Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of a Swarm of Local Tornados on Tornado Preparedness: A Quasi‐Comparable Cohort Investigation1

Previous research has indicated that experience with natural disasters appears to affect the extent to which populations act to mitigate and prepare for these events. Such efforts, however, have failed to disclose precisely why this relationship appears viable. Furthermore, rarely have these investigations included pre- and post-tornado data from similar populations. In an effort to investigate further the effects of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between experience with disasters and preparedness actions, relevant data were assessed for 2 samples from the same population before and after the occurrence of a swarm of local tornados. Results indicate that tornado preparedness levels increased significantly following the tornados. Furthermore, appraised threat of tornados and personal responsibility for preparedness actions also increased significantly following the tornados. Implications of these results are discussed.
HRM practices and MNC knowledge transfer

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to determine and empirically examine the effect of human resource management (HRM) practices on knowledge transfer within multinational corporations.Design/methodology/approach – It is suggested that the employment of human resource practices, which affect absorptive capacity of knowledge receivers and support organizational learning environment, is positively related to the degree of knowledge transfer to the subsidiary. Moreover, the higher degree of knowledge transfer is expected when HRM practices are applied as an integrated system of interdependent practices. Hypotheses derived from these arguments are tested on the data from 92 subsidiaries of Danish multinational corporations (MNCs) located in 11 countries.Findings – Results of the analysis indicated the existence of two groups of HRM practices conducive to knowledge transfer. The simultaneous effect of the first group of HRM practices consisting of “staffing”, “training”, “promotion”, “compensation” and “appr.
The scaffolding protein Cnk binds to the receptor tyrosine kinase Alk to promote visceral founder cell specification in Drosophila

Alk signaling in the developing Drosophila visceral mesoderm requires the scaffolding protein Cnk and its binding partner Ave. Identifying downstream components of Alk Aberrant activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase ALK contributes to the progression of several human cancers. In developing Drosophila larvae, Alk and its ligand Jeb are critical for the specification of visceral muscle founder cells. Wolfstetter et al. found that the scaffolding protein Cnk interacted with Alk and was required for Alk signaling in the visceral mesoderm of this model organism. In addition, the Cnk binding partner Ave promoted the function of Cnk in this pathway. Mutants deficient in Cnk or Ave or overexpressing the Alk binding region of Cnk (which would be expected to disrupt the interaction between Alk and Cnk) lacked founder cells and failed to develop functional gut musculature. Together, these results identify components downstream of Alk. Future studies are necessary to determine whether human homologs of Cnk also participate in ALK signaling. In Drosophila melanogaster, the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk) and its ligand jelly belly (Jeb) are required to specify muscle founder cells in the visceral mesoderm. We identified a critical role for the scaffolding protein Cnk (connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of Ras) in this signaling pathway. Embryos that ectopically expressed the minimal Alk interaction region in the carboxyl terminus of Cnk or lacked maternal and zygotic cnk did not generate visceral founder cells or a functional gut musculature, phenotypes that resemble those of jeb and Alk mutants. Deletion of the entire Alk-interacting region in the cnk locus affected the Alk signaling pathway in the visceral mesoderm and not other RTK signaling pathways in other tissues. In addition, the Cnk-interacting protein Aveugle (Ave) was critical for Alk signaling in the developing visceral mesoderm. Alk signaling stimulates the MAPK/ERK pathway, but the scaffolding protein Ksr, which facilitates activation of this pathway, was not required to promote visceral founder cell specification. Thus, Cnk and Ave represent critical molecules downstream of Alk, and their loss genocopies the lack of visceral founder cell specification of Alk and jeb mutants, indicating their essential roles in Alk signaling.
The War of “Who Is Who”: Autochthony, Nationalism, and Citizenship in the Ivoirian Crisis

Abstract: Over the past four years the Ivoirian crisis has seen as its central dynamic the mobilization of the categories of autochthony and territorialized belonging in an ultranationalist discourse vehicled by the party in power. More than just a struggle to the death for state power, the conflict involves the redefinition of the content of citizenship and the conditions of sovereignty. The explosion of violence and counterviolence provoked and legitimated by the mobilization of these categories does not necessarily signify either the triumph of those monolithic identities “engineered” during the colonial occupation, nor the disintegration of the nation-state in the context of globalization. The Ivoirian case shows the continued vitality of the nation-state: not only as the principal space in terms of which discourses of authochtony are constructed, but also in terms of the techniques and categories that the political practice of autochthony puts into play. While in some senses the Ivoirian conflict appears to be a war without borders—in particular with the “spillover” of the Liberian war in the west during 2003—it is above all a war about borders, crystallizing in liminal spaces and social categories and on emerging practices and ways of life.
Integrating a Facebook Group and a Course Website: The Effect on Participation and Perceptions on Learning

