Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural Disasters and Existential Concerns

Existential anxiety is hypothesized to be a core human issue in a great deal of theoretical and philosophical writing. Fostering the empirical understanding of the expression of these concerns may be a valuable addition to the psychological literature on exposure to trauma. The purpose of this study was to test theoretical predictions about the association between different facets of existential anxiety and psychological symptoms (posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, suicidal ideation) among individuals following a natural disaster. A sample of 386 Gulf Coast residents completed the Existential Anxiety Questionnaire, a posttraumatic stress disorder symptom checklist, and a measure of psychological symptoms that included an item on suicidal ideation in the months following Hurricane Katrina. The results suggested that existential concerns were prevalent in the sample and that the various facets of existential anxiety were differentially associated with psychological symptoms. These findings provide preliminary evidence for existential concerns as an important correlate of psychological distress following exposure to natural disasters and increment empirical understanding of the concept of existential anxiety.
Teen mothers and schooling: lacunae and challenges

While many girls who become mothers before completing schooling consider academic qualifications to be very important, they may not be able to succeed academically if the support they need to complete their studies is insufficient. Usually, instead of getting support, the teen mothers endure misunderstandings and pressure. The teen mothers may feel disempowered because they are 'othered' and consequently, they develop forms of resistance which in most cases may foster their failure as learners. Our aim was to find out how much support was offered to these girls to facilitate their schooling, thus making it possible for them to complete their education and become self-reliant. A qualitative research approach was employed to gather information for the study. Teen mothers, their educators, and parents were interviewed to gather information about the girls' schooling situation. The results showed that many teen mothers failed to succeed with schooling because they lacked support to avoid the numerous disruptions to school attendance.
Obesity and asthma: implications for treatment

Purpose of review Epidemiological data as well as data from mouse models of asthma indicate a relationship between obesity and asthma. The purpose of this review is to evaluate recent data addressing this relationship and its biological basis, and to evaluate the implications of these data for treatment. Recent findings Obesity increases the prevalence, incidence, and possibly severity of asthma, while weight loss in the obese improves asthma outcomes. Obesity also influences asthma control and the response to standard asthma therapeutics. Moreover, obese mice exhibit innate airway hyperresponsiveness and increased responses to common asthma triggers. The biological basis for the relationship between obesity and asthma may be the result of common etiologies, comorbidities, effects of obesity on lung volume, or adipokines such as tumor necrosis factor α, leptin, and adiponectin. Summary Understanding the mechanistic basis for the relationship between obesity and asthma may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treatment of this susceptible population.
Structural organization of the gene for prostaglandin D synthase in the rat brain.

A 3-kilobase-pair gene for rat brain prostaglandin D synthase [(5Z,13E)-(15S)-9 alpha,11 alpha-epidoxy-15-hydroxyprosta-5,13- dienoate D-isomerase, EC 5.3. 99.2], which belongs to the lipocalin family, was isolated from a rat genomic DNA library by plaque hybridization with the cDNA for the enzyme. The gene contains seven exons, and all the splice donor and acceptor sites conform to the GT/AG rule. Transcription initiates at a guanine residue 39 base pairs upstream of the translation initiation codon, as determined by primer-extension analysis of rat brain mRNA. The 5'-flanking region of the gene lacks typical transcriptional regulatory sequences, such as TATA and CAAT boxes, but contains several sets of inverted repeats, direct repeats, and sequences resembling the transcriptional factor Sp1-binding site. The gene structure of prostaglandin D synthase is remarkably analogous to those of other lipocalins, such as beta-lactoglobulin, alpha 2-urinary globulin, placental protein 14, and alpha 1-microglobulin, in terms of number and sizes of exons and phase of splicing of introns. Furthermore, in a multiple alignment of the deduced amino acid sequences, positions of exon/intron junction of the prostaglandin D synthase gene are highly conserved and located around the positions of those of the genes for other lipocalins despite a weak homology.
The reception of German progressive education in Russia: on regularities of international educational transfer

