Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of cellular radiation sensitivity through degradation of Chk1 by the XIAP-XAF1 complex

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and Chk1 are potential molecular targets in radiotherapy. However, their molecular association in the regulation of radiation sensitivity has been rarely studied. Here, we show that XIAP modulates radiation sensitivity by regulating stability of Chk1 in lung cancer cells. Both Chk1 and XIAP are highly expressed in various lung cancer cells. Overexpression of XIAP increased cell survival following genotoxic treatments by preventing downregulation of Chk1. However, XIAP reversed Chk1-protective activity in the presence of XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) by degrading Chk1 via ubiquitination-dependent proteasomal proteolysis. The XIAP-XAF1 complex-mediated Chk1 degradation also required CUL4A and DDB1. Chk1 or XIAP was associated with DDB1 and CUL4A. Depletion of CUL4A or DDB1 prevented the XIAP-XAF1-mediated Chk1 degradation suggesting involvement of a CUL4A/DDB1-based E3 ubiquitin ligase in the process or its collaboration with XIAP E3 ligase activity. Taken together, our findings show that XIAP plays a dual role in modulation of Chk1 stability and cell viability following IR. In the absence of XAF1, XIAP stabilizes Chk1 under IR with corresponding increase of cell viability. By contrast, when XAF1 is overexpressed, XIAP facilitates Chk1 degradation, which leads to enhancement of radiation sensitivity. This selective regulation of Chk1 stability by XIAP and XAF1 could be harnessed to devise a strategy to modulate radiation sensitivity in lung cancer cells.
ASEAN's Ninth Summit: Solidifying Regional Cohesion, Advancing External Linkages

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held its Ninth Summit in October 2003. The Summit, held in Bali, was notable for its announcement of an ASEAN Community, or Bali Concord II, which is to establish a security community, an economic community and a social community. These agreements are largely statements of intent, while the fleshing out of policy detail will have to occur at a later date. An Indonesian proposal to establish an ASEAN peacekeeping force, as part of the security community, has not been welcomed in all quarters. But despite the media coverage of ASEAN's Bali Concord II, the Bali Summit was particularly notable for the external linkages that ASEAN further solidified. The leaders of China, India, Japan and South Korea were all in attendance, and China and India acceded to ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation during the Summit. Clearly all four Asian powers are increasingly vying for Southeast Asia's attention.
Early Resting Myocardial Computed Tomography Perfusion for the Detection of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Background—Acute rest single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) has high predictive value for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in emergency department patients. Prior studies have shown excellent agreement between rest/stress computed tomography perfusion (CTP) and SPECT-MPI, but the value of resting CTP (rCTP) in acute chest pain triage remains unclear. We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of early rCTP, incremental value beyond obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD; ≥50% stenosis), and compared early rCTP to late stress SPECT-MPI in patients with CAD presenting with suspicion of ACS to the emergency department. Methods and Results—In this prespecified subanalysis of 183 patients (58.1±10.2 years; 33% women), we included patients with any CAD by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) from Rule Out Myocardial Infarction Using Computer-Assisted Tomography I. rCTP was assessed semiquantitatively, blinded to CAD interpretation. Overall, 31 had ACS and 48 had abnormal rCTP. Sensitivity and specificity of rCTP for ACS were 48% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30%–67%) and 78% (95% CI, 71%–85%), respectively. rCTP predicted ACS (adjusted odds ratio, 3.40 [95% CI, 1.37–8.42]; P=0.008) independently of obstructive CAD, and sensitivity for ACS increased from 77% (95% CI, 59%–90%) for obstructive CAD to 90% (95% CI, 74%–98%) with addition of rCTP (P=0.05). In a subgroup undergoing late rest/stress SPECT-MPI (n=81), CCTA/rCTP had noninferior discriminatory value to CCTA/SPECT-MPI (area under the curve, 0.88 versus 0.90; P=0.64) using a noninferiority margin of 10%. Conclusions—Early rCTP provides incremental value beyond obstructive CAD to detect ACS. CCTA/rCTP is noninferior to CCTA/SPECT-MPI to discriminate ACS and presents an attractive alternative to triage patients presenting with acute chest pain. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00990262.
The reliability of calculated laboratory results

