Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of DEDD2, a Death Effector Domain-containing Protein*

A novel Death Effector Domain-containing protein was identified, DEDD2, which is closest in amino acid sequence homology to death effector domain-containing DNA-binding protein, DEDD. DEDD2 mRNA is expressed widely in adult human tissues with highest levels in liver, kidney, and peripheral blood leukocytes. DEDD2 interacts with FLIP, but not with Fas-associated death domain (FADD) or caspase-8. Overexpression of DEDD2 induces moderate apoptosis and results in substantial sensitization to apoptosis induced by Fas (CD95/APO-1), tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL, Apo2L), or FADD. In contrast, Bax- or staurosporine-mediated cell death is not affected by expression of DEDD2. Fluorescence microscopy showed that overexpressed DEDD2 translocates to the nucleus, which is dependent on the presence of a bipartite nuclear localization signal in the DEDD2 protein. Mutagenesis studies revealed that the translocation of the DED of DEDD2 to the nucleus is essential for its pro-apoptotic activity. These findings suggest that DEDD2 is involved in the regulation of nuclear events mediated by the extrinsic apoptosis pathway.
Opposite regulation by typical and atypical anti‐psychotics of ERK1/2, CREB and Elk‐1 phosphorylation in mouse dorsal striatum

The two mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), are involved in the control of gene expression via phosphorylation and activation of the transcription factors cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and Elk‐1. Here, we have examined the effect of haloperidol and clozapine, two anti‐psychotic drugs, and eticlopride, a selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, on the state of phosphorylation of ERK1/2, CREB and Elk‐1, in the mouse dorsal striatum. Administration of the typical anti‐psychotic haloperidol stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, CREB and Elk‐1. Virtually identical results were obtained using eticlopride. In contrast, the atypical anti‐psychotic clozapine reduced ERK1/2, CREB and Elk‐1 phosphorylation. This opposite regulation was specifically exerted by haloperidol and clozapine on ERK, CREB, and Elk‐1 phosphorylation, as both anti‐psychotic drugs increased the phosphorylation of the dopamine‐ and cyclic AMP‐regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa (DARPP‐32) at the cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) site. The activation of CREB and Elk‐1 induced by haloperidol appeared to be achieved via different signalling pathways, as inhibition of ERK1/2 activation abolished the stimulation of Elk‐1 phosphorylation without affecting CREB phosphorylation. This study shows that haloperidol and clozapine induce distinct patterns of phosphorylation in the dorsal striatum. The results provide a novel biochemical paradigm elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the distinct therapeutic actions of typical and atypical anti‐psychotic agents.
What's Distinctive about Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Education? Threshold Concepts and Expertise

With the ever growing fashion for all things entrepreneurial, we are perhaps in danger of over using the term and rendering the word’s meaning to be so all-encompassing as to become nothing but a trendy label. Is it time to get clearer about what we really mean when we educate in entrepreneurship? How can we differentiate entrepreneurship manifest in the HE sector in any subject discipline from entrepreneurship as a subject discipline? Recent work (Lackeus, 2015) promoting value creation as an educational philosophy grounded in entrepreneurship would suggest that an entrepreneurial approach may be taken to teaching and learning in any subject discipline in an educational context. Where does that leave HE programmes claiming to teach entrepreneurship? What implications does this have for the curricula of such programmes? Using the theory of threshold concepts and the concept of expertise as bridges between the domains of education and entrepreneurship; this workshop aims to explore the distinctiveness of specialist entrepreneurship programmes, more general Business programmes and other type of HE programmes, using the visual research method of triad comparison. Participants will leave this workshop with a clearer understanding of the potentially unique differentiating characteristics of specialist entrepreneurship programmes, enabling better curricula design and delivery, as well as the improved marketing of such programmes.
An Optimized FinFET Channel With Improved Line-Edge Roughness and Linewidth Roughness Using the Hydrogen Thermal Treatment Technology

