Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Host defense peptides of human thrombin: structure-activity studies and

Peptides of the C-terminal region of human thrombin are released upon proteolysis, and 14 identified in human wounds. In this study we wanted to investigate minimal determinants, as 15 well as structural features, governing the antimicrobial and immunomodulating activity of 16 this peptide region. Sequential amino acid deletions of the peptide 17 GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVIDQFGE (GKY25), as well as substitutions at strategic and 18 structurally relevant positions were followed by analyses of antimicrobial activity against the 19 Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Gram-positive 20 Staphylococcus aureus as well as the fungus Candida albicans. Furthermore, peptide effects 21 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, lipoteichoic acid-, or zymosan-induced macrophage activation 22 were studied. The thrombin-derived peptides displayed length- and sequence-dependent 23 antimicrobial as well as immunomodulating effects. A peptide length of at least 20 amino 24 acids was required for effective anti-inflammatory effects in macrophage models, as well as 25
Assessing College Students' Satisfaction With Their Academic Majors

A six-item measure of global satisfaction with one's major, the Academic Major Satisfaction Scale (AMSS), was developed and validated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested a unidimensional structure. The measure had high internal consistency and distinguished between students who remained in their majors versus those who changed majors during 1- and 2-year periods. AMSS scores were positively associated with career decision self-efficacy and negatively associated with career choice anxiety and generalized indecisiveness. AMSS scores were also associated with indices of socially desirable responding, but social desirability did not account for the relationships between major satisfaction and the career decision-making variables. Implications for theory and ideas for using the AMSS in research and practice are presented.
Voltage clamp analysis of embryonic heart cell aggregates

The double-microelectrode voltage clamp technique was applied to small spheroidal aggregates of heart cells from 7-d chick embryos. A third intracellular electrode was sometimes used to monitor spatial homogeneity. On average, aggregates were found to deviate from isopotentiality by 12% during the first 3--5 ms of large depolarizing voltage steps, when inward current was maximal, and by less than 3% thereafter. Two components of inward current were recorded: (a) a fast, transient current associated with the rapid upstroke of the action potential, which was abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX); and (b) a slower inward current related to the plateau, which was not affected by TTX but was blocked by D600. The magnitudes, kinetics, and voltage dependence of these two inward currents and a delayed outward current were similar to those reported for adult cardiac preparations. From a holding potential of -60 mV, the peak fast component at the point of maximal activation (-20 mV) was -185 microA/cm2. This value was about seven times greater than the maximal slow component which peaked at 0 mV. The ratio of rate constants for the decay of the two currents was between 10:1 and 30:1.
Health and Helping among the Elderly

This article compares helping networks of men and women for four different illness situations among a random sample of elderly individuals aged 60 and over living in an urban center on the Canadian Prairies (N = 743). Helping networks vary depending on the illness situation. Gender differences are also evident in helping networks, reflecting gender differences in overall interaction patterns. Men are more likely to receive assistance from spouses, and women are more likely to receive assistance from nonspousal others, even when taking availability into account. These gender differences in helping networks are evident for less serious illness situations, such as potential availability during health emergencies and assistance with common ailments. For more serious illness situations (serious conditions and functional disability), many of these gender differences disappear. That is, in the face of serious health threats differential societal expectations for men and women dissipate.
140-GHz Planar Broadband LTCC SIW Slot Antenna Array

A planar slot antenna array operating at 140-GHz band is presented and implemented using a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) process. The array comprises a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) feeding network and slot radiators with a dielectric loading. Considerations associated with the 140-GHz design and the effects of the dielectric loading on antenna performance are investigated. Measured results show that the boresight gain of a 4 &times; 4 antenna array including a transition from SIW to a waveguide is 16.3 dBi at 140 GHz and higher than 13.8 dBi over the operating bandwidth of 130-152 GHz. Therefore, the LTCC process offers one more option of planar broadband antenna array designs operating at upper millimeter wave bands.
Functional matching effect in CRM: Moderating roles of perceived message quality and skepticism

