Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside. A specific method for activating AMP-activated protein kinase in intact cells?

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is believed to protect cells against environmental stress (e.g. heat shock) by switching off biosynthetic pathways, the key signal being elevation of AMP. Identification of novel targets for the kinase cascade would be facilitated by development of a specific agent for activating the kinase in intact cells. Incubation of rat hepatocytes with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) results in accumulation of the monophosphorylated derivative (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside; ZMP) within the cell. ZMP mimics both activating effects of AMP on AMPK, i.e. direct allosteric activation and promotion of phosphorylation by AMPK kinase. Unlike existing methods for activating AMPK in intact cells (e.g. fructose, heat shock), AICAR does not perturb the cellular contents of ATP, ADP or AMP. Incubation of hepatocytes with AICAR activates AMPK due to increased phosphorylation, causes phosphorylation and inactivation of a known target for AMPK (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase), and almost total cessation of two of the known target pathways, i.e. fatty acid and sterol synthesis. Incubation of isolated adipocytes with AICAR antagonizes isoprenaline-induced lipolysis. This provides direct evidence that the inhibition by AMPK of activation of hormone-sensitive lipase by cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase, previously demonstrated in cell-free assays, also operates in intact cells. AICAR should be a useful tool for identifying new target pathways and processes regulated by the protein kinase cascade.
How and when organizational integration efforts matter in South Korea: a psychological process perspective on the post-merger integration

Both business practitioners and researchers have demonstrated growing interest in organizations' post-merger integration (PMI) efforts in mergers and acquisitions (M&As). However, relatively little attention has been paid to actions directed toward the organizations' internal members. To complement the prevailing macro-level interest in PMI, the current study focuses on a psychological process that links PMI efforts and turnover intention through relative deprivation. Specifically, given that many employees typically experience relative deprivation during the M&A process, we examine whether perceptions about an organization's sincere PMI efforts reduce employees' relative deprivation and whether relative deprivation is, in turn, related to employee turnover intention. In addition, we investigate whether employees' trust in top management can serve as a boundary condition for the relationship between the perception of sincere integration efforts and relative deprivation. The results of a field survey from 271 employees at a merged company in South Korea demonstrate that relative deprivation mediates the negative relationship between the sincere integration efforts and turnover intention. Furthermore, the mediated relationship is effective only under high trust in top management. Study limitations and implications for research and practice are discussed.
Anti‐Angiogenesis: New Concept for Therapy of Solid Tumors

SOLID tumor growth in animals and in man is accompanied by neovascularization. New capillary growth is elicited by a diffusible factor generated by malignant tumor cells. In the absence of neovascularization most tumors might become dormant at a tiny diameter, perhaps 2-3 mm.9' 10 Although evidence for these statements is still indirect and fragmentary, it seems appropriate to speculate that the inhibition of angiogenesis, i.e., anti-angiogenesis, may provide a form of cancer therapy worthy of serious exploration. The evidence for such a contention, based on recent findings in our own laboratory and others, will be examined in this report.
Adaptive Device Discovery in Bluetooth Low Energy Networks

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a newly emerged technology targeting at low-power, low-cost wireless communications within medium or short range. Since BLE is well designed in favor of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) or Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs), fast network access has been considered an important issue for users. This paper studies the performance about BLE device discovery particularly with multiple devices. An analytical model is developed, based on classical ALOHA analysis, in consideration of three advertising channels of BLE. In addition, an enhanced mechanism is proposed enabling BLE scanner/initiator to learn the network contention and adjust parameters accordingly, so as to achieve lower latency. Through extensive simulations, the model has been validated highly accurate, and the proposed mechanism has shown its effectiveness in reducing unexpected long latency in crowd BLE networks.
Development and Bicultural Validation of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale

The development and bicultural validation of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS)—a 20 item, multidimensional, composite measure of sexual satisfaction—is presented. The development of the scale was based on a five-dimension, conceptual model that emphasized the importance of multiple domains of sexual behavior including sexual sensations, sexual awareness and focus, sexual exchange, emotional closeness, and sexual activity. Scale construction and validation were carried out using seven independent samples with over 2,000 participants aged 18 to 55 in Croatia and the United States. Primary data collection was completed using online survey tools. Analyses did not confirm the proposed conceptual framework but suggested a two-dimensional structure focusing on self (“ego-centered”) and the other (a “partner- and sexual activity-centered” factor) domains, each containing items representing all five conceptual dimensions. Scale reliability (k = 20) was satisfactory for all samples, and construct validity was confirmed in both cultures. The NSSS was also found to have acceptable one-month stability. It is suggested that the NSSS may be a useful tool for assessing sexual satisfaction regardless of a person's gender, sexual orientation, and relationship status.
Error-erasure decoding of product codes (Corresp.)

