Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domain swapping reveals the modular nature of Fos, Jun, and CREB proteins

The products of the Jun and Fos proto-oncogenes form a heterodimer that binds to and activates transcription from 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-responsive promoter elements (TGACTCA) and AP-1-binding sites (TGACATCA). These two proteins belong to a family of related transcription factors which contain similar domains required for protein dimerization and DNA binding but display different protein and DNA binding specificities. The basic region, required for DNA binding, is followed by a leucine zipper structure, a domain that mediates protein-protein interactions. To assess the role of these two domains in three related proteins, Fos, Jun, and CREB, we carried out extensive domain-swapping analysis. We found that (i) dimers formed by two Jun leucine zipper-containing proteins were unable to bind DNA as efficiently as a Fos-Jun combination, regardless of the source of the basic region; (ii) the Fos leucine zipper was unable to form either homo- or heterodimers with a chimeric protein containing a Fos leucine zipper; (iii) the Fos basic region was capable of binding to an AP-1 site; (iv) replacement of the Jun amino terminus with that of CREB had little effect on dimerization, whereas replacement with the amino terminus of Fos disrupted both protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions; (v) changes in relative affinities of the Fos and Jun basic regions for the AP-1 element were dependent on the secondary contributions of amino-terminal residues; and (vi) the Fos-Jun chimeric constructs cooperated in transcriptional transactivation of the Jun promoter in NIH 3T3 cells.
Andrographolide inhibits hypoxia‐induced HIF‐1α‐driven endothelin 1 secretion by activating Nrf2/HO‐1 and promoting the expression of prolyl hydroxylases 2/3 in human endothelial cells

Andrographolide, the main bioactive component of the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata, has been shown to possess potent anti‐inflammatory activity. Endothelin 1 (ET‐1), a potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by vascular endothelial cells, displays proinflammatory property. Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α), the regulatory member of the transcription factor heterodimer HIF‐1α/β, is one of the most important molecules that responds to hypoxia. Changes in cellular HIF‐1α protein level are the result of altered gene transcription and protein stability, with the latter being dependent on prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs). In this study, inhibition of pro‐inflammatory ET‐1 expression and changes of HIF‐1α gene transcription and protein stability under hypoxia by andrographolide in EA.hy926 endothelial‐like cells were investigated. Hypoxic conditions were created using the hypoxia‐mimetic agent CoCl2. We found that hypoxia stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the expression of HIF‐1α mRNA and protein, and the expression and secretion of ET‐1. These effects, however, were attenuated by co‐exposure to andrographolide, bilirubin, and RuCO. Silencing Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) reversed the inhibitory effects of andrographolide on hypxoia‐induced HIF‐1α mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, andrographolide increased the expression of prolyl hydroxylases (PHD) 2/3, which hydroxylate HIF‐1α and promotes HIF‐1α proteasome degradation, with an increase in HIF‐1α hydroxylation was noted under hypoxia. Inhibition of p38 MAPK abrogated the hypoxia‐induced increases in HIF‐1α mRNA and protein expression as well as ET‐1 mRNA expression and secretion. Taken together, these results suggest that andrographolide suppresses hypoxia‐induced pro‐inflammatory ET‐1 expression by activating Nrf2/HO‐1, inhibiting p38 MAPK signaling, and promoting PHD2/3 expression. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 918–930, 2017.
Benefits of Therapy Dogs in Therapy and Diagnostics of Patients with Psychosocial and Health Difficulties

Gordana Buljan Flander1, Domagoj Štimac1, Renata Fridrih1, Ana Raguž1, Iva Kuculo1, Romana Galić2 1Poliklinika za zaštitu djece i mladih Grada Zagreba, Zagreb, Hrvatska, 2Gradski ured za socijalnu zaštitu i osobe s invaliditetom, Zagreb, Hrvatska 1Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, 2City of Zagreb Office of Social Protection and Persons with Disabilities, Zagreb, Croatia
Examining beliefs of preservice teachers about self-competency and lifelong learning competency via canonical correlation analysis

This study investigates canonical correlation between preservice teachers’ lifelong learning beliefs and self-competency beliefs. Canonical correlation analysis is a sophisticated tool which has the capacity to explain the relationships between two sets of variables (Tatlıdil, 1996). For this aim, lifelong learning and self-competency beliefs of 1242 preservice teachers in Turkey from four different departments, i.e. i. ) Turkish Education, ii) Social Sciences Education, iii) Primary Education and iv) Science Education were determined. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 22 program. The findings of the study demonstrated that there is a significant canonical correlation between self-competency beliefs and lifelong learning competency beliefs with an effect size of 44%. In conclusion, self-competency beliefs predict lifelong learning competency beliefs. All dimensions of self-competency beliefs are powerful predictors of lifelong learning competency beliefs. Keywords: Preservice teachers, self-comptence beliefs, lifelong learning competency beliefs, canonical correlation.
Theoretical uncertainties on αs from event-shape variables in e + e − annihilations

