Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteasome Inhibition Can Impair Caspase-8 Activation upon Submaximal Stimulation of Apoptotic Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) Signaling*

Background: TRAIL can induce both apoptotic and prosurvival signaling pathways. Results: In the apoptotic pathway, proteasome inhibition can impair caspase-8 activation, particularly at submaximal TRAIL doses. Conclusion: TRAIL/proteasome inhibitor synergies cannot be explained by enhanced caspase-8 activation through the apoptosis signaling branch. Significance: Inhibition of nonapoptotic signaling may be the major upstream contributor to TRAIL/proteasome inhibitor synergies. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) can induce extrinsic apoptosis, resulting in caspase-8 activation, but may also initiate transcription-dependent prosurvival signaling. Proteasome inhibitors were suggested to promote TRAIL signal transduction through the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) by modulating the relative abundance of core DISC components, thereby enhancing caspase-8 activation and apoptosis. To test this hypothesis, we quantified the changes in DISC protein levels as an early consequence of proteasome inhibition in HeLa cervical cancer cells and, based on these data, mathematically modeled the proapoptotic TRAIL signaling toward caspase-8 activation. Modeling results surprisingly suggested that caspase-8 activation might be delayed in presence of proteasome inhibitors, in particular at submaximal TRAIL doses. Subsequent FRET-based single cell time-lapse imaging at conditions where transcription dependent prosurvival signaling was blocked confirmed this hypothesis: caspase-8 activity was delayed by hours in the presence of proteasome inhibitors epoxomicin or bortezomib. Corresponding delays were detected for effector caspase processing and cell death. Contrary to current models, we therefore provide evidence that synergies between TRAIL and proteasome inhibitors do not result from changes in the levels of core DISC signaling proteins.
Reflections on the Role of Institutions on the Chinese Road to a Market Economy

At the onset of transformation there has been a close to consensus view that the market system has no alternative. While this insight has found its place in the current mainstream on development economics, the so-called Washington consensus or post-Washington consensus (Kolodko, 2000, pp.119-141 andpp. 348-356; and Williamson, J, 2000, Srinivasan, T.N.,2000), very few would venture to repeat in an academic writing the once famous dictum of Vaclav Klaus: the third road leads to the third world. Much of western Europe has remained within the framework of the welfare state, despite its obvious limitations. Also in the transforming economies, the rollback of the state has proven to be much less than the tough normative language adopted by early reformers would have indicated. Actually, it is the structure rather than the size of public spending in these countries that may be a source of social and economic strains by providing less than optimal conditions for sustaining economic growth. And even in the United States the Clinton period has not produced an era of `unbridled capitalism. Thus the `do what I say, not what I do` policy advice stemming from the international agencies and much of the academe has lost its original appeal. Last but not at all least, the return of the Right in the US and in most of Europe by the first half of the first decade of the 21 century has not produced a free market backlash either in core Atlantic economies or in the transforming countries. Besides creating macroeconomic disequilibria by a combination of tax cuts and expenditure increases, conservative governments of Berlusconi, Bush and Chirac have retained the salient features of the mixed economy models that shape all modern economies of the globe (more on that in Bornstein, ed, 1994; and Bara and Szabo ,eds, 2000). Last but not at all least we are faced with the `Chinese miracle`, with the GDP of China growing by a staggering rate of ten/! / per cent in the l990-2001 period, with merchandise exports reaching 262 bn $ in 2001. This is equivalent, by and large, to that of Canada, and outpaces imports by nearly 20 bn, making China one of the few trade surplus countries in the world. Moreover, with net private capital inflow, close to 60 bn$ in 2001, it makes the country, with 52 per cent of GDP originating from industry very unlike any model of a developing country (sources for all data: World Development Report 2003, World Bank, Washington, 2003, p.234, 238,240). Let us note that the slowdown in 2002-2003 still leaves China with a growth rate of 8 per cent, a surplus country and also one ruled by an unreconstructed Communist party (not reformed in the sense of western European Communist or eastern European post-communist parties). In a typical vein, the German weekly Wirtschaftswoche, normally close to the business community, devoted a special edition in no.40 (2003) to China, describing it as the largest economy and largest market by the year 2020, outpacing even the USA.
Contribution of various metabolites to the “unmeasured” anions in critically ill patients with metabolic acidosis*

