Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal association of ORCA/LRWD1 to late-firing origins during G1 dictates heterochromatin replication and organization

Abstract DNA replication requires the recruitment of a pre-replication complex facilitated by Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) onto the chromatin during G1 phase of the cell cycle. The ORC-associated protein (ORCA/LRWD1) stabilizes ORC on chromatin. Here, we evaluated the genome-wide distribution of ORCA using ChIP-seq during specific time points of G1. ORCA binding sites on the G1 chromatin are dynamic and temporally regulated. ORCA association to specific genomic sites decreases as the cells progressed towards S-phase. The majority of the ORCA-bound sites represent replication origins that also associate with the repressive chromatin marks H3K9me3 and methylated-CpGs, consistent with ORCA-bound origins initiating DNA replication late in S-phase. Further, ORCA directly associates with the repressive marks and interacts with the enzymes that catalyze these marks. Regions that associate with both ORCA and H3K9me3, exhibit diminished H3K9 methylation in ORCA-depleted cells, suggesting a role for ORCA in recruiting the H3K9me3 mark at certain genomic loci. Similarly, DNA methylation is altered at ORCA-occupied sites in cells lacking ORCA. Furthermore, repressive chromatin marks influence ORCA's binding on chromatin. We propose that ORCA coordinates with the histone and DNA methylation machinery to establish a repressive chromatin environment at a subset of origins, which primes them for late replication.
Retrieval of instrumental verbs in aphasia: An explorative study

Retrieval of instrumental verbs in two conditions in two Broca and two anomic patients was studied. The instrumental verbs were divided into two classes, viz. instrumental verbs that are related in name with the instrument (e.g. to saw-a saw) and those that are not related in name (e.g. to write-a pen). The actions had to be named (a) in isolation and (b) in a sentence. Two Broca and two anomic patients were examined on both subtests. Although the raw scores on the two subtests do not reveal large differences between the four aphasic subjects, distinguishing the two classes of instrumental verbs and performing an error analysis shows that a different deficit underlies the difficulties of Broca's and anomic aphasics.
Service Quality Components as Antecedents of Satisfaction and Behavioral Intentions: The Case of a Greek Carnival Festival

The main research objective of the author in this study is to investigate the strength of the interrelationships among performance- and experience-based variables of perceived service quality with satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Attributes of service quality (performance and experience) are set as antecedents of satisfaction and, behavioral intentions—namely loyalty and willingness to pay more. Results from a survey on 452 festival visitors in Patras, Greece provided evidence that festival experience significantly affects behavioral loyalty and willingness to pay more, as well as satisfaction. The results extend previous knowledge on festivals by strengthening assertions that service quality dimensions are stronger predictors of visitor behavioral intentions than satisfaction. They also signify the key role of festival experience in bringing about favorable behavioral intentions in a festival context.
Risk sectors for undesirable behaviour and mobbing

The aim of this short note was to get an impression of risk sectors for the prevalence of undesirable behaviour and mobbing in The Netherlands. Data were collected from 1995 to 1999 with the Questionnaire on The Assessment and Experience of Work (Vragenlijst Beleving en Beoordeling van de Arbeid; VBBA; van Veldhoven & Meijman, 1994). The sample consisted of 66,764 employees representing 11 sectors in The Netherlands. Four questions were indicative of the occurrence of undesirable behaviour and mobbing. The main conclusion of this study is that there are large differences in the occurrence of undesirable behaviour between sectors.
A1166C Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Gene Polymorphism May Predict Hemodynamic Response to Losartan in Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

OBJECTIVE:Losartan, a dose of 25 mg/day, has been found to be effective in 50% of patients with portal hypertension without adverse effects. We evaluated the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system (A1166C angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), angiotensinogen T174M and M235T, and angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D) and the effects of losartan on portal and systemic hemodynamic in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.METHODS:We performed a longitudinal study that included 23 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices who received 25 mg/day of losartan during 12 wk. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and systemic hemodynamic were measured at baseline and after treatment. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes; genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system were investigated by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms.RESULTS:The homozygous patients for AT1R A allele showed higher pulmonary-wedged and free hepatic venous pressure on baseline. After treatment, they showed a higher decrease of HVPG (32.5%± 19.2) in comparison with patients with AC/CC genotype (2.4%±18.9), p < 0.01. Ten of 15 patients with AA genotype were responders, while only one of eight with AC/CC genotype (p < 0.002); genotype AA showed a positive predictive value of 66.6% and negative predictive value of 87.5%. CONCLUSIONS:These results suggest that there is a relationship between the AT1R A1166C polymorphisms and the therapeutic response to losartan. The genetic testing may be used as a predictive factor of this response.
L-Tryptophan Supplementation Can Decrease Fatigue Perception During an Aerobic Exercise with Supramaximal Intercalated Anaerobic Bouts in Young Healthy Men

