the same for competent male and female managers. A small majority (54%) of participants claimed to have no preference for the gender of their boss, but the remaining participants reported preferring male over female bosses by more than a 2:1 ratio. Qualitative analysis of the participants’ justifications for this preference are presented, and results are discussed within the framework of role congruity theory.
Open lung approach ventilation abolishes the negative effects of respiratory rate in experimental lung injury

We recently reported that a high respiratory rate was associated with less inflammation than a low respiratory rate, but caused more pulmonary edema in a model of ARDS when an ARDSNet ventilatory strategy was used. We hypothesized that an open lung approach (OLA) strategy would neutralize the independent effects of respiratory rate on lung inflammation and edema. This hypothesis was tested in an ARDS model using two clinically relevant respiratory rates during OLA strategy.
Sex With Older Partners Is Associated With Primary HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in North Carolina

Background:Studies from the 1990s suggested sex with older partners was associated with HIV infection. We evaluated the hypothesized association between primary HIV infection (PHI) and having older sexual partners among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods:MSM with PHI and HIV-uninfected MSM completed audio computer-assisted self-interviews exploring behaviors involving their 3 most recent sexual partners before enrollment (if uninfected) or diagnosis (if PHI). Results:Of 74 men reporting any lifetime sex with men, 20 had PHI (27%). Demographics (including age) were similar between groups; 39% were non-white and 74% identified as gay. The mean age of sex partners differed significantly: men with PHI had partners on average 6 years older than themselves, whereas uninfected men's partners were 4 months their junior (P < 0.001). After adjusting for race, sex while intoxicated, and having a serodiscordant/serostatus unknown partner, a participant had twice the odds of PHI if his sex partner was 5 years his senior (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 3.3). Conclusions:Among a sample of young MSM, the odds of HIV infection increased significantly as the age of sexual partners increased. These findings can inform behavioral interventions in communities of at-risk MSM and secondary prevention efforts among those already living with HIV.
Response of a source on top of a vertically stratified half-space

The solution of the response of a source on top of a horizontally stratified half-space is well-known. However, when the half-space is vertically stratified, the problem can only be solved with numerical methods like the finite element method. Here a semi-analytic approach to solve such a problem is presented. The three-dimensional variation of the problem is reduced to two-dimensional variation by Fourier transform in one coordinate variable. The remaining two-dimensional problem is solved by finding the eigensolution in each of the half-spaces. The eigensolutions of each region are found from the partial differential equation directly using the same basis set of expansion functions. This makes the calculation of the reflection and transmission operators very efficient. The reflection and transmission operators account for the mode-conversion, reflection, and transmission of the waves. With the reflection and transmission operators, the field everywhere can be calculated. The solution reduces to that of the Sommerfeld's half-space problem when the two half-spaces are homogeneous.
The influence of Atlantic High on seasonal rainfall in Argentina

The objective of this work is to quantify the influence of the position and intensity of the Atlantic High (AH) on seasonal rainfall in Argentina. Monthly precipitation data in 68 stations from the National Meteorological Service of Argentina, the Secretariat of Water Resource and the Territorial Authority of the Limay, Neuquén, and Negro rivers basins (AIC) were used. Correlation was the methodology used to identify the link between seasonal rainfall and some indices especially defined to detect the position and intensity of the anticyclone. Precipitation composites of the years when the value of these indices was extremely high (greater than their second tercile) and extremely low (lower than their first tercile) were built for every season. They were analysed and compared with humidity anomaly transport composites for the same sets of years in order to study circulation patterns associated with seasonal rainfall anomalies. Results indicate that when the AH is intensified, winter rainfall increases in central Argentina and spring rainfall increases in northern Cuyo region. When the AH is displaced towards the north of its mean position, autumn rainfall is favoured in the northeast and central and south Patagonia, meanwhile winter and spring rainfall decreases in central Argentina. When the AH is displaced towards the east of its mean position, summer rainfall decreases in central Andes. Finally, AH indices were used to detect the influence on rainfall in advance. Correlations between seasonal rainfall and the defined indices that characterize the anticyclone in the previous month suggest that there is some rainfall predictability, especially during spring in almost every region in Argentina.
A study on the effects of human resources management on employee performance

Article history: Received February 28, 2014 Received in revised format 19 March 2014 Accepted 20 March 2014 Available online March 26 2014 This paper presents an empirical investigation to study the effect of human resources management on employee performance in one of Iranian social security organizations. The proposed study designs a questionnaire for human resources management with 23 questions consists of five components including Beneficiary groups, Long-term achievements, Situational factors, Human resources achievements and human resources achievement for measuring human resources management figures. In addition, the study uses another questionnaire consists of 37 questions for measuring organizational performance. Cronbach alpha for human resources management and organizational performance are calculated as 0.885 and 0.873, respectively. Using Pearson correlation ratio as well as stepwise regression technique, the study detects a positive and meaningful relationship between human resources management and organizational performance.
Predicting Employment Outcomes of Consumers of State-Operated Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centers