This study investigated how the use of two virtual platforms for learning—a Facebook group and a learning management system course website—affect students’ perceptions of learning and participation. The theoretical basis for the research relied on social–constructivist theory. It was found that Facebook, although not originally created for educational purposes, can be used as a virtual environment for discussion and sharing knowledge. Students reported being engaged in interaction and active participation in the Facebook group and appreciated its major contribution to their own personal learning experience. Most of them embraced a Facebook group for their future academic courses, without giving up on a course website, crucial as the main source of course materials and the support of individual cognitive learning processes. The Facebook group was perceived as a protected environment that fosters social learning processes while emphasizing learner involvement, active contribution, and frequent interaction with peers and instructor. The course website, on the other hand, was perceived as a learning content repository designed for traditional, individual learning processes, such as recalling and understanding the course content.
A multivariate analysis of the role of certain anthropometric and physiological attributes in distance running.

Previous studies have indicated the relative importance of not only cardiovascular-réspiratory function but physical dimensions and body composition as factors involved in success in distance running. A total of 114 Japanese young, middle- and long-distance runners (age = 19 X 0 +/- 1 X 7 yr) served as subjects. Anthropometric characteristics were assessed before the measurement of VO2max (open circuit method) and Qmax (CO2 rebreathing method). Among many anthropometric variables, chest girth, upper leg length and thigh girth were best related to performances over 800, 1500 and 5000 metres, while upper arm girth, the Rohrer Index, and the Ponderal Index represented the 10000m performance. As a result of factor analysis and the multiple regression analysis, three factors (i.e., linearity of physique, girth of physique, and subcutaneous fat) were extracted, and the first two factors were nearly equally related to the 800m, and 1500m and 5000m performances. The 10000m, however, was best accounted for by the second factor. Approximately 20-40% of the variance in the performances was explained by three anthropometric variables. VO2max and Qmax, combined in a linear model, also accounted for approximately 20-40% of the variance in the performances. We conclude that anthropometric attributes would predict the distance running performance to about the same degree as physiological attributes. This may be partly attributed to the homogeneity of the present subjects in terms of their running abilities.
Proofreading Activity of DNA Polymerase Pol2 Mediates 3′-End Processing during Nonhomologous End Joining in Yeast

Genotoxic agents that cause double-strand breaks (DSBs) often generate damage at the break termini. Processing enzymes, including nucleases and polymerases, must remove damaged bases and/or add new bases before completion of repair. Artemis is a nuclease involved in mammalian nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), but in Saccharomyces cerevisiae the nucleases and polymerases involved in NHEJ pathways are poorly understood. Only Pol4 has been shown to fill the gap that may form by imprecise pairing of overhanging 3′ DNA ends. We previously developed a chromosomal DSB assay in yeast to study factors involved in NHEJ. Here, we use this system to examine DNA polymerases required for NHEJ in yeast. We demonstrate that Pol2 is another major DNA polymerase involved in imprecise end joining. Pol1 modulates both imprecise end joining and more complex chromosomal rearrangements, and Pol3 is primarily involved in NHEJ-mediated chromosomal rearrangements. While Pol4 is the major polymerase to fill the gap that may form by imprecise pairing of overhanging 3′ DNA ends, Pol2 is important for the recession of 3′ flaps that can form during imprecise pairing. Indeed, a mutation in the 3′-5′ exonuclease domain of Pol2 dramatically reduces the frequency of end joins formed with initial 3′ flaps. Thus, Pol2 performs a key 3′ end-processing step in NHEJ.
Antimicrobial therapy for diabetic foot infections. A practical approach.

Infection of the diabetic foot is a common problem in clinical practice and is associated with significant morbidity. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach. Aggressive surgical debridement and wound management, carefully chosen antimicrobial therapy, and modification of host factors (i.e., hyperglycemia, concomitant arterial insufficiency) are all equally important for a successful outcome. Empirical antibiotic selection should be followed by culture-guided definitive therapy.
A generic framework for the structured abstraction of images

Structural properties are important clues for non-photorealistic representations of digital images. Therefore, image analysis tools have been intensively used either to produce stroke-based renderings or to yield abstractions of images. In this work, we propose to use a hierarchical and geometrical image representation, called a topographic map, made of shapes organized in a tree structure. There are two main advantages of this analysis tool. Firstly, it is able to deal with all scales, so that every shape of the input image is represented. Secondly, it accounts for the inclusion properties within the image. By iteratively performing simple local operations on the shapes (removal, rotation, scaling, replacement.), we are able to generate abstract renderings of digital photographs ranging from geometrical abstraction and painting-like effects to style transfer, using the same framework. In particular, results show that it is possible to create abstract images evoking Malevitchs Suprematist school, while remaining grounded in the structure of digital images, by replacing all the shapes in the tree by simple geometric shapes.
How Much Is Majority Status in the U.S. Congress Worth?

