Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solution Structure and Antiestrogenic Activity of the Unique C-terminal, NR-box Motif-containing Region of MTA1s*

Metastasis tumor-associated 1 short form (MTA1s) is a naturally occurring, alternatively spliced variant of MTA1 that functions as a repressor of estrogen receptor (ER) α transcriptional functions, at least in part by binding and sequestering ERα in the cytoplasm. A unique C-terminal 33-amino acid region containing a nuclear receptor (NR)-box motif (-LRILL-) mediates binding of MTA1s with ERα and is indispensable in this interaction. Here, we elucidated the solution structure of this 33-amino acid region by NMR spectroscopy. We found a predominance of the α-helical region toward the N-terminal region, which includes the NR-box motif. In silico docking and comparison studies showed similarities between the NR-box motif of MTA1s and a similar motif of coregulators, both in structure and mode of ERα binding. In MCF-7 breast cancer cells, the MTA1s peptide effectively repressed ERα transactivation function, as evidenced by the estrogen response element-luc assay and down-regulation of estrogen-induced genes. In mechanistic studies, we found that the antiestrogenic effects of the MTA1s peptide were due to its ability to compete with the coactivator recruitment to ERα. Furthermore, the peptide efficiently repressed estrogen-induced proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of MCF-7 cells. In addition, the MTA1s peptide blocked the progression of tumors formed by MCF-7 cells overexpressing an ERα coactivator in a xenograft-based assay. In brief, the characterization of structure and antiestrogenic activity of MTA1s peptide highlight its therapeutic potential.
The use of serological titres of IgA and IgG in (early) discrimination between rectal infection with non-lymphogranuloma venereum and lymphogranuloma venereum serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis

Objectives: To investigate whether serological titres of species-specific IgA and IgG antibodies in patients with rectal chlamydial infection could discriminate between infection with serovar L2 lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and infection with non-LGV serovars. Methods: A total of 39 male patients with chlamydial infection of the rectum were tested for titres of IgA and IgG antibodies within 14 days after detection of the infection and 6 and 12 months after adequate treatment. Data were collected regarding demographics, sexual orientation, HIV serostatus, history of chlamydial infection, concomitant sexually transmitted infection (STI) or HIV infection, hepatitis C virus antibodies and new STIs during follow-up. Results: Between May 2003 and November 2005, 24 men with confirmed L2 proctitis and 15 men with non-LGV rectal chlamydial infection were recruited. In multivariable analyses, both high titre of IgA within 14 days after detection of the infection and older age of the individual were found significantly associated with L2 proctitis (p<0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). A total sum score of seven times IgA titre and individual’s age ⩾50 years resulted in an overall sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 100%. This total sum score was highly accurate for detection of LGV proctitis, with an area under the curve in a receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.989. Conclusions: An increased IgA antibody response and the age of the infected individual are of possible diagnostic value for (early) detection of LGV proctitis.
Mouse phenotyping with near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging

We demonstrate the ability to non-invasively and quantitatively image lymphatic architecture and contractile function using dynamic near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging with injection of indocyanine green in normal and transgenic mice. Unlike normal mice, which showed well defined lymphatic drainage patterns and orthograde propagation of contraction waves, we observed tortuous and mispatterned lymphatic vessels and persistent retrograde lymph flow in mice with deficiency in Prox1, a transcription factor essential for lymphatic vascular development. NIR fluorescence imaging provides a method for quantifying lymphatic function for future studies designed to discern differences in lymphatic function in murine models of human lymphatic disease.
An approach for face recognition based on fusion of DTCWT and Manifold Regularized Orthogonal Discriminant Analysis