ABSTRACT Physical exercise is often terminated not due to muscle fatigue but because of inadequate neural drive in the serotonergic system. Modifications in activity levels of the serotonergic system, induced by variations in the availability of L-tryptophan (a serotonin precursor) may alter neural drive. We examined the effect of L-tryptophan supplementation on physical performance by combining aerobic work with brief periods of supramaximal intensity that closely mimics the activity typical of team sports. Twenty healthy young sportsmen (mean age 21.2 ± 0.7 years) performed a submaximal exercise on a cycle ergometer, with a workload corresponding to 50% of their respective VO2 max for 10 min, followed by a maximal intensity exercise for 30 s. This sequence was repeated three times and, after the fourth series, each participant continued to exercise at the highest speed that he could sustain for 20 min. This protocol was performed twice: once with and finally without supplementation of L-tryptophan, in random order and double-blind. Peak power output, average anaerobic power output, and power output during the last 20 min of the trial were higher on the trials performed with L-tryptophan supplementation than on those performed with placebo. The distance covered during the last 20 min of the trial was 11,959 ± 1,753 m on placebo and 12,526 ± 1,617 m on L-tryptophan (p < .05). In conclusion, in some types of exercises, modification of the serotonergic system may improve the physical performance.
Reputation-Based Ranking Systems and Their Resistance to Bribery

We study bribery resistance properties in two classes of reputation-based ranking systems, where the rankings are computed by weighting the rates given by users with their reputations. In the first class, the rankings are the result of the aggregation of all the ratings, and all users are provided with the same ranking for each item. In the second class, there is a first step that clusters users by their rating pattern similarities, and then the rankings are computed cluster-wise. Hence, for each item, there is a different ranking for distinct clusters. We study the setting where the seller of each item can bribe users to rate the item, if they did not rate it before, or to increase their previous rating on the item. We model bribing strategies under these ranking scenarios and explore under which conditions it is profitable to bribe a user, presenting, in several cases, the optimal bribing strategies. By computing dedicated rankings to each cluster, we show that bribing, in general, is not as profitable as in the simpler without clustering. Finally, we illustrate our results with experiments using real data.
Verbal Overshadowing and Face Recognition in Young and Old Adults

Verbal overshadowing has been found to disrupt recognition accuracy when hard-to-describe stimuli are used. The current study replicates previous research on verbal overshadowing with younger people and extends this research into an older population to examine the possible link between verbal expertise and verbal overshadowing. It was hypothesized that older adults with higher verbal expertise would not suffer the effects of verbal overshadowing to the same degree as younger adults. The data supported past findings that verbal overshadowing decreases recognition accuracy in younger adults, and also suggested that older adults were less affected by verbal overshadowing effects than younger adults.
Career Assessment of Ultraorthodox Jewish Men

Ultraorthodox men spend years studying religion and delay entry into the workforce until their early 30s. They then face barriers such as insufficient education and work experience, religious restrictions, and a lack of career information and self-knowledge. Although there is considerable interest in assessment, no measure has been validated within this population. The current research assessed the reliability and validity of the Strong Interest Inventory (SII), as well as the underlying circumplex model of interests. The degree of interest in specific careers was also explored. Participants included 192 ultraorthodox Jewish men transitioning from religious study to secular employment, who completed the SII. Results indicated that participants displayed an overall negative response bias. The vast majority of scales were reliable and valid, and the circumplex model fit the data. Interests differed from norms and a few scales functioned poorly. Theoretical and interpretative implications are discussed.
Cartilage repair in the degenerative ageing knee