A key premise of partisan theories of congressional organization is that majority status confers substantial procedural advantages. In this article, we take advantage of changes in party control of the House and Senate, such as that following the Republicans' historic victory in the midterm elections of 1994, to assess the value of majority status in terms of contributions from access-seeking political action committees (PACs). We estimate that majority status in the House was worth about $36,000 per member in receipts from corporate and trade PACs circa 1994—even controlling for the usual factors cited in the literature as affecting members' ability to raise money (such as committee assignments and voting record). The value of majority status in the Senate is even larger in absolute terms, although smaller in proportion to the total amount of money raised. Our results show that majority status is a valuable asset, one worth considerable collective effort to attain.
In ovo temperature manipulation influences embryonic motility and growth of limb tissues in the chick (Gallus gallus)

SUMMARY The chick embryo, developing in the egg, is an ideal system in which to investigate the effects of incubation environment on the development of the embryo. We show that raising the temperature of the eggs by just one degree, from 37.5°C to 38.5°C, during embryonic days (ED) 4–7 causes profound changes in development. We demonstrate that embryonic movement is significantly increased in the chicks raised at 38.5°C both during the period in which they are at the higher temperature but also 4 days after their return to the control temperature. Concomitant with this increase in embryonic activity, the embryos raised at higher temperature grow to significantly heavier weights and exhibit significantly longer leg bones (tibia and tarsus) than the controls from ED12 onwards, although mineralization occurs normally. Additionally, the number of leg myonuclei is increased from ED12 in the embryos raised at the higher temperature. This is likely to promote greater leg muscle growth later in development, which may provide postural stability to the chicks posthatch. These changes are similar to those seen when drugs are injected to increase embryonic activity. We therefore believe that the increased embryonic activity provides a mechanism that can explain the increased growth of leg muscle and bone seen when the eggs are incubated for 3 days at higher temperature.
Treatment of myeloma: recent developments

Melphalan was the first described treatment for patients with multiple myeloma in the 1960s and is still being used in clinical practice. However, the use of melphalan in combination with prednisone resulted in a median survival of only 2–3 years. Therefore, the dose of melphalan has been intensified since then (140–200 mg/m2). In order to diminish treatment-related morbidity and mortality due to severe myelosuppression induced by these regimens, high-dose melphalan is currently supported with autologous stem cells. Indications for high-dose therapy and the role of further intensification by performing second or allogeneic transplantations are discussed. Furthermore, new therapeutic modalities, such as inhibitors of angiogenesis, also showing direct antiproliferative, cytokine-related and immunomodulatory effects on plasma cells (thalidomide and its newer deratives), inhibitors of the transcription factor NF-&kgr;B (proteasome inhibitors) and immunotherapy are described.
Low cadmium (LCD), a novel gene related to cadmium tolerance and accumulation in rice

The contamination of food crops by cadmium (Cd) is a major concern in food production because it can reduce crop yields and threaten human health. In this study, knockout rice plants (Oryza sativa) tagged with the gene trap vector pGA2707 were screened for Cd tolerance, and the tolerant line lcd was obtained. The lcd mutant showed tolerance to Cd on agar plates and in hydroponic culture during early plant development. Metal concentration measurements in hydroponically grown plants revealed significantly less Cd in the shoots of lcd plants compared with wild-type (WT) shoots. When cultured in the field in soil artificially contaminated with low levels of Cd, lcd showed no significant difference in the Cd content of its leaf blades; however, the Cd concentration in the grains was 55% lower in 2009 and 43% lower in 2010. There were no significant differences in plant dry weight or seed yield between lcd and wild-type plants. LCD, a novel gene, is not homologous to any other known gene. LCD localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus, and was expressed mainly in the vascular tissues in the roots and phloem companion cells in the leaves. These data indicate that lcd may be useful for understanding Cd transport mechanisms and is a promising candidate rice line for use in combating the threat of Cd to human health.
Tubulovascular Nitric Oxide Crosstalk: Buffering of Angiotensin II–Induced Medullary Vasoconstriction

