Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Interferon-Induced Helicase (IFIH1) Gene Polymorphism Associates With Different Rates of Progression From Autoimmunity to Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Genome-wide association studies have identified gene regions associated with the development of type 1 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine whether these associations are with the development of autoimmunity and/or progression to diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Children (n = 1,650) of parents with type 1 diabetes were prospectively followed from birth (median follow-up 10.20 years) for the development of islet autoantibodies, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, tissue transglutaminase antibodies, and diabetes. Genotyping for single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the PTPN22, ERBB3, PTPN2, KIAA0350, CD25, and IFIH1 genes was performed using the MassARRAY system with iPLEX chemistry. RESULTS Islet autoantibodies developed in 137 children and diabetes developed in 47 children. Type 1 diabetes risk was associated with the IFIH1 rs2111485 single-nucleotide polymorphism (hazard ratio 2.08; 95% CI 1.16–3.74; P = 0.014). None of the other genes were significantly associated with diabetes development in this cohort. IFIH1 genotypes did not associate with the development of islet autoantibodies (P = 0.80) or autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (P = 0.55) and tissue transglutaminase (P = 0.66). Islet autoantibody–positive children with the IFIH1 rs2111485 GG genotype had a faster progression to diabetes (31% within 5 years) than children with the type 1 diabetes protective GA or AA genotypes (11% within 5 years; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that IFIH1 genotypes influence progression from autoimmunity to diabetes development, consistent with the notion that protective genotypes downregulate responses to environmental insults after initiation of autoimmunity.
Categories and Organizational Status: The Role of Industry Status in the Response to Organizational Deviance1

Extant research in organizational and economic sociology posits that organizations derive status from their prior demonstrations of quality, as well as their affiliations with high-status alters. Yet there are also indications that organizations may acquire status by virtue of their membership in salient social categories that are themselves status valued. In this article, the author explicitly theorizes and measure the concept of categorical status among organizations and test whether it influences the evaluation of organizational actions. More concretely, she develops a measure of industry status and test whether it affects the market reaction to U.S. firms announcing earnings restatements between 2000 and 2009. Results of the empirical analyses indicate that investors react less negatively to earnings restatements announced by firms from higher-status industries, supporting the argument that category status acts as a lens that shapes the extent to which an organization’s actions are viewed favorably.
Pioneer orientation and new product performance of the firm: Internal contingency factors

Abstract In this study we analyze the contingent effects of the firm's internal factors in the influence of pioneer orientation on new product performance. The results obtained show that in dynamic and hostile industries, pioneer orientation has a positive influence on the performance of new products. We have found that technological capabilities, cross-functional integration and internal commitment allow pioneer firms to improve their new product performance. However, strong market intelligence can induce pioneer firms to direct their new products to a secure but limited market, and worsen outcomes. We reinforce first mover advantage (FMA) literature highlighting the promotional role of several internal factors in pioneer advantage. We note the complementary character of the resource based view (RBV), marketing and the organization theory to the explanation of the performance of those firms developing a pioneer orientation.
Electoral Institutions and Democratic Consolidation in the Mexican States

The organization of fair election requires impartial and independent electoral management bodies. We exploit the longitudinal variation in political competitiveness in Mexico’s local and state elections from 1990 to 2004 to analyze its effect on the formation and development of independent electoral management bodies. We posit a simple model where increased political competition in local elections leads to more independent electoral management bodies through various mechanisms at different stages of a democratization process —noting that competition in local, state assembly or gubernatorial elections do not produce the same incentives for electoral reform among all political parties. We develop an original index of the independence of electoral institutions for the Mexican states during the 1990 to 2004 period, and analyze a number of measures of political competition to assess the hypotheses derived from our model. Our results indicate that increased competitiveness in governor and legislative races leads to more independent electoral institutions, whereas competition in municipal races does not. Increased competition from some political parties elicits larger increases in independence than others. We also find that, as the number of effective political parties increase, the pressure for further electoral reform eventually settles down.
Design, modeling and control of omni-directional aerial robot

We propose a novel multi-rotor flying platform, ODAR (omni-directional aerial robot), which is fully-actuated (i.e., can assume arbitrary motion in SE(3) or generate arbitrary control wrench in se(3)) by six opportunistically distributed rotors, each driven by reversible ESC (electronic speed controller) for bi-directional thrust generation. Due to this omni-directional wrench generation, the ODAR system can realize such powerful behaviors impossible with conventional multi-rotor flying platforms as: 360° photo/video shooting while holding its position for VR scene generation; or resisting sideway gust while keeping its attitude and exerting downward pushing force larger than its own weight for aerial manipulation applications. This paper presents optimal mechanical design, modeling and control, hardware and software implementation, and experimental verification of the ability of the ODAR system to attain those behaviors impossible with the conventional drones as stated above.
The growth and decline of the population of catholic nuns cross-nationally, 1960-1990 : A case of secularization as social structural change