This article reports a historical case study of extensive educational transfer: the reception, adaptation, and use of German progressive education and German school reform ideas and practices in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century. The reception of German educational ideas greatly enriched the theory and practice of the Russian school reform, contributed to the dissemination of progressive education ideas among the educationally interested public (teachers and parents), and contributed significantly to the development of an official plan for a comprehensive progressive educational school reform in pre-socialist Russia. Based on the findings of this and similar case studies, some general conclusions concerning the regularities of educational transfer processes – their presuppositions and motives, their contents and forms, and their functions for the recipients – are drawn, ending with a proposal for the development of an action-theoretical model of educational transfer processes.
SOSYAL BİLGİLER ÖĞRETİMİNDE 5E ÖĞRENME DÖNGÜSÜ MODELİNE DAYALI ETKİNLİKLERİN ÖĞRENME SÜRECİNE ETKİSİ: BİR EYLEM ARAŞTIRMASI

Bu calismanin amaci, eylem arastirma deseni kullanarak Sosyal bilgiler dersi ogretiminde 5E ogrenme dongusu modelinin nasil uygulanacagini belirlemektir. Belirlenen amaca bagli olarak ogrenme dongusu modeline dayali uygulamalarin ogrencilerin sosyal ve duyussal gelisimleri ve bilissel ogrenme urunleri uzerindeki degisimlerinin ortaya konulmasi amaclanmistir. Arastirma, 5.sinif Sosyal bilgiler dersinde “Adim Adim Turkiye” ve “Bolgemizi Taniyalim” unitelerinde 11 hafta sure ile gerceklestirilmistir. Arastirmada uygulama oncesi ve uygulama sonrasi ogrenci goruslerinin alinmasi amaciyla yari-yapilandirilmis gorusmeler yapilmis ve arastirma suresince duzenli olarak doldurulan yapilandirilmis gozlem formu kullanilmistir. Gorusmelerin gerceklestirildigi ogrenciler, maksimum cesitlilik ornekleme teknigine gore belirlenmistir. Arastirmada gozlem yoluyla toplanan alan notlarin ve ogrenci goruslerinin cozumlenmesinde icerik analizi teknigi kullanilmistir. Calismada uygulama oncesi gozlemler ve ogrenci gorusleri vasitasiyla problemler belirlenmis, bu nedenle bunlarin giderilmesi amaciyla bir eylem plani hazirlanmistir. Elde edilen bulgulara gore, eylem plani sonrasi 5E ogrenme dongusu modeli uygulamalarinin ogrencilerin motivasyon duzeylerini artirdigi, derse yonelik duygu ve dusuncelerini degistirdigi ve bunun olumlu yonde oldugu belirlenmistir. Ogrenciler yapilan ogretim etkinliklerinin heyecan verici ve Sosyal bilgiler derslerinin artik eglenceli oldugunu ifade etmistir. Calismada ogrencilerde anlamli ogrenmeler ve daha yuksek duzeyde kalicilik meydana geldigi, dolayisiyla ustbilissel stratejilerinde gelismeler oldugu saptanmistir. Ayrica ogrenme surecinde yardimlasma, saygi, olumlu arkadaslik iliskileri, isbolumu, gorus alisverisi, liderlik, dusunceleri rahatca ifade etme biciminde sosyal etkilesim ve iletisimde anlamli degisimler tespit edilmistir.
The global village: online cross‐cultural communication and HRM

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine relational and task dimension of online communication and the associated emotional experience. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines four categories of work outcomes: emotional experiences of work, work attitudes, work dynamics and work behaviours; and links each to the cross-cultural online communication context. Findings – It was found that diversity-oriented HRM can reduce the cultural fault-lines betweenindividualist and collectivist (IC) cultures, and thereby positively moderate the relationship between cross-cultural online communication and affective, cognitive and behavioural outcomes. Practical implications – Diversity-oriented HRM can capitalize on an organisation’s cultural diversity and avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings. In a more practical sense, the research purports that combined use of IC HRM practices can produce greater efficiency and effectiveness in online communications worldwide. Originality/value – The paper provides an insight into the potential implications of increased use of information technology on cross-cultural communication, and human resource management. The significance of diversity-oriented human resource management in managing these implications is also highlighted.
Correction of Diabetic Hyperglycemia and Amelioration of Metabolic Anomalies by Minicircle DNA Mediated Glucose-Dependent Hepatic Insulin Production

