Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The emerging roles of mannose‐binding lectin‐associated serine proteases (MASPs) in the lectin pathway of complement and beyond

Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL)‐associated serine proteases (MASPs) are the enzymatic constituents of the lectin pathway of the complement system. They are complexed with large pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) such as MBL, other collectins, and ficolins. The main function of two of the three MASPs has crystallized lately: MASP‐1 autoactivates first, then it activates MASP‐2, and finally both participate in the formation of the C4b2a convertase. In addition to this, both enzymes are involved in several other processes which are subject to intense research nowadays. Notably, MASP‐1, as a promiscuous enzyme, has been implicated in the coagulation cascade, in the kinin generating contact system, and in cellular activation through protease‐activated receptor (PAR) cleavage on endothelial cells. The third protease MASP‐3 has emerged recently as the protease responsible for pro‐factor D activation in resting blood, providing a fundamental link between two complement pathways. At present all three MASPs have at least one well‐defined role and several other possible functions were implicated. Defect or more likely over‐activation of MASPs may culminate into diseases such as ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI); hence, MASPs are all potential targets of drug development.
Toward a National Universal Guaranteed Basic Income

On discute à nouveau d’un revenu garanti ou de base, au niveau du fédéral et des provinces, mais les arguments qui s’opposent à une telle mesure – son coût, son effet de désincitation au travail et le risque qu’elle peut constituer sur le plan électoral – continuent de poser problème. Dans cet article, les auteurs soutiennent qu’un grand projet de revenu garanti ou de base n’est pas nécessaire, puisque revoir certains crédits d’impôt, qui s’autofinancent, en les rendant remboursables, permettrait d’offrir des avantages sociaux mieux ciblés aux familles à faible revenu tout en améliorant l’équité fiscale. À l’aide de parameters liés à l’impôt et aux transferts de 2015 et d’estimations de coût et de population, les auteurs évaluent le système fédéral de transferts en tant que source de sécurité universelle du revenu, déterminent les revenues qui peuvent être augmentés grâce à l’élimination de certains crédits d’impôt, présentent quatre options qui pourraient être financées à l’intérieur des contraintes budgétaires et évaluent leur performance, puis établissent celle qui, selon eux, constituerait le meilleur choix en matière de revenu universel garanti de base. Ils font ensuite une évaluation plus poussée de cette mesure, et analyse son extension aux systèmes fiscaux et de transferts des provinces. Les auteurs concluent que ce revenu universel garanti de base à la fois fédéral et provincial permettrait effectivement d’offrir des avantages sociaux mieux ciblés aux familles à faible revenu, et de pratiquement éliminer la pauvreté chez tous les citoyens célibataires non âgés, à un coût d’efficacité modéré en termes de désincitation au travail. There is renewed discussion of a basic or guaranteed income at both the federal and the provincial levels in Canada, but counterarguments about the cost, work disincentives, and electoral appeal of such schemes remain challenging. In this article, we argue that a grand plan for a basic or guaranteed income is unnecessary because self-financing redesign of existing tax credits to be refundable can better target benefits to low-income families while improving tax equity. Using 2015 tax and transfer parameters and estimates of income and population, we assess the federal transfer system as a source of universal income security, identify the revenues that can be raised through the elimination of selected federal tax credits, present four options that could be financed within that budget constraint, assess their performance, and select our preferred universal basic guaranteed income (UGBI) option. We then provide a more detailed assessment of the impact of our preferred UGBI design and discuss the extension of that design to provincial tax and transfer systems. We estimate that the combined federal and provincial UGBI that we propose would effectively target benefits to low-income households and virtually eliminate poverty for all but single non-elderly individuals at a modest efficiency cost in terms of work disincentives.
Identification of blood serum micro‐RNAs associated with idiopathic and LRRK2 Parkinson's disease

Blood‐cell‐free circulating micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as potential accessible biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Here we analyzed the serum levels of 377 miRNAs in a discovery set of 10 idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients, 10 PD patients carriers of the LRRK2 G2019S mutation (LRRK2 PD), and 10 controls by using real‐time quantitative PCR‐based TaqMan MicroRNA arrays. We detected candidate differentially expressed miRNAs, which were further tested in a first validation set consisting of 20 IPD, 20 LRRK2 PD, and 20 control samples. We found four statistically significant miRNAs that were downregulated in either LRRK2 or IPD (miR‐29a, miR‐29c, miR‐19a, and miR‐19b). Subsequently, we validated these findings in a third set of samples consisting of 65 IPD and 65 controls and confirmed the association of downregulated levels of miR‐29c, miR‐29a, and miR‐19b in IPD. Differentially expressed miRNAs are predicted to target genes belonging to pathways related to ECM–receptor interaction, focal adhesion, MAPK, Wnt, mTOR, adipocytokine, and neuron projection. Results from our exploratory study indicate that downregulated levels of specific circulating serum miRNAs are associated with PD and suggest their potential use as noninvasive biomarkers for PD. Future studies should further confirm the association of these miRNAs with PD. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geriatric sleep apnea syndrome: a preliminary description.