Le nombre des religieuses catholiques est en train de decliner aux Etats-Unis ainsi que dans les nations occidentales depuis 25 ans. L'A. cherche a expliquer les causes de ce declin. L'A. evoque ainsi les formes particulieres de secularisation propres aux pays industrialises. De plus, la situation pour les femmes dans la societe est devenue assez confortable pour ne pas rechercher dans les Ordres catholiques une mobilite sociale. Utilisant des echantillons preleves sur 50 nations entre 1960 et 1990, l'A. confirme ces intuitions notamment dans le domaine de l'education et des metiers sociaux
From prison to home: Women's pathways in and out of crime

A great deal of research has been amassed on recidivism and desistance. However, most studies have been conducted on male offenders or have included only small samples of women and fewer have considered whether the reentry experience differs between black and white women. Thus, my goal in this dissertation is to bring women and race to the forefront by investigating the reentry and desistance process among Black and white females released from prison. Drawing from primary in-depth and survey interviews and an examination of official records, the current research examines the reentry experiences of a matched sample of women ex-offenders in the process of desistance with incarcerated female recidivists. Specifically, this study provides a nuanced analysis of the pathways women take into crime, the challenges they face post-release, the strategies females use to successfully or unsuccessfully reintegrate into the community, the reasons for recidivating, the motivators and methods used to desist from crime, as well as to capture the meanings of their experiences. This study highlights the importance of an intra-gender, theoretical understanding of reentry for women offenders and has direct implications for correctional policies and practices. Drawing from my study findings, I conclude by providing recommendations to help women reintegrate into society as responsible and productive citizens and to improve their reentry outcome by reducing the risk of recidivism.
AFMPB solver with automatic surface meshing for calculation of molecular solvation free energy

We present PAFMPB, an updated and parallel version of the AFMPB software package for fast calculation of molecular solvation-free energy. The new version has the following new features: (1) The adaptive fast multipole method and the boundary element methods are parallelized; (2) A tool is embedded for automatic molecular VDW/SAS surface mesh generation, leaving the requirement for a mesh file at input optional; (3) The package provides fast calculation of the total solvation-free energy, including the PB electrostatic and nonpolar interaction contributions. PAFMPB is implemented in C and Fortran programming languages, with the Cilk Plus extension to harness the computing power of both multicore and vector processing. Computational experiments demonstrate the successful application of PAFMPB to the calculation of the PB potential on a dengue virus systemwithmore than onemillion atoms and amesh with approximately 20 million triangles.
NeurotechniqueWhole-Cell Recordings in Freely Moving Rats

Intracellular recording, which allows direct measurement of the membrane potential and currents of individual neurons, requires a very mechanically stable preparation and has thus been limited to in vitro and head-immobilized in vivo experiments. This restriction constitutes a major obstacle for linking cellular and synaptic physiology with animal behavior. To overcome this limitation we have developed a method for performing whole-cell recordings in freely moving rats. We constructed a miniature head-mountable recording device, with mechanical stabilization achieved by anchoring the recording pipette rigidly in place after the whole-cell configuration is established. We obtain long-duration recordings (mean of w20 min, maximum 60 min) in freely moving animals that are remarkably insensitive to mechanical disturbances, then reconstruct the anatomy of the recorded cells. This head-anchored whole-cell recording technique will enable a wide range of new studies involving detailed measurement and manipulation of the physiological properties of identified cells during natural behaviors.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase: effects of mutations on viral ability to integrate, direct viral gene expression from unintegrated viral DNA templates, and sustain viral propagation in primary cells

