Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time to wake up: No impact of COMT Val158Met gene variation on circadian preferences, arousal regulation and sleep

ABSTRACT Dopamine has been implicated in the regulation of sleep–wake states and the circadian rhythm. However, there is no consensus on the impact of two established dopaminergic gene variants: the catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met (COMT Val158Met; rs4680) and the dopamine D4 receptor Exon III variable-number-of-tandem-repeat polymorphism (DRD4 VNTR). Pursuing a multi-method approach, we examined their potential effects on circadian preferences, arousal regulation and sleep. Subjects underwent a 7-day actigraphy assessment (SenseWear Pro3), a 20-minute resting EEG (analyzed using VIGALL 2.0) and a body mass index (BMI) assessment. Further, they completed the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The sample comprised 4625 subjects (19–82 years) genotyped for COMT Val158Met, and 689 elderly subjects (64–82 years) genotyped for DRD4 VNTR. The number of subjects varied across phenotypes. Power calculations revealed a minimum required phenotypic variance explained by genotype ranging between 0.5% and 1.5% for COMT Val158Met and between 3.3% and 6.0% for DRD4 VNTR. Analyses did not reveal significant genotype effects on MEQ, ESS, PSQI, BMI, actigraphy and EEG variables. Additionally, we found no compelling evidence in sex- and age-stratified subsamples. Few associations surpassed the threshold of nominal significance (p < .05), providing some indication for a link between DRD4 VNTR and daytime sleepiness. Taken together, in light of the statistical power obtained in the present study, our data particularly suggest no impact of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism on circadian preferences, arousal regulation and sleep. The suggestive link between DRD4 VNTR and daytime sleepiness, on the other hand, might be worth investigation in a sample enriched with younger adults.
Interleukin‐12 Expression Enhances Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Oncolytic Therapy in Murine Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objectives: Replication‐competent, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has been demonstrated to be an effective oncolytic agent in a variety of malignant tumors. Cytokine gene transfer has also been used as immunomodulatory therapy for cancer. To test the use of combining these two approaches, an oncolytic VSV vector (rVSV‐IL12) was designed to express the murine interleukin 12 (IL12) gene. This cytokine‐carrying oncolytic virus was compared with an analogous noncytokine‐carrying fusogenic virus (rVSV‐F) in the treatment of murine SCC VII squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Non-small cell lung cancer: nodal staging with FDG PET versus CT with correlative lymph node mapping and sampling.

PURPOSE To prospectively compare the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) with that of computed tomography (CT) in the nodal staging of non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS PET and contrast material-enhanced CT were performed in 47 patients suspected of having or with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer. Each imaging study was evaluated separately, and nodal stations were localized according to the American Thoracic Society mapping system. Extensive lymph node sampling (599 nodes from 191 nodal stations) of the ipsi- and contralateral tracheobronchial and mediastinal nodal stations was performed at thoracotomy and/or mediastinoscopy. Imaging findings were correlated with histopathologic staging results. RESULTS The sensitivity of PET and CT was 89% and 57%, respectively, for the staging of N2 or N3 disease in mediastinal nodes; specificity was 99% and 94%, respectively; positive predictive value was 96% and 76%, respectively; negative predictive value was 97% and 87%, respectively; and accuracy was 96% and 85%, respectively. In assigning the correct N stage, PET was correct in 96% and CT in 79% of cases. CONCLUSION PET with FDG appears to be superior to CT for nodal staging of non-small cell lung cancer.
The Decline of Worker Solidarity and the End of Collectivism?

Developments in industrialized societies since the end of the 1970s, it is sometimes claimed, have resulted in the erosion of traditional working-class communities and a decline in union membership. This has raised questions regarding the continuing relevance of collectivism and solidarity. Using a survey of an Irish general union, the authors examine the level and types of solidarity among the membership. The results provide little evidence that levels of solidarity in this particular union have been eroded. The authors find that the policies and practices of the union leadership are an important determinant of union activism and activism is strongly associated with solidarity.
Beginning Teacher Perceptions of Concerns: A Longitudinal Look at Teacher Development

Abstract This article describes a study done with five years of interview data from first year teachers in the Teaching Fellows Program, a school/university partnership that provides induction and mentoring at the graduate level. Interview data from first year teachers about their greatest concern was collected each November. An analysis of the data using “idea units” revealed three large categories: Survival, mastery of the task, and awareness of student needs. Examining two sub-categories through another lens yielded information that for these new teachers meeting students needs was more of a concern than discipline. We conclude that because this program is selective, has consistent mentoring, has relevant coursework and has peer-support through a cadre, these teachers express concerns usually associated with more experienced teachers. What impact does support programs have for beginning teachers? A lot! I now look through a different lens. Instead of worrying about covering the objectives, I ask myself how can I put this in ‘kid terms’ that the child can use later in life. Jenni, a Teaching Fellow (pseudonym used)
Satire and Efficacy in the Political Science Classroom

