Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EB1 protein alteration characterizes sporadic but not ulcerative colitis associated colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND While carcinogenesis in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer (SCC) has been thoroughly studied, less is known about Ulcerative Colitis associated Colorectal Cancer (UCC). This study aimed to identify and validate differentially expressed proteins between clinical samples of SCC and UCC to elucidate new insights of UCC/SCC carcinogenesis and progression. RESULTS Multiplex-fluorescence two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) and mass spectrometry identified 67 proteoforms representing 43 distinct proteins. After analysis by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis® (IPA), subsequent Western blot validation proofed the differential expression of Heat shock 27 kDA protein 1 (HSPB1) and Microtubule-associated protein R/EB family, member 1 (EB1) while the latter one showed also expression differences by immunohistochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fresh frozen tissue of UCC (n = 10) matched with SCC (n = 10) was investigated. Proteins of cancerous intestinal mucosal cells were obtained by Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) and compared by 2-D DIGE. Significant spots were identified by mass spectrometry. After IPA, three proteins [EB1, HSPB1, and Annexin 5 (ANXA5)] were chosen for further validation by Western blotting and tissue microarray-based immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS This study identified significant differences in protein expression of colorectal carcinoma cells from UCC patients compared to patients with SCC. Particularly, EB1 was validated in an independent clinical cohort.
Power Gain Estimation and Its Impact on Binary Power Control in Underlay Cognitive Radio

We propose a novel minimum mean square error estimator that estimates the channel power gain of the link from the secondary transmitter to the primary receiver (PRx). It lowers the root mean square error compared to several other estimators used in the underlay cognitive radio literature that first estimate the channel amplitude. We then analyze its system impact for two types of interference constraints. To this end, for the optimal binary transmit power control policy, we derive closed-form expressions for the average interference and the probability that the interference at the PRx violates a peak interference constraint with the proposed estimator. We show that the proposed estimator performs closer to the perfect channel state information scenario compared to the other estimators.
Estimation of Soil Erosion Dynamics in the Koshi Basin Using GIS and Remote Sensing to Assess Priority Areas for Conservation

High levels of water-induced erosion in the transboundary Himalayan river basins are contributing to substantial changes in basin hydrology and inundation. Basin-wide information on erosion dynamics is needed for conservation planning, but field-based studies are limited. This study used remote sensing (RS) data and a geographic information system (GIS) to estimate the spatial distribution of soil erosion across the entire Koshi basin, to identify changes between 1990 and 2010, and to develop a conservation priority map. The revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) was used in an ArcGIS environment with rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, cover-management, and support practice factors as primary parameters. The estimated annual erosion from the basin was around 40 million tonnes (40 million tonnes in 1990 and 42 million tonnes in 2010). The results were within the range of reported levels derived from isolated plot measurements and model estimates. Erosion risk was divided into eight classes from very low to extremely high and mapped to show the spatial pattern of soil erosion risk in the basin in 1990 and 2010. The erosion risk class remained unchanged between 1990 and 2010 in close to 87% of the study area, but increased over 9.0% of the area and decreased over 3.8%, indicating an overall worsening of the situation. Areas with a high and increasing risk of erosion were identified as priority areas for conservation. The study provides the first assessment of erosion dynamics at the basin level and provides a basis for identifying conservation priorities across the Koshi basin. The model has a good potential for application in similar river basins in the Himalayan region.
Phase II trial of NGR-hTNF and doxorubicin in relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