Abstract In clinical laboratories, patient results can be obtained in two ways: (i) by direct determination of requested tests using various chemical methods, (ii) by calculation of unknown test results, based on relationships between measured tests. The reliability of measured tests can be checked by various quality control rules. However, no test is performed to check the reliability of calculated data. In this study we develop a method using Taylor series expansion and an alternative equation to obtain the standard deviation of calculated laboratory tests and discuss the reliability of calculated data. To obtain reliable test results by calculation instead of being measured by chemical methods, the standard deviation of each measured component of the equation must be thoroughly analyzed and then the standard deviation of the equation must be determined. We conclude that the analytical coefficient of variation of any measured component must be lower so as to obtain an acceptable analytical coefficient of variation for calculated tests. Otherwise we should measure the concentration of requested tests by chemical methods instead of calculation by equation using specified components.
Analysis of Early Promoters of theBacillus Bacteriophage GA-1

ABSTRACT Bacteriophage GA-1, which infects Bacillus sp. strain G1R, is evolutionarily related to phage φ29, which infectsBacillus subtilis. We report the characterization of several GA-1 promoters located at either end of its linear genome. Some of them are unique for GA-1 and drive the expression of open reading frames that have no counterparts in the genome of φ29 or related phages. These unique promoters are active at early infection times and are repressed at late times. In vitro transcription reactions revealed that the purified GA-1-encoded protein p6 represses the activity of these promoters, although the amount of p6 required to repress transcription was different for each promoter. The level of protein p6 produced in vivo increases rapidly during the first stage of the infection cycle. The protein p6 concentration may serve to modulate the expression of these early promoters as infection proceeds.
Hydrocortisone has a protective effect on CyclosporinA‐induced cardiotoxicity

CyclosporinA (CsA) is an immunosuppressive drug which induces severe adverse effects such as cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. In several therapeutic protocols CsA is used in association with corticosteroids to obtain better therapeutic results. Recently, our studies showed that CsA increases blood pressure while inhibit Nitric Oxide (NO) production in vivo. In this study we evaluated in rat cardiomyocytes the effects of CsA, used alone or in association with Hydrocortisone (HY), on intracellular calcium concentration, NO production and lipid peroxidation (MDA level). Our results demonstrated that CsA increased intracellular calcium and such effect was dose‐dependent. HY used alone, slightly decreased intracellular calcium, while dramatically reduced CsA‐induced calcium fluxes. CsA (3.2 μM) increased lipid peroxidation and this effect was blunted by HY. Both CsA and HY inhibited NO production in rat cardiomyocytes acting on this pathway synergically. Our results demonstrated that in rat cardiomyocytes, CsA toxicity is due to a calcium overload, which in turn induce lipid peroxidation and determines oxidative stress‐induced cell injury. Treatment with HY effectively inhibits CsA‐induced toxicity, decreasing lipid peroxidation as well as calcium intracellular concentration. Our findings seem to suggest that glucocorticoids may be effective in reducing CsA‐induced cardiotoxicity at concentrations which are consistent with current therapeutic doses. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 0.6V to 1.6V, 46μW voltage and temperature independent 48 MHz pulsed LC oscillator for RFID tags

