Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of sulfur partitioning between primary and secondary metabolism in Arabidopsis

Sulfur is an essential nutrient for all organisms. Plants are able to take up inorganic sulfate and assimilate it into a range of bio-organic molecules either after reduction to sulfide or activation to 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate. While the regulation of the reductive part of sulfate assimilation and the synthesis of cysteine has been studied extensively in the past three decades, much less attention has been paid to the control of synthesis of sulfated compounds. Only recently the genes and enzymes activating sulfate and transferring it onto suitable acceptors have been investigated in detail with emphasis on understanding the diversity of the sulfotransferase gene family and the control of partitioning of sulfur between the two branches of sulfate assimilation. Here, the recent progress in our understanding of these processes will be summarized.
Effects of a diabetes-specific enteral nutrition on nutritional and immune status of diabetic, obese, and endotoxemic rats: Interest of a graded arginine supply

Objective: Obese and type 2 diabetic patients present metabolic disturbance–related alterations in nonspecific immunity, to which the decrease in their plasma arginine contributes. Although diabetes-specific formulas have been developed, they have never been tested in the context of an acute infectious situation as can be seen in intensive care unit patients. Our aim was to investigate the effects of a diabetes-specific diet enriched or not with arginine in a model of infectious stress in a diabetes and obesity situation. As a large intake of arginine may be deleterious, this amino acid was given in graded fashion. Design: Randomized, controlled experimental study. Setting: University research laboratory. Subjects: Zucker diabetic fatty rats. Interventions: Gastrostomized Zucker diabetic fatty rats were submitted to intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide administration and fed for 7 days with either a diabetes-specific enteral nutrition without (G group, n = 7) or with graded arginine supply (1–5 g/kg/day) (GA group, n = 7) or a standard enteral nutrition (HP group, n = 10). Measurements and Main Results: Survival rate was better in G and GA groups than in the HP group. On day 7, plasma insulin to glucose ratio tended to be lower in the same G and GA groups. Macrophage tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (G: 5.0 ± 1.1 ng/2 × 106 cells·hr−1; GA: 3.7 ± 0.8 ng/2 × 106 cells·hr−1; and HP: 1.7 ± 0.6 ng/2 × 106 cells·hr−1; p < .05 G vs. HP) and nitric oxide (G: 4.5 ± 1.1 ng/2 × 106 cells·hr−1; GA: 5.1 ± 1.0 ng/2 × 106 cells·hr−1; and HP: 1.0 ± 0.5 nmol/2 × 106 cells·hr−1; p < .05 G and GA vs. HP) productions were higher in the G and GA groups compared to the HP group. Macrophages from the G and GA groups exhibited increased arginine consumption. Conclusions: In diabetic obese and endotoxemic rats, a diabetes-specific formula leads to a lower mortality, a decreased insulin resistance, and an improvement in peritoneal macrophage function. Arginine supplementation has no additional effect. These data support the use of such disease-specific diets in critically ill diabetic and obese patients.
Intrinsic-Extrinsic Religious Orientation: The Boon or Bane of Contemporary Psychology of Religion?

Although the Intrinsic-Extrinsic (I-E) framework has provided the dominant conceptual and measurement paradigm for the psychology of religion over the last two decades, research in this tradition suffers from a number of serious limitations. This paper details a variety of theoretical and methodological criticisms of contemporary I-E research, many of which have been noted by previous researchers but have yet to be adequately addressed. Theoreticalproblems include lack of conceptual clarity in the definitions of I and E; confusion regarding what I and E are supposed to measure (namely, intrinsic-extrinsic what? ); the value-laden "good-religion-versus-bad-religion" distinction underlying the framework; the problems inherent in defining and studying religiousness independently of belief content; and the thorny issue of how I and E are conceptually interrelated (namely, Allport's original bipolar continuum versus the modern two-factor theory). Criticisms of the measurement of I and E concern the factorial structure, reliability, and construct validity of the I and E scales, as well as the empirical relationship between the scales. Although the I-E paradigm has clearly been successful in terms of generating research data, it is our view that much of this work is theoretically impoverished and has really taught us very little about the psychology of religion. Only a few years after the Allport-Ross I-E scales appeared on the scene, several researchers argued that it was time to move beyond a simplistic I-E framework to more theoretically and psychometrically sophisticated approaches. Nearly 20 years later, we believe this admonition bears repeating.
Role of genetics in resistance to type 1 diabetes