Background and purpose — Cartilage damage can develop due to trauma, resulting in focal chondral or osteochondral defects, or as more diffuse loss of cartilage in a generalized organ disease such as osteoarthritis. A loss of cartilage function and quality is also seen with increasing age. There is a spectrum of diseases ranging from focal cartilage defects with healthy surrounding cartilage to focal lesions in degenerative cartilage, to multiple and diffuse lesions in osteoarthritic cartilage. At the recent Aarhus Regenerative Orthopaedics Symposium (AROS) 2015, regenerative challenges in an ageing population were discussed by clinicians and basic scientists. A group of clinicians was given the task of discussing the role of tissue engineering in the treatment of degenerative cartilage lesions in ageing patients. We present the outcomes of our discussions on current treatment options for such lesions, with particular emphasis on different biological repair techniques and their supporting level of evidence. Results and interpretation — Based on the studies on treatment of degenerative lesions and early OA, there is low-level evidence to suggest that cartilage repair is a possible treatment for such lesions, but there are conflicting results regarding the effect of advanced age on the outcome. We concluded that further improvements are needed for direct repair of focal, purely traumatic defects before we can routinely use such repair techniques for the more challenging degenerative lesions. Furthermore, we need to identify trigger mechanisms that start generalized loss of cartilage matrix, and induce subchondral bone changes and concomitant synovial pathology, to maximize our treatment methods for biological repair in degenerative ageing joints.
Assessing Students' Skills at Writing Analytically in Response to Texts

Despite the importance of writing analytically in response to texts, there are few assessments measuring students' mastery of this skill. This manuscript describes the development of a response-to-text assessment (RTA) intended for use in research. In a subsequent validity investigation we examined whether the RTA distinguished among classrooms in students' ability to write analytically in response to text and whether measures of teaching predicted this variation. We demonstrate that the RTA was correlated with the state standardized assessment, but did not overlap with this accountability test completely and, additionally, that more variation between classrooms existed on the RTA. Students' opportunities for reasoning and extended writing in the classroom were significantly associated with RTA scores. The findings suggest that the RTA can be a valuable tool for conducting research on students' attainment of analytic writing skills and for understanding how teaching relates to student achievement on these skills.
The Effect of Using Self-Report Measures in Tests of Attitude-Behavior Relationships.

Abstract This study examined the accuracy of self-reports and their effect on tests of attitude-behavior relationships. Accuracy was estimated by comparing records of nongame tax-fund donations to self-reports gathered in a mail survey. Theoretical effects of self-report were examined by using path analysis to test a modified Fishbein and Ajzen model. An analysis using actual behavior was compared to an analysis using self-report, and both measures were included in a third path analysis. Self-reports were reasonably accurate, but they produced results different from actual behavior in attitude—behavior tests; self-report had effects on attitude and behavioral intention measures independent of actual behavior. We concluded that self-reports and past behavior should be measured, tested, and modeled separately in examining attitude—behavior relationships.
To depend on one's children or to depend on oneself: savings for old-age and children's impact on wealth

How did workers make provisions for old age before the introduction of old age pensions? What was the relative importance of dependence on children and saving for old age respectively? This article concerns the transition from a traditional family-based system for economic support in old age to a more modern system. Regarding the nineteenth century, studies have shown that (a) savings generally were insufficient for full retirement, and that (b) families were dependent on children's incomes when the breadwinner became older. Little attention has been paid to the question of how the relative importance of these two alternatives changed during the century. This question is addressed here in a cross-sectional study of net wealth based on probate inventories for three Swedish towns in the 1820s and the 1900s. The results show that in general the economic importance of children was larger among the lower socio-economic strata. They also reveal that net costs for having children increased between the investigated periods. This means that dependence on children became more expensive. Consequently, the economic importance of this alternative decreased. This may have been a strong motive for the fertility transition. On the other hand, net wealth for workers increased at the end of the nineteenth century. Financial assets constituted a great part of the increase. Workers with children had less financial savings than those without children, showing that there was a conflict between the traditional and the modern systems for support in old age. However, still at the turn of the twentieth century funds were generally too small to allow an old worker to retire. These results indicate that neither the old, nor the modern systems, fully satisfied the need for support in old age. This may explain why several Western European countries introduced old age pensions at the beginning of the twentieth century.
The effects of Artemisia aucheri extract on hepatotoxicity induced by thioacetamide in male rats