7077 Background: NGR-hTNF, a selective vascular targeting agent, improves the intratumoral doxorubicin penetration by normalizing tumor vasculature and decreasing tumor interstitial fluid pressure. A phase I trial previously selected NGR-hTNF 0.8 µg/m2 + doxorubicin (D) 75 mg/m2 for further testing. METHODS SCLC pts relapsing after a platinum-based regimen received every 3 weeks NGR-hTNF until progression (PD), while D dose was capped at 550 mg/m2. The trial had 2-stage design with a total of 27 patients (pts) to be accrued. Progression-free survival (PFS) was primary study aim. RESULTS 28 pts (median age: 63 years; M/F: 19/9; PS 0/1-2: 13/15) were recruited. Prior treatment lines ranged from 1 to 3. Median treatment free interval from last line was 2.8 months (95% CI, 1.0-3.9), with 16 pts being platinum resistant (pl-R; PD ≤ 3 months) and 12 pts platinum sensitive (pl-S; PD > 3 months). Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an index of systemic host immune response to tumor, was ≤ or > 4 (median value) in 18 and 10 pts, respectively. 114 cycles were given (median 3; range 1-10) and 13 pts (46%) received ≥ 4 cycles. NGR-hTNF did not increase D related toxicity. No grade 3-4 toxicities related to NGR-hTNF were noted, while grade 1-2 events were transient chills (61%). The disease control rate was 55% (95% CI 35-74), including 6 partial responses (PR; 22%) and 9 stable diseases (SD; 33%). Median PFS was 3.2 months (95% CI 2.6-3.8). Pts with PR or SD had median PFS of 6.3 and 4.1 months, respectively. With median follow-up of 19.3 months, the 6-month and 1-year overall survival (OS) rates were 49% and 34%, respectively. By subset analyses, response rates were 19% and 27%, median PFS were 2.7 and 4.1 months, and 1-year OS were 27% and 42% for pl-R and pl-S pts, respectively. Median PFS and 1-year OS were 3.3 months and 27% in pts with brain metastases (n=9) and 4.1 months and 44% in pts pretreated with ≥ 2 regimens (n=8), respectively. By Cox analyses both PFS and OS did not correlate with age, sex, PS and platinum sensitivity, while only NLR was associated with OS (HR=0.30). The 1-year OS in pts with NLR < or ≥ 4 were 48% and 10%, respectively (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS Further development of NGR-hTNF plus doxorubicin in platinum resistant or sensitive SCLC is of interest.
Taxation and Capital Structure Choice: Survey Evidence

The purpose of this paper is to examine the behavior of practitioners about the corporate investment and financing choices by treating empirically several issues that revolve around a central axis: the study of the impact of taxation on the financial structure through a qualitative analysis by questionnaire sent to Tunisian managers. The choice of this method of analysis is justified by the importance of investigation on the positioning of taxation as a tool of government policy in the choice of financing strategies. This investigation is in line with a range of American researches (Norton (1991) and Graham and Harvey (2003)). The trade-off theory is confirmed by the importance of a target debt ratio in general but also specifically by the tax effects and bankruptcy costs. The results reflect the importance of interest deductibility in which is an important advantage that encourages leaders to use debt as a major source of financing. This study has also shown the importance of the non-debt tax shields on the capital structure choice. The majority of respondents state that these tax-advantages are complementary.
Breaking the dilemma of agricultural water fee collection in China

Low agricultural water fee collection rates are a problem commonly faced by many developing countries and this is a problem faced by China as it enters the new century. There are two main problem-solving strategies used in different areas of China: increasing the water fee collection rate, or exempting people from paying the water fee. In those areas where the first strategy is pursued, local governments adopt multiple measures to improve collection rates, such as introducing water user associations and enhancing the transparency of irrigation management. Exempting people from paying a water fee is a new strategy, adapted to China9s rapid economic growth and social transition. In those areas that are exempting people from paying water fees, the financial sustainability of irrigation facilities has to be taken seriously and new farmer-level water-saving mechanisms need to be explored. In this paper, China9s agricultural water fee collection dilemma is analysed from both a practical and a theoretical perspective. It is argued that China should not simply adopt a single agricultural water fee collection model and that each local government should explore policies that are appropriate for the local situation.
Hamiltonian systems on k -cosymplectic manifolds

