Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ideologically motivated activism: How activist groups influence corporate social change activities

Using insights from the social movement literature and institutional change theory, we explore how activism influences corporate social change activities. As the responsibility for addressing a variety of social issues is transferred from the state to the private sector, activist groups increasingly challenge firms to take up such issues, seeking to influence the nature and level of corporate social change activities. Eventually, they aim to bring about field-level change. We argue that ideological differences among activist groups motivate them to choose different influence tactics to support their claims.
Lidocaine Injection into the Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Causes Neuroinflammation

BACKGROUND: Injury of a spinal nerve or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) during selective spinal nerve blocks is a potentially serious complication that has not been adequately investigated. Our hypothesis was that local anesthetic injection into these structures may result in an inflammatory response and hyperalgesia. METHODS: We evaluated inflammatory and behavioral responses after injection of 4 &mgr;L lidocaine or saline into the L5 spinal nerve or DRG of rats after partial laminectomy. Behavioral testing was performed before and after surgery to examine hyperalgesia in response to nociceptive mechanical stimulation of the foot. DRGs were harvested and stained, and rings of immunoreactive glial cells around neurons were counted. RESULTS: Animals demonstrated hyperalgesia on the ipsilateral paw up to 4 days after lidocaine injection into the DRG but not after injection into the spinal nerve. The number of glial fibrillary acid protein immunopositive glial cell rings, which represent activation of satellite cells, significantly increased in DRGs after injection of lidocaine into either the DRG or the spinal nerve. The number of glial fibrillary acid protein-positive cells in the lidocaine-injected group was significantly larger than in the saline-injected group. Sporadic OX-42 immunopositive cells, which represent activated microglia, were also seen in lidocaine-injected DRGs. Testing for Pan-T expression, which labels activated T lymphocytes, showed no positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine injection into the DRG may produce hyperalgesia, possibly due to activation of resident satellite glial cells. In a clinical setting, local anesthetic injection into the DRG should be avoided during selective spinal nerve blocks.
Role of Jasmonates in the Elicitor- and Wound-Inducible Expression of Defense Genes in Parsley and Transgenic Tobacco

Jasmonates have been proposed to be signaling intermediates in the wound and/or elicitor-activated expression of plant defense genes. We used parsley (Petroselinum crispum) cell cultures and transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants expressing 4CL1-GUS gene fusions to investigate the potential role played by jasmonates in mediating the wound and/or elicitor activation of phenylpropanoid and other defense-related genes. Jasmonates and [alpha]-linolenic acid strongly induced the expression of 4CL in a dose-dependent manner in parsley cells; methyl jasmonate also activated the coordinate expression of other phenylpropanoid genes and the accumulation of furanocoumarin phytoalexins. However, the response of the cells to optimal methyl jasmonate concentrations was distinct quantitatively and qualitatively from the response of elicitor-treated cells. In transgenic tobacco wound-inducible tobacco 4CL genes and a 4CL1 promoter-GUS transgene were responsive to jasmonates and [alpha]-linolenic acid in a dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatment of parsley cells or tobacco leaves with a lipoxygenase inhibitor reduced their responsiveness to the elicitor and to wounding. These results show that the elicitor response in parsley cells can be partially mimicked by jasmonate treatment, which supports a role for jasmonates in mediating wound-induced expression of 4CL and other phenylpropanoid genes.
The impact of the Q-factor of the parasitic capacitances of RF transistors on their load modulation capabilities

With the high number of users the wireless spectrum has become a valuable resource. In order to use it efficiently sophisticated coding schemes with high crest factors are used. As a result the power amplifier is operated far below maximum output power for most of the time, which results in rather low efficiency of traditional designs. Therefore efficiency enhancement methods such as the Doherty or Chireix combiner are experiencing a revival. Their performance heavily depends on the load modulation properties of the used RF transistors and unfortunately often falls behind the predicted theory, especially for high frequency operation. This paper analyses the impact of the different loss mechanisms of RF power transistors on their load modulation capabilities. Special attention was paid to the frequency dependent losses due to the limited Q-factor of the parasitic capacitance. Based on the example of a Doherty amplifier the importance of the load modulation properties for the efficiency in back off is highlighted.
Social dominance orientation, fear of terrorism and support for counter-terrorism policies

