Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thyroxine is permissive to seasonal transitions in reproductive neuroendocrine activity in the ewe.

The observation that circulating thyroxine concentration increases during the breeding season of the ewe, coupled with the finding that thyroid hormones are required for the transition from the breeding season to anestrus in this species, led us to test the hypothesis that the transition to anestrus is driven by a rise in circulating thyroxine. Suffolk ewes were thyroidectomized (THX) late in the anestrous season. Thyroxine was then either not replaced or provided at doses that produced nadir, incremental (simulating the seasonal rise), or mildly hyperthyroid concentrations in serum. Additional ewes remained thyroid-intact. To monitor seasonal changes in reproductive neuroendocrine activity, the ewes were ovariectomized and received implants of constant-release Silastic capsules containing estradiol. Serum concentrations of LH and thyroxine were determined in samples collected twice weekly. In all groups, LH increased in mid-September, signifying that manipulation of thyroid status did not influence onset of the neuroendocrine breeding season. In thyroid-intact controls, LH decreased to low concentrations in mid-January, marking the neuroendocrine transition to anestrus. As expected, LH remained elevated through the end of the study (April) in THX controls not receiving thyroxine, confirming that the neuroendocrine transition to anestrus is dependent on thyroid hormones. The seasonal decrease in LH was seen in all ewes treated with thyroxine. This decrease in LH was neither advanced in mildly hyperthyroid ewes nor delayed in ewes exposed to low serum concentrations of thyroxine. These results lead to the conclusion that the seasonal increase in circulating thyroid hormone in the ewe does not drive the transition from the breeding season to anestrus. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An explanation for anovulation in immature alloxan-diabetic rats treated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin: reduced pituitary response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

We have recently reported that immature alloxan- diabetic rats injected with PMS gonadotropin do not ovulate because the preovulatory LH surge is absent. In the present studies, the hypothesis was tested that alloxan-induced diabetes might alter hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) depletion and⁄or pituitary response to GnRH. Immature rats were injected with PMSG at 30 days of age. In one experiment, the rats were killed either before or during the expected proest-rous LH surge (day 32), and the hypothalami were removed and assayed for GnRH content. In other experiments, the effects of GnRH on ovulation and serum and pituitary LH were tested by injecting GnRH early on presumed proestrus (day 32). A significant and similar degree of depletion of hypothalamic GnRH was found in diabetic and control rats after the time of the expected LH surge in nondiabetic rats. Although the degree of pituitary exposure to endogenous GnRH is unknown, these data suggest that the hypothalamic release of GnRH is .
Market Distress and Vanishing Liquidity: Anatomy and Policy Options

Since the 1980s, a number of episodes of financial market distress have underscored the importance of the smooth functioning of markets for the stability of the financial system. At the heart of these episodes was a sudden and drastic reduction in market liquidity, characterised by disorderly adjustments in asset prices, a sharp increase in the costs of executing transactions and, in the most acute cases, a "seizing up" of markets. This essay explores the anatomy of market distress as well as the policy options to address it. It argues that, despite appearances, the genesis and dynamics of market distress resemble quite closely those of banking distress and that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the growth of markets for tradable instruments, and hence the greater scope to sell assets and raise cash, need not have reduced the likelihood of funding (liquidity) crises. At times of distress, in contrast to more normal times, risk management practices, funding constraints and counterparty risk become critical determinants of market liquidity. Articulating an appropriate policy response calls for an approach that takes full account of the interdependencies between the behaviour of market participants and market dynamics. To date, much useful work has been done to address market distress by improving the market infrastructure and the risk management at individual financial institutions. The territory that remains largely unexplored is precisely the link between the collective actions of individual market participants and market dynamics.
National and cultural diversity in global innovation teams creativity and innovation as a function of cultural team composition

