Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies of synthetic peptides of human apolipoprotein A-I containing tandem amphipathic alpha-helixes.

In mature human apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), the amino acid residues 1-43 are encoded by exon 3, whereas residues 44-243 are encoded by exon 4 of the apo A-I gene. The region encoded by exon 4 of the apo A-I gene contains 10 tandem amphipathic alpha-helixes; their location and the class to which they belong are as follows: helix 1 (44-65, class A1), helix 2 (66-87, class A1), helix 3 (88-98, class Y), helix 4 (99-120, class Y), helix 5 (121-142, class A1), helix 6 (143-164, class A1), helix 7 (165-186, class A1), helix 8 (187-208, class A1), helix 9 (209-219, class Y), and helix 10 (220-241, class Y). To examine the effects of multiple tandem amphipathic helixes compared to individual helixes of apo A-I on lipid association, we have studied lipid-associating properties of the following peptides: Ac-44-87-NH2 (peptide 1-2), Ac-66-98-NH2 (peptide 2-3), Ac-66-120-NH2 (peptide 2-3-4), Ac-88-120-NH2 (peptide 3-4), Ac-99-142-NH2 (peptide 4-5), Ac-121-164-NH2 (peptide 5-6), Ac-143-186-NH2 (peptide 6-7), Ac-165-208-NH2 (peptide 7-8), Ac-187-219-NH2 (peptide 8-9), and Ac-209-241-NH2 (peptide 9-10). To study lipid-associating properties of the region encoded by exon 3 of the apo A-I gene, 1-33-NH2 (peptide G) has also been studied. The results of the present study indicate that, among the peptides studied, peptides 1-2 and 9-10 possess significantly higher lipid affinity than the other peptides, with peptide 9-10 having higher lipid affinity than peptide 1-2, as evidenced by (i) higher helical content in the presence of 1, 2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), (ii) faster rate of association with DMPC multilamellar vesicles (MLV), (iii) greater reduction in the enthalpy of gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition of DMPC MLV, (iv) higher exclusion pressure from an egg yolk phosphatidylcholine monolayer, and (v) higher partitioning into 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine MLV. A comparison of the free energies of lipid association (DeltaG) of the peptides studied here with those studied previously by us [Palgunachari, M. N. , et al. (1996) Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 16, 328-338] indicates that, except for the peptides 4-5 and 5-6, other peptides possess higher lipid affinities compared to constituent helixes. However, the lipid affinities of the peptides studied here are neither higher than nor equal to the sum of the lipid affinities of the constituent helixes. This indicates the absence of cooperativity among the adjacent amphipathic helical domains of apo A-I for lipid association. As indicated by DeltaG, the lipid affinity of peptide 4-5 is higher than peptide 5 but lower than peptide 4; the lipid affinity of peptide 5-6 is lower than both peptides 5 and 6. Implications of these results for the structure and function of apo A-I are discussed.
Ion Charge States in Halo Coronal Mass Ejections: What Can We Learn about the Explosion?

We describe a new modeling approach to develop a more quantitative understanding of the charge state distributions of the ions of various elements detected in situ during halo coronal mass ejection (CME) events by the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite. Using a model CME hydrodynamic evolution based on observations of CMEs propagating in the plane of the sky and on theoretical models, we integrate time-dependent equations for the ionization balance of various elements to compare with ACE data. We find that plasma in the CME "core" typically requires further heating following filament eruption, with thermal energy input similar to the kinetic energy input. This extra heating is presumably the result of posteruptive reconnection. Plasma corresponding to the CME "cavity" is usually not further ionized, since whether heated or not, the low density gives freeze-in close the Sun. The current analysis is limited by ambiguities in the underlying model CME evolution. Such methods are likely to reach their full potential when applied to data to be acquired by STEREO when at optimum separation. CME evolution observed with one spacecraft may be used to interpret CME charge states detected by the other.
Application of Coregistration for Imaging of Animal Models of Epilepsy