The Hamiltonian framework on symplectic and cosymplectic manifolds is extended in order to consider classical field theories. To do this, the notion of k-cosymplectic manifold is introduced, and a suitable Hamiltonian formalism is developed so that the field equations for scalar and vector Hamiltonian functions are derived.
Exemplary Qualities: Market Coordination and the Valuation of Singular Products

In this article the notion of exemplary validity is developed to study the coordination of markets for singular cultural goods. Exemplars are unique goods that become focal points in markets by which market coordination occurs in markets for singular goods. From these exemplars norms of quality emerge which are otherwise hard or impossible to explicate. It is hard to explicate what makes a good basketball player in the abstract but we can refer to the qualities of exemplary players such Michael Jordan, or to a Dostoyevski in literature. These exemplars and the norms of quality which emerge from them help shape the expectations of both producers and consumers with regard to new goods that are introduced on the market. A theoretical economic framework is developed by which exemplars can be identified and analyzed, and through which we can study how the valuation of unique goods occurs on markets. It is demonstrated with two case-studies (of novels and hip-hop albums) how market coordination via quality takes place, and how it influences market outcomes. It is argued that market coordination via quality is more important in markets for unique goods than market coordination via price and quantity.
Stabilizing Expectations at the Zero Lower Bound: Experimental Evidence

Our study demonstrates how agents’ expectations can interact dynamically with monetary and fiscal policy at the zero lower bound. We study expectation formation near the zero lower bound using a learning-to-forecast laboratory experiment under alternative policy regimes. In our experimental economy, monetary policy targets inflation around a constant or state-dependent target. We find that subjects’ expectations significantly over-react to stochastic aggregate demand shocks and historical information, leading many economies to experience severe deflationary traps. Neither quantitatively nor qualitatively communicating the state-dependent inflation targets reduce the duration or severity of economic crises. Introducing anticipated and persistent fiscal stimulus at the zero lower bound reduces the severity of the recessions. When the recovery of fundamentals is sufficiently slow, participants’ expectations become highly pessimistic and neither monetary nor fiscal policy are effective at stabilizing the economy.
Parietal Representation of Symbolic and Nonsymbolic Magnitude

The close behavioral parallels between the processing of quantitative information conveyed by symbolic and non-symbolic stimuli led to the hypothesis that there exists a common cerebral representation of quantity (Dehaene, Dehaene-Lambertz, & Cohen, 1998). The neural basis underlying the encoding of number magnitude has been localized to regions in and around the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) by brain-imaging studies. However, it has never been demonstrated that these same regions are also involved in the quantitative processing of nonsymbolic stimuli. Using functional brain imaging, we explicitly tested the hypothesis of a common substrate. Angles, lines, and two-digit numbers were presented pairwise, one to the left and one to the right of the fixation point. In the three comparison tasks, participants (n = 18) pressed the key on the side of the largest quantity. In the three control tasks, they indicated the side on which dimming occurred. A conjunction analysis between the three subtractions (comparison task-control task) revealed a site in left IPS that is specifically responsive when two stimuli have to be compared quantitatively, irrespective of stimulus format. The results confirm the hypothesis that quantity is represented by a common mechanism for both symbolic and nonsymbolic stimuli in IPS. In addition, the interaction between task and type of stimulus identified a region anterior to the conjunction site, not specific for quantitative processing, but reflecting general processes loaded by number processing.
Stress-related behaviors among horses used in a therapeutic riding program.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether therapeutic riding resulted in higher levels of stress or frustration for horses than did recreational riding and whether therapeutic riding with at-risk individuals was more stressful for the horses than was therapeutic riding with individuals with physical or emotional handicaps. DESIGN Observational study. ANIMALS 14 horses in a therapeutic riding program. PROCEDURE An ethogram of equine behaviors was created, and horses were observed while ridden by 5 groups of riders (recreational riders, physically handicapped riders, psychologically handicapped riders, at risk children, and special education children). Number of stress-related behaviors (ears pinned back, head raised, head turned, head tossed, head shaken, head down, and defecation) was compared among groups. RESULTS No significant differences in mean number of stress-related behaviors were found when horses were ridden by recreational riders, physically handicapped riders, psychologically handicapped riders, or special education children. However, mean number of stress-related behaviors was significantly higher when horses were ridden by the at-risk children. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that for horses in a therapeutic riding program, being ridden by physically or psychologically handicapped individuals is no more stressful for the horses than is being ridden in the same setting by recreational riders. However, at-risk children caused more stress to the horses, suggesting that the time horses are ridden by at-risk children should be limited both daily and weekly.
Pengaruh Tingkat Inflasi, Debt To Equity Ratio, Likuiditas Obligasi Dan Rating Obligasi Terhadap Yield Obligasi Kororasi Yang Terdaftar Di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) Tahun 2009 - 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine empirically the effect of the inflation rate, debt to equity ratio, the liquidity of the bond, and the bond rating of the ield of corporate bonds and relationship between the independent variables on the dependent variable. The sample was the company that issued corporate bonds from 2009 until the end of 2012 were listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange Samples were selected using purposive sampling method and obtained a sample of 30 companies. Hypothesis testing was performed using multiple regression analysis. The research proves that the bond ratings affect the yield to maturity, while the rate of inflation, debt to equity ratio, the liquidity of bonds and bond rating has no effect on bond yields. Thus, investing in bonds Bondholder need to pay attention to bond ratings. Keywords: Inflation, debt to equity ratio, the liquidity of bonds, bond ratings, yield corporate bonds.
Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Acute Coronary Events: A Spatiotemporal Analysis