Objective:The physicochemical approach, described by Stewart to investigate the acid–base balance, includes the strong ion gap (SIG), a quantitative measure of “unmeasured” anions, which strongly correlates to the corrected anion gap. The chemical nature of these anions is for the most part unknown. We hypothesized that amino acids, uric acid, and organic acids could contribute to the SIG. Design:Prospective observational study. Setting:Intensive care department of an academic hospital. Patients:Consecutive intensive care unit patients (n = 31) with metabolic acidosis, defined as a pH of <7.35 and a base excess of ≤−5 mmol/L. Interventions:A single arterial blood sample was collected. Measurements:The SIG was calculated and two groups were compared: patients with SIG of ≤2 mEq/L and patients with SIG of ≥5 mEq/L. “Unmeasured” anions were examined by ion-exchange column chromatography, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry measuring amino acids, uric acid, and organic acids, respectively. Main Results:Comparison of patient characteristics of both SIG groups showed that age, sex, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, pH, base excess, and lactate were not significantly different. Renal insufficiency and sepsis were more prevalent in the SIG ≥5 mEq/L group (n = 12; median SIG, 8.3 mEq/L), associated with higher mortality. Concentrations of the anionic compounds aspartic acid, uric acid, succinic acid, pyroglutamic acid, p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, and the semiquantified organic acid homovanillic acid were all statistically significantly elevated in the SIG ≥5 mEq/L group compared with the SIG ≤2 mEq/L group (n = 8; median SIG, 0.6 mEq/L). Overall, the averaged difference between both SIG groups in total anionic amino acids, uric acid, and organic acids concentrations contributed to the SIG for, respectively, 0.07% (5 &mgr;Eq/L, p = not significant), 2.2% (169 &mgr;Eq/L, p = .021), and 5.6% (430 &mgr;Eq/L, p = .025). Conclusions:Amino acids, uric acid, and organic acids together accounted for only 7.9% of the SIG in intensive care unit patients with metabolic acidosis.
Reviewing congruity effects in the service environment musicscape

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review that highlights significant findings from empirical research examining the impact of music within various real and simulated service environments.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the results of studies that have manipulated specific musical variables (genre, tempo, volume, and liking), and attempts to identify consistent patterns of findings to guide managers and researchers. The studies focus upon a range of dependent variables including evaluation of the environment, perceived wait and stay duration, consumption speed, affective response, and spending. Possible explanations for apparently inconsistent findings are discussed.Findings – A variety of studies reveal the positive influence of musical congruity upon desired outcomes. Future research proposals identify the need to examine defining‐attribute and prototype theories of musical congruity.Originality/value – The review highlights a range of implications drawn from.
Assessing energy consumption in supply chains

The paper addresses the transport activities and associated energy consumption involved in the production and supply of two products: jeans and yoghurt. In the case of jeans, the analysis is from the locations in which cotton is grown, to retail outlets in the UK; in the case of yoghurt, the analysis is from the supply of milk on farms, to retail outlets in France. The results show that the transport stages from the point of jeans manufacture to UK port are responsible for the greatest proportion of transport energy use per kilogram of jeans in the UK supply chain. In the case of the French yoghurt supply chains, the results indicate that each of the three transport stages from farm to third-party distribution centre consume approximately the same proportion of total freight transport energy. The energy used on the transport stage for yoghurt from third-party distribution centre to retail outlet varies depending on the type of retail outlet served. Far greater quantities of energy are used in transporting jeans than yoghurts from farm/field to retail outlet. This is explained by the distances involved in the respective supply chains. Both case studies demonstrate that the energy used by consumers transporting goods to their homes by car can be as great as total freight transport energy used in the supply chain from farm/field to retail outlet (per kilogram of product transported).
Reduction in intensity of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in mice by aerosol administration of gamma interferon

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with AIDS may result from impaired local release of gamma interferon from lung lymphocytes and subsequent failure of macrophage activation. We tested this hypothesis with mice rendered immunodeficient by selective depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes and inoculated intratracheally with P. carinii. After aerosol administration of recombinant murine gamma interferon, the intensity of P. carinii infection in these mice was reduced in comparison with that in mice not treated with gamma interferon. Histologic scoring of lung tissue did not reveal additional pulmonary inflammation attributable to gamma interferon. Aerosol administration of gamma interferon may reduce the intensity of P. carinii infection by augmentation of host defense, despite persistent CD4+ lymphocyte depletion.
Modulation of transcriptional activation by ligand‐dependent phosphorylation of the human oestrogen receptor A/B region.