ABSTRACT Following September 11 and the subsequent heightened fear of terrorism from more recent events, this study examines the role of Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) in explaining individuals’ support for counter-terrorism policies that infringe individual liberties in pursuit of defending community security. Three hypotheses are proposed: (1) that SDO positively predicts support for ‘defensive’ counter-terrorism policies such as the maintenance of strong border protection; (2) that SDO positively predicts fear of terrorism and fear of Islamic extremism; (3) that the relationship between SDO and support for defensive policies is mediated by fear. The hypotheses are tested on a sample of 1200 Australian adults, with support found for each hypothesis. Counter-terrorism policies commonly encounter trade-offs between community-wide security and individual-level liberties; pursuit of optimal security tends to require infringement of those liberties. This research demonstrates that high SDO citizens will support such policies, particularly as fear increases.
Mechanical Load Increases in Bone Formation via a Sclerostin‐Independent Pathway

Sclerostin, encoded by the Sost gene, is an important negative regulator of bone formation that has been proposed to have a key role in regulating the response to mechanical loading. To investigate the effect of long‐term Sclerostin deficiency on mechanotransduction in bone, we performed experiments on unloaded or loaded tibiae of 10 week old female Sost−/− and wild type mice. Unloading was induced via 0.5U botulinum toxin (BTX) injections into the right quadriceps and calf muscles, causing muscle paralysis and limb disuse. On a separate group of mice, increased loading was performed on the left tibiae through unilateral cyclic axial compression of equivalent strains (+1200 µe) at 1200 cycles/day, 5 days/week. Another cohort of mice receiving equivalent loads (−9.0 N) also were assessed. Contralateral tibiae served as normal load controls. Loaded/unloaded and normal load tibiae were assessed at day 14 for bone volume (BV) and formation changes. Loss of BV was seen in the unloaded tibiae of wild type mice, but BV was not different between normal load and unloaded Sost−/− tibiae. An increase in BV was seen in the loaded tibiae of wild type and Sost−/− mice over their normal load controls. The increased BV was associated with significantly increased mid‐shaft periosteal mineralizing surface/bone surface (MS/BS), mineral apposition rate (MAR), and bone formation rate/bone surface (BFR/BS), and endosteal MAR and BFR/BS. Notably, loading induced a greater increase in periosteal MAR and BFR/BS in Sost−/− mice than in wild type controls. Thus, long‐term Sclerostin deficiency inhibits the bone loss normally induced with decreased mechanical load, but it can augment the increase in bone formation with increased load. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Role of Photoblogs in Social Studies Classroom: Learning about the People of the Civil War.

Using the of Humans of New York photoblog concept, the exemplar lesson plan described in this article incorporated technology and the replacement, amplification, and transformation framework to modify a traditional social studies lesson on the American Civil War into an engaging and inquiry-based lesson. Students researched individuals who lived during the American Civil War and created their own digital storyboard of Humans of the Civil War. This lesson idea uses available technology to engage students in more meaningful instruction that goes beyond lectures. Doing so allows teachers to transform their lessons using technology in authentic ways that help students become more active agents in their learning. This lesson requires students to make strategic decisions about what is important to know about historical figures and how best to tell their story while also learning about the war.
Critical resource multicast protection in data center networks

Resources in a network are imperfect, and equipment failure can have detrimental effects on data and transmission success rates. Attempts to improve the survivability of network communications when these failures occur focus primarily on protection against the common occurrence of link failures, while nodal failure has been largely overlooked. In data-critical infrastructures, such as cloud computing or data center networks, wherein the critical points of interest are at the nodes, a natural disaster or directed attack could have catastrophic consequences for the localized data. To overcome single points of failure, replicated multicast transmissions can be used to distribute copies of critical data to various geographically dispersed locations on the grid. We therefore explore strategies to protect against single critical node failures during multicast transmissions. We propose three novel multicast survivable heuristics and quantitatively analyze and then compare them to traditional multicast provisioning schemes through extensive simulation1.
Individual Face-to-Face Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience their participation in individual, face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) aimed at alleviating depressive symptoms. METHOD Semistructured interviews with 12 participants were conducted after CBT and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Two main themes emerged: CBT as a demanding process and confronting everyday life after CBT with self-knowledge and well-being. The participants had gained strategies for handling feelings of depression and anxiety. The therapist was considered important for guiding them through the demanding therapy. CONCLUSION It is important to inform the participants of what CBT entails so that they are mentally prepared for the demanding process and can make the necessary adjustments in their daily life. Knowledge of MS among the therapists as well as collaboration with the multidisciplinary MS care may facilitate participation in CBT.
Developmental and Hormonal Regulation of the Arabidopsis CER2 Gene That Codes for a Nuclear-Localized Protein Required for the Normal Accumulation of Cuticular Waxes