Background: The associations between socioeconomic disadvantage and ischemic heart disease are not well understood. We explore the relationship between socioeconomic factors and acute coronary events using spatiotemporal analysis. Methods: We studied all deaths from acute myocardial infarction and hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome and related revascularization procedures for the state of New South Wales, Australia, from 1996 through 2002. We used conditional autoregressive models to describe how characteristics of subjects’ place of residence (socioeconomic disadvantage, proportion of the population of indigenous background, and metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan area) influenced admissions and mortality. Results: There were 32,534 deaths due to acute myocardial infarction and 129,045 admissions for acute coronary syndrome. We found a relationship between increasing socioeconomic disadvantage and mortality (unadjusted relative risk for highest quartile of disadvantage relative to lowest = 1.40; 95% confidence interval = 1.27–1.54) as well as admissions (1.41; 1.28–1.55). After accounting for admission rates, socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with lower rates of angiography (0.75; 0.63–0.88) and interventional angiography (0.70; 0.56–0.85). After adjusting for socioeconomic disadvantage, areas with higher proportions of the population identified as indigenous had higher rates of admission and mortality, while residency in the state capital was associated with higher admission rates and more interventional angiography. After accounting for admission rates, the association of socioeconomic disadvantage with mortality was reduced. Conclusions: Socioeconomic disadvantage increases both the risk of acute coronary syndrome and related mortality. A contributing factor appears to be a reduced chance of receiving appropriate care. Regions with a higher proportion of indigenous residents show risk beyond the effects of general socioeconomic disadvantage, while residents of metropolitan communities had increased utilization of more recent interventions.
Wideband high efficiency digitally-assisted envelope amplifier with dual switching stages for radio base-station envelope tracking power amplifiers

This paper presents a novel envelope amplifier architecture to improve the overall efficiency of wideband high linearity envelope tracking power amplifiers (PAs). We show here a technique to increase the efficiency of the envelope amplifier while maintaining the amplifier's bandwidth. The technique utilizes digital signal processing (DSP) control in conjunction with analog hysteretic feedback. Two high efficiency buck switching stages are coordinated to provide the wideband envelope power to the RF stage; a wide bandwidth linear regulator is also used at low power to maintain the envelope signal accuracy. The technique improves the efficiency of the envelope amplifier, especially for applications requiring high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) with wide bandwidth signals. The overall system was demonstrated using a GaAs high voltage HBT PA. For a variety of signals ranging from 6.6dB to 9.6dB PAR and up to 10MHz bandwidth, the overall system PAE reached above 50%, with a normalized power RMS error below 5% and ACLR1 of −50dBc with memory-less digital predistortion, at an average output power above 19W and gain of 10dB. The efficiencies obtained are the best ever reported, to our knowledge, for envelope tracking base station amplifiers for these signals.
Clinical predictor score to identify patients at risk of poor viral load suppression at six months on antiretroviral therapy: results from a prospective cohort study in Johannesburg, South Africa