A low-power oscillator based on a pulsed LC tank is presented in this article. The frequency is determined by a bondwire inductor and a MiM capacitor to obtain a high-Q LC tank. Due to a novel way of driving the LC tank, the power consumption is diminished. Since the driving technique only interacts during a very short period with the LC tank, the frequency mainly depends on the stable LC tank and the temperature and supply voltage dependency is lowered drastically. The samples were measured over a 0.6 to 1.6V supply range and a −40 to 100°C temperature range. A temperature dependency of 92 ppm/°C and a voltage dependency of 73 ppm/V is obtained. The frequency standard deviation over 12 automatically bonded samples is 0.76% (359 KHz).
GMx33: A Novel Family of trans‐Golgi Proteins Identified by Proteomics

The known functions of the Golgi complex include the sorting, packaging, post‐translational modification, and transport of secretory proteins, membrane proteins, and lipids. Other functions still remain elusive to cell biologists. With the goal of identifying novel Golgi proteins, a proteomics project was undertaken to map the major proteins of the organelle using two‐dimensional gels, to identify the unknowns using tandem mass spectrometry, and to screen for Golgi residents using GFP‐fusion constructs. Multiple unknowns were identified, and the initial characterization of one of these proteins is reported here. GMx33α is a member of a conserved family of cytosolic Golgi‐associated proteins with no known homology to any known functional domain or protein. Biochemical analyses show that GMx33α differentially partitions into all phases of multiple detergent extractions, and two‐dimensional immunoblots reveal that there are multiple differentially modified forms of GMx33α associated with the Golgi, several of which are phosphorylated. Evidence suggests that these post‐translational modifications regulate its association with the Golgi. GMx33α was not found on Golgi budded vesicles, and immuno‐electron microscopy co‐localizes GMx33α to the trans‐face on the same three cisternae as TGN38 in normal rat kidney cells. This work represents the preliminary characterization of a novel family of trans‐Golgi‐associated proteins.
Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design

Dictionary of Statistics and Methodology Vogt, 2005, 3rd edition. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design Creswell, 1998.In this Third Edition of his bestselling text John W. and key elements of each of five qualitative inquiry traditions: narrative research.Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches John. In this Third Edition of his bestselling text John W. Creswell explores the.Book Info: In this Third Edition of his bestselling text John W. Creswell explores the philosophical underpinnings, history, and key elements of each of five.
The joint decision to signal through IPO underpricing and lockup

Before Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), the decisions on the offering price and lockup are made simultaneously. This study examines the endogenous relation between underpricing and lockup duration. We adopt the three-stage least square method to estimate a set of the simultaneous equations model, including the inverse Mill's ratio to correct the self-selective bias into the use of lockup. The results indicate a negative association between underpricing and the length of lockup, supporting our signalling hypothesis that IPO firms and underwriters employ underpricing and lockup duration in a substituted way to signal the firm quality. The bivariate analysis provides further support for this view. Our findings offer new insights into how pre-IPO shareholders and underwriters might combine both the underpricing and lockup strategies to signal.
Brain Structure in Preclinical Huntington's Disease: A Multi-Method Approach

Background: Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain could be a powerful tool for discovering early biomarkers in clinically presymptomatic carriers of the Huntington's disease gene mutation (preHD). So far, structural changes have been found mainly in preHD approaching the estimated motor onset of the disease (i.e. less than 15 years from onset), whereas structural findings in preHD far from the estimated motor onset have been inconclusive. Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the sensitivity of different methodological approaches to structural data in far-from-onset preHD (mean estimated time to motor onset = 21.4 years) and to explore the relationship between brain structure, clinical variables and cognition. Methods: High-resolution MRI data at 3 T were obtained from 20 preHD individuals and 20 healthy participants and subsequently analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), cortical surface modeling and subcortical segmentation analysis techniques. Results: VBM analyses did not reveal significant between-group differences, whereas cortical surface modeling and subcortical segmentation analyses showed significant regional cortical thinning and striatal changes in preHD compared to controls. Significant correlations were found between striatal structure, estimated time to motor onset and executive performance, whereas cortical changes were not significantly correlated with these parameters. Conclusion: These data suggest that a combined methodological approach to structural MRI data could increase the sensitivity for detecting subtle neurobiological changes in early preHD. As consistently shown across different methods, the association between striatal structure and clinical measures supports the notion that changes in striatal volume could represent a more robust marker of disease progression than cortical changes.
Association between hypertension and musculoskeletal complaints: a population-based study