We compared 8 patients diagnosed with geriatric sleep apnea syndrome (GSAS) with 12 healthy older controls (GCON) matched on age, sex, weight, education, and socioeconomic standing. GSAS was diagnosed if patients had an apnea + hypopnea index (AHI) greater than or equal to 10 and an impairment involving at least two of the following: hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, or daytime hypersomnolence. In addition to significant differences on selection variables (e.g., AHI, frequency of hypertension, Multiple Sleep Latency Test), GSAS patients had significantly more sleep disturbance, were sleepier on subjective measures, were more depressed, and had lower scores on tests of nonverbal problem solving and nonverbal memory. Thus, GSAS resembles SAS described in middle-aged populations. More research is needed to determine the most efficient diagnostic parameters for identifying pathological levels of SDB in older persons.
Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells During Normal Pregnancy and Pre‐Eclampsia

Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC), which mediates neovascularization of uterine endometrium may be involved in the neovascularization in the utero‐placental circulation. We evaluated whether EPC proliferation in pre‐eclampsia (PE) differed from that in normal pregnancy.
Long Runs of Non‐Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia on 24‐Hour Ambulatory Electrocardiogram Predict Major Arrhythmic Events in Patients with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

This study examined the prognostic significance of the rate and length of non‐sustained (NS) ventricular tachycardia (VT) on 24‐hour ambulatory electrocardiograms (ECG) recorded in 343 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) in the prospective Marburg Cardiomyopathy study. NSVT was defined as ≥3 consecutive ventricular premature beats at >120 bpm. During 52 ± 21 months of follow‐up, major arrhythmic events defined as sustained VT, VF, or sudden cardiac death occurred in 46 of 343 patients (13%). Patients with 3–4 beat runs of NSVT had a similar arrhythmia‐free survival as patients without NSVT on baseline 24‐hour ambulatory ECG. The incidence of major arrhythmic events during follow‐up increased significantly from 2% per year in patients without NSVT, to 5% per year in patients with 5–9 beat runs of NSVT, to 10% per year in patients with ≥10 beat runs of NSVT (P < 0.05). Unlike the length, the rate of NSVT was similar in patients with versus without subsequent major arrhythmic events (163 ± 23 vs 160 ± 24 bpm). Thus, the length but not the rate of NSVT on 24‐hour ambulatory ECG was a predictor of major arrhythmic events in patients with IDC. The presence of NSVT with ≥10 beat runs on ambulatory ECG was associated with a particularly high risk of major arrhythmic events.
Reducing economic leakages from tourism: A value chain assessment of the tourism industry in Kasane, Botswana

ABSTRACT Retaining revenue generated by tourism within a local economy is an important issue in tourism development, especially in developing countries where tourism is used as a tool for development. This research aims to quantify the value and proportion of tourism expenditure retained in this destination in order to inform national-level decision-making. It applies a value chain analysis (VCA) approach through semi-structured questionnaires with 117 stakeholders in Kasane, Botswana. The VCA demonstrates that the total gross revenue generation of the tourism industry within Kasane was USD 39.5 million in 2014. Excursions and transport generated nearly half of this revenue (USD 19.2 million; 49%), followed by accommodation and food and beverages, at around USD 10 million each (26%). Of the gross revenue accrued, USD 14.5 million (37%) remained in the local economy (defined by the Botswana Tourism Organisation as a 50 km radius surrounding Kasane) in the form of local goods (production) and services (wages). Recommendations for interventions that could enhance the local retention of revenue from tourism in Kasane are presented.
Characteristics of Lapsed German Whole Blood Donors and Barriers to Return Four Years after the Initial Donation

Background: The aim of the study was to identify characteristics of lapsed donors 4 years the initial donation as well as self-reported barriers to return for further blood donations. Methods: A random number of 8,000 blood donors, donating for the German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg – Hessen, were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire. The response rate was 38.5%. Donors were categorized as ‘lapsed’ if they had not donated within the last 24 months. The odds of being a lapsed donor were determined in a multivariate logistic regression. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that lapsed donors were more likely to be female, between 26 and 33 years old, not employed, have moved, and were dissatisfied with the last donation experience. Furthermore, lapsed donors were less likely to have family members or friends who also donate blood. Medical reasons and having moved to another city were the most frequently named reasons preventing lapsed donors from continuing to donate blood. Conclusion: The importance of medical reasons and having moved was rated much higher than in previous studies. We conclude that barriers to return may vary considerably between countries and blood services. Therefore, donor surveys are required to guide reactivation campaigns.
Flexibility of DNA.

