Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Homer2 Protein Regulates Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase-mediated Ca2+ Signaling in Mouse Parotid Gland Acinar Cells*

Background: Homer proteins bind multiple Ca2+-signaling proteins to shape the Ca2+ signal by poorly understood mechanisms. Results: Homer2 regulates PMCA expression and activity in parotid acinar cells. Conclusion: Homer2 acts as a regulator of PMCA-mediated Ca2+ clearance. Significance: Inhibition of Ca2+ clearance by Homer2 further clarifies its role in Ca2+ signaling. Homer proteins are scaffold molecules with a domain structure consisting of an N-terminal Ena/VASP homology 1 protein-binding domain and a C-terminal leucine zipper/coiled-coil domain. The Ena/VASP homology 1 domain recognizes proline-rich motifs and binds multiple Ca2+-signaling proteins, including G protein-coupled receptors, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors, ryanodine receptors, and transient receptor potential channels. However, their role in Ca2+ signaling in nonexcitable cells is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of Homer2 on Ca2+ signaling in parotid gland acinar cells using Homer2-deficient (Homer2−/−) mice. Homer2 is localized at the apical pole in acinar cells. Deletion of Homer2 did not affect inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor localization or channel activity and did not affect the expression and activity of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase pumps. In contrast, Homer2 deletion markedly increased expression of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) pumps, in particular PMCA4, at the apical pole. Accordingly, Homer2 deficiency increased Ca2+ extrusion by acinar cells. These findings were supported by co-immunoprecipitation of Homer2 and PMCA in wild-type parotid cells and transfected human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. We identified a Homer-binding PPXXF-like motif in the N terminus of PMCA that is required for interaction with Homer2. Mutation of the PPXXF-like motif did not affect the interaction of PMCA with Homer1 but inhibited its interaction with Homer2 and increased Ca2+ clearance by PMCA. These findings reveal an important regulation of PMCA by Homer2 that has a central role on PMCA-mediated Ca2+ signaling in parotid acinar cells.
The Individual Investor and the Weekend Effect

Abstract It is well known that stock returns, on average, are negative on Mondays. Yet, it is less well known that this finding is substantially the consequence of returns in prior trading sessions. When Friday's return is negative, Monday's return is negative nearly 80 percent of the time with a mean return of −0.61 percent. When Friday's return is positive, the subsequent Monday's mean return is positive, 0.11 percent. This relationship is stronger than for any other pair of trading days and is most acute in small- and medium-size companies. The trading behavior of individual investors appears to be at least one factor contributing to this pattern. Individual investors are more active sellers of stock on Mondays, particularly following bad news in the market.
Role for TLR2 in NK Cell-Mediated Control of Murine Cytomegalovirus In Vivo

ABSTRACT Natural killer (NK) cells are essential for the early control of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Here, we demonstrate that toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) plays a role in the NK cell-mediated control of MCMV. TLR2 knockout (KO) mice had elevated levels of MCMV in the spleen and liver on day 4 postinfection compared to C57BL/6 mice. In vivo depletion of NK cells with anti-NK1.1 antibodies, however, eliminated the differences in viral titers between the two groups, suggesting that the effect of TLR2 on MCMV clearance on day 4 was NK cell mediated. The defect in early antiviral control was associated with a decreased NK cell population in the spleen and liver and reduced amounts of interleukin-18 and α/β interferon secreted in the TLR2 KO mice. Our studies suggest that in addition to the reported involvement of TLR9 and TLR3, TLR2 is also involved in innate immune responses to MCMV infection.
Gata2, Fli1, and Scl form a recursively wired gene-regulatory circuit during early hematopoietic development

Conservation of the vertebrate body plan has been attributed to the evolutionary stability of gene-regulatory networks (GRNs). We describe a regulatory circuit made up of Gata2, Fli1, and Scl/Tal1 and their enhancers, Gata2-3, Fli1+12, and Scl+19, that operates during specification of hematopoiesis in the mouse embryo. We show that the Fli1+12 enhancer, like the Gata2-3 and Scl+19 enhancers, targets hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and relies on a combination of Ets, Gata, and E-Box motifs. We show that the Gata2-3 enhancer also uses a similar cluster of motifs and that Gata2, Fli1, and Scl are expressed in embryonic day-11.5 dorsal aorta where HSCs originate and in fetal liver where they multiply. The three HSC enhancers in these tissues and in ES cell-derived hemangioblast equivalents are bound by each of these transcription factors (TFs) and form a fully connected triad that constitutes a previously undescribed example of both this network motif in mammalian development and a GRN kernel operating during the specification of a mammalian stem cell.
The spinal cord in multiple sclerosis: relationship of high-spatial-resolution quantitative MR imaging findings to histopathologic results.

