Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dissecting the Role of Single Regions of an IAPP Mimic and IAPP in Inhibition of Aβ40 Amyloid Formation and Cytotoxicity

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are linked to the self‐association of β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), respectively. We have shown that IAPP‐GI, a soluble IAPP analogue and mimic of nonamyloidogenic and nontoxic IAPP, binds Aβ with high affinity and blocks its cytotoxic self‐assembly and fibrillogenesis. We have also shown that IAPP and Aβ interact with each other into nonfibrillar and nontoxic heterocomplexes that suppress cytotoxic self‐association by both polypeptides. The Aβ–IAPP interaction might thus be a molecular link between AD and T2D. We studied the role of individual IAPP‐GI and IAPP regions in their inhibitory function on Aβ40 self‐association and cytotoxicity. We found that the presence of the two hot‐spot regions of the Aβ–IAPP interaction interface in IAPP(8–28) is not sufficient for inhibitory function and that, in addition to IAPP(8–28), the presence of the N‐terminal region IAPP(1–7) is absolutely required. By contrast, the C‐terminal region, IAPP(30–37), is not required although its presence together with IAPP(1–7) in IAPP‐GI results in a marked enhancement of the inhibitory effect as compared to IAPP(1–28)‐GI. We suggest that the inhibitory effect of IAPP‐GI and IAPP on Aβ40 fibrillogenesis and cell toxicity is mediated primarily by interactions involving the hot regions of the Aβ–IAPP interaction interface and the N terminus of IAPP while a concerted and likely structure‐stabilizing action of the N‐ and C‐terminal IAPP regions potentiates this effect. These results identify important molecular determinants of the amyloid suppressing function of the Aβ40–IAPP interaction and could contribute to the design of novel inhibitors of Aβ40 aggregation and cell degeneration.
Wybrane problemy zarządzania finansami gmin

All individuals of territorial council act in the dynamic surroundings. Frequent and hard to foresee changes take place in legal and economic and social surrounding. Therefore the communes, as basic individuals of territorial council have to manage their finances in order to fulfill the local community needs. The administrative model of management In Polish communes, still administrative model of management exist. However there are many reasons, which should induce the council individuals to introduction of strategic model the management the finances
Mortality-risk Valuation and Age: Stated Preference Evidence

Controversy over the value of statistical life (VSL) centers on whether a single value should be applied to all age groups, as currently done by US government agencies, or whether lower values should be used for the elderly, recognizing that their life expectancies are shorter than those of younger people. Surveys of different age groups' willingness to pay (WTP) for mortality-risk reductions can potentially help resolve this issue.This paper reports on an analysis of this survey literature. Of some 36 studies reviewed, the literature is split on whether older people have a lower WTP for mortality-risk reductions. Even among the studies that find such a discount, its size varies widely. A simple statistical analysis of this literature reveals that larger samples and samples with a higher fraction of older people are significantly associated with finding this effect, suggesting that conducting a larger, more thorough study may help resolve this issue. The paper also raises the possibility that the WTP estimated when all factors related to age are allowed to vary may be more useful to policy than the WTP estimated when all such factors are held constant. A clear finding is that there is no evidence to support use of a uniform value of statistical life year. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
Novel system to investigate the effects of inhaled volume and rates of rise in simulated inspiratory air flow on fine particle output from a dry powder inhaler

This study evaluated the effect of inhaled volume and simulated inspiratory flow rate ramps on fine particle output from dry powder inhalers (DPIs). A simple, robust system was developed to account for “rate of rise” (ramp) effects while maintaining a constant air flow through a multi-stage liquid impinger (MSLI), used for sizing the emitted particles. Ramps were programmed to reach 30 and 60 L/min over 100 milliseconds; 500 milliseconds; and 1, 2, and 3 seconds. Rotahaler was chosen as the test DPI. Testing was done with simulated inhalation volumes of 2 L and 4 L. Testing was also carried out using the USP apparatus 4. At 30 L/min, for a 2 L volume, the amount of drug exiting the device in fine particle fraction (FPF) increased from 2.33 μg to 6.04 μg from the 3-second ramp to the 100-millisecond ramp, with 11.64 μg in FPF for the USP (no ramp) method. At the same flow rate, for a 4 L volume, FPF increased from 2.23 μg to 8.45 μg, with 10.25 μg for the USP method. At 60 L/min, similar trends were observed. In general, at both flow rates, an increase in FPF was noted going from the shallowest to the steepest ramp. However, there were no significant differences in FPF when a 2 L inhaled volume was compared with a 4 L volume at each flow rate. Overall, these data suggest that the existing USP apparatus may overestimate FPF at flow rates lower than those recommended by the USP.
Chain Stores, Consumer Mobility, and Market Structure

