Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interrater reliability and convergent validity of F1000Prime peer review

Peer review is the backbone of modern science. F1000Prime is a postpublication peer review system of the biomedical literature (papers from medical and biological journals). This study is concerned with the interrater reliability and convergent validity of the peer recommendations formulated in the F1000Prime peer review system. The study is based on about 100,000 papers with recommendations from faculty members. Even if intersubjectivity plays a fundamental role in science, the analyses of the reliability of the F1000Prime peer review system show a rather low level of agreement between faculty members. This result is in agreement with most other studies that have been published on the journal peer review system. Logistic regression models are used to investigate the convergent validity of the F1000Prime peer review system. As the results show, the proportion of highly cited papers among those selected by the faculty members is significantly higher than expected. In addition, better recommendation scores are also associated with higher performing papers.
Phorbol Ester Enhancement of Neurotransmitter Release from Rat Brain Synaptosomes

Abstract: Neurotransmitter release from rat brain synaptosomes was measured following pretreatment with various phorbol esters. Ca2+‐dependent, evoked neurotransmitter release was increased by phorbol esters that were active in stimulating protein kinase C. Protein kinase C activation was demonstrated by increased incorporation of 32P into 87‐kilodalton phosphoprotein, a specific substrate for that kinase. Inactive phorbol esters had no effect on neurotransmitter release or on the phosphorylation of 87‐kilodalton phosphoprotein. The increased release was observed in either crude cortical synaptosomal fractions (P2) or purified cortical synaptosomal fractions. The enhancement was found for all neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, acetylcholine, γ‐aminobutyric acid, serotonin, dopamine, and aspartate), all brain regions (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and corpus striatum), and all secretagogues (elevated extracellular K+ level, veratridine, or A23187) examined. It was also observed at all calcium concentrations present during stimulation of release. The phorbol ester enhancement of Ca2+‐dependent release occurred whether or not calcium was present during pretreatment. These results indicate that stimulation of protein kinase C leads to an enhanced sensitivity of the stimulus‐secretion coupling processes to calcium within the nerve terminal. The results support the possibility that presynaptic activation of protein kinase C modulates nerve terminal neurotransmitter release in the CNS.
The Roles of Power Distance Orientation and Perceived Insider Status in the Subordinates’ Moqi with Supervisors and Sustainable Knowledge-Sharing

Although knowledge-sharing, an important facet of knowledge management, has been encouraged for the sustainable development of organizations, this kind of behavior is still not prevalent among group members. To enrich the literature and contribute to its practical usage, this research proposed a model based on the fit theory to examine the roles of perceived insider status (PIS) and power distance orientation in subordinates’ Moqi with supervisors (SMS) and knowledge-sharing. Survey data from eight firms in China contained 196 samples and was analyzed by MPLUS software to justify the hypotheses. The results showed that: first, SMS predicted knowledge-sharing and perceived insider status; second, perceived insider status positively mediated the relationship between SMS and knowledge-sharing; third, power distance orientation not only positively moderated the relationship between SMS and perceived insider status, but also positively moderated the relationship between SMS and knowledge-sharing. This study enriched the literature on the antecedents of knowledge-sharing and application of SMS. Additionally, this study proposes a few suggestions to practitioners and researchers for establishing sustainable organizations.
A Mechanistic Model of PCR for Accurate Quantification of Quantitative PCR Data