ABSTRACT Political satire has become increasingly prominent in recent years, leading some political science instructors to use satire in their courses. Yet, recent work suggests that political satire may encourage cynicism and decrease political efficacy. In this article, the author develops and tests an approach to teaching effectively with satire. Frequent use, source diversity, and critical evaluation engage students while allaying satire’s potential detrimental effects. The author evaluates this pedagogical approach through a classroom experiment using both in-person and online classes (student N = 163). Qualitative and quantitative data offer suggestive evidence that refutes the warning that satire fundamentally depresses political efficacy and indicates that students enjoy satire and endorse its use. By deliberately using diverse satirical sources, instructors can maximize the benefits of satire while minimizing potential drawbacks. For interested instructors, the author’s website contains a searchable catalog of satirical articles, video clips, and cartoons that can be used to teach specific political science concepts.
Trade, Wages and 'Superstars'

We study the effects "globalization" on wage inequality. Our "global" economy resembles Rosen (1981) "Superstars" economy, where a) innovations in production and communication technologies enable suppliers to reach a larger mass of consumers and to improve the (perceived) quality of their products and b) trade barriers fall. When transport costs fall, income is redistributed away from the non-exporting to the exporting sector of the economy. As the former turns out to employ workers of higher skill and pay, the effect is to raise wage inequality. Whether the least skilled are stand to lose or gain from improved production or communication technologies, in contrast, depends on whether technology is skill-complement or substitute. The model gives an intuitive explanation for the empirical regularities that skill intensity, market size and wages tend to be positively associated to exporting activity, across sectors and plants.
Introduction to the special issue on the PAPA project

The PAPA project reflects one of if not the largest theory-based field experiments in sport and exercise psychology that has taken place across five European countries; namely, England, France, Greece, Norway and Spain. Grassroots soccer was the targeted sport setting in PAPA due to the huge popularity of youth soccer in countries around the world (Kunz, 2007; Malina, 2005). The over-arching aspiration for PAPA was that findings emanating from the project would underscore the role of youth sport as a context relevant to public health in general and children’s physical activity engagement, well-being and psychosocial development in particular. Endemic to this large scale, multi-national project was the assumption that the health promise of sport for young people will only be realised if the motivational climate operating within that setting is conducive to healthy and sustained participation. Although we recognise that there are various significant others who contribute to the quality of the youth sport environment (e.g. parents and peers), within the PAPA project, the focus was on working with coaches to optimise the motivational climate they create for the players they interact with and hope to impact. In the first paper in this special issue, I provide information on the evolution of Empowering CoachingTM. This training programme comprised the intervention that was customised for grassroots soccer coaches, translated from English into four other languages, implemented and then evaluated in the PAPA project. The interplay between my research interests and applied work and their implications for the development of this programme over the past 20 years is illustrated. Also presented is a brief description of the key features of Empowering CoachingTM. In particular, it is indicated how the training programme integrates theoretically based conceptions of the motivational climate and motivation processes as well as principles of behavioural change from workshop content right through to delivery approach. The second paper in this special issue provides core components of the protocol for the complex and multi-faceted PAPA project, which comprised a cluster randomised control main trial that was delivered across five different European countries (England, France, Greece, Norway and Spain). Details are given on the ethical standards and procedures adopted in this cross-country study in which children were our major research participants and self-report questionnaires were the central assessment tool. Careful translation of scale items as well as all intervention materials was critical to the validity of the project. Accordingly, also presented is information on the translation procedures employed in our attempt to maximise in particular linguistic and functional equivalence in the project (Duda & Hayashi, 1998). Finally, within this protocol paper, a brief description of the core scales that were completed by the young soccer players is provided.
The Effect of Audit Experience on Audit Fees and Audit Quality

Prior research on audit experience focuses on behavioral studies that are conducted by running experiments. Although these studies provide evidence on the role of experience in completing specific audit tasks, they do not shed light on how experience affects a complete audit engagement. We conduct an archival study to examine the effect of audit experience on audit fees and audit quality. Using unique data from China, where the signees of the audit report can be identified and linked with a government database containing personal information about certified public accountants, we find that experience is positively associated with audit fees and negatively associated with absolute discretionary accruals. Furthermore, we extend the research on personal characteristics of audit partners by considering the incremental effects of gender, education, engagement tenure, industry specialization, and client importance after controlling for overall audit experience. Overall, our results suggest that the auditors’ personal characteristics may serve as a signal of the level of care that will be exercised during the audit process. Our results also have implications for China’s recently announced regulation that would require localization of Big 4 offices in China.
Law, Social Justice & Global Development (An Electronic Law Journal) Islamic Family Arbitration, Justice and Human Rights in Britain