As global companies use teams to pursue innovations research has paid increasing attention to team functioning. For global innovations firms often rely on multi-cultural innovation teams (MCITs) with members from different national backgrounds to gain easy and fast access to consumer and market knowledge. We conducted a two year longitudinal study on five MCITs at a large consumer good company, BLUE. In 105 interviews we found cultural differences and the cultural composition of the team to be the source of 36 percent of the reported difficulties. We focus on diversity of communication styles and values as well as their effect on team work quality dimensions which are linked to the innovativeness of teams. We derive a model stressing differences between diversity in communication styles and cultural values.
Making-Sense of the Impact and Importance of Outliers in Project Management through the Use of Power Laws

The academic literature and popular press has chronicled large IT project failures for the last 40 years. Two points of contention surround this debate. First, quantitative studies found mixed support of a wide-spread crisis, questioning the representativeness of failure cases. Second, organizational theories disagreed on underlying assumptions about the nature of uncertainty, in particular about stability, locus of control, and controllability of the causes of IT project disasters. To advance the understanding of these two gaps four hypotheses were tested with a sample of 4,227 IT projects. The findings showed that outliers are stable phenomena following power laws, occurrence and impact of outliers differs between public and private sector, benefits management is associated with thinner tails and lower risk, and agile delivery methods do not statistically significantly influence the thickness of the tails. In sum, outliers are stable and non-random phenomena. They matter more than medians or means when it comes to IT project risk. Second, the notion of outliers bridges the gap between qualitative and quantitative studies. The findings also show that causes of outliers are, at least to some extent, internal and controllable by organizations. Lastly, the paper draws implications for organizational decision-making, learning, and risk management.
The hemodynamic and respiratory effects of diazepam (Valium).

Diazepam, 5–10 rag, was given intravenously to treat anxiety occurring during cardiac catheterization in 15 patients. Anxiety was effectively relieved in 11 patients. Hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters were assessed before, and ten and 30 minutes after diazepam. The cardiac index decreased significantly in only three patients, each of whom had a control cardiac index in the high-normal range. No significant changes occurred in patients whose control cardiac indexes were below normal. Systolic blood pressure decreased by more than 10 mm Hg in eight patients. Pulmonary arterial pressure, heart rate, stroke volume and pulmonary and systemic resistance did not change significantly. Hypoventilation occurred in all patients. Ten minutes after diazepam minute ventilation had decreased by 28 per cent and tidal volume by 23 per cent. Paco2 increased by 5 mm Hg and Pao2 decreased by 10 mm Hg. The observed changes in blood pressure and ventilation were without clinical correlates and did not require therapy.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Nightmares for Patients with Persecutory Delusions (Nites): An Assessor-Blind, Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Nightmares are relatively common in patients experiencing psychosis but rarely assessed or treated. Nightmares may maintain persecutory delusions by portraying fears in sensory-rich detail. We tested the potential benefits of imagery-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for nightmares on nightmare severity and persecutory delusions. Method: This assessor-blind parallel-group pilot trial randomized 24 participants with nightmares and persecutory delusions to receive CBT for nightmares delivered over 4 weeks in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Assessments were at 0, 4 (end of treatment), and 8 weeks (follow-up). Feasibility outcomes assessed therapy uptake, techniques used, satisfaction, and attrition. The primary efficacy outcome assessed nightmare severity at week 4. Analyses were intention to treat, estimating treatment effect with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: All participants offered CBT completed therapy (mean [SD], 4.8 [0.6] sessions) with high satisfaction, and 20 (83%) participants completed all assessments. Compared with TAU, CBT led to large improvements in nightmares (adjusted mean difference = −7.0; 95% CI, –12.6 to –1.3; d = –1.1) and insomnia (6.3; 95% CI, 2.6 to 10.0; d = 1.4) at week 4. Gains were maintained at follow-up. Suicidal ideation was not exacerbated by CBT but remained stable to follow-up, compared with TAU, which reduced at follow-up (6.8; 95% CI, 0.3 to 3.3; d = 0.7). CBT led to reductions in paranoia (–20.8; 95% CI, –43.2 to 1.7; d = –0.6), although CIs were wide. Three serious adverse events were deemed unrelated to participation (CBT = 2, TAU = 1). Conclusions: CBT for nightmares is feasible and may be efficacious for treating nightmares and comorbid insomnia for patients with persecutory delusions. It shows promise on paranoia but potentially not on suicidal ideation.
Goal adjustment capacities and quality of life: A meta-analytic review.