Homogeneous products are often sold by chains and locals but the chains charge higher prices. We explain this pricing pattern as well as the empirical fact that chains became increasingly dominant at the same time as consumer mobility increased: Consumers bear setup costs whenever they visit a firm for the first time. A chain operating stores in all locations insures consumers against the need to bear setup costs repeatedly when moving to new locations. In equilibrium, the chain charges higher prices and attracts more consumers than locals. As consumer mobility increases, the chain's market share and profit increases.
Managing Risks in SMEs: A Literature Review and Research Agenda

In times of crisis, companies need to carefully monitor current expenses and forecast potential costs, which could be caused by risky actions. Risk is inherent in all business functions and in every kind of activity. Knowing how to identify risks, attribute a value and a priority scale, design actions and mechanisms to minimize risks, and continuously monitor them, are essential to guarantee companies’ survival and create sustainable value. This is especially true for small- and medium-sized businesses that are most exposed to the harmful effects of the risks, due to limited resources and structural features. The objective of this study is to analyze available literature on the subject of risk management for small- and medium-sized enterprises from 1999 to 2009. The analysis derives interesting characteristics from the scientific studies, highlighting gaps and guidelines for future research.
Measuring Public Sector Efficiency: A Study of Economics Departments at Australian Universities

The 1987 Green Paper on Australian higher education included a recommendation for the abandonment of the binary system. The Dawkins plan effectively transferred resources from established universities to the former colleges of advanced education. This study compares the initial and subsequent performance of economics departments. The analysis applies survey data to a non-parametric data envelopment analysis model. Model results suggest that while overall performance has improved substantially, further productivity improvements are required for new universities to achieve best practice.
Detection and characterization of group C rotavirus in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1997–2003

The role of group C rotaviruses as a cause of diarrhea was examined among children <17 years of age admitted to a Hospital in a suburban area of Buenos Aires, Argentina between 1997 and 2003. A total of 1,579 fecal samples were screened for group A (RVA) and C (RVC) rotaviruses by two in‐house ELISA methods at Quilmes University (UNQ‐ELISA). Samples positive, doubtful and negative by RVC specific UNQ‐ELISA (n = 246) were examined further for RVC by another in‐house ELISA (CDC‐ELISA), electron microscopy, RT‐PCR, nested PCR, and Southern hybridization. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for each test were determined. While the sensitivity was comparable for the nested PCR and CDC‐ELISA methods (82.5%), the molecular methods were slightly more specific. Poorly preserved particles were often seen in fecal samples, suggesting that degradation of RNA could be a factor influencing the performance of molecular methods. The incidence of RVC was estimated to be 3% without apparent differences among seasons. RVC infected patients had a significantly (P < 0.001) higher median age (6 years vs. 1 year) than those with RVA infection. Sequence of the RVC VP7 gene from six Argentinean strains and sequences reported previously in different countries showed high nucleotide (94.4–99.9%) sequence identities, indicating a high degree of conservation for human RVC VP7 genes among strains collected on five continents over a period of 17 years. These findings indicate that RVC is a significant cause of diarrhea and it is necessary to develop simple and sensitive serological methods for its detection. J. Med. Virol. 81:1109–1116, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Schooling Resources, Educational Institutions, and Student Performance: The International Evidence

This paper estimates the effects of family background, resources and institutions on mathematics and science performance using an international database of more than 260,000 students from 39 countries which includes extensive background information at the student, teacher, school and system level. The student-level estimations show that international differences in student performance cannot be attributed to resource differences but are considerably related to institutional differences. Among the many institutions which combine to yield major positive effects on student performance are centralized examinations and control mechanisms, school autonomy in personnel and process decisions, individual teacher influence over teaching methods, limits to teacher unions’ influence on curriculum scope, scrutiny of students’ achievement and competition from private schools.
The relationships among reproductive endpoints in Swiss mice, using the reproductive assessment by Continuous Breeding database.

