Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Elementary Affective Decisions: To Like Or Not to Like, That Is the Question

Perhaps the most ubiquitous and basic affective decision of daily life is deciding whether we like or dislike something/somebody, or, in terms of psychological emotion theories, whether the object/subject has positive or negative valence. Indeed, people constantly make such liking decisions within a glimpse and, importantly, often without expecting any obvious benefit or knowing the exact reasons for their judgment. In this paper, we review research on such elementary affective decisions (EADs) that entail no direct overt reward with a special focus on Neurocognitive Poetics and discuss methods and models for investigating the neuronal and cognitive-affective bases of EADs to verbal materials with differing degrees of complexity. In line with evolutionary and appraisal theories of (aesthetic) emotions and data from recent neurocognitive studies, the results of a decision tree modeling approach simulating EADs to single words suggest that a main driving force behind EADs is the extent to which such high-dimensional stimuli are associated with the “basic” emotions joy/happiness and disgust.
Gallstones and Concomitant Gastric Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background. The association of gallstones with Helicobacter pylori has been investigated but not clearly demonstrated. In this study, the presence of H. pylori in the gallbladder mucosa of patients with symptomatic gallstones was investigated. Method. Ninety-four consecutive patients with symptomatic gallstone disease were enrolled for the study. Gastroscopy and gastric H. pylori urease test were done before cholecystectomy to all patients who accepted. After cholecystectomy, the gallbladder tissue was investigated in terms of H. pylori by urease test, Giemsa, and immunohistochemical stain. Results. Overall 35 patients (37%) gallbladder mucosa tested positive for H. pylori with any of the three tests. Correlation of the three tests Giemsa, IHC, and rapid urease test was significant (r s: 0590, P > 0.001). Rapid urease test was positive in the gastric mucosa in 47 (58.7%) patients, and it was positive in the gallbladder mucosa in 21 patients (22%). In 15 patients both gastric and gallbladder tested positive with the urease test. There was significant correlation of rapid urease test in both of gallbladder and gastric mucosa (P = 0.0001). Conclusion. Study demonstrates the presence of H. pylori in the gallbladders of 37% of patients with symptomatic gallstones.
The International Law and Politics of Climate Change Ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention and the Kyoto Protocol

A considerable challenge for the creators of international environmental agreements is how to design mechanisms that deter defection without deterring participation. Relatively ``soft'' law often garners widespread participation, but it creates few concrete incentives for states to improve behavior. ``Harder'' commitments make shirking more difficult, but these institutional features may deter from joining the very states whose practices are least consistent with the treaty's requirements. Empirical analyses of ratification of the core agreements of the climate change regime support these propositions. Flexibility provisions provide one mechanism for states to mitigate this dilemma. The findings with regard to one flexibility mechanism strongly support this argument. The results with regard to a second flexibility mechanism, however, tend to follow an opposite pattern. The author offers a preliminary interpretation of this finding. Finally, this article provides insight into how international social networks and the strength of domestic nongovernmental organizations affect ratification.
Variable effects of maternal and paternal–fetal contribution to the risk for preeclampsia combining GSTP1, eNOS, and LPL gene polymorphisms

Objective. To evaluate the maternal, paternal, and fetal genotype contribution to preeclampsia. Study design, materials, and methods. We combined the analysis of polymorphisms of the GSTP1, eNOS, and LPL genes – affecting biotransformation enzymes and endothelial function – in a cohort of 167 preeclamptic and normal control trios (mother, father, and child) comprising a total of 501 samples in the Greek population, never analyzed before by this approach. Results. For the frequency of the GSTP1 Ile105/Val105, the eNOS Glu298Asp and the LPL-93 polymorphisms, statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. However, the transmission rates of the parental alleles to neonates studied by the transmission disequilibrium test, disclosed no increased rate of transmission to preeclampsia children for the variant alleles of Val105 GSTP1, 298Asp eNOS, and -93G LPL. Conclusions. These novel data, suggest that interaction of all three types of genotypes (mother, father and neonate), reveals no effects on the development of preeclampsia, but provide the impetus for further studies to decipher the individual contribution of each genetic parameter of preeclampsia.
Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Enhance Salinity Stress Tolerance in Okra through ROS-Scavenging Enzymes

Salinity is a major environmental stress that limits crop production worldwide. In this study, we characterized plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and examined their effect on salinity stress tolerance in okra through the induction of ROS-scavenging enzyme activity. PGPR inoculated okra plants exhibited higher germination percentage, growth parameters, and chlorophyll content than control plants. Increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, APX, and CAT) and upregulation of ROS pathway genes (CAT, APX, GR, and DHAR) were observed in PGPR inoculated okra plants under salinity stress. With some exceptions, inoculation with Enterobacter sp. UPMR18 had a significant influence on all tested parameters under salt stress, as compared to other treatments. Thus, the ACC deaminase-containing PGPR isolate Enterobacter sp. UPMR18 could be an effective bioresource for enhancing salt tolerance and growth of okra plants under salinity stress.
Importance of the CEP215-Pericentrin Interaction for Centrosome Maturation during Mitosis