Summary: The past decade has seen a surge in the utilization of small animal imaging for epilepsy research. In vivo imaging studies have the potential to provide important insights into the structural and functional correlates of the development and progression of epilepsy in these models. However, the small size of the rodent brain means that anatomic resolution is often relatively poor for many imaging modalities, particularly those providing functional information such as positron emission tomography. Coregistration of these images with those of higher structural resolution, such as MRI, provides an attractive approach to this problem, and also allows correlations between structural and functional imaging data. Image coregistration is commonly utilized in clinical research and practice. However, its application for small animal images has been, to date, relatively under utilized and largely unvalidated. The current review aims to provide an overview of image coregistration methods, particularly for MRI and PET, and their application to imaging of small animal models of epilepsy. Methodological advantages and potential traps are highlighted.
Development of the Gerontological Counseling Competencies Scale: A Self-report Measure of Counselor Competence with Older Adults

With the projected older adult population increase and the prevalence of older adults whose mental health needs are not being met, it is more important than ever that counselors possess the basic knowledge and skills to work with older adults. In order to meet the increasing demand for counselors with the knowledge and skills to work with older adults, an instrument needs to be developed to assess the current competence level of counselors and counselor educators in the field as well as counselor trainees. The purpose of the present study was to develop a reliable and valid measure of counselor competence when working with older adults. Items for the Gerontological Counseling Competencies Scale (GCCS; O'Connor Thomas, 2012) were generated using the rational/theoretical approach to scale construction. Feedback from an expert panel and focus group were used to formulate the initial 50-item GCCS and provide support for its validity (content/face validity). The initial scale was disseminated online via listservs and 268 counselors, counselor educators, and counselor trainees across the United States agreed to participate in the study. The data obtained from these participants was analyzed through a series of Principal Component Analyses and resulted in a final 21-item Gerontological Counseling Competencies Scale (GCCS) comprised of three subscales: Knowledge & Skills, Attitudes, and Bio-Cognitive Knowledge. Reliability analysis indicated that the GCCS and its subscales had good to excellent internal consistency reliability. Furthermore, results revealed that prior educational experience, prior work experience, and prior training significantly predicted counselor perceived competence when working with older adults. In addition, correlations of the GCCS full scale and subscales with social desirability, as measured by the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR), indicated that the GCCS was not influenced by socially desirable responding. Overall, the findings of the present study demonstrate that it is important that counselor education programs provide not only coursework in gerontology but also clinical experience with older adults and additional training opportunities such as seminars and/or workshops. The present study also discussed recommendations for future research in the area of counselor competence when working with older adults.
Metabolic response to small and large 13C-labelled pasta meals following rest or exercise in man

The metabolic response to a 150 or 400 g 13C-labelled pasta meal was studied for 8 h following rest or exercise at low or moderate workload (n 6). Following rest, the 400 g meal totally suppressed fat oxidation (v. 14.1 g following the 150 g meal) and a small amount of glucose was converted into fat (4.6 g), but fat oxidation remained high in subjects who had exercised following both the small (21.8 and 34.1 g) and large meal (14.1 and 32.3 g). Exogenous glucose oxidation was significantly higher in subjects who had remained at rest both following the small (67.6 g v. 60.4 and 51.3 g in subjects who exercised at low and moderate workloads) and large meal (152.2 v. 123.0 and 127.2 g). Endogenous glucose oxidation was similar in the three groups following the 150 g meal (42.3–58.0 g), but was significantly lower following the 400 g meal in subjects who had exercised at low workload (24.2 v. 72.2 g following rest; P<0.05), and was totally suppressed in those who had exercised at moderate workload. As a consequence, a larger positive glycogen balance was observed in subjects who exercised before the large meal (182.8–205.1 g v. 92.4 g following rest; P<0.05). Total fat oxidation calculated from 08.00 hours to 20.00 hours was similar in subjects who exercised at low and moderate workloads. These results indicate that: (1) de novo lipogenesis, which plays only a minor role for the disposal of an acute dietary carbohydrate load, is totally suppressed following exercise, even when a very large carbohydrate load is ingested; (2) the reduction in glycogen turnover as well as a preferential conversion of glucose into glycogen are responsible for the increase in glycogen stores following exercise; (3) for a similar energy expenditure, exercise at low workload for a longer period does not favour fat oxidation when the post-exercise period is taken into account.
Peer-to-peer architecture and protocol for a massively multiplayer online game

Massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) are becoming a very important part of computer entertainment business. With recent development of broadband technologies, the increase of the number of players is putting a strong pressure on this type of applications. Commonly used clients/server systems do not cope well with scalability, limiting the number of players who interact with each other, are not robust enough and might be subject to bottleneck due to their centralized infrastructure. These systems also force the developers to invest enormous amount of money on hardware and time to design complex software systems. To solve these problems we propose a fully distributed, peer-to-peer architecture for MMOGs. In this paper we discuss the issues surrounding MMOGs, the limitations in term of network infrastructure, and the lack of simulation environment to study and evaluate network architecture and protocol. We use a peer-to-peer (P2P) based architecture and protocol to provide a more scalable, flexible and robust technology solution than currently used infrastructures. We have conducted the design and implementation of a modular MMOG: 'time-prisoners', using a P2P protocol developed in Java and JXTA. The characteristics of P2P overlays enable to organize dynamically, and in transparent way for the users, the group of players according to their locations in the virtual world, and allow to design scalable mechanism to distribute the game state to the players and to maintain the world consistent in case of node failures.
Intangible Capital, Barriers to Technology Adoption and Cross-Country Income Differences

I add intangible capital to a variant of the neoclassical growth model and study the implications of this extension for cross-country income differences. I calibrate the parameters associated with intangible capital by using new estimates of investment in intangibles by Corrado et al. [2006]. I find that the addition of intangible capital significantly improves the model's ability to account for cross-country income differences. Specifically, when intangible capital is added to the model, the required TFP ratio to explain observed income differences falls from 4.05 to 2.97. I also study variants of the model with endogenous and exogenous barriers to accumulation of technology capital, which consists of intangible capital and a fraction of physical capital that embodies technology. The addition of endogenous barriers, for reasonable parameter values, has a very small positive effect on the ability of the model to account for income differences. The addition of exogenous barriers suggests that huge cross-country differences in such barriers are needed to generate the observed income differences.
Youth with Tourette syndrome: Parental perceptions and experiences in the Australian context

Abstract Objective To enhance understandings of the impact of Tourette Syndrome (TS) on the parents of diagnosed youth. Specifically, the current study aimed to explore and identify the multidimensional stressors associated with parenting a child or adolescent with TS in the Australian context. Method As part of a larger qualitative and quantitative community‐based study, semi‐structured telephone interviews with 22 mothers of youth with TS were conducted regarding their experiences. Results The study identified parent, child, and contextual factors that contributed to parental stress, with many mirroring the experiences of parents of children with other chronic paediatric disorders. However, several TS‐specific factors also emerged from the data analysis, highlighting the unique difficulties encountered by parents of diagnosed youth. Serious deficits in professional expertise and services currently available for the TS community were also identified. Conclusions Findings indicate the generally unacknowledged challenge of parenting a child with TS, which equates with that experienced in the context of other serious chronic paediatric disorders. Results also indicate the need for psychosocial support for both child and parent, and greatly improved access to well‐informed mental health and educational services in the Australian context.
The role of mock-ups in the anticipation of the user experience within a living lab: An empirical study