Using a transient co‐transfection system, we show that the human oestrogen receptor (hER) becomes phosphorylated in the presence of oestradiol (E2) as well as in the presence of the anti‐oestrogens 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen (OHT) and ICI 164, 384 (ICI), although at lower efficiencies than with E2. There are multiple sites of phosphorylation in hER; using deletion and point mutants one of these sites has been mapped in the N‐terminal A/B region at serine 118. Mutation of this serine to alanine caused, in a number of cell types, a significant reduction in transcriptional activation by hER from reporter genes containing an oestrogen response element (ERE), but did not affect the DNA binding properties or nuclear localization of hER. Thus phosphorylation of serine 118 is important for the action of the transcription activation function 1 (AF‐1) located in the A/B region of the oestrogen receptor.
Linking Service-Dominant Logic and Strategic Business Practice

Service-dominant (S-D) logic can function as a strategic business logic that portrays creating superior value in conjunction with—rather than for—customers as a source of competitive advantage for organizations. From this perspective, strategy is about making choices in terms of how to best facilitate and enhance value cocreation for mutual and long-term betterment. While the literature has pointed out the managerial merits of cocreating value, less is known about the organizational capabilities necessary to execute S-D logic in practice. This article devises an S-D orientation, specified as a portfolio of six strategic capabilities, namely individuated, relational, ethical, empowered, developmental, and concerted interaction capability. In combination, these six strategic capabilities constitute a cocreation capability. The authors develop the conceptual model of S-D orientation through (a) an in-depth literature review and (b) input from 21 expert academics. Conceptualizing S-D orientation provides a foundation for bridging S-D logic and strategy research with a more general framework, and for guiding much-needed empirical research that will inform managers. From a managerial point of view, S-D orientation provides a holistic approach to align the organization with its value network partners. The article also sets out an agenda for future research.
Survey on information diffusion in microblog

As a new social network platform,microblog played a very important role in the information distribution and public opinion propagation,with its convenient usage,rapid propagation and strong interaction. This paper briefly introduced the mechanisms in microblog,analysed the characteristics and three influential factors of information dissemination. And then,it primarily summarized three kinds of information diffusion models mostly used in microblog networks,including the processbased diffusion model,the influence-based diffusion model and the factors of retweet-based diffusion model,and made a comparison of the advantages,disadvantages of these models. Finally,it presented the future research trends and goals.
The Role of Bundling in Firms' Marketing Strategies: A Synthesis

Bundling and unbundling, i.e., selling by combining a number of products into a package or by separating them, are central elements of corporate strategies. Most existing research papers, in various fields, offer a fragmented analysis of these phenomena. This paper puts these contributions into perspective so as to gain a broader understanding of the advantages of bundling and unbundling in marketing strategy.
Effectiveness of Vitamin B12 in Treating Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: The frequency of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), the most common oral mucosa lesions seen in primary care, is up to 25% in the general population. However, there has been no optimal therapeutic approach. Our objective was to confirm our previous clinical observation of the beneficial treatment of RAS with vitamin B12. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done using primary care patients. A sublingual a dose of 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 was used in patients in the intervention group for 6 months. Results: In total, 58 patients suffering from RAS participated in the study: 31 were included in the intervention group and 27 were included in control group. All parameters of RAS among patients in the intervention group were recorded and compared with the control group. The duration of outbreaks, the number of ulcers, and the level of pain were reduced significantly (P < .05) at 5 and 6 months of treatment with vitamin B12, regardless of initial vitamin B12 levels in the blood. During the last month of treatment a significant number of participants in the intervention group reached “no aphthous ulcers status” (74.1% vs 32.0%; P < .01). Conclusion: Vitamin B12 treatment, which is simple, inexpensive, and low-risk, seems to be effective for patients suffering from RAS, regardless of the serum vitamin B12 level.
Two Redundant Sodium-Driven Stator Motor Proteins Are Involved in Aeromonas hydrophila Polar Flagellum Rotation

ABSTRACT Motility is an essential characteristic for mesophilic Aeromonas strains. We identified a new polar flagellum region (region 6) in the A. hydrophila AH-3 (serotype O34) chromosome that contained two additional polar stator genes, named pomA 2 and pomB 2. A. hydrophila PomA2 and PomB2 are highly homologous to other sodium-conducting polar flagellum stator motors as well as to the previously described A. hydrophila AH-3 PomA and PomB. pomAB and pomA 2 B 2 were present in all the mesophilic Aeromonas strains tested and were independent of the strains' ability to produce lateral flagella. Unlike MotX, which is a stator protein that is essential for polar flagellum rotation, here we demonstrate that PomAB and PomA2B2 are redundant sets of proteins, as neither set on its own is essential for polar flagellum motility in either aqueous or high-viscosity environments. Both PomAB and PomA2B2 are sodium-coupled stator complexes, although PomA2B2 is more sensitive to low concentrations of sodium than PomAB. Furthermore, the level of transcription in aqueous and high-viscosity environments of pomA 2 B 2 is reduced compared to that of pomAB. The A. hydrophila AH-3 polar flagellum is the first case described in which two redundant sodium-driven stator motor proteins (PomAB and PomA2B2) are found.
The Power of Shareholder Votes: Evidence from Uncontested Director Elections