Both microscopic and macroscopic models of DNA flexibility should lead to the same quantitative description of the elastic properties of the DNA helix. This belief is reinforced by the fact that essentially all experimental (solution) studies to date support the macroscopic, elastic model. The performance of microscopic models can therefore be checked by their ability to produce the correct macroscopic quantities (P and C). To most carefully address the influence of such factors as base sequence, DNA damage, and drug or protein interaction on the flexibility of DNA, methods are required that are most sensitive for DNA molecules of less than 500-1000 bp. The use of molecules in this size range will maximize the signal due to the structural alteration as well as facilitate the construction of DNA sequences of any desired arrangement. I have emphasized three such methods and summarized their strengths and weaknesses; however, their concurrent application to the determination of DNA flexibility provides an important check of self-consistency. These studies have indicated that the persistence length of DNA in buffers of moderate salt concentration is 450-500 A. Synthetic DNA is now readily available, and many procedures for the construction and cloning of DNA molecules of defined length and sequence (107-108a) are in common use. The availability of restriction fragments of precisely defined length has transformed the study of the physical (particularly hydrodynamic) properties of such molecules, since the hitherto pervasive problem of length polydispersity has been eliminated. Sheared, sonicated, or otherwise abused calf thymus (or other) DNAs should no longer be considered acceptable materials for physical studies. Many studies of bending and torsional fluctuations in DNA have been excluded from this discussion because the DNA samples used were not precisely defined. The torsional elastic constant of DNA has been fairly well established as approximately 3.0 x 10(-19) erg-cm, mainly through a combination of elegant theoretical and experimental studies of topoisomer distributions in circular DNA molecules. The other general approach to the determination of the torsional elastic constant, luminescence decay, is still burdened by the poor characterization of the DNA used in many of the experimental studies as well as by some continued theoretical uncertainties. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Dynamics of Avian Influenza: Individual-Based Model with Intervention Strategies in Traditional Trade Networks in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand

Avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 is endemic to Southeast Asia. In Thailand, avian influenza viruses continue to cause large poultry stock losses. The spread of the disease has a serious impact on poultry production especially among rural households with backyard chickens. The movements and activities of chicken traders result in the spread of the disease through traditional trade networks. In this study, we investigate the dynamics of avian influenza in the traditional trade network in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. We also propose an individual-based model with intervention strategies to control the spread of the disease. We found that the dynamics of the disease mainly depend on the transmission probability and the virus inactivation period. This study also illustrates the appropriate virus disinfection period and the target for intervention strategies on traditional trade network. The results suggest that good hygiene and cleanliness among household traders and trader of trader areas and ensuring that any equipment used is clean can lead to a decrease in transmission and final epidemic size. These results may be useful to epidemiologists, researchers, and relevant authorities in understanding the spread of avian influenza through traditional trade networks.
Identification of a dominant vocabulary in ELF interactions

Abstract This paper reports on several studies whose common theme is the elicitation of the lexical preferences of speakers of English in localized and globalized settings. Findings from analyses of various corpora show that there exists a relatively small set of preferred words that speakers of English rely on regardless of where the interaction takes place, with whom they are interacting, and what the purpose of the interaction is. Results also show that these lexical preferences are consistently prevalent to the extent that it is possible to advance the hypothesis that a relatively stable dominant vocabulary dynamically emerges out of ELF speaker interactions in order to serve certain communicative functions.
The Role of Cognition and Information Access in the Recognition of Innovative Opportunities

This research examines nascent entrepreneurs’ perceptions about the innovativeness of the opportunities they have recognized. Results from a survey of 324 nascent entrepreneurs in Taiwan indicate that one's level of prior industry experience, orientation toward risk, and access to information in the environment are each associated with perceived innovativeness of the opportunity. An examination of interaction effects shows that when prior industry experience is low, risk taking propensity boosts the level of perceived innovativeness, but does not have an effect in the case of high industry experience. The findings suggest that cognitive elements and information access can play a role in the identification and pursuit of innovative opportunities.
Musical brains: a study of spontaneous and evoked musical sensations without external auditory stimuli