Background Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a workhorse laboratory technique for measuring the concentration of a target DNA sequence with high accuracy over a wide dynamic range. The gold standard method for estimating DNA concentrations via qPCR is quantification cycle () standard curve quantification, which requires the time- and labor-intensive construction of a standard curve. In theory, the shape of a qPCR data curve can be used to directly quantify DNA concentration by fitting a model to data; however, current empirical model-based quantification methods are not as reliable as standard curve quantification. Principal Findings We have developed a two-parameter mass action kinetic model of PCR (MAK2) that can be fitted to qPCR data in order to quantify target concentration from a single qPCR assay. To compare the accuracy of MAK2-fitting to other qPCR quantification methods, we have applied quantification methods to qPCR dilution series data generated in three independent laboratories using different target sequences. Quantification accuracy was assessed by analyzing the reliability of concentration predictions for targets at known concentrations. Our results indicate that quantification by MAK2-fitting is as reliable as standard curve quantification for a variety of DNA targets and a wide range of concentrations. Significance We anticipate that MAK2 quantification will have a profound effect on the way qPCR experiments are designed and analyzed. In particular, MAK2 enables accurate quantification of portable qPCR assays with limited sample throughput, where construction of a standard curve is impractical.
Nutritional and safety outcomes from an open-label micronutrient intervention for pediatric bipolar spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to report the safety, tolerability, and serum micronutrient concentrations and their correlations with mood changes from an 8 week pilot feasibility study of a 36 ingredient multinutrient supplement, EMPowerplus (EMP+), for pediatric bipolar spectrum disorders (BPSD). METHODS Ten children ages 6-12 received EMP+ escalating from one to four capsules t.i. d. , with four children increased to the maximum suggested dose, five capsules t.i. d. Outcome measures were micronutrient concentrations in serum and red blood cells, vital signs, body mass index (BMI), dietary intake (Food Frequency Questionnaire and 24 hour dietary recall interview), and mood and global functioning ratings. RESULTS Seven children (70%) completed the study. Three (30%) terminated early for tolerability and compliance issues. Adverse effects were mild and transient, and chiefly consisted of initial insomnia or gastrointestinal (GI) upset. No differences occurred in BMI (p = 0.310) or waist-hip ratio (WHR; p = 0.674) pre- to postsupplementation. Four of the tested serum vitamin concentrations increased from pre- to postsupplementation: vitamin A-retinol, vitamin B6, vitamin E-α-tocopherol; and folate (all p<0.05). The increase in serum 25-OH vitamin D approached significance (p = 0.063). No differences were found in dietary intake pre- to postsupplementation, suggesting that blood nutrient level increases were caused by EMP+. CONCLUSIONS In this open prospective study, short-term use of EMP+ in children with BPSD appeared safe and well-tolerated, with a side effect profile preferable to first-line psychotropic drugs for pediatric bipolar spectrum disorders. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial is feasible, appears safe, and is warranted by open-label clinical outcomes and plausible mechanisms of action, combined with documentation of increased serum concentrations of specific micronutrients.
Sense of coherence in different stages of health and disease in northern Sweden--gender and psychosocial differences.

OBJECTIVE To investigate "Sense of Coherence" (SOC) and its relation to perceived health, different stages of disease, and different psychosocial factors in a population-based study. DESIGN Postal survey of a population-based sample, the MONICA study (1994). SETTING Norrbotten and Västerbotten, the two northernmost counties in Sweden, with a total population of 510000 inhabitants. SUBJECTS 837 men and 882 women in three mutually-exclusive groups: stomach trouble of many years' standing, identified disease (stroke, cardiac infarction, diabetes, anti-hypertension treatment) and no reported disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES SOC scores in relation to sociodemographic variables and perceived health. RESULTS We found a relationship between low SOC scores and poor perceived health, low social support and low emotional support on a population level. When comparing persons with stomach trouble with those without disease, or with established diseases, we found similar relationships between low mean SOC scores in all strata for both women and men. "Perceived health", however, was only significantly correlated for women, and women had an overall stronger relationship. CONCLUSIONS In a study in northern Sweden, female patients with stomach trouble comprise a vulnerable group. The concept of SOC introduces a new dimension for perceiving health and disease. In clinical practice, care providers can identify and elaborate on the relationship between SOC scores and sociodemographic data.
Ethnic differences and relationships in the oral pharmacokinetics of nifedipine and erythromycin

Our objective was to investigate ethnic differences in the oral pharmacokinetics of nifedipine and erythromycin, both typical cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) substrates, in Koreans and Caucasians and to identify the nature of any correlations between the pharmacokinetic parameters of the two drugs.
The Association of Expanded Access to a Collaborative Midwifery and Laborist Model With Cesarean Delivery Rates

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between expanded access to collaborative midwifery and laborist services and cesarean delivery rates. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study at a community hospital between 2005 and 2014. In 2011, privately insured women changed from a private practice model to one that included 24-hour midwifery and laborist coverage. Primary cesarean delivery rates among nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex women and vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) rates among women with prior cesarean delivery were compared before and after the change. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the effects of the change on the odds of primary cesarean delivery and VBAC; an interrupted time-series analysis estimated the annual rates before and after the expansion. RESULTS: There were 3,560 nulliparous term singleton vertex deliveries and 1,324 deliveries with prior cesarean delivery during the study period; 45% were among privately insured women whose care model changed. The primary cesarean delivery rate among these privately insured women decreased after the change, from 31.7% to 25.0% (P=.005, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39–0.81). The interrupted time-series analysis estimated a 7% drop in the primary cesarean delivery rate in the year after the expansion and a decrease of 1.7% per year thereafter. The VBAC rate increased from 13.3% before to 22.4% afterward (adjusted OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.08–3.80). CONCLUSION: The change from a private practice to a collaborative midwifery–laborist model was associated with a decrease in primary cesarean rates and an increase in VBAC rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
A role for glutathione reductase and glutathione in the tolerance of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to photo-oxidative stress.