Objective: Liver is an important organ that is exposed to many oxidant and carcinogenic agents, thus antioxidant compounds are beneficial for liver health. Artemisia contains flavonoid compounds and anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to possessing terpene and sesquiterpene compounds, this plant has antioxidant properties. This study was done to investigate the effects of Artemisia plant extract on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: For induction of hepatotoxicity, 50 mg/kg thioacetamide was injected intraperitoneally (i.p). After extraction and purification, the hydroalcoholic extract was injected i.p. at 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg doses for 21 days together with thioacetamide at 50 mg/kg dose in the last 3 days. After blood sampling and separation of serum, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and total protein concentrations were measured. Results: Significant decreases in aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities and significant increases in the concentration of albumin and total protein in groups treated with the extract compared with thioacetamide-treated group were observed (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that protective effects of Artemisia extract against the thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its ability to block the bioactivation of thioacetamide, primarily by inhibiting the activity of Cyp450 and free radicals. Artemisia possesses quercetin. Studies have demonstrated that quercetin inhibits lipid peroxidation and as an antioxidant can inhibit lipid peroxidation.
Internal determinants of recycling behaviour by university students: a cross‐country comparative analysis

University students are a key group for research since they will be the consumers and the intellectual vanguard of the future and, therefore, a reference group for other consumers. Accordingly, data obtained from university students in Spain (n = 640) and the US (n = 597) were analysed to identify the main internal factors which lead them to participate in recycling activities. Given that morality-based theories, and more specifically the Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) Theory, might be very useful in explaining pro-environmental behaviour which requires personal sacrifices and whose benefits are mainly for the environment itself, that is the theoretical approach that we take for the selection and analysis of factors. Our findings support our thesis that environmental knowledge is a factor that should be (but is not currently) considered in the framework of VBN theory for predicting recycling behaviour. Although university students from Spain and the US have very different recycling rates, the internal factors that explain their recycling behaviour are very similar (motivations, perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE), environmental knowledge and gender). The elasticity of recycling behaviour to changes in internal factors is estimated with a view to making predictions, and altruistic motivations and PCE are found to be the factors that have the greatest effect in terms of improving recycling behaviour, followed by environmental knowledge. These predictions could help university policy makers take better decisions about the factors on which they need to act to increase recycling activities. Some guidelines for consideration in future intervention strategies to encourage this group to recycle are also provided.
Tandem language learning via e-mail: from motivation to autonomy

This paper examines the affective dimension of tandem language learning via e-mail. It begins by highlighting some of the obstacles to this mode of learning, including organisational and pedagogical issues as well as the particular issues confronting learners. Drawing on a small body of empirical data, it explores the interactions between these issues and what learners perceive to be intrinsically motivating about tandem learning. It concludes by suggesting that affective learning experience has a potentially powerful role to play in fostering the development of learner autonomy through the reciprocity on which successful tandem learning is founded.
Evaluations of Supportive Messages Provided by Friends and Romantic Partners: An Attachment Theory Approach

In a questionnaire study of 270 college students we investigated relationships of adult attachment‐style dimensions and perceptions of comforting messages received from friends and romantic partners. We found that comfort with closeness, preoccupied with relationships, and fear of intimacy all associated with factors developed by Bippus (2001) on evaluations of comforting communication. These same three attachment‐style dimensions were significantly related with perceptions of social support, further supporting the link between adult attachment orientations and feelings about others’ supportiveness. Gender differences in evaluations of comforting messages were also examined. These findings will be discussed in terms of attachment theory.
A model of high performance work practices and turnover intentions

– This paper aims to clarify the relationship between human resource practices and staff retention by selecting three high performance work practices (precursors) and one outcome variable (turnover intentions), and trying to demonstrate the mediator role of employee commitment and job satisfaction in this relationship. , – The proposed model has been analyzed with a sample of 198 employees and a structural equation modeling methodology. , – Salary strategies and job enrichment strategies were positively related to job satisfaction. Job enrichment strategies and job stability strategies were positively related to employee commitment. Employee commitment was negatively related to turnover intentions. The relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intentions was mediated by employee commitment, – One limitation of the findings is the use of self‐report questionnaires to collect data on all measures. Another potential limitation concerns the measurement of some latent factors with only two observable variables. , – Turnover continues to be a serious problem for businesses. The proposed model suggests the use of specific practices that develop satisfaction and commitment as an intermediate step to low turnover intentions. , – A sample of 198 workers was used as the source of information. This information offers clear advantages over the more widely used samples from managerial directors or statistical data gathered in human resource practices, as in this case. The perceptions of those people on whom these measures are directly carried out are readily accessible.