Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
(89)Zr as a PET surrogate radioisotope for scouting biodistribution of the therapeutic radiometals (90)Y and (177)Lu in tumor-bearing nude mice after coupling to the internalizing antibody cetuximab.

UNLABELLED Immuno-PET as a scouting procedure before radioimmunotherapy (RIT) aims at confirming tumor targeting and accurately estimating radiation dose delivery to both tumor and normal tissues and might therefore be of value for selection of patient candidates for RIT. A prerequisite for this approach is that PET radioimmunoconjugates and RIT radioimmunoconjugates must show a similar biodistribution. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of the long-lived positron emitter (89)Zr to predict biodistribution of the residualizing therapeutic radiometals (88)Y (as a substitute for (90)Y) and (177)Lu when labeled to the monoclonal antibody (mAb) cetuximab via different types of chelates. Cetuximab was selected as a model mAb because it abundantly internalizes after binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor. METHODS Cetuximab was labeled with (89)Zr using succinylated desferrioxamine B (N-sucDf). The chelates p-benzyl isothiocyanate-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7, 10-tetraacetic acid (p-SCN-Bz-DOTA) and p-isothiocyanatobenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (p-SCN-Bz-DTPA) were both used for radiolabeling with (88)Y and (177)Lu. For measurement of the in vitro stability of each of the 5 radioimmunoconjugates, samples were incubated in freshly prepared human serum at 37 degrees C up to 16 d. Biodistribution was assessed at 24, 48, 72, and 144 h after intraperitoneal coinjection of the PET and RIT conjugates in nude mice bearing the squamous cell carcinoma xenograft line A431. RESULTS Cetuximab premodification with N-sucDf, p-SCN-Bz-DOTA, or p-SCN-Bz-DTPA resulted in chelate-to-mAb molar ratios of about 1. After radiolabeling and purification, the radiochemical purity and immunoreactive fraction of the conjugates always exceeded 97% and 93%, respectively. All conjugates were stable in serum, showing a radioactivity release of less than 5% until day 7. From day 7 until day 16, an enhanced release was observed for the (89)Zr-N-sucDf, (88)Y-p-SCN-Bz-DTPA, and (177)Lu-p-SCN-Bz-DTPA conjugates. The coinjected PET and RIT conjugates showed similar biodistributions, except for the thighbone and sternum. For example, the (89)Zr-N-sucDf conjugate showed a 2.0-2.5 times higher radioactivity accretion in the thighbone than did the RIT conjugates at 72 h after injection. CONCLUSION In view of the advantages of PET over SPECT, (89)Zr-immuno-PET is a promising modality for in vivo scouting of (90)Y- and (177)Lu-labeled mAbs, although care should be taken when estimating bone marrow doses.
Dissipative Stability Conditions for Linear Coupled Differential-Difference Systems via a Dynamical Constraints Approach

In this short note, we derive dissipative conditions with slack variables for a linear coupled differential-difference (CDDS) via constructing a Krasovskii functional. The approach can be interpreted as a generalization of the Finsler Lemma approach for standard LTI systems proposed previously in \cite{de2001stability}. We also show that the proposed slack variables scheme is equivalent to the approach based on directly substituting the system trajectory $\dot{\bm{x}}(t)$, similar to the case of LTI system.
Investment Beliefs that Matter: New Insights into the Value Drivers of Pension Funds

A direct relationship between the observed investment beliefs held by pension funds and performance measures is tested using an international sample of pension funds. Investment beliefs address strategic choices in the investment philosophy and process that affect the future performance of the fund. Data from over 600 funds between 1992 and 2006 show that the debates in the pension fund industry address the relevant issues: active management, alternative and new, innovative strategies. The addition of these activities does not necessarily improve the overall performance of a fund, and it may eventually offset the fund’s cost and net returns advantage due to its size. We find that the beliefs to which a fund adheres affect its success; the thorough consideration of the relationships between beliefs is equally important.
Predominantly electronic or personal service delivery? a case in the wealth management context