The previously cloned CER2 gene is required for the normal accumulation of cuticular waxes and encodes a novel protein. Earlier reports suggested that the CER2 protein is either a membrane-bound component of the fatty acid elongase complex or a regulatory protein. Cell fractionation and immunoblot analyses using polyclonal antibodies raised against a chemically synthesized peptide with a sequence based on the predicted CER2 protein sequence have demonstrated that the 47-kD CER2 protein is soluble and nuclear localized. These results are consistent with CER2 being a regulatory protein. Detailed studies of plants harboring a CER2 promoter/GUS transgene (CER2-GUS), in combination with immunoblot analyses, revealed that CER2 is expressed and the CER2 protein accumulates in a variety of organs and cell types. Expression is highest early in the development of these organs and is epidermis specific in most tissues. In agreement with the activity of the CER2 promoter in hypocotyls, cuticular wax accumulates on this organ in a CER2-dependent fashion. In leaves CER2 expression is confined to the guard cells, trichomes, and petioles. However, application of the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine induces ectopic expression of CER2-GUS in all cell types of leaves that emerge following treatment.
Influence of bark pH on the occurrence and distribution of tree canopy myxomycete species

This study compares the occurrence and distribution of myxomycete species in the canopy of living trees and neighboring grapevines. Corticolous myxomycetes of three temperate forests in southeastern USA were studied on six tree species (30 trees) and grapevines (30 vines) to determine distribution and occurrence of myxomycete species relating to geographic location, host species, and bark pH. The double-rope climbing technique was used to access the canopy and sample bark up to 16.5 m. Bark samples were examined in 580 moist chamber cultures and 44 myxomycete species were identified representing 21 genera, averaging 3.0 ± 2.1 species per sample site. Jaccard’s coefficient determined community similarity between five individuals of six tree species, Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Platanus occidentalis and Tsuga canadensis, and neighboring grapevines, Vitis aestivalis and V. vulpina. Vertical variation in species richness was significantly different only for Platanus occidentalis and might be attributable to flaking of bark with increasing height in the canopy. Tsuga canadensis and neighboring grapevines had greatest community similarity. Cribraria violacea was observed on all tree and grapevine species except T. canadensis and neighboring grapevines. Occurrence and species assemblages of myxomycetes were associated with bark pH, not geographic location. Bark of V. aestivalis (pH 4.5) was more acidic than neighboring T. canadensis (pH 4.1), compared to grapevines of the same species neighboring other tree species. Results indicated that most species are not regionally restricted, and although some myxomycetes are associated with a certain pH range, others develop on any substratum. Future research protocols for corticolous myxomycetes should emphasize sampling adequate amounts of substrata in a local region from different host species that have a wide range of bark pH, ensuring a representative sample of species for an entire region.
Multiple Local Contact Sites are Induced by GPI‐Linked Influenza Hemagglutinin During Hemifusion and Flickering Pore Formation

Membrane fusion intermediates induced by the glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐linked ectodomain of influenza hemagglutinin (GPI‐HA) were investigated by rapid freeze, freeze‐substitution, thin section electron microscopy, and with simultaneous recordings of whole‐cell admittance and fluorescence. Upon triggering, the previously separated membranes developed numerous hourglass shaped points of membrane contact (∼10–130 nm waist) when viewed by electron microscopy. Stereo pairs showed close membrane contact at peaks of complementary protrusions, arising from each membrane. With HA, there were fewer contacts, but wide fusion pores. Physiological measurements showed fast lipid dye mixing between cells after acidification, and either fusion pore formation or the lack thereof (true hemifusion). For the earliest pores, a similar conductance distribution and frequency of flickering pores were detected for both HA and GPI‐HA. For GPI‐HA, lipid mixing was detected prior to, during, or after pore opening, whereas for HA, lipid mixing is seen only after pore opening. Our findings are consistent with a pathway wherein conformational changes in the ectodomain of HA pull membranes towards each other to form a contact site, then hemifusion and pore formation initiate in a small percentage of these contact sites. Finally, the transmembrane domain of HA is needed to complete membrane fusion for macromolecular content mixing.
Price Elasticity of Supply and Productivity: An Analysis of Natural Gas Wells in Wyoming

Using a large dataset of well-level natural gas production from Wyoming, we evaluate the respective roles played by market signals and geological characteristics in natural gas supply. While we find well-level production of natural gas is primarily determined by geological characteristics, producers respond to market signals through drilling rates and locations. Using a novel fixed effects approach based on petroleum-engineering characteristics, we confirm that production decline rates tend to be larger for wells with larger peak-production rates. We also find that the price elasticity of peak production is negative, plausibly because firms drill in less productive locations as prices increase. Finally, we show that drilling is price inelastic, although the price elasticity of drilling increased significantly when new technologies began to be adopted in Wyoming. Our results indicate that the popular view that shale wells have larger decline rates than conventional wells can be at least partially explained by the pattern of falling natural gas prices.
Zn2+ current is mediated by voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels and enhanced by extracellular acidity in mouse cortical neurones

