Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple Lysine Mutations in the C-Terminal Domain of p53 Interfere with MDM2-Dependent Protein Degradation and Ubiquitination

ABSTRACT To investigate the effect of mutations in the p53 C-terminal domain on MDM2-mediated degradation, we introduced single and multiple point mutations into a human p53 cDNA at four putative acetylation sites (amino acid residues 372, 373, 381, and 382). Substitution of all four lysine residues by alanines (the A4 mutant) and single lysine-to-alanine substitutions were functional in sequence-specific DNA binding and transactivation; however, the A4 mutant protein was resistant to MDM2-mediated degradation, whereas the single lysine substitutions were not. Although the A4 mutant protein and the single lysine substitutions both bound MDM2 reasonably well, the single lysine substitutions underwent normal MDM2-dependent ubiquitination, whereas the A4 protein was inefficiently ubiquitinated. In addition, the A4 mutant protein was found in the cytoplasm as well as in the nucleus of a subpopulation of cells, unlike wild-type p53, which is mostly nuclear. The partially cytoplasmic distribution of A4 mutant protein was not due to a defect in nuclear import because inhibition of nuclear export by leptomycin B resulted in nuclear accumulation of the protein. Taken together, the data suggest that mutations in the putative acetylation sites of the p53 C-terminal domain interfere with ubiquitination, thereby regulating p53 degradation.
Haemoglobin A1c analysis in the management of patients with diabetes: from chaos to harmony

Effective management of patients with diabetes mellitus requires accurate assessments of blood glucose control. The best characterised marker of long term glycaemic control is whole blood haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Published clinical trials have identified quantitative and direct relationships between the HbA1c concentration and risks of diabetic microvascular complications. However, in order to practice evidence-based medicine, assays used to measure patient samples should ideally produce values comparable to the assays used in these trials. Numerous assays using chromatographic and immunological detection methods are used around the world. This paper briefly reviews the scientific evolution of HbA1c and its analysis, discusses the reasons why HbA1c assay standardisation is a challenge, describes the approaches that have been adopted to harmonise HbA1c assays, and addresses the current initiatives to standardise HbA1c globally. These efforts have established HbA1c as an essential component in the management of patients with diabetes mellitus and are likely to lead to the use of HbA1c in the screening/diagnosis of diabetes.
Alternative Routes to Hedge Fund Return Replication

The author starts with the observation that although institutions are still pouring more and more money into hedge funds, hedge fund performance is clearly deteriorating. In part, this reflects lower interest rates and a global decline in risk premiums. Part of hedge funds' disappointing performance, however, is also due to the huge inflow of institutional money itself. The author then notes that driven by a desire to reduce costs and improve investor returns, the market has recently seen several attempts to “replicate” hedge fund index returns. Stating that the driving force behind hedge fund replication is the realization that the majority of hedge fund managers do not have enough skill to make up for the fees they charge, the author argues that it may be worthwhile to replace the managers in question with a synthetic hedge fund. Synthetic hedge funds produce no pre-fee alpha, but they don't cost a fortune to run and may therefore very well produce significant after-fee alpha. In addition, synthetic hedge funds come with great improvements in liquidity, transparency, capacity, etc. The article proceeds to discuss three different approaches to replications.
Summarization with Errors: A Perspective on Empirical Investigations of Agency Relationships

Empirical research in the social sciences often proceeds in the following manner. First, the researcher formulates an hypothesis regarding a phenomenon of interest. Second, the researcher identifies the empirical predictions of competing hypotheses. Third, the researcher gathers relevant data, and conducts statistical tests to determine whether the data support the predictions of the maintained hypothesis. Typically, the researcher does not attempt to model formally every aspect of the phenomenon under study. Analytic and computational complexity necessitate a focus on only the most important and the most fundamental forces. Indeed, the real art to much of social science research lies in distinguishing between the forces that are central to the phenomenon under consideration and the forces that, while of some potential relevance are less central. Any such differentiation between central and less-central forces raises the possibility that important elements of the phenomenon under consideration might be omitted from the analysis. The differentiation also implies that empirical research in the social science must be viewed as a form of summarization with errors. At best, the empirical analysis summarizes imperfectly the central forces at play. At worst, empirical research can overlook critical forces and thereby misinterpret the observed statistical relationships among key variables. The purpose of this research is to examine some of the key summarization errors that are prone to arise in empirical investigations of agency relationships. Broadly speaking, agency relationships entail interactions where incentives must be employed to induce desired behaviour.
Parallel Volume-Surface Integral Equation (VSIE) solver for scattering and radiation problems

