Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biotransformation of BDE-47 to Potentially Toxic Metabolites Is Predominantly Mediated by Human CYP2B6

Background: Previous studies have indicated that cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are involved in the metabolism of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in humans, resulting in the formation of hydroxylated PBDEs (OH-PBDEs) that are potentially more toxic than the parent PBDEs. However, the specific enzymes responsible for the formation of OH-PBDEs are unknown. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to characterize the in vitro metabolism of 2,2´,4,4´-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) by human liver microsomes (HLM) and recombinant human CYPs, and to identify the CYP(s) that are active in the oxidative metabolism of BDE-47. Methods: Recombinant human CYPs (CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4) were incubated with BDE-47 (20 µM), and the metabolites were measured and characterized using gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). For kinetic studies, CYP2B6 and pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) were incubated with BDE-47 (0–60 µM). Results: CYP2B6 was the predominant CYP capable of forming six OH-BDEs, including 3-OH-BDE-47, 5-OH-BDE-47, 6-OH-BDE-47, 4-OH-BDE-42, 4´-OH-BDE-49, and a metabolite tentatively identified as 2´-OH-BDE-66. On the basis of full-scan GC-MS analysis, we hypothesized the formation of two other metabolites: di-OH-tetra-BDE and di-OH-tetrabrominated dioxin. In kinetic studies of BDE-47 metabolism by CYP2B6 and pooled HLMs, we found Km values ranging from 3.8 to 6.4 µM and 7.0 to 11.4 µM, respectively, indicating the high affinity toward the formation of OH-BDEs. Conclusion: Our findings support a predominant role of CYP2B6 in the metabolism of BDE-47 to potentially toxic metabolites, including a hypothesized di-OH-tetrabrominated dioxin metabolite. These results will assist future epidemiological studies investigating the potential of PBDEs and their metabolites to produce neurobehavioral/neurodevelopmental disorders.
Institutional Logics and Institutional Work: Should They Be Agreed?

In this paper, I discuss the possibility of creating a more fruitful conversation between institutional logics and institutional work as two central streams within institutional theory. I begin by situating each of these lines of theorizing within their respective intellectual traditions. I then elaborate on their core arguments alongside their theoretical assumptions. Specifically, I articulate how they each highlight some aspects of institutional dynamics while disregarding or downplaying others. Finally, I point to some similarities, differences, and possible analytic division of labor between them. I conclude by arguing that the tension between institutional logics and institutional work, as two frameworks for conceptualizing and exploring institutional dynamics, is the most recent incarnation of a long series of theoretical conundrums within neo-institutionalism, each triggering deep and ongoing discussions that enriched our thinking. As such, this tension is welcome and important, as long as each stream is able to define its own boundaries.
Convertible Bond Arbitrageurs as Suppliers of Capital

This paper examines the potential impact of capital supply on security issuance. We focus on the role of convertible bond arbitrageurs as suppliers of capital to issuers of convertible bonds. We estimate a simultaneous equations model of demand and supply of convertible bond capital, linking the time series of aggregate convertible bond issuance to measures of capital supply: convertible bond arbitrage hedge fund flows, returns, and a proxy for arbitrageurs' use of leverage. We find that issuance is positively and significantly related to increases in all three supply measures. To provide further interpretation, we conduct a second test. We use the ban on short selling in September and October 2008 as a natural experiment to examine the impact of an exogenous shock to the supply of capital from convertible bond arbitrageurs. We find a significant decline in issuance during the ban. Results from both empirical approaches provide evidence that the supply of capital from convertible bond arbitrageurs impacts issuance.
The Impact of Services Brand Personality on Consumer–Brand Relationship Quality

ABSTRACT This article investigates service brand personality's role as a driver of brand relationship quality. A research model links brand personality to four indicators of relationship quality: brand credibility, self-congruity, cumulative satisfaction, and loyalty. The model is tested with structural equation modeling using data from French retailing (N = 1188). The findings indicate very diverse effects of personality dimensions on the relationship quality: whereas competence has a very strong impact, other dimensions like agreeableness exert no significant effect. The research also highlights the pivotal role of self-congruity and brand credibility in mediating brand personality's impact on satisfaction and loyalty in services.
Phosphokinase Antibody Arrays on Dendron-Coated Surface

Monitoring protein phosphorylation at the cellular level is important to understand the intracellular signaling. Among the phosphoproteomics methods, phosphokinase antibody arrays have emerged as preferred tools to measure well-characterized phosphorylation in the intracellular signaling. Here, we present a dendron-coated phosphokinase antibody array (DPA) in which the antibodies are immobilized on a dendron-coated glass slide. Self-assembly of conically shaped dendrons well-controlled in size and structure resulted in precisely controlled lateral spacing between the immobilized phosphosite-specific antibodies, leading to minimized steric hindrance and improved antigen-antibody binding kinetics. These features increased sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility in measured amounts of protein phosphorylation. To demonstrate the utility of the DPA, we generated the phosphorylation profiles of brain tissue samples obtained from Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice. The analysis of the profiles revealed signaling pathways deregulated during the course of AD progression.
Development and validation of Chinese Adolescent Lifestyles Scale