The role of glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) in the tolerance of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii P.A. Dangeard to high-intensity light stress (HL, 1400 μmol m-2 s-1 ) was examined. Cells survived under high light (HL) stress, although their growth was inhibited after long-term treatment (9-24 h). GR activity increased 1 h after HL treatment. The contents of total glutathione, reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) increased 1-3 h after HL treatment and then decreased after 24 h, while the GSH:GSSG ratio (glutathione redox potential) decreased after 3-9 h and recovered after 24 h. The transcript abundance of GR, CrGR1 (Cre06.g262100) and CrGR2 (Cre09.g396252) as well as glutathione synthesis-related genes, CrGSH1 (Cre02g077100.t1.1) and CrGSH2 (Cre17.g70800.t1.1), increased with a peak near 1 h after HL treatment. Except for enhanced glutathione synthesis, the GR-mediated glutathione redox machinery is also critical for the tolerance of C. reinhardtii cells to HL stress. Therefore, GR was downregulated or upregulated to investigate the importance of GR in HL tolerance. The CrGR1 knockdown amiRNA line exhibited low GR transcript abundance, GR activity and GSH:GSSG ratio and could not survive under HL conditions. Over-expression of CrGR1 or CrGR2 driven by a HSP70A:RBCS2 fusion promoter resulted in a higher GR transcript abundance, GR activity and GSH:GSSG ratio and led to cell survival when exposed to high-intensity illumination, i.e. 1800 μmol m-2 s-1 . In conclusion, GR-mediated modulation of the glutathione redox potential plays a role in the tolerance of Chlamydomonas cells to photo-oxidative stress.
Determinants of credit rationing among rural farmers in developing areas

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to model credit rationing among farmers in rural developing areas, based on micro level data of Kano State, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A total of 835 households and 45 microfinance banks were utilized as the samples of the study which were selected using multi-stage stratified sampling technique. Multinomial logit model was used to estimate the factors that determine credit rationing among the rural farmers in Nigeria. Findings The result of the discrete choice model shows that farmers who are either being engaged in subsistence farming or trading have a significant effect on credit rationing with the greatest impacts found on the farm profit and farmers’ location. Research limitations/implications This study failed to carry out a dynamic analysis regarding agricultural credit rationing. Also, it is well known that formal credit interacts with informal credit sector; nevertheless, this interaction was unaccounted for in this study. Therefore, future studies can expand the scope of this research to account for this interaction. In fact, investigating heterogeneity among credit providers will be an important topic in the future. Practical implications Clear and sound policies are required for the establishment of new agencies and financial institutions devoted to agricultural sector. Similarly, an integrated system of forward-looking policies based on tax and subsidy-regimes to augment desired incentives for private financial sector and NGOs to lend money to the farmers are needed. Originality/value Consistent with risk-balancing theory, the good story for farmers is that profit making farmers are less likely to be among the constrained borrowers. It turned out from the credit rationing model that urban farmers had a greater chance of being successful applicants in the Nigerian agricultural credit market. In comparison to farmers at periphery, urban residents are less likely to be associated with being constrained borrowers.
The effects of long-term thrice-daily milking on milk secretion in the goat: evidence for mammary growth.

Goats were milked twice daily for 2-4 weeks after parturition. For the remaining 9 months of lactation, the right mammary gland was milked thrice daily while the left gland was milked twice daily. In the first and second weeks of thrice-daily milking the milk yield of the right gland increased relative to the left gland. Subsequently there was only a slight increase in the difference in milk yields between the glands, which reached a maximum after 10 weeks. Total yield of the right gland for the period of thrice-daily milking was significantly higher, by 30%, than that of the left gland. The peak yield of the right gland was significantly greater, by 29%, than that of the left gland. There was no significant difference between the rates of decline of yield (persistency) from peak lactation. There were no significant differences in the composition of the milk from the two glands with respect to Na+, K+, Cl-, lactose, protein, citrate, fat or calcium. At 40 weeks of lactation the weight of the right gland was significantly higher than that of the left gland and the weight of the parenchyma of the right gland was also significantly higher, by a similar percentage. At this stage of lactation, milk yield of the right gland was 43% higher than the left gland, while the weight of tissue was 34% higher. Thus over three-quarters of the difference in yield was accounted for by the greater gland size, and the remainder by greater milk secretion per unit weight of tissue. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Properties of resonantly produced sterile neutrino dark matter subhaloes

