Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CTLA-4 is required for the induction of high dose oral tolerance.

Mucosal and systemic administrations of high dose antigens induce long-lasting peripheral T cell tolerance. We and others have shown that high dose peripheral T cell tolerance is mediated by anergy or deletion and is preceded by T cell activation. Co-stimulatory molecules B7-1 (CD80)/B7-2 (CD86) and their counter-receptors CD28/CTLA-4 play pivotal roles in T cell activation and immune regulation. In the present study, we examined the roles of the B7 co-stimulation pathway in the generation of high dose peripheral T cell tolerance. We found that blocking B7:CD28/CTLA-4 interaction at the time of tolerance induction partially prevented T cell tolerance, whereas selective blockade of B7:CTLA-4 interaction completely abrogated peripheral T cell tolerance induced by either oral or i.p. antigens. These results suggest that CTLA-4-mediated feedback regulation plays a crucial role in the induction of high dose peripheral T cell tolerance.
Search and test algorithms for triple product property triples

Abstract. In 2003 Cohn and Umans introduced a group-theoretic approach to fast matrix multiplication. This involves finding large subsets of a group satisfying the triple product property (TPP) as a means to bound the exponent of matrix multiplication. We present two new characterizations of the TPP, which are used for theoretical considerations and for TPP test algorithms. We describe the algorithms for all known TPP tests and present the runtime differences between their GAP implementations. We prove that the search for non-trivial-sized TPP triples of subgroups of a given group can be restricted to the set of its non-normal subgroups, and apply this, together with other preconditions, to describe brute-force search algorithms for largest-sized TPP triples of subgroups and subsets. In addition we present the results of the subset brute-force search for all groups of order up to 32 and selected results of the subgroup brute-force search for 2-groups, and . Our results for the groups and suggest tentative answers to certain questions posed by Cohn and Umans.
A Novel Two Mode-Acting Inhibitor of ABCG2-Mediated Multidrug Transport and Resistance in Cancer Chemotherapy

Background Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major problem in successful treatment of cancers. Human ABCG2, a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter superfamily, plays a key role in MDR and an important role in protecting cancer stem cells. Knockout of ABCG2 had no apparent adverse effect on the mice. Thus, ABCG2 is an ideal target for development of chemo-sensitizing agents for better treatment of drug resistant cancers and helping eradicate cancer stem cells. Methods/Preliminary Findings Using rational screening of representatives from a chemical compound library, we found a novel inhibitor of ABCG2, PZ-39 (N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[(6-{[4,6-di(4-morpholinyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino}-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)sulfanyl]acetamide), that has two modes of actions by inhibiting ABCG2 activity and by accelerating its lysosome-dependent degradation. PZ-39 has no effect on ABCB1 and ABCC1-mediated drug efflux, resistance, and their expression, indicating that it may be specific to ABCG2. Analyses of its analogue compounds showed that the pharmacophore of PZ-39 is benzothiazole linked to a triazine ring backbone. Conclusion/Significance Unlike any previously known ABCG2 transporter inhibitors, PZ-39 has a novel two-mode action by inhibiting ABCG2 activity, an acute effect, and by accelerating lysosome-dependent degradation, a chronic effect. PZ-39 is potentially a valuable probe for structure-function studies of ABCG2 and a lead compound for developing therapeutics targeting ABCG2-mediated MDR in combinational cancer chemotherapy.
Does Emotional Intelligence Depend on Gender? A Study on Undergraduate English Majors of Three Iranian Universities

The intelligence of success, emotional intelligence, is said to be different in males and females. The present study was attempted to determine whether students from different genders are different in emotional intelligence and its related components in Iran. The Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory was distributed among 455 undergraduate university students majoring in English. These English majors were selected through availability sampling from Allameh Tabatabaee University, Khatam University, and Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University in Tehran. They completed the inventory in 30 to 45 min and a MANOVA was run on the results of the questionnaire. Results showed that there was no significant difference between the genders on their total score measuring emotional intelligence, but the genders did tend to differ in emotional self-awareness, interpersonal relationship, self-regard, and empathy with females scoring higher than males. Self-regard, a component where males usually score higher, has yielded different results in this study which can open new avenues of research.
Analysts' Conflict of Interest and Biases in Earnings Forecasts

Analysts' earnings forecasts are influenced by their desire to win investment banking clients. We hypothesize that the equity bull market of the 1990s, along with the boom in investment banking business, exacerbated analysts' conflict of interest and their incentives to adjust strategically forecasts to avoid earnings disappointments. We document shifts in the distribution of earnings surprises, the market's response to surprises and forecast revisions, and in the predictability of non-negative surprises. Further confirmation is based on subsamples where conflicts of interest are more pronounced, including growth stocks and stocks with consecutive non-negative surprises; however shifts are less notable in international markets.
Essays in Behavioral Economics