Objective:To develop the Chinese Adolescent Lifestyles Scale(CALS)and test its reliability and validity.Methods:Totally 15000 students from junior high schools,senior high schools and universities in 9 provinces of China were selected by stratified sampling method,and were tested with the self-made lifestyles scale.The scale was revised through item analysis.Then the construct validity of the revised scale was tested through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.The criterion validity was tested with the Self-esteem Scale(SES)and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CES-D). Finally the reliability was tested.Results:(1)The CALS consisted of 49 items and 2 components.The first component included 8 factors,including dietary,sleep,hygiene,study,exercise,entertainment,interpersonal relationship and coping style.The other included one factor(life satisfaction). (2)The loadings of items in the first component were ranged from 0.50 to 0.82. They could explain 55.15% of the total variance.The indicators of confirmatory factor analysis with overall sample and sub-grade sample were in requirements of psychometric(RMSEA0.08,NFI0.9,NNFI0.9,CFI0.9). The Cronbach coefficients of both components were 0.91 and 0.83,and the coefficient of eight factors in the first component were ranged from 0.68 to 0.84. The correlation coefficients between CALS and the nine factors were 0.51 to 0.78,and the correlation between the 9 factors was 0.19 to 0.59(Ps0.01). (3)For the two component of CALS,the correlation coefficients were 0.47 and 0.45 to self-esteem respectively(Ps0.01),and those were-0.37 and-0.43 to depression respectively(Ps0.01). Conclusion:The CALS can be used as an effective and reliable tool for assessing lifestyles of adolescents.
A Robust Real Time Direction-of-Arrival Estimation Method for Sequential Movement Events of Vehicles

Parameters estimation of sequential movement events of vehicles is facing the challenges of noise interferences and the demands of portable implementation. In this paper, we propose a robust direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation method for the sequential movement events of vehicles based on a small Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) microphone array system. Inspired by the incoherent signal-subspace method (ISM), the method that is proposed in this work employs multiple sub-bands, which are selected from the wideband signals with high magnitude-squared coherence to track moving vehicles in the presence of wind noise. The field test results demonstrate that the proposed method has a better performance in emulating the DOA of a moving vehicle even in the case of severe wind interference than the narrowband multiple signal classification (MUSIC) method, the sub-band DOA estimation method, and the classical two-sided correlation transformation (TCT) method.
Systematic Review of Female Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence and Their Treatment.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has received increasing attention over recent years, both in the media and in research (Randle & Graham, 2011). IPV can be an attempt to have power and control over a partner in an intimate relationship (Bowen, 2009), and its effects are far reaching (Cho & Wilke, 2010). The majority of research has investigated male perpetrators with the literature on female perpetrators being somewhat limited (Carney, Buttell & Dutton, 2007). Criminal justice agencies have largely been educated about male perpetrators of IPV (Henning & Feder, 2004), and as a result it is unclear whether treatment options for female perpetrators are effective. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of the current treatment options for female perpetrators of IPV and the characteristics of this specialist population. This review revealed that there is not enough research on female perpetrators of IPV. The results indicate the effectiveness of treatment programs for female offenders of IPV is varied at best. It was also revealed that female perpetrators tend to have some similarities to their male counterparts, but there were also differences. Implications for future research and the development of treatment programs for partner aggressive women are discussed.
Multiple changepoint fitting via quasilikelihood, with application to DNA sequence segmentation

SUMMARY We consider situations where a step function with a variable number of steps provides an adequate model for a regression relationship, while the variance of the observations depends on their mean. This model provides for discontinuous jumps at changepoints and for constant means and error variances in between changepoints. The basic statistical problem consists of identification of the number of changepoints, their locations and the levels the function assumes in between. We embed this problem into a quasilikelihood formulation and utilise the minimum deviance criterion to fit the model; for the choice of the number of changepoints, we discuss a modified Schwarz criterion. A dynamic programming algorithm makes the segmentation feasible for sequences of moderate length. The performance of the segmentation method is demonstrated in an application to the segmentation of the Bacteriophage )l sequence.
Extended phase I evaluation of vincristine, irinotecan, temozolomide, and antibiotic in children with refractory solid tumors

The combination of irinotecan, temozolomide, and vincristine is appealing because of potentially synergistic mechanisms of action and non‐overlapping toxicities. This phase I study was designed to determine the toxicity and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of escalating daily protracted doses of irinotecan given in this combination. With extended accrual, we more fully explored the toxicity of multiple courses at the MTD.
Classification of Malware Based on String and Function Feature Selection