This paper presents an empirical study focusing on the role of mock-ups to support user/citizens co-creation and the anticipation of the User eXperience within a specific urban Living Lab. Scholars have previously identified different principles characterizing a Living Lab, such as: "realism", spontaneity, continuity and empowerment, which represent the "live" dimension of Living Labs. However, these principles are quite difficult to practically implement. Nonetheless, we conducted an experiment in the context of an urban project dedicated to the design of mobility stations that reveals the paramount importance of the mock-up role for implementing the "realism" principle. The findings unveil the great potential of close-to-real-life immersion of users/citizens in realistic environments to not only fulfilling the "realism" principle but also greatly contributing to the adoption by users/citizens. Finally, this study gives some elements to support citizens' engagement in the co-creation stage of the urban design process towards the realization of smart-cities.
Amplification of the neu (c-erbB-2) oncogene in human mammmary tumors is relatively frequent and is often accompanied by amplification of the linked c-erbA oncogene

We investigated alterations in the structure and expression of oncogenes in mammary tumors and mammary tumor-derived cell lines. In 16 of 95 samples, we detected amplification of the human neu oncogene, also known as c-erB-2, accompanied by overexpression in the tumors from which intact RNA could be isolated. In 10 of these DNAs, the linked oncogene c-erbA was also amplified, whereas another gene on human chromosome 17, p53, was present in normal copy numbers. Overexpression of c-erbA could not be detected in the tumors analyzed. The relatively high frequency of neu amplification points to a functional role in human breast cancer. Coamplification of the c-erbA oncogene could contribute to this disease as well but is most likely fortuitous.
Inferential statistics and the use of administrative data in US educational research

ABSTRACT While the use of inferential statistics is a nearly universal practice in the social sciences, there are instances where its application is unnecessary and potentially misleading. This is true for a portion of research using administrative data in educational research in the United States. Surveying all research articles using administrative data published in Educational Researcher and American Educational Research Journal between 2011 and 2013, we find that over half use inferential techniques to help interpret results despite the use of population data. To the extent that these practices and findings are replicated and interpreted in the United States and elsewhere, this can lead to the undervaluing of potentially meaningful patterns and trends.
An LPL–specific monoclonal antibody, 88B8, that abolishes the binding of LPL to GPIHBP1[S]

LPL contains two principal domains: an amino-terminal catalytic domain (residues 1–297) and a carboxyl-terminal domain (residues 298–448) that is important for binding lipids and binding glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high density lipoprotein binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) (an endothelial cell protein that shuttles LPL to the capillary lumen). The LPL sequences required for GPIHBP1 binding have not been examined in detail, but one study suggested that sequences near LPL’s carboxyl terminus (residues ∼403–438) were crucial. Here, we tested the ability of LPL-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to block the binding of LPL to GPIHBP1. One antibody, 88B8, abolished LPL binding to GPIHBP1. Consistent with those results, antibody 88B8 could not bind to GPIHBP1-bound LPL on cultured cells. Antibody 88B8 bound poorly to LPL proteins with amino acid substitutions that interfered with GPIHBP1 binding (e.g., C418Y, E421K). However, the sequences near LPL’s carboxyl terminus (residues ∼403–438) were not sufficient for 88B8 binding; upstream sequences (residues 298–400) were also required. Additional studies showed that these same sequences are required for LPL binding to GPIHBP1. In conclusion, we identified an LPL mAb that binds to LPL’s GPIHBP1-binding domain. The binding of both antibody 88B8 and GPIHBP1 to LPL depends on large segments of LPL’s carboxyl-terminal domain.
The influence of the character strengths of gratitude and kindness on subjective well-being

The relationship between the character strengths of gratitude, kindness and factors of subjective well-being was explored, and the influence of personality factors on this relationship was examined. In this research, participants were assigned to an experimental or control group and completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SLS), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Positive Affectivity and Negative Affectivity Scale (PANAS), International Personality Item Pool Values in Action Gratitude and Kindness Scales (VIA-Gratitude, and VIA Kindness), Mini-International Personality Item Pool (IPIP), and Mariowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, Form C. For two weeks, participants in the gratitude group kept a daily gratitude list, and those in the control group kept a daily list of interesting things that happened to them. The SLS, SHS, PANAS, VIA-Gratitude, and VIA-Kindness were readministered at the end of the 2-week intervention period and at the end of a 3-week follow-up period to determine short-term and long-term changes in life satisfaction, subjective happiness, positive affect, negative affect, gratitude, and kindness for all participants. Significant differences in agreeableness and conscientiousness between final groups resulted in these factors being used as covariates. Results indicated that a gratitude intervention did not cause significant changes in elements of subjective well-being, independent of beginning levels of gratitude. However, individuals who reported higher beginning levels of gratitude had significantly greater gains in life satisfaction, positive affect, and kindness following a
cDNA cloning of myosin heavy chain genes from medaka Oryzias latipes embryos and larvae and their expression patterns during development