Evolutionary process of a nanoscale FinFET channel during rapid hydrogen thermal treatment is modeled using a kinetic Monte Carlo simulation. In this paper, a novel model of nanoscale FinFET channel is proposed based on the surface diffusion theory of silicon fin structures. The evolution characteristics of fin surface morphology, including line edge roughness (LER), line width roughness, and the cross-correlation coefficient ρ, are investigated in the diffusion process of silicon fin structures at different temperatures and time. All the characteristic parameters can directly affect the carrier transport performance of FinFET. The LER of a silicon fin has been effectively reduced by at least 60%. The linewidth roughness and ρ was also investigated in the evolution of FinFET channel. The results indicate that an optimized nanoscale FinFET channel can be achieved by controlling the migration of surface silicon atoms in rapid hydrogen thermal treatment technology application, yielding atomically smooth sidewall surfaces. The present experimental results are coincided with the simulation results. Thus, such technology plays a crucial role in the application of nanoscale FinFET.
Effect of hepatitis C infection on progression of HIV disease and early response to initial antiretroviral therapy

Objectives:To describe the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on the progression of HIV disease and on early changes in the CD4 cell count and HIV viral load after HAART initiation. Design and methods:Data were from a longitudinal medical records review project conducted in over 100 US medical clinics from 1998 to 2004. We analysed data from HIV-infected patients who received antiretroviral therapy (ART), calculated adjusted hazard ratios describing the hazard of death or progression to an AIDS-defining opportunistic illness (AIDS–OI) associated with prevalent HCV infection, and estimated the change in CD4 cell count and HIV viral load after HAART initiation, stratified by HCV status. Results:A total of 10 481 HIV-infected individuals were followed for a median of 1.9 years; 19% had HCV. HCV infection was not associated with progression to AIDS–OI or death after controlling for important confounding conditions. Factors significantly confounding the risk of both death and diagnosis of an AIDS–OI were alcoholism, drug-induced hepatitis, and the type of ART prescribed. Acute and chronic hepatitis B infection confounded the risk of AIDS–OI diagnosis. During the 12 months after starting HAART, proportional increases in CD4 cell counts did not differ between HCV-infected and HCV-uninfected individuals. Likewise, the short-term change in viral load did not differ. Conclusion:In our cohort, HCV did not increase the risk of death or AIDS–OI, and did not affect the early immunological or virological response to initial HAART. Clinicians should evaluate patients with HCV for other, manageable problems, including alcoholism and other viral hepatitis.
The Baculovirus p35 Protein Inhibits Fas- and Tumor Necrosis Factor-induced Apoptosis (*)

The baculovirus p35 gene product inhibits virally induced apoptosis, developmental cell death in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, and neuronal cell death in mammalian systems. Therefore, p35 likely inhibits a component of the death machinery that is both ubiquitous and highly conserved in evolution. We now show for the first time that p35 also inhibits Fas- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced apoptosis. Additionally, p35 blocks TNF- and Fas-induced proteolytic cleavage of the death substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase from its native 116-kDa form to the characteristic 85-kDa form. This cleavage is thought to be catalyzed by an aspartate-specific protease of the interleukin 1β-converting enzyme family designated prICE (Lazebnik, Y. A., Kaufmann, S. H., Desnoyers, S., Poirier, G. G., and Earnshaw, W. C. (1994) Nature 371, 346 -347). Our data suggest that p35 must directly or indirectly inhibit prICE. Given that p35 inhibits both TNF and Fas killing, along with previous reports of its ability to block developmental, viral, and x-irradiation-induced cell death, the present results indicate that TNF- and Fas-mediated apoptotic pathways must have components in common with these highly conserved death programs.
A Model Predictive Controller for Frame-Level Rate Control in Multiview Video Coding

