Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-CpG-Containing Antisense 2′-Methoxyethyl Oligonucleotides Activate a Proinflammatory Response Independent of Toll-Like Receptor 9 or Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88

Oligonucleotides with a “CpG” motif trigger a proinflammatory response through activation of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and are being studied to exploit these properties for use as adjuvants and cancer therapies. However, oligonucleotides intended for antisense applications (ASOs) are designed to minimize proinflammatory responses by avoiding CpG motifs and by using chemical modifications [i.e., 2′-methoxyethyl (MOE) sugars and 5-methyl cytosine residues]. Nonetheless, modified ASOs are capable of eliciting a proinflammatory response at high doses, albeit mild compared with CpG oligos. To determine whether this phenomena is TLR-mediated, wild-type, TLR9 knockout, and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) knockout mice were treated with a phosphorothioate-modified oligodeoxyribonucleotide CpG optimal oligo (ISIS 12449), and a representative non-CpG 2′-MOE oligonucleotide (ISIS 116847). The non-CpG oligonucleotide had a lower proinflammatory potency relative to ISIS 12449, requiring a >10-fold higher dose in wild-type animals to trigger a proinflammatory response. Furthermore, the inflammatory response to ISIS 12449 at low doses was TLR9 and MyD88-dependent, whereas non-CpG oligonucleotides retained the ability to activate a proinflammatory response in the knockout animals. Animals treated with the non-CpG oligonucleotide exhibited an increased spleen weight, elevated cytokine levels, increased immune cell infiltrates in liver, and an increased level of mRNA for cell surface markers typical of monocyte/macrophage type cells. Bone marrow-derived cells from wild-type and knockout animals treated with non-CpG oligonucleotide responded similarly with the production of MIP-2 and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kianse1/2. These data implicate a TLR-independent mechanism of activation for non-CpG 2′-MOE oligonucleotides.
Using Interactive Tasks to Elicit Natural Dialogue

Basic research into the relationship between intonation and speaker’s intentions about syntax and information structure addresses whether, when, and how speakers use prosodic information to signal linguistic and paralinguistic meaning. Speakers use prosody for a range of functions in communication: to mark the difference between immediately relevant vs. background information; to express contrast, contradiction, and correction; and to indicate the intended syntax of ambiguous utterances. In this paper, we review the methodologies used to examine intonation and sentence and discourse structure in language production studies. We focus on design conflicts that arise when experimental techniques need to generate a sufficient number of items for analysis, while simultaneously eliciting utterances that are representative of natural, conversational speech. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages inherent in (1) using spontaneous speech vs. various textbased elicitation techniques, (2) the effect of different levels of detail in instructions to speakers, and (3) the effects of manipulating the experimental environment. In the final sections, we present details of the method used in our own ‘tree decoration project’ as well as some preliminary cross-linguistic speech production data. These data include evidence for regularities in the realization of pitch accent placement and type in English discourse structure, and phonetic evidence for the intonational marking of discourse information status for accented and unaccented lexical items in Japanese.
Social Remittances and Migration (Sub-)Cultures in Contemporary Poland

The article discusses how to research the impact of migration on social change in sending countries, without using a development studies framework. It argues for greater attention to the lives of ‘stayers’. A comprehensive approach to migration impact should begin by using mainstream sociological research to identify overall social trends in the origin country, before considering migration as one determinant of change. The case study is social remittances in contemporary Poland. Social remittances are understood to include not just foreign ideas, but also those resulting from migrants’ reflections on their own changing lives. One way to investigate how such social remittances ‘scale up’ to create cultural change is to consider the meso-level of regional migration culture. Taking the example of changing gender roles, I discuss Polish sociological and migration scholarship before presenting my own quantitative and qualitative data on stayers’ opinions about maternal migration. I show how stayers in regions with high levels of migration can become persuaded to condone maternal behaviour which is at odds with traditional views on gender roles and the importance of the extended family. Migration cultures are, however, not so visible in other parts of Poland or in Polish cities. The final part of the article employs the concept of migration sub-cultures – pockets of migration exposure and expertise among particular social groups. Examining the case of Wroclaw, a prosperous city which might appear to be untouched by migration influences, I argue that such sub-cultures are probably more prevalent than might be assumed.
Effects of native pollinator specialization, self‐compatibility and flowering duration of European plant species on their invasiveness elsewhere