Objective: To investigate the association between hypertension and musculoskeletal complaints among men and women selected by a population-based sample. Methods: A cross-sectional study, with participants selected using a multistage sampling procedure and interviewed at home, was conducted to investigate the association between hypertension and musculoskeletal complaints. Hypertension was defined by the average of four measurements of blood pressure (BP) at least 140/90 mmHg or use of BP-lowering drugs. Musculoskeletal complaints in the 3 months before the interview were investigated by a structured questionnaire. Results: Among 1858 participants, 58% were women, 64% were 18–49 years old, and 45% had up to 8 years of education. The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaint was 33% [95% confidence interval (CI) 30–36] and of hypertension was 34% (95% CI 32–37). Men and women with hypertension had higher prevalence of musculoskeletal complaint, which was no longer significant in women after adjustment for age, educational level, skin color, BMI, physical inactivity, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, smoking and history of cardiovascular disease. Hypertensive men with uncontrolled hypertension using BP agents had higher prevalence of musculoskeletal complaint (adjusted risk ratio = 1.78; 95% CI 1.11–2.86). Conclusions: Chronic musculoskeletal complaints are more frequent in men with uncontrolled hypertension under drug treatment. The absence of association in women and in hypertensive men not taking BP drugs suggest that hypertension is not a risk or protection against musculoskeletal complaints.
Implementation of robust SVM-DTC for induction motor drive using second order sliding mode control

The AC drives direct torque control (DTC) is used to obtain high performance decoupled torque and flux control. The SVM based direct torque control is a common solution which used to solve the conventional DTC's problems such as the high torque ripples and variable switching frequency. However, this control technique bases on stator flux orientation and PI controllers. This paper aims to improve the SVM-DTC performance by replacing the PI controllers by high order sliding mode controllers. Theses controllers are based on second order super twisting strategy, they can overcome the classical PI problems which are represented in robustness against parameters variation and external disturbance. Furthermore, super twisting algorithm reduces the chattering effect and keep the same properties of the first order sliding mode control. Another point, this paper presents a design of load torque observer based on second order sliding mode control in order to estimate the load value and reduce the cost and the uncertainties of control system. The simulation and experimental results of robust SVM-DTC control method are presented using Matlab/Simulink with real time interface using dSpace 1104 bored.
Dynamic Averaged and Simplified Models for MMC-Based HVDC Transmission Systems

Voltage-source converter (VSC) technologies are rapidly evolving and increasing the range of applications in a variety of fields within the power industry. Existing two- and three-level VSC technologies are being superseded by the new modular multilevel converter (MMC) technology for HVDC applications. The computational burden caused by detailed modeling of MMC-HVDC systems in electromagnetic transient-type (EMT-type) programs complicates the simulation of transients when such systems are integrated into large networks. This paper develops and compares different types of models for efficient and accurate representation of MMC-HVDC systems. The results show that the use of a specific type of model will depend on the conducted analysis and required accuracy.
Hollywood piracy in China: An accidental case of US public diplomacy in the globalization age?

Challenging existing approaches and assumptions, this essay identifies the phenomenon of Hollywood piracy in China as an agent of American expansion in the region, amplifying the distribution of US popular culture artifacts. This accidental, yet relevant public diplomacy occurrence thrives outside the control of central governments, driven by transnational profit oriented entities, both legal (Hollywood studios producing and distributing entertainment content) and illegal (counterfeiters amplifying uncensored distribution through piracy). Drawing parallels with US public diplomacy efforts beyond the Iron Curtain during the Cold War, the essay suggests that a similar transformation is occurring through this illegal practice in the digital global media landscape of the twenty-first century. In fact, the diffusion of Hollywood content in China, legally and illegally, increases the diffusion of the American influence in the region through the diffusion of its language, music, and material culture embedded in Hollywood's entertainment artifacts.
HARMONISING NATIONAL INPUT—OUTPUT TABLES FOR CONSUMPTION-BASED ACCOUNTING — EXPERIENCES FROM EXIOPOL