In this paper, a novel subspace learning method called Manifold Regularized Orthogonal Discriminant Analysis (MRODA) is first proposed. Based on within-class local geometry preservation and Least Square regression framework for LDA, MRODA can encode both the local geometry and discriminant structures of face data manifolds, and can address the small sample size problem through pseudo-inverse resolution. The transform vectors are orthogonalized to improve their discriminatory performance. Based on the selected Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform features, an approach for face recognition based on the fusion of spatial and frequency features is developed. Experimental results on ORL, Yale and AR face databases show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Highly manufacturable advanced gate-stack technology for sub-45-nm self-aligned gate-first CMOSFETs

Issues surrounding the integration of Hf-based high-/spl kappa/ dielectrics with metal gates in a conventional CMOS flow are discussed. The careful choice of a gate-stack process as well as optimization of other CMOS process steps enable robust metal/high-/spl kappa/ CMOSFETs with wide process latitude. HfO/sub 2/ of a 2-nm physical thickness shows a very minimal transient charge trapping resulting from kinetically suppressed crystallization. Thickness of metal electrode is also a critical factor to optimize physical-stress effects and minimize dopant diffusion. A high-temperature anneal after source/drain implantation in a conventional CMOSFET process is found to reduce the interface state density and improve the electron mobility. Even though MOSFET process using single midgap metal gate addresses fundamental issues related to implementing metal/high-/spl kappa/ stack, integrating two different metals on the same wafer (i.e., dual metal gate) poses several additional challenges, such as metal gate separation between n- and pMOS and gate-stack dry etch. We demonstrate that a dual metal gate CMOSFET yields high-performance devices even with a conventional gate-first approach if an appropriate metal separation between band-edge metal for nMOS and pMOS is incorporated. Optimization of dry-etch process enables gentle and complete removal of two different metal gate stacks on ultrathin high-/spl kappa/ layer.
A Method for Systemic Risk Estimation Based on CDS Indices

Abstract The copula-GARCH approach provides a flexible and versatile method for modeling multivariate time series. In this study we focus on describing the credit risk dependence pattern between real and financial sectors as it is described by two representative iTraxx indices. Multi-stage estimation is used for parametric ARMA-GARCH-copula models. We derive critical values for the parameter estimates using asymptotic, bootstrap and copula sampling methods. The results obtained indicate a positive symmetric dependence structure with statistically significant tail dependence coefficients. Goodness-of-Fit tests indicate which model provides the best fit to data.
A Checklist-Based Weighted Fuzzy Severity Approach for Calculating Operational Risk Exposure on Foreign Exchange Trades Under the Basel II Regime

It is well-known that any risk management activity is a cost to the organization. However, optimized risk management practices satisfy regulatory capital requirements and gain the confidence of investors who take calculated risks. A bank’s risk management division will generate a profit if it can develop methodologies to decrease the nonworking regulatory capital. This may be achieved only when the risks are measured using data from internal and external sources in conjunction with scenario analysis. One such method of measuring operational risk (OR) is the advanced measurement approach. This involves quantifying ORs across the various nodes within a bank following the loss distribution approach, in which the frequency and severity distributions of the loss-generating OR events are estimated from the data sources. These distributions are then used to generate the scenarios for frequency and its associated severity for estimating the OR capital. In our approach, the various levels of loss severity are mapped to a percentage of total trade exposure, and the occurrence frequency of an OR event is assumed to follow a binomial distribution.
Color Tuning Mechanism of Human Red and Green Visual Pigments

We investigated the molecular mechanism of a rather large red shift of 31 nm in a human red pigment compared with a human green pigment. In this analysis, we paid special attention to the phenomenon of nonadditivity of spectral shifts due to substitution of the key amino acids (OH‐bearing amino acids) and the phenomenon of cooperativity by which the spectral shifts due to substitution of the key amino acids in the protein environment of red pigment are about 1.5 times larger than that in the protein environment of green pigment. The analysis was made by using a model of three active sites on which the key amino acids are located and four effective sites by which the effect of the key amino acids is modified. As a result, we found that the interaction between the active sites that occurs through the repolarization of the chromophore induced by the key amino acid is essential for the nonadditivity phenomenon. We also found that the interaction between the active site and the effective site plays a major role in the cooperativity phenomenon. More directly, we say that the highly polarizable property of the chromophore is the origin of the rather large red shift in red pigment. Based on these analyses, we conclude that the interaction between the polarizable chromophore and the protein moiety has the capability of producing a significant spectral shift, at least 1000 cm1, even by substitution of moderate polar residues of the OH‐bearing amino acids.
Phosphorylation‐dependent and ‐independent functions of p130 cooperate to evoke a sustained G1 block

