Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurological diseases associated with autoantibodies targeting the voltage-gated potassium channel complex: immunobiology and clinical characteristics

Domenico Plantone, Rosaria Renna, Tatiana Koudriavtseva Multiple Sclerosis Center, Unit of Neurology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy. Voltage‐gated potassium channels (VGKCs) represent a group of tetrameric signaling proteins with several functions, including modulation of neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release. Moreover, VGKCs give a key contribution to the generation of the action potential. VGKCs are complexed with other neuronal proteins, and it is now widely known that serum autoantibodies directed against VGKCs are actually directed against the potassium channel subunits only in a minority of patients. By contrast, these autoantibodies more commonly target three proteins that are complexed with alpha‐dendrotoxin‐labeled potassium channels in brain extracts. These three proteins are contactin‐associated protein‐2 (Caspr‐2), leucine‐rich, glioma inactivated 1 (LGI‐1) protein and the protein Tag‐1/contactin‐2. Neoplasms are detected only in a minority of seropositive patients for VGKC complex‐IgG and do not significantly associate with Caspr‐2 or LGI‐1. Among all the cancers described in association with VGKC complex‐IgG, lung carcinoma, thymoma, and hematologic malignancies are the most commonly detected. We will review all the major neurological conditions associated with VGKC complex‐IgG. These include Isaacs’ syndrome, Morvan syndrome, limbic encephalitis, facio‐brachial dystonic seizures, chorea and other movement disorders, epilepsy, psychosis, gastrointestinal neuromuscular diseases, a subacute encephalopathy that mimics Creutzfeldt‐Jakob prion disease both clinically and radiologically and autoimmune chronic pain. The vast majority of these conditions are reversible by immunotherapy, and it is becoming increasingly recognized that early diagnosis and detection of VGKC complex‐IgG is critical in order to rapidly start the treatment. As a result, VGKC complex‐IgG are now part of the investigation of patients with unexplained subacute onset of epilepsy, memory or cognitive problems, or peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndromes.
Do People Accurately Anticipate Sanctions

We provide lab data from four different games that allow us to study whether people have accurate expectations regarding monetary sanctions (punishment/reward) and nonmonetary sanctions (disapproval/approval). Although the strength of the sanction is always predicted with some error (particularly in the case of monetary sanctions), we observe that (i) most subjects anticipate correctly the sign of the average sanction, (ii) expectations covary with sanctions, (iii) the average expectation is very often not significantly different than the average actual sanction, and (iv) the errors exhibit no systematic bias, except in those situations where rewards are frequent. In this line, we find some evidence that punishment is ' better anticipated than rewards.
An Empirical Study of Architectural Decay in Open-Source Software

Architecture is the set of principal design decisions about a software system. In practice, new architectural decisions are added and existing ones reversed or modified throughout a system’s lifetime. Frequently, these decisions deviate from the architect's well-considered intent, and software systems regularly exhibit increased architectural decay as they evolve. The manifestations of such ill-considered design decisions are seen as “architectural smells”. To date, there has been no in-depth study of the characteristics or trends involving this phenomenon. Instead, when referring to architectural smells and their negative effects, both researchers and practitioners had to rely on folklore and their personal, inherently limited experience. In this paper, we report on the systematic step we have taken in investigating the nature and impact of architectural smells. We have selected a set of representative architectural smells from literature and analyzed their instances in 421 versions from 8 open-source software systems. We have (1) developed algorithms to automatically detect instances of multiple architectural smell types, and (2) analyzed relationships between the detected smells and the lists of issues reported in the systems’ respective issue trackers. Our study shows that architectural smells have tangible negative consequences in the form of implementation issues as well as code commits requiring increased maintenance effort throughout a system’s lifetime.
Chromosomal and Embryological Analyses in Sexual x Apomictic Hybrids of Panicum maximum

Cytological analyses in series of crosses between 7 sexual pistillate and 8 apomictic staminate parents of species Panicum nzaximunz (Gramineae) are reported. Although these 15 progenitors were tetraploid (2n = 32), 2 dihaploids (2n = 16), 45 hexaploids (2n = 48) and 5 octoploids (2n = 64) were observed among 333 progeny plants. The role of unreduced gametes as the originators of polyploidy is discussed in relation to the so-called 'elements of apomixis'. The 2 dihaploids appeared to be sexual while the hexaploids and octoploids were all apomictic. At the tetraploid level sexual and apomictic hybrids segregated in a, ratio close to 1: 1. These results were then compared to those already obtained from studies on other tropical grasses and indicate a simple genetic determinism for gametophytic apomixis.
Does a surprising outcome reinforce or reverse the hindsight bias