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is caused by immune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells. Commonly used insulin injection therapy does not provide a dynamic blood glucose control to prevent long-term systemic T1DM-associated damages. Donor shortage and the limited long-term success of islet transplants have stimulated the development of novel therapies for T1DM. Gene therapy-based glucose-regulated hepatic insulin production is a promising strategy to treat T1DM. We have developed gene constructs which cause glucose-concentration–dependent human insulin production in liver cells. A novel set of human insulin expression constructs containing a combination of elements to improve gene transcription, mRNA processing, and translation efficiency were generated as minicircle DNA preparations that lack bacterial and viral DNA. Hepatocytes transduced with the new constructs, ex vivo, produced large amounts of glucose-inducible human insulin. In vivo, insulin minicircle DNA (TA1m) treated streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats demonstrated euglycemia when fasted or fed, ad libitum. Weight loss due to uncontrolled hyperglycemia was reversed in insulin gene treated diabetic rats to normal rate of weight gain, lasting ∼1 month. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGT) demonstrated in vivo glucose-responsive changes in insulin levels to correct hyperglycemia within 45 minutes. A single TA1m treatment raised serum albumin levels in diabetic rats to normal and significantly reduced hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Elevated serum levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were restored to normal or greatly reduced in treated rats, indicating normalization of liver function. Non-viral insulin minicircle DNA-based TA1m mediated glucose-dependent insulin production in liver may represent a safe and promising approach to treat T1DM.
DMT based VDSL modem implementation using TMS320C64x

The DSP based solutions have become the main concern of new modems design. At present, most of the voice band modems use a programmable solution and most of the telecommunication systems tend to do the same. For the xDSL modems, the same trend is expected and the DSP based implementation becomes the challenge for new designs. We investigate a programmable solution for the DMT (discrete multitone) based VDSL modems using Texas Instrument processor family TMS320C64x. We present structures for both the transmitter and receiver sides. We also evaluate the complexity and the hardware needed for both parts.
The erbB3- and IGF-1 receptor-initiated signaling pathways exhibit distinct effects on lapatinib sensitivity against trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells

Both erbB3 and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) have been shown to play an important role in trastuzumab resistance. However, it remains unclear whether erbB3- and IGF-1R-initiated signaling pathways possess distinct effects on the sensitivity of lapatinib, a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor against both EGFR and erbB2, in trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer. Here, we show that the trastuzumab-resistant SKBR3-pool2 and BT474-HR20 breast cancer sublines, as compared the parental SKBR3 and BT474 cells, respectively, exhibit refractoriness to lapatinib. Knockdown of erbB3 inhibited Akt in SKBR3-pool2 and BT474-HR20 cells, significantly increased lapatinib efficacy, and dramatically re-sensitized the cells to lapatinib-induced apoptosis. In contrast, specific knockdown of IGF-1R did not alter the cells' responsiveness to lapatinib. While the levels of phosphorylated Src (P-Src) were reduced upon IGF-1R downregulation, the P-Akt levels remained unchanged. Furthermore, a specific inhibitor of Akt, but not Src, significantly enhanced lapatinib-mediated anti-proliferative/anti-survival effects on SKBR3-pool2 and BT474-HR20 cells. These data indicate that erbB3 signaling is critical for both trastuzumab and lapatinib resistances mainly through the PI-3K/Akt pathway, whereas IGF-1R-initiated Src activation results in trastuzumab resistance without affecting lapatinib sensitivity. Our findings may facilitate the development of precision therapeutic regimens for erbB2-positive breast cancer patients who become resistant to erbB2-targeted therapy.
The Bcl-2 Homology Domain 3 Mimetic ABT-737 Targets the Apoptotic Machinery in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Resulting in Synergistic in Vitro and in Vivo Interactions with Established Drugs

Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins are overexpressed in a number of cancers, including leukemias, and are frequently associated with resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. ABT-737, a Bcl-2 homology domain 3 mimetic (for structure, see Nature 435:677–681, 2005) inhibits the prosurvival function of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Bcl-w. We show that ABT-737 was effective as a single agent against a panel of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) xenografts, previously established, from patient biopsies, in immunodeficient mice. Although in vitro resistance of leukemia cell lines correlated with expression of the prosurvival protein Mcl-1, there was no relationship between Mcl-1 expression and in vivo xenograft response to ABT-737. However, expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim, and the extent of its association with Bcl-2, significantly correlated with in vivo ABT-737 sensitivity. ABT-737 potentiated the antileukemic effects of l-asparaginase, topotecan, vincristine, and etoposide against drug-resistant xenografts in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we show that the combination of l-asparaginase (by specifically down-regulating Mcl-1 protein levels), topotecan (by activating p53 via DNA damage), and ABT-737 (by inhibiting antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members) caused profound synergistic antileukemic efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Rational targeting of specific components of the apoptotic pathway may be a useful approach to improve the treatment of refractory or relapsed pediatric ALL. Overall, this study supports the inclusion of the clinical derivative of ABT-737, ABT-263 (for structure, see Cancer Res 68:3421–3428, 2008), into clinical trials against relapsed/refractory pediatric ALL.
The nature and function of intimacy in romantic sexual relationships

The purpose of this program of research was to explore the nature and function of intimacy in romantic sexual relationships. More specifically, I was interested in how laypeople define and understand the concept of sexual intimacy as it relates to the broader concept of intimacy, and how intimacy in romantic relationships uniquely influences well-being over time. In regards to the former, six studies examined the nature of sexual intimacy and its relationship to intimacy; in regards to the latter, a large-scale longitudinal web survey examined the impact of intimacy on three domains of well-being over a period of eight months, controlling for other relevant constructs (i.e., attachment, relationship satisfaction, closeness, and sexual intimacy). In studies 1 and 2, prototypes of intimacy and sexual intimacy were generated and although there was significant overlap between the two prototypes, each also included unique central attributes. Study 3 provided further evidence for the prototypical nature of both concepts by demonstrating that central features of both concepts were more salient in memory than peripheral features. Studies 4 and 5 showed that perceptions of intimacy and sexual intimacy in fictional romantic relationships are highly related, but that the two concepts could also be reliably differentiated. In Study 4, priming sexual intimacy increased activation of the concept of intimacy, but the reverse was not true; and in Study 5, the presence of intimacy (but not sexual intimacy) was associated with greater perceived relationship quality. Study 6 showed that intimacy and sexual intimacy were positively correlated in real romantic relationships; and that although prototypes of intimacy and sexual intimacy corresponded in meaningful ways to theoretical models of intimacy, the endorsement of central intimacy and sexual intimacy attributes in real romantic relationships was associated with relationship quality and sexual well-being,
Local Community Identification in Social Networks

There has been much recent research on identifying global community structure in networks. However, most existing approaches require complete information of the graph in question, which is impractical for some networks, e.g. the World Wide Web (WWW). Algorithms for local community detection have been proposed but their results usually contain many outliers. In this paper, we propose a new measure of local community structure, coupled with a two-phase algorithm that extracts all possible candidates first, and then optimizes the community hierarchy. We compare our results with previous methods on real world networks such as the co-purchase network from Amazon. Experimental results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach.
Exercise training impacts the myocardial metabolism of older individuals in a gender-specific manner.