It has been argued that in a multicultural and heterogeneous society there must be a commitment to cultural diversity and pluralism in the area of family life, just as in other areas, and that the law should uphold and support a diversity of family arrangements whether or not they are reflective of differences in race, culture or religion. This paper draws upon doctrinal research to explore the rise of a new kind of faith–based, unofficial and, privatized forms of matrimonial dispute resolution process(es) emerging within Muslim communities in Britain. Framed as sites upon which family law matters are resolved according to the principles of Sharia and Muslim jurisprudence Shariah councils have developed frameworks that are characterized by specific cultural and religious norms and values. This mobilisation of communities challenges the hegemonic power of state law and unsettles the multicultural project in its attempt to reconfigure social and legal discourse in matters of family law. The paper questions how such mechanisms of conflict resolution which have traditionally been defined as non-legal, may co-exist alongside state law in Britain.
A dose–response relationship between fish consumption and human milk DHA content among Filipino women in Cebu City, Philippines

Aims: Human milk is the primary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for most infants, an important fatty acid for neurological development. Milk DHA is largely incorporated from the maternal diet. Little is known about whether milk DHA varies within populations with differences in maternal fish consumption. Here, we investigate this association in a sample of marginally nourished Filipino women.
Impact of Teacher's Ability, Student's Work Ethics and Institutional Environment on Student Performance of University of Gujrat

This study is aimed to investigate the impact of teacher’s ability, student’s work ethics and institutional environment on performance of students in University of Gujrat. Student’s performance at university level majorly depends upon the effort of the student. Yet there are certain determinants that are of importance. University of Gujrat is a newer university with 8 years of history. The findings of the study will help determine the factors that are playing major role in the performance of the students. Subsequently those would be given importance to enhance student’s performance in universities in general and in University of Gujrat in particular.
Transactivation of the P2 promoter of parathyroid hormone-related protein by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I Tax1: evidence for the involvement of transcription factor Ets1

Expression of the parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), a protein that plays a primary role in the development of the humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, is regulated by two distinct promoters, P1 and P2. PTHrP is overexpressed in lymphocytes from adult T-cell leukemia patients. We now demonstrate that in the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-transformed cell line MT-2, RNA synthesis is initiated primarily at the P2 promoter. Furthermore, in cotransfection experiments, Tax1 transactivates the P2 promoter 10- to 12-fold. By using deletion and site-specific point mutations, we have identified a promoter-proximal sequence (positions -72 to -40) which is important for Tax1 transactivation. The PTHrP promoter-proximal element contains two potential overlapping Ets1 binding sites, EBS I and EBS II. Gel shift analysis demonstrated that Ets1 binds specifically to both EBS I and EBS II. Mutation of the consensus GGAA core motif in EBS I abolished binding and Tax1 transactivation in Jurkat T lymphocytes. In Ets1-deficient cells, cotransfection of Tax1 and Ets1 expression plasmids stimulates PTHrP promoter activity. In the absence of Ets1, minimal transactivation of the PTHrP promoter is observed. These data suggest that Ets1 binds to EBS I and cooperates with Tax1 to transactivate the PTHrP P2 promoter.
Influences of Managerial Drivers on Export Sales Units’ Performance of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises

ABSTRACT This report offers a contribution to the theories related to firms' export performance. Job satisfaction and behavioral and outcome performance of export managers have received attention in export literature. However, the relationships between export managers’ rewards system and the level of export managers’ morale with export managers’ job satisfaction, behavioral and outcome performance, and export sales units’ performance of small and medium-size enterprises have not thoroughly been examined, tested, or validated. A new model is developed based on export managerial psychology theory, which integrates two constructs, the export managers’ rewards and level of morale, as critical variables affecting export performance. The research findings suggest that four connected relationships in a PLS model are positive, significant, and substantial. Particularly, managers’ financial and nonfinancial rewards influence managers’ level of morale, which in turn affects managers’ behavioral performance, and managers' behavioral performance influences managers’ outcome performance, which, finally, affects firms’ export performance.
STAT3 Protein Up-regulates Gα-interacting Vesicle-associated Protein (GIV)/Girdin Expression, and GIV Enhances STAT3 Activation in a Positive Feedback Loop during Wound Healing and Tumor Invasion/Metastasis*