1 Mammalian neuronal voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels have been implicated as potential mediators of membrane permeability to Zn2+. We tested directly whether voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels can flux Zn2+ in whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings from cultured murine cortical neurones. 2 In the presence of extracellular Zn2+ and no Na+, K+, or other divalent cations, a small, non‐inactivating, voltage‐gated inward current was observed exhibiting a current‐voltage relationship characteristic of high‐voltage activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels. Inward current was detectable at Zn2+ levels as low as 50 μm, and both the amplitude and voltage sensitivity of the current depended upon Zn2+ concentration. This Zn2+ current was sensitive to blockade by Gd3+ and nimodipine and, to a lesser extent, by ω‐conotoxin GVIA. 3 Zn2+ could permeate Ca2+ channels in the presence of Ca2+ and other physiological cations. Inward currents recorded with 2 mm Ca2+ were attenuated by Zn2+ (IC50= 210 μm), and currents recorded with Zn2+ were unaffected by up to equimolar Ca2+ concentrations. Furthermore, the Zn2+‐selective fluorescent dye Newport Green revealed a depolarisation‐activated, nimodipine‐sensitive Zn2+ influx into cortical neurones that were bathed in a physiological extracellular solution plus 300 μm ZnCl2. 4 Surprisingly, while lowering extracellular pH suppressed HVA Ca2+ currents, Zn2+ current amplitude was affected oppositely, varying inversely with pH with an apparent pK of 7·4. The acidity‐induced enhancement of Zn2+ current was associated with a positive shift in reversal potential but no change in the kinetics or voltage sensitivity of channel activation. 5 These results provide evidence that L‐ and N‐type voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels can mediate Zn2+ entry into cortical neurones and that this entry may be enhanced by extracellular acidity.
Exercise and weight gain in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

PURPOSE Weight gain is a common side effect for women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and may have negative long-term implications for survival. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on weight gain in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY Seventy-eight women who had recently received a diagnosis of breast cancer and who were beginning adjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled in a home-based exercise study during the first four cycles of chemotherapy. Weight change, body mass index, anorexia, nausea, fatigue, caloric expenditure during exercise, and functional ability were recorded. RESULTS Women who adhered to the exercise program maintained their body weight, while nonexercisers steadily gained weight (P < .05). There were no differences in incidence or intensity of nausea or anorexia between the exercisers and nonexercisers. Women who exercised over the four cycles of chemotherapy improved their functional ability (mean 23%) compared to the nonexercisers who showed significant declines in functional ability (mean -15%). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Exercise may be an effective intervention to minimize weight gain in women with breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Preventing weight gain in these patients may be important in preventing recurrent disease and other comorbidities associated with excess weight.
Negative and Positive mRNA Splicing Elements Act Competitively To Regulate Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vif Gene Expression

ABSTRACT Over 40 different human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mRNAs are produced by alternative splicing of the primary HIV-1 RNA transcripts. In addition, approximately half of the viral RNA remains unspliced and is used as genomic RNA and as mRNA for the Gag and Pol gene products. Regulation of splicing at the HIV-1 3′ splice sites (3′ss) requires suboptimal polypyrimidine tracts, and positive or negative regulation occurs through the binding of cellular factors to cis-acting splicing regulatory elements. We have previously shown that splicing at HIV-1 3′ss A1, which produces single-spliced vif mRNA and promotes the inclusion of HIV exon 2 into both completely and incompletely spliced viral mRNAs, is increased by optimizing the 5′ splice site (5′ss) downstream of exon 2 (5′ss D2). Here we show that the mutations within 5′ss D2 that are predicted to lower or increase the affinity of the 5′ss for U1 snRNP result in reduced or increased Vif expression, respectively. Splicing at 5′ss D2 was not necessary for the effect of 5′ss D2 on Vif expression. In addition, we have found that mutations of the GGGG motif proximal to the 5′ss D2 increase exon 2 inclusion and Vif expression. Finally, we report the presence of a novel exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) element within the 5′-proximal region of exon 2 that facilitates both exon inclusion and Vif expression. This ESE binds specifically to the cellular SR protein SRp75. Our results suggest that the 5′ss D2, the proximal GGGG silencer, and the ESE act competitively to determine the level of vif mRNA splicing and Vif expression. We propose that these positive and negative splicing elements act together to allow the accumulation of vif mRNA and unspliced HIV-1 mRNA, compatible with optimal virus replication.