Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteome Analysis of Vinca Alkaloid Response and Resistance in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Reveals Novel Cytoskeletal Alterations*

Vinca alkaloids are used widely in the treatment of both childhood and adult cancers. Their cellular target is the β-tubulin subunit of α/β-tubulin heterodimers, and they act to inhibit cell division by disrupting microtubule dynamics. Despite the effectiveness of these agents, drug resistance is a major clinical problem. To identify the underlying mechanisms behind vinca alkaloid resistance, we have performed high resolution differential proteome analysis. Treatment of drug-sensitive human leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) with vincristine identified numerous proteins involved in the cellular response to vincristine. In addition, differential protein expression was analyzed in leukemia cell lines selected for resistance to vincristine (CEM/VCR R) and vinblastine (CEM/VLB100). This combined proteomic approach identified 10 proteins altered in both vinca alkaloid response and resistance: β-tubulin, α-tubulin, actin, heat shock protein 90β, 14-3-3τ, 14-3-3ϵ, L-plastin, lamin B1, heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein-F, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein-K. Several of these proteins have not previously been associated with drug resistance and are thus novel targets for elucidation of resistance mechanisms. In addition, seven of these proteins are associated with the tubulin and/or actin cytoskeletons. This study provides novel insights into the interrelationship between the microtubule and microfilament systems in vinca alkaloid resistance.
The Digital Divide in Public E-Health: Barriers to Accessibility and Privacy in State Health Department Websites

State health departments have placed a tremendous amount of information, data, and services online in recent years. With the significant increase in online resources at official health sites, though, have come questions concerning equity of access and the confidentiality of electronic medical materials. This paper reports on an examination of public health department websites maintained by the 50 state governments. Using a content analysis of health department sites undertaken each year from 2000 to 2005, we investigate several dimensions of accessibility and privacy: readability levels, disability access, non-English accessibility, and the presence of privacy and security statements. We argue that although progress has been made at improving the accessibility and confidentiality of health department electronic resources, there remains much work to be done to ensure quality access for all Americans in the area of public e health.
Spatial effects and non-linearity in hedonic modeling: Will large data sets change our assumptions?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the asymptotic properties and prediction accuracy of two innovative methods proposed along the hedonic debate: the geographically weighted regression (GWR) and the generalized additive model (GAM). Design/methodology/approach The authors assess the asymptotic properties of linear, spatial and non-linear hedonic models based on a very large data set in Germany. The employed functional form is based on the OLS, GWR and the GAM, while the estimation methodology was chosen to be iterative in forecasting, the fitted rents for each quarter based on their 1-quarter-prior functional form. The performance accuracy is measured by traditional indicators such as the error variance and the mean squared (percentage) error. Findings The results provide evidence for a clear disadvantage of the GWR model in out-of-sample forecasts. There exists a strong out-of-sample discrepancy between the GWR and the GAM models, whereas the simplicity of the OLS approach is not substantially outperformed by the GAM approach. Practical implications For policymakers, a more accurate knowledge on market dynamics via hedonic models leads to a more precise market control and to a better understanding of the local factors affecting current and future rents. For institutional researchers, instead, the findings are essential and might be used as a guide when valuing residential portfolios and forecasting cashflows. Even though this study analyses residential real estate, the results should be of interest to all forms of real estate investments. Originality/value Sample size is essential when deriving the asymptotic properties of hedonic models. Whit this study covering more than 570,000 observations, this study constitutes – to the authors’ knowledge – one of the largest data sets used for spatial real estate analysis.
A multi-electrode measurement system for steel fiber reinforced concrete materials monitoring

Steel fiber reinforced concrete structural elements represent very interesting materials which employment has led to tangible advantages in construction technologies over the last decades. The behaviour of this kind of materials is strictly related to the fiber dispersion inside the cementitious matrix. For this reason, in the last years different non destructive measurement methods have been proposed, in order to monitor the fiber reinforced concrete structural elements, and in particular to detect the fiber orientation and clumping. The most part of them are based on an AC-impedance spectrometry that requires measuring the electrical impedance of a specimen of the material over a wide frequency range (from few milliherz to some megahertz). Even though the proposed methods are fairly effective, their practical implementation is manly restricted to laboratory tests, since they require both critical measurement setups and ad-hoc specimens. In this paper a different approach to the monitoring of fiber reinforced material is presented. It is still based on the AC-impedance spectrometry, but the frequency range of interest is limited from some hundred hertz to a few dozen of kilohertz. This choice strongly relaxes the aspects related to the size of the electrodes and their coupling with the material under test. So that it is possible to perform the monitoring using electrodes placed on the surface of the material. It is even possible to employ a multi-electrode probe that permits to analyze a large portion of the material simultaneously. Moreover, it can be adopted not only for laboratory tests, but also for the monitoring of element yet carried out (e.g. pavements, industrial floors, wall panels, et).
Evaluating the GDP-Energy Consumption Nexus for the Asean‐5 Countries Using Nonlinear Ardl Model