In this work, we present a novel frame-level Rate Control algorithm for Multiview Video Coding encoder that adopts the Model Predictive Control technique in order to provide low bitrate fluctuation and high video quality. Our Model Predictive Rate Control (MPRC) predicts the bitrate for a frame by employing (i) inter-view inter-GOP (Group of Pictures) phase-based bitrate prediction, and (ii) temporal (intra-GOP) target bitrate linear weighting. Moreover, the MPRC also defines an optimal control action through frame-level QP value selection. Experimental results demonstrate that our MPRC bitrate prediction incurs a Mean Bit Estimation Error (MBEE) of 1.13% compared to 2.46% provided by single view-based Rate Control and 1.61% provided by the state-of-the-art MVC Rate Control. Our solution also provides on average 0.876dB BD-PSNR increase and 28.92% BD-Bitrate reduction while providing smoother quality and bitrate variations when compared to state-of-the-art.
Enter the Vanguard State: Reinterpreting ASEAN’s Response to the South China Sea Issue

This article analyzes the Association of Southeast Asian Nation’s (ASEAN) interactions with China over the South China Sea issue since the end of the Cold War. A neorealist understanding of ASEAN’s international relations is advanced. This approach highlights the degree of security maximizing interest convergence between key ASEAN actors and an extra-regional actor, the United States, to explain the varying outcomes in the empirical record. Our approach is contrasted to alternatives in the existing literature that either overemphasize or underemphasize ASEAN’s autonomy in regional politics.
The immune modulator FTY720 targets sphingosine–kinase‐dependent migration of human monocytes in response to amyloid beta‐protein and its precursor

Accumulation of inflammatory mononuclear phagocytes in Alzheimer's senile plaques, a hallmark of the innate immune response to β‐amyloid fibrils, can initiate and propagate neurodegeneration characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Phagocytes migrate toward amyloid β‐ protein involving formyl peptide receptor like‐1‐dependent signaling. Using human peripheral blood monocytes in Boyden chamber micropore filter assays, we show that the amyloid β‐ protein‐ and amyloid β‐precursor protein‐induced migration was abrogated by dimethylsphingosine, a sphingosine kinase inhibitor. Amyloid β‐protein stimulated in monocytes the gene expression for sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptors 2 and 5, but not 1, 3, and 4. FTY720 that acts as a sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor agonist after endogenous phosphorylation by sphingosine kinase, as well as various neuropeptides that are known to be monocyte chemoattractants, dose‐dependently inhibited amyloid β‐protein‐induced migration. These data demonstrate that the migratory effects of β‐amyloid in human monocytes involve spingosine‐1‐ phosphate signaling. Whereas endogenous neuropeptides may arrest and activate monocytes at sites of high β‐amyloid concentrations, interference with the amyloid β‐protein‐dependent sphingosine‐1‐phosphate pathway in monocytes by FTY720, a novel immunomodulatory drug, suggests that FTY720 may be efficacious in β‐amyloid‐related inflammatory diseases.
High K+ Rapidly Stimulates Ca2+-Dependent Phosphorylation of Three Proteins Concomitant With Insulin Secretion From HIT Cells

We have previously shown in a glucose-responsive insulin-secreting β-cell line (HIT cells) that a cell membrane–depolarizing concentration of K+ causes an influx of extracellular Ca2+ that elevates the free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+],) and activates insulin secretion. To identify the cellular mechanisms that couple Ca2+ influx to exocytosis, studies of protein phosphorylation were conducted. HIT cells were loaded with 32P and stimulated with either 40 mM K+ or 19.4 mM glucose, both of which trigger the immediate release of insulin. Phosphoproteins were examined with two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. With addition of 40 mM K+, after the rise in [Ca2+]1 proteins of Mr 17,500, 20,000, and 24,000 were rapidly and specifically phosphorylated. The 17,000-Mr protein showed maximum phosphorylation by 1 min, whereas phosphorylation of the 24,000- and 20,000-Mr proteins continued to increase at 5 min. Despite stimulating the immediate release of insulin, high glucose did not result in a change in [Ca2+], or the phosphorylation of the three Ca2+-dependent phosphoproteins. Insulin secretion, the increase in [Ca2+]1, and phosphorylation of the proteins by 40 mM K+ was inhibited by 100 μM verapamil, an organic Ca2+-channel–blocking drug. The rapid phosphorylation of three proteins, after a rise in [Ca2+]1 and the coordinate inhibition of insulin secretion and phosphorylation, are consistent with the hypothesis that Ca2+ enters the β-cell through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, regulating insulin release by effects on protein phosphorylation. However, glucose activates the immediate release of insulin by another, as yet undefined, mechanism.
Passively mode-locked lasers using saturable absorber incorporating dispersed single-wall carbon nanotubes