Environmentally extended, multi-regional, input–output (MRIO) databases have emerged to fulfil the need for mapping the impacts of globalisation, following resource-intensive supply chains crossing country borders. EXIOBASE is one such data set designed for use in analysis relevant to resource use and European Union policy. It provides the most detailed harmonised sector classification in any MRIO and integrates data from a wide range of sources. We review the necessary steps in order to harmonise source data in MRIO databases, and describe methods to increase the product and industry detail of aggregate supply and use tables (SUTs) in order to provide a homogenous classification across countries that allows resource-specific modelling. We cover mathematical programming approaches used to reconcile data sets, and investigate some implications of reverse engineering symmetric input–output tables and disaggregating the SUTs. We focus particularly on the footprint multiplier at the product level, where policy formation is targeted.
Retrospective study of teeth with a poor prognosis following non-surgical periodontal treatment.

AIM The aim of this retrospective study was to assess teeth with a poor prognosis and the proximal periodontium of adjacent teeth, and to identify the risk factors associated with the loss of teeth with a poor prognosis following non-surgical periodontal treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Teeth with a poor prognosis (n=113), teeth adjacent to those of poor prognosis (n=105) and non-adjacent teeth (n=51) were evaluated in 25 non-smoking patients who had received supportive periodontal treatment for 5-16 years following non-surgical periodontal treatment at a university hospital. RESULTS Probing pocket depth (PPD), percentage of alveolar bone loss, presence of tooth mobility and bleeding on probing in all teeth improved significantly after treatment. Logistic regression analysis showed that loss of teeth with a poor prognosis depended on the initial deepest PPD, tooth mobility and multi-rooted tooth. CONCLUSIONS Teeth with a poor prognosis did not affect the proximal periodontium of the adjacent teeth, and progression of periodontal disease in these teeth and adjacent teeth can be prevented by non-surgical periodontal treatment in non-smokers. The risk factors for loss of teeth with a poor prognosis were the initial deepest PPD, tooth mobility and multi-rooted tooth.
Do labor market programs affect labor force participation

This paper estimates the macroeconomic effect of labor market programs on labor force participation. Labor market programs could counteract businesscycle variation in the participation rate that is due to the discouraged-worker effect, and they could prevent labor force outflow. An equation that determines the participation rate is estimated using panel data (1986-1998) for Sweden’s municipalities. The results indicate that labor market programs have relatively large and positive effects on labor force participation. If the number of participants in labor market programs increases temporarily by 100, the labor force increases by around 63 persons. The effect is temporary so the number of participants in the labor force returns to the old level in the next period. If the number of participants in programs is permanently increased, the labor force increases by around 70 persons. The results indicate that programs prevent labor force outflow because participants who would have left the labor force in the absence of programs are now participating because of the programs. Income and vacancies have positive long- and short-run effects on participation rate. Open unemployment, job destruction rate, and proportion of persons be-tween ages 18-24 and 55-65 have negative long-run effects on the participation rate.
ProVa: A proximity validation approach for enhanced device discovery

Towards the new era of communications, direct communications are intensively studied by industry and academia. One of the major challenges in this communication paradigm is the device discovery problem, referring to the mutual detection of neighboring devices prior the establishment of the direct communication. Recognizing the scarcity of the radio resources and the need for frequent discovery transmissions, we propose a validation approach as a complement to the device discovery process. Building on the idea that the neighboring relationship of some devices may last for long time, an enhanced radio resource allocation is applied for those devices, improving the overall performance of the discovery process.