Two error-erasure decoding algorithms for product codes that correct all the error-erasure patterns guaranteed correctable by the minimum Hamming distance of the product code are given. The first algorithm works when at least one of the component codes is majority-logic decodable. The second algorithm works for any product code. Both algorithms use the decoders of the component codes.
Response to tamoxifen in estrogen receptor‐poor metastatic breast cancer

While hormone receptor values are extremely valuable in breast cancer management, many variables leading to falsely negative receptor results should be considered before clinical decision making in the setting of metastatic disease. At the Papanicolaou Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, Florida 271 patients with metastatic breast cancer received tamoxifen over a 4‐year period. Only 40 of the 204 patients (19.6%) with available estrogen receptor assay information had pretreatment receptor values classically considered receptor‐poor. While four patients had inevaluable tamoxifen trials and 12 patients had “compassionate” use in end‐stage situations, 24 patients received tamoxifen therapy in the face of receptor‐poor values because of clinical or histopathological correlates suggesting the possibility of false negative assay results. Six of 36 evaluable patients (16.6%), including those treated on “compassionate grounds,” responded to tamoxifen, while 6 of 24 more highly selected patients (25%) responded. Response durations in these six patients were 11, 12, 28, 28+, 49, and 51 months, respectively; two of these six also had significant, objective tamoxifen withdrawal responses of 9 and 14 months. Based on these results, it is urged that receptor values are studied and integrated with classical clinical and histopathologic variables before making a clinical decision so that patients with receptor‐poor assay results are not prematurely labeled hormonally unresponsive.
Investment decision making by using fuzzy candlestick pattern and genetic algorithm

This paper proposed an approach to extract fuzzy candlestick patterns from financial time series and select a set of patterns for investment decision making. The candlestick chart in stock market is a widely used technical analysis model. The investor observes the candlestick chart and makes investment decisions by identifying patterns in the chart. We use fuzzy linguistic variables to model candlestick chart and extract patterns from the chart. A Genetic algorithm based approach is used to select a set of extracted pattern as the background knowledge in the system for investment decision making. The advantage of the proposed approach is the investment knowledge is comprehensible, editable, and visible. The user can set different range of historical financial time series to extract and select different set of patterns. The experimental results shows that the investment decisions based on selected fuzzy patterns have better investment performance than using original non-fuzzy patterns.
Working Papers in Trade and Development Intra-Regional Trade in East Asia: The Decoupling Fallacy, Crisis, and Policy Challenges

This paper examines the export experience of East Asian economies in the aftermaths of the global financial crisis against the backdrop of pre-crisis trade patterns. The analysis is motivated by the ‘decoupling’ thesis, which was a popular theme in the Asian policy circles in the lead-up to the onset of the recent financial crisis, and aims to probe three key issues: Was the East Asian trade integration story that underpinned the decoupling thesis simply a statistical artifact or the massive export contraction caused by an overreaction of traders to the global economic crisis and/or by the drying up of trade credit, which overpowered the cushion provided by intra-regional trade? What are the new policy challenges faced by the East Asian economies? Is there room for an integrated policy response that marks a clear departure from the pre-crisis policy stance favoring export-oriented growth? The findings caution against a possible policy backlash against openness to foreign trade arising from the new-found enthusiasm for rebalancing growth, and make a strong case for a long-term commitment to non-discriminatory multilateral and unilateral trade liberalization. JEL Classification: E32, F15, F40, O53
The Effects of Bank Monitoring on a Firm’s Cash Holding Policy and Value of Cash

This paper tests whether creditors affect a firm’s cash reserves and the value of cash via covenants and violations of bank loan contracts. Our results show that tight covenants induce firms to increase their cash balances. Borrowers tend to increase cash reserves after covenant violations by liquidating net working capital and reducing the payout ratio. We also find that covenant violations impact high growth firms, because they are more sensitive to changes in cash reserves. Finally, our results show that the effects of bank monitoring on a firm’s cash holdings are more significant during the financial crisis period. Key words: Bank loan, cash holdings, covenant violation, value of cash
Diurnal Variation in Anaerobic Performance: Effect of Core Body Temperature

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of circadian rhythm on anaerobic performance and body temperature determined through three different methods. Ten elite male taekwondo athletes (average age: 23.9±2.7 years, height: 178.7±4.9 cm, body mass: 72.1±7.8 kg, training experience: 12.5±4.9 years) participated in the study. The body temperatures of the participants were measured in the morning of the first day, (between 09:00-10:00 a.m.), and in the early evening (between 16:00-17:00 p.m.) through three different methods (Core body temperature, tympanic temperature, and skin surface temperature). The participants performed Wingate test (WT) both in the morning and in the early evening. Core body temperature was significantly higher in early evening than it was in the morning (p 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between morning and early evening for peak power, mean power, and fatigue index values (p>0.05). As a result, a significant increase was observed in core body temperature in early evening compared to morning, but this increase did not show a positive effect on anaerobic performance.
Neuroticism as a Predictor of Outcome in Depression