The retinoblastoma (pRb)‐related p130 pocket protein is a regulator of cell growth and differentiation, and a candidate tumour suppressor. Both pRb and p130 operate through interactions with cellular proteins, including the E2F transcription factors. While such interactions are controlled by phosphorylation of multiple sites of pRb, regulation of p130 remains poorly understood. We now identify 22 in vivo phosphorylation sites of p130, targeted by diverse kinases, and present evidence for three cyclin‐dependent kinase 4(6) [Cdk4(6)] specific phosphorylations, which appear critical for controlling the growth‐restraining activity of p130. When expressed in U2OS cells, the phosphorylation‐deficient mutant p130ΔCdk4, in which the Cdk4 specific sites were mutated to alanine residues, imposed a more sustained G1 arrest than a constitutively active pRbΔCdk, known to repress all cellular E2F activity. Experiments using p130ΔCdk4 and another phosphorylation‐deficient mutant, p130PM19A, with 19 phosphorylation sites mutated, revealed that the p130‐imposed G1 block reflects cooperative growth‐suppressive effects of phosphorylation‐regulated E2F binding and phosphorylation‐independent sequestration of cyclin E(A)–Cdk2 through the N‐terminal cyclin binding motif of p130.
Early manifestations of granulocytic ehrlichiosis in dogs inoculated experimentally with a Swedish Ehrlichia species isolate

Seven beagles were inoculated experimentally with a Swedish canine Ehrlichia species isolate to study its pathogenicity. With respect to the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the isolate was identical to the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent and closely related to both Ehrlichia equi and E phagocytophila. After an incubation period of four to 11 days, the most prominent clinical signs were high fever for two to five days and depression. AU the dogs developed profound thrombocytopenia, moderate leukopenia and a strong serological antibody response. Ehrlichial inclusions were detected in blood neutrophils from four to 14 days after inoculation for four to eight days. Ehrlichial DNA could be detected by polymerase chain reaction during the parasitaemic stage and a few days before and after microscopic inclusions were visible. Postmortem, the dogs showed reactive splenic hyperplasia and non-specific mononuclear reactive hepatitis.
beta-Amyloid(1-42) binds to alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor with high affinity. Implications for Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Alzheimer's disease pathology is characterized by the presence of neuritic plaques and the loss of cholinergic neurons in the brain. The underlying mechanisms leading to these events are unclear, but the 42-amino acid beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta(1-42)) is involved. Immunohistochemical studies on human sporadic Alzheimer's disease brains demonstrate that Abeta(1-42) and a neuronal pentameric cation channel, the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR), are both present in neuritic plaques and co-localize in individual cortical neurons. Using human brain tissues and cells that overexpress either alpha7nAChR or amyloid precursor protein as the starting material, Abeta(1-42) and alpha7nAChR can be co-immunoprecipitated by the respective specific antibodies, suggesting that they are tightly associated. The formation of the alpha7nAChR.Abeta(1-42) complex can be efficiently suppressed by Abeta(12-28), implying that this Abeta sequence region contains the binding epitope. Receptor binding experiments show that Abeta(1-42) and alpha7nAChR bind with high affinity, and this interaction can be inhibited by alpha7nAChR ligands. Human neuroblastoma cells overexpressing alpha7nAChR are readily killed by Abeta(1-42), whereas alpha7nAChR agonists such as nicotine and epibatidine offered protection. Because Abeta(1-42) inhibits alpha7nAChR-dependent calcium activation and acetylcholine release, two processes critically involved in memory and cognitive functions, and the distribution of alpha7nAChR correlates with neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease brains, we propose that interaction of the alpha7nAChR and Abeta(1-42) is a pivotal mechanism involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.
Performance of homogeneous and asynchronous ad hoc network with interference alignment