This study investigates the GDP-energy consumption nexus for five Asian countries (ASEAN‐5) during the 1971-2013 period by estimating the asymmetric long‐run as well as short‐run effects in a cointegration framework. We apply the recently developed nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags (NARDL) model of Shin et al. ([Shin, Y., 2011]) for individual country‐by‐country analysis. Meanwhile, we employ the pooled mean group (PMG) estimator of Pesaran and Smith ([Pesaran, H., 1995]) and Pesaran et al. ([Pesaran, H., 1999]) for the ASEAN‐5 countries pooled as a panel set. The empirical results, in case of country‐by‐country, show long‐run asymmetry for Singapore and Thailand only, when considering structural breaks. However, the panel analysis confirms asymmetry for the sample data. Finally, the causality tests employed show mixed results for both set‐ups: country‐by‐country and panel sample.
Compliance with intangible assets disclosure requirements: study of Portuguese non-financial companies

The present study aims to identify the degree of compliance with the intangible assets disclosure requirements outlined in the Accounting and Financial Reporting Standard (Norma Contabilistica de Relato Financeiro – NCRF) 6 - Intangible Assets. It also seeks to analyse the factors influencing compliance with intangible assets mandatory disclosure requirements. An analysis of the 500 largest companies ranked by Exame Magazine, 2010 , which are subject to the general Portuguese Accounting Standards System (Sistema de Normalizacao Contabilistica - SNC), was conducted to check whether their Financial Statements for the years 2010 (transition year) and 2011 were made available on their websites. The methodology chosen to answer the research questions and achieve the proposed objectives was the content analysis of the financial statements of a sample of 37 Portuguese unlisted companies. The data collected in 2010 and 2011 allowed the construction of an index of intangible assets and the identification of disclosure explanatory factors. We tested six hypotheses for a possible association between the disclosure index and six explanatory variables through analysis, descriptive statistics, normality, differences in means, correlation and regression. Our results show an average of 30% in the disclosure index for intangible assets. Contrary to what was expected, results confirm that the adoption of SNC did not cause a higher level of disclosure over time. Companies’ size is the most influencing factor, indicating that larger companies disclose information on intangible assets basically to reduce agency costs, political costs related to their public visibility, and in such a way manage the relationship with their relevant stakeholders.
Qualitative and quantitative MDCT features for differentiating clear cell renal cell carcinoma from other solid renal cortical masses.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to differentiate clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from other solid renal masses on four-phase MDCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study cohort included all pathologically proven solid renal masses that underwent pretreatment four-phase MDCT at our institution from 2001 to 2012. Both retrospective qualitative analysis (blinded dual-radiologist evaluation of morphologic features: enhancement pattern, lesion contour, neovascularity, and calcification) and quantitative analysis (mean absolute and relative attenuation and changes in attenuation across phases) were performed. ANOVA with post-hoc analysis, Pearson chi-square tests, and ROC analysis were used. RESULTS One hundred fifty-six consecutive patients (99 men, 57 women) with a mean age of 62.7 years (range, 26-91 years) had 165 solid renal masses (median size, 3.0 cm): 86 clear cell RCCs, 36 papillary RCCs, 10 chromophobe RCCs, 23 oncocytomas, and 10 lipid-poor angiomyolipomas. Kappa for interradiologist agreement regarding morphologic features was 0.33-0.76. There were significant associations between histologic subtype and enhancement pattern (p < 0.001), lesion contour (p < 0.014), and neovascularity (p < 0.001). Clear cell RCC had the highest mean relative corticomedullary attenuation (p < 0.02). Clear cell RCC had greater deenhancement than oncocytoma (p < 0.001); deenhancement less than 50 HU or relative corticomedullary attenuation greater than 0% differentiated clear cell RCC from oncocytoma with a positive predictive value of 90%. Lipid-poor angiomyolipoma had the highest mean absolute unenhanced attenuation (p < 0.01); absolute unenhanced attenuation greater than 45 HU and relative corticomedullary attenuation less than 10% differentiated lipid-poor angiomyolipoma from clear cell RCC with a negative predictive value of 97%. CONCLUSION Four-phase MDCT renal attenuation profiles enable differentiation of clear cell RCC from other solid renal cortical masses, most notably papillary RCC and lipid-poor angiomyolipoma.
Investor perspectives on property crowdfunding: evidence from Australia