In today’s economy, firms are affected by various government regulations that have implications for their information systems (IS). Regulatory pressure has become a major driver behind IS adoption. Nevertheless, it is currently unknown how regulatory pressure affects adoption success. Using an institutional theory lens, this research proposes that regulatory pressure affects some well established success factors of IS adoption. In particular, we hypothesise that regulatory pressure has a positive effect on top management support, project champion and formal project management; but a negative effect on project team competence. Hypotheses will be tested using a survey approach.
Morphine withdrawal produces circadian rhythm alterations of clock genes in mesolimbic brain areas and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in rats

Previous studies have shown that clock genes are expressed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, other brain regions, and peripheral tissues. Various peripheral oscillators can run independently of the SCN. However, no published studies have reported changes in the expression of clock genes in the rat central nervous system and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after withdrawal from chronic morphine treatment. Rats were administered with morphine twice daily at progressively increasing doses for 7 days; spontaneous withdrawal signs were recorded 14 h after the last morphine administration. Then, brain and blood samples were collected at each of eight time points (every 3 h: ZT 9; ZT 12; ZT 15; ZT 18; ZT 21; ZT 0; ZT 3; ZT 6) to examine expression of rPER1 and rPER2 and rCLOCK. Rats presented obvious morphine withdrawal signs, such as teeth chattering, shaking, exploring, ptosis, and weight loss. In morphine‐treated rats, rPER1 and rPER2 expression in the SCN, basolateral amygdala, and nucleus accumbens shell showed robust circadian rhythms that were essentially identical to those in control rats. However, robust circadian rhythm in rPER1 expression in the ventral tegmental area was completely phase‐reversed in morphine‐treated rats. A blunting of circadian oscillations of rPER1 expression occurred in the central amygdala, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens core, and PBMCs and rPER2 expression occurred in the central amygdala, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens core, and PBMCs in morphine‐treated rats compared with controls. rCLOCK expression in morphine‐treated rats showed no rhythmic change, identical to control rats. These findings indicate that withdrawal from chronic morphine treatment resulted in desynchronization from the SCN rhythm, with blunting of rPER1 and rPER2 expression in reward‐related neurocircuits and PBMCs.
High Plasma Concentrations of Sclerostin, an Inhibitor of the WNT Signaling Pathway, in Young Horses Affected by Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis (OC) is a developmental disease in horses with a significant impact on the horse’s welfare and performance. The early disturbance of enchondral ossification progresses to inflammatory and healing process in older horses. Metabolic pathway analysis showed an obvious dysregulation of several signaling pathways related to cartilage formation and cartilage repair such as Wnt/β-catenin, Indian hedgehog and TGF-β signaling pathways. Other regulated genes appeared to be involved in high carbohydrate diet, abnormal insulin metabolism or inflammation. Sclerostin is an osteocyte-secreted soluble antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. It is crucial for osteoblast development and activity and is increased in naturally occurring lesions of equine osteochondrosis. The aim of this study is to compare the circulating sclerostin levels between OC-affected (n = 20) and healthy horses (n = 19). A significant linear regression between plasma sclerostin and age is observed especially in the healthy young horses. The mean plasma sclerostin concentration is significantly higher in young horses suffering from osteochondrosis compared to the control horses. These results reinforce the possible role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the OC pathogeny. The inhibition of this essential pathway could disturb the osteo-chondral differentiation. More studies are currently needed to define the eventual clinic interest of plasma sclerostin as future biomarker in bone and cartilage diseases.
Nitric oxide and antioxidant enzymes in venous and cord blood of late preterm and term omani mothers.

OBJECTIVES This study assessed the role of oxidative stress in parturition in Omani mothers following growing reports that late preterm neonates were at greater risk than term neonates of perinatal death. METHODS Venous blood samples were collected during labour, and cord (neonatal) blood samples were taken after childbirth in late preterm and term from women at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman. Plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, erythrocyte catalase (CAT). Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured using spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS When compared with term mothers, late preterm mothers had markedly higher NO concentrations (μmol/L) 17.1 ± 3.3 versus 11.0 ± 5.5 (P <0.0001), and lower GPx values (U/g Hb) 94.1 ± 12.9 versus 110.4 ± 12.3 (P <0.0001). Late preterm mothers were significantly younger (P = 0.027) than term mothers and had neonates that weighed significantly less (P <0.0001) than term neonates. GPx activity was significantly reduced (P = 0.001) in late preterm neonates as compared to term neonates. CAT showed no change in activity in any comparison. CONCLUSION Distinctly higher values of NO and lower GPx activity were found in late preterm mothers relative to term mothers; also, lower GPx in late preterm neonates relative to term neonates suggested a pro-oxidant-antioxidant imbalance due to the greater oxidative burden in late preterm parturition.
The costs of informal care : looking inside the household