PURPOSE To correlate quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data (ie, relaxation times and magnetization transfer ratios [MTRs]) with histopathologic findings of demyelination and axonal disease in cervical spinal cord specimens from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Formaldehyde-fixed cervical spinal cord specimens from 11 patients with MS-three men and eight women (mean age at death, 66 years +/- 11.3 [standard deviation])-and two female control subjects without neurologic disease (83 and 41 years of age at death) were examined at 4.7 T. Relaxation time measurements and MTR mapping were performed. Analyses included the whole cord area and region-of-interest measurements. Histopathologic analyses included semiquantitative myelin and quantitative axonal analysis. RESULTS Compared with control specimens (P < .001, analysis of variance), specimens from patients with MS had smaller cord areas (mean area, 59.0 mm(2) +/- 12.5 vs 72.7 mm(2) +/- 10.0), significant prolongation of T1 (mean prolongation, 30%) and T2 (mean prolongation, 13%), and decreased MTRs (mean, 10.5%). Within MS specimens, 58% of the white matter area displayed signal intensity abnormalities on intermediate-weighted MR images. The number of axons in normal-appearing white matter in MS specimens was, on average, 46% lower than the number of axons in white matter in control specimens. All quantitative MR parameters correlated well with demyelination; the correlation with T2 relaxation time was the strongest (r = 0.77, Spearman and Kendall nonparametric correlations). By contrast, quantitative MR parameters correlated less well with axonal density; the correlation with T2 relaxation time was the strongest (r = -0.44, Spearman and Kendall nonparametric correlations). Multilevel analysis, corrected for age and MS phenotype, could not result in a model explaining axonal density on the basis of quantitative MR parameters when myelin density was included as a predictor. CONCLUSION Changes in quantitative MR imaging parameters in the cervical spinal cord in MS are mainly determined by demyelination and do not reflect axonal disease well.
Enhancing teaching and learning through distributed leadership : a case study in higher education

This thesis aims to identify how the Distributed Leadership approach may be evident in Higher Education and specifically how it may enhance the teaching and learning function in a specific Higher Education setting, for which the primary activity is teaching and learning. Whilst being atypical of many Higher Education Institutions, the case study institution is arguably facing the same challenges in terms of the need to enhance teaching and learning as other institutions in the sector. Uniquely the research aims to identify parallels of teacher leadership theory drawn from the schools sector with that of activity in a Higher Education sector setting. The research draws upon theoretical and empirical literature of the Distributed approach to provide a conceptual framework for the case study. An interpretivist stance is used to collect predominantly qualitative data through a mixed methods approach, which was used to engage with staff in both formal leadership and academic positions. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted and data from these interviews, together with fifty two questionnaire responses and documentary analysis were used to elicit both qualitative and quantitative data. Findings indicate that formal leadership assumes that there is a fostered environment that facilities the Distributed approach and that specific activity allows for elements of distribution. However, there is a perceptions gap of how the overall vision, mission and teaching and learning strategy is communicated. This needs to be strengthened in order to provide an ‘Effective Leadership Framework’ in which leadership of teaching and learning may be enhanced. Many aspects of leadership activity among academics drew parallels with teacher leadership theory. Many staff undertook activities that it can be argued are leadership functions such as networking, developing subject expertise and initiating projects that arguably enhance the student experience. However, this was ‘pulsating’ in nature and not sustained activity. The research also identified that opportunities for leadership should to be extended to more academic staff, the majority of whom had considered applying for leadership roles. In order to facilitate leadership activity, the professional learning community needs to be considerably strengthened to allow for efficient networking, especially around pedagogic development. A model of an ‘Effective Leadership Framework’ is developed to illustrate the role that Distributed Leadership may take in enhancing teaching and learning.
Chronic administration of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist resets the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and improves the affect of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: Preliminary results

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM type 2) is associated with depressive symptomatology and intermittent hyperfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. DM type 2 is also accompanied by increased tissue levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), which stimulates the HPA axis through the Ang II type 1 receptors (AT1). We investigated the effect of candesartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that crosses the blood brain barrier, on the activity of the HPA axis and on the affect of 17 patients with DM type 2, aged 40–65 years, who were treated with 4 mg/day candesartan per os for at least 3 months. Before and after candesartan administration, a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test and psychological tests were performed. In response to hCRH, time-integrated secretion of ACTH was not altered by candesartan administration, however, the cortisol response was decreased significantly compared to baseline (mean ± SEM, 2327 ± 148.3 vs. 1943 ± 131.9 μg/dl, P = 0.005) suggesting reduced sensitivity of the adrenals to ACTH. In parallel, there was a significant improvement in interpersonal sensitivity (0.91 ± 0.16 vs. 0.70 ± 0.15, P = 0.027) and depression scores (0.96 ± 0.15 vs. 0.71 ± 0.10, P = 0.026). We suggest that candesartan resets the HPA axis of patients with DM type 2 and improves their affect.
Developing a service quality questionnaire for the hotel industry in Mauritius