The database of Continuous Breeding mouse studies was evaluated to determine the relationships between the functional indicators of reproduction (pup measures) and the various necropsy endpoints collected for males and females. Of 72 chemicals studied, both males and females were affected in 33 studies, while females and/or conceptuses were affected in 7. Two compounds affected only males, 17 studies were negative, and in 13 studies with effects it was not possible to clearly determine the affected gender(s). Greater F0 dam weight was correlated with increased pup mass per litter; this relationship was strongest for the first litter, and weakest for the fifth litter. For both generations of treated females (F0 and F1), longer estrous cycles correlated with reduced numbers of pups; the relationship was stronger in F0 than in F1 females and was not seen in controls. Sperm parameters had different distributions in treated mice than in control mice. Fertility (total live pups/number of pairs cohabited) was reduced if there were > approximately 15% sperm abnormalities or if sperm motility (moving/not moving) was < approximately 37%. Both of these relationships appeared to have thresholds. Epididymal sperm count in treated animals, however, was linearly related to fertility, even within the control range, suggesting strongly that other factors are important. Using both treated and control data together, combining sperm count with motility could explain much (r = 0.77) of the variation in fertility; adding morphology did not significantly improve the correlation. The model was almost as strong using count and morphology, in which case adding motility did not strengthen the model. This analysis of these studies shows that while some endpoints (e.g., random-estrous-cycle-point ovary weight) correlate poorly with fertility, other necropsy endpoints (epididymal sperm count and motility, estrous cycle length, and testis and epididymal weights) can be useful (though not complete) surrogates of overall reproductive function. Indeed, over many studies, epididymal sperm count in treated animals correlates with fertility so well that even small reductions (approximately 20%) in count result in reduced fertility, suggesting that mice may be better models of human fertility than was previously believed.
Regulation of SOS1, a plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger in Arabidopsis thaliana, by SOS2 and SOS3

Maintaining low levels of sodium ions in the cell cytosol is critical for plant growth and development. Biochemical studies suggest that Na+/H+ exchangers in the plasma membrane of plant cells contribute to cellular sodium homeostasis by transporting sodium ions out of the cell; however, these exchangers have not been identified at the molecular level. Genetic analysis has linked components of the salt overly sensitive pathway (SOS1–3) to salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. The predicted SOS1 protein sequence and comparisons of sodium ion accumulation in wild-type and sos1 plants suggest that SOS1 is involved directly in the transport of sodium ions across the plasma membrane. To demonstrate the transport capability of SOS1, we studied Na+/H+-exchange activity in wild-type and sos plants using highly purified plasma membrane vesicles. The results showed that plasma membrane Na+/H+-exchange activity was present in wild-type plants treated with 250 mM NaCl, but this transport activity was reduced by 80% in similarly treated sos1 plants. In vitro addition of activated SOS2 protein (a protein kinase) increased Na+/H+-exchange activity in salt-treated wild-type plants 2-fold relative to transport without added protein. However, the addition of activated SOS2 did not have any stimulatory effect on the exchange activity in sos1 plants. Although vesicles of sos2 and sos3 plants had reduced plasma membrane Na+/H+-exchange activity, transport activity in both increased with the addition of activated SOS2 protein. These results demonstrate that SOS1 contributes to plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchange and that SOS2 and SOS3 regulate SOS1 transport activity.
Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis of Iron and Phosphorus Interaction in Rice Seedlings1[C][W]

The antagonistic interaction between iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) has been noted in the area of plant nutrition. To understand the physiology and molecular mechanisms of this interaction, we studied the growth performance, nutrient concentration, and gene expression profiles of root and shoot segments derived from 10-d-old rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings under four different nutrient conditions: (1) full strength of Fe and P (+Fe+P); (2) full strength of P and no Fe (−Fe+P); (3) full strength of Fe and no P (+Fe−P); and (4) without both Fe and P (−Fe−P). While removal of Fe in the growth medium resulted in very low shoot and root Fe concentrations, the chlorotic symptoms and retarded seedling growth were only observed on seedlings grown in the presence of P. Microarray data showed that in roots, 7,628 transcripts were significantly changed in abundance in the absence of Fe alone. Interestingly, many of these changes were reversed if P was also absent (−Fe−P), with only approximately 15% overlapping with –Fe alone (–Fe+P). Analysis of the soluble Fe concentration in rice seedling shoots showed that P deficiency resulted in significantly increased Fe availability within the plants. The soluble Fe concentration under –Fe–P conditions was similar to that under +Fe+P conditions. These results provide evidence that the presence of P can affect Fe availability and in turn can influence the regulation of Fe-responsive genes.
Effects of a Randomized Comprehensive Psychosocial Intervention Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Theory and Motivational Interviewing Techniques for Community Rehabilitation of Patients With Opioid Use Disorders in Shanghai, China

