Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-Linking Agents Ionizing Radiation , Bleomycin , and Etoposide but not DNA Messenger RNA Sensitizes M 059 K Malignant Glioma Cells to An Antisense Oligonucleotide Targeted to Human Ku 86 Updated

Ku is a heterodimer of Mr 70,000 and Mr 86,000 subunits. It binds with strong affinity to DNA ends and is indispensable for nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) and V(D)J recombination. In this study, we investigated whether down-regulation of the Ku86 gene, by 2 -O-methoxyethyl/ uniform phosphorothioate chimeric antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), increases the sensitivity of the DNA-protein kinase catalytic subunit (PKcs)-proficient human glioma cell line (M059K), and its isogenic DNAPKcs-deficient counterpart (M059J), to ionizing radiation and anticancer drugs. Transfection of these cell lines with 200 nM Ku86 antisense ASOs was associated with a specific decrease in Ku86 mRNA levels (IC50 <25 nM; n 3) and a concomitant rapid decrease (<10% of control) in Ku86 protein expression. Moreover, transfection of M059K cells with Ku86 antisense ASOs markedly increased cell death after treatment with ionizing radiation, bleomycin, and etoposide. However, no sensitization to the DNA cross-linking agents chlorambucil and cisplatin was observed after Ku86 antisense transfection. As expected, transfection of M059J cells with Ku86 antisense ASOs did not result in any sensitization to ionizing radiation, bleomycin, or DNA cross-linking agents, but there was a 2-fold increase in sensitivity to etoposide. Thus, our results indicate that antisense ASOs targeted against Ku86 may increase the efficacy of radiotherapy and DNA-damaging agents in tumor treatment. Furthermore, Ku86 antisense ASOs may be used to create a temporal knockout in different human cell lines to further investigate the biological roles of Ku86.
Redshifted 21 cm Emission from Minihalos before Reionization

Before reionization, the intergalactic medium (IGM) may have been sufficiently cold for low-mass "minihalos" to condense out of the gas and subsequently affect reionization. Previous work has shown that minihalos generate reasonably large 21 cm fluctuations. Here we consider this signal in its proper cosmological context and show that isolating minihalos from the rest of the IGM is extremely difficult. Using the well-known halo model, we compute the power spectrum of 21 cm fluctuations from minihalos and show that the signal decreases rapidly as feedback increases the Jeans mass. We then show that even a small Lyα background increases the 21 cm fluctuations of the diffuse IGM well beyond those of the minihalos; because the mass fraction in the IGM is much larger, minihalos will lie buried within the IGM signal. The distinctive signatures of nonlinear bias and minihalo structure emerge only at much smaller scales, well beyond the resolution of any upcoming instrument. Using simple but representative reionization histories, we then show that the required Lyα background level is most likely achieved at z ≳ 15, while minihalos are still rare, so that they are almost always degenerate with the diffuse IGM.
Direct Estimation of Articulatory Kinematics from Real-Time Magnetic Resonance Image Sequences

A method of rapid, automatic extraction of consonantal articulatory trajectories from real-time magnetic resonance image sequences is described. Constriction location targets are estimated by identifying regions of maximally-dynamic correlated pixel activity along the palate, the alveolar ridge, and at the lips. Tissue movement into and out of the constriction location is estimated by calculating the change in mean pixel intensity in a circle located at the center of the region of interest. Closure and release gesture timings are estimated from landmarks in the velocity profile derived from the smoothed intensity function. We demonstrate the utility of the technique in the analysis of Italian intervocalic consonant production. Index Terms: speech production, real-time MRI, consonant articulation, tongue shaping, articulatory phonology
The interplay between learning and the use of ICT in Rwandan student teachers' everyday practice

The paper describes a study conducted in Rwanda involving 12 participants selected from a larger cohort of 24 final-year university students who were part of a group-based training programme. The programme was about how to search, retrieve, and use web-based literature. Empirical data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The purpose was to explore ways of using information and communication technology (ICT) in student teachers' everyday learning practice. The study draws from a sociocultural perspective and emphasis is put on a literature review involving ICT in teacher education. The findings reveal that utilization of ICT pertains to three major types of variation among student teachers who use ICT: passive, reluctant, and active users. The active ICT users demonstrated a capacity to cross group boundaries and play a central role as agents of change in learning practice. The point is that more experienced student teachers can assist their colleagues in the zone of proximal development and, therefore, enhance the integration of the new technology in teacher education. This implies that having access to ICT together with some instruction is not sufficient to prompt students to start using this technology as a pedagogical tool. Moreover, confrontation of different experiences regarding the use of ICT can spearhead change in student teachers' learning practice through critical reflection.
DisGeNET: a discovery platform for the dynamical exploration of human diseases and their genes