In this work, we introduce multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) interference alignment (IA) in an homogeneous and asynchronous ad hoc network. Perfect channel state information and working status of nodes are conveyed by instantaneous feedback link to one-hop neighbors. Transmitters align their interference to receivers and receivers eliminate interference by zero-forcing method asynchronously. The feasibility conditions for IA are considered as a critical factor to the performance, and the situations are divided according to whether the feasibility condition can be satisfied or not. We derive closed-form expressions for the upper and lower bounds on outage probability and transmission capacity in both cases. Numerical results show that with larger path loss exponent and number of antennas, the performance increases because a greater proportion of the interference can be eliminated.
Effect of spatial sampling on grating resolution and letter identification.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether spatial sampling has equivalent effects on visual performance for grating and letter stimuli, two optotypes that are frequently used in the clinical assessment of visual function. Test targets consisted of five-bar square-wave gratings, spatial D6 (sixth derivative of a Gaussian) patterns, or individual Sloan letters, presented for 255 ms in the center of an adapting field. Spatial sampling was introduced by replacing random regions of the targets with occluding elements that had the same luminance as the adapting field, so that only random samples of the test target were visible on each trial. The occluding elements consisted of 4 x 4, 8 x 8, or 16 x 16 pixel arrays (subtending 0.67, 1.33, and 2.67 arcmin, respectively), and the percentage of the test target that remained unoccluded ranged from 3% to 100%. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity for the spatially sampled targets were measured in two visually normal subjects. Results were compared with the predicted effect of the reduction in effective contrast that was introduced by the sampling paradigm. For grating stimuli the effect of spatial sampling was equivalent to the reduction in effective stimulus contrast produced by the sampling, regardless of occluding-element size. For letter stimuli the reduction in effective stimulus contrast predicted most, but not all, of the loss of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity for sampled targets, and the deficit in performance increased when larger occluding elements were used. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Polymorphisms in genes coding for enzymes metabolizing smoking-derived substances and the risk of periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES Although the direct cause for periodontitis is oral bacterial infection, its progression depends upon genetic and environmental factors. Smoking, one of the environmental factors, is a risk factor for the development and severity of periodontitis. Therefore, individual susceptibility to periodontitis may be influenced by the polymorphisms of genes coding for enzymes metabolizing tobacco-derived substances. The object of this study is to investigate roles of genetic polymorphisms of these metabolizing enzymes in the risk for periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We investigated three important enzymes: cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, CYP2E1 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, involved in the metabolic activation and detoxification of tobacco-derived substances. The prevalence of the polymorphisms of these genes was examined in 115 patients with periodontitis as well as in 126 control subjects. RESULTS Significantly increased risk for periodontitis was observed for subjects with the polymorphic CYP1A1 m2 allele (odds ratio (OR)=2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2-4.4). A significant risk increase for periodontitis associated with the GSTM1 allele was observed (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.3-3.6). However, no association was observed between the CYP2E1 Pst1 polymorphism and risk for periodontitis (OR=1.3, 95% CI=0.6-2.5). CONCLUSION These results suggest that the GSTM1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms may play an important role in risk for periodontitis.
PROMOTING EFFICIENCY AND TRANSPARENCY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BY IMPLEMENTING CLOUD COMPUTING