Essays in this dissertation cover three topics in behavioral economics: social preferences, ambiguity aversion and self-control. The first essay, based on work with Aurelie Ouss, studies the behavior of individuals making decisions to punish norm violators. It addresses two types of questions. First, what parameters affect these punishment decisions? Second, what do outcomes look like when these decisions are aggregated? Experimental data show that individual punishment decisions appear to respond to individual cost and not necessarily social cost. Additionally, individuals appear not to take the probability that violators will be apprehended into account. Finally, punishment by others does not act as a perfect substitute for own punishment. These combined effects mean that aggregate levels of punishment rarely resemble those in line with commonly used benchmarks such as optimal deterrence. The second essay, based on work with Uma Karmarkar, studies how information affects valuation of ambiguous financial prospects. Experimental results show that across several domains individual valuations appear to react much more strongly to favorable information than unfavorable information. Additional studies indicate that this effect is driven by two mechanisms. The first is a bias towards the integration of favorable information. The second is an effect of ambiguity aversion, individuals appear to be averse to subjective ignorance and so unfavorable information has a positive component: it removes some of this uncertainty. The final essay looks at how dual-self (Fudenberg-Levine (2006)) decision makers can use commitment contracts to combat self-control problems and implement long-run optimal behavior. The main results show that both stick contracts, which levy a fine when an individual gives in to a temptation, and carrot contracts, which give rewards for resisting, can simulate binding commitments. However, carrots have several advantages over sticks. Sticks create a temptation to cancel the contract, carrots are less vulnerable to trembles and finally carrots allow for more flexibility.
Technology Affordances and Diffusion for Mobile Connectivity and Applications in Zimbabwe

The technology acceptance model (TAM) proposes that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness predict applications usage. Affordances are the interactions between users and tool, i.e. properties of the world that are compatible with and relevant for people’s interactions. Affordance offers a distinctive perspective on the use of ICT in education because of its focus on possibilities for action. The paper assesses the value-adding contribution of the concept of affordances, ascertains how its application provides new insights and enables innovation of mobile technology, and investigates how the notion of affordances can be used to assess the diffusion and explore possible applications of mobile technology into Zimbabwe. The main hypothesis being tested was: “Technology affordances are related to the diffusion of mobile technology in Zimbabwe”. Examples of mobile phone applications used include WhatsApp, games and Ecocash, and potential applications to mobile learning. The quantitative methodology was used as the research paradigm and a survey conducted on 15 selected Zimbabwean schools to evaluate the application of TAM to mobile technology and e-learning. Data on infodensity on 18 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa was analysed to assess the relative progress on mobile technology diffusion in Zimbabwe in comparison with other neighbouring countries for the period 2000 to 2012. The FRAME model for mobile learning is adopted as a framework for implementation to manage the process resulting from the convergence of mobile technologies, human learning capacities and social interaction. TAM was partially supported, and the results showed that perceived usefulness is more important in determining intention to use the technology than attitude toward using. However, the high cost of internet bandwidth is a major prohibitive factor to the diffusion of mobile technology and elearning in Zimbabwe. Keywords— ICTs, TAM, technology affordances, mobile learning, e-learning, connectivity, MOOCS.
Analysis of advertising in the multimedia environment of children and adolescents in Peru

ABSTRACT I examined advertising of healthy and unhealthy food and beverage products across television, Facebook, outdoors, and bodegas. I used content analysis to describe the types of advertised food products, the persuasive techniques of the advertisements of these products, and the portrayals of eating behaviors on food advertising. Findings revealed that food promotion was more prominent in point-of-purchase advertising and less on television. The three most common advertised products were sweets, sugary drinks, and fast-food restaurants, and the persuasive techniques most commonly associated with food and beverage advertisements were appeals to the flavor/taste/smell/texture, nutritional quality, competitive/unique, and newness of the product; only one emotional appeal stood out in one medium: family bonding was frequent on television. This study is one of the few that have collectively surveyed food advertising that children and adolescents are likely to find in their multimedia environment.
Rubber Hand Illusion Affects Joint Angle Perception

The Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) is a well-established experimental paradigm. It has been shown that the RHI can affect hand location estimates, arm and hand motion towards goals, the subjective visual appearance of the own hand, and the feeling of body ownership. Several studies also indicate that the peri-hand space is partially remapped around the rubber hand. Nonetheless, the question remains if and to what extent the RHI can affect the perception of other body parts. In this study we ask if the RHI can alter the perception of the elbow joint. Participants had to adjust an angular representation on a screen according to their proprioceptive perception of their own elbow joint angle. The results show that the RHI does indeed alter the elbow joint estimation, increasing the agreement with the position and orientation of the artificial hand. Thus, the results show that the brain does not only adjust the perception of the hand in body-relative space, but it also modifies the perception of other body parts. In conclusion, we propose that the brain continuously strives to maintain a consistent internal body image and that this image can be influenced by the available sensory information sources, which are mediated and mapped onto each other by means of a postural, kinematic body model.
Integrating antecedents of workplace deviance: utilizing AHP approach

Purpose This paper aims to propose an integrated conceptual framework depicting the antecedents of workplace deviance. This framework demonstrates three broad categories of antecedents of workplace deviance incorporating individual, interpersonal and organizational antecedents. The identified antecedents were later ranked in the order of their impact on workplace deviance. Design/methodology/approach PRISMA diagram was used to conduct the systematic literature review and identify the antecedents of workplace deviance. The identified antecedents were later ranked using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). For AHP, data were collected from 20 HR managers and academicians employed in various Indian organizations and institutes. Findings This study identified three categories of antecedents of workplace deviance, namely, organizational, interpersonal and individual antecedents. Results of AHP indicated that organizational antecedents have the most significant role in overcoming workplace deviance (18.92 per cent), which was followed by individual (1.47 per cent) and interpersonal level antecedents (1.28 per cent). Practical implications This study posits that organizations should avoid unfavorable exchange with its employees by providing suitable organizational and interpersonal practices and by conducting ethical programs and workshops to discourage deviant practices. Moreover, organizations should conduct integrity tests, personality assessment tests to avoid individuals with negative personality characteristics. Originality/value This study adds to the literature on workplace deviance by identifying and classifying all the proposed antecedents of literature in an integrated framework. Moreover, this study used techniques of PRISMA and AHP, which represents novelty in the literature of workplace deviance.
Constructive Journalism: An Introduction and Practical Guide for Applying Positive Psychology Techniques to News Production

We propose to expand the boundaries of the news process by introducing, defining and subsequently coining the interdisciplinary concept of constructive journalism as an emerging form of journalism that involves applying positive psychology techniques to news processes and production in an effort to create productive and engaging coverage, while holding true to journalism’s core functions. First, we review the critical issues in journalism that highlight the need for this approach. Next, we coin constructive journalism and situate the concept in the field. Finally, we outline techniques by which constructive journalism can be practiced, including the psychological frameworks supporting these applications. Overall, this essay suggests a needed direction for journalism by means of constructive reporting which aims to positively impact journalism’s diminished reputation and weary news audiences.
Saying No To Another Beer: Association Of Positive Age Stereotypes With Lower Prevalence Of Alcohol Use Disorder Among Baby Boomer Veterans

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a problem for older veterans. This study examines whether positive age stereotypes may be associated with lower prevalence of alcohol use disorder in this group. Prevalence estimates of demographic and military characteristics were analyzed by Alcohol Use Disorder status and age group. The cohort consisted of participants in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, that assesses AUD DSM5 symptoms was used to measure AUD prevalence, number of symptoms, an alcohol consumption subscore, and an alcohol consequences subscore. Positive age stereotypes were associated with lower levels of all four measures. Stratified analysis showed that to be true for the baby boomer age group, but not for the younger age group. Interaction analyses yielded a significant interaction between age group and age stereotypes for all outcomes. It was found that the older group had prevalence estimates of AUD that were as high as the younger cohort. Aging individuals require screening for AUD as younger individuals. Also, improving age stereotypes may be a preventative measure for late onset AUD.
Physician recommendation for invasive prenatal testing: the case of the 'precious baby'.