The precision of measurements of the strong coupling constant using eventshape variables in e+e− annihilations is limited by theoretical systematic uncertainties. The uncertainties are related to missing higher orders in the perturbative predictions for the event-shape distributions. A new method is presented for the assessment of theoretical uncertainties in αs. This method evaluates the systematic uncertainty of the parameter αs from the uncertainty of the prediction for the distributions from which it is extracted. The perturbative uncertainties are calculated on a purely theoretical basis, without accessing measured distributions. The method is therefore especially suited for an unbiased combination of results from different observables or experiments. It is universal and can be applied to other processes like jet production in deep-inelastic ep scattering or in hadron collisions.
Assessment of the Relative Predictive Capabilities of CPT-Based Liquefaction Evaluation Procedures : Lessons Learned from the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence

Data from the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence (CES) provides an unprecedented opportunity to assess and advance the current state of practice for evaluating liquefaction triggering. Towards this end, select case histories from the CES are used herein to assess the predictive capabilities of three alternative CPT-based simplified liquefaction evaluation procedures: Robertson and Wride (1998); Moss et al. (2006); and Idriss and Boulanger (2008). Additionally, the Liquefaction Potential Index (LPI) framework for predicting the severity of surficial liquefaction manifestations is also used to assess the predictive capabilities of the liquefaction evaluation procedures. Although it is not without limitations, use of the LPI framework for this purpose circumvents the need for selecting “critical” layers and their representative properties for study sites, which inherently involves subjectivity and thus has been a point of contention among researchers. It was found that while all the assessed liquefaction triggering evaluation procedures performed well for the parameter ranges of the sites analyzed, the procedure proposed by Idriss and Boulanger (2008) yielded predictions that are more consistent with field observations than the other procedures. However, use of the Idriss and Boulanger (2008) procedure in conjunction with a Christchurch-specific correlation to estimate fines content showed a decreased performance relative to using a generic fines content correlation. As a result, the fines correction for the Idriss and Boulanger (2008) procedure needs further study.
Necrotrophic mycoparasitism of Botrytis cinerea by cellulolytic and ligninocellulolytic Basidiomycetes.

Twenty-six isolates representing 17 species of aphyllophoraceous, wood-decaying Basidiomycetes and five species of agaricoid, turf-borne, thatch-decaying Basidiomycetes were screened for their abilities to degrade cellulose, lignin, and melanin by using colorimetric degradation assays on agar media. Selected ligninocellulolytic Basidiomycetes capable of degrading melanin were screened for antagonism of Botrytis cinerea Per. :Fr. The greatest inhibition of Botrytis colony and hyphal growth in vitro was observed in confrontations with Irpex lacteus (Fr.) Fr. , Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilat, and Chondrostereum purpureum (Pers.:Fr.) Pouzar. Hyphal interference and necrotrophic mycoparasitism by these ligninocellulolytic Basidiomycetes were recognized microscopically as coagulation and degeneration of Botrytis cytoplasm and as coiling and invasion of hyphae, conidiophores, and conidia, respectively. Sclerotia of B. cinerea were killed and parasitized in agar media, straw mulch, or moist sand infested separately with these three mycoparasites.
Measurement of DNA double-strand breaks in CHO cells at various stages of the cell cycle using pulsed field gel electrophoresis: calibration by means of 125I decay.

Experiments were performed to calibrate a recently developed pulsed field gel electrophoresis assay, the asymmetric field inversion gel electrophoresis (AFIGE), for the measurement of double-strand breaks (dsb) in the DNA of mammalian cells. Calibration was carried out by means of 125I decay accumulation under conditions preventing repair, and is based on the observation that each 125I decay in the DNA produces approximately one dsb. Iodine was incorporated into DNA in the form of 5'-iododeoxyuridine and decay accumulation was allowed in cells kept frozen at -80 degrees C. Since widely different DNA damage dose-response curves were obtained in cells exposed to X-rays in various phases of the cell cycle, calibration was performed using synchronized populations of cells that were allowed to accumulate DNA damage in G1, G1/S, mid-S, and G2 + M. For this purpose the fraction of activity (in DNA) released from the plug (FAR) was measured and correlated to the number of 125I decays accumulated during the elapsed period of time. Fluctuations in the FAR per 125I decay were observed throughout the cell cycle that were similar to those previously reported for the FAR per Gy of X-rays. Comparison of the FAR per 125I decay with the FAR per Gy gave an induction of 21 +/- 3, 31 +/- 3, 21 +/- 3 and 26 +/- 8 dsb per Gy per diploid DNA complement for G1, G1/S, S, and G2 + M cells, respectively. The results suggest that the observed fluctuations in the FAR per Gy throughout the cycle reflect cell-cycle-associated differences in the physicochemical properties of the DNA molecules that alter their electrophoretic mobility, rather than variations in the induction of dsb per Gy, i.e. the sensitivity of the assay fluctuates throughout the cycle. We propose that similar phenomena underlie the observed fluctuations throughout the cell cycle in the fraction of activity eluted per Gy in the non-unwinding filter elution assay. 125I decays accumulated at 4 degrees C in partly purified DNA from cells embedded in agarose plugs and lysed immediately, gave FAR identical to those obtained with cells kept frozen. This finding suggests that indirect effects do not significantly contribute to DNA damage induction by 125I decay, and indicate that calibration of electrophoresis techniques for dsb measurements can be carried out using this simplified protocol.
Family Structure and Intrahousehold Resource Allocation : Evidence from Mali Aissatou Ouedraogo