Anti-malware software producers are continually challenged to identify and counter new malware as it is released into the wild. A dramatic increase in malware production in recent years has rendered the conventional method of manually determining a signature for each new malware sample untenable. This paper presents a scalable, automated approach for detecting and classifying malware by using pattern recognition algorithms and statistical methods at various stages of the malware analysis life cycle. Our framework combines the static features of function length and printable string information extracted from malware samples into a single test which gives classification results better than those achieved by using either feature individually. In our testing we input feature information from close to 1400 unpacked malware samples to a number of different classification algorithms. Using k-fold cross validation on the malware, which includes Trojans and viruses, along with 151 clean files, we achieve an overall classification accuracy of over 98%.
DNA- and RNA-binding ability of oligoDapT, a nucleobase-decorated peptide, for biomedical applications

Background Nucleobase-bearing peptides and their interaction with DNA and RNA are an important topic in the development of therapeutic approaches. On one hand, they are highly effective for modulating the nucleic-acid-based biological processes. On the other hand, they permit to overcome some of the main factors limiting the therapeutic efficacy of natural oligonucleotides, such as their rapid degradation by nucleases. Methods and results This article describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel thymine-bearing nucleoamino acid based on the l-diaminopropionic acid (l-Dap) and its solid phase oligomerization to α-peptides (oligoDapT), characterized using mass spectrometry, spectroscopic techniques, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The interaction of the obtained nucleopeptide with DNA and RNA model systems as both single strands (dA12, rA12, and poly(rA)) and duplex structures (dA12/dT12 and poly(rA)/poly(rU)) was investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) experiments. From the analysis of our data, a clear ability of the nucleopeptide to bind nucleic acids emerged, with oligoDapT being able to form stable complexes with both unpaired and double-stranded DNA and RNA. In particular, dramatic changes in the dA12/dT12 and poly(rA)/poly(rU) structures were observed as a consequence of the nucleopeptide binding. CD titrations revealed that multiple peptide units bound all the examined nucleic acid targets, with TLdap/A or TLdap/A:T(U) ratios >4 in case of oligoDapT/DNA and ~2 in oligoDapT/RNA complexes. Conclusion Our findings seem to indicate that Dap-based nucleopeptides are interesting nucleic acid binding-tools to be further explored with the aim to efficiently modulate DNA- and RNA-based biological processes.
Imperfect Public Monitoring with a Fear of Signal Distortion

This paper proposes a model of signal distortion in a two-player game with imperfect public monitoring. We construct a tractable theoretical framework where each player has the opportunity to distort the true public signal and each player is uncertain about the distortion technologies available to the other player. We show that when players evaluate strategies according to their worst-case guarantees — i.e., are ambiguity averse over certain distributions in the environment — perceived continuation payoffs endogenously lie on a positively sloped line. We then provide examples showing that, counterintuitively, identifying deviators can be harmful in enforcing a strategy profile; moreover, we illustrate how the presence of such signal distortion can sustain cooperation when it is impossible in standard settings. We finally extend our model to a repeated game where our concept is a natural generalization of strongly symmetric equilibria. In this setting, we prove an anti-folk theorem, showing that payoffs under our equilibrium concept are under general conditions bounded away from efficiency.
Experience with indwelling pleural catheters in the treatment of recurrent pleural effusions

Recurrent pleural effusions are frequently encountered in clinical practice. Whether malignant or nonmalignant, they often pose a challenge to the practicing clinician. When they recur, despite optimum medical therapy of the underlying condition and repeated thoracenteses, more invasive definitive approaches are usually required. Since its introduction in 1997, the PleurX catheter became the preferred method to treat recurrent malignant pleural effusions. Since then, a number of publications have documented its utility in managing recurrent nonmalignant pleural effusions. The purpose of this paper is to review the use of the PleurX catheter in recurrent pleural effusions.
Transitional B Cells and TLR9 Responses Are Defective in Selective IgA Deficiency

Selective IgA deficiency (IgAD) is the most common primary antibody deficiency in the western world with affected individuals suffering from an increased burden of autoimmunity, atopic diseases and infections. It has been shown that IgAD B cells can be induced with germinal center mimicking reactions to produce IgA. However, IgA is the most prevalent antibody in mucosal sites, where antigen-independent responses are important. Much interest has recently focused on the role of TLR9 in both naïve and mature B cell differentiation into IgA secreting plasma cells. Here, we analyze the phenotype and function of T and B cells in individuals with IgAD following IgA-inducing CpG-TLR9 stimulations. The IgAD individuals had significantly lower numbers of transitional B cells (CD19+CD24hiCD38hi) and class-switched memory B cells (CD20+CD27+IgD−) ex vivo. However, proportions of T cell populations ex vivo as well as in vitro induced T effector cells and T regulatory cells were comparable to healthy controls. After CpG stimulation, the transitional B cell defect was further enhanced, especially within its B regulatory subset expressing IL-10. Finally, CpG stimulation failed to induce IgA production in IgAD individuals. Collectively, our results demonstrate a defect of the TLR9 responses in IgAD that leads to B cell dysregulation and decreased IgA production.
Comparison of algorithms for estimating ocean primary production from surface chlorophyll, temperature, and irradiance