Informal care - a growing concern the carers becoming a carer - anticipating the financial consequences incomes and other resources of the disabled people carers' incomes I - the impact of giving care on employment and earnings carers' incomes II - the impact of social security household incomes and other resources the extra costs of disability and care-giving patterns of responsibility and control over household financial management the overall financial impact of caring developing financial support for informal carers - policies for the future.
The TrustCoM General Virtual Organization Agreement Component

The TrustCoM framework offers a paradigm for automating trust, security and contract management in dynamic VOs. In TrustCoM, contracts are the key means to steer VO collaborations and to mitigate risks inherent in integrating processes and resources across organizational boundaries. The General Virtual Organization Agreement (GVOA) is central to this concept of management through agreements. It encapsulates collaboration rules, policies and service level agreements at both the VO and member levels. The GVOA also incorporates legal aspects of the VO relationship to expedite dispute settlement. As the “rules of the game”, the GVOA states the terms of reference for a VO throughout its lifetime. We have developed a GVOA Manager as part of the VO Management component for the TrustCoM reference implementation and present here an overview of its design and usage within the framework.
Operant Conditioning of Activities of Daily Living on a Psychogeriatric Ward: A Simple Method

On a psychogeriatric ward a simple token economy was established by handing out coffee and cigarette tickets for demands of concrete Activities of Daily Living from 14 men and 16 women. During the treatment period the number of target behaviors increased dramatically and many positive spin-off effects were observed. It was concluded that simple token economies of even 18 weeks can easily be introduced and administered and produce decisive positive changes with respect to psychogeriatric patients' activities of daily living, staff attitudes, and ward atmosphere.
The Optimal Pricing Scheme when Consumer is Habit Forming

This article analyses how consumers’ habit formation affects firms pricing policy. Sophisticated and naive consumers are considered. The former realize that their current consumption will affect future consumption, the latter do not. Our main result, both with symmetric and asymmetric information, is that under naive habit formation, the optimal pricing pattern is a three part tariff, namely a fixed fee, an amount of units priced below cost and after their end pricing above marginal cost. Different from Grubb (2009), we claim that only one mistake, in our case underestimation of future demand, is sufficient for three part tariff to be optimal. ∗Department of Economics. Lancaster University Management School. e.triviza@lancaster.ac. uk
Comparison of the in vitro activity of terbinafine and lanoconazole against dermatophytes

The objective of this study was to compare the antifungal activity of terbinafine (TERB) with that of lanoconazole (LAN). Test isolates, which were clinical isolates of Japanese origin, included 10 strains each of Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TERB and LAN against each dermatophyte isolate was determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute microbroth methodology, M38‐A2. Minimum fungicidal concentrations were determined by subculturing the contents of each visibly clear well from the MIC assay for colony count. All LAN MICs were ≤0.008 μg ml−1, while the TERB range was 0.008–0.03 μg ml−1. Moreover, by standard definition, LAN was fungistatic against most strains, whereas TERB was fungicidal. Both LAN and TERB demonstrated potent antifungal activity against dermatophytes; however, the lack of fungicidal activity by LAN needs to be evaluated in terms of potential clinical efficacy.
Alterations of tau and VASP during microcystin‐LR‐induced cytoskeletal reorganization in a human liver cell line