OBJECTIVES This meta-analysis quantified associations between goal disengagement and goal reengagement capacities with individuals' quality of life (i.e., well-being and health). METHODS Effect sizes (Fisher's Z'; N = 421) from 31 samples were coded on several characteristics (e.g., goal adjustment capacity, quality of life type/subtype, age, and depression risk status) and analyzed using meta-analytic random effects models. RESULTS Goal disengagement (r = 0.08, p < 0.01) and goal reengagement (r = 0.19, p < 0.01) were associated with greater quality of life. While goal disengagement more strongly predicted negative (r = -0.12, p < 0.01) versus positive (r = 0.02, p = 0.37) indicators of well-being, goal reengagement was similarly associated with both (positive: r = 0.24, p < 0.01; negative: r = -0.17, p < 0.01). Finally, the association between goal disengagement and lower depressive symptoms (r = -0.11, p < 0.01) was reversed in samples at-risk for depression (r = 0.08, p = 0.01), and goal disengagement more strongly predicted quality of life in older samples (B = 0.003, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS These findings support theory on the self-regulatory functions of individuals' capacities to adjust to unattainable goals, document their distinct benefits, and identify key moderating factors.
p 27 variant and corticotropinoma susceptibility : a genetic and in vitro study

Germline mutations in p27 are associated with increased susceptibility to multiple endocrine neoplasias (MEN) both in rats and humans; however, the potential role of common polymorphisms of this gene in endocrine tumor susceptibility and tumorigenesis remains mostly unrecognized. To assess the risk associated with polymorphism rs2066827 (p27-V109G), we genotyped a large cohort of Brazilian patients with sporadic endocrine tumors (pituitary adenomas, nZ252; pheochromocytomas, nZ125; medullary thyroid carcinoma, nZ51; and parathyroid adenomas, nZ19) and 885 population-matched healthy controls and determined the odds ratios and 95% CIs. Significant associations were found for the group of patients with pituitary adenomas (PZ0.01), particularly for those with ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas (PZ0.005). In contrast, no association was found with GH-secreting pituitary tumors alone or with the sporadic counterpart of MEN2-component neoplasias. Our in vitro analyses revealed increased colony formation and cell growth rate for an AtT20 corticotropin mouse cell line overexpressing the p27-V109G variant compared with cells transfected with the WT p27. However, the genotypic effects in genetic and in vitro approaches were divergent. In accordance with our genetic data showing specificity for ACTH-secreting pituitary tissues, the overexpression of p27-V109G in a GH3 somatotropin rat cell line resulted in no difference compared with the WT. Pituitary tumors are one of the major clinical components of syndromes associated with the p27 pathogenic mutations Key Words
Simplified Transformation of Ostreococcus tauri Using Polyethylene Glycol

Ostreococcus tauri is an easily cultured representative of unicellular algae (class Mamiellophyceae) that abound in oceans worldwide. Eight complete 13–22 Mb genomes of phylogenetically divergent species within this class are available, and their DNA sequences are nearly always present in metagenomic data produced from marine samples. Here we describe a simplified and robust transformation protocol for the smallest of these algae (O. tauri). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment was much more efficient than the previously described electroporation protocol. Short (2 min or less) incubation times in PEG gave >104 transformants per microgram DNA. The time of cell recovery after transformation could be reduced to a few hours, permitting the experiment to be done in a day rather than overnight as used in previous protocols. DNA was randomly inserted in the O. tauri genome. In our hands PEG was 20–40-fold more efficient than electroporation for the transformation of O. tauri, and this improvement will facilitate mutagenesis of all of the dispensable genes present in the tiny O. tauri genome.
Eisosome Ultrastructure and Evolution in Fungi, Microalgae, and Lichens