Abstract There are conflicting hypotheses regarding the effect of a surprising outcome on hindsight judgment. According to the hypothesis presented in this paper, high levels of surprise will lead to the elimination or reversal of hindsight bias. The feeling of surprise serves as a cue to subjects making them aware of the fact that outcome information is largely different from whatever they knew about the event. Subjects under these conditions seek explanations to the outcome and ‘effortless assimilation,’ the most accepted theoretical account for the hindsight bias, is less likely. The alternative hypothesis postulates that surprising outcomes will lead to reinforcement of hindsight bias. The results of three experiments conducted in the framework of the present study indicate that when surprise levels are moderate or low, judgments are consistent with the hindsight bias, whereas highly surprising outcomes lead to the reversal of the bias.
The Effect of Employee Engagement on Continuance and Normative Commitment to the Organization

A positive relationship between employee engagement and affective commitment is already documented in the literature. However, we do not adequately know how engagement is associated with continuance and normative commitment. Using survey methodology we find that while engagement has a non-significant positive association with continuance commitment, it has a positive association with normative commitment. No negative association was found between engagement and continuance commitment. This study’s results support recent critiques to Allen and Meyer’s three-dimensional model of organizational commitment.
Asset Pricing with Loss Aversion ∗

Using standard preferences for asset pricing has not been very successful in matching asset price characteristics such as the risk-free interest rate, equity premium and the Sharpe ratio to time series data. Behavioral ﬁnance has recently proposed more realistic preferences such as those with loss aversion. Research is starting to explore the implications of behaviorally founded preferences for asset price characteristics. Encouraged by some studies of Benartzki and Thaler (1995) and Barberis et al. (2001) we study asset pricing with loss aversion in a production economy. Here, we employ a stochastic growth model and use a stochastic version of a dynamic programming method with adaptive grid scheme to compute the above mentioned asset price characteristics of a model with loss aversion in preferences. As our results show using loss aversion we get considerably better results than one obtains from pure consumption-based asset pricing models including the habit formation variant.
Exploring the technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) of Taiwanese university physics instructors

University science teachers’ technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) is crucial for effective teaching. Although there has been a plethora of studies investigating pre-service and in-service teachers’ TPACK, few studies have examined university instructors’ TPACK and university students’ perceptions of instructors’ TPACK. The main purpose of this study was to examine the TPACK questionnaire differences between university students’ perceptions and instructors’ self-perceptions, and assess differences in university physics instructors’ TPACK according to gender, academic degrees and teaching experience in Taiwan. This study adopted and revised an instrument for measuring university students’ perceptions of science instructors’ TPACK. The sample was randomly selected from the physics instructors of universities in the northern, central, and southern regions of Taiwan. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to examine the dimensions of the instrument. The results revealed that the TPACK questionnaire of university physics instructors’ views were different from the university students’ perceptions. University physics instructors’ results indicated statistical significance in overall TPACK according to teaching experience. The research implications of this study are provided along with suggestions.
Impact of Yoga practice on Physiological measures in Anxiety conditions

Anxiety is a condition, a response to a physical threat or psychological distress that generates a host of chemical and hormonal reactions in the body. The anxiety reaction generally has two components, one physiological and the other psychological, and both are mediated largely by the adrenergic neurotransmitter system. Yoga therapy is skillful methodological way to calm down the mind. A general feature of yoga practices is their capability of inducing a coordinated psycho physiological response, which is the antithesis of the anxiety response. Practice of yoga develops the personality physically, mentally, emotionally from a holistic perspective offers a total and comprehensive approach to the challenges posed by anxiety conditions. In the present study twenty female subjects aged about 20 to 40 years who volunteered and who had reported anxiety conditions such as examination anxiety, job related anxiety, family related anxiety that manifested as anxiety, depression, headaches, sleeplessness, stomach upsets and other vague symptoms formed the sample of the study. They had been investigated for various medical disorders and found no abnormality and hence referred for yoga therapy. They were trained in yoga therapy. Pre assessment and post assessment was conducted before therapy and after one month follow up. Findings revealed that the physiological measures such as blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, body weight in addition to subjective feelings of anxiety were found to be significantly decreased, also improvements in appetite and sleep, showing that routine practice might have long term implications in this fast stress ridden life.
Gemcitabine induces apoptosis via JAK 2 / STAT 3 signaling pathways in lung cancer