DisGeNET is a comprehensive discovery platform designed to address a variety of questions concerning the genetic underpinning of human diseases. DisGeNET contains over 380 000 associations between >16 000 genes and 13 000 diseases, which makes it one of the largest repositories currently available of its kind. DisGeNET integrates expert-curated databases with text-mined data, covers information on Mendelian and complex diseases, and includes data from animal disease models. It features a score based on the supporting evidence to prioritize gene-disease associations. It is an open access resource available through a web interface, a Cytoscape plugin and as a Semantic Web resource. The web interface supports user-friendly data exploration and navigation. DisGeNET data can also be analysed via the DisGeNET Cytoscape plugin, and enriched with the annotations of other plugins of this popular network analysis software suite. Finally, the information contained in DisGeNET can be expanded and complemented using Semantic Web technologies and linked to a variety of resources already present in the Linked Data cloud. Hence, DisGeNET offers one of the most comprehensive collections of human gene-disease associations and a valuable set of tools for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases of genetic origin, designed to fulfill the needs of different user profiles, including bioinformaticians, biologists and health-care practitioners. Database URL: http://www.disgenet. org/
Factors Associated with Higher Reported Pain Levels in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional, Correlational Analysis

Background Chronic musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent, disabling, and costly, and has many negative effects on quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with higher reported pain levels in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain among demographic, clinical, and psychological factors, and to evaluate whether insomnia is independently associated with pain intensity in this population. Methods A total of 357 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (pain duration ≥ six months) satisfied the study inclusion criteria and were included in the analyses. Patient demographics, clinical, and psychological factors were evaluated with hierarchical multivariate logistic analysis to identify factors associated with severe pain (NRS [numeric rating scale] ≥ 7). Hierarchical linear regression analysis also performed to identify factors associated with pain intensity (0 to 10 NRS). Results Multivariate logistic analyses revealed older age (OR [odds ratio] = 1.017, 95% CI [confidence interval] 1.001–1.032, P = 0.034), high anxiety level (OR = 1.162, 95% CI 1.020–1.324, P = 0.024), high pain catastrophizing (OR = 1.043, 95% CI 1.007–1.081, P = 0.018), and severe insomnia (OR = 1.112, 95% CI 1.057–1.170, P<0.001) were significantly associated with severe pain. Hierarchical linear regression analysis showed age (β = 0.106, P = 0.041), pain catastrophizing (β = 0.249, P<0.001), and insomnia (β = 0.286, P<0.001) were significantly associated with pain intensity. The variance in pain intensity explained by the final model was 32.2%. Conclusions Older age, severe insomnia, and high pain catastrophizing were significantly associated with higher reported pain levels. Insomnia was independently associated with pain intensity, even after controlling for various demographic and clinical factors. These factors should be considered when devising pain management strategies for this population.
Analysis of the Chip Geometry in Dry Machining of Aeronautical Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum alloys are widely used in the manufacturing of structural parts for aircraft, frequently in combination with other materials such as CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer), to form FML (Fiber Metal Laminates) structures (CFRP/Al). The dry machining of these structures presents several problems, some of which are related to chip evacuation, either when machining aluminum alloys as an isotropic material, or during hybridization with composites. In this work, a study of the way in which cutting parameters influence the chip morphology in the dry machining of UNS A97075-T6 (Al-Zn) and UNS A92024-T3 (Al-Cu) alloys, is performed. Thus, different geometric parameters of the chip morphology have been obtained, and their evolution with feed has been analysed. Finally, the different relationships which occur between these geometric parameters and feed, have been obtained. These relationships allow a prediction of the evolution of some of the geometric parameters of the chip, as a function of feed.
The battle for talent: globalization and the rise of executive pay. Bruegel Working Paper No. 2009/01 [02?], February 2009

Recent long-run time series evidence for the US suggests that popular explanations for the surge in executive pay are not supported by the data. This paper explores the role of globalization for the rise in executive pay based on new firm survey data on executives and their pay in Austria and Germany. I find that firms more exposed to international competition engage in talent fairs to search and attract skilled workers. Furthermore, I find that seniority related pay varies for di
Myofibrillogenesis in the developing chicken heart: assembly of Z-disk, M-line and the thick filaments.