ABSTRACT Eisosomes are among the few remaining eukaryotic cellular differentations that lack a defined function(s). These trough-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane have largely been studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in which their associated proteins, including two BAR domain proteins, have been identified, and homologues have been found throughout the fungal radiation. Using quick-freeze deep-etch electron microscopy to generate high-resolution replicas of membrane fracture faces without the use of chemical fixation, we report that eisosomes are also present in a subset of red and green microalgae as well as in the cysts of the ciliate Euplotes. Eisosome assembly is closely correlated with both the presence and the nature of cell walls. Microalgal eisosomes vary extensively in topology and internal organization. Unlike fungi, their convex fracture faces can carry lineage-specific arrays of intramembranous particles, and their concave fracture faces usually display fine striations, also seen in fungi, that are pitched at lineage-specific angles and, in some cases, adopt a broad-banded patterning. The conserved genes that encode fungal eisosome-associated proteins are not found in sequenced algal genomes, but we identified genes encoding two algal lineage-specific families of predicted BAR domain proteins, called Green-BAR and Red-BAR, that are candidate eisosome organizers. We propose a model for eisosome formation wherein (i) positively charged recognition patches first establish contact with target membrane regions and (ii) a (partial) unwinding of the coiled-coil conformation of the BAR domains then allows interactions between the hydrophobic faces of their amphipathic helices and the lipid phase of the inner membrane leaflet, generating the striated patterns.
From Global Factory to Global Mall: East Asia's Changing Trade Composition

This paper studies how East Asia’s trade composition and orientation have changed over the past decade and analyzes the implications for the region and beyond. Over the last 2 decades we have witnessed the emergence of regional and global supply chains, in which production is divided into production stages or tasks across the most competitive locations. East Asia has been the most successful region in the world in building up or joining regional and global supply chains and has been described as “Factory Asia” (Baldwin 2008). Introducing a new and simple analytical tool, we show that over the past decade East Asia has successfully consolidated its role as the “Global Factory. ” Furthermore, studying East Asia’s recent trade patterns in primary, intermediate, capital, and consumption goods, our results indicate that East Asia is on track to becoming one of the biggest “malls” in the world. Whereas in 1999–2000 around half of all consumption goods exported by East Asia went to the United States and the European Union-27, in 2011–2012 half stayed in the region or were traded with the rest of the world.
THE DIFFUSION OF E-BUSINESS ACTIVITIES IN THE UK: PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY, EXTERNALITIES AND POLICY

By jointly modelling both the inter and intra firm diffusion of e-business activities in the UK using data from the third UK Community Innovation Survey this paper addresses whether policy intervention in the diffusion process can be justified. The estimates indicate that the diffusion of basic and enhanced e-business usage reflect rank effects (different firms receive different returns from usage), market intermediated externalities (e.g. stock and order effects) and also non- market intermediated externalities (e.g. learning or epidemic effects). The policy implications of these different effects are then discussed.
Determination of cellular fatty acid compositions of various yeasts by gas-liquid chromatography

The cellular fatty acid composition of 51 cultures of various species of yeasts was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Analysis was done with a fused-silica gas-liquid chromatography capillary column, with resolution of all components including mono-, di-, and tri-unsaturated 18-carbon acids. The cultures were placed into one of four distinct gas-liquid chromatography groups on the basis of large quantitative differences in fatty acids. Group I contained only Saccharomyces species and group II only Torulopsis glabrata. Most Candida species were placed into group III, and group IV contained only basidiomycetous yeasts.
Cumulative Rheumatic Inflammation Modulates the Bone–Vascular Axis and Risk of Coronary Calcification