The hybrid Volume-Surface Integral Equation (VSIE) combined with the Method of Moments (MoM) is applied to the analysis of scattering and radiation from arbitrarily shaped composite bodies. The resultant matrix equation is solved using the numerical library ScaLAPACK in a highly parallel environment. The numerical results show the accuracy and efficiency of the developed parallel solver. The results are also compared with the commercial solver.
Effect of soy protein supplementation on serum lipoproteins, blood pressure, and menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of soy protein supplementation with known levels of phytoestrogens on cardiovascular disease risk factors and menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women. METHODS A randomized, double-blind crossover trial was conducted in 51 women consuming isocaloric supplements containing 20 g of complex carbohydrates (comparison diet), 20 g of soy protein containing 34 mg of phytoestrogens given in a single dose, and 20 g of soy protein containing 34 mg of phytoestrogens split into two doses. Women were randomly assigned to one of the three diets for 6-week periods and subsequently were randomized to the remaining two interventions to determine whether differences existed between the treatment diets for cardiovascular disease risk factors, menopausal symptoms, adherence, and potential adverse effects. RESULTS Significant declines in total cholesterol (6% lower) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (7% lower) were observed in both soy diets compared with the carbohydrate placebo diet. A significant decline in diastolic blood pressure (5 mm Hg lower) was noted in the twice-daily soy diet, compared with the placebo diet. Although nonsignificant effects were noted for a number of measures of quality of life, a significant improvement was observed for the severity of vasomotor symptoms and for hypoestrogenic symptoms in the twice-daily group compared with the placebo group. No significant effects were noted for triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol or frequency of menopausal symptoms. Adherence was excellent in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Soy supplementation in the diet of nonhypercholesterolemic, nonhypertensive, perimenopausal women resulted in significant improvements in lipid and lipoprotein levels, blood pressure, and perceived severity of vasomotor symptoms. These data corroborate the potential importance of soy supplementation in reducing chronic disease risk in Western populations.
Hedge fund return volatility and comovement: recent evidence

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the return performance of different investment strategies in the hedge fund sector, with a particular emphasis on the recent US financial crisis of 2007-2010. Additionally, the paper aims to investigate the comovement of hedge fund index returns. Design/methodology/approach - The paper identifies broad hedge fund investment strategies using data from the Dow Jones Credit Suisse Hedge Fund Database. It examines the return comovement using the cross-sectional volatility, covariance, and correlation metrics proposed in Adrian (2007). In addition, the paper examines whether correlations and covariance are important determinants of future volatility via traditional time-series regressions. Findings - The paper finds that the majority of the broad hedge fund investment strategies incurred record level losses and gains during the 2007-2010 period. In addition, it finds that the crisis period was preceded by high correlations, attributed primarily to a rise in cross-sectional hedge fund covariances. However, during the crisis period, a decrease in average correlations, stemming from an increase in hedge fund volatility, is documented. The time-series regressions are supportive of a strong relationship between cross-sectional covariances and subsequent volatility, suggesting that systemic risk occurs in the hedge fund sector when returns move significantly in dollar terms. Originality/value - This study is one of the first investigations that focus on the comovement and volatility of hedge fund index returns during the US financial crisis of 2007-2010.
Review on the Development of Drought Tolerant Maize Genotypes in Iraq

Stress is any physiological, physical or chemical change that leads to disturbance and imbalance in the plant. Water stress is one of the most important environmental stresses affecting plant growth and production. It is also known as the lack of available water in the soil to be absorbed by the plant at a stage of its growth, or the inability of the plant. On the absorption of water even if it is naturally present in the root environment due to the force affecting the holding of water molecules, as it was described as the state in which the amount of water absorbed by the roots is less than the water lost through transpiration from the vegetative system, meaning that it is the state in which the effort The water content of the plant and the fullness of its cells is low to a degree that affects the conduct of vital and physiological processes. During the occurrence of water stress, as the term “drought” is not accurate in the sense used, but it is sometimes expressed as the phenomenon of water shortage as a result of climatic elements of multiple weather conditions, As for the agricultural concept of drought (Agricultural Drought), it is according to the growth and formation of the crop, and it is assumed that it begins when the ready water is drained from the root zone, plant goes through three stages: First stage increases the water loss and the transpiration process until it reaches a point where the amount of water lost by transpiration exceeds the amount of water absorbed by the roots. On the water balance between these two processes in adaptation, and when the water stress intensifies, the plant moves to the third stage, after which the plants lose a large part of the water through transpiration, the stomata are closed and the photosynthesis process stops. Therefore water stress (drought) alone is one of the most influential environmental stresses in reducing maize productivity, Therefore, the role of the plant breeder came through the implementation of breeding programs for hybridization and selection until it obtains a plant adapted to drought through the occurrence of morphological changes that make plants phenotypically adaptable to conditions of lack of water and includes an increase in root size and reduction of leaf area.
Population size and major valleys explain microsatellite variation better than taxonomic units for caribou in western Canada

