An unexpected alliance between stress responses to drive oncogenesis.

XBP1 is a well-characterized regulator of the unfolding protein response that is activated in response to unfolded or misfolded proteins or nutrient deprivation. The conventional wisdom is that XBP1 is activated to coordinate the unfolded protein response and promote cellular survival under stresses. A recent study provides intriguing evidence that, in triple-negative breast cancer, XBP1 plays a major role in promoting oncogenesis and cancer stem cell properties. Unexpectedly, XBP1 accomplishes this by recruiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and activating oncogenic transcriptional programs. This study reveals a surprising hierarchy and alliance between two stress regulators with distinct transcriptional outputs to promote an aggressive oncogenic state

Deactivation of TBP contributes to SCA17 pathogenesis

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17) is an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia caused by the expansion of polyglutamine (polyQ) within the TATA box-binding protein (TBP). Previous studies have shown that polyQexpanded TBP forms neurotoxic aggregates and alters downstream genes. However, how expanded polyQ tracts affect the function of TBP and the link between dysfunctional TBP and SCA17 is not clearly understood. In this study, we generated novel Drosophila models for SCA17 that recapitulate pathological features such as aggregate formation, mobility defects and premature death. In addition to forming neurotoxic aggregates, we determined that polyQ-expanded TBP reduces its own intrinsic DNA-binding and transcription abilities. Dysfunctional TBP also disrupts normal TBP function. Furthermore, heterozygous dTbp amorph mutant flies exhibited SCA17-like phenotypes and flies expressing polyQ-expanded TBP exhibited enhanced retinal degeneration, suggesting that loss of TBP function may contribute to SCA17 pathogenesis. We further determined that the downregulation of TBP activity enhances retinal degeneration in SCA3 and Huntington's disease fly models, indicating that the deactivation of TBP is likely to play a common role in polyQ-induced neurodegeneration

Determination of Mass Transport Parameters for Fixed-Bed Adsorbers By a Micro-Column Technique.

An innovative technique has been developed by the author for determination of external ("film", k(,f)) and internal ("intraparticle", D(,s)) mass transport parameters associated with uptake of solutes by porous solids in fixed-bed adsorbers. These parameters are required for predictive modeling of the dynamics of such systems as activated carbon columns and ion exchange beds. The core of the method is the use of specially designed micro-columns defined here as columns of sufficiently short length that substantial immediate concentration breakthrough occurs; that is, the column is not long enough to contain the "wave-front" for the sorbent-sorbate system of interest. Sensitivity analyses with respect to the change of k(,f) and D(,s) for micro-column breakthrough curves indicate that the initial stage of the micro-column breakthrough curve is dominated by film transfer. Therefore, k(,f) can be determined independently from the initial portion of the micro-column breakthrough curve. Once k(,f) is determined, D(,s) can be obtained readily by regression analysis of the data for the entire breakthrough curve. The advantage of this method is more accurate and reliable simultaneous determinations of both film transfer coefficients and effective surface diffusivities. Moreover, error compounding, which frequently occurs in predictive modeling of adsorbers with current methods, is avoided with this method. All numerical search procedures involved in determination of k(,f) and D(,s) are performed with the method of orthogonal collocation. Verification of the procedure is demonstrated by the agreement of predictions generated from a mathematical model in which mass transfer coefficients determined from the micro-column technique are used, with experimental breakthrough data for larger scale adsorbers. Experiments with three adsorbate systems--p-bromophenol, p-toluenesulfonate, and dodecylbenzenesulfonate--having significantly different mass transport characteristics with respect to uptake by porous activated carbon, indicate that breakthrough curve predictions utilizing values of k(,f) and D(,s) developed from micro-column systems agree well with experimental data. Therefore, the proposed micro-column method was confirmed to be a reliable approach in determining mass transport parameters required for predictive modeling for the dynamics of an adsorption bed.Ph.D.Chemical engineeringUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/157948/1/8025717.pd

A Study of the Decision Making Process of Elementary School Principals Facing an Ethical Dilemma