One of the features of the production system in many countries of West Africa is the coexistence of both collectively-managed and individually-managed ‘private’ plots within the same. Within these households, economic activities are influenced by socio-cultural norms, which impact agricultural input decisions. This paper uses a two-year panel data on Mali to investigate intrahousehold allocation of productive resources across collective plots and ‘private’ plots. A major contribution of this paper is the clear distinction it makes between collective plots and the head’s ‘private’ plots, which is vital in understanding whether the observed yield and input differentials across collective plots and ‘private’ plots are due to headship or to the attributes of the collective plots. We find that significantly higher yields are achieved on collective plots relative to ‘private’ plots and this yield differential persists after restricting the sample to heads that control the collective plots and their own private plots. The estimations of the intensity of labor use show that collective plots are more intensively farmed with male-labor and child labor whereas the opposite is observed for femalelabor. However, after isolating the gender effect by excluding female-controlled plots from the sample, we find that collective plots are more intensively farmed than male-controlled ‘private’ plots regardless of the labor source. We infer from these results the importance of taking the gender component into account when studying intrahousehold farm-labor allocation. Unlike previous similar studies that only focus on labor allocation, we also investigate chemical fertilizer application. We find that the probability of fertilizer application tends to be higher on ‘private’ plots while the intensity of its use is higher for collective plots. These contrasting findings highlight the importance to investigate not only the probability of the use of a given technology but also the intensity of its application, especially for inputs such as fertilizer that requires a certain amount in order to obtain a yield response.
Success Factors of Open Innovation - A Literature Review

This paper reviews the research on the open innovation process in order to identify critical success factors. The study consists of a systematic review of 29 referred empirical articles on the open innovation process. The studies reviewed highlight different success factors for the open innovation process. These factors are grouped into nine themes: 1) relational aspects, 2) the people involved in the process, 3) governance, 4) facilitators, 5) provision of resources, 6) strategy, 7) process management, 8) leadership and 9) culture. Based upon the findings, the study proposes a number of future research directions that may stimulate more intensive investigation of this field.
Effect of Leadership Style on Growth of Commercial Banks in Mombasa County

Abstract: The study sought to establish the effect of leadership style on the growth of commercial banks in Mombasa County. Theories and literature on the same were reviewed and a conceptual framework developed to guide the study. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey assuming a concurrent triangulation method. The study population consisted of the 43 commercial banks of which 39 commercial banks were sampled using the Yamen formulae. From each of the 39 banks purposively sampled five top managers and three other employees were used to collect primary data. Thus a total sample of 312 was used. Systematic sampling was used to sample four banks whose regional managers were used for interviewing. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaires, unstructured interviews and document analysis. Collected data was analyzed by use of SPSS software program version 23 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. Data was summarized using percentages, arithmetic mean and standard deviation. A multiple regression model was adopted to test the relationship between the variables. Pearson moments correlation coefficient was also calculated to give the strength of the relationship between the variables. The variables were tested at 95% level of significance where the value of P was 0.05. The study established that leadership style was a major determinant of growth of commercial banks. Good management skills, staff motivation/satisfaction and customer focus were found to be key in leadership styles portrayed by commercial banks. The government should also come up with policies and regulations to address ethical issues and internal controls in the banking sector to improve on poor governance issues
Lymphoid Chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 are Expressed in the Central Nervous System During Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: Implications for the Maintenance of Chronic Neuroinflammation