By applying the functional matching effect to the domain of cause-related marketing (CRM), this study examined the conditions under which the CRM message matching to attitude bases would elicit greater persuasion. In this study, a matched (or mismatched) CRM message is represented by the ad message featuring an argument that matches (or mismatches) consumers' primary motivation for purchasing the product supporting a social cause. Using a before-and-after experimental design, the perceived message quality and consumer skepticism about CRM practices were tested as moderators of the relationship between the functional matching of arguments and persuasion. This study assessed persuasion by measuring attitudes toward the CRM ad and the brand, and purchase intention. As expected, the functionally matched message appeared to generate greater persuasion when the argument was perceived to be strong. Additionally, low skeptics showed more favorable responses to the matched message compared to high skeptics. Theoretical and managerial implications were discussed to enhance the persuasiveness of CRM messages.
GENERAL STRAIN, STREET YOUTH AND CRIME: A TEST OF AGNEW'S REVISED THEORY*

Using a sample of homeless street youth, this research examines how specific forms of strain–emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, homelessness and being a victim of robbery, violence or theft, relative deprivation, monetary dissatisfaction and unemployment–lead to crime and drug use. It also explores how strain is conditioned by deviant peers, deviant attitudes, external attributions, self-esteem and self-efficacy. The results reveal that all ten types of strain examined can lead to criminal behavior either as main effects or when interacting with conditioning variables. The results are discussed in light of general strain theory and suggestions are offered for future research on this topic.
The Effects on Adjunct Questions on Short and Long-Term Recall of Prose Materials

These findings have usually been interpreted in terms of the "mathemagenic hypothesis'' (Rothkopf, 1965), which holds that there are certain behaviors (mathemagenic behaviors) which control the formation of correct associations during learning. In the studies of Rothkopf, Frase, and Bruning, questions are thought to function as mathemagenic controls for shaping inspection behavior during reading, thus facilitating learning.
Adam Smith: From Propriety and Sentiments to Property and Wealth

“Why return to Adam Smith? ” Because we learn that he had fresh-for-today insights, derived from a modeling perspective that was never part of economic analysis. Smith wrote two classics: The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759; hereafter Sentiments); and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776; hereafter Wealth). In Sentiments it is argued that human sociability in close-knit groups is governed by the “propriety and fitness” of conduct based on sympathy. This non-utilitarian model provides new insights into the results of 2-person experimental “trust” and other games that defied the predictions of traditional game theory in the 1980s and 90s, and offers testable new predictions. Moreover, Smith shows how the civil order of “property” grew naturally out of the rules of propriety. Property together with what I call Smith's Discovery Axiom then enabled his break-through in Wealth that defined the liberal intellectual and practical foundation of two centuries of Western economic growth.
Identification of the Ankyrin-binding Domain of the Mouse T-lymphoma Cell Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate (IP3) Receptor and Its Role in the Regulation of IP3-mediated Internal Ca2+ Release (*)

