Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zebrafish foxo3b Negatively Regulates Antiviral Response through Suppressing the Transactivity of irf3 and irf7

Forkhead box O (FOXO)3, a member of the FOXO family of transcription factors, plays key roles in various cellular processes, including development, longevity, reproduction, and metabolism. Recently, FOXO3 has also been shown to be involved in modulating the immune response. However, how FOXO3 regulates immunity and the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. In this study, we show that zebrafish (Danio rerio) foxo3b, an ortholog of mammalian FOXO3, is induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid stimulation and spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) infection. We found that foxo3b interacted with irf3 and irf7 to inhibit ifr3/irf7 transcriptional activity, thus resulting in suppression of SVCV or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid–induced IFN activation. By suppressing expression of key antiviral genes, foxo3b negatively regulated the cellular antiviral response. Furthermore, upon SVCV infection, the expression of the key antiviral genes was significantly enhanced in foxo3b-null zebrafish larvae compared with wild-type larvae. Additionally, the replication of SVCV was inhibited in foxo3b-null zebrafish larvae, leading to a higher survival rate. Our findings suggest that by suppressing irf3/irf7 activity, zebrafish foxo3b negatively regulates the antiviral response, implicating the vital role of the FOXO gene family in innate immunity.
Avocado Pests and Avocado Trade

This article evaluates the effects of a November 2004 phytosanitary rule that removed seasonal and geographic restrictions on the importation of fresh Hass avocados from approved orchards in Mexico to the United States. With the remaining systems approach compliance measures in place, pest risks do not substantially increase and U.S. net welfare rises by $77 million. Removal of remaining compliance measures may lead to lower net welfare gains depending on which measures are eliminated and the estimated probabilities of pest infestations. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Community Assets First: The implications of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach for the Coalition agenda

The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) is an analytical model that seeks to build on the existing assets and strategies that people living in poverty use to support themselves, and then to identify what needs to change in order for their livelihoods to become more secure and sustainable. The SLA takes as its starting point not deprivation but assets: the strengths and capabilities of people living in poverty, and the strategies they use, through drawing on these different assets, to ‘get by’. Since 2005, Oxfam and Church Action on Poverty have been working with local partners to pilot the approach with people living in different low-income communities across the UK. Based on this experience, the authors – IPPR North, Urban Forum, Oxfam, and Church Action on Poverty – explore the benefits of taking a Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to public policy aspects such as welfare reform, job creation, housing and provision of local services and urge policy-makers, researchers and practitioners to use the SLA in designing anti-poverty work.
Clinical Natural Language Processing in 2014: Foundational Methods Supporting Efficient Healthcare

Summary Objective: To summarize recent research and present a selection of the best papers published in 2014 in the field of clinical Natural Language Processing (NLP). Method: A systematic review of the literature was performed by the two section editors of the IMIA Yearbook NLP section by searching bibliographic databases with a focus on NLP efforts applied to clinical texts or aimed at a clinical outcome. A shortlist of candidate best papers was first selected by the section editors before being peer-reviewed by independent external reviewers. Results: The clinical NLP best paper selection shows that the field is tackling text analysis methods of increasing depth. The full review process highlighted five papers addressing foundational methods in clinical NLP using clinically relevant texts from online forums or encyclopedias, clinical texts from Electronic Health Records, and included studies specifically aiming at a practical clinical outcome. The increased access to clinical data that was made possible with the recent progress of de-identification paved the way for the scientific community to address complex NLP problems such as word sense disambiguation, negation, temporal analysis and specific information nugget extraction. These advances in turn allowed for efficient application of NLP to clinical problems such as cancer patient triage. Another line of research investigates online clinically relevant texts and brings interesting insight on communication strategies to convey health-related information. Conclusions: The field of clinical NLP is thriving through the contributions of both NLP researchers and healthcare professionals interested in applying NLP techniques for concrete healthcare purposes. Clinical NLP is becoming mature for practical applications with a significant clinical impact.
Three-dimensional real-time synthetic aperture imaging using a rotating phased array transducer

Current 3D real-time imaging is done either with sparse 2D arrays, or with mechanically moved phased arrays. The former results in a poor resolution and contrast due to a limited amount of elements. The latter has the disadvantage of low frame rates due to the sequential acquisition of the volume line-by-line and plane-by-plane. This paper describes an approach which combines mechanically moved phased array with synthetic transmit aperture imaging, resulting in high volume acquisition rates without a trade-off in image quality. The scan method uses a conventional fully populated 64 element phased array, which is rotated over the volume of interest. The data is acquired using coded signals and synthetic transmit aperture imaging. Only one group of elements transmits at a time. The delays are set such as to form a cylindrical wave. The back-scattered signal carries information not only from the plane located directly below the transducer, but also from neighboring planes. A complete dataset for all elements for the whole rotation is acquired and stored. The volume is then focused from this complete data set in order to obtain dynamic transmit and receive focusing in all directions.
Marine invertebrate eco-genotoxicology: a methodological overview.