The simultaneous presence of dendritic, T‐ and B‐cells in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for multiple sclerosis, suggests that interactions among these cell types might be instrumental in the local induction and maintenance of autoimmune reactions. In this study, we explored the possibility that such aberrant leukocyte recruitment in the CNS could be sustained by “lymphoid” chemokines which orchestrate dendritic cell and lymphocyte homing to lymphoid organs. Transcripts for CCL19 and CCL21 and their common receptor CCR7 were induced in the CNS of mice undergoing relapsing‐remitting and chronic‐relapsing EAE. While CCL21 immunoreactivity was confined to the endothelium of some inflamed blood vessels, CCL19 was expressed by many infiltrating leukocytes and some astrocytes and microglia in the CNS parenchyma. CCR7+ cells accumulated in inflammatory lesions during EAE progression, when abundant infiltration of the CNS by mature dendritic cells, B‐cells and cells expressing naive T‐cell markers also occurred. These findings suggest that CCL19 and CCL21 produced in the EAE‐affected CNS may be critical for the homing of antigen presenting cells and lymphocytes, resulting in continuous local antigenic stimulation and maintenance of chronic neuroinflammation.
USE OF COMPUTERS IN THE TEACHING OF ESL WRITING : EFFECTIVENESS OF TEXT ANAL VSIS AND WORD PROCESSING MARKN

This paper offers an assessment of the utility and effectiveness of text analysis and word processing in ESL composition. It includes a review of previous findings and a discussion of an investigation conducted by the authors on computer-assisted composition tutorials involving four non-native university students. In the investigation, two of the students revised their compositions based on surfaceoriented feedback from a text analysis program reinforced by a tutor, and the other two revised according to an approach combining word processing and processoriented input from the same tutor. The students using the text analysis program and receiving exclusively surface-oriented feedback produced a higher proportion of short sentences, shorter drafts, and fewer meaningful revisions than the students receiving process-oriented feedback. The findings of this and other investigations are reviewed in a context which addresses the nature of ESL writing and of these two different computer-assisted media. Focusing on questions of purpose, suitability, potential outcomes, and term of results, the authors conclude that use of word processing seems justified as a medium for enhancing the creative revision process of ESL students, while use of text analysis with this same population of students is less obviously justified.
Openness, Convergence, and Economic Growth in Asian Economies

Openness offers countries opportunities to trade with the outside world, and stimulates growth through easier access to new technologies and skills. In order to verify the effects of openness on economic growth in Asian economies, this study uses the ratio of foreign direct investment to GDP, and the ratio of the sum of imports and exports to GDP as proxies of openness. This study begins with the hypothesis that opening domestic markets will have a significant positive impact on Asian economic growth, and the lower the starting level of real per capita GDP, relative to the long-term position, the faster the growth rate. The method applied to this study ·is ordinary least squares (OLS). The overall findings do indeed support that openness can stimulate economic growth and that there is conditional convergence in Asian economies between 1980 to 1995. However, the presence of multicollineary raises some doubt concerning the reliability of the estimated results. Nonetheless, the link between openness and growth that is apparent for the Asian economies seems to be a promising candidate for further investigation, such as, there may be a simultaneous problem between growth and ~nternational trade. So using simultaneous equations to estimate the relationship between growth and international trade may be a better approach.
Subnuclear organization and trafficking of regulatory proteins: Implications for biological control and cancer

The regulated and regulatory components that interrelate nuclear structure and function must be experimentally established. A formidable challenge is to define further the control of transcription factor targeting to acceptor sites associated with the nuclear matrix. It will be important to determine whether acceptor proteins are associated with a pre‐existing core‐filament structural lattice or whether a compositely organized scaffold of regulatory factors is dynamically assembled. An inclusive model for all steps in the targeting of proteins to subnuclear sites cannot yet be proposed. However, this model must account for the apparent diversity of intranuclear targeting signals. It is also important to assess the extent to which regulatory discrimination is mediated by subnuclear domain‐specific trafficking signals. Furthermore, the checkpoints that monitor subnuclear distribution of regulatory factors and the sorting steps that ensure both structural and functional fidelity of nuclear domains in which replication and expression of genes occur must be biochemically and mechanistically defined. There is emerging recognition that placement of regulatory components of gene expression must be temporally and spatially coordinated to facilitate biological control. The consequences of breaches in nuclear structure–function relationships are observed in an expanding series of diseases that include cancer [Weis et al., 1994 ; Rogaia et al., 1997 ; Yano et al., 1997 ; Rowley, 1998 ; Zeng et al., 1998 ; McNeil et al., 1999 ; Tao and Levine, 1999a ] and neurological disorders [Skinner et al., 1997 ]. As the repertoire of architecture‐associated regulatory factors and cofactors expands, workers in the field are becoming increasingly confident that nuclear organization contributes significantly to control of transcription. To gain increased appreciation for the complexities of subnuclear organization and gene regulation, we must continue to characterize mechanisms that direct regulatory proteins to specific transcription sites within the nucleus so that these proteins are in the right place at the right time. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 35:84–92, 2000. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.