Myofibrillogenesis in situ was investigated by confocal microscopy of immunofluorescently labelled whole mount preparations of early embryonic chicken heart rudiments. The time-course of incorporation of several components into myofibrils was compared in triple-stained specimens, taken around the time when beating starts. All sarcomeric proteins investigated so far were already expressed before the first contractions and myofibril assembly happened within a few hours. No typical stress fibre-like structures or premyofibrils, structures observed in cultured cardiomyocytes, could be detected during myofibrillogenesis in the heart. Sarcomeric proteins like (&agr;)-actinin, titin and actin were found in a defined localisation pattern even in cardiomyocytes that did not yet contain myofibrils, making up dense body-like structures. As soon as the heart started to beat, all myofibrillar proteins were already located at their exact position in the sarcomere. The maturation of the sarcomeres was characterised by a short delay in the establishment of the pattern for M-line epitopes of titin with respect to Z-disk epitopes and the incorporation of the M-line component myomesin, which preceded that of myosin binding protein-C. Thus dense body-like structures, made up of titin, (&agr;)-actinin and actin filaments serve as the first organised complexes also during myofibrillogenesis in situ and titin functions as a ruler for sarcomere assembly as soon as its C termini have become localised. We suggest that assembly of thin and thick filament occurs independently during myofibrillogenesis in situ and that myomesin might be important for integrating thick filaments with the M-line end of titin.
Novel TCAP Mutation c.32C>A Causing Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2G

TCAP encoded telethonin is a 19 kDa protein, which plays an important role in anchoring titin in Z disc of the sarcomere, and is known to cause LGMD2G, a rare muscle disorder characterised by proximal and distal lower limb weakness, calf hypertrophy and loss of ambulation. A total of 300 individuals with ARLGMD were recruited for this study. Among these we identified 8 clinically well characterised LGMD2G cases from 7 unrelated Dravidian families. Clinical examination revealed predominantly proximo - distal form of weakness, scapular winging, muscle atrophy, calf hypertrophy and foot drop, immunoblot showed either complete absence or severe reduction of telethonin. Genetic analysis revealed a novel nonsense homozygous mutation c.32C>A, p.(Ser11*) in three patients of a consanguineous family and an 8 bp homozygous duplication c. 26_33dupAGGTGTCG, p.(Arg12fs31*) in another patient. Both mutations possibly lead to truncated protein or nonsense mediated decay. We could not find any functionally significant TCAP mutation in the remaining 6 samples, except for two other polymorphisms, c.453A>C, p.( = ) and c. -178G>T, which were found in cases and controls. This is the first report from India to demonstrate TCAP association with LGMD2G.
An Investigation of the Effect of Accountant Involvement with Forecasts on the Decisions and Perceptions of Commercial Lenders

Guidance for the traditional attest function recently has been expanded to provide directions to independent accountants performing engagements on forecasted financial statements (“Financial Forecasts and Projections,” AICPA [1992, AT 200]). Although the use of forecasted financial information in lending decisions has been extensively examined in previous research, the extent to which engagements identified by “Financial Forecasts and Projections” actually affect users' decisions and perceptions has not been determined. This study examines whether decisions and perceptions of commercial lenders are influenced by the level of accountant involvement (no involvement, a compilation engagement, or an examination engagement) with a hypothetical loan candidate's forecasted financial statements. The results of this study indicate that bankers consider the extent of accountant involvement with forecasted financial statements in their lending decisions. In addition, a significant interaction between the level of accountant involvement with historical financial statements and forecasted financial statements indicates that this effect is more pronounced when the accountant also audits the loan candidate's historical financial statements. However, bankers' perceptions of the responsibilities assumed and assurances provided by the accountant in these engagements differ from statements in accountants' reports. These inconsistencies suggest the need for the AICPA to modify current accountants' reports to communicate more clearly the nature of these engagements and to provide further education to users.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING , PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY , AND MANUFACTURING PERFORMANCE : A GLIMPSE FROM THE MALAYSIAN MANUFACTURING FIRMS