Low levels of neuroticism have variably been associated with a better outcome of depressive disorders but the interpretation of this phenomenon is clouded by the knowledge that severity of depression may itself confound ratings of neuroticism. To clarify any relationship between neuroticism and outcome, the authors assessed the predictability of neuroticism (as assessed by questionnaire, psychiatrist rating, and subject self-report) in separate groups of psychiatric patients and symptomatic volunteers with nonmelancholic depression. Depressives' judgments of their own neuroticism correlated with neuroticism scores on the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI), but neither of these measures predicted improvement at 6 nor 20 weeks. Judgments of neuroticism made by psychiatrists, which did not correlate with EPI neuroticism scores, did predict improvement. The study suggests that differences in defining neuroticism contribute to its variable association with outcome and further suggests the relevance of clinically assessing neuroticism as a personality variable.
Listeria monocytogenes Subgroups IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC Delineate Genetically Distinct Populations with Varied Pathogenic Potential

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes lineage III strains belonging to subgroups IIIA (n = 8), IIIB (n = 5), and IIIC (n = 6) were examined along with other known serotype strains (n = 11) by PCR and Southern hybridization using several recently described species-, virulence-, and serotype-specific primers and probes. The virulence of seven representative lineage III strains was then evaluated in mice via the intraperitoneal route. The results suggest that subgroup IIIA consists of typical rhamnose-positive avirulent serotype 4a and virulent serotype 4c strains, subgroup IIIC consists of atypical rhamnose-negative virulent serotype 4c strains, and subgroup IIIB consists of atypical rhamnose-negative virulent non-serotype 4a and non-serotype 4c strains, some of which may be related to serotype 7. It is possible that subgroup IIIB (including serotype 7) may represent a novel subspecies within L. monocytogenes.
Evanescent delayed-type hypersensitivity: mediation by effector cells with a short life span.

Four days after i.v. immunization of mice with optimal low doses of heterologous erythrocytes (2 x 10(5) RBC), strong delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses can be elicited in the footpad. At later intervals after immunization, DTH responsiveness is progressively diminished and replaced by 4-hr antibody-dependent reactions. These evanescent T cell-mediated DTH responses, which are progressively replaced by antibody-dependent reactions, resemble Jones-Mote type delayed hypersensitivity responses of humans and guinea pigs. Since higher doses of immunizing antigen activate suppressor mechanisms that inhibit DTH responses, we examined the possibility that the evanescence of DTH in mice immunized with an optimal low dose of antigen might also be due to suppression. Using techniques that could clearly demonstrate the suppression produced by high antigen doses, we failed to find evidence for either humoral or cellular suppression in optimally immunized mice with declining of DTH responses. Thus, it appears that the evanescence of produced by optimal low dose immunization with RBC may be due to an intrinsic short life span of the effector cells rather than to the activation of an identifiable shut-off mechanism.
Diagnosis of machining outcomes based on machine learning with Logical Analysis of Data

Force is considered to be one of the indicators that best describe the machining process. Measured force can be used to evaluate the quality and geometric profile of the machined part. In this paper, a combinatorial optimization approach is used to characterize the effect of force on the quality of a machined part made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) material. The approach is called Logical Analysis of Data (LAD) and is based on machine learning and pattern recognition. LAD is used in order to map the machining conditions, in terms of force and torque that lead to conforming products and those which lead to nonconforming products. In this paper, the LAD technique is applied to the drilling of CFRP plates, and the results, based on data obtained experimentally, are reported. A discussion of the potential use of LAD in manufacturing concludes the paper.
Pulmonary nodules detected at cardiac CT: comparison of images in limited and full fields of view.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of detection of pulmonary nodules on cardiac CT scans acquired with a limited field of view with the frequency of detection at full field of view. CONCLUSION Viewing of cardiac CT scans obtained only at a limited field of view can result in missing more than 67% of nodules larger than 1 cm and more than 80% of nodules smaller than 1 cm.
TNFR-Associated Factors 2 and 5 Differentially Regulate the Instructive IL-6 Receptor Signaling Required for Th17 Development