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of property investors of the risks and returns associated with property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle. The study contributes to the understanding of alternative property investment vehicles and how it is perceived by investors. Design/methodology/approach The study focusses on investor perceptions in using property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle and follows a survey-based design. A questionnaire was finalised after the completion of a pilot study and was distributed to existing property crowdfunding investors via email. Inferential statistical measures were used. Findings The results show, to an extent, similarities to general equity-based crowdfunding studies. However, the uniqueness of property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle may explain the insignificance of the results when related to other studies. Overall, the property crowdfunding investor seems to present cautious behaviour with a conservative perception of property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle. Practical implications It is recommended that property crowdfunding platforms present prospective investors with more formal regulation of the property crowdfunding industry. Such a regulatory framework may lessen the current level of uncertainty presented by investors. Originality/value The study enhances the understanding of the role of property crowdfunding as an alternative investment vehicle in Australia. More importantly, it went some way towards enhancing the understanding of how investors perceive and behave vis-a-vis property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle.
Thermophilic campylobacters in surface water: A potential risk of campylobacteriosis

Campylobacteriosis caused by Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari is one of the most frequently occurring acute gastroenteritis diseases in humans. An important risk factor is untreated drinking water. Thermotolerant campylobacters were isolated from Bø River water using 100-ml filtrate samples. Campylobacters were isolated from 32 of 60 samples (53.3%). Of the 75 strains isolated, 47 (62.7%) were detected using the enrichment procedure and 28 (37.2%) by direct plating of the filter. Campylobacter coli was the dominating species (44%) followed by Campylobacter jejuni (34.6%) and Campylobacter lari (14.7%). Five isolates (6.7%) could not be classified. Campylobacter were isolated without the occurrence of fecal coliforms indicating that fecal coliforms cannot be used as index bacteria to predict the occurrence of campylobacters. Case-control studies have indicated untreated drinking water and barbecuing as important risk factors, and waterborne campylobacteriosis has been caused by the three species isolated. The virulence factors of isolated environmental strains are not fully known. It was concluded that it is hazardous to use untreated surface water for drinking. Special efforts should be taken to avoid contamination of agricultural products from irrigation.
Clinical Experience with the WIOL-CF Accommodative Bioanalogic Intraocular Lens: Czech National Observational Registry

Purpose To assess efficacy and patient satisfaction after cataract surgery and implantation of a new accommodative bioanalogic intraocular lens (IOL). Methods We evaluated the collected data of 48 patients with bilateral cataract surgery and Wichterle IOL (WIOL) implantation included in the Czech national observational registry. Monocular and binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity, uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity for distance (CDVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity for near (CNVA), distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA), and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity were evaluated 6 months after surgery. Subjective patient satisfaction was assessed at 3 months postoperatively. Results The mean monocular UDVA was 0.074 ± 0.108 logMAR, the mean monocular CDVA was 0.047 ± 0.125 logMAR, the mean monocular UNVA was 0.328 ± 0.146 logMAR, the mean monocular DCNVA was 0.339 ± 0.131 logMAR, and the mean monocular CNVA was 0.139 ± 0.107 logMAR. A total of 24 patients (50%) had no problems with any light phenomena. A total of 18 patients were very satisfied (37.5%), 11 were satisfied (22.9%), 15 (31.2%) were rather satisfied, 4 (8.3%) were rather dissatisfied, and 0 were dissatisfied. Conclusions The WIOL–continuous focus polyfocal lens offers very good vision at far and intermediate distance comparable with other types of multifocal IOLs, and relatively good near vision, while the incidence of adverse side phenomena is relatively low.
Apoptosis Does not Contribute to the Blood Lymphocytopenia Observed After Intensive and Downhill Treadmill Running in Humans

The lymphocytopenia that occurs during the recovery stage of exercise may be a result of apoptosis through an increased expression of CD95, a loss of the complement regulatory proteins CD55 and CD59, or both. Trained subjects completed intensive, moderate, and downhill treadmill-running protocols. Blood lymphocytes isolated before, immediately after, 1h after, and 24h after each exercise test were assessed for markers of apoptosis (Annexin-V+, HSP60+), and CD55, CD59, and CD95 expression by flow cytometry. Lymphocytopenia occurred 1h after intensive and downhill running exercise, but no changes in the percentage of Annexin-V + or HSP60 + lymphocytes were found. Numbers of CD95+, CD55dim, and CD59dim lymphocytes increased immediately after intensive and downhill exercise, which were attributed to the selective mobilization and subsequent efflux of CD8+ and CD56+ lymphocyte subsets. No differences were found between the intensive and downhill protocols. In conclusion, apoptosis of circulating lymphocytes does not appear to contribute to exercise-induced lymphocytopenia.
Clinical Spectrum of 500 Children With Neurocysticercosis and Response to Albendazole Therapy