In this study we have used several complementary techniques to explore the interaction between the membrane linker molecule, ankyrin, and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor in mouse T-lymphoma cells. Using double immunolabeling and laser confocal microscopy, we have found that both cytoplasmic IP3 receptor and ankyrin are preferentially accumulated within ligand-induced lymphocyte receptor-capped structures. The binding between ankyrin and IP3 receptor appears to be very specific. Further analyses indicate that the amino acid sequence GGVGDVLRKPS in the IP3 receptor shares a great deal of structural homology with the ankyrin-binding domain located in certain well characterized ankyrin-binding proteins such as the cell adhesion molecule, CD44. Biochemical studies using competition binding assays and a synthetic peptide identical to GGVGDVLRKPS (a sequence detected in rat brain IP3 receptor (amino acids 2548-2558) and mouse brain IP3 receptor (amino acids 2546-2556)) indicate that this 11-amino acid peptide binds specifically to ankyrin (but not fodrin or spectrin). Furthermore, this peptide competes effectively for ankyrin binding to IP3 receptor-containing vesicles and/or purified IP3 receptor, and it blocks ankyrin-induced inhibitory effects on IP3 binding and IP3-mediated internal Ca2+ release in mouse T-lymphoma cells. These findings suggest that this amino acid sequence, GGVGDVLRKPS, which is located close to the C terminus of the IP3 receptor, resides on the cytoplasmic side (not the luminal side) of IP3 receptor-containing vesicles. This unique region appears to be an important part of the IP3 receptor ankyrin-binding domain and may play an important role in the regulation of IP3 receptor-mediated internal Ca2+ release during lymphocyte activation.
Minimal Answers: Ellipsis, Syntax, and Discourse in the Acquisition of European Portuguese

This book offers a new contribution to the debate concerning the acquisition of the syntax-discourse interface. It provides evidence that children acquiring European Portuguese have a very early ability to spontaneously produce VP ellipsis as answers to yes-no questions. It is also argued that the distribution of VP ellipsis in European Portuguese (including its co-existence with Null Complement Anaphora) supports the hypothesis that the identification condition on ellipsis is derivable from some innate knowledge of the syntax-discourse interface. Answers to yes-no questions also provide evidence concerning children’s interpretation of questions containing a cleft or the operator so ‘only’. The analysis of spontaneous production is complemented by a comprehension experiment, showing that children have two problems in the interpretation of these questions: (i) they do not understand that the cleft and so introduce a presupposition and (ii) they start with a default focus assignment strategy and may not access other focus interpretations.
Turnover of the Active Fraction of IRS1 Involves Raptor-mTOR- and S6K1-Dependent Serine Phosphorylation in Cell Culture Models of Tuberous Sclerosis

ABSTRACT The TSC1-TSC2/Rheb/Raptor-mTOR/S6K1 cell growth cassette has recently been shown to regulate cell autonomous insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) sensitivity by transducing a negative feedback signal that targets insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2 (IRS1 and -2). Using two cell culture models of the familial hamartoma syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, we show here that Raptor-mTOR and S6K1 are required for phosphorylation of IRS1 at a subset of serine residues frequently associated with insulin resistance, including S307, S312, S527, S616, and S636 (of human IRS1). Using loss- and gain-of-function S6K1 constructs, we demonstrate a requirement for the catalytic activity of S6K1 in both direct and indirect regulation of IRS1 serine phosphorylation. S6K1 phosphorylates IRS1 in vitro on multiple residues showing strong preference for RXRXXS/T over S/T,P sites. IRS1 is preferentially depleted from the high-speed pellet fraction in TSC1/2-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts or in HEK293/293T cells overexpressing Rheb. These studies suggest that, through serine phosphorylation, Raptor-mTOR and S6K1 cell autonomously promote the depletion of IRS1 from specific intracellular pools in pathological states of insulin and IGF-I resistance and thus potentially in lesions associated with tuberous sclerosis.
“Who identifies with which group?” The motive‐feature match principle and its limitations

The functional approach to identification suggests that people with a particular motive tend to identify with groups that fulfill this motive. Thus, identification should be strongest when individual motives and group features match. The present paper explores the predictive power of this motive-feature match principle. Participants judged themselves on five motives (self-esteem, distinctiveness, belongingness, uncertainty reduction, and power), rated several groups on features relevant to fulfillment of these motives (e.g., the group's power as to the power motive), and indicated their identification with each group. Although the most predicted Motive x Feature interactions on identification emerged, the overall fit between data and predictions was moderate. The reductionist nature of the motive-feature match principle is discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peripheral Blood T and B Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Bell's Palsy