The last 25 years have seen major advances in the field of mammalian genotoxicology, particularly with the advent of molecular methods, some of which have spilled over into the relatively new field of eco-genotoxicology, which aims to evaluate the impact of contaminants on the natural biota. Unlike mammalian genotoxicology, where the focus is centred on a limited number of model species, efforts in the marine field have generally lacked coordination and focus, with the result that progress has been somewhat slow and fragmented. However, it is recognized that at the DNA and chromosome levels, marine invertebrates express qualitatively similar types of induced damage to that found in higher organisms (e.g. point mutations, strand breaks and chromosomal aberrations). Given that many of these species (bivalve molluscs, crustaceans, polychaete worms, etc.) are linked directly or indirectly to the human food chain, this is an important reason why one should be concerned about their exposure to environmental mutagens and carcinogens, particularly as many of these organisms have the capacity to (i) transform these agents to biologically active metabolites and (ii) accumulate toxicants in their cells and tissues at concentrations several orders of magnitude above that found in the environment. This review covers the advantages and limitations of those cytogenetic and molecular assays that have been used to address the question of genotoxicity in the cells and early life stages of selected marine invertebrate species. It concludes with the recommendation for the adoption of standardized test procedures, leading to a tiered approach in future eco-genotoxicity testing.
Understanding State Goal Orientation: Leadership and Work-Group Climate as Key Antecedents

Title of dissertation: Understanding State Goal Orientation: Leadership and Work-group Climate as Key Antecedents Lisa Christine Dragoni Dissertation directed by: Associate Professor Cynthia Kay Stevens Associate Professor Paul E. Tesluk Department of Management and Organizations This research attends to a broad range of practically significant employee achievement goals and provides insight into how to enhance individual-level performance by examining the antecedents to individual-level state goal orientation in organizational work groups. State goal orientation is defined here as a temporary achievement goal, and it is theorized that leadership and work group climate processes parallel each dimension of state goal orientation to cue and ultimately induce the corresponding achievement goal among individual work group members. The leader’s achievement priority is argued to drive the formation of work group climate consistent with this priority. The resulting work group climate signals and compels group members to adopt the ascribed form of state goal orientation. The quality of the leader-member exchange (LMX) relationship is viewed as a means to internalize cues from the work group climate in the emergence of state goal orientation. Results from experimental and field studies provide evidence that (1) leadership and climate perceptions are related to their parallel form of state goal orientation, (2) the relation between individual perceptions of a climate for learning and state learning goal orientation is stronger when group members enjoy higher quality exchange relationships with their leader, and (3) state goal orientation may be validly and reliably assessed using the measure created especially for this research.
Optional thinking ability among hospital-treated deliberate self-harm patients: a 1-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between optional thinking (the ability to generate alternative solutions to interpersonal problems) in deliberate self-harm (DSH) patients and repeated self-harm. DESIGN A prospective study of the association between optional thinking in interpersonal problem solving and repeated DSH within 12 months. METHOD A non-consecutive sample (N=152) of DSH patients presenting to the Accident and Emergency department of an acute hospital in Cork city, Ireland, was assessed using a structured interview schedule including the Suicide Intent Scale, the Hopelessness Scale, and the Optional Thinking Test. Repetition within 1 year was established by checking Accident and Emergency records at all three city hospitals. Participants were categorized as repeaters if they engaged in at least one further hospital-treated DSH episode, or non-repeaters. RESULTS Approximately two-thirds (63.1%) of the sample had engaged in at least one act of DSH prior to their index episode. During follow-up 31 individuals (20.4%) repeated. History of self-harm was significantly associated with prospective repetition when considered alongside all the other predictor variables. Among first evers, low scores on the optional thinking test were significantly associated with the increased risk of repetition within 12 months. Among those with previous DSH, there was no evidence of an association between optional thinking and repetition within 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Poor optional thinking is associated with increased risk of repeated deliberate self-harm in those who present with a first self-harm episode. Interventions to improve optional thinking skills, delivered soon after a first DSH presentation, may be useful in preventing repetition.
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE PRIMARY OILSEEDS INDUSTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Given South Africa's poor resource endowments coupled with the ongoing deregulation and liberalisation of agriculture, it is of the utmost importance that resources are used in the most optimal manner to ensure international competitiveness. Since oilseeds constitute one of the most important field crops in South Africa, the comparative economic advantages (CEA) of sunflower seeds, groundnuts and soya-beans were calculated for different regions classified as low yielding, high yielding and irrigation areas. The results show that (a) the extent of developing new cultivars with improved yield potential will largely determine the comparative advantage of oilseeds in areas where agro-ecological conditions are poor; (b) distortionary policies on the input side is one of the main factors influencing the comparative advantage of the primary oilseeds industry; (c) the introduction of a water rate will have serious implications for irrigated oilseeds; and (d) increased efficiency forms the basis for being competitiveness.
Cleavage and functional loss of human apolipoprotein E by digestion of matrix metalloproteinase‐14