Previously, we have reported alterations to HSP27 during Microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR)‐induced cytoskeletal reorganization in the human liver cell line HL7702. To further elucidate the detailed mechanism of MC‐LR‐induced cytoskeletal assembly, we focused on two cytoskeletal‐related proteins, Tau and VASP. These two proteins phosphorylated status influences their ability to bind and stabilize cytoskeleton. We found that MC‐LR markedly increased the level of Tau phosphorylation with the dissociation of phosphorylated Tau from the cytoskeleton. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of Tau induced by MC‐LR was suppressed by an activator of PP2A and by an inhibitor of p38 MAPK. VASP was also hyperphosphorylated upon MC‐LR exposure; however, its phosphorylation appeared to regulate its cellular localization rather than cytoskeletal dynamics, and its phosphorylation was unaffected by the PP2A activator. These data suggest that phosphorylated Tau is regulated by p38 MAPK, possibly as a consequence of PP2A inhibition. Tau hyperphosphorylation is likely an important factor leading to the cytoskeletal destabilization triggered by MC‐LR and the role of VASP alteration upon MC‐LR exposure needs to be studied further. To our knowledge, the finding that Tau is implicated in cytoskeletal destabilization in MC‐LR‐treated hepatocytes and MC‐LR‐induced VASP's alteration has not been reported previously. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 92–100, 2015.
KRAS (but not BRAF) mutations in ovarian serous borderline tumour are associated with recurrent low‐grade serous carcinoma

BRAF and KRAS mutations in ovarian serous borderline tumours (OSBTs) and ovarian low‐grade serous carcinomas (LGSCs) have been previously described. However, whether those OSBTs would progress to LGSCs or whether those LGSCs were developed from OSBT precursors in previous studies is unknown. Therefore, we assessed KRAS and BRAF mutations in tumour samples from 23 recurrent LGSC patients with a known initial diagnosis of OSBT. Paraffin blocks from both OSBT and LGSC samples were available for five patients, and either OSBTs or LGSCs were available for another 18 patients. Tumour cells from paraffin‐embedded tissues were dissected out for mutation analysis by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Tumours that appeared to have wild‐type KRAS by conventional PCR–Sanger sequencing were further analysed by full COLD (co‐amplification at lower denaturation temperature)‐PCR and deep sequencing. Full COLD‐PCR was able to enrich the amplification of mutated alleles. Deep sequencing was performed with the Ion Torrent personal genome machine (PGM). By conventional PCR–Sanger sequencing, BRAF mutation was detected only in one patient and KRAS mutations were detected in ten patients. Full COLD‐PCR deep sequencing detected low‐abundance KRAS mutations in eight additional patients. Three of the five patients with both OSBT and LGSC samples available had the same KRAS mutations detected in both OSBT and LGSC samples. The remaining two patients had only KRAS mutations detected in their LGSC samples. For patients with either OSBT or LGSC samples available, KRAS mutations were detected in seven OSBT samples and six LGSC samples. Surprisingly, patients with the KRAS G12V mutation have shorter survival times. In summary, KRAS mutations are very common in recurrent LGSC, while BRAF mutations are rare. The findings indicate that recurrent LGSC can arise from proliferation of OSBT tumour cells with or without detectable KRAS mutations. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternative Methods of Taxing Personal Income: Administrative Issues

Abstract This paper complements research addressing policy design issues on alternative options of taxing personal income. As there is a paucity of scholarly research that addresses national tax agency management and tax administration issues we rely on published comparative studies from international agencies to outline recent trends in personal income tax and VAT administration. The paper focuses on the parties in the tax environment and specifically highlights the importance of tax compliance research as well as studying the effects of compliance costs. The paper then discusses prior behavioral research on taxpayers’ attitudes and preferences within the context of complex tax systems. Keywords: tax administration; tax compliance; personal taxation; consumption taxes JEL Descriptors: H20, H24 1 Paper presented at the Conference “Alternative Methods of Taxing Individuals”, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 7-9 June 2006. We thank David Holmes (OECD) and Chris Evans (ATAX) for their helpful comments.
Neither Short-term Sprint nor Endurance Training Enhances Thermal Response to Exercise in a Hot Environment

