Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chaperone complex BAG2–HSC70 regulates localization of Caenorhabditis elegans leucine‐rich repeat kinase LRK‐1 to the Golgi

Mutations in LRRK2 are linked to autosomal dominant forms of Parkinson's disease. We identified two human proteins that bind to LRRK2: BAG2 and HSC70, which are known to form a chaperone complex. We characterized the role of their Caenorhabditis elegans homologues, UNC‐23 and HSP‐1, in the regulation of LRK‐1, the sole homologue of human LRRK2. In C. elegans, LRK‐1 determines the polarized sorting of synaptic vesicle (SV) proteins to the axons by excluding SV proteins from the dendrite‐specific transport machinery in the Golgi. In unc‐23 mutants, SV proteins are localized to both presynaptic and dendritic endings in neurons, a phenotype also observed in lrk‐1 deletion mutants. Furthermore, we isolated mutations in the hsp‐1 gene that can suppress the unc‐23, but not the lrk‐1 defect. We show that UNC‐23 determines LRK‐1 localization to the Golgi apparatus in cooperation with HSP‐1. These results describe a chaperone‐dependent mechanism through which LRK‐1 localization is regulated.
Asymmetries in the contributions of On- and Off-mechanisms to the ERG signal

responses were recorded to rapid-on and rapid-off L- and M-cone isolating sawtooth stimuli of different cone contrasts. In addition, the responses were recorded to simultaneous in-phase stimulation of the L- and M-cones at equal cone contrast. Linear responses to mirror imaged rapid-on and rapid-off sawtooth stimuli are also mirror imaged. By adding on- and off- responses, linear response components will cancel and nonlinearities will remain. Because nonlinearities that occur at a certain stage of visual processing will influence subsequent stages, linear response components will probably have an outer retinal origin and nonlinearities probably originate mainly in the inner (post-receptoral) retina. Keywords: electroretinograms, On- and Off- responses, L- and M-cones, asymmetries.
Novelty in Theme Park Physical Surroundings: An Application of the Stimulus–Organism–Response Paradigm

Many theme parks and other “facility-driven” leisure services seek to market and differentiate themselves through the creation and recreation of their physical surroundings. This study examines the extent to which the physical surroundings are perceived as novel influences the shopping values and revisitation behaviours of theme park visitors. This empirical investigation explored two types of theme park. The findings indicate that the more theme park visitors perceive physical surroundings as novel, the higher the level of shopping values (utilitarian and hedonic value) and the stronger their intention to revisit. The researchers propose a number of theoretical and managerial implications.
Multiple job holding in the United Kingdom: evidence from the British Household Panel Survey

This article examines the determinants of multiple job holding in the UK. We address these issues using data from the first 11 waves of the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), which covered the period from 1991 to 2001. Evidence from the BHPS does not support the hypotheses of main job hours constrained and main job insecurity. We argue that the incentive for moonlighting in the UK is due to financial pressures and the desire for heterogeneous jobs. The empirical work is carried out separately for men and women.
Very Delayed Smoking Relapse Warrants Research Attention

Recent findings suggest that former smokers remain at risk for relapse well beyond the traditional treatment follow-up period of one year. Although progress has been made in understanding factors involved in smoking cessation and short-term maintenance, very little attention has been paid to research on the process, predictors, and treatment implications of very delayed relapse. Possible research questions are offered to stimulate further investigation in this area.
Physiological role of D‐aspartate oxidase in the assimilation and detoxification of D‐aspartate in the yeast Cryptococcus humicola

The physiological role of D‐aspartate oxidase (ChDASPO) in the yeast Cryptococcus humicola was analysed through the growth characteristics of a ChDASPO gene‐disrupted strain (daspoΔ) and the expression profile of ChDASPO on various combinations of carbon and nitrogen sources. The daspoΔ strain, constructed by homologous integration of the yeast URA3 marker, grew as well as the wild‐type strain on ammonium chloride, L‐aspartate or D‐alanine as the sole nitrogen source. In contrast, the daspoΔ strain did not grow at all on D‐aspartate, not only as the sole nitrogen source but also as the sole carbon source or as the sole nitrogen and carbon source, and grew more slowly than the wild‐type strain on D‐glutamate as the sole nitrogen source. In the wild‐type strain, the induction of ChDASPO activity strictly depended on the presence of D‐aspartate and was little affected by the co‐presence of ammonium chloride, but it was significantly reduced by the co‐presence of both glucose and ammonium chloride, which, however, did not abolish the induction, allowing considerable expression of ChDASPO. This expression pattern was consistent with that shown by Northern blot analysis. The daspoΔ strain was more sensitive than the wild‐type to the growth retardation by acidic D‐amino acids, but not to that by the corresponding L‐isomers or D‐alanine. These results clearly show that in the yeast, DASPO plays an essential role in the assimilation of D‐aspartate and acts as a detoxifying agent for D‐aspartate. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differences in emotional intelligence between effective and ineffective leaders in the public sector: an empirical study