At the onset of mitosis, the centrosome undergoes maturation, which is characterized by a drastic expansion of the pericentriolar material (PCM) and a robust increase in microtubule-organizing activity. CEP215 is one of the major PCM components which accumulates at the centrosome during mitosis. The depletion phenotypes indicate that CEP215 is essential for centrosome maturation and bipolar spindle formation. Here, we performed a series of knockdown-rescue experiments to link the protein-protein interaction properties of CEP215 to its biological functions. The results showed that CEP215 and pericentrin, another major PCM component, is interdependent for their accumulation at the spindle poles during mitosis. As a result, The CEP215-pericentrin interaction is required for centrosome maturation and subsequent bipolar spindle formation during mitosis. On the other hand, CEP215 interaction with γ-tubulin is dispensable for centrosome maturation. Our results provide an insight how PCM components are assembled to form a spindle pole during mitosis.
Mechanical Strain Regulates Osteogenic and Adipogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

This study examined the effects of mechanical strain on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of cultured MSCs by stimulating MSCs cultured in general and adipogenic differentiation media using a mechanical strain device. Markers of osteogenic (Runx2, Osx, and I-collagen) and adipogenic (PPARγ-2, C/EBPα, and lipid droplets) differentiation were examined using real-time PCR, western blot, immunocytochemical, or histochemical stain analyses. Levels of Runx2 and Osx gradually increased in MSC groups in general medium subject to strain stimulation, as compared with in unstrained groups. After adding the stress signal, I-collagen protein levels of expression were obviously promoted in cells in comparison to the controls. The levels of PPARγ-2 and C/EBPα were decreased, and the emergence of lipid droplets was delayed in MSCs groups in adipogenic differentiation medium subject to strain stimulation, as compared with in unstrained groups. Mechanical strain can promote differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts and can impede differentiation into adipocytes. These results clarify the mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise on bone repair and reconstruction and provide a more adequate scientific basis for the use of exercise therapy in the treatment of obesity and metabolic osteoporosis.
Hierarchical Heterogeneous Knowledge- base Model

This paper presents a hierarchical heterogeneous knowledge-base model. The model is designed to support manipulation with human knowledge about real or abstract concepts from the real world that are uncertain, ambiguous, vague and fuzzy. It has two levels: a lower associative and a higher semantic. It enables processing of novel concepts in the inheritance and the recognition inference processes at the semantic level. Novel concepts at the semantic level are substituted with “similar” concepts that are retrieved from the associative level. By using this approach it is possible to resolve novel concept’s “meaning”. The approach of this work was inspired by biological, neurological and psychological models obtained by analyzing how animal and human brains abstract, process and store knowledge from the interaction with the
An Empirical Investigation of the Role of Formulaic Sequences in Upgrading EAP Students’ Academic Writing Skills

Since the early 1990s, the body of literature on second language (L2) composition instruction has been profoundly influenced by corpus linguistics research, which empirically demonstrated the recurrence of formulaic sequences—defined as highly frequent register-, genre-, and/or discipline-bound multiword strings (Hyland, 2008a; Simpson-Vlach & Ellis, 2010)—in academic writing. These findings led several researchers to advocate the importance of integrating formulaic sequences into L2 writing pedagogy and the effectiveness of focused instruction, salient input, and repeated exposure in promoting their acquisition and improving L2 learners' writing proficiency (e.g. Cowie, 1992; Lewis, 1997; Willis, 2003; Wood, 2009, 2015). The growing theoretical accounts of the importance of integrating formulaic sequences into L2 composition instruction has been associated with very few research studies on formulaic sequences and L2 learners' academic writing skills, most of which focused on one pedagogical approach and yielded inconsistent results. Accordingly, there is, as yet, no ample evidence to support the effectiveness of formulaic sequences in improving L2 learners' academic writing skills; nor is their sufficient evidence to demonstrate the pedagogical efficacy of the above-mentioned approaches. To address these gaps, this quasi-experimental research study investigated the extent to which focused instruction and salient input can help English for Academic Purposes (EAP) students acquire and manipulate formulaic sequences to produce better quality graphical summaries and essays. The study was conducted in an EAP program, different pedagogical interventions were delivered, and 382 timed written texts were collected at three time points from 67 upper-intermediate and advanced students. The textual data were manually quantified, statistically analyzed, and blindly evaluated. The study results were generally in agreement with the literature on the effectiveness of focused instruction and salient input but at odds with the literature on the positive effects of formulaic sequences on L2 academic achievement. The results also highlighted the higher learning gains that a focused instructional approach resulted in than a saliency approach and revealed the effects of the writing task and proficiency level on the participants' utilization of formulaic sequences. These results formed the basis for suggesting implications for EAP contexts and highlighting yet-to-explore areas for future research.
Value Cognition of New Technology-Based Firms