When entomophilous plants are introduced to a new region, they may leave behind their usual pollinators. In particular, plant species with specialized pollination may then be less likely to establish and spread (i.e. become invasive). Moreover, other reproductive characteristics such as self‐compatibility and flowering duration may also affect invasion success. Here, we specifically asked whether plant species' specialization towards pollinator species and families, respectively, as measured in the native range, self‐compatibility, flowering duration and their interactions are related to the degree of invasion (i.e. a measure of regional abundance) in non‐native regions. We used plant–pollinator interaction data from 119 German grassland sites to calculate unbiased indices of plant specialization towards pollinator species and families for 118 European plant species. We related these specialization indices, flowering duration, self‐compatibility and their interactions to the degree of invasion of each species in seven large countries on four non‐Eurasian continents. In all models, plant species with long flowering durations had the highest degree of invasion. The best model included the specialization index based on pollinator species instead of the one based on pollinator families. Specialization towards pollinator species had a marginally significant positive effect on the degree of invasion in non‐native regions for self‐compatible, but not for self‐incompatible species. Synthesis. We showed that long flowering duration is related to the degree of invasion in other parts of the world, and a trend that pollinator generalization in the native range may interact with self‐compatibility in determining the degree of invasion. Therefore, we conclude that such reproductive characteristics should be considered in risk assessment and management of introduced plant species.
Auditory Verbal Hallucinations and Their Phenomenological Context

Introduction Auditory verbal hallucinations (hereafter, AVHs) are frequently associated with schizophrenia diagnoses but also occur in several other psychiatric conditions, as well as in the non-clinical population. In order to investigate how they are caused and how they might be treated (if they require treatment), it is essential to get the phenomenology right. Otherwise, there is a risk of failing to distinguish different experiences that need to be explained in different ways or even seeking to explain the wrong thing entirely, a point that applies equally to treatment. This is not to suggest that we need rely exclusively on phenomenological research in order to pin down the nature of AVHs. We can also draw on non-phenomenological findings in order to corroborate, clarify, or challenge phenomenological claims. For example, suppose it is assumed that AVHs are much like veridical auditory experiences, but it then turns out that patterns of brain activity associated with audition are entirely absent. In such a scenario, non-phenomenological findings would prompt us to a reconsider the phenomenology. However, where AVHs are concerned, one might think that the required phenomenological work is easily done. The term ‘auditory verbal hallucination’ already says it all: a hallucination is an experience that resembles perception in one or another sensory modality, but which occurs in the absence of an appropriate external stimulus. By implication, an auditory verbal hallucination is an experience of hearing someone speak, which occurs in the absence of a speaker. Such definitions are commonplace in the literature. For example:
How Much Do REITs Pay for Their IPOs?

Previous studies have documented the reversal in the initial returns of REIT IPOs from overpricing in the 1980s to underpricing in the 1990s. We find that the gross spreads of REIT IPOs decreased significantly in the 1990s. In particular, there is a bimodal clustering for gross spreads at 6.5 and 7.0%. Moreover, in the 1980s around 94% of REIT IPOs had integer offer prices, most of which were priced at either $10 or $20. However, the proportion of integer offer prices decreased to 64% in the 1990s. Higher gross spreads, overpricing, and high frequency of integer offer prices for REIT IPOs in the 1980s are consistent with the marketing hypothesis that in the 1980s REIT IPOs were mainly marketed to less-informed individual investors. Our results explain the dynamic process employed by underwriters in the setting of gross spreads and the pricing of REIT IPOs as a new financial product in response to various structural changes in REITs.
Physical self-perceptions and body composition in fitness instructors, regular exercisers and non-exercisers.

This study investigated physical self-perceptions (PSPP and PIP) and the relationship between physical self-perceptions and body composition measures (BMI, WHR, percentage body fat) in fitness instructors (n = 36), regular exercisers (n = 29) and non-exercisers (n = 35). Gender differences were apparent in the physical self-perceptions, males scoring higher on the attractive body, sports competence and physical self-worth sub-scales of the PSPP. Fitness instructors rated their bodily attractiveness, physical condition and physical strength significantly higher and perceived them as more important than the regular and non -exercisers. Also, fitness instructors and regular exercisers had higher levels of physical self-worth and sports competence and perceived sports competence as more important than the non-exercisers. Relationships between physical self-perceptions and body composition were found. For females higher fat percentage or BMI values were negatively associated with most of the sub-domains of the PSPP. It was concluded that participation in regular exercise is associated with more positive physical self- perceptions that might contribute to a ‘life-time’ commitment to exercise participation. Secondly, more longitudinal research is required to investigate the relationship between physical self-perceptions and changes in body composition. Finally, it was suggested that exercise programs should promote competence and should be conducted in a relatively ‘body neutral’ environment. Such an approach would propagate a more intrinsically motivated orientation to exercise participation and might have a more pronounced effect on physical self-perceptions and global physical self-esteem
A CRM1-Mediated Nuclear Export Signal Is Essential for Cytoplasmic Localization of Neurogenin 3 in Neurons

