Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating DNA: Diagnostic Tool and Predictive Marker for Overall Survival of NSCLC Patients

Purpose The purpose of our study was to determine whether the amounts of circulating DNA (cDNA) could discriminate between NSCLC patients and healthy individuals and assess its value as a prognostic marker of this disease. Methods We conducted a study of 309 individuals and the cDNA levels were assessed through real-time PCR methodology. Results We found increased cDNA levels in NSCLC patients compared to control individuals. We also found a decreased overall survival time in patients presenting high cDNA levels, when compared to lower cDNA concentrations. Conclusions Quantification of cDNA may be a good tool for NSCLC detection with potential for clinical applicability.
Department of Economics and Finance Working Paper Series @bullet August 2008 a Health Production Function for Sub-saharan Africa (ssa) a Health Production Function for Sub-saharan Africa (ssa)

The paper estimates a health production function for Sub-Saharan Africa based on the Grossman (1972) theoretical model that treats social, economic, and environmental factors as inputs of the production system. In estimating this function, socioeconomic and environmental factors such as income per capita, illiteracy rate, food availability, ratio of health expenditure to GDP, urbanization rate, and carbon dioxide emission per worker are specified as determinants of health status, proxied by life expectancy at birth. The parameters of the function are estimated by a method of one-way and two-way panel data analyses. The results obtained from two-way random effect model suggest that an increase in income per capita, a decrease in illiteracy rate, an increase in food availability are well associated with improvement in life expectancy at birth. Overall results suggest that a health policy, which may focus on the provision of health, services, family planning programs, and emergency aids to the exclusion of other socioeconomic aspects may do little in efforts directed toward improving the current health status of the region.
Reconstructing genetic history of Siberian and Northeastern European populations

Siberia and Western Russia are home to over 40 culturally and linguistically diverse indigenous ethnic groups. Yet, genetic variation of peoples from this region is largely uncharacterized. We present whole-genome sequencing data from 28 individuals belonging to 14 distinct indigenous populations from that region. We combine these datasets with additional 32 modern-day and 15 ancient human genomes to build and compare autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA trees. Our results provide new links between modern and ancient inhabitants of Eurasia. Siberians share 38% of ancestry with descendants of the 45,000-year-old Ust’-Ishim people, who were previously believed to have no modern-day descendants. Western Siberians trace 57% of their ancestry to the Ancient North Eurasians, represented by the 24,000-year-old Siberian Mal’ta boy. In addition, Siberians admixtures are present in lineages represented by Eastern European hunter-gatherers from Samara, Karelia, Hungary and Sweden (from 8,000-6,600 years ago), as well as Yamnaya culture people (5,300-4,700 years ago) and modern-day northeastern Europeans. These results provide new evidence of ancient gene flow from Siberia into Europe.
Why are accreting T Tauri stars less luminous in X-rays than non-accretors?

Abstract Accreting T Tauri stars are observed to be less luminous in X-rays than non-accretors, an effect that has been detected in various star forming regions. To explain this we have combined, for the first time, a radiative transfer code with an accretion model that considers magnetic fields extrapolated from surface magnetograms obtained from Zeeman-Doppler imaging. Such fields consist of compact magnetic regions close to the stellar surface, with extended field lines interacting with the disk. We study the propagation of coronal X-rays through the magnetosphere and demonstrate that they are strongly absorbed by the dense gas in accretion columns.
Scale radii and aggregation histories of dark haloes

Relaxed dark matter haloes are found to exhibit the same universal density profiles regardless of whether they form in hierarchical cosmologies or via spherical collapse. Likewise, the shape parameters of haloes formed hierarchically do not seem to depend on the epoch in which the last major merger took place. Both findings suggest that the density profile of haloes does not depend on their aggregation history. Yet, this possibility is apparently at odds with some correlations involving the scale radius r s found in numerical simulations. Here we prove that the scale radius of relaxed, non-rotating, spherically symmetric haloes endowed with the universal density profile is determined exclusively by the current values of four independent, though correlated, quantities: mass, energy and their respective instantaneous accretion rates. Under this premise and taking into account the inside-out growth of haloes during the accretion phase between major mergers, we build a simple physical model for the evolution of r s along the main branch of halo merger trees that reproduces all the empirical trends shown by this parameter in N-body simulations. This confirms the conclusion that the empirical correlations involving r s do not actually imply the dependence of this parameter on the halo aggregation history. The present results give strong support to the explanation put forward in a recent paper by Manrique et al. for the origin of the halo universal density profile.
Probe-based ultrahigh-density storage technology

Ultrahigh storage densities can be achieved by using a thermomechanical scanning-probe-based data-storage approach to write, read back, and erase data in very thin polymer films. High data rates are achieved by parallel operation of large two-dimensional arrays of cantilevers that can be batch fabricated by silicon-surface micromachining techniques. The very high precision required to navigate the storage medium relative to the array of probes is achieved by microelectromechanical system (MEMS)- based x and y actuators. The ultrahigh storage densities offered by probe-storage devices pose a significant challenge in terms of both control design for nanoscale positioning and read-channel design for reliable signal detection. Moreover, the high parallelism necessitates new dataflow architectures to ensure high performance and reliability of the system. In this paper, we present a small-scale prototype system of a storage device that we built based on scanning-probe technology. Experimental results of multiple sectors, recorded using multiple levers at 840 Gb/in2 and read back without errors, demonstrate the functionality of the prototype system. This is the first time a scanning-probe recording technology has reached this level of technical maturity, demonstrating the joint operation of all building blocks of a storage device.
A Crosslinking Analysis of GAP-43 Interactions with Other Proteins in Differentiated N1E-115 Cells

It has been suggested that GAP-43 (growth-associated protein) binds to various proteins in growing neurons as part of its mechanism of action. To test this hypothesis in vivo, differentiated N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells were labeled with [35S]-amino acids and were treated with a cleavable crosslinking reagent. The cells were lysed in detergent and the lysates were centrifuged at 100,000 × g to isolate crosslinked complexes. Following cleavage of the crosslinks and analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, it was found that the crosslinker increased the level of various proteins, and particularly actin, in this pellet fraction. However, GAP-43 was not present, suggesting that GAP-43 was not extensively crosslinked to proteins of the cytoskeleton and membrane skeleton and did not sediment with them. GAP-43 also did not sediment with the membrane skeleton following nonionic detergent lysis. Calmodulin, but not actin or other proposed interaction partners, co-immunoprecipitated with GAP-43 from the 100,000 × g supernatant following crosslinker addition to cells or cell lysates. Faint spots at 34 kDa and 60 kDa were also present. Additional GAP-43 was recovered from GAP-43 immunoprecipitation supernatants with anti-calmodulin but not with anti-actin. The results suggest that GAP-43 is not present in complexes with actin or other membrane skeletal or cytoskeletal proteins in these cells, but it is nevertheless possible that a small fraction of the total GAP-43 may interact with other proteins.
Co-conjugation of Virulence Plasmid and KPC Plasmid in a Clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain

Carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-HvKP) strains have been increasingly reported, and it is important to understand the evolutionary mechanisms of these highly pathogenic and resistant bacterial pathogens. In this study, we