Background: This study was aimed to elucidate the antitumor effect of gemcitabine in lung cancer SPCA-1 cells and the possible molecular mechanism involved. Materials and methods: Cell proliferation was measured by the Cell Count Kit-8 (CCK-8). Cell cycle, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level were assessed by flow cytometry analysis. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the activation of JAK2 and STAT3 after cells were treated with different concentrations of gemcitabine. Results: The results revealed that gemcitabine could inhibit the growth of SPC-A-1 cells significantly in both a time and dose-dependent manner. The cell cycle was blocked and ROS production was increased, while MMP level was decreased after the cells were treated with different concentrations of gemcitabine. Bcl-2 expression was down-regulated remarkably while Bax expression was increased after apoptosis occurred. Additionally, the activation of JAK2 and STAT3 was significantly inhibited in gemcitabine treated SPC-A-1 cells. Conclusions: Gemcitabine may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for lung cancer.
How to measure oxidative stress in an ecological context: methodological and statistical issues

Summary 1. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can damage biomolecules if these lack sufficient antioxidant protection. Maintaining and up-regulating antioxidant defenses and repair of the damaged molecules require resources that could potentially be allocated to other functions, including life-history and signal traits. 2. Identifying the physiological mechanisms causing and counteracting oxidative damage may help to understand evolution of oxidative balance systems from molecular to macroevolutionary levels. This review addresses methodological and statistical problems of measuring and interpreting biomarkers of oxidative stress or damage. 3. A major methodological problem is distinguishing between controlled and uncontrolled processes that can lead either to shifts in dynamic balance of redox potential or cause pathological damage. An ultimate solution to this problem requires establishing links between biomarkers of antioxidant defenses and oxidative damage and components of fitness. 4. Biomarkers of redox balance must correspond to strict technical criteria, most importantly to validated measurement technology. Validation criteria include intrinsic qualities such as specificity, sensitivity, assessment of measurement precision, and knowledge of confounding and modifying factors. 5. The complexity of oxidative balance systems requires that assay choice be informed by statistical analyses incorporating context at biochemical, ecological and evolutionary levels. We review proper application of statistical methods, such as principal components analysis and structural equation modelling, that should help to account for these contexts and isolate the variation of interest across multiple biomarkers simultaneously.
Modeling country image effects through an international crisis

– The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a longitudinal country‐people image effect model involving a significant negative international incident between countries; study how such a model changes over time; and study the extent of image recovery in terms of how the offending country, people, and its products are perceived. , – Australian consumers were surveyed before, during, and a decade after the French nuclear testing in the Pacific in 1995. Model testing was conducted using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. , – The model was strongly supported in all three‐time points. During the crisis, negative feelings toward France/French rose and consumers' response to French products dropped. Country‐people competency has risen over country‐people character in explaining product evaluations. In the final period, the Australian views on country‐people character and product response had more than recovered. The country‐people character beliefs now play a significant role in influencing product evaluations after the crisis than before, while the impacts of country‐people competency on product evaluation and response have diminished dramatically. Product evaluation is fairly stable over time. , – Studies to date have focused on country image at a point in time in relatively stable environmental conditions. The proposed model is helpful in understanding the processes of country‐product image effects through the study of all attitude components and through differentiation of beliefs about country and people production‐related and non‐production related characteristics. The cross‐temporal validation of the model indicates its usefulness for general applicability in country image effects research.
On Non-Cooperative Foundation and Implementation of the Nash Solution in Subgame Perfect Equilibrium via Rubinstein's Game

The alternating offers game due to Rubinstein (1982) had been used by Binmore (1980) and by Binmore et.al. (1986) to provide via its unique subgame perfect equilibrium an approximate non-cooperative support for the Nash bargaining solution of associated cooperative two-person bargaining games. These results had strengthened the prominent role of the Nash bargaining solution in cooperative axiomatic bargaining theory and its application, for instance in labor markets, and have often even be interpreted as a mechanism theoretical implementation of the Nash solution. Our results in the present paper provide exact non-cooperative foundations first, in our Proposition, via weakly subgame perfect equilibria of a game that is a modification of Rubinstein´s game, then in our Theorem, via sub-game perfect equilibria of a game that is a further modification of our first game. Moreover, they provide a general rule how to transform approximate support results into exact ones. Finally, we discuss the relation of the above mentioned support results, including our present ones, with mechanism theoretic implementation in (weakly) subgame perfect equilibrium of the Nash solution. There we come to the conclusion that a sound interpretation as an implementation can hardly be found except in very rare cases of extremely restricted domains of players´ preferences.
An Assessment Of Parental Involvement In Learner Retention In Public Primary Schools Of Malindi Sub - County In Kilifi County, Kenya