The evaluation of customer satisfaction is a primary goal for any service firm that would like to survive in this increasingly competitive market. Keeping tourists satisfied and delighted is even more important for the Mauritian tourism industry given that the destination faces fierce competition abroad. Developing a measure of hotel service quality is an important precursor to attracting and retaining tourists and hence ensuring the survival of hotels. SERVQUAL has been proposed as a generic measure of service quality that may be applicable to hotel services. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether SERVQUAL dimensions are pertinent to the hotel industry. Results from this study verify SERVQUAL dimensions, but demonstrate additional dimensions that are specific to the hotel sector.
Is Crime in Turkey Economically Rational?

The study investigates whether crime in Turkey is governed by economic rationality. An economic model of rational behaviour claims that the propensity to commit criminal activities is negatively related to risk of deterrence. Potential presence of higher risk profiles for certain population segments is investigated. Panel data aggregated to sub-regional levels and observed annually for the years 2008 to 2010 are applied. Controls for endogeneity among criminal activity level and risk of deterrence, intra-regional correlation, inter-temporal heterogeneity and spatial spillover are exerted. A positive effect of risk of deterrence on criminal activity is found which conflicts with the hypothesised economic rationality. Certain population segments are identified as obvious target groups for regional policy initiatives aiming to reduce criminal activities. These are in particular unemployed and males. On the other hand, educational attainment, poverty and youngsters are less obvious target groups, while the relationship between population density and crime is ambiguous. Finally, spatial spillover patters related to criminal activities seem to be highly relevant, thus implying that while initiatives toward criminal activities may well be formed at the regional level, coordination across regions might obviously be called for.
Enforcement of Accounting Standards in Europe: Capital-Market-Based Evidence for the Two-Tier Mechanism in Germany

On the background of regulatory initiatives that mandate the establishment of comparable enforcement systems in EU jurisdictions to ascertain consistent and faithful application of IFRS, this paper provides capital-market-based evidence on investor reactions for one specific institutional set-up: the two-tier enforcement system in Germany. In operation since 2005, the German enforcement mechanism consists of a private body, the DPR, which investigates compliance of published financial reports of firms listed on a regulated market segment and, upon error findings, involves the German securities regulator BaFin, which on a second level enforces disclosure of these findings to establish adverse disclosure (‘name and shame’). For a sample of error findings published in the period 2005–2009, we investigate short- and long-term market reactions to error announcements. Results for abnormal returns, abnormal trading volumes and abnormal bid‐ask spreads indicate that these announcements represent new, negative information and suggest that, despite an enforcement environment that is categorised as weak in the extant literature, the activities of the DPR/BaFin seem to penalise infringing firms and thus provide potential deterrence. Multivariate analyses yield weak evidence that the magnitude of the market value discount is positively associated with the severity of the errors, with the threat of subsequent litigation and with cases in which firms disagreed with the error findings of the DPR.
Changing trends in bacteriology of peritonsillar abscess

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the type of aerobic bacteria commonly isolated from peritonsillar abscesses. Study design: A retrospective study involving 60 patients presenting with peritonsillar abscess treated between 2003 and 2006. Setting: The patients were treated in a tertiary care, teaching hospital. The records of the patients were reviewed and analysed. Results: Gram-positive organisms were commonly isolated from the abscesses. However, an increasing trend towards Gram-negative bacterial isolates was noted. The antibiogram showed changing patterns of sensitivity, with a resistance to penicillin. Conclusion: There is an increasing incidence of Gram-negative aerobic bacteria causing peritonsillar abscess. Appropriate antibiotics for Gram-negative bacteria should be included in the regimen if such bacteria are isolated in culture and sensitivity studies. Significance: Empirical antibiotics with Gram-negative cover will be appropriate as adjunctive therapy.
Strategy is personality‐driven, strategy is crisis‐driven: insights from entrepreneurial firms

The objective of this study was to explore the main factors influencing the development of strategy in small firms. Among its contributions, the study found that strategy was personality‐driven and crisis‐driven. The study identified two main types of entrepreneurs: the pragmatist and the charismatic entrepreneur, and highlighted how the risk‐taking capacities of some entrepreneurs changed over time. The study suggests that the experience of crisis gave rise to a more rational, planned approach to the strategy‐making process.
Randomized single‐blind clinical trial of intradermal methylene blue on pain reduction after open diathermy haemorrhoidectomy

Open haemorrhoidectomy has been associated with considerable postoperative pain and discomfort. Perianal intradermal injection of methylene blue has been shown to ablate perianal nerve endings and may bring about temporary pain relief after haemorrhoidectomy. We hypothesized that the administration of intradermal methylene blue would reduce postoperative pain during the initial period after surgery.
An Examination of the Role of Time and its Impact on Price Revision

We consider a new class of time series models (introduced by Engle & Russell 1998) used in statistical applications in finance. These models treat the time between events (durations) as a stochastic process and the corresponding durations are modelled using a theory similar to that of autoregressive processes On a sample of six stocks listed on the ASX, we find evidence in support of the important role that both the deterministic and stochastic components of time play in both our quote revision and signed trade equations, and it is the stochastic indicator of time that has a greater influence than the time-of day periodicities.
Benefits and cost of antihypertensive treatment in incipient and overt diabetic nephropathy.