The literature supporting leadership as the most important factor related to organizational success or failure is burgeoning. To a large extent, this may explain why so much research focuses on factors influencing leadership effectiveness. A crucial aspect of leadership research is to determine why some individuals perform effectively in leadership roles while others demonstrate mediocre or low levels of effectiveness. Once measures of individual characteristics have been validated within a relevant context, they become useful sources of information for selecting, placing, and promoting people into leadership positions. The aim of this study was to determine if there are statistically significant differences in emotional intelligence between effective and ineffective leaders. The sample included 114 leaders at the middle management level in a public sector institution in South Africa. Each leader’s effectiveness was rated by themselves (self-rating), as well as by four subordinates, thus involving 570 participants. The EQ-i® was used as a measure of emotional intelligence, while Spangenberg and Theron’s Leadership Behaviour Inventory was used to determine leadership effectiveness. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that the effective leaders scored significantly higher on the total emotional intelligence measure. They also scored significantly higher on two emotional intelligence composite scales (Interpersonal EQ and Stress Management EQ) and six sub-scales (Self-actualization, Empathy, Social Responsibility, Stress Tolerance, Problem-solving, and Optimism). Points for practitioners The relationship between emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness seems to warrant organizational consideration of the possible inclusion of emotional intelligence, among other competencies, as a selection and promotion criterion for future leaders. Job analyses and the subsequent identification of job competencies can be used in order to determine, among others, the emotional intelligence requirements of specific leadership tasks, duties, and behaviours at different managerial levels within the organization. Based on such predetermined criteria, valid measures of emotional intelligence could be included as part of the selection and promotion process, along with other desirable individual attributes, such as verbal and numerical abilities, personality attributes, and specific managerial and leadership competencies required for effective leadership specifically within public sector institutions. Leadership development courses may also include programmes to develop emotional intelligence competencies. Potential candidates nominated to attend these courses could be equipped with a vital understanding of their own emotional functioning as well as an awareness of their influence on their followers. The continuous provision of feedback, mentoring, and modelling is also a key consideration in the development of emotional intelligence.
Antifungal and surgical treatment of invasive aspergillosis: review of 2,121 published cases.

No controlled trials of therapy for invasive aspergillosis have been done. This review appraises 2,121 cases reported in 497 articles in the literature and analyzes 440 courses of treatment of infection at various body sites in 379 patients. The exclusion of early failures of therapy skews the results toward a favorable outcome. The rate of response to amphotericin B is 55%. Mortality from pulmonary aspergillosis in bone marrow transplant recipients exceeds 94% regardless of therapy, as does that from cerebral aspergillosis in all hosts. Amphotericin B (1 mg/[kg.d]) with flucytosine lowers mortality in neutropenic patients with pulmonary aspergillosis who did not receive a bone marrow transplant; relapse is common. Surgical debridement of aspergillus maxillary sinusitis is usually curative in nonimmunocompromised patients, whereas it increases mortality among neutropenic patients. Valve replacement is essential for aspergillus endocarditis. Both vitrectomy and intravitreal amphotericin B treatment are essential for aspergillus endophthalmitis. Flucytosine is somewhat useful clinically. Itraconazole shows efficacy in the treatment of pulmonary, skeletal, and pericardial aspergillosis. Although liposomal amphotericin B is less toxic than standard preparations of the drug, relevant data are limited. The proposed potentiation of amphotericin B by rifampin is unsupported by clinical data. Despite "conventional" therapy, mortality from invasive aspergillosis remains high; new approaches must be investigated.
Does Military Spending Stimulate or Retard Economic Performance? Revisiting an Old Debate

The current military buildup, the fourth since the end of World War II, once again raises an old debate: does military spending provide economic stimulation through higher demand and technological innovations, or does military spending retard economic performance because it draws resources from more productive activities. This paper reviews the debate with almost a half century worth of data, and concludes that neither view garners strong support. The major effect of military spending may be context specific, with the impacts depending largely on what else is happening in the economy.
Research, Innovation, and Productivity: an Econometric Analysis at the Firm Level

This paper studies the links between productivity, innovation and research at th level. We introduce three new features: (i) A structural model that explains pro by innovation output, and innovation output by research investment; (ii) New dat manufacturing firms, including the number of European patents and the percentage sales, as well as firm-level demand pull and technology push indicators; (iii) E which correct for selectivity and simultaneity biases and take into account the features of the available data: only a small proportion of firms engage in resea apply for patents; productivity, innovation and research are endogenously determ investment and capital are truncated variables, patents are count data and innov We find that using the more widespread methods, and the more usual data and mode may lead to sensibly different estimates. We find in particular that simultaneit with selectivity, and that both sources of biases must be taken into account tog results are consistent with many of the stylized facts of the empirical literatu of engaging in research (R&D) for a firm increases with its size (number of empl share and diversification, and with the demand pull and technology push indicato capital intensity) of a firm engaged in research increases with the same variabl research capital being strictly proportional to size). The firm innovation outpu patent numbers or innovative sales, rises with its research effort and with the indicators, either directly or indirectly through their effects on research. Fin correlates positively with an higher innovation output, even when controlling fo the skill composition of labor as well as for physical capital intensity.
General Fate Model for Microconstituents in an Activated Sludge System