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the mitochondrial gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (mt‐ND2) has been associated with reduced incidence of human type 1 diabetes (T1D). We identified the orthologue of this mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphism in mouse and using NOD mouse models linked this genetic polymorphism to T1D resistance. The mechanism how this single nucleotide polymorphism affects the development of diabetes is studied using mouse models and beta cell lines.
Ballot Paper Design: Evidence from an Experimental Study at the 2009 Local Elections

Abstract The overriding principle of ballot design is that it should not confer any a priori advantage to one candidate over another. Ballot format should not determine or condition an election outcome. Yet, there is a sizeable body of evidence which demonstrates that in many circumstances the design of ballot papers and voting machines contravenes the normative assumption of electoral neutrality. In this article, we look at the impact of ballot paper design at local elections in the Republic of Ireland (hereafter Ireland). The article uses data from an experimental election study conducted at the local elections in Ireland in 2009. Overall the study finds some evidence of a primacy effect and it also demonstrates that candidates located in the middle of the ballot face a challenge as they receive the lowest vote shares of all candidates across the four replica ballots. This mid-table obscurity remains even when party affiliation is known. Thus, it can be argued that candidates placed in such positions incur a disadvantage. To neutralise this effect, the article concludes with a recommendation that a system of random ordering of ballot positions across ballot papers should be implemented so as to ensure that each candidate appears at each ballot position on an equal number of times.
Individually-administered intelligence tests : an application of anchor test norming and equating procedures in British Columbia

The purpose of the p r e s e n t s t u d y was t o s i m u l a t e t he Anchor T e s t Study f o r r e a d i n g achievement t e s t s u s i n g f i v e i n d i v i d u a l l y a d m i n i s t e r e d i n t e l l i gence t e s t s : The W e c h s l e r I n t e l l i g e n c e S c a l e f o r C h i l d r e n — R e v i s e d (WISC-R), the Peabody P i c t u r e V o c a b u l a r y T e s t (PPVT), the S l o s s o n I n t e l l i g e n c e T e s t ( S I T ) , t he S t a n d a r d P r o g r e s s i v e M a t r i c e s (SPM), and the M i l l H i l l V o c a b u l a r y S c a l e (MHVS). Three major o b j e c t i v e s were adopted from t h e Anchor T e s t Study: t o p r e p a r e t a b l e s o f e q u i v a l e n t s c o r e v a l u e s f o r the c o n v e r s i o n of s c o r e s from one t e s t t o a n o t h e r ; t o compare l i n e a r and e q u i p e r c e n t i l e e q u a t i n g p r o c e d u r e s i n the d e r i v a t i o n of e q u i v a l e n t s c o r e s ; and t o de v e l o p p r o v i n c i a l l y r e p r e s e n t a t i v e norms f o r the f i v e t e s t s . The r a t i o n a l e f o r the p r e s e n t s t u d y was based on the f a c t t h a t i n t e l l i gence t e s t s a r e commonly used i n t e r c h a n g e a b l y on the apparent a s s u m p t i o n t h a t an e q u i v a l e n c y r e l a t i o n s h i p e x i s t s among common purpose t e s t s . The p r i m a r y f o c u s of t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y was an e m p i r i c a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n of the v i a b i l i t y of t h i s use. I n a d d i t i o n , A merican and B r i t i s h n o r m r e f e r e n c e d i n t e l l i g e n c e t e s t s are i n t e r p r e t e d i n B r i t i s h Columbia as i f the p o p u l a t i o n of c h i l d r e n t o whom the y a r e a p p l i e d i s i d e n t i c a l t o the p o p u l a t i o n of c h i l d r en f o r whom each of the t e s t s was p r e p a r e d . An a n c i l l a r y f o c u s was the d e t e r m i n a t i o n of the r e l e v a n c e of e x i s t i n g norms f o r use i n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . A l l f i v e t e s t s were a d m i n i s t e r e d t o a s t r a t i f i e d random sample o f 340 c h i l d r e n at t h r e e age l e v e l s : 115 aged 1\ y e a r s , 117 aged 9^ y e a r s , and 108 aged \\\ y e a r s . The p o p u l a t i o n from w h i c h the sample was drawn
Normative Data of Grip and Pinch Strengths in Healthy Adults of Iranian Population