Identifying conservation units below the species level is becoming increasingly important, particularly when limited resources necessitate prioritization for conservation among such units. This problem is exemplified with caribou, a mammal with a circum‐Arctic distribution that is exposed to a broad spectrum of ecological conditions, but is also declining in many parts of its range. We used microsatellite markers to evaluate the suitability of existing intra‐specific taxonomic designations to act as population units for conservation and contrasted this with landscape features that were independent of taxonomy. We also quantified the relationship between genetic differentiation and subpopulation size, a factor that has been under‐represented in landscape genetic research. Our data set included three subspecies and three ecotypes of caribou that varied in population size by five orders of magnitude. Our results indicated that genetic structure did not correspond to existing taxonomic designation, particularly at the level of ecotype. Instead, we found that major valleys and population size were the strongest factors associated with substructure. There was a negative exponential relationship between population size and FST between pairs of adjacent subpopulations, suggesting that genetic drift was the mechanism causing the structure among the smallest subpopulations. A genetic assignment test revealed that movement among subpopulations was a fraction of the level needed to stabilize smaller subpopulations, indicating little chance for demographic rescue. Such results may be broadly applicable to landscape genetic studies, because population size and corresponding rates of drift have the potential to confound interpretations of landscape effects on population structure.
Engineering robust instruments for GMM estimation of panel data regression models with errors in variables: a note

Econometricians have long recognized the need to account in some way for measurement errors, specification errors and endogeneity to ensure that the ordinary least squares estimator is consistent. This article introduces a new generalized method of moments estimator that relies on robust instruments to estimate panel data regression models containing errors in variables. We show how this GMM approach can be generalized for the panel data framework using higher moments and cumulants as instruments. The new instruments, engineered for greater robustness, are proposed to tackle the pervasive problem of weak instruments.
TextureExplorer: a tactile and force display for virtual textures

This paper describes the TextureExplorer that combines tactile and force stimulators to present virtual textures to the user's fingertip. A vibratory pin-array is employed for tactile stimulation in conjunction with the PHANToM for force reflection to perform haptic texture rendering. Simple controls were introduced to both tactile and force renderings to investigate basic characteristics of this combined haptic presentation. To clarify the effectiveness of vibratory 2D stimulation on a skin surface, a large-element texture discrimination experiment was conducted. Rendering by the TextureExplorer was compared with ordinary PHANToM force feedback without tactile stimulation. The observation suggested that the textures displayed by both tactile and force stimulations were perceived more accurately and rapidly than only force presentation through a single point contact.
Privatization and Globalization: A Critical Analysis with Implications for Public Management Education and Training

This article addresses the phenomenon of sweeping privatization as a ‘strategic instrument of globalization of capital’. Using a political economy analysis, it argues that, among other things, but most importantly, privatization should be understood in a direct correlation with the globalization of capital under late or corporate capitalism. It argues that privatization has been conceived by design, not by chance and haphazard events, and that its implementation has been pursued purposely, deliberately and vigorously around the world to accomplish the objectives of the globalization of capital. This has been happening despite evidence of extremely successful experiences with public enterprise management and government-owned enterprises worldwide. The article also treats the phenomenon of globalization as a globally transcending process towards a more rapid accumulation of surplus value of advance or corporate capitalism; hence a change within the continuity of the process of surplus accumulation by global capitalism. To understand this direct relationship between change and continuity and between privatization and globalization, we must first understand what globalization means, and then explain its corollary strategy of privatization worldwide. This article presents, first, a brief theoretical discussion of globalization and then a detailed argument of privatization as a strategic instrument of globalization of capital and, finally, some implications are provided for public management education and training.
The Role of Good Faith in Delaware: How Open-Ended Standards Help Delaware Preserve Its Edge

This Article traces the development of the good faith doctrine in Delaware and links shifts in the doctrine to events occurring in the national economy and in Washington. It shows that in 2003 Delaware judges seemed open to the possibility of imposing liability on directors in a case (Disney) where facts suggested that the directors were overly passive in approving the terms of an employment contract for a senior corporate executive. After the 2001-2002 corporate governance scandals faded, however, the courts abandoned this course. A trio of decisions in Disney, Stone v. Ritter, and Lyondell reiterated what had long been clear prior to 2003, that directors will not face personal liability for the breach of the duty of care. Instead, such liability is limited to situations where directors’ actions or omissions evidence intent to harm the corporation. The Article also assesses Delaware’s response to the 2008 financial crisis. Thus far, Delaware courts have avoided staking out territory with respect to financial oversight. However, on central governance issues such as shareholder voting the legislature and courts are making an effort to preserve state primacy. The legislature, led by Delaware’s bar, moved quickly in 2009 to try to blunt progress on federal proxy access. In spring 2009 the legislature amended Delaware’s corporate statute to affirm shareholders’ rights to gain access to a corporation’s proxy machinery through binding bylaw amendment. In addition, the Delaware Bar Association formally opposed the Securities and Exchange Commission’s more comprehensive proxy access proposal. In contrast, the judiciary’s renewed commitment to shield corporate directors from personal liability tied the courts’ hands in ways that made it difficult to respond doctrinally to the financial crisis. Thus, in Citigroup the court declined to break new ground on directors’ obligations to monitor corporate risk, but on the core issue of executive compensation the court reopened a path for recovery that had seemed until then to be firmly shut. The survival of the plaintiffs’ waste claim in Citigroup seems part of Delaware courts’ efforts appear engaged on compensation issues.
Triple Bottom Line Accounting and Energy-Efficiency Retrofits in the Social-Housing Sector: A Case Study