Abstract— Studies were designed to determine the source of NO responsible for buffering of the angiotensin II (Ang II)–mediated decrease of blood flow in the renal medulla. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and NO production ([NO]i) of pericytes and endothelium of the vasa recta were independently measured with the use of fura 2-AM and 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2DA), respectively, in microtissue strips of the vascular bundles of the outer medullary vasa recta. Disruption of the endothelium of the vasa recta by perfusion with latex microspheres enabled imaging of the pericytes. Ang II (1 &mgr;mol/L) produced an increase of [NO]i of 19±6 U in pericytes of the vasa recta when the vessels were adjacent to medullary thick ascending limbs (mTALs). Pericytes of isolated vasa recta without surrounding mTALs showed a rapid peak increase in [Ca2+]i of 248±107 nmol/L, with a sustained elevation of 107±75 nmol/L, but did not show an increase in [NO]i to either Ang II (1 &mgr;mol/L) or the Ca2+ ionophore 4-bromo-A23187 (5 &mgr;mol/L). These observations indicated the lack of Ang II and Ca2+-sensitive NO production in pericytes of the vasa recta. In isolated vasa recta with intact endothelium, Ang II reduced [Ca2+]i from 128±28 to 62±13 nmol/L and failed to increase [NO]i. However, the Ca2+ ionophore did increase [NO]i in the endothelium (47±8 U), indicating the presence of Ca2+-sensitive NO production. Significant increases of [NO]i were observed in single isolated mTALs in response to both Ang II (33±6 U) and the Ca2+ ionophore (51±18 U). We conclude that Ang II increases [Ca2+]i in pericytes of the descending vasa recta as part of its constrictor action and that this vasoconstriction is buffered by the NO from the surrounding tubular elements, such as mTALs.
Turf wars: experimental tests for alternative stable states in a two-phase coastal ecosystem.

Alternative stable states have long been thought to exist in natural communities, but direct evidence for their presence and for the environmental switches that cause them has been scarce. Using a combination of greenhouse and field experiments, we investigated the environmental drivers associated with two distinctive herbaceous communities in coastal ecosystems in New Zealand. In a mosaic unrelated to micro-topography, a community dominated largely by native turf species (notably Leptinella dioica, Samolus repens, and Selliera radicans) alternates with vegetation comprising exotic (i.e., nonnative) pasture species (notably Agrostis stolonifera, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, and Trifolium repens). The species of these two communities differ in functional characters related to leaf longevity and growth rate, and occupy soils of differing nitrogen levels. Both spatial and environmental factors influenced the species composition locally. Reciprocal transplants of soil, with and without associated vegetation, showed that a native turf community developed when sward or soil from either community was bounded by turf, and a pasture community developed when sward or soil from either community was surrounded by pasture. In artificial mixed communities in the greenhouse, turf was able to invade the pasture community where the vegetation was clipped to simulate grazing, and also where Trifolium was removed and/or salt spray was applied. The pasture community invaded the turf where Trifolium was present or nitrogen was added. These results were supported by trends in experimentally manipulated field plots, where the amount of turf cover increased when nitrogen was kept low and when salt spray was applied, whereas pasture cover increased in the absence of salt spray. Thus, persistence of the native turf community is dependent on grazing, both directly and via its effect on keeping nitrogen levels low by excluding the exotic, nitrogen-fixing Trifolium, and by exposing the vegetation to salt spray. If any of these factors change, there could be a state change to pasture dominance that might be resistant to reversion to turf. Managing such coastal herbaceous communities therefore requires an understanding of the environmental and species characteristics that maintain alternative states.
Patient attitudes and preferences regarding literacy screening in ambulatory cancer care clinics

correspondence: elizabeth A Hahn Department of Medical social sciences, Feinberg school of Medicine, northwestern University, 710 n Lake shore Drive, Room 725, chicago, iL 60611, UsA Tel +1 312 503 9804 Fax +1 312 503 9800 email e-hahn@northwestern.edu Objectives: To evaluate patient attitudes towards literacy screening, agreement between literacy tests, and associations between literacy, informed consent comprehension, and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Methods: Participants completed three literacy tests, read a sample consent form, and reported their HRQL, experiences, and attitudes. Results: We enrolled 97 cancer patients, of whom 66% were female, 67% were African American, and 65% were high school graduates. Sixty percent of patients with lower reading comprehension had trouble reading health information, and 31% had trouble reading everyday written material. Even patients with higher reading comprehension had trouble reading health information (29%) and everyday written material (10%). Low-literacy patients were more likely to feel anxious about literacy screening. However, the majority of patients (84%) would be willing to have literacy results given to providers. Comprehension of informed consent increased with higher literacy. There were no HRQL differences. Conclusions: Patients report difficulty comprehending written health information. Literacy assessment is acceptable and it is considered important for providers to be aware of their patients’ reading abilities. Patient preference data should be used to improve literacy testing strategies and measures. Enhancing detection of low literacy can facilitate interventions to reduce health disparities.
In-Plane Indium Phosphide Tunable Optical Filter Using Ridge Waveguides

We report the integration of suspended ridge waveguides into an in-plane indium phosphide tunable optical filter. Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBR) are integrated with an electrostatic actuator to form a Fabry-Perot Cavity with a tunable cavity length (Figure 1) similar to our previous work [1] which demonstrated 12nm of tuning and quality factor of 46.2. Use of improved mechanical design and ridge waveguides led to demonstration of 35 nanometers of tuning with a quality factor of 60.7.