Nine laboratory‐scale continuous flow porous‐pot bioreactors, operating at various solids retention times (SRT) and hydraulic retention times, were used to simulate activated sludge systems, and to evaluate biodegradation kinetic models for the fate of 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol‐A (BPA), and triclosan (TCS) at the μg/L range. Mathematical models were applied to describe the degradation mechanism of selected microconstituents and the pseudo‐second‐order model was found to best fit the results when active microconstituent degraders (XC) were used (r2 = 0.99). The result of XC estimation showed that SRT plays an important role in formation of the biomass capable of degrading selected microconstituents. It is also observed that microconstituent degraders are naturally present in an activated sludge system, even at low SRTs; however, the concentration of XC is dependent on SRT. It seems that biodegradation studies should incorporate XC, and not mixed liquor suspended solids concentration, in their kinetic formulations.
The Effect of Economic and Fiscal Performance on Incumbency Voting: The Canadian Case

This study examines the effect of incorporating taxation into the incumbency voting model using aggregate economic data for Canadian federal elections from 1953 to 1988. Although Canadian election campaigns tend to be dominated by economic performance issues, taxation, as measured by open-ended questions in the national election studies, has not been a salient campaign issue among voters. None the less, voters as consumers in the market economy have an interest in government policies that affect after-tax income. Furthermore, as economic citizens, voters have an interest in taxation as a measure of government efficiency – the costs of providing public services – independent of benefits generated by government. Paralleling American and British results, the economic and fiscal performance variables behave as expected in the incumbency model. Income change has a positive effect, and the rate of inflation and unemployment a negative effect, on incumbency voting. The relationship between taxation and incumbency voting is negative, both through its effect on after-tax income and also directly, independent of income. The results are consistent with an interpretation which suggests that voters, responding to the public agenda for economic performance and to a private agenda for taxation, behave both as politic consumers and as economic citizens.
Implication of Improved Irrigation Pumping Efficiency for Farmer Profit and Energy Use

Irrigated crop production on the Texas High Plains accounts for more than 80 percent of the value of total crop production in the region. Total economic activity associated with crop production was estimated to be $2.18 billion in 1967 [11]. Because of the importance and contribution of irrigation to the regional economy, any significant adjustments in irrigation create repercussions throughout the region. The price of natural gas within Texas is not subject to interstate regulations. Since 1973, dramatic increases in natural gas price (from $0.50 to more than $2.00/mcf) in the state have caused considerable concern about the economic feasibility of continued irrigation. Research was conducted to estimate the effect of continuing natural gas price increases on irrigation [8].
Overweight and blood pressure: results from the examination of a selected group of adolescents in northern Italy

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate blood pressure (BP) levels and their relationship with different indices of body fat in a group of adolescents, in order to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and plan preventive and corrective strategies. Design Cross-sectional study in primary care. Setting All high schools in the Aosta Valley region, northern Italy. Subjects Five hundred and thirty-two adolescents of both sexes, aged 15·4 (standard deviation 0·7) years. The following parameters were measured: body weight, body height, body mass index (BMI), four skinfold thicknesses, body fat mass, waist and hip circumferences and BP. Results BMI data indicated a high prevalence of overweight subjects in both sexes, but higher in males, while the prevalence rate of obese adolescents was lower. Of the total, 11·8 % of subjects suffered from systolic hypertension, while 6·9 % suffered from diastolic hypertension. In linear correlation analysis, BMI and all adiposity indices, except waist:hip ratio, were found to be significantly associated (P ranging between 0·05 and 0·001) with both systolic BP and diastolic BP in both sexes, with r ranging between 0·152 and 0·359. Multiple regression analysis with the stepwise method showed BMI and body fat mass to have the strongest association (P < 0·001) with BP, with r ranging between 0·275 and 0·359. Conclusion Unless reversed, these conditions are worrying and predict the possible development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. There is a pressing need to develop a comprehensive medical and nutrition plan, together with preventive and corrective strategies, in school programmes.
Surgical Treatment of One Hundred Seventy-Four Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors

Study Design. A retrospective study of microsurgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) was conducted. Objective. In this article we review our experience in dealing with IMSCTs and try to answer the question of the optimum treatment of IMSCTs. Summary of Background Data. IMSCTs are commonly seen tumors in intraspinal tumors. The optimum treatment of those tumors is controversial, with the recent advance, the operation of IMSCTs has became safer and total resection of most those tumor is possible. Methods. Data from 174 IMSCTs operated on in the last 20 years are analyzed retrospectively by the tumors’ anatomic locations, histologic types, symptoms and signs, tumor removal rate, and operative outcomes. Results. In this group ependymoma was the commonest tumor (48.9%), the second most often seen being astrocytoma (35.6%). On admission 142 patients suffered from motor disturbance and 134 from dysaesthesia. Eighty-eight had sphincter disturbance and 100 spontaneous pain. Total resection of the tumor was possible in 60.9% of patients, subtotal resection in 17.2%, and partial resection in 13.8%. In patients with ependymoma total resection was possible in 92.9% of patients, subtotal in 5.95%, and partial resection in1.2%. In low grade astrocytoma total resection was possible in 41.1%, subtotal in 35.1%, and partial resection in 23.2%. There were 6 patients with malignant astrocytomata; total resection was possible in 1 patient, subtotal resection in 2, and partial resection in 3. In the other tumors total resection was possible in 63% and subtotal in 14.8%, in 23.2% was partial resection possible. Six months after operation the patient’s symptoms and signs were compared with those before operation. Neurologic deficits had improved in 60.4%, there was no change in 36.2% and deterioration in 3.4%. On long-term follow-up there was improvement in 70.2%, no change in 19.5%, deterioration in 4%, tumor recurrence in 6.9%, with 6.3% of patients dying. Conclusion. Most intramedullary spinal cord tumors need operative treatment as early as possible. The outcome of aggressive surgery now is much better than it has been in the past, and the results are acceptable. For malignant tumors and those where total removal has not been possible radiation therapy is necessary.
The ecology of predispersal insect herbivory on tree reproductive structures in natural forest ecosystems

Plant–insect interactions are key model systems to assess how some species affect the distribution, the abundance, and the evolution of others. Tree reproductive structures represent a critical resource for many insect species, which can be likely drivers of demography, spatial distribution, and trait diversification of plants. In this review, we present the ecological implications of predispersal herbivory on tree reproductive structures by insects (PIHR) in forest ecosystems. Both insect's and tree's perspectives are addressed with an emphasis on how spatiotemporal variation and unpredictability in seed availability can shape such particular plant–animal interactions. Reproductive structure insects show strong trophic specialization and guild diversification. Insects evolved host selection and spatiotemporal dispersal strategies in response to variable and unpredictable abundance of reproductive structures in both space and time. If PIHR patterns have been well documented in numerous systems, evidences of the subsequent demographic and evolutionary impacts on tree populations are still constrained by time‐scale challenges of experimenting on such long‐lived organisms, and modeling approaches of tree dynamics rarely consider PIHR when including biotic interactions in their processes. We suggest that spatially explicit and mechanistic approaches of the interactions between individual tree fecundity and insect dynamics will clarify predictions of the demogenetic implications of PIHR in tree populations. In a global change context, further experimental and theoretical contributions to the likelihood of life‐cycle disruptions between plants and their specialized herbivores, and to how these changes may generate novel dynamic patterns in each partner of the interaction are increasingly critical.
Colonic FDG Uptake Pattern in Subjects Receiving Oral Contrast With No Known or Suspected Colonic Disease

Aim: We assessed the pattern of metabolic activity in the colon of subjects who received oral contrast and had no known or suspected colonic disease. Methods: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with [F-18]-fluorodeoxyglucose was performed in 50 patients with cancer and no known or suspected colonic pathology. Studies with intense focal or segmental colonic activity (in comparison to liver reference activity), which are known to be predictive of colonic pathology were excluded. Retrospectively, colon was divided into cecum, ascending, transverse, descending, and rectosigmoid partitions, and the corresponding volumetric regions of interest were drawn on all relevant CT images. Partitioned colonic maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Frequency of occurrence for the various colonic uptake rank orders was also tabulated. Results: For colonic partitions, range and median SUVmax, respectively, were in decreasing order: rectosigmoid (1.5–9.9, 2.9), cecum (1.2–6.3, 2.6), ascending (0.7–4.0, 1.8), transverse (0.4–4.1, 1.2), and descending (0.6–3.1, 1.2). The SUVmax at different colonic partitions were significantly different from each other (P < 0.001), except for the SUVmax between descending and transverse colonic segments (P = 0.77). Combining the latter segments, the uptake rank order of “rectosigmoid > cecum > ascending” was demonstrated in 50% and “cecum > rectosigmoid > ascending” in 30% of subjects. Conclusions: Rectosigmoid and cecum tend to demonstrate higher metabolism than other colonic segments in the majority subjects who receive oral contrast during [F-18]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT and have no known or suspected colonic pathology.