Passively mode-locked lasers using saturable absorber incorporating dispersed single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is demonstrated. The peak absorption wavelength of saturable absorber can be engineered within the gain band-width of erbium-doped fiber (EDF) centered at 1550 nm. The mean diameter of SWCNTs and the linear optical absorption of SWCNTs-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film are verified by Raman spectroscopy and UV-Visible-NIR spectrophotometer. By integrating the SWCNTs-PVA film into EDF ring laser (EDFL) centered at 1550 nm, we observed three pulse mode operations, Q-switching, mode-locking, and 5th-order harmonic mode-locking. The measured pulsewidths of the mode-locking and 5th harmonic mode-locking EDFL are 4.2 ps and 2.7 ps, respectively
The effect of two types of diet on populations of Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum dentatum in experimentally infected pigs

SUMMARY This investigation compared the effect of two common types of diet on worm burdens and faecal egg counts of pigs inoculated with Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum dentatum. The diets were both considered nutritionally sufficient for pigs of this age, and gave high and comparable growth rates. Pigs were inoculated with both worm species at 14 weeks of age and slaughtered 3 or 12 weeks later. At 3 weeks, A. suum larvae were numerous in the small intestine of pigs fed ground barley plus protein supplement, but were not detected from pigs fed a commercial full-constituent pelleted feed. At 12 weeks, however, average adult worm burdens were low and similar in both groups. At both slaughter times, O. dentatum worm burdens were significantly higher in pigs fed barley plus protein than in pigs given commercial feed, particularly for female worms, and the commercial diet led to worms being located further along the large intestine, and to reduced worm fecundity. The chemical composition of large intestinal contents differed significantly between pigs fed the two diets.
MOS current mode logic: design, optimization, and variability

An automated optimization-based design strategy for 2-level MOS current mode logic (MCML) circuits is proposed to overcome the complexities of the design process. The methodology minimizes the power dissipation while satisfying the performance criteria. Moreover, environmental and process variations modeling are included in the design strategy. The impact of these variations on MCML performance as technology scales is also presented. In addition, design tips based on analytic formulation are presented for MCML designers. The proposed methodology is tested on several benchmarks belonging to optical communication and high-speed microprocessor applications built in a CMOS 0.18/spl mu/m process, at which the average error is within 7% between our formulation and HSPICE.
Latency of brachial plexus block The effect on onset time of warming local anaesthetic solutions

A double‐blind study was set up to investigate the effect of warming local anaesthetic solutions on the latency of onset of subclavian perivascular brachial plexus blocks. Twenty‐four adult patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups. In group A the local anaesthetic was injected at room temperature, while in group B the local anaesthetic solution was prewarmed to 37°C in a thermostatically controlled heating block. All blocks were performed using 0.5 ml/kg of a solution prepared by mixing equal volumes of 0.5% bupivacaine with adrenaline 1:200 000, and 1% prilocaine. The speed of onset of sensory blockade was significantly increased when the temperature of the local anaesthetic solution was increased to 37°C. There were no adverse side effects in either group.
Knowledge and Correlates of Osteoporosis: A Comparison of Israeli-Jewish and Israeli-Arab Women