Background Rheumatic diseases are related to both abnormal bone turnover and atherogenesis, but a mechanistic link was missing. Methods and Results We investigated the effect of cumulative rheumatic inflammation (CRI) on risk of coronary calcification in a retrospective cohort of 145 rheumatoid arthritis patients. A time‐adjusted aggregate CRI score was derived by conglomerating all quarterly biomarker encounters of serum C‐reactive protein over 60 months immediately preceding computed tomography coronary angiography. Flow cytometry was performed to measure the osteocalcin‐positive (OCN +) CD34+ KDR + and OCN + CD34+ circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Conventional early circulating EPCs CD34+ CD133+ KDR + was determined. Coronary calcification was defined as any Agatston score >0. 50% of patients (n=72/145) had coronary calcification. CRI score was associated with presence of coronary calcification (P=0.004) (multivariable‐adjusted: highest versus lowest quartile: odds ratio=5.6 [95% CI 1.1–28.9], P=0.041). Receiver operating characteristics curve revealed divergent behavior of OCN‐expressing circulating EPCs (OCN + CD34+ EPCs: area under the curve=0.60, P=0.034; OCN + CD34+ KDR + EPCs: area under the curve=0.59, P=0.053, positive predictors) versus conventional early EPCs (CD34+ CD133+ KDR +: area under the curve=0.60, P=0.034, negative predictor) for coronary calcification, which persisted after multivariable adjustments (OCN + CD34+ KDR + [>75th percentile]: odds ratio=7.2 [95% CI 1.8–27.9], P=0.005; OCN + CD34+ EPCs [>75th percentile]: odds ratio=6.0 [95% CI 1.5–23.3], P=0.010; CD34+ CD133+ KDR + [>75th percentile: odds ratio=0.3 [95% CI 0.1–1.0], P=0.053). Intriguingly, the CRI score was associated with increased OCN + CD34+ EPCs (highest versus lowest quartile: B=+25.6 [95% CI 0.8–50.5] [×103/mL peripheral blood], P=0.043), but reduced CD34+ CD133+ KDR + EPCs (highest versus lowest quartile: B=−16.2 [95% CI −31.5 to −0.9], P=0.038). Conclusions Preceding 60 months of CRI is associated with increased risk of coronary calcification and altered OCN expression in circulating EPCs.
Experimental Motor Neuron Disease Induced in Mice with Long-Term Repeated Intraperitoneal Injections of Serum from ALS Patients

In an earlier study, signs of commencing degeneration of spinal motor neurons were induced in mice with short-term intraperitoneal injections of immunoglobulin G (IgG) taken from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since in that study, neither weakness nor loss of motor neurons was noted, to test whether the ALS IgG in this paradigm has the potential to evoke relentless degeneration of motor neurons, treatment with repeated injections over a longer period was carried out. Mice were systematically injected intraperitoneally with serum taken from ALS patients over a 75-day period. At selected time points, the isometric force of the limbs, number of spinal motor neurons and their intracellular calcium levels were determined. Furthermore, markers of glial activation and the motoneuronal uptake of human IgG were monitored. During this period, gliosis and progressive motoneuronal degeneration developed, which led to gradual loss of spinal motor neurons, more than 40% at day 21, along with decreasing muscle strength in the limbs. The inclusion-like accumulation of IgG appeared in the perikarya with the increase of intracellular calcium in the cell bodies and motor nerve terminals. Our results demonstrate that ALS serum can transfer motor neuron disease to mice.
Pricing Decisions in Franchised Chains: A Look at the Restaurant and Fast-Food Industry

This paper examines empirical issues of pricing and price dispersion within franchised restaurant and fast-food chains. Given the per se illegality of resale price maintenance (RPM) under current U.S. Antitrust laws, and the fact that franchised outlets are independent businesses under the law, franchisors must delegate the power to set prices to franchisees whereas corporate chains can control downstream prices directly. The issue I examine is whether it matters empirically who, between the franchisor or the franchisee, gets to choose downstream prices, and why. After discussing a number of reasons why prices chosen by franchisees may differ from those that a franchisor would pick, I show, using data from all restaurant chains in the metropolitan Pittsburgh and Detroit areas, that there is price dispersion in fast-food franchising. I then show that the amount of price dispersion relates to the amount of franchising in a way that suggests that 1) franchisors are not able to control franchisees' prices indirectly to the same extent that they control company-owned unit prices and 2) the prices in franchised and corporate units are systematically different. Finally, I show that prices are systematically lower in corporate restaurants. This suggests that the reason behind the price differentials is not franchisor opportunism, but more likely double marginalization or, potentially, the existence of positive horizontal externalities among restaurants in a chain.