Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ideological Differences in Anchoring and Adjustment During Social Inferences

Recent research has demonstrated that conservatives perceive greater similarity to political ingroup members than do liberals. In two studies, we draw from a framework of “anchoring and adjustment” to understand why liberals and conservatives differ in their perceptions of ingroup similarity. Results indicate that when participants made judgments under time pressure, liberals and conservatives did not differ in assuming ingroup similarity. However, when participants were given sufficient time to make judgments, liberals assumed less similarity than conservatives did, suggesting that liberals adjusted their judgments to a greater extent than conservatives did (Studies 1 and 2). In examining an underlying motivational process, we found that when conservatives’ desire to affiliate with others was attenuated, they adjusted their initial judgments of ingroup similarity to a similar extent as liberals did (Study 2). We discuss implications for research on ideology and social judgment.
Cervical intraepithelial glandular neoplasia (adenocarcinoma in situ and glandular dysplasia): A correlative study of 23 cases with histologic grading, histochemical analysis of mucins, and immunohistochemical determination of the affinity for four lectins

Twenty‐three cases of cervical intraepithelial glandular neoplasia (CIGN)—a term encompassing adenocarcinoma in situ and glandular dysplasia of the uterine cervix—were studied histologically, histochemically for mucins (neutral mucins, sialomucins and sulfomucins), and immunohistochemically for the affinity of four lectins (WGA, PNA, RCA, UEA). For comparison, six cases of cervical invasive adenocarcinoma and ten cases of cervices without tumor were similarly studied. Criteria for histologic grading of CIGN into three degrees were proposed according to the hyperchromasia and the stratification of nuclei, number of mitoses, and amount of intracellular mucin. Two different types of CIGN were distinguished according to their histological aspect and their mucin pattern: CIGN type A, where the mucin pattern was qualitatively similar to that of normal endocervical mucosa, i.e., neutral mucins, sulfomucins and sialomucins; and CIGN type B, where the glandular cells resembled small intestinal goblet cells and the mucins consisted of neutral mucins and sialomucins with the absence of sulfomucins. Nine cases of CIGN were of type A, 2 of type B, and 12 of both type A and B. Differences in lectin binding existed between normal columnar cells, CIGN, and invasive adenocarcinomas, as well as between CIGN of type A and B. The intensity of the positive immunochemical reaction varied, as well as the type of binded lectin and its localization in the cell. There was a great heterogeneity in the same histologic group from one case to another, and even in the same case from one cell to another.
A Quality Improvement Initiative Reduces Cast Complications in a Pediatric Hospital

Background:Casts, while frequently used as routine treatment in pediatric orthopaedic practice, are not without complications. At our large tertiary care pediatric hospital, the baseline rate of all casting complications was 5.6 complications per 1000 casts applied (0.56%). We tested the hypothesis that we could use quality improvement (QI) methodology to decrease the overall cast complication rate and improve patient care. Methods:We initiated a QI program implementing concepts derived from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement models, including Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, to decrease our cast complication rate. A resident casting education program was developed with a competency “checklist” to ensure that casts are applied, bivalved, and removed in a safe and standardized manner to prevent patient harm. AquaCast Saw Stop Protective Strips were required to be applied with every cast application. A review of our facility’s processes and procedures determined adequate measures were in place to effectively manage inventory and maintenance of cast-saw blades. Results:With the multimodal QI intervention, our cast complication rate was reduced to 1.61 complications per 1000 applications, a >90% improvement. Conclusions:Implementation of QI concepts to perform a QI initiative resulted in a shift toward fewer cast complications, leading to overall improved patient care at a large tertiary pediatric hospital. Level of Evidence:Level II—prospective cohort study.
A mass graph‐based approach for the identification of modified proteoforms using top‐down tandem mass spectra