In the U.S., votes in director elections are advisory but are often used by shareholders to express dissent. We examine whether these non-binding votes have consequences for directors and report affirmative evidence. Directors facing dissent are more likely to depart boards, especially if they are not lead directors or chairs of important committees. Directors facing dissent who do not leave are moved to less prominent positions in boards. These effects are more pronounced in firms with greater ownership by institutional investors who pose exit threats. Finally, we find evidence that directors facing dissent face reduced opportunities in the market for directors, consistent with the Fama and Jensen (1983) view of the disciplining role of the market for directors. We show that contrary to popular belief, shareholder votes have power and result in negative consequences for directors. We also find that the effects of dissent votes go beyond those of proxy advisor recommendations.
Subordinated Debt, Market Discipline, and Bank Risk

This paper demonstrates that subordinated debt (‘subdebt’ thereafter) regulation can be an effective mechanism for disciplining banks. Under our proposal, investors buy the subdebt of a bank only if they receive favourable information about the bank, and the bank is subject to a regulatory examination if it fails to issue subdebt. By forcing banks to be examined when they are likely weak, subdebt regulation not only reduces the chance that managers of distressed banks can take value-destroying actions to benefit themselves, but may also encourage banks to lower asset risk. It shows that subdebt regulation and bank capital requirements can be complements for alleviating the banks’ moral hazard problems. It also suggests that to make subdebt regulation effective, regulators may need impose ceilings on the interest rates of subdebt, prohibit collusion between banks and subdebt investors, and require the subdebt to convert into the issuing bank’s equity when the government takes over or provides open assistance to the bank.
Ownership, Multiple Blockholders and Performance: A study of the Indonesian Banking Industry

The objective of this study is to provide empirical evidence on how ownership structure and owner’s identity affect performance, in the banking industry by using a panel of Indonesia banks over the period 2000–2009. Firstly, we analysed the impact of the presence of multiple blockholders on bank ownership structure and performance. Building on multiple agency and principal-principal theories, we investigated whether the presence and shares dispersion across blockholders with different identities (i.e. central and regional government; families; foreign banks and financial institutions) affected bank performance, in terms of profitability and efficiency. We found that the number of blockholders has a negative effect on banks’ performance, while blockholders’ concentration has a positive effect. Moreover, we observed that the dispersion of ownership across different types of blockholders has a negative effect on banks’ performance. We interpret such results as evidence that, when heterogeneous blockholders are present, the disadvantage from conflicts of interests between blockholders seems to outweigh the advantage of the increase in additional monitoring by additional blockholder. Secondly, we conducted a joint analysis of the static, selection, and dynamic effects of different types of ownership on banks’ performance. We found that regional banks and foreign banks have a higher profitability and efficiency as compared to domestic private banks. In the short-run, foreign acquisitions and domestic M&As reduce the level of overhead costs, while in the long-run they increase the Net Interest Margin (NIM). Further, we analysed NIM determinants, to asses the impact of ownership on bank business orientation. Our findings lend support to our prediction that the NIM determinants differs accordingly to the type of bank ownership. We also observed that banks that experienced changes in ownership, such as foreign-acquired banks, manifest different interest margin determinants with respect to domestic or foreign banks that did not experience ownership rearrangements.
CRIME IN THE THIRD DIMENSION: A STUDY OF BURGLARY PATTERNS IN A HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AREA.

This exploratory study examines the pattern of target selection for residential burglary in a high density neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia. It specifically examines the burglary (break and enter) rates of apartment suites and buildings in relation to the travel paths of potential offenders. Targets may be selected by burglars, in part, because of the proximity of the apartment suite to normal travel paths. Travel paths and crime patterns may be viewed at varying levels of aggregation, from macro levels such as "neighbourhood" to such micro levels as the apartment building. This thesis focuses on the micro level of analysis. Beginning with the assumption that ground floor suites are closer to the travel paths of potential offenders than suites on upper floors, this study examines the burglary rates on different floor levels of apartment buildings. The burglaryJtrave1 path pattern is tested in a six by eight block high-rise residential area centrally located within the West End of Vancouver, British Columbia. A direct relationship is found between burglary rates in buildings and the proportion of the ground floor suites within buildings. The burglary rate increases as the proportion of ground floor suites increase. The rate also varies by building height, with ground floor apartment suites having the highest rates. The research also shows that burglary rates in this area of Vancouver do not vary by differences in overt security, in number and type of entrances, or by the amount of landscaping. As might be expected, these variables do not explain all of the variance in the burglary rates. Further in depth research exploring more about travel paths, accessibility and target choice is necessary. As well, further analysis of what attracts potential burglars to an area is needed.