ABSTRACT The present study examined levels and correlates of knowledge about osteoporosis among 176 Israeli-Jewish (mean age = 55) and 80 Israeli-Arab (mean age = 51) women. Levels of knowledge about the disease were low among all women, especially regarding some of the risk factors. Knowledge and awareness about the disease were especially deficient among Arab women. Younger age and lower education were the main vulnerability factors among Jewish women, and lower desire to seek information from the medical establishment, higher religiosity, and the lack of extended medical insurance among Arab women. Educational programs, geared to the needs and capabilities of the different ethnic populations, should be encouraged.
Media Literacy Levels of the Candidate Teachers

The purpose of this study is to determine the media literacy level of teacher candidates and explain effects of variables; having a computer, internet access, reading newspapers/magazines regularly, watching TV frequency and Internet usage frequency on media literacy level. Study group is consisted of 495 teacher candidates from Faculty of Education U.ak University, Turkish Teacher Education, Primary School Education and Social Studies Education Department in 2007-2008 academic year. Data is collected by "Media Literacy Level Determination Scale" which is developed by researchers. Descriptive statics were used with t test, correlation and ANOVA for data analyses. Results showed that teacher candidates have high media literacy levels and having a computer, Internet access, reading newspapers/magazines regularly, watching TV frequency and Internet usage frequency are variables that have significant effect on media literacy levels. SUMMARY Purpose and significance: Media literacy is an important concept in nowadays. Especially because of positive and negative effects of media on children and young adults, it became a significant issue in educational context. So teachers have major role in the process of educating children from their primary school education about media literacy. The purpose of this study is to determine media literacy levels of teacher candidates and also to explain effects of variables; having a computer, internet access, reading newspapers/magazines regularly, watching TV frequency and Internet usage frequency on their media literacy level. Methods: Study group is consisted of 495 teacher candidates from Faculty of Education U.ak University, Turkish Teacher Education Department, Primary School Education Department and Social Studies Education Department in 2007-2008 academic year. Data is collected by "Media Literacy Level Determination Scale" which is developed by researchers. Descriptive statics were used with t test, correlation and ANOVA for data analyses. Results: Results showed that teacher candidates have high media literacy levels, exceeding average mean. Results of factor analyze showed that media literacy is consisted of three dimensions as "being knowledgeable", "analyzing and reacting" and "judging, being aware of implicit messages". Teacher candidates have the highest media literacy level in "being knowledgeable", while the least in "analyzing and reacting". Significant differences have been found between media literacy levels and having computer, internet access, reading newspaper/magazine regularly, watching TV frequency and Internet usage frequency. Discussion and Conclusion: Individuals should use media effectively to access information, to communicate, to follow agenda and most importantly not to being behind times. Especially in teaching and learning process, media literacy stands out an important issue both for teachers and students to utilize from different technologies and tools. This study has revealed out that teacher candidates have high media literacy and some of the variables as having a computer, internet access, reading
Chemical Genetic Approach for Kinase‐Substrate Mapping by Covalent Capture of Thiophosphopeptides and Analysis by Mass Spectrometry

Mapping kinase‐substrate interactions demands robust methods to rapidly and unequivocally identify substrates from complex protein mixtures. Toward this goal, we present a method in which a kinase, engineered to utilize synthetic ATPγS analogs, specifically thiophosphorylates its substrates in a complex lysate. The thiophosphate label provides a bio‐orthogonal tag that can be used to affinity purify and identify labeled proteins. Following the labeling reaction, proteins are digested with trypsin; thiol‐containing peptides are then covalently captured and non‐thiol‐containing peptides are washed from the resin. Oxidation‐promoted hydrolysis, at sites of thiophosphorylation, releases phosphopeptides for analysis by tandem mass spectrometry. By incorporating two specificity gates—kinase engineering and peptide affinity purification—this method yields high‐confidence substrate identifications. This method gives both the identity of the substrates and phosphorylation‐site localization. With this information, investigators can analyze the biological significance of the phosphorylation mark immediately following confirmation of the kinase‐substrate relationship. Here, we provide an optimized version of this technique to further enable widespread utilization of this technology. Curr. Protoc. Chem Biol. 2:15‐36. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.