Conclusions. Our observations confirm that musical sensations with no external stimuli, either spontaneous or evoked, occur in normal individuals and that a biological substrate can be demonstrated by brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Objectives. There are individuals, usually musicians, who are seemingly able to evoke and/or have spontaneous musical sensations without external auditory stimuli. However, to date there is no available evidence to determine if it is feasible to have musical sensations without using external sensory receptors, or if there is a biological substrate for these sensations. Subjects and methods. A group of 100 musicians and another of 150 otolaryngologists were asked if they had spontaneous musical auditory sensations and/or were capable of evoking them. SPECT evaluations with Tc99m-HMPAO were conducted in six female musicians while they were evoking these sensations or, in one case, while she was having them spontaneously. In three of them an additional SPECT was conducted in basal conditions (having been asked to avoid evoking music). Results. In all, 97 of 100 musicians had spontaneous musical sensations; all 100 could evoke and modify them. Of the 150 otolaryngologists, 18 (12%) were musicians. Of the 132 nonmusicians, spontaneous musical sensations occurred in 52 (39.4%), 72 (54.5%) could evoke and 23 (17.4%) were able to modify them, 58 (43.9%) did not have spontaneous musical sensations nor could they evoke them. The musical sensations of the 72 otolaryngologists that could evoke were less elaborated than those of musicians. NeuroSPECT during voluntary musical autoevocation demonstrated significant (>2 SD) increased activation of executive frontal cortex in Brodmann areas 9 and 10, secondary visual cortex (area 17), and paracingulate (areas 31 and 32). There was also activation in the para-executive frontal cortex (areas 45 and 46). In the basal ganglia there was activation in thalamus and lentiform nucleus. Deactivation below 2 SD was demonstrated by mean values in the cingulate gyrus, Brodmann areas 23 and 24, and subgenual area 25. Deactivation was also demonstrated when minimal values were analyzed in the same areas plus area 4 and areas 36 and 38, the latter in the pole of the temporal lobes. In three patients comparison of basal state with autoevocation demonstrated activation in executive frontal cortex (areas 8 and 9), para-executive cortex (area 45), primary auditory cortex (area 40), the right thalamus, and lentiform nucleus.
Estimation of technical efficiency of broiler production in Peninsular Malaysia: A stochastic frontier analysis

This study analyzed the technical efficiency of poultry production in Peninsular Malaysia using the stochastic frontier production function analysis. Time series data were collected for this purpose. The frontier function involved variables such as farm, farmer and economic variables. An econometric technique of the stochastic frontier production function approach was applied whereby technical efficiency was measured together with a systemic inefficiency farm in the inefficiency model. The results showed that during the early period, technical progress was rather slow, but subsequently improved during the second period. This is due to changing structure and labor saving technologies which focus towards modernization of the broiler industry. However several policy reforms are needed to enhance the global competitiveness of Malaysian broiler industries especially pertaining to technology policy. It can be concluded that improved extension linkage to sensitize the producers of the need to use new technology such as close house systems. In addition, the government must boost efforts to produce and develop genetically improved breeds of poultry of a higher feed conversion ratio.
The Long and Winding Road from Positive Psychology Theory to Corporate Application

This paper is intended to develop preliminary thoughts regarding implementation of positive psychology methods in organizations for the benefit of both the workforce and business. The first section examines the extension of positive psychology into scholarship for positive organizations. The second section reports informal qualitative interviews with selected senior corporate executives. The focus of investigation is the preliminary discovery regarding corporate awareness of, and interest in, positive psychology. The interviews will also investigate corporate executives’ attitudes regarding the practical use of academic research. The paper concludes by digging deeply into an advanced positive construct for organizations, psychological capital, substantiating that it is a greatly developed, well-studied topic acceptable for organizational application. Psychological capital will be presented as a model representing the conclusions reached in this paper regarding the state of positive psychology applications in organizations.
Perceived Causal Relations

Researchers have argued that the investigation of causal interrelationships between symptoms may help explain the high comorbidity rate between certain psychiatric disorders. Clients’ own attributions concerning the causal interrelationships linking the co-occurrence of their symptoms represent data that may inform their clinical case conceptualization, treatment, and psychological theory regarding the etiology of comorbid disorders. The present study developed and evaluated a novel psychological assessment methodology for measuring Perceived Causal Relations (PCR) and examined its psychometric properties as applied to the question of whether posttraumatic stress and anxiety symptoms represent causal risk factors for depressive symptoms in 225 undergraduates. Participants attributed their symptoms of anxiety and posttraumatic reexperiencing as significant causes of their depressive symptoms. Exploratory analyses identified a listing of symptoms reliably attributed as significant causes of other symptoms and functional impairment, as well as a listing of symptoms reliably attributed as significant effects (outcomes) of other symptoms and functional impairment. The PCR method has promise as an idiographic approach to assessing the causes and consequences of comorbid psychiatric symptoms and associated functional impairment. Research is required to assess the relevance and replicate these findings in distinct psychiatric groups experiencing various symptomatic presentations. Future research may also examine PCR ratings associating other individual differences, for example, between measures of history (e.g., life events), life choices, and personality.