This study used records from a state-operated comprehensive rehabilitation center to investigate possible predictive factors related to completing comprehensive rehabilitation center programs and successful vocational rehabilitation (VR) case closure. An analysis of demographic data of randomly selected comprehensive rehabilitation center participants served between fiscal year (FY) 1998-1999 and FY 2003-2004 indicated that participants were by and large younger than participants in the general VR program, with many center participants having psychological or cognitive primary disabilities. A binary logistic regression identified completing a comprehensive rehabilitation center program as a predictor of successful VR case closure, whereas receiving psychological services, being from a rural area, and receiving public assistance were negative predictors of successful VR case closure.
Firm Heterogeneity, Imported Input Quality, and Export Pricing in India

Abstract Using a novel dataset we examine the pricing behavior of Indian exporters, in particular looking at the relationship between export prices and the quality of imported inputs that firms use, conditioning on firm capability (productivity). Exporting firms that directly import are different in important ways from exporters that do not import directly. Among directly importing exporters, higher quality (higher price) imports are associated with higher quality (higher price) exports. In this respect, Indian exporters behave similarly to other developing country exporters, offering suggestive evidence of the importance for export success of access to high-quality imports.
Coordinated Transitions in Neurotransmitter Systems for the Initiation and Propagation of Spontaneous Retinal Waves

Spontaneous waves of excitation in the developing mammalian retina are mediated, to a large extent, by neurotransmission. However, it is unclear how the underlying neurotransmitter systems interact with each other to play specific roles in the formation of retinal waves at various developmental stages. In particular, it is puzzling why the waves maintain a similar propagation pattern even after underlying neurotransmitter systems have undergone drastic developmental changes. Using Ca2+ imaging and patch clamp in a whole-mount preparation of the developing rabbit retina, we discovered two dramatic and coordinated transitions in the excitatory drive for retinal waves: one from a nicotinic to a muscarinic system, and the other from a fast cholinergic to a fast glutamatergic input. Retinal waves before the age of postnatal day 1 (P1) were blocked by nicotinic antagonists, but not by muscarinic or glutamatergic antagonists. After P3, however, the spontaneous wave, whose basic spatiotemporal pattern remained similar, was completely inhibited by muscarinic or glutamate antagonists, but not by nicotinic antagonists. We also found that the muscarinic drive, mediated primarily by M1 and M3 receptors, was particularly important for wave propagation, whereas the glutamatergic drive seemed more important for local excitation. Our results suggest (1) a novel mechanism by which a neurotransmitter system changes its functional role via a switch between two completely different classes of receptors for the same transmitter, (2) the cholinergic system plays a critical role in not only early but also late spontaneous waves, and (3) the continued participation of the cholinergic system may provide a network basis for the consistency in the overall propagation pattern of spontaneous retinal waves.
Resilience in children threatened by extreme adversity: Frameworks for research, practice, and translational synergy

Abstract This article delineates parallel frameworks that grew out of the research on risk and resilience over the past four decades, a framework for research and a framework for practice, and then discusses the promise of an emerging synthesis. The research framework defined the meaning, models, and methods that successfully guided four waves of research to date on the nature and processes involved in human resilience. The applied framework emerged in response to urgent needs of children and families faced by adversity and those charged with helping them, resulting in guidelines for translating the unfolding but incomplete research evidence into action. The application of a resilience approach transformed practice in many fields concerned with promoting resilience in people at risk for problems, revolutionizing the mission, models, measures, and methods of practice to align with the emphasis on positive adaptation and strengths defining a resilience-based approach. Yet these interventions rarely translated back to inform and refine resilience theory in ways that would accelerate progress to promote resilience more effectively. The concluding section on translational synergy discusses the potential for a synthesis of basic and applied resilience frameworks as the next steps toward realizing the original objective and promise of resilience science.
Determinants of Country-of-Origin Evaluations

Two experiments examined the factors that influence and the psychological processes that underlie country-of-origin evaluations. Subjects received attribute information that was either condensed in a single product or dispersed across several products manufactured in a country with relatively unfavorable associations. When consumers use country of origin as a basis for judgment under low motivation, or when the processing goal is to evaluate the country of origin, they focus on the country-of-origin information. Under such conditions, relevant evidence about the country of origin provided by dispersed information is likely to affect country-of-origin evaluations. In contrast, if consumers do not focus on the country of origin, such as under high motivation, or if their processing goal directs their attention away from country-of-origin information, any evidence about the country of origin is less likely to be utilized in their judgments. Findings from two experiments are consistent with this theorizing and highlight the central role of motivational intensity and direction in moderating the effect of information type on country-of-origin evaluations. Copyright 2000 by the University of Chicago.