Background: GIV/Girdin is a GEF for Gαi and a metastasis-related protein, which is required for cancer invasion. Results: STAT3 directly binds the GIV promoter and triggers GIV transcription. The GEF function of GIV enhances activation of STAT3. Conclusion: STAT3 up-regulates GIV transcription, and GIV enhances STAT3 activation. Significance: Insights gained are crucial for devising both therapeutic and prognostic options at the crossroads between STAT3 and GIV. Gα-interacting vesicle-associated protein (GIV) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that modulates key signaling pathways during a diverse set of biological processes, e.g. wound healing, macrophage chemotaxis, tumor angiogenesis, vascular repair, and cancer invasion/metastasis. We recently demonstrated that GIV is a metastasis-related protein, which serves both as a therapeutic target and as a biomarker for prognostication in cancer patients. Here we report the discovery that GIV is a direct target of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), which is commonly known as a central regulator of tumor metastasis. We identified a single STAT3-binding site on the GIV promoter that was necessary and sufficient for transcriptional activation of GIV during wound healing and cancer invasion. Immunohistochemical analysis of breast carcinomas showed significant correlation between STAT3 activation and elevated GIV expression. Furthermore, we provide evidence that GIV positively autoregulates its own transcription by enhancing STAT3 activation via its guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into how STAT3 activation is directly integrated with the receptor tyrosine kinase-GIV-G protein signaling axis. The forward feedback regulation we describe here between GIV and STAT3 may have profound therapeutic implications for cancer and epithelial regeneration/repair and could help invent novel approaches in treating and prognosticating cancer.
The Relation between Physical and Risk‐Neutral Cumulants

Variance swaps are natural instruments for investors taking directional bets on volatility and are often used for portfolio protection. But the crucial observation suggests that derivative professionals may desire to hedge beyond volatility risk and there exists the need to hedge higher-moment market risks, such as skewness and kurtosis risks. We propose new derivative contracts: skewness swap and kurtosis swap, which trade the forward realized third and fourth cumulants. Using S&P 500 index options data from 1996 to 2005, we document the returns of these swap contracts, i.e., skewness risk premium and kurtosis risk premium. We find that the skewness risk premium is significantly negative and kurtosis risk premium for 90 day maturity is significantly positive.
Structured Embedding Models for Grouped Data

Word embeddings are a powerful approach for analyzing language, and exponential family embeddings (EFE) extend them to other types of data. Here we develop structured exponential family embeddings (S-EFE), a method for discovering embeddings that vary across related groups of data. We study how the word usage of U.S. Congressional speeches varies across states and party affiliation, how words are used differently across sections of the ArXiv, and how the co-purchase patterns of groceries can vary across seasons. Key to the success of our method is that the groups share statistical information. We develop two sharing strategies: hierarchical modeling and amortization. We demonstrate the benefits of this approach in empirical studies of speeches, abstracts, and shopping baskets. We show how S-EFE enables group-specific interpretation of word usage, and outperforms EFE in predicting held-out data.
Single-Cell Analyses Reveal Two Defects in Peptide-Specific Activation of Naive T Cells from Aged Mice1

Confocal fluorescent microscopy was used to study redistribution of membrane-associated proteins in naive T cells from young and old mice from a transgenic stock whose T cells express a TCR specific for a peptide derived from pigeon cytochrome C. About 50% of the T cells from young mice that formed conjugates with peptide-pulsed APC were found to form complexes, at the site of binding to the APC, containing CD3ε, linker for activation of T cells (LAT), and Zap-70 in a central area and c-Cbl, p95vav, Grb-2, PLCγ, Fyn, and Lck distributed more uniformly across the interface area. Two-color staining showed that those cells that were able to relocalize c-Cbl, LAT, CD3ε, or PLCγ typically relocalized all four of these components of the activation complex. About 75% of conjugates that rearranged LAT, c-Cbl, or PLCγ also exhibited cytoplasmic NF-AT migration to the T cell nucleus. Aging had two effects. First, it led to a diminution of ∼2-fold in the proportion of T cell/APC conjugates that could relocalize any of the nine tested proteins to the immune synapse. Second, aging diminished by ∼2-fold the frequency of cytoplasmic NF-AT migration among cells that could generate immune synapses containing LAT, c-Cbl, or PLCγ. Thus naive CD4 T cells from old mice exhibit at least two separable defects in the earliest stages of activation induced by peptide/MHC complexes.