In understanding the value cognition process and divergence between Chinese venture capitalists ("VC") and techno-entrepreneurs ("TE"), we classify the numerous value cognitive criteria into two types, Resource and Performance, and construct a new dependent variable "Importance of resource over performance ("IROP)" to explore the value cognition gap between Chinese VCs and TEs. Based on a survey data of 33 TEs and 27 VCs collected in China in 2007, we show that the perceived relative importance of Resource over Performance decreases along the NTBF's development stage, with both VCs and TEs allocating higher weight on Performance over Resource indicators as the NTBF grows. Furthermore, we find the gap in the perceived IROP between VCs and TEs is significant in the middle and late stages; however such difference is not significant in early stages. Our findings have implications on both the techno-entrepreneurship literature and the venture capital financing practices.
Injectable Stem Cell‐Laden Photocrosslinkable Microspheres Fabricated Using Microfluidics for Rapid Generation of Osteogenic Tissue Constructs

Direct injection is a minimally invasive method of stem cell transplantation for numerous injuries and diseases. However, despite its promising potential, its clinical translation is difficult due to the low cell retention and engraftment after injection. With high versatility, high‐resolution control and injectability, microfabrication of stem‐cell laden biomedical hydrogels holds great potential as minimally invasive technology. Herein, a strategy of microfluidics‐assisted technology entrapping bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and growth factors in photocrosslinkable gelatin (GelMA) microspheres to ultimately generate injectable osteogenic tissue constructs is presented. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the GelMA microspheres can sustain stem cell viability, support cell spreading inside the microspheres and migration from the interior to the surface as well as enhance cell proliferation. This finding shows that encapsulated cells have the potential to directly and actively participate in the regeneration process. Furthermore, it is found that BMSCs encapsulated in GelMA microspheres show enhanced osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo, associated with a significant increase in mineralization. In short, the proposed strategy can be utilized to facilitate bone regeneration with minimum invasiveness, and can potentially be applied along with other matrices for extended applications.
‘Better as a Buddhist’: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Reflections on the Religious Beliefs of Buddhist Men Serving a Prison Sentence for a Sexual Offence

This paper presents a qualitative analysis of the accounts offered by individuals (n = 7) convicted of a sexual offense who describe themselves as Buddhists. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews within a custodial environment and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). This paper presents the two superordinate themes that emerged from the data: (i) Better as a Buddhist and (ii) Ebb and Flow. Reflections and analysis from the Buddhist prison chaplain are integrated within the analysis of prisoner-participant data. Implications of the analysis are discussed with reference to interventions that use Buddhist principles, factors that underpin factors that help reduce reoffending and those that fit with the formation of a desistance narrative for religious individuals who have committed sexual offenses
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN ENGLISH LEARNING MOTIVATION AND ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ACHIEVEMENT OF ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM STUDENTS

This study is aimed at identifying English learning motivation and English proficiency achievement. Then, the researcher would like to see the correlation between the students’ motivation and their English proficiency achievement. The research was designed as quantitative correlation. Here, a total of 77 students were asked to complete the motivation questionnaire and set in a TOEFL test. The result of this research revealed that the English learning motivation of the students was in ‘high’ category. This can be seen from the grand total of mean 3.59 which indicated high intrinsic motivation as the dominant motivation. While, the scores of English proficiency achievement indicates that the students had ‘medium’ level of English Proficiency, the range score of medium level is 400-499. Another result showed that there was a significant correlation between English learning motivation and English proficiency achievement. It can be proven by rcount (0.346) > rtable (0.224), 5% level of significance; there was a correlation between students with intrinsic motivation and their English proficiency achievement, rcount (0.348) > rtable (0.233); while there was no correlation between students with extrinsic motivation and their English proficiency achievement, rcount (0.307) < rtable (0.811). It means that the correlation between English learning motivation and English proficiency achievement was in ‘weak’ level.
High-Throughput Isolation of Giant Viruses in Liquid Medium Using Automated Flow Cytometry and Fluorescence Staining

The isolation of giant viruses using amoeba co-culture is tedious and fastidious. Recently, the procedure was successfully associated with a method that detects amoebal lysis on agar plates. However, the procedure remains time-consuming and is limited to protozoa growing on agar. We present here advances for the isolation of giant viruses. A high-throughput automated method based on flow cytometry and fluorescent staining was used to detect the presence of giant viruses in liquid medium. Development was carried out with the Acanthamoeba polyphaga strain widely used in past and current co-culture experiments. The proof of concept was validated with virus suspensions: artificially contaminated samples but also environmental samples from which viruses were previously isolated. After validating the technique, and fortuitously isolating a new Mimivirus, we automated the technique on 96-well plates and tested it on clinical and environmental samples using other protozoa. This allowed us to detect more than 10 strains of previously known species of giant viruses and seven new strains of a new virus lineage. This automated high-throughput method demonstrated significant time saving, and higher sensitivity than older techniques. It thus creates the means to isolate giant viruses at high speed.
Evaluation of 3-(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazole as a Novel Anti-Inflammatory Drug Candidate