Despite the Kenya government re-introducing free primary education, some school age children are still locked out of school whereas dropout and repetition continue to be pervasive. The study found out that retention rates in public primary schools in central zone of Malindi sub-county, Kenya had declined and the dropout rate was on the increase. The most prominent causes of the declining rates of access and retention of pupils in public primary schools in the zone were, illiteracy, poverty, early pregnancy, grade repetition and tourism activities. The study recommends that the government enforce adherence of the laid down policies to enhance learner retention in education. The government should also put up adult education centres to help improve literacy levels among parents.
Inconstant high bifurcation of tibial nerve found in posterior ankle arthroscopy . A case report

Endoscopy for the posterior region of the ankle is becoming more widespread for the treatment of a large number of conditions which used to be treated with open surgery years ago including posterior impingement syndromes, like sintomatic Os trigonum and posterior prominent talar process. This case report describes the finding of a duplicated nerve during a posterior arthroscopic procedure for the treatment of a sintomatic Os Trigonum. A 32-year-old male professional soccer player was evaluated due to pain in the posterior area of his left ankle. He started with pain in the posterior area of the ankle when he kicked the ball. He presented a negative Tinel ́s sign and numbless in his foot and ankle. The MRI showed two compatible nerve structures of the posterior tibial nerve considering most of all the usual diameter of the mentioned. During posterior arthroscopy exploration of the medial side and after removing the Os trigonum we could recognize two anatomical structures compatible with two nerves. An important variation of the terminal branches of the tibial nerve is observed, both in the level of their bifurcation and in the number and origins of the medial and lower calcaneal branches, with some differences in their prevalence. Based on the arthroscopic image, it ́s difficult to conclude whether the nerve was indeed a high bifurcation of the tibial nerve or a calcaneal branch. In relation to this and due to the size of the nerve found added to the high percentage of high bifurcation we determine that in fact is a “second” tibial nerve. Adequate knowledge of the anatomy of the joint to be treated should cover not only the most common anatomic configurations (extra-articular and intra-articular) in statistical terms but also the possible anatomic variations to avoid confusion and serious technical errors.
Exploring the Use of Categories in the Assessment of Airline Pilots’ Performance as a Potential Source of Examiners’ Disagreement

It is a current trend in aviation to use categories of technical (e.g., knowledge) and nontechnical skills (e.g., situation awareness) to assess airline pilots’ performance. Several studies have revealed large disagreement between assessors when airline professionals use these categories to assess the performance of their peers. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the categories themselves are at the source of disagreement. We explore the reasoning of flight examiners who assess an engine fire scenario in pairs. The results provide insight into the overlap of topics that constitute certain categories. Implications are drawn in regards to the use of assessment categories and their influence on pilot performance assessment.
Candida mastitis in dairy cattle with molecular detection of Candida albicans.

This study focused on determining the prevalence of Candida species involved in dairy cattle mastitis with molecular detection of Candida albicans. A total of 150 milk samples were collected from dairy cattle showing clinical mastitis. Isolation and identification of organisms through phenotypical and physiological criteria on different media were performed as well as molecular identification of C. albicans. Fourty one isolates of Candida species were recovered with a prevalence of 27.3%. C. albicans was the dominating species (29.3%). Out of 12 strains phenotypically identified as C. albicans, 8 were confirmed by PCR using species specific primer for the 26S rRNA gene of C. albicans. A specific virulence determinant Phospholipase B1 gene was detected in all molecularly identified C. albicans isolates. This study has clearly shown the prevalence of Candida mastitis and providing a new attractive diagnostic molecular tool for mycotic mastitis caused by C. albicans.
Digital lateral cephalometric assessment of maxillary sinus dimensions in different skeletal classes

Maxillary sinus is the largest of the four paranasl sinus, among the paranasal sinus its plays an important role in the formation of facial contours. Therefore, knowledge of the development and size of the maxillary sinus may be crucial for diagnosing and treating various cases of malocclusion. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of malocclusion in three skeletal classes on maxillary sinus dimensions. Material and methods: Total of 120 lateral cephalograms were derived from subjects with skeletal Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusions, classified on the basis of the A-N-B angle. Each malocclusion group consisted of 20 males and 20 females ranging in age from 12 to 16 years. Two linear measurements and three area measurements were made to evaluate maxillary sinus size. The procedure was accomplished by mean of computer and Auto Cad program. Results: it had been found that maxillary sinus dimensions were significantly Larger in male than in females in different skeletal malocclusion classes, skeletal malocclusion classes has no effect on dimensions of maxillary sinus except in male class II skeletal malocclusion. Conclusion: Skeletal classes malocclusion has no effect on dimension of maxillary sinus except in male class II skeletal malocclusion, male showed significantly greater maxillary sinus length, maxillary sinus height, and maxillary sinus area than that of female in all skeletal classes.