ABSTRACT: This paper reports the findings of a case study conducted to learn about the information, actors, actions, and processes involved in energy-efficiency investment decisions in the social-housing sector. These decisions draw on environmental, social, and economic factors, which are studied from a “triple bottom line” (TBL) accounting perspective. The quantitative methods we use rely on Levels I, II, and III fair-value measures similar to those used in financial accounting. The qualitative methods rely primarily on interviews conducted and transcribed by the researchers. Our main findings show that a pure financial bottom-line approach would not fully indicate the overall desirability of the type of energy-efficiency investment undertaken in this case. By factoring in other quantitative and qualitative outcomes drawn from the research methods applied, a different conclusion may be reached. Data Availability: Available upon request from the authors.
Pooled Analysis of the CONFIRM Registries: Safety Outcomes in Diabetic Patients Treated With Orbital Atherectomy for Peripheral Artery Disease

Purpose To compare the acute outcomes of orbital atherectomy treatment in diabetic vs. non-diabetic patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods The CONFIRM registry series contained 1842 diabetic patients (1111 men; mean age 70.6±10.2 years) with 2819 lesions and 1247 non-diabetic patients (732 men; mean age 72.9±10.7 years) with 1885 lesions. The composite rate of procedure-related complications, including dissection, perforation, slow flow, vessel closure, spasm, embolism, and thrombus formation, was analyzed for the diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Results Diabetics were younger but had a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (p<0.001), renal disease (p<0.001), hypertension (p<0.001), hyperlipidemia (p<0.001), and lower ankle-brachial index scores (p=0.007). Diabetics had more severe PAD (Rutherford category 4–6; p<0.001), longer lesions (p<0.001), more infrapopliteal lesions (58% vs. 46%, p<0.001), and more lesions with severe and moderate calcium (86% vs. 78%, p<0.001). Diabetic and non-diabetic patients had the same (21.8%) composite rate of procedure-related complications, as well as similar rates of dissection (11.4% vs. 10.8%, p=0.68), embolism (2.2% vs. 2.4%, p=0.67), and thrombus formation (1.3% vs. 1.1%, p=0.75). However, diabetics had lower rates of perforation (0.5% vs. 1.1%, p=0.03) and spasm (5.5% vs. 7.6%, p=0.005), but a higher rate of slow flow (5.0% vs. 3.5%, p=0.02) and a tendency toward increased vessel closure (1.7% vs. 0.9%, p=0.06). Conclusion Plaque modification with orbital atherectomy resulted in similar low procedure-related complication rates in both the diabetic and non-diabetic groups, despite diabetics having more unfavorable baseline clinical and lesion characteristics. This study suggests that orbital atherectomy is a safe and effective treatment modality in both the diabetic and the non-diabetic populations.
The first square-planar copper(II) 1:2 complex with differently coordinated 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde 4-allylthiosemicarbazone ligands.

The title compound, [(Z)-4-allyl-2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)thiosemicarbazide-κS][(E)-4-allyl-1-(2-oxidobenzylidene)thiosemicarbazidato-κ(3)O,N(1),S]copper(II) monohydrate, [Cu(C(11)H(11)N(3)OS)(C(11)H(13)N(3)OS)]·H(2)O, crystallized as a rotational twin in the monoclinic crystal system (space group Cc) with two formula unit (Z' = 2) in the asymmetric unit, one of which contains an allyl substituent disordered over two positions. The Cu(II) atom exhibits a distorted square-planar geometry involving two differently coordinated thiosemicarbazone ligands. One ligand is bonded to the Cu(II) atom in a tridentate manner via the phenolate O, azomethine N and thioamide S atoms, while the other coordinates in a monodentate manner via the S atom only. The complex is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond, which creates a six-membered pseudo-chelate metalla-ring. The structure analysis indicates the presence of the E isomer for the tridentate ligand and the Z isomer for the monodentate ligand. The crystal structure contains a three-dimensional network built from intermolecular O-H.O, N-H.O, O-H.N and N-H.S hydrogen bonds.