Motivation: Although proteomics has rapidly developed in the past decade, researchers are still in the early stage of exploring the world of complex proteoforms, which are protein products with various primary structure alterations resulting from gene mutations, alternative splicing, post‐translational modifications, and other biological processes. Proteoform identification is essential to mapping proteoforms to their biological functions as well as discovering novel proteoforms and new protein functions. Top‐down mass spectrometry is the method of choice for identifying complex proteoforms because it provides a ‘bird's eye view’ of intact proteoforms. The combinatorial explosion of various alterations on a protein may result in billions of possible proteoforms, making proteoform identification a challenging computational problem. Results: We propose a new data structure, called the mass graph, for efficient representation of proteoforms and design mass graph alignment algorithms. We developed TopMG, a mass graph‐based software tool for proteoform identification by top‐down mass spectrometry. Experiments on top‐down mass spectrometry datasets showed that TopMG outperformed existing methods in identifying complex proteoforms. Availability and implementation: http://proteomics.informatics. iupui.edu/software/topmg/ Contact: xwliu@iupui.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Generation and Evaluation of a Newcastle Disease Virus–Based H9 Avian Influenza Live Vaccine

Abstract Infection with H9 avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are two important causes of egg drop in layer and breeder poultry, leading to severe economic loss in the industry. Currently in China, inactivated H9 AIV vaccine and live attenuated NDV vaccine have to be repeatedly administered to prevent egg drop in layer animals. Using reverse genetics, we constructed a recombinant NDV expressing an H9 AIV hemagglutinin (HA) from an H9N2 field isolate, A/Chicken/Shandong/2/2007. The HA gene was inserted into the intergenic region between the phosphoprotein (P) and matrix (M) genes of the LaSota NDV vaccine strain. The recombinant virus stably expressing the HA gene, rL-H9, was found to be innocuous after intracerebral inoculation of 1-day-old chickens. A single dose of 106 50% egg infectious dose of the recombinant virus intranasally inoculated into chickens induced high levels of NDV- and AIV H9-specific hemagglutination-inhibition antibody. Complete protection from clinical disease and mortality against challenge with a lethal dose of velogenic NDV was observed in chickens and 90% of chickens were protected from clinical disease, mortality, and virus shedding against challenge with homologous H9N2 AIV. Our results suggest that recombinant NDV is suitable as a potential bivalent live attenuated vaccine against both NDV and H9 AIV infection in poultry.
Brain macro- and microscopic damage in patients with paediatric MS

Objective To characterise, using conventional and diffusion tensor (DT) MRI, the nature and distribution of lesions and the extent of damage in the brain normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and grey matter (GM) from a relatively large population of paediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods Brain conventional and DT MRI scans were acquired from 48 patients with paediatric MS (10 clinically isolated syndromes (CIS), 38 relapsing remitting (RR) MS), 30 adult CIS, 27 adult RRMS, 15 paediatric healthy controls (HC) and 18 adult HC. T2-lesion probability maps and DT MRI of lesions, NAWM and GM were compared among controls and MS groups. Results T2-visible lesion volumes did not differ among patient groups, but T2 lesions were more frequently located in the posterior periventricular regions in adult RRMS patients than in adult CIS and paediatric RRMS patients. Adult RRMS patients had a significantly higher lesion average mean diffusivity than paediatric RRMS patients. No DT MRI changes in the NA tissues were found in paediatric and adult CIS patients. DT MRI abnormalities were limited to the NAWM in paediatric RRMS patients, while they involved the NAWM and GM in adult RRMS patients. The extent of NAWM involvement was similar between adult and paediatric RRMS patients and was significantly correlated with T2-visible lesion burden. Conclusions A less severe intrinsic lesion damage, a less frequent lesion occurrence in the posterior periventricular WM and the sparing of GM may help to explain the favourable short-/medium-term disease outcome of paediatric MS.
Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by interleukin‐4 and interleukin‐13 in human lung epithelial cells