Integrase is the only viral protein necessary for integration of retroviral DNA into chromosomal DNA of the host cell. Biochemical analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase with purified protein and synthetic DNA substrates has revealed extensive information regarding the mechanism of action of the enzyme, as well as identification of critical residues and functional domains. Since in vitro reactions are carried out in the absence of other viral proteins and they analyze strand transfer of only one end of the donor substrate, they do not define completely the process of integration as it occurs during the course of viral infection. In an effort to further understand the role of integrase during viral infection, we initially constructed a panel of 24 HIV-1 mutants with specific alanine substitutions throughout the integrase coding region and analyzed them in a human T-cell line infection. Of these mutant viruses, 12 were capable of sustained viral replication, 11 were replication defective, and 1 was temperature sensitive for viral growth. The replication defective viruses express and correctly process the integrase and Gag proteins. Using this panel of mutants and an additional set of 18 mutant viruses, we identified nine amino acids which, when replaced with alanine, destroy integrase activity. Although none of the replication-defective mutants are able to integrate into the host genome, a subset of them with alterations in the catalytic triad are capable of Tat-mediated transactivation of an indicator gene linked to the viral long terminal repeat promoter. We present evidence that integration of the HIV-1 provirus is essential not only for productive infection of T cells but also for virus passage in both cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes and macrophage cells.
E-game in Healthcare: As an E-intervention to Promote Public Health

Electronic Health (E-health) is referred to any communication technology, which could have impact on behavior change, physical activity, and dieting (1). One of the E-health tools is electronic intervention (E-intervention) that means treatment, prevention, management, and physical and mental health promotion with or without the support of human (2), which finally leads to promotion of healthy behaviors and reduction of health problems. The application of Eintervention in healthcare is divided into four areas (Fig. 1).
Genetic Diversity of a Late Prehispanic Group of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Northwestern Argentina

This palaeogenetic study focused on the analysis of a late prehispanic Argentinean group from the Humahuaca valley, with the main aim of reconstructing its (micro)evolutionary history. The Humahuaca valley, a natural passageway from the eastern plains to the highlands, was the living environment of Andean societies whose cultural but especially biological diversity is still poorly understood. We analyzed the DNA extracted from 39 individuals who populated this upper valley during the Regional Development period (RDP) (between the 11th and 15th centuries CE), to determine their maternal and paternal genetic ancestry. Some mitochondrial and Y‐chromosomal haplotypes specific to the Andean region are consistent with an origin in the highlands of Central Andes. On the other hand, a significant genetic affinity with contemporary admixed communities of the Chaco area was detected. Expectedly, recent demographic events, such as the expansion of the Inca Empire or the European colonization, have changed the original mitochondrial gene pool of the ancient Humahuaca Valley community. Finally, we identified a particular geographical organization of the prehispanic populations of Northwestern Argentina. Our results suggest that the communities of the region were divided between two different spheres of interaction, which is consistent with assumptions made by means of craniometric traits.
Alterations in PACAP-38-like immunoreactivity in the plasma during ictal and interictal periods of migraine patients

Background Recent studies on migraineurs and our own animal experiments have revealed that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP-38) has an important role in activation of the trigeminovascular system. The aim of this study was to determine the PACAP-38-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the plasma of healthy subjects, and parallel with the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-LI in migraine patients in the ictal and interictal periods. Methods A total of 87 migraineurs and 40 healthy control volunteers were enrolled in the examination. Blood samples were collected from the cubital veins in both periods in 21 patients, and in either the ictal or the interictal period in the remaining 66 patients, and were analysed by radioimmunoassay. Results A significantly lower PACAP-38-LI was measured in the interictal plasma of the migraineurs as compared with the healthy control group (p < 0.011). In contrast, elevated peptide levels were detected in the ictal period relative to the attack-free period in the 21 migraineurs (pPACAP-38 < 0.001; pCGRP < 0.035) and PACAP-38-LI in the overall population of migraineurs (p < 0.009). A negative correlation was observed between the interictal PACAP-38-LI and the disease duration. Conclusion This is the first study that has provided evidence of a clear association between migraine phases (ictal and interictal) and plasma PACAP-38-LI alterations.
Electrode contact impedance sensitivity to variations in geometry

Electrode contact impedance is a crucial factor in physiological measurements and can be an accuracy-limiting factor when performing electroencephalography and electrical impedance tomography. In this work, standard flat electrodes and micromachined multipoint spiked electrodes are characterized with a finite-element method electromagnetic solver and the dependence of the contact impedance on geometrical factors is explored. It is found that flat electrodes are sensitive to changes in the outer skin layer properties related to hydration and thickness, while spike electrodes are not. The impedance as a function of the effective contact area, number of spikes and penetration depth has also been studied and characterized.
HIV Communication Programs, Condom Use at Sexual Debut, and HIV Infections Averted in South Africa, 2005