Several sarcomeric myosin heavy chains (MYHs) were cloned from embryos and larvae of medaka Oryzias latipes. Three genes encoding medaka MYHs (mMYHs) predominantly expressed in embryos (mMYHemb1) and larvae (mMYHL1 and mMYHL2), all belonged to fast skeletal MYHs, showing spatiotemporally different expression patterns during development. Besides these mMYHs, a few novel mMYHs were cloned from embryos and larvae at hatching. Whereas mMYHemb2, mMYHemb3, and mMYHL3 belonged to fast skeletal MYH, mMYHC1 and mMYHC2 did to slow/cardiac MYH. mMYHemb1 was expressed ahead of mMYHL1 and mMYHL2. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated that the transcripts of mMYHemb1 and mMYHC1 were located in the horizontal myoseptum, whereas those of mMYHL1 and mMYHL2 in the inner part of myotomes and pharyngeal muscles, and those of mMYHC2 in the heart rudiment. In silico cloning based on the medaka genome database showed another mMYHs of the slow/cardiac types, mMYHC3 and mMYHC4. Developmental Dynamics 235:3092–3101, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What’s in a Topic? Exploring the Interaction Between Test-taker Age and Item Content in High-Stakes Testing

The research reported in this article investigates differential item functioning (DIF) in a listening comprehension test. The study explores the relationship between test-taker age and the items’ language domains across multiple test forms. The data comprise test-taker responses (N = 2861) to a total of 133 unique items, 46 items of which were shared across two or more forms. Twenty-one items demonstrated DIF. However, there was no pattern by language domain. Eleven items showing DIF appeared in more than one test form but DIF for these items occurred only once.
The Effects of Melatonin Premedication on Propofol and Thiopental Induction Dose–Response Curves: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study

BACKGROUND:The effect of melatonin on the intraoperative requirements for IV anesthetics has not been documented. We studied the effect of melatonin premedication on the propofol and thiopental dose–response curves for abolition of responses to verbal commands and eyelash stimulation. METHODS:This prospective, randomized, double-blind study included 200 adults with ASA physical status I. Patients received either 0.2 mg/kg melatonin or a placebo orally for premedication (n = 100 per group). Approximately 50 min later, subgroups of 10 melatonin and 10 placebo patients were administered various doses of propofol (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.4 mg/kg) or thiopental (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, or 6.0 mg/kg) for anesthetic induction. The ability of each patient to respond to the command, “open your eyes,” and the disappearance of the eyelash reflex were assessed 60 s after the end of the injection of propofol or thiopental. Dose–response curves were determined by probit analysis. RESULTS:Melatonin premedication decreased thiopental ED50 values for loss of response to verbal command and eyelash reflex from 3.4 mg/kg (95%confidence interval, 3.2–3.5 mg/kg) and 3.7 mg/kg (3.5–3.9 mg/kg) to 2.7 mg/kg (2.6–2.9 mg/kg) and 2.6 mg/kg (2.5–2.7 mg/kg), respectively (P < 0.05). Corresponding propofol ED50 values decreased from 1.5 mg/kg (1.4–1.6 mg/kg) and 1.6 mg/kg (1.5–1.7 mg/kg) to 0.9 mg/kg (0.8–0.96 mg/kg) and 0.9 mg/kg (0.8–0.95 mg/kg), respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Melatonin premedication significantly decreased the doses of both propofol and thiopental required to induce anesthesia.