Neurogenin 3 (Ngn3), a proneural gene, regulates dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis in mouse hippocampal neurons. Ngn3 is transiently exported from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm when neuronal polarity is initiated, suggesting that the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of the protein is important for its action on neuronal development. In this study, we identified for the first time a functional nuclear export sequence (NES2; 131YIWALTQTLRIA142) in Ngn3. The green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-NES2 fusion protein was localized in the cytoplasm and its nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling was blocked by the CRM1 specific export inhibitor leptomycin B. Mutation of a leucine residue to alanine (L135A) in the NES2 motif resulted in both cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of the EGFP-NES2 fusion protein and in the nuclear accumulation of ectopic full-length myc-Ngn3. In addition, point mutation of the leucine 135 counteracted the effects of Ngn3 on neuronal morphology and synaptic inputs indicating that the cytoplasmic localization of Ngn3 is important for neuronal development. Pharmacological perturbation of the cytoskeleton revealed that cytoplasmic Ngn3 is associated with microtubules.
Remote sensing techniques for mangrove mapping

Mangroves, important components of the world's coastal ecosystems, are threatened by the expansion of human settlements, the boom in commercial aquaculture, the impact of tidal waves and storm surges, etc. Such threats are leading to the increasing demand for detailed mangrove maps for the purpose of measuring the extent of the decline of mangrove ecosystems. Detailed mangrove maps at the community or species level are, however, not easy to produce, mainly because mangrove forests are very difficult to access. Without doubt, remote sensing is a serious alternative to traditional field-based methods for mangrove mapping, as it allows information to be gathered from the forbidding environment of mangrove forests, which otherwise, logistically and practically speaking, would be extremely difficult to survey. Remote sensing applications for mangrove mapping at the fundamental level are already well established but, surprisingly, a number of advanced remote sensing applications have remained unexplored for the purpose of mangrove mapping at a finer level. Consequently, the aim of this thesis is to unveil the potential of some of the unexplored remote sensing techniques for mangrove studies. Specifically, this thesis focuses on improving class separability between mangrove species or community types. It is based on two important ingredients:(i) the use of narrow-band hyperspectral data, and(ii) the integration of ecological knowledge of mangrove-environment relationships into the mapping process.Overall, the results of this study reveal the potential of both ingredients. They show that delicate spectral details of hyperspectral data and the spatial relationships between mangroves and their surrounding environment help to improve mangrove class separability at the species level. Despite the optimism generated by the overall results, it was found that appropriate data treatments and analysis techniques such as spectral band selection and noise reduction were still required to harness essential information from both hyperspectral and ecological data. Thus, some aspects of these data treatments and analysis techniques are also presented in this thesis. Finally, it is hoped that the methodology presented in this thesis will prove useful and will be followed for producing mangrove maps at a finer level.
Conditions for Competition in Low-Information Judicial Elections

Although much work has examined the conditions for competition and incumbent defeat in high-visibility elections, scholars have conducted little research on these conditions for less visible offices. We look at one particular type of low-information election: those to state intermediate appellate courts (IAC). Using a comprehensive data set of all IAC elections involving incumbents from 2000 to 2007, we estimate models of challenger entry and incumbent success once challenged. Our results comport, in some cases, and diverge, in others, with the findings of studies of more visible judicial and legislative offices.
Controlling the familywise error rate in functional neuroimaging: a comparative review