The objective of this research is to investigate how manufacturing firms develop capabilities and resources that are inimitable, and non-substitutable in pursuit of higher performance and competitive advantage. This research attempts to find out: firstly, whether organizational learning leads to innovation in terms of proprietary technology development; secondly, whether proprietary technology development enhances manufacturing performance; lastly, whether organizational learning leads to manufacturing performance via proprietary technology development. Data was collected from a sample of 68 managers in manufacturing firms in Northern Peninsular Malaysia. The results of this study indicates that internal learning will lead to more proprietary technology development and in turn proprietary technology will lead to higher level of manufacturing performance. In addition, this study also empirical demonstrates that proprietary technology mediates the relationship of organizational learning and manufacturing performance. The study shows that internal learning and proprietary technology are important means for a manufacturing firm to gain competitive advantage. Thus management need to be aware that excessive use of external sources of learning might cause the companies to lose opportunities to develop proprietary technology. Therefore, management should carefully identify the critical resources and capabilities that should be developed internally.
Clinical and Microbiological Effects of PerioCream®’ a Periodontal Dressing Combined with an Antimicrobial Gum Brushing Solution after Scaling and Root Planing: A Multi-Center Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical benefits of a new periodontal dressing hereby referred to as the “Professional PerioCream®” Kit, combined with an antimicrobial gum brushing solution when applied after Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) in patients with chronic periodontitis. This study aims also to demonstrate that the use of the “Professional PerioCream®” Kit as a post SRP treatment is more advantageous for the patient than no post SRP treatment. Methods: This study included 29 patients subdivided into two groups. The treated group (n = 20) applied the periodontal dressing directly after SRP followed by 10 days of brushing with an antimicrobial gum brushing solution. The control group (n = 09) was treated only with SRP. Clinical parameters such as Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Periodontal Bleeding Index (PBI) and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) were recorded before SRP and after treatment. A total bacterial count was assessed for periodontopathogenic bacteria including Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). Results: The results showed a significant improvement of PI, GI, PBI and CAL after the application of the periodontal dressing and the antimicrobial solution (p < 0.05) in the treated group when compared to the control group. In addition, a significant reduction in bacterial count was noted in 2 treated subjects at day 11. Conclusion: The data indicates that the PerioCream® periodontal dressing when combined with the gum brushing solution is an effective, safe and well tolerated adjunct treatment to SRP showing better clinical and microbiological parameters than no post SRP treatment at all. *Corresponding author: Amina Sakly, Bonyf AG, Heiligkreuz 16, FL-9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein, Tel:+4232327815; Email: regulatory@bonyf.com
Identification of three prominin homologs and characterization of their messenger RNA expression in Xenopus laevis tissues

Purpose Prominin is a family of pentaspan transmembrane glycoproteins. They are expressed in various types of cells, including many stem/progenitor cells. Prominin-1 plays an important role in generating and maintaining the structure of the photoreceptors. In this study, we identified three prominin homologs in Xenopus laevis, a model animal widely used in vision research, and characterized their messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in selected tissues of this frog. Methods Reverse-transcription PCR (RT–PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) were used to isolate cDNAs of prominin homologs. Semiquantitative RT–PCR was used to measure the relative expression levels of mRNAs of the three prominin homologs in four X. laevis tissues, specifically those of the retina, brain, testis, and kidney. Sequences of prominin homologs were analyzed with bioinformatic software. Results We isolated cDNAs of three prominin homologs from X. laevis tissues and compared their sequences with previously described prominin-1, 2, and 3 sequences from other species using phylogenetic analysis. Two of these homologs are likely to be the X. laevis orthologs of mammalian prominin-1 and 2, respectively, while the third homolog is likely to be the X. laevis ortholog of prominin-3, which was only found in nonmammalian vertebrates and the platypus. We identified alternatively spliced exons in mRNAs of all three prominin homologs. Similar to mammalian prominin-1, we found that exons 26b, 27, and 28a of the X. laevis prominin-1 gene are alternatively spliced, and that the splice isoforms of mRNA show tissue-specific expression profiles. We found that prominin-1 was the most abundant homolog expressed in the retina, brain, and testis, while prominin-3 was the most abundant homolog in the kidney. The expression level of prominin-2 was the lowest of the three prominin homologs in all four examined tissues of this frog. Conclusions Our results suggest that the mRNAs of prominin homologs are expressed in many tissues of X. laevis, but differ in their expression levels and mRNA splicing. Prominin-1 is the most abundant of the three prominin homologs expressed in the frog retina.
Characteristics of Price Informative Analyst Forecasts

We examine the effect of signal attributes and analyst identity on the price impact of an earnings forecast revision. We measure the price impact immediately upon the release of a forecast, as well as over the next twenty-four months. We find that an analyst's own prior forecast and the consensus forecast at the time of the release are both important in determining the price impact of a revision. Specifically, "confirming" signals (revisions that are above (or below) both the prior consensus and the analyst's own prior forecast) have much greater price impact than "conflicting" signals (revisions that are in between the prior consensus and the analyst? s own prior forecast). We document a substantial post-revision price drift after the release of confirming signals. Upward (downward) confirming revisions are associated with higher (lower) future size-adjusted returns. The predictive power of these confirming revisions is large even after controlling for price momentum, firm size, and the B/M ratio. The main predictive power derives from the direction of the confirming signal. Controlling for the direction of the revision, the magnitude of the revision is unimportant in return prediction. We also examine the relation between analyst identity and price impact. Specifically, we evaluate the incremental price effect associated with revisions issued by Institutional Investor All-Stars, Wall Street Journal Award Winners, and analysts deemed to be more accurate by the Park and Stice (2000) algorithm. We find that the immediate price respond is greater for revisions issued by all the "superior" analysts. In the following months, revisions by II-All Stars exhibit weaker price drifts, and revisions by the Park and Stice (2000) analysts exhibit stronger price drifts. However, taken together, signal attributes are more important than analyst identity in the prediction of subsequent stock returns.