Nitric oxide produced by the inducible enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is implicated in immunological and inflammatory processes. We determined the effects of T‐helper (Th)2‐derived cytokines on the induction of iNOS from an epithelial A549 cell line and human airway epithelial cells stimulated by a mixture of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and interleukin‐13 (IL‐13) but not interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) inhibited both iNOS mRNA expression and nitrite release in A549 cells. On human airway epithelial cells, IL‐4 and IL‐13 reduced iNOS mRNA expression. Dexamethasone also inhibited both iNOS expression and nitrite release. Th2 cytokines, IL‐4 and IL‐13, inhibit iNOS upregulation by Th1 cytokines, indicating an important reciprocal role of Th1 and Th2 T‐cell subsets on lung epithelial cells.
Impact of Cooperatives Membership on Economy in Eastern Oromia: The Case of Haramaya Agricultural Farmers’ Cooperative Union (HAFCU)

This study attempts to analyse the impact of cooperatives on the smallholders’ income, productivity, marketed surplus and saving in East Hararghe Zone of Haramaya District. The study is based on primary cross-sectional data collected from cooperative member and non-cooperative member household heads. The propensity score matching (PSM) estimates complemented by a bias correction matching (BCM) and Lewbel instrumental variable (IV) regression estimation shows that cooperatives have a positive impact on smallholders’ income and productivity. The findings have strong policy implications. The rural development of the country should work toward strengthening and expanding the existing rural organizations through training and capacity building programmes. It is important particularly establishing new rural-based organizations that enable rural households to engage in business activities. Doing that may help reduce poverty and increase smallholders’ income, productivity, and capital accumulation.
FRACTIONAL COINTEGRATION ANALYSIS OF STOCK MARKET AND EXCHANGE RATES: THE CASE OF TURKEY

Abstract The fluctuations and responses between the exchange rate and the stock market has been a topic of interest for both policy makers and market participants for a long time. The aim of the study is to examine so-called relationship using fractional cointegration analysis. For this purpose, we utilized from Borsa Istanbul and daily exchange rates USD/TRY and EUR/TRY for period 2002:01–2015:04 to determine this relationship. Fractional cointegration analysis indicates presence of an equilibrium in the long term in series and fractional integrated errors show persistent characteristics which indicate long memory. Therefore instead of using classical cointegration we have decided using Geweke and Porter-Hudak fractional cointegration for more accurate results. Results indicate that there is a significant positive cointegration between exchange rates and stock prices in Turkish market Borsa Istanbul. This study contributes to literature by analyzing the phenomenon under long memory conditions in Borsa Istanbul.
Tissue-specific expression and developmental regulation of the human fgr proto-oncogene

In this study, we show that c-fgr proto-oncogene expression is limited to normal peripheral blood granulocytes, monocytes, and alveolar macrophages, all of which contain 50 to 100 copies of c-fgr mRNA per cell. The c-fgr RNA molecules in these cells consisted of partially spliced transcripts containing intron 7 and completely spliced molecules capable of encoding the predicted p55 c-fgr protein. The splicing of intron 7 appeared to occur after the splicing of most of the other introns; partially spliced molecules containing intron 7 did not appear to be transported into the cytoplasm. Very low levels of fgr transcripts were also present in U937 promonocytic cells and increased in abundance with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced differentiation. The level of fgr transcripts began to increase 2 to 4 h after TPA addition, peaked at 8 h, and subsequently declined. Since we found that the half-life of fgr mRNA was longer than 8 h, these changes are best explained by transient transcriptional activation of fgr during TPA-induced differentiation, although nuclear runoff experiments were not sensitive enough to detect this event. Cycloheximide also caused accumulation of c-fgr transcripts in U937 cells; no superinduction was observed when TPA and cycloheximide were added at the same time. Induction by either agent was blocked with actinomycin D. These results demonstrate that the c-fgr gene is expressed in a tissue- and development-specific fashion and suggest that constitutive expression of c-fgr in U937 cells is regulated by a labile transcriptional repressor.
Somatostatin activates two types of inwardly rectifying K+ channels in MIN‐6 cells