[[abstract]]本研究關注焦點在於國民小學校長面對倫理兩難情境之決定歷程，探究決定者基於何種信念與原則並受到哪些因素影響而做出倫理決定的過程。 首先，經由文獻分析探討倫理兩難情境的意義、倫理決定的信念、原則與影響因素以及決定歷程的步驟與模式，其次，透過質性研究訪談法，以南投縣內九位國民小學校長為研究對象，並以綜合文獻探討與研究目的所得之半結構式訪談大綱進行實地訪談，蒐集相關資料後進行分析歸納。 本研究所得之結論如下： 一、目前國民小學校長面對的倫理兩難情境主要可分成四個類別，分別是：（1）人情與制度兼顧的兩難；（2）人情與法理抉擇的兩難；（3）目標取捨的兩難；（4）個人立場選擇的兩難。 二、國民小學校長面對倫理兩難情境時所抱持的信念可分為七項：（1）回歸教育本質，維護學生受教權益；（2）對教師專業的尊重與激勵；（3）公平正義與專業理想的堅持；（4）組織目標與成員需求的平衡；（5）謹慎使用權力，營造和諧、互信的氣氛；（6）視倫理困境為凝聚向心力的機會；（7）本於職分、良知行事，但求無愧我心。 三、國民小學校長面對倫理兩難情境時處理的原則可分為十一項：（1）公正無私原則；（2）尊重當事人原則；（3）參與及求取共識原則；（4）真誠溝通原則；（5）效益原則；（6）保護與關懷原則；（7）依法行政原則；（8）掌握時機原則；（9）循序漸進原則；（10）彈性原則；（11）其他原則。 四、國民小學校長面對倫理兩難情境時，決定的影響因素可歸類為：（1）個人因素；（2）組織內部因素；（3）組織外部因素；（4）決定歷程因素等四項。 五、國民小學校長面對倫理兩難情境的決定歷程可分為九個步驟：（1）對倫理兩難情境的釐清與界定；（2）思考問題可能牽涉的倫理層面；（3）蒐集資料與參考相關的倫理準則；（4）尋求其他專業者的意見；（5）研擬可行的解決方案；（6）評估可能的結果；（7）進行溝通取得共識；（8）決定最適當的行動方案；（9）檢討與修正。 根據研究結論，提出之建議如下： 一、師資培育機構應重視倫理學相關課程的開設、增加課程內容的豐富性與實務化，使倫理理論與實務有更緊密的結合。 二、上級教育行政機關應考量基層的實際狀況，尊重並信任校長對職權的行使；在校長培育、儲訓過程中能規劃倫理議題課程進行研討，以及儘速頒布教育行政人員倫理守則。 三、對現任國民小學校長與未來校長的建議：（1）強化自身對倫理兩難情境的覺知與判斷；（2）堅守倫理信念與原則的基本立場；（3）參考倫理兩難情境決定步驟做出最適當的決定；（4）讓反思成為倫理實踐上源源不絕的動力。[[abstract]]This study focused on the decision making process of elementary school principals facing an ethical dilemma. The purposes of the study were to explore the beliefs and principles which decision makers persisted, and the factors that had got significant influence on their ethical decisions. First, through the literature analysis, this study attempted to define the meaning of ethical dilemmas, beliefs and principles when dealing with ethical dilemmas, as well as the influencing factors, and steps and models of decision making process. Then, to gather the data by using the interviewing method. The interviewees included nine elementary school principals in Nantou County with the semi-structural interview, and analyzed. The conclusions of this study were showed as follows: 1. The situations of ethical dilemmas that elementary school principals faced could be divided into four types: (a) the dilemmas about giving considerations between human affection and educational system; (b) the dilemmas about choosing a criterion between human affection and law; (c) the dilemmas of choosing objects; and (d) the dilemmas of the side-choice to stand. 2. The beliefs that elementary school principals persisted for ethical dilemmas could be divided into seven items: (a) to return to education essence, and defend the students’ rights for education; (b) to respect and encourage the specialty of teachers; (c) to uphold the principles of fair, justice and professional ideals; (d) to find the balance between the items of organization objects and the staffs’ demands; (e) to exercise the power carefully for creating a harmonic and trustful phenomenon; (f) to convert the ethical dilemmas into an advantage of concentrating the centripetal force; and (g) to make decisions based on the conscience. 3. The principles that elementary school principals applied to solve the problems of the ethical dilemmas could be divided into eleven items: (a) fair and justice; (b) respect mutually; (c) involvement and conceiving of consensus; (d) negotiation sincerely; (e) efficiency and benefit; (f) protection and concern; (g) administration in accordance with law; (h) timing; (i) arrangement in proper sequence; (j) flexibility; and (k) others. 4. The influences on the decisions which elementary school principals made for ethical dilemmas could be summarized as follows: (a) personal factors; (b) interior factors of the organization; (c) exterior factors of the organization; and (d) the factors of the decision making process. 5. The decisions which elementary school principals made for ethical dilemmas could be made by nine processes: (a) to clarify and define the conditions of an ethical dilemma; (b) to think about the ethical aspects of the question; (c) to collect the information and refer to the related ethical morals; (d) to make professional consultation; (e) to draw up the solution; (f) to estimate the possible results; (g) to conceive a consensus through negotiation; (h) to chose the most proper actions; and (i) to review and modification. According to the research conclusion, the following suggestions were made: 1. The ethical and moral philosophy courses should be stressed and weighted in Center of Teacher Education. Increase the practical and plentiful curriculums for ethical studies, and to make a closer union of ethics theories and the practice. 2. The up level educational administration institutions should consider the actual situations of basic educational unit, respect and trust the principals in exercising their authorities. Plan ethical subjects and curriculums, carry on ethical seminars in principal training courses, and issue ethical rules for the educational executives to follow. 3. The suggestions for elementary school principals and future principals: (a) to strengthen the capability to sense and judge for an ethical dilemma; (b) to persist in the beliefs and the principles of ethic, and keep personal standpoint; (c) to refer to the nine processes and make the most proper decision for ethical dilemmas; and (d) to make reconsiderations the steady energy in ethics practice.[[note]]碩