Results of a single‐blind round‐robin comparison of satellite primary productivity algorithms are presented. The goal of the round‐robin exercise was to determine the accuracy of the algorithms in predicting depth‐integrated primary production from information amenable to remote sensing. Twelve algorithms, developed by 10 teams, were evaluated by comparing their ability to estimate depth‐integrated daily production (IP, mg C m−2) at 89 stations in geographically diverse provinces. Algorithms were furnished information about the surface chlorophyll concentration, temperature, photosynthetic available radiation, latitude, longitude, and day of the year. Algorithm results were then compared with IP estimates derived from 14C uptake measurements at the same stations. Estimates from the best‐performing algorithms were generally within a factor of 2 of the 14C‐derived estimates. Many algorithms had systematic biases that can possibly be eliminated by reparameterizing underlying relationships. The performance of the algorithms and degree of correlation with each other were independent of the algorithms’ complexity.
Promoting ethical behaviour and preventing wrongdoing in organisations: A rapid evidence assessment

This report summarises the findings of an REA, the aim of which was to identify interventions, mechanisms and levers that might help to encourage ethical behaviour and prevent wrongdoing in organisations (i.e. comply with common professional standards or ethical principles). This review builds on the separate REA carried out by the College on the impact of codes of ethics on professional behaviour (see Brown 2014). The REA is based on a total of 57 studies carried out in policing and other professions. The review used a clear protocol to search for, sift and bring together the most relevant research papers. It reports 39 studies identified by this method, plus an additional 18 studies identified by the College of Policing or at peer review. While it was difficult to draw out overall conclusions from the literature, because the studies included in the review used a wide range of research methods to answer different questions in a variety of settings, the key findings are highlighted below. Evidence from existing systematic reviews is presented separately to that from single studies and case studies.
Variants of semantic instability (SeIns) in the arts: A classification study based on experiential reports.

Many artworks challenge our perceptual habits and predictions and offer a plurality of potential meanings. However, a conceptualization of such Semantic Instability (SeIns; X & Z, 2016) and its specifics is vague, yet. We recently presented an extended and systematized view on the concept integrating psychological and art theoretical accounts. In order to structure the perceptual and cognitive phenomena associated with SeIns in art, we now conducted an initial classification study and collected reports of experiences regarding a range of 17 artworks from the 20 th and 21 st centuries reflecting a variety of SeIns concepts. We revealed four clusters of SeIns via a k-means analysis: 1) integrative blend, 2) multistability, 3) indeterminacy, and 4) contrast to perceptual habits. This seminal classification aims at providing the basis for a new and more systematic view on SeIns in art.
The Mechanics of Motivated Reasoning

Whenever we see voters explain away their preferred candidate's weaknesses, dieters assert that a couple scoops of ice cream won't really hurt their weight loss goals, or parents maintain that their children are unusually gifted, we are reminded that people's preferences can affect their beliefs. This idea is captured in the common saying, "People believe what they want to believe. " But people don't simply believe what they want to believe. Psychological research makes it clear that "motivated beliefs" are guided by motivated reasoning--reasoning in the service of some self-interest, to be sure, but reasoning nonetheless. People generally reason their way to conclusions they favor, with their preferences influencing the way evidence is gathered, arguments are processed, and memories of past experience are recalled. Each of these processes can be affected in subtle ways by people's motivations, leading to biased beliefs that feel objective. In this symposium introduction, we set the stage for discussion of motivated beliefs in the papers that follow by providing more detail about the underlying psychological processes that guide motivated reasoning.
Nine Ways to Reduce Cognitive Load in Multimedia Learning

First, we propose a theory of multimedia learning based on the assumptions that humans possess separate systems for processing pictorial and verbal material (dual-channel assumption), each channel is limited in the amount of material that can be processed at one time (limited-capacity assumption), and meaningful learning involves cognitive processing including building connections between pictorial and verbal representations (active-processing assumption). Second, based on the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, we examine the concept of cognitive overload in which the learner's intended cognitive processing exceeds the learner's available cognitive capacity. Third, we examine five overload scenarios. For each overload scenario, we offer one or two theory-based suggestions for reducing cognitive load, and we summarize our research results aimed at testing the effectiveness of each suggestion. Overall, our analysis shows that cognitive load is a central consideration in the design of multimedia instruction.