PREVALENCE The prevalence of abnormally elevated urinary albumin excretion rate (> 30 mg/24 h) is approximately 40% in insulin-dependent and in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Diabetes has become the leading cause of end-stage renal failure in Europe, USA and Japan. Approximately 90% of the direct and indirect costs of caring for diabetic patients are spent on the complications of diabetes. RISK FACTORS Identification of patients at high risk of developing diabetic nephropathy is possible by screening for microalbuminuria (30-300 mg/24 h). Additional risk factors/ markers for development of nephropathy are male sex, genetic predisposition, ethnic conditions, early onset of diabetes, poor metabolic control, hyperfiltration, elevated prorenin and smoking. Elevated urinary albumin excretion rate indicates a substantially increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risk in diabetic patients. PREVENTION OF NEPHROPATHY Randomized controlled trials in normotensive insulin-dependent and in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients with persistent microalbuminuria indicate that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors diminish urinary albumin excretion rate, and postpone and may even prevent progression to clinical overt nephropathy. These findings indicate that screening and intervention programs could probably save lives and lead to considerable economic savings. TREATMENT OF NEPHROPATHY Systemic blood pressure elevation to a hypertensive level is an early and frequent phenomenon in diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, nocturnal blood pressure elevation (non-dippers) occurs more frequently in patients with nephropathy. Systemic blood pressure elevation, hyperglycaemia, albuminuria and the D polymorphism in the ACE gene accelerate the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Studies of the impact of other potential progression promoters (i.e. smoking, hyperlipidaemia and protein intake) have yielded conflicting results. Effective blood pressure reduction using ACE inhibitors or drugs of other classes, or both, frequently in combination with diuretics reduces albuminuria, delays the progression of nephropathy, postpones renal failure and improves survival in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Antihypertensive treatment for diabetic nephropathy extends life and saves money.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPECIAL EDUCATION CONFIDENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SELECTED DEMOGRAPHICS FOR AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION STUDENT TEACHERS

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between special education confidence, knowledge, and selected demographics of agricultural education student teachers in the American Association of Agricultural Education southern region. A significant, low, positive association existed between total confidence and knowledge of providing a least restrictive environment. Statistically significant relationships occurred between student teachers’ confidence scores and selected demographics. If a student teacher felt prepared to teach special needs students in agricultural classrooms and laboratories and had spent time with a special needs person outside an academic setting, they were statistically more confident in teaching special needs students. A statistically significant relationship occurred between student teachers’ special education knowledge scores and selected demographics. Gender, age, and spending time with a special needs person outside an academic setting were associated with knowledge scores. As age and spending time with a special needs person increased, knowledge of disabilities and special education laws increased. Female student teachers had more knowledge about disabilities and special education laws than males. Additional research on the dynamic effects of time spent with special needs populations, in and outside academia, and feelings of preparedness for teaching special needs students is needed.
A Closed Form Solution to the Ramsey Model

This paper derives a closed form solution for the Ramsey model with CRRA utility and Cobb-Douglas technology, for the case where capital's share is equal to the reciprocal of the intertemporal elasticity of substitution. The solution sheds light on the dynamics of the model and provides an exact expression for the speed of convergence.
IFTSQP: An Inexact Optimization Model for Water Resources Management under Uncertainty

Abstract An interval-fuzzy two-stage quadratic programming (IFTSQP) method is developed for water resources management under uncertainty. The methodincorporates techniques of interval-parameter programming, two-stage stochastic programming, and fuzzy quadratic programming within a general optimization framework to tackle multiple uncertainties presented as intervals, fuzzy sets and probability distributions. In the model formulation, multiple control variables are adopted to handle independent uncertainties in the model's right-hand sides; fuzzy quadratic terms are used in the objective function to minimize the variation in satisfaction degrees among the constraints. Moreover, the method can support the analysis of policy scenarios that are associated with economic penalties when the promised targets are violated. The developed method is then applied to a case study of water resources management planning. The results indicate that reasonable solutions have been obtained. They can help provide bases for identifying desired water-allocation plans with a maximized system benefit and a minimized constraint-violation risk.