Purpose: As countries work toward 90:90:90 targets, early identification of patients with inadequate response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for achieving optimal HIV treatment outcomes. We developed and evaluated a clinical prediction score (CPS) to identify HIV-positive patients at risk of poor viral load suppression at 6 months on ART. Patients and methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of HIV-positive ART naïve adults (≥18 years) initiating standard first-line ART between February 2012 and April 2014 at Themba Lethu Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. We used Modified Poisson regression to estimate the association between patient characteristics and poor viral load suppression, defined as a viral load ≥400 copies/mL at 6 months on ART. We developed a CPS following the Spiegel Halter and Knill-Jones approach and determined the diagnostic accuracy compared to viral load as the “gold standard”. We identified the optimal cutoff at which the CPS would identify those at risk of poor viral load suppression. Results: Among 353 patients, 67.7% had a viral load measurement at 6 months on ART and 30.1% of these were viremic (≥400 copies/mL). Male gender, platelet count <150 cells/mm3, ≥7 days late for ≥2 ARV visits, visual analog scale (VAS) <90% and <14.5 fL increase in mean cell volume from baseline to 6 months were included in the CPS. The optimal cutoff was 5 (≥5 vs <5; sensitivity [Se] 65.3%, specificity [Sp] 46.7%) and the CPS performed better than standard measures of adherence (eg, VAS Se 24.5%; Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire Se 26.5%). Conclusion: Our findings suggest a 6-month CPS may have the potential to identify patients at risk of poor viral load suppression. The CPS may be used to target patients who need intensive adherence support, with the caveat that there may be a three- to four-fold increase in the pool of patients identified for adherence counseling.
Roles of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor in chick limb development.

We have examined the distribution of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the chicken EGF receptor (c-erbB), in embryonic chick limbs. Prior to limb budding, TGF-alpha is present in prospective limb-forming mesoderm and in prospective apical ectodermal ridge (AER)-forming ectoderm, but is not detected in non-limb-forming flank mesoderm or ectoderm, nor in presumptive non-AER-forming limb ectoderm, suggesting possible roles in initial limb formation and AER induction. Consistent with this possibility, TGF-alpha is present in the mesoderm of the wing buds of the amelic chick mutants limbless and wingless, which form and bud normally, but is absent from limbless and wingless ectoderm, which fails to form an AER. TGF-alpha and EGF are present in the AER of the developing limb, and TGF-alpha, EGF, and c-erbB are present in the underlying subridge mesoderm, suggesting possible roles in reciprocal AER/subridge mesoderm interactions required for limb outgrowth. We found that exogenous TGF-alpha and EGF can promote the outgrowth of limb mesoderm in the absence of the AER in vitro and can also promote the outgrowth of limbless and wingless wing bud explants. EGF is present in ventral but not dorsal limb ectoderm, suggesting a role for EGF in specification of ventral ectoderm. TGF-alpha and EGF are not detected in the differentiating cartilaginous elements or muscle primordia of the limb, suggesting that cessation of TGF-alpha and EGF expression may be required for cartilage and muscle formation. We have found that exogenous TGF-alpha and EGF inhibit chondrogenesis and myogenesis of limb mesenchyme in vitro. Together these results indicate that signaling through the EGF receptor via endogenous TGF-alpha and EGF may be important for initial limb formation, AER induction, outgrowth of limb mesoderm, and regulation of limb chondrogenic and myogenic differentiation.