A prospective clinical, virological and immunological study was performed on 25 consecutive Bell's palsy (BP) patients. Multiple cranial nerve involvement was found in 15 patients. A significant decrease in the peripheral blood T lymphocyte percentage as well as an increase in B lymphocyte percentage (p<0.001) were found in 13 of the BP patients during the first 24 days from the clinical onset of the paralysis. No correlation was found between the peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and the patient's age, sex, degree of paralysis or recovery rate. No changes were detected in the levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM), complement (C3, C4) and antiviral antibodies to herpes simplex and zoster, EBV, cytomegalic virus, adenovirus, influenza and mumps. The clinical and immunological data of BP show a similar pattern to those of Guillain-Barre syndrome suggesting that BP may be an antoimmune demyelinating cranial polyneuritis which may be caused by a preceding viral infection.
The Possible-Word Constraint in the Segmentation of Continuous Speech

We propose that word recognition in continuous speech is subject to constraints on what may constitute a viable word of the language. This Possible-Word Constraint (PWC) reduces activation of candidate words if their recognition would imply word status for adjacent input which could not be a word--for instance, a single consonant. In two word-spotting experiments, listeners found it much harder to detect apple, for example, in fapple (where [f] alone would be an impossible word), than in vuffapple (where vuff could be a word of English). We demonstrate that the PWC can readily be implemented in a competition-based model of continuous speech recognition, as a constraint on the process of competition between candidate words; where a stretch of speech between a candidate word and a (known or likely) word boundary is not a possible word, activation of the candidate word is reduced. This implementation accurately simulates both the present results and data from a range of earlier studies of speech segmentation.
Sequence evolution and copy number of Ty1-copia retrotransposons in diverse plant genomes

Sequence evolution of the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene in retrotransposons belonging to the Ty1-copia class was studied in 11 plant species. Phylogenetic reconstruction of the evolutionary history of RT sequences indicated a strong pattern of purifying selection, manifested as high ratios of third to first plus second codon position substitutions, and low ratios of nonsynonymous substitutions per nonsynonymous site to synonymous substitutions per synonymous site, especially in internal portions of the element phylogenies. Evidence of purifying selection was most pronounced in plant species with low estimated copy numbers of Ty1-copia elements. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that high element turnover rates (e.g., caused by high rates of element loss and selection against high element copy number) favors elements capable of transposition. Simulations of RT sequence evolution were conducted to help verify the logical validity of this conclusion. The results argue that it is incorrect to assume that low copy numbers of transposable elements are the product of reduced levels of element activity.
Using Social Stories to Change Problematic Lunchtime Behaviour in School

This study used an ABAB design to investigate the effectiveness of social stories as an intervention with five school children who were experiencing difficulties at school lunchtime related to independently entering the dining hall. Measurements of general behaviour using the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale‐Revised (CTRS‐R:L): Long Version and social cognition were also taken. The results showed an increase in targeted behaviour when social stories were used for three of the five children. The profile of results from the CTRS‐R and social cognitive tasks indicated that social stories were an effective intervention for children who had poor social skills and difficulties understanding the perspective of others.
Thinking as Leadership/Leadership as Thinking

Heidegger challenges that as the world becomes more thought provoking, we are still not thinking. Yet, the very nature of being human is to think. This article presents the findings of a research project exploring the nature of thinking as described by 14 leaders using hermeneutic phenomenological research methodology. The findings are presented in a visual representation which describes how leaders think through the coming of a call to lead. There is a point when a leader makes a turn, committing them to centring their thinking on the quest. To lead is always to follow, going amidst the noise of activity and the silence of thought-full-ness. In the silence the leader awaits the guidance that will direct the way of serving. Leaders live thinking, experience a resonance of knowing, and are always on the way of change. Thinking is drawn to the ‘for the sake of’under the guidance of the embodied values.
Cancer Therapy : Clinical Cyclophosphamide Induces a Type I Interferon – Associated Sterile In fl ammatory Response Signature in Cancer Patients ' Blood Cells : Implications for Cancer Chemoimmunotherapy