Aging is associated with decreases in aerobic capacity, cardiac function, and insulin sensitivity as well as alterations in myocardial substrate metabolism. Endurance exercise training (EET) improves cardiac function in a gender-specific manner, and EET has been shown to improve whole body glucose tolerance, but its effects on myocardial metabolism are unclear. Accordingly, we studied the effect of EET on myocardial substrate metabolism in older men and women. Twelve healthy older individuals (age: 60-75 yr; 6 men and 6 women) underwent PET with [(15)O]water, [(11)C]acetate, [(11)C]glucose, and [(11)C]palmitate for the assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial O(2) consumption (MVo(2)), myocardial glucose utilization (MGU), and myocardial fatty acid utilization (MFAU), respectively, at rest and during dobutamine infusion (10 microg.kg(-1). min(-1)). Measurements were repeated after 11 mo of EET. Maximal O(2) uptake (Vo(2max)) increased (P = 0.005) after EET. MBF was unaffected by training, as was resting MVo(2); however, posttraining dobutamine MVo(2) was significantly higher (P = 0.05), as was MGU (P < 0.04). Although overall dobutamine MFAU was unchanged, posttraining dobutamine MFAU increased in women (P = 0.01) but decreased in men (P = 0.03). Thus, EET in older individuals improves the catecholamine response of myocardial glucose metabolism. Moreover, gender differences exist in the myocardial fatty acid metabolic response to training. These findings suggest a role for altered myocardial substrate metabolism in modulating the cardiovascular benefits of EET in older individuals.
Myofibrillar Myopathies and the Z-Disk Associated Proteins

Myofibrillar myopathies (MFMs) are typically autosomal dominant myopathies with late onset progressive muscle weakness and symptoms initially evident in the distal muscle groups. However, there is a significant variability in the presentation of these diseases, with the age of onset ranging from infantile to late seventies; the involvement of the heart, respiratory muscles, distal or proximal muscle groups; and severity covering the full spectrum from mild muscle weakness to premature lethality. Several myopathies were identified with symptoms within this broad spectrum and the recognition of a common pathology allowed the grouping of these diseases under a single term, MFM [1]. Problems in the classification of these disorders still exist, partially due to the wide spectrum of clinical presentation and the lack of detailed analysis of biopsy samples to identify the defining features of MFM.
Employees’ Perceived Opportunities to Craft and In-Role Performance: The Mediating Role of Job Crafting and Work Engagement

The present study was designed to gain knowledge of the relationship between employees’ perceived opportunities to craft, their actual job crafting behavior and, in line with JD-R theory, subsequently their work engagement and performance. Although scholars have suggested that employees’ perceived opportunities to craft their job may predict their actual job crafting behavior, which may have consequences for their well-being and performance, no study has examined the relationships between these variables. We collected data among a heterogeneous group of Dutch employees (N = 2090). Participants of the study reported their perceived opportunities to craft, job crafting behavior, work engagement and performance. Results indicated that individuals who experience a high level of opportunities to craft reported higher levels of job crafting behavior. In turn, perceived opportunities to craft and job crafting behavior related to higher levels of work engagement and subsequently performance. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory and practice.
Alcohol Availability and Alcohol-Related Crime

The role that alcohol plays in facilitating crime is widely acknowledged, and alcohol's relationship to crimes against persons has been well documented. Nevertheless, there have been few systematic attempts to examine the dynamics of what are referred to as alcohol-related crimes (driving under the influence, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, vagrancy, and liquor law violations). Given that these offenses account for approximately one third of the arrests made annually in the United States, the role of alcohol in these offenses clearly warrants analysis. The present study examines the relationship of alcohol availability in each state, as measured by the prevalence of various types of alcohol outlets, to arrest rates for alcohol-related offenses, controlling for relevant demographic and socioeconomic variables. The results indicate that density and type of alcohol outlets are, indeed, significant predictors of alcohol-related crimes. The findings suggest, however, that outlets have widely varied effects for different alcohol-related offenses. Explanations and policy implications for the findings are discussed.
Dental wear estimation using a digital intra-oral optical scanner and an automated 3D computer vision method

The objective of this work was to propose an automated and direct process to grade tooth wear intra-orally. Eight extracted teeth were etched with acid for different times to produce wear and scanned with an intra-oral optical scanner. Computer vision algorithms were used for alignment and comparison among models. Wear volume was estimated and visual scoring was achieved to determine reliability. Results demonstrated that it is possible to directly detect submillimeter differences in teeth surfaces with an automated method with results similar to those obtained by direct visual inspection. The investigated method proved to be reliable for comparison of measurements over time.