1 Western blotting revealed the presence of five somatostatin receptor types, sst1, sst2, sst3, sst4 and sst5, in the mouse pancreatic β‐cell line MIN‐6. 2 In MIN‐6 cells, glucose‐induced electrical activity was potently (pEC50= 12.7) and irreversibly reduced by somatostatin (SRIF‐14); this was associated with hyperpolarization of the membrane potential (pEC50= 11.2) and a decrease in the input resistance (pEC50= 12.7). 3 The effects of SRIF‐14 were mimicked by 100 nm L‐362,855 (a partial agonist at sst5 receptors), but not BIM‐23027 or NNC‐26,9100 (selective agonists at sst2 and sst4 receptors, respectively). CH‐275 at 100 nm (a selective agonist at sst1 receptors) partially inhibited electrical activity but without membrane potential hyperpolarization. 4 One hundred nanomolar SRIF‐28 activated an inwardly rectifying K+ current (ISRIF). ISRIF was activated neither by 1 μm BIM‐23056 nor CYN‐154806 (antagonists at sst5 and sst2 receptors, respectively). The activation of ISRIF by 100 nm SRIF‐28 was, however, inhibited 93 % by BIM‐23056; CYN‐154806 had no effect. 5 Both 100 nm glibenclamide and 200 μm tolbutamide, blockers of the β‐cell ATP‐sensitive K+ channel (K‐ATP), reduced ISRIF by ≈44 %, whereas 1 mm Ba2+ abolished ISRIF. 7 In cell‐attached patches, 100 nm SRIF‐14 activated two types of single‐channel currents whose properties were consistent with those of K‐ATP and GIRK channels. 8 In conclusion, somatostatin can inhibit glucose‐induced electrical activity in MIN‐6 cells by the combined activation of K‐ATP and GIRK channels. Studies with selective agonists and antagonists are consistent with this effect being mediated by the sst5 receptor.
Suction‐modified Bergström muscle biopsy technique: Experience with 13,500 procedures

Introduction: Bergström needle muscle biopsies have been used by exercise physiologists for over 35 years but have been less accepted by neuromuscular clinicians due to size concerns. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed over 13,500 muscle Bergström needle biopsies done over a 21‐year period to determine sampling success, patient/subject experience, and complications. We compared sample yield between two different needles (Bergström vs. UCH), with and without suction modifications. Results: Needle biopsies adequate for histology and enzymology were obtainable from the vastus lateralis, deltoid, biceps brachii, soleus, and medial gastrocnemius muscles, with a success rate of >99.9% and a minor complication rate of 0.15%. Approximately 450 muscle fibers were submitted for histologic assessment; suction modification and use of the Bergström vs. UCH needle were associated with larger sample size (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The suction‐modified Bergström needle muscle biopsy technique is safe and provides an adequate sample size for histologic, ultrastructural, DNA, and enzyme analysis. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Occupational stressors and coping as determinants of burnout in female hospice nurses.

AIMS Stressors, coping and demographic variables were examined as predictors of burnout in a sample of hospice nurses. The study aimed to investigate the level of burnout among hospice nurses; to ascertain which aspects of nursing work were positively or negatively related to burnout; to examine the relative contributions made by these different variables and to suggest individual and organizational interventions to reduce levels of burnout. METHODS Eighty-nine female nurses from nine hospices completed a battery of questionnaires comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Nursing Stress Scale, Ways of Coping Scale and a demographic information form. RESULTS In general, the level of burnout (characterized by high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization of patients and low personal accomplishment) was found to be low. In multiple regression analyses, 'death and dying', "conflict with staff', 'accepting responsibility' and higher nursing grade contributed to emotional exhaustion. 'Conflict with staff', 'inadequate preparation', 'escape' and reduced 'planful problem-solving' contributed to depersonalization. 'Inadequate preparation', 'escape', reduced 'positive reappraisal' and fewer professional qualifications contributed to lower levels of personal accomplishment. Overall, stressors made the greatest contribution to burnout and demographic factors contributed the least. CONCLUSIONS The importance of not labelling individuals as good and bad 'copers' was discussed, as the effectiveness of a strategy may depend on the situation. It was concluded that the investigation of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping in relation to burnout, was oversimplifying the coping-burnout relationship. Suggestions for stress management included staff training in counselling skills, monitoring staff conflict, implementing stress inoculation training to teach appropriate use of coping skills and finally, monitoring particularly vulnerable groups of hospice staff such as unqualified nursing assistants and qualified nurses in management positions. It was concluded that despite the difficult nature of hospice work, the hospice is a positive environment in which to work.
A Novel DNA-Binding Protein, PhaR, Plays a Central Role in the Regulation of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Accumulation and Granule Formation in the Haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei

ABSTRACT Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are synthesized and assembled as PHA granules that undergo well-regulated formation in many microorganisms. However, this regulation remains unclear in haloarchaea. In this study, we identified a PHA granule-associated regulator (PhaR) that negatively regulates the expression of both its own gene and the granule structural gene phaP in the same operon (phaRP) in Haloferax mediterranei. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) assays demonstrated a significant interaction between PhaR and the phaRP promoter in vivo. Scanning mutagenesis of the phaRP promoter revealed a specific cis-element as the possible binding position of the PhaR. The haloarchaeal homologs of the PhaR contain a novel conserved domain that belongs to a swapped-hairpin barrel fold family found in AbrB-like proteins. Amino acid substitution indicated that this AbrB-like domain is critical for the repression activity of PhaR. In addition, the phaRP promoter had a weaker activity in the PHA-negative strains, implying a function of the PHA granules in titration of the PhaR. Moreover, the H. mediterranei strain lacking phaR was deficient in PHA accumulation and produced granules with irregular shapes. Interestingly, the PhaR itself can promote PHA synthesis and granule formation in a PhaP-independent manner. Collectively, our results demonstrated that the haloarchaeal PhaR is a novel bifunctional protein that plays the central role in the regulation of PHA accumulation and granule formation in H. mediterranei.
Space-Time Product Convolutional Codes with Full Antenna Diversity

Product convolutional codes are investigated as an alternative concatenated scheme to construct full antenna diversity space-time codes. The proposed space-time code construction is analyzed and the conditions to achieve full diversity are determined. The resulting space-time codes are compared with space-time serially concatenated and woven convolutional codes. Simulation results for quasi-static Rayleigh fading channels show that space-time product convolutional codes have a better performance (in terms of bit error rate) and a smaller iterative decoding complexity than space-time serially concatenated and woven convolutional codes
Human Interindividual Variability in Parameters Related to Health Risks

This paper reviews existing data on the variability in parameters relevant for health risk analyses. We cover both exposure-related parameters and parameters related to individual susceptibility to toxicity. The toxicity/susceptibility data base under construction is part of a longer term research effort to lay the groundwork for quantitative distributional analyses of non-cancer toxic risks. These data are broken down into a variety of parameter types that encompass different portions of the pathway from external exposure to the production of biological responses. The discrete steps in this pathway, as we now conceive them, are:•Contact Rate (Breathing rates per body weight; fish consumption per body weight)•Uptake or Absorption as a Fraction of Intake or Contact Rate•General Systemic Availability Net of First Pass Elimination and Dilution via Distribution Volume (e.g., initial blood concentration per mg/kg of uptake)•Systemic Elimination (half life or clearance)•Active Site Concentration per Systemic Blood or Plasma Concentration•Physiological Parameter Change per Active Site Concentration (expressed as the dose required to make a given percentage change in different people, or the dose required to achieve some proportion of an individual's maximum response to the drug or toxicant)•Functional Reserve Capacity–Change in Baseline Physiological Parameter Needed to Produce a Biological Response or Pass a Criterion of Abnormal FunctionComparison of the amounts of variability observed for the different parameter types suggests that appreciable variability is associated with the final step in the process–differences among people in “functional reserve capacity. ” This has the implication that relevant information for estimating effective toxic susceptibility distributions may be gleaned by direct studies of the population distributions of key physiological parameters in people that are not exposed to the environmental and occupational toxicants that are thought to perturb those parameters. This is illustrated with some recent observations of the population distributions of Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol from the second and third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.