Purpose: Certain chemotherapeutics, particularly cyclophosphamide, can enhance the antitumor efficacy of immunotherapy. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of cyclophosphamide-mediated immunomodulation is needed to improve the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy. Experimental Design: Transcript profiling and flow cytometry were used to explore cyclophosphamideinduced immunoadjuvanticity in patients with hematologic malignancies. Results: A single high-dose treatment rapidly (1–2 days) induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) transcriptional modulation, leading to reduction of cell-cycle and biosynthetic/metabolic processes and augmentation of DNA damage and cell death pathways (p53 signaling pathway), death-related scavenger receptors, antigen processing/presentationmediators, T-cell activationmarkers and, noticeably, a type I IFN (IFN-I) signature (OAS1, CXCL10, BAFF, IFITM2, IFI6, IRF5, IRF7, STAT2, UBE2L6, UNC93B1, ISG20L1, TYK2). Moreover, IFN-I–induced proinflammatory mediators (CXCL10, CCL2, IL-8, and BAFF) were increased in patients’ plasma. Accordingly, cyclophosphamide induced the expansion/activation of CD14þCD16þmonocytes, of HLA-DRþ, IL-8RAþ, andMARCOþmonocytes/dendritic cells, and of CD69þ, OX40þ, and IL-8RAþ lymphocytes. Conclusions: Altogether, these data identify the cyclophosphamide-induced immunomodulatory factors in humans and indicate that preconditioning chemotherapy may stimulate immunity as a consequence of danger perception associated with blood cell death, through p53 and IFN-I–relatedmechanisms. Clin Cancer Res; 19(15); 4249–61. 2013 AACR.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: review on morphology, molecular pathology, prognosis, and differential diagnosis.

CONTEXT Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are specific, generally Kit (CD117)-positive, mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract encompassing a majority of tumors previously considered gastrointestinal smooth muscle tumors. They are believed to originate from interstitial cells of Cajal or related stem cells. OBJECTIVE To review current clinicopathologically relevant information on GIST. DATA SOURCES Literature in Medline and authors' own experience. CONCLUSIONS GISTs usually occur in older adults (median age 55-60 years) and rarely in children in the second decade (<1%) throughout the gastrointestinal tract: 60% in stomach, 35% in small intestine, and less than 5% in rectum, esophagus, omentum, and mesentery; most GISTs in the latter 2 sites are metastatic. Five percent of GISTs occur in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 syndrome (multiple small intestinal tumors) and in Carney triad (gastric epithelioid GISTs in young females). Familial GISTs occur in patients with inheritable germline Kit or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mutations. Histologically GISTs vary from spindle cell tumors to epithelioid and pleomorphic tumors. Most GISTs (95%) express Kit (CD117), CD34 (70%), and heavy caldesmon (80%), whereas 25% are positive for smooth muscle actin and less than 5% for desmin. Tumor size and mitotic activity are best predictive prognostic features; small intestinal tumors behave more aggressively than gastric tumors with similar parameters. Mutually exclusive gain-of-function Kit or PDGFRA mutations occur in a majority of GISTs representing in-frame deletions, point mutations, duplications and insertions. Mutations in Kit juxtamembrane domain (exon 11) are the most common in GISTs of all sites, whereas rare Kit extracellular domain (exon 9) Ala502-Tyr503 duplication is specific for intestinal GISTs. Mutations in PDGFRA have been identified in juxtamembrane (exon 12) and tyrosine kinase domains (exons 14 and 18), nearly exclusively in gastric GISTs, mostly in epithelioid variants. Some Kit and PDGFRA mutations have a prognostic value. Kit/PDGFRA tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib has been successfully used in the treatment of metastatic GISTs for more than 5 years. However, primary and acquired secondary resistance linked to certain types of Kit and PDGFRA mutations is limiting long-term success necessitating the use of alternative treatments.