Background 3-(3-chloro-phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazole (DIC) is a five-membered heterocyclic compound containing a N-O bond. The anti-inflammatory effects of this compound were studied both in vitro and in vivo. Principal Findings DIC effectively decreased TNF-α and IL-6 release from LPS-stimulated macrophages in a dose dependent manner. DIC diminished the levels of COX-2 with subsequent inhibition of PGE2 production. DIC also compromised HMGB1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Moreover, DIC prevented the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and inhibited the MAPK pathway. In vivo, DIC inhibited migration of neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity of mice. Conclusions This study presents the potential utilization of a synthetic compound, as a lead for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs.
Cultural Efficacy Predicts Increased Self Esteem for Maori: The Mediating Effect of Rumination

Previous research suggests that for Māori (the Indigenous peoples of New Zealand), Cultural Efficacy is associated with increased life satisfaction and may act as a buffer against stressful events and factors that can cause psychological distress. Here, we test a mediation model derived from this general culture-as-cure kaupapa (theme) using data from Māori who participated in the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (N = 676). Our model indicates that Cultural Efficacy, or one’s confidence to competently engage in te ao Māori (the Māori world), was significantly linked with Self-Esteem and that this positive association was partially mediated by the negative association between Cultural Efficacy and rumination. Our model suggests that this protective or buffering effect occurs—at least in part—because Māori with a higher Cultural Efficacy tend to experience lower levels of rumination, and a lower level rumination is, in turn, linked with increased Self-Esteem. These findings support a general culture-as-cure kaupapa for Māori, and add to the emerging literature linking Cultural Efficacy and active identity engagement with positive psychological and health outcomes for Māori.
Clinical Cancer esearch cer Therapy : Preclinical rleukin-27 Acts as Multifunctional Antitumor R nt in Multiple Myeloma

Download pose: Multiple myeloma (MM) derives from plasmablast/plasma cells that accumulate in the bone w. Different microenvironmental factors may promote metastatic dissemination especially to the on, causing bone destruction. The balance between osteoclast and osteoblast activity represents a l issue in bone remodeling. Thus, we investigated whether interluekin-27 (IL-27) may function as titumor agent by acting directly on MM cells and/or on osteoclasts/osteoblasts. erimental Design: The IL-27 direct antitumor activity on MM cells was investigated in terms of genesis, proliferation, apoptosis, and chemotaxis. The IL-27 activity on osteoclast/osteoblast differion and function was also tested. In vivo studies were done using severe combined immunodefinonobese diabetic mice injected with MM cell lines. Tumors from IL-27– and PBS-treated mice nalyzed by immunohistochemistry and PCR array. ults: We showed that IL-27 (a) strongly inhibited tumor growth of primary MM cells and MM cell hrough inhibition of angiogenesis, (b) inhibited osteoclast differentiation and activity and induced last proliferation, and (c) damped in vivo tumorigenicity of human MM cell lines through inhibif angiogenesis. clusions: These findings show that IL-27 may represent a novel therapeutic agent capable of Con inhibiting directly MM cell growth as well as osteoclast differentiation and activity. Clin Cancer Res;
Combined experimental- and FE-studies on sinter-Ag behaviour and effects on IGBT-module reliability

For high temperature interconnection sintered silver can be used, however, it induces new demands on the thermo-mechanical design. That issue requires knowledge on the thermo-mechanical reliability of silver sintered devices, the subject of this paper. Material characteristics of the sinter layers are needed for simulation, which are addressed in the first part of the paper. Based on material properties of pure silver, for sintered silver with different porosities effective material characteristics have been derived by use of a micromechanical cell model. Shear loadings with in-situ deformation analyses have also been made to investigate sintered silver behavior. A complicated dependence on processing, temperature, and deformation rate is seen. Based on different effective constitutive models for the sintered interconnects, stress loadings are studied for a power module, an IGBT on DCB substrate, for passive and active thermal cycling. For the passive cycle complex interactions of the different layers of the stack are observed, which are not seen in a module with soft solder bonding. This result can be attributed to the missing decoupling by the soft soldering layer. Failure risks are evaluated by both conventional FEA and cohesive zone modeling. A quite different stress situation is depicted for active power cycling. The situation is even more complex and it is obvious from the simulations, that active power cycling can induce failure modes different from passive cycling.