Functional neuroimaging data embodies a massive multiple testing problem, where 100 000 correlated test statistics must be assessed. The familywise error rate, the chance of any false positives is the standard measure of Type I errors in multiple testing. In this paper we review and evaluate three approaches to thresholding images of test statistics: Bonferroni, random field and the permutation test. Owing to recent developments, improved Bonferroni procedures, such as Hochberg’s methods, are now applicable to dependent data. Continuous random field methods use the smoothness of the image to adapt to the severity of the multiple testing problem. Also, increased computing power has made both permutation and bootstrap methods applicable to functional neuroimaging. We evaluate these approaches on t images using simulations and a collection of real datasets. We find that Bonferroni-related tests offer little improvement over Bonferroni, while the permutation method offers substantial improvement over the random field method for low smoothness and low degrees of freedom. We also show the limitations of trying to find an equivalent number of independent tests for an image of correlated test statistics.
Brain Training Game Boosts Executive Functions, Working Memory and Processing Speed in the Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Do brain training games work? The beneficial effects of brain training games are expected to transfer to other cognitive functions. Yet in all honesty, beneficial transfer effects of the commercial brain training games in young adults have little scientific basis. Here we investigated the impact of the brain training game (Brain Age) on a wide range of cognitive functions in young adults. Methods We conducted a double-blind (de facto masking) randomized controlled trial using a popular brain training game (Brain Age) and a popular puzzle game (Tetris). Thirty-two volunteers were recruited through an advertisement in the local newspaper and randomly assigned to either of two game groups (Brain Age, Tetris). Participants in both the Brain Age and the Tetris groups played their game for about 15 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. Measures of the cognitive functions were conducted before and after training. Measures of the cognitive functions fell into eight categories (fluid intelligence, executive function, working memory, short-term memory, attention, processing speed, visual ability, and reading ability). Results and Discussion Our results showed that commercial brain training game improves executive functions, working memory, and processing speed in young adults. Moreover, the popular puzzle game can engender improvement attention and visuo-spatial ability compared to playing the brain training game. The present study showed the scientific evidence which the brain training game had the beneficial effects on cognitive functions (executive functions, working memory and processing speed) in the healthy young adults. Conclusions Our results do not indicate that everyone should play brain training games. However, the commercial brain training game might be a simple and convenient means to improve some cognitive functions. We believe that our findings are highly relevant to applications in educational and clinical fields. Trial Registration UMIN Clinical Trial Registry 000005618.
Cross Cultural Meta-analysis of Personality and Leadership Effectiveness and Evaluation of Changes Over Time

ii TABLE OF CONTENTS . iii LIST OF FIGURES . vi LIST OF TABLES . vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . ix I. LITERATURE REVIEW . 1 Overview . 1 Trait Theory. 2 Personality & Leadership . 3 Culture and Leadership . 9 Time, Leadership, and Global Leadership . 13 Summary . 15 II. METHODS . 17 Overview . 17 Literature Search . 17 Coding of Studies . 20 Statistical and Data Analysis . 21
Use of a Recombinant Vaccinia Virus Expressing Interferon Gamma for Post-Exposure Protection against Vaccinia and Ectromelia Viruses

Post-exposure vaccination with vaccinia virus (VACV) has been suggested to be effective in minimizing death if administered within four days of smallpox exposure. While there is anecdotal evidence for efficacy of post-exposure vaccination this has not been definitively studied in humans. In this study, we analyzed post-exposure prophylaxis using several attenuated recombinant VACV in a mouse model. A recombinant VACV expressing murine interferon gamma (IFN-γ) was most effective for post-exposure protection of mice infected with VACV and ectromelia virus (ECTV). Untreated animals infected with VACV exhibited severe weight loss and morbidity leading to 100% mortality by 8 to 10 days post-infection. Animals treated one day post-infection had milder symptoms, decreased weight loss and morbidity, and 100% survival. Treatment on days 2 or 3 post-infection resulted in 40% and 20% survival, respectively. Similar results were seen in ECTV-infected mice. Despite the differences in survival rates in the VACV model, the viral load was similar in both treated and untreated mice while treated mice displayed a high level of IFN-γ in the serum. These results suggest that protection provided by IFN-γ expressed by VACV may be mediated by its immunoregulatory activities rather than its antiviral effects. These results highlight the importance of IFN-γ as a modulator of the immune response for post-exposure prophylaxis and could be used potentially as another post-exposure prophylaxis tool to prevent morbidity following infection with smallpox and other orthopoxviruses.
Query Variations and their Effect on Comparing Information Retrieval Systems

We explore the implications of using query variations for evaluating information retrieval systems and how these variations should be exploited to compare system effectiveness. Current evaluation approaches consider the availability of a set of topics (information needs), and only one expression of each topic in the form of a query is used for evaluation and system comparison. While there is strong evidence that considering query variations better models the usage of retrieval systems and accounts for the important user aspect of user variability, it is unclear how to best exploit query variations for evaluating and comparing information retrieval systems. We propose a framework for evaluating retrieval systems that explicitly takes into account query variations. The framework considers both the system mean effectiveness and its variance over query variations and topics, as opposed to current approaches that only consider the mean across topics or perform a topic-focused analysis of variance across systems. Furthermore, the framework extends current evaluation practice by encoding: (1) user tolerance to effectiveness variations, (2) the popularity of different query variations, and (3) the relative importance of individual topics. These extensions and our findings make information retrieval comparisons more aligned with user behaviour.