Improvements in fitness from a brief period of physical training may elicit sufficient physiological adaptations to decrease thermal strain during exercise in the heat. This study tested heat adaptation from short-term endurance (ET) and sprint-interval (SIT) training in moderately fit individuals. The ET group (n = 8) cycled at 65% for 8 sessions (4 sessions each at 60 and 90 min, respectively) over two weeks, while the SIT group (n = 8) performed repeated 30-s Wingate sprints (resistance 7.5% body mass; 4 sessions each of 4 and 5 sprints, respectively). and heat stress testing (HST; 60 min cycling at 65% at 35ºC, 40% relative humidity) were performed pre- and post-training. increased by 11% (p = 0.025) and 14% (p = 0.020) for the ET and SIT groups post-training, respectively. Thermal stress was similar pre- and post-training, with no significant difference in the rate of whole-body metabolic heat production (p = 0.106) for either group post-training. Cardiovascular improvement was evident with both ET and SIT, with a significant mean decrease (p = 0.014) in HR for both groups (ET: 146 ± 15 beats·min−1pre vs. 142 ± 12 beats·min−1post; SIT: 149 ± 15 beats·min−1pre vs. 146 ± 12 beats·min−1post) during the HST post-training. However, mean sweat loss (p = 0.248) and the rise in core temperature (p = 0. 260) did not change significantly comparing pre- and post-training HST. While short-term ET and SIT both induced significant improvements in aerobic fitness and decreased cardiovascular strain, neither elicited improved thermal responses during exercise in the heat and do not replace heat acclimatization.
Friend of GATA 2 Physically Interacts with Chicken Ovalbumin Upstream Promoter-TF2 (COUP-TF2) and COUP-TF3 and Represses COUP-TF2-dependent Activation of the Atrial Natriuretic Factor Promoter*

Friend of GATA (FOG)-2 is a multi-zinc finger transcriptional corepressor protein that binds specifically to GATA4. Gene targeting studies have demonstrated that FOG-2 is required for normal cardiac morphogenesis, including the development of the coronary vasculature, left ventricular compact zone, and heart valves. To better understand the molecular mechanisms by which FOG-2 regulates these cardiac developmental programs, we screened a mouse day 11 embryo library using a yeast two-hybrid interaction trap with the fifth and sixth zinc fingers of FOG-2 as bait. Using this approach, we isolated clones encoding the orphan nuclear receptors chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor (COUP-TF) 2 and COUP-TF3. COUP-TF2-null embryos die during embryonic development with defective angiogenesis and cardiac defects, a pattern that partly resembles the FOG-2-null phenotype. The interaction between COUP-TF2 and FOG-2 in mammalian cells was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation of these proteins from transfected COS-7 cells. The sites of binding interaction between COUP-TF2 and FOG-2 were mapped to zinc fingers 5 and 6 and fingers 7 and 8 of FOG-2 and to the carboxyl terminus of the COUP-TF proteins. Binding to COUP-TF2 was specific because FOG-2 did not interact with the ligand-binding domains of retinoid X receptor α, glucocorticoid receptor, and peroxisome proliferating antigen receptor γ, which are related to the COUP-TF proteins. Full-length FOG-2 markedly enhanced transcriptional repression by GAL4-COUP-TF2(117–414), but not by a COUP-TF2 repression domain mutant. Moreover, FOG-2 repressed COUP-TF2dependent synergistic activation of the atrial natriuretic factor promoter by both GATA4 and the FOG-2-independent mutant GATA4-E215K. Taken together, these findings suggest that FOG-2 functions as a corepressor for both GATA and COUP-TF proteins.
Senior Management Teams: Member Roles and Team Effectiveness within Large Hospitality Organisations

Over the years many scholars have undertaken extensive research to demonstrate the necessary qualities needed by a manager to achieve success (Proehl, 1997). These studies have identified principles such as academic qualifications, industrial experience and personal achievements as the common tools contributing to managerial success. As the dynamics of doing business has evolved, organisations today are forming work teams as a new approach in working towards the achievement of goals. Teamwork has emerged as a new managerial concept as individuals can not possibly carry out the broad range of skills and functions needed for managerial success. Therefore, a team of individuals can be more effective than an individual due to their combination of strengths in varying roles (Proehl, 1997).