The anomalous 3.55 keV X-ray line recently detected towards a number of massive dark matter objects may be interpreted as the radiative decays of 7.1 keV mass sterile neutrino dark matter. Depending on its parameters, the sterile neutrino can range from cold to warm dark matter with small-scale suppression that differs in form from commonly adopted thermal warm dark matter. Here, we numerically investigate the subhalo properties for 7.1 keV sterile neutrino dark matter produced via the resonant Shi–Fuller mechanism. Using accurate matter power spectra, we run cosmological zoom-in simulations of a Milky Way-sized halo and explore the abundance of massive subhaloes, their radial distributions, and their internal structure. We also simulate the halo with thermal 2.0 keV warm dark matter for comparison and discuss quantitative differences. We find that the resonantly produced sterile neutrino model for the 3.55 keV line provides a good description of structures in the Local Group, including the number of satellite dwarf galaxies and their radial distribution, and largely mitigates the too-big-to-fail problem. Future searches for satellite galaxies by deep surveys, such as the Dark Energy Survey, Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, and Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, will be a strong direct test of warm dark matter scenarios.
Rangeland vegetation dynamics in the Altai mountain region of Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan and China: effects of climate, topography, and socio-political context for livestock herding practices

Discriminating between climate- and human-induced variation in rangeland quality poses a major challenge for developing policy to sustain herder livelihoods and alleviate herder poverty. We contrasted changes in rangeland vegetation cover across a region—the Altai Mountains of central Asia (China, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia)—that juxtaposes strongly contrasting social, political and economic conditions across a community of herders of shared cultural background (all of Kazakh origin). Our analysis focused on a satellite-derived vegetation index (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index—NDVI) from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer sensor during the period 1982–2013, which included the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1990 and heralded a transition away from pervasive state control on herding practices in many parts of the region. Grassland cover increased with decreasing elevation and increasing precipitation. Grassland also decreased under increased livestock density but was largely unresponsive to the dramatic changes that occurred in the sociopolitical context for grazing practices. Average NDVI values and duration of growing season were greater after the Soviet Union’s collapse across the region, trends that precipitation and temperature data indicate were most likely driven by a changing climate. We conclude that rangeland policy development to assure sustainability of herder livelihoods in the Altai Mountain region should focus on climate change adaptation measures rather than modifying herders’ grazing practices.
Capital Flows Interactions in a Fragile State: Evidence from Nigeria

International transfers and foreign capital inflow remains a significant source of capital to fragile state economies and developing economies in general. These transfers include but not limited to official development assistance (ODA), remittances and foreign direct investment (FDI) among others. The main objective of this study is to empirically investigate the interactions between capital flows (Remittances, FDI and ODA) in a fragile state using the case of Nigeria. The study tests for the complementarity or substitutability among these capital flows with the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) estimation technique, using data over the period 1980 to 2015. The study found that remittances complement both FDI and ODA. Also, the study found that FDI and ODA are substitutes. However, after testing whether the level of economic development affects the interactions of capital flows, the study found that the complementarity and substitution vanishes as level of economic development progresses. Keywords: Capital Flows; Economic Growth; State Fragility; JEL Codes : C32; F30; O43
Active and observational reward learning in adults with autism spectrum disorder: relationship with empathy in an atypical sample

Introduction Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterised by disturbances in social behaviour. A prevailing hypothesis suggests that these problems are related to deficits in assigning rewarding value to social stimuli. The present study aimed to examine monetary reward processing in adults with ASDs by means of event-related potentials (ERPs). Methods Ten individuals with mild ASDs (Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism) and 12 healthy control subjects performed an active and an observational probabilistic reward-learning task. Results Both groups showed similar overall learning performance. With respect to reward processing, subjects with ASDs exhibited a general reduction in feedback-related negativity (FRN) amplitude, irrespective of feedback valence and type of learning (active or observational). Individuals with ASDs showed lower scores for cognitive empathy, while affective empathy did not differ between groups. Correlation analyses revealed that higher empathy (both cognitive and affective) negatively affected performance in observational learning in controls and in active learning in ASDs (only cognitive empathy). No relationships were seen between empathy and ERPs. Conclusions Reduced FRN amplitudes are discussed in terms of a deficit in fast reward processing in ASDs, which may indicate altered reward system functioning.