By means of a degradomic approach applying proteomic techniques, we previously suggested that apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a substrate of matrix metalloproteinase‐14 (MMP‐14). Here we confirm that apoE is, in fact, a substrate of MMP‐14 and also of MMP‐7 and MMP‐2 to a lesser extent. The 34 kDa apoE protein was initially processed by MMP‐14 into fragments with molecular masses of 28, 23, 21, and 11 kDa. MMP‐14 cleavage sites within the apoE protein were determined by C‐terminal labeling of MMP‐14‐digested apoE fragments with isotope (18O/16O = 1:1) and identification of the doublet fragments or peptides showing 2 Da difference by MS, along with N‐terminal sequencing of the fragments. It was determined that the primary MMP‐14 cleavage sites were A176‐I177, P183‐L184, P202‐L203, and Q249‐I250. The MMP‐14‐mediated cleavage of apoE was consistent regardless of whether apoE existed in its lipid‐bound or lipid‐free form. Upon digestion with MMP‐14, apoE loses its ability to suppress the platelet‐derived growth factor‐induced migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Considering the important role of apoE for lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis protection, our findings suggest that MMP‐14 plays an essential role for the development of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis as a result of degradation of apoE.
Econometrics and the Computer: Love or a Marriage of Convenience?

This essay considers some of the circumstances that have characterized econometric practice during the past fifty to sixty years, including both the invention and use of the electronic computer and the growing accessibility of both micro- and macroeconomic data. However, its particular focus is econometric computation and the degree to which computational algorithms are not determined by econometric theory, thus making it important for historians of econometricians to begin to consider the specific way in which econometrics is practiced as well as how the theory has evolved over the years. At issue are both the way in which particular calculations should be made and the choice of misspecification and other tests that are made available in the existing econometric software packages
Measurement of corporate social performance: an Indian perspective

Purpose - This paper aims to: design a comprehensive, review-based and statistically tested corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) index; measure item-wise and theme-wise the social performance of the top 82 companies in India; and investigate item-wise and theme-wise the variations in CSRD. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents an empirical study of CSRD in 2009-2010, using content analysis, Cronbach's Findings - CSRD shows less satisfactory social performance, mainly narrative, and varies significantly among items and themes. Community development, with a mean score of 14.30, is the most disclosed theme, followed by HR, with a score of 11.20. The human element is the center of social performance in India. More than equal focus should be given to the environment and to emissions, which impact the greater interests of the world. Some burning global issues like water usage, alternative sources of energy, product safety and innovation have not received adequate attention. Research limitations/implications - The study offers ample scope for the further studies as each and every theme and item considered in the model/index requires individual focus to serve the future generations of mankind. Longitudinal/transnational studies in the area of CSR could be carried out to set the scene for further studies. Practical implications - The paper recommends mandatory CSR norms leading to improved disclosure, the sharing of innovative knowledge, cost reductions and enhanced effectiveness in managing scarce resources. Originality/value - The paper evaluates social performance in the economic, social, religious environment and highlights the emerging philanthropic attitude. The paper improves an existing model by incorporating an emerging dimension, i.e. “Emissions of carbon and other harmful gases”. The CSEEE index designed here is highly appropriate for developing economies like India. The paper measures CSRD using six-point scales for the first time.
International Bond Risk Premia