A Study of Coach's Leadership Behavior Perception and Player's Satisfaction of Participation among Collegiate Table Tennis Athletes

[[abstract]]本研究旨在探討台灣地區大專桌球代表隊教練領導行爲及選手滿意度之現況。研究者以587名大專桌代表隊選手爲研究對象，利用「大專桌球代表隊教練領導行爲及選手滿意度調查量表」爲研究工具進行問卷調查。以描述統計、獨立樣本t考驗、單因子變異數分析、雪費法事後檢定等方法進行統計。本研究之主要發現如下：1.大專桌球選手在訓練過程中，對教練實際表現的領導行爲感受程度高低依序爲「技術指導行爲」、「正向回饋行爲」、「民主行爲」、「訓練行爲」、「關懷行爲」2.大專桌球代表隊選手參與代表隊的滿意度依序爲「人際關係」、「教練行爲」、「成績表現」、「個人進展」以及「訓練環境」。3.不同組別、入隊年資及參賽經驗的大專桌球選手所知覺的教練領導行爲有顯著差異，但不同性別選手知覺的教練領導行爲卻無顯著差異。4.不同性別、組別及參賽經驗的大專桌球選手對參與代表隊滿意度有顯著差異；不同加入球隊年資方面對參與代表隊滿意度則無顯著差異。[[abstract]]The purpose of this study was to probe into coach's leadership behavior and player's satisfaction of participation degree. 587 table tennis college representatives were recruited for the survey using measurement form. For statistics analysis, description statistic was used for the perception and satisfaction degree; while comparisons between the groups were made with independence t-test and ANOVA. This research revealed as follow: 1. According to the perception degree of college table tennis athletes to coach's leadership during training period were Guidance, Positive response or feedback, Caring behavior, Democratic behavior and training. 2. Satisfaction degree of college table tennis athletes to participation proper order were interpersonal relationship, coach's behavior, their own performance results, one's progress and training environment. 3. Different background, besides sexual, of Collegiate Table Tennis Athletes had different perception of coach's leadership. 4. Collegiate Table Tennis Athletes in different sexual, group and experience in tournament have different satisfaction of participation

Hiding a Covert Digital Image by Assembling the RSA Encryption Method and the Binary Encoding Method

The Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) encryption method and the binary encoding method are assembled to form a hybrid hiding method to hide a covert digital image into a dot-matrix holographic image. First, the RSA encryption method is used to transform the covert image to form a RSA encryption data string. Then, all the elements of the RSA encryption data string are transferred into binary data. Finally, the binary data are encoded into the dot-matrix holographic image. The pixels of the dot-matrix holographic image contain seven groups of codes used for reconstructing the covert image. The seven groups of codes are identification codes, covert-image dimension codes, covert-image graylevel codes, pre-RSA bit number codes, RSA key codes, post-RSA bit number codes, and information codes. The reconstructed covert image derived from the dot-matrix holographic image and the original covert image are exactly the same

Data on the transcriptional response to MESH1 knockdown and mammalian stringent response.

MESH1 is the metazoan homolog of bacterial SpoT, the main phosphatase that dephosphorylates and degrades (p)ppGpp, the alarmone involved in the bacterial stringent response. The functional role of MESH1 in human cells is unknown. To define the global transcriptional response to MESH1 knockdown, we employed microarrays to perform transcriptome analysis of H1975 when the MESH1 was knocked down using three independent siRNAs targeting MESH1. The changes of each gene were derived by zero-transformation, followed by filtering to derive the genes affected by MESH1 knockdown. These datasets showed the transcriptional features of the mammalian stringent response and identified a prominent TAZ repression. Thus, we performed a second experiment to determine the contribution of TAZ repression to the transcriptional response of MESH1 knockdown by comparing the effects of MESH1-knockdown gene signatures in H1975 cells transduced with control or constitutive active TAZ (TAZS89A). The transcriptional response of these two cells to MESH1 was derived by zero transformation, followed by the effects of TAZ restoration to define the contribution of TAZ repression to the transcriptome features of human stringent response. The transcriptome data will be useful for the mechanistic understanding of the functional role of MESH1 in human cancer cells