Abstract Background Measuring and comparing grip and pinch strengths with their normative data is a valid method to detect intensity of the numerous damages of hand. This research was carried out with the aim of establishing normative data of grip strength and three types of pinch strengths (Tip, Key and Palmar) in healthy Iranian adults. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the study population was formed of 1008 people (526 men and 482 women) from healthy Fars race adults of over 20 years old in five cities of Iran. American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) recommendations were followed to establish normative data of grip and pinch strengths. Normative data of grip and pinch strengths were developed based on sex, 12 different age groups and dominant and non-dominant hands. Jamar dynamometer and Seahan pinch gauge were used to measure grip and pinch strengths, respectively. Results Normative data of grip and pinch strengths were provided. Grip and pinch strengths of men were significantly stronger than women. The maximum grip strength of men was obtained in the group of 20-24 years and among women it was in the age group 35-39 years. Regardless of gender, grip and pinch strengths were declined with aging. Conclusion Normative data of grip and pinch strengths were developed for Iranian population.
A qualitative study of an international social work course in Germany: Using the EPAS core competencies and practice behaviors as the coding scheme

This article discusses the methodology and findings of a qualitative study on the impact of an international social work course in Germany on four American undergraduate social work students. These students participated in a 2-week study abroad experience at a host university located near Berlin in what was formerly East Germany. The authors examined how the 10 core Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) competencies and their associated professional behaviors of the Council on Social Work Education Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards were exhibited in the students’ journals. This was done by having two independent coders review the journals and code the professional behaviors exhibited. Summative data were tabulated on the basis of frequencies of each respective professional behavior included in the study. Results were reported and implications discussed.
Input-output relationships in on-line bibliographic searching

A methodology is proposed to aid in system design and evaluation of on‐line bibliographic search systems. It uses multiple linear regression analysis to ascertain if there is a relationship between measures of search out‐put (such as cost‐effectiveness and cost) and input (such as the characteristics of the search‐number of descriptors used, number of Boolean operators, charateristics of the requestor, and characteristics of the searcher). Four measures of cost‐effectiveness and cost alone are pre‐sented and their values are calculated using empirical data from the DIALOG system for a sample of searches. From the sample data it is concluded that the cost‐effectiveness measures are not sensitive to input‐variable changes. In contrast, there is a good statistical relation between the cost of an on‐line search and the value of the input variables.
Bourdieu: The Next Generation: The Development of Bourdieu's Intellectual Heritage in Contemporary UK Sociology

This book will give unique insight into how a new generation of Bourdieusian researchers apply Bourdieu to contemporary issues. It will provide a discussion of the working mechanisms of thinking through and/or with Bourdieu when analysing data. In each chapter, individual authors discuss and reflect upon their own research and the ways in which they put Bourdieu to work. The aim of this book is not to just to provide examples of the development of Bourdieusian research, but for each author to reflect on the ways in which they came across Bourdieu’s work, why it speaks to them (including a reflexive consideration of their own background), and the way in which it is thus useful in their thinking. Many of the authors were introduced to Bourdieu’s works after his death. The research problems which the individual authors tackle are contextualised in a different time and space to the one Bourdieu occupied when he was developing his conceptual framework. This book will demonstrate how his concepts can be applied as "thinking tools" to understand contemporary social reality. Throughout Bourdieu’s career, he argued that sociologists need to create an epistemological break, to abandon our common sense – or as much as we can – and to formulate findings from our results. In essence, we are putting Bourdieu to work to provide a structural constructivist approach to social reality anchored through empirical reflexivity.
4 Psoriasis and Malassezia Yeasts