STUDY QUESTION Do clinicians manage pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) differently from spontaneous pregnancies? SUMMARY ANSWER Clinicians' decisions about prenatal testing during pregnancy depend, at least partially, on the method of conception. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Research thus far has shown that patients' decisions regarding prenatal screening are different in ART pregnancies compared with spontaneous ones, such that ART pregnancies may be considered more valuable or 'precious' than pregnancies conceived without treatment. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION In this cross-sectional study, preformed during the year 2011, 163 obstetricians and gynecologists in Israel completed an anonymous online questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, METHODS Clinicians were randomly assigned to read one of two versions of a vignette describing the case of a pregnant woman. The two versions differed only with regard to the method of conception (ART; n = 78 versus spontaneous; n = 85). Clinicians were asked to provide their recommendations regarding amniocentesis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The response rate among all clinicians invited to complete the questionnaire was 16.7%. Of the 85 clinicians presented with the spontaneous pregnancy scenario, 37 (43.5%) recommended amniocentesis. In contrast, of the 78 clinicians presented with the ART pregnancy scenario, only 15 (19.2%) recommended the test. Clinicians were 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-6.6) times more likely to recommend amniocentesis for a spontaneous pregnancy than for an ART pregnancy. LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION The study is limited by a low response rate, the relatively small sample and the hypothetical nature of the decision, as clinician recommendations may have differed in an actual clinical setting. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings show that fertility history and use of ART may affect clinicians' recommendations regarding amniocentesis following receipt of screening test results. This raises the question of how subjective factors influence clinicians' decisions regarding other aspects of pregnancy management. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST There was no funding source to this study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
An algorithm for k-degree anonymity on large networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of anonymization on large networks. There are some anonymization methods for networks, but most of them can not be applied on large networks because of their complexity. We present an algorithm for k-degree anonymity on large networks. Given a network G, we construct a k-degree anonymous network, G̃, by the minimum number of edge modifications. We devise a simple and efficient algorithm for solving this problem on large networks. Our algorithm uses univariate micro-aggregation to anonymize the degree sequence, and then it modifies the graph structure to meet the k-degree anonymous sequence. We apply our algorithm to a different large real datasets and demonstrate their efficiency and practical utility.
A Social Feedback Loop for Speech Development and Its Reduction in Autism

We analyzed the microstructure of child-adult interaction during naturalistic, daylong, automatically labeled audio recordings (13,836 hr total) of children (8- to 48-month-olds) with and without autism. We found that an adult was more likely to respond when the child’s vocalization was speech related rather than not speech related. In turn, a child’s vocalization was more likely to be speech related if the child’s previous speech-related vocalization had received an immediate adult response rather than no response. Taken together, these results are consistent with the idea that there is a social feedback loop between child and caregiver that promotes speech development. Although this feedback loop applies in both typical development and autism, children with autism produced proportionally fewer speech-related vocalizations, and the responses they received were less contingent on whether their vocalizations were speech related. We argue that such differences will diminish the strength of the social feedback loop and have cascading effects on speech development over time. Differences related to socioeconomic status are also reported.
Dexamethasone Ameliorates H2S-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Alleviating Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 Expression

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the fatal outcomes after exposure to high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) especially MMP-2 and MMP-9 are believed to be involved in the development of ALI by degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM) of blood-air barrier. However, the roles of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in H2S-induced ALI and the mechanisms of dexamethasone (DXM) in treating ALI in clinical practice are still largely unknown. The present work was aimed to investigate the roles of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in H2S-induced ALI and the protective effects of DXM. In our study, SD rats were exposed to H2S to establish the ALI model and in parallel, A549 cells were incubated with NaHS (a H2S donor) to establish cell model. The lung HE staining, immunohistochemisty, electron microscope assay and wet/dry ratio were used to identify the ALI induced by H2S, then the MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in both rats and A549 cells were detected. Our results revealed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 were obviously increased in both mRNA and protein level after H2S exposure, and they could be inhibited by MMP inhibitor doxycycline (DOX) in rat model. Moreover, DXM significantly ameliorated the symptoms of H2S-induced ALI including alveolar edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells and the protein leakage in BAFL via up-regulating glucocorticoid receptor(GR) to mediate the suppression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Furthermore, the protective effects of DXM in vivo and vitro study could be partially blocked by co-treated with GR antagonist mifepristone (MIF). Our results, taken together, demonstrated that MMP-2 and MMP-9 were involved in the development of H2S-induced ALI and DXM exerted protective effects by alleviating the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Therefore, MMP-2 and MMP-9 might represent novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of H2S and other hazard gases induced ALI.
The chromosome translocation (11;14)(p13;q11) associated with T cell acute leukemia. Asymmetric diversification of the translocational junctions

The t(11;14)(p13;q13) translocation associated with T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia generates two abnormal chromosomes, designated 11p+ and 14q-. To investigate the mechanism of t(11;14)(p13;q11) formation, we analyzed the translocation junctions of 11p+ and 14q- from two patients. The 11p+ junctions consisted of precise fusions of a pseudo recombination signal from chromosome 11 and the downstream recombination signal of the TCR D delta 2 gene segment from chromosome 14. In contrast, the 14q- junctions from both patients were diversified by random loss and addition of nucleotides at the translocation site. This asymmetric pattern of junctional diversification is typical of normal Ig/TCR gene rearrangement, and therefore implies that the t(11;14)(p13;q11) translocation arose due to aberrant activity of the Ig/TCR recombinase.