We find evidence for time-varying risk premia across international bond markets. Local and global factors jointly predict returns. The global factor is closely linked to US bond risk premia and international business cycles. Movements in the global factor seem to drive risk premia and expected short-term interest rates in opposite directions. We consider an affine term-structure model in which risk premia are driven by one local and one global factor. Shocks to these factors account for only a small fraction of yield variance and the cross-section of yields conveys little information about the factors. Finally, correlations between international bond risk premia have increased over time, suggesting an increase in integration between markets.
Family and cultural factors impacting entrepreneurship in war time Lebanon

This study profiles the characteristics, attributes and growth orientations of Lebanese entrepreneurs including the relationships, roles and contributions that family and culture play in the development of private SMEs. Drawing on a sample of 112 entrepreneurs' psychographic motives, demographic attributes and business activities are revealed. Family and enterprise relationships related to employment, investment and active family participation and growth orientations are empirically tested. The findings suggest that entrepreneurs are motivated by the need for independence and flexibility. Entrepreneurs were found to rely heavily on family member participation to establish, develop and grow their enterprises.
Molecular Basis of Cav2.3 Calcium Channels in Rat Nociceptive Neurons*

Cav2.3 calcium channels play an important role in pain transmission in peripheral sensory neurons. Six Cav2.3 isoforms resulting from different combinations of three inserts (inserts I and II in the II–III loop and insert III in the carboxyl-terminal region) have been identified in different mammalian tissues. To date, however, Cav2.3 isoforms unique to primary sensory neurons have not been identified. In this study, we determined Cav2.3 isoforms expressed in the rat trigeminal ganglion neurons. Whole tissue reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analyses revealed that only two isoforms, Cav2.3a and Cav2.3e, are present in TG neurons. Using single cell RT-PCR, we found that Cav2.3e is the major isoform, whereas Cav2.3e expression is highly restricted to small (<16 μm) isolectin B4-negative and tyrosine kinase A-positive neurons. Cav2.3e was also preferentially detected in neurons expressing the nociceptive marker, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1. Single cell RT-PCR following calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp recordings provided evidence of an association between an R-type calcium channel component and Cav2.3e expression. Our results suggest that Cav2.3e in sensory neurons may be a potential target for the treatment of pain.
ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING RULES: EFFECTS ON INCOME INEQUALITY AND WELFARE

This paper compares the effects of pro- and countercyclical government spending on income inequality and welfare in a small open economy. We examine the consequences of alternative government spending rules following shocks to productivity, domestic interest rates, terms of trade, and export demand. The simulated results show that welfare and income inequality indices can move in opposite directions for government spending rules, with countercyclical spending improving welfare and procyclical spending improving income equality.
Histomorphometric Profile of the Corneal Response to Short-term Reverse-geometry Orthokeratology Lens Wear in Primate Corneas: A Pilot Study

Purpose: To investigate the histological changes in primate cornea induced by short-term overnight orthokeratology (OK). Methods: Nine young adult primates were used. One animal served as negative control. The remaining 8 animals wore reverse-geometry OK lenses for periods of 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours on 1 eye with the other eye as control. Central and midperipheral corneal thickness, as well as ultrastructural changes in corneal epithelium, stroma and endothelium in response to OK lenses, were evaluated. Results: OK significantly reduced the thickness of the central cornea in all treatment groups. The central corneal thinning was both stromal and epithelial in origin. Substantial midperipheral corneal thickening was seen in 16-hour and 24-hour lens-wear groups and this effect was both stromal and epithelial in origin as well. Histology evidence indicated the primary epithelial response in the central cornea was compression of cells that resulted in wing cells becoming shorter and basal cells being squatted rather than lost or migration of cell layers. These pronounced cell shape changes occurred without compromising the structural integrity of the desmosomes. The thickened corneal epithelium has normal cell layers. The squamous cells have larger surface sizes and are composed of oval instead of flattened nuclei. This implied delayed surface cell exfoliation at the thickened midperipheral epithelium. Physical presence of OK lens over the cornea did not influence the microstructures of microvilli and microplicae, endothelium, and collagen distribution. Conclusions: The primate cornea, particularly the corneal epithelium, responds rapidly to the application of reverse-geometry OK lenses with significant epithelial cell shape alterations with short-term OK lens wear. This finding suggests that the corneal epithelium is moldable in response to the physical forces generated by the OK lenses.