One of the prerequisites of economic growth in the Republic of Croatia is the development of an e-government based on openness, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness. New trends in ICT technology create new economic opportunities which on one hand support the economic sector by generating added value and on the other, contribute to the rationalization of public administration activities. The use of innovative solutions leads to a decrease in the need for traditional advertising channels which are more expensive and less effective. This paper presents a way of using new ICT technologies in such a manner that the existing Public Sector Information is republished at public places by Cloud Computing Solutions making the information more accessible to a wider range of citizens. The paper presents and describes an example of good practice i.e. it presents the advantages of cloud solutions achieved through the Speeding Every European Digital (SEED) EU project in which the City of Rijeka took part as one of the partners. The paper focuses on the advantages of using Cloud Computing for interactive Public Sector Advertising of services provided by public authorities. Its affordability contributes to long-term sustainability of the system, establishment new e-Service for informing the public about services provided by public authorities, educational and scientific institutions thus having a stronger end user impact and raising public awareness of the existence of e-Government and content and open data services. This all contributes to an increase in the level of transparency, openness and mutual benefit, thus providing the information that will give its users the possibility for creating new economic opportunities.
A novel aldehyde reductase with activity towards a metabolite of aflatoxin B1 is expressed in rat liver during carcinogenesis and following the administration of an anti-oxidant.

In contrast with fractions from control animals, an aldehyde reductase, which catalyses the reduction of aflatoxin B1-dihydrodiol, in the dialdehyde form at physiological pH values, to aflatoxin B1-dialcohol, is expressed in cytosolic fractions prepared from rat livers bearing pre-neoplastic lesions, or following treatment with the anti-oxidant ethoxyquin. This expression parallels the development of resistance to the toxin. Unlike the aflatoxin B1-dihydrodiol, the dialcohol does not undergo binding to protein. This enzyme activity could play a mechanistic role in hepatocarcinogenesis and chemoprotection in the rat. Correlated n.m. r. and m.s. spectra are provided in Supplementary Publication SUP 50171 (3 pages), which has been deposited at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1993) 289, 9.
Polarity control in double-gate, gate-all-around vertically stacked silicon nanowire FETs

We fabricated and characterized new ambipolar silicon nanowire (SiNW) FET transistors featuring two independent gate-all-around electrodes and vertically stacked SiNW channels. One gate electrode enables dynamic configuration of the device polarity (n or p-type), while the other switches on/off the device. Measurement results on silicon show Ion/Ioff > 106 and S ≈ 64mV/dec (70mV/dec) for p(n)-type operation in the same device. We show that XOR operation is embedded in the device characteristic, and we demonstrate for the first time a fully functional 2-transistor XOR gate.
[Mutations of gyrA in ciprofloxacin resistant Escherichia coli strains].

In this study, the relationship between gyrA mutations and ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values was investigated in Escherichia coli strains. For this purpose, ciprofloxacin MIC values of 46 E. coli strains, isolated from out-patients and hospitalized patients, were determined by the agar dilution method. The "Quinolone Resistance Determining Region" (QRDR) of gyrA gene was amplified and restricted by Hinf-I enzyme. Ser-83 mutation was observed in all strains that have ciprofloxacin MIC values of 0.062 mg/L and higher. Afterwards, eight strains, that were found susceptible (MIC < 1 mg/L, n: 1), intermediate (MIC: 1-4 mg/L, n: 1) and high level resistant (MIC > 4 mg/L, n: 6) to ciprofloxacin, were chosen and mutations in QRDRs of these strains investigated by DNA sequence analysis. Ser 83 Leu mutation was found in all the chosen strains and Asp 87 Tyr or Asp 87 Asn mutations were also observed except the ciprofloxacin susceptible (MIC: 0.062 mg/L) one. In addition, base substitutions that don't lead to aminoacid changes were detected. The strain in which only Ser 83 Leu mutation was observed, showed high level nalidixic acid resistance (MIC > 256 mg/L). This fact was in favour of that, one mutation is enough to develop high level resistance to nalidixic acid. It was concluded that high level ciprofloxacin resistance requires at least two mutations in the QRDR of gyrA gene.