Currently, the genus Malassezia includes 14 species, which have been identified traditionally based on their morphology and biochemical features (Cafarchia et al., 2011). Since the description of new species a number of studies have evolved to elucidate the role of the different species in the ecology and pathogenicity in a range of dermatoses, in which variable results have been reported from different geographical regions.
Ochratoxin A: In Utero Exposure in Mice Induces Adducts in Testicular DNA

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxin and carcinogen that is associated with Balkan endemic nephropathy and urinary tract tumors. OTA crosses the placenta and causes adducts in the liver and kidney DNA of newborns. Because the testis and kidney develop from the same embryonic tissue, we reasoned that OTA also may cause adducts transplacentally in the testis. We tested the hypothesis that acute exposure to OTA, via food and via exposure in utero, causes adducts in testicular DNA and that these lesions are identical to those that can be produced in the kidney and testis by the consumption of OTA. Adult mice received a single dose of OTA (from 0–1,056 µg/kg) by gavage. Pregnant mice received a single i.p. injection of OTA (2.5 mg/kg) at gestation day 17. DNA adducts were determined by 32P-postlabeling. Gavage-fed animals sacrificed after 48 hours accumulated OTA in kidney and testis and showed DNA adducts in kidney and testis. Some OTA metabolites isolated from the tissues were similar in both organs (kidney and testis). The litters of mice exposed prenatally to OTA showed no signs of overt toxicity. However, newborn and 1-month old males had DNA adducts in kidney and testis that were chromatographically similar to DNA adducts observed in the kidney and testis of gavage-fed adults. One adduct was identified previously as C8-dG-OTA adduct by LC MS/MS. No adducts were observed in males from dams not exposed to OTA. Our findings that in utero exposure to OTA causes adducts in the testicular DNA of male offspring support a possible role for OTA in testicular cancer.
Incidence and prognosis of transient neurological attacks.

CONTEXT Transient neurological attacks (TNAs) are attacks with temporary (<24 hours) neurological symptoms. These symptoms can be focal, nonfocal, or a mixture of both. The prognostic significance of TNAs with focal symptoms (better known as transient ischemic attacks [TIAs]) is well understood. Conversely, hardly anything is known about the prognostic significance of TNAs with nonfocal or mixed symptoms. OBJECTIVE To study the incidence and prognosis of focal TNAs (or TIAs), nonfocal TNAs, and mixed TNAs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The study population comprised 6062 community-dwelling Rotterdam Study participants who were aged 55 years or older and free from stroke, myocardial infarction, and dementia at baseline (1990-1993). They were followed up for events until January 1, 2005. We analyzed the associations between incident TNAs and subsequent adverse events with age- and sex-adjusted Cox regression models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Stroke, ischemic heart disease, or dementia. RESULTS During 60 535 person-years, 548 participants developed TNA (282 focal, 228 nonfocal, and 38 mixed). The incidence rate per 1000 person-years was 4.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1-5.2) for focal TNA, 3.8 (95% CI, 3.3-4.3) for nonfocal TNA, and 0.6 (95% CI, 0.4-0.9) for mixed TNA. Participants with focal TNA were at higher risk of subsequent stroke than participants without TNA (n = 46 vs 540; hazard ratio [HR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.57-2.91) but had an equal risk of ischemic heart disease and dementia. Nonfocal TNA patients were at higher risk of stroke (27 vs 540; HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.08-2.28) and dementia (30 vs 552; HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.11-2.26) than participants without TNA. Mixed TNA patients were at higher risk of stroke (6 vs 540; HR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.11-5.56), ischemic heart disease (8 vs 779; HR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.07-4.78), vascular death (8 vs 594; HR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.31-4.91), and dementia (7 vs 552; HR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.72-6.98) than participants without TNA. CONCLUSION Patients who experience nonfocal TNAs, and especially those with mixed TNAs, have a higher risk of major vascular diseases and dementia than persons without TNA.
Evidence of the Generation of Isosaccharinic Acids and Their Subsequent Degradation by Local Microbial Consortia within Hyper-Alkaline Contaminated Soils, with Relevance to Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