Neurocysticercosis is a major cause of neurologic illness worldwide. Its manifestations are variable, and somewhat different when it occurs in children. Controversy exists regarding anticysticercal therapy. The clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features of 500 consecutive children with neurocysticercosis were studied; the children were then followed prospectively and their response to albendazole therapy was analyzed. Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was based primarily on neuroimaging. Computed tomographic (CT) scans, neurocysticercosis serology, chest radiographs, and Mantoux tests were done in all children, and magnetic resonance imaging scans in 10%. All children with multiple lesions, and some randomly allocated children with single, small, enhancing CT lesions received albendazole. CT scans were repeated after 3 to 6 months. There were 272 boys and 228 girls, age range 16/12 to 126/12 years. Seizures were present in 94.8% of cases; 83.7% had focal seizures. Features of raised intracranial pressure were seen in 30% of patients and focal neurodeficit in 4%. Single lesions were seen in 76% of the children, with perilesional edema in 57.4%. Thirty-four children who had multiple cysts and received albendazole underwent serial CT evaluation. Four showed disappearance of lesions and 22 had reductions in the size or number, to give an overall improvement rate of 76%. Serial CT studies were available on 176 children with single lesions, 90 of whom received albendazole. Improvement (disappearance or reduction in the size of lesions) was observed in 91% (82 of 90) of albendazole-treated children versus 85% (73 of 86) of untreated children. This difference was not significant. No significant side-effects of albendazole were reported. These data indicate that partial seizures and single parenchymal cysts are the most frequent clinical and neuroradiographic manifestations of neurocysticercosis in children. Although albendazole therapy should be considered, especially in children with multiple lesions, many children with isolated neurocysticercosis will improve without antiparasitic therapy. (J Child Neurol 2000;15:207-213).
Financial Structure and Macroeconomic Volatility: A Panel Data Analysis

In 2015, the European Commission (EC) launched its action plan for the creation of a European Capital Markets Union. The EC aims to return the European economy to sustainable growth and to enhance its shock-absorbing capacity by reducing the reliance on bank finance and stimulating financial deepening and cross-border integration of Europe’s capital markets. Financial diversification and integrated European capital markets are expected to improve risk sharing among households, supporting economic stability. However, the economic literature reveals a lack of theoretical and empirical consensus on the superiority of either a bank-based or a market-based financial system in promoting growth or reducing macroeconomic volatility. This article is the first to include bond markets in its financial structure indicators, besides stock markets and bank lending. Using panel data on 55 countries between 1975 and 2014 and three different measures of financial structure, we investigate the effect of the structure of the financial system on the volatility of output and investment growth as well as their cyclical components. We do not find evidence that market-based financial structures dampen volatility of output or overall investment. Increase of the stock market size relative to that of the banking sector has a significant positive effect on the business cycle volatility of investments.
Comparison between Herbst appliances with or without miniscrew anchorage

Background: Herbst appliance is largely used in orthodontics for the correction of Class II. The aim of this paper was to analyze dental and skeletal effects of a splints Herbst-miniscrews combined device in comparison to a mandibular splints Herbst appliance. Materials and Methods: Fifty Class II division 1 patients (27 males and 23 females with a mean age of 11.8 ± 1.7 years) were included in the study. Lateral headfilms of 25 patients with a mandibular resin splint and a miniscrew anchorage (test group) and of 25 patients with mandibular acrylic resin splints (control group) were analyzed before (T0) and after (T1) the Herbst treatment. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of each variable were calculated; paired t-test was used to evaluate statistical changes before and after the treatment, in each group and Student t-test was used to compare the two groups. Results: Significant differences were observed for P < 0.05. At the end of the Herbst treatment, mandibular incisor proclination was significantly lower in the test group (2.8°) in comparison to the control group (7.4°). Conclusions: The miniscrew-Herbst system, described in the present study, allows correction of Class II malocclusion, with a lower anchorage loss, in form of mandibular incisor proclination, during the treatment, in comparison to mandibular acrylic splints Herbst.
Distribution transformer failure rate prediction model based on multi-source information

For present distribution transformer failure rate prediction model, load and weather forecast information in the future have been not considered. In this paper, distribution transformer failure rate prediction model with parameters is proposed. Firstly, the characteristics of several common failure rate models are analyzed. The failure rate model combined the health index and operating time is established. The integrated correction factor by calculating the appropriate index system is used to modify the health index using guide method. It is the health index correction model of the initial point. Then load and weather forecast information is taken into account to describe the change trend of the health index. At last, it is easy to predict the distribution transformer failure rate by take the health index forecast trend into the failure rate model. The example of 5 kV/100 KVA distribution transformer failure rate prediction has shown that the improved model is based on comprehensive consideration of the future failure rate influence factors and it can improve the accuracy of the predicted failure rate effectively. In addition, the predicted result is more close to the actual transformer failure rate curve.