IL-17–producing CD4+ T cells (Th17 cells) regulate host defense and immune pathogenesis, and IL-6 plays an important role for the differentiation of Th17 cells. We have previously identified that TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)5 binds to the signal-transducing receptor gp130 through the C-terminal TRAF domain and inhibits Th17 development mediated by IL-6. Although gp130 has TRAF-binding motifs that can be recognized by other TRAF family proteins, it is unclear how TRAFs regulate IL-6–driven Th17 differentiation in general. Using retrovirus-mediated gene complementation and gene silencing approaches, we found that not only TRAF5 but also TRAF2 restrained the IL-6R signaling, whereas TRAF1, TRAF3, TRAF4, and TRAF6 did not. Traf2 silencing further promoted the ability of naive CD4+ T cells from Traf5−/− mice to differentiate into Th17 cells. Notably, TRAF5 but not TRAF2 expressed in naive CD4+ T cells was rapidly downregulated after TCR triggering, which indicates that TRAF5 specifically inhibits instructive IL-6 signals in the initial stage of Th17 development. Collectively, our results demonstrate a dedicated role for TRAF2 and TRAF5 in the process of IL-6–mediated Th17 development and a differential role for TCR signaling in regulation of TRAF2 and TRAF5. Therefore, both TRAF2 and TRAF5 work as important regulators of the IL-6R signaling needed for Th17 development.
The RNA binding protein EWS is broadly involved in the regulation of pri-miRNA processing in mammalian cells

Abstract The Ewing Sarcoma protein (EWS) is a multifaceted RNA binding protein (RBP) with established roles in transcription, pre-mRNA processing and DNA damage response. By generating high quality EWS–RNA interactome, we uncovered its specific and prevalent interaction with a large subset of primary microRNAs (pri-miRNAs) in mammalian cells. Knockdown of EWS reduced, whereas overexpression enhanced, the expression of its target miRNAs. Biochemical analysis revealed that multiple elements in target pri-miRNAs, including the sequences flanking the stem–loop region, contributed to high affinity EWS binding and sequence swap experiments between target and non-target demonstrated that the flanking sequences provided the specificity for enhanced pri-miRNA processing by the Microprocessor Drosha/DGCR8. Interestingly, while repressing Drosha expression, as reported earlier, we found that EWS was able to enhance the recruitment of Drosha to chromatin. Together, these findings suggest that EWS may positively and negatively regulate miRNA biogenesis via distinct mechanisms, thus providing a new foundation to understand the function of EWS in development and disease.
The Effect of Federal Debt Management Policy on Corporate Bond and Equity Yields

In theory, Federal debt management policy potentially plays an important role in determining Treasury and private security yields. However, empirical studies have been unable to detect any significant effects from Federal debt management. In large part the insignificance of relative asset supply effects associated with Federal debt management policy may result from the use of unrestricted reduced- form models of interest rate determination. Using a disaggregated structural model of the markets for corporate bonds, equities, and four distinct maturity classes of Treasury securities. Federal debt management policy is found to significantly affect Treasury and private security yields. Furthermore, the yields on corporate bonds and equities are influenced disproportionately.
The Young and the Elderly at Risk: Individual Outcomes and Contemporary Policy Challenges in European Societies

v Dedication . vii Acknowledgements . ix Preface by Wim van Oorschot . x
Rapamycin administration in humans blocks the contraction‐induced increase in skeletal muscle protein synthesis

Muscle protein synthesis and mTORC1 signalling are concurrently stimulated following muscle contraction in humans. In an effort to determine whether mTORC1 signalling is essential for regulating muscle protein synthesis in humans, we treated subjects with a potent mTORC1 inhibitor (rapamycin) prior to performing a series of high‐intensity muscle contractions. Here we show that rapamycin treatment blocks the early (1–2 h) acute contraction‐induced increase (∼40%) in human muscle protein synthesis. In addition, several downstream components of the mTORC1 signalling pathway were also blunted or blocked by rapamycin. For instance, S6K1 phosphorylation (Thr421/Ser424) was increased post‐exercise 6‐fold in the control group while being unchanged with rapamycin treatment. Furthermore, eEF2 phosphorylation (Thr56) was reduced by ∼25% post‐exercise in the control group but phosphorylation following rapamycin treatment was unaltered, indicating that translation elongation was inhibited. Rapamycin administration prior to exercise also reduced the ability of raptor to associate with mTORC1 during post‐exercise recovery. Surprisingly, rapamycin treatment prior to resistance exercise completely blocked the contraction‐induced increase in the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) and blunted the increase in MNK1 (Thr197/202) phosphorylation. However, the phosphorylation of a known target of MNK1, eIF4E (Ser208), was similar in both groups (P > 0.05) which is consistent with the notion that rapamycin does not directly inhibit MAPK signalling. We conclude that mTORC1 signalling is, in part, playing a key role in regulating the contraction‐induced stimulation of muscle protein synthesis in humans, while dual activation of mTORC1 and ERK1/2 stimulation may be required for full stimulation of human skeletal muscle protein synthesis.