The contamination of surface environments with hydroxide rich wastes leads to the formation of high pH (>11.0) soil profiles. One such site is a legacy lime works at Harpur Hill, Derbyshire where soil profile indicated in-situ pH values up to pH 12. Soil and porewater profiles around the site indicated clear evidence of the presence of the α and β stereoisomers of isosaccharinic acid (ISA) resulting from the anoxic, alkaline degradation of cellulosic material. ISAs are of particular interest with regards to the disposal of cellulosic materials contained within the intermediate level waste (ILW) inventory of the United Kingdom, where they may influence radionuclide mobility via complexation events occurring within a geological disposal facility (GDF) concept. The mixing of uncontaminated soils with the alkaline leachate of the site resulted in ISA generation, where the rate of generation in-situ is likely to be dependent upon the prevailing temperature of the soil. Microbial consortia present in the uncontaminated soil were capable of surviving conditions imposed by the alkaline leachate and demonstrated the ability to utilise ISAs as a carbon source. Leachate-contaminated soil was sub-cultured in a cellulose degradation product driven microcosm operating at pH 11, the consortia present were capable of the degradation of ISAs and the generation of methane from the resultant H2/CO2 produced from fermentation processes. Following microbial community analysis, fermentation processes appear to be predominated by Clostridia from the genus Alkaliphilus sp, with methanogenesis being attributed to Methanobacterium and Methanomassiliicoccus sp. The study is the first to identify the generation of ISA within an anthropogenic environment and advocates the notion that microbial activity within an ILW-GDF is likely to influence the impact of ISAs upon radionuclide migration.
Effect of premedication and other factors on the occurrence of acute transfusion reactions in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of premedication on transfusion reactions (TRs) within 24 hours after blood product transfusions in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective study between 2008 and 2011. SETTING Private veterinary referral hospital. ANIMALS Nine hundred and thirty-five transfusion events in 558 dogs. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Medical records of dogs receiving blood product transfusions were reviewed. Information collected included signalment, weight, transfusion product type, reason for transfusion, first or subsequent transfusion, whether an acute reaction occurred, type of reaction, whether the reaction was treated, premedication prior to the transfusion and the premedication used, other medications the animal was given, whether the animal had an immune-mediated process, and whether the transfusion was administered in the perioperative period. A total of 144 (15%) acute TRs were documented in 136 dogs. The most common TRs were fever alone (77/144 [53%]) and vomiting alone (26/144 [18%]). Six dogs died due to the TR (4%). TR was not associated with age (P = 0.257), sex (P = 0.754), weight (P = 0.829), or premedication (P = 0.312). The type of blood product transfused (P < 0.001) was significantly associated with TRs, with packed RBCs most likely associated with a TR, and plasma least likely. Immune disease (P = 0.015) was significantly associated with occurrence of a TR. Significantly fewer reactions were documented following transfusions given in the perioperative period (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS While most TRs were mild, there were some serious reactions observed including hemolysis, dyspnea, and 6 deaths. Immune-mediated disease was associated with development of a TR, while transfusion during the perioperative period was associated with lower likelihood of reaction. Packed RBC transfusions were associated with development of acute TRs. Overall occurrence of TR was not significantly altered with premedication; however, when evaluated alone, antihistamines decreased the incidence of acute allergic reactions.