Background:Since the 1990s, communication programs in South Africa have promoted HIV prevention, especially condom use. Although HIV prevalence stabilized after 2000, surveys have not clarified how prevention behavior contributed to that change. We present a secondary statistical analysis of the 2005 national South African Human Sciences Research Council survey that reveals how condom use at sexual debut—which normally occurs before infection from unprotected sex—may have contributed to the reduction in HIV infection. Methods:Threats from measured and unobserved confounding variables are addressed through the use of several complementary statistical methods including structural equation modeling with multivariate probit regression and propensity score matching. The latter is used to create statistically comparable groups of those who used and did not use condoms at sexual debut to estimate the number of HIV infections averted attributed to this behavior. Results:After controlling for 17 socioeconomic variables, awareness of HIV communication programs had a positive, dose–response relationship with self-reported condom use at sexual debut. Those who used condoms at sexual debut were 1.38 times more likely to have remained uninfected. HIV-negative status was 3.6 percentage points higher among those who used condoms at sexual debut, corresponding to an estimated 139,835 infections averted among sexually active adults by 2005. Never using injectable drugs and having 1 trusted partner also predicted HIV-negative status. Conclusions:We found a relationship between HIV communication awareness and condom use at sexual debut. Condom use at sexual debut, in turn, was associated with lower subsequent HIV risk.
A differential rotation driven dynamo in a stably stratified star

We present numerical simulations of a self-sustaining magnetic field in a differentially rotating non-convective stellar interior. A weak initial field is wound up by the differential rotation; the resulting azimuthal field becomes unstable and produces a new meridional field component, which is then wound up anew, thus completing the “dynamo loop”. This effect is observed both with and without a stable stratification. A self-sustained field is actually obtained more easily in the presence of a stable stratification. The results confirm the analytical expectations of the role of Tayler instability.
“The Military Taught Me How to Study, How to Work Hard”: Helping Student-Veterans Transition by Building on Their Strengths

ABSTRACT Community colleges are experiencing growing numbers of student veterans. Unfortunately, much training for faculty and staff tends to stem from a deficit mindset: the focus is on remediating what student veterans lack rather than building on their unique strengths. Training programs, courses, and college interventions that acknowledge and build on the strengths student veterans bring from the military to the academy will likely be more effective than those that focus solely on lack. This article identifies three key strengths characteristic to student veterans, connects them to current research on student success, and recommends ways colleges can build upon these strengths to support student-veterans’ transition to college.
Social Foundations of Postindustrial Economies

The Golden Age of postwar capitalism has been eclipsed, and with it seemingly also the possibility of harmonizing equality and welfare with efficiency and jobs. Most analyses believe the the emerging postindustrial society is overdetermined by massive, convergent forces, such as tertiarization, new technologies, or globalization, all conspiring to make welfare states unsustainable in the future. Social Foundations of Postindustrial Economies takes a second, more sociological and more institutional, look at the driving forces of economic transformation. What, as a result, stands out is postindustrial diversity, not convergence. Macroscopic, global trends are undoubtedly powerful, yet their influence is easily rivalled by domestic institutional traditions, by the kind of welfare regime that, some generations ago, was put in place. It is, however, especially the family economy that hold the key as to what kind of postindustrial model will emerge, and to how evolving tradeoffs will be managed. Twentieth-century economic analysis depended on a set of sociological assumptions that, now, are invalid. Hence, to better grasp what drives today's economy, we must begin with its social foundations.
Endothelial Neuropilin Disruption in Mice Causes DiGeorge Syndrome-Like Malformations via Mechanisms Distinct to Those Caused by Loss of Tbx1

The spectrum of human congenital malformations known as DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) is replicated in mice by mutation of Tbx1. Vegfa has been proposed as a modifier of DGS, based in part on the occurrence of comparable phenotypes in Tbx1 and Vegfa mutant mice. Many additional genes have been shown to cause DGS-like phenotypes in mice when mutated; these generally intersect in some manner with Tbx1, and therefore impact the same developmental processes in which Tbx1 itself is involved. In this study, using Tie2Cre, we show that endothelial-specific mutation of the gene encoding the VEGFA coreceptor neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) also replicates the most prominent terminal phenotypes that typify DGS. However, the developmental etiologies of these defects are fundamentally different from those caused by absence of TBX1. In Tie2Cre/Nrp1 mutants, initial pharyngeal organization is normal but subsequent pharyngeal organ growth is impaired, second heart field differentiation is normal but cardiac outflow tract cushion organization is distorted, neural crest cell migration is normal, and palatal mesenchyme proliferation is impaired with no change in apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that impairment of VEGF-dependent endothelial pathways leads to a spectrum of DiGeorge syndrome-type malformations, through processes that are distinguishable from those controlled by Tbx1.