Objectives:China is faced with the challenge of community rehabilitation of persons with opioid use disorders. A 1-year comprehensive psychosocial intervention (CPI) was developed, and its effectiveness was assessed in terms of its ability to improve community rehabilitation of persons with opioid use disorders after their release from detention in compulsory treatment centers in Shanghai, China. Methods:Participants were randomized to the CPI (n = 90) condition or the usual community care (UCC, n = 90) as a control condition. The Addiction Severity Index, Symptom Checklist-90, and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were administered at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Urine screens were used to increase the validity of self-reported drug use. Results:Compared with the UCC group at follow-up, the CPI group showed lower scores in 6 dimensions of the Symptom Checklist-90: somatization, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, phobia-anxiety, paranoia, and psychoticism. Members of the CPI group had higher scores in 2 dimensions of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey—physical role limitation and emotional role limitation—compared with the UCC group (P < 0.05). A logistic regression analysis revealed that phobia-anxiety, lifetime heroin or amphetamine use, and injection drug use were risk factors of relapse, but differences were not found in drug urine test or self-report drug use between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions:The CPI condition improved participants' mental health and quality of life, and it could be a promising community rehabilitation approach for patients with opioid use disorders in recovery.
EXPECTATIONS COORDINATION ON A SUNSPOT EQUILIBRIUM: AN EDUCTIVE APPROACH

We analyze expectations coordination on a stationary sunspot equilibrium (SSE) using an eductive approach in which agents forecast the forecasts of others. This approach is grounded in some common-knowledge assumptions. We show that two institutional contexts may be envisaged; we also distinguish between stationary and nonstationary beliefs. We show that the conditions for eductive stability depend mainly on whether stationarity of beliefs is imposed. We also prove the existence of eductively stable SSEs by means of the Poincaré–Hopf theorem and show that eductively stable SSEs exist in a neighborhood of some indeterminate steady states.
Accounting as a Social and Institutional Practice: Perspectives to Enrich our Understanding of Accounting Change

In the past two decades, a body of literature has developed which depicts accounting as a social and institutional practice. Researchers adopting this perspective typically demonstrate an appreciation for the pervasive and enabling characteristics of accounting and an awareness of the importance of local, time-specific factors which shape accounting change within particular instances. This work examines this literature and classifies its content using the themes identified by Miller (1994). Drawing upon aspects of this literature, the final sections develop a broad, thematic framework to assist researchers in future studies directed at understanding the diverse and complex processes through which changes to the accounting domain can occur.
Landing system verification based on petri nets and a hybrid approach

One of the most important activities of control system design is its verification. Verification ensures that the controlled system will behave as expected under any circumstances it may operate. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to introduce a new method for the verification of aircraft control systems. The focus of this method is on aircraft systems that are characterized as hybrid, i.e., that merge continuous and discrete dynamics. The method proposed is divided into two main parts: the system modeling and the verification of behavioral properties. In the first part, Petri net, differential equation systems, and object oriented concepts are used concurrently in order to model complex hybrid systems. In the second part, the distributed nature of the model is explored in order to decompose a complex verification problem into series of simple local problems. Linear logic is used as a basis of a theorem-proving approach for the verification from the discrete-event point of view. The verification method has been applied to a number of case studies. Among them is the landing system of a military aircraft, which is described in this paper
Food Aid: Disincentive Effects and Their Policy Implications

Food in the present situation can be considered as one of the world's limited, scarce, and vital natural resources such as the atmosphere, or, for that matter, oil. The world is generally agreed that in the interests of mankind as a whole access to such scarce resources vital for a country's existence should be more equitably shared and, specifically, should not be made dependent only on the market, which allocates according to current purchasing power. (In the case of food, animal feeds bid away land, fertilizer, and even grains from the needs of the poor for the grains for themselves.) We are all concerned that the poorest countries need special help in the situation created by the rise in oil prices. The case of food is in many ways even clearer: food aid appears to be an obvious mechanism by which scarce and vital supplies can be allocated outside the normal market mechanism to help meet this basic human need. However, there is also general agreement that the long-run answer to food shortages in the poor countries must be sought in expanded food production in the poor countries themselves, and in employment and income distribution policies which provide sufficient incomes for the poor to be able to buy enough food. There is sufficient concern about the possible harmful effects of food aid on domestic food production that many economists recommend less or no food aid (other than, perhaps, for emergencies) even in cases where nutritional and other human needs are strongest. It is the purpose of this article to review some of the analytic issues and literature relevant to this concern about the disincentive effects and risks of food aid, which we have found to be strongly held by agricul-
Customer relationship management for hotels in Hong Kong

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate how hotels are implementing customer relationship management (CRM) practices at the property level.Design/methodology/approach – Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted with 45 hotel managers from 17 hotels. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis.Findings – All participating hotels have practices in place to manage customer relationships. The most commonly cited goal for CRM is guest retention. Evaluation and control are perceived as very important activities not only to create value for the customers, but also to track the performance of the guest contact departments and the customers' evaluations of the hotel/restaurant experiences.Research limitations/implications – The sample is probably biased towards hotels that are most interested in CRM and are heavily weighted towards higher tariff properties.Practical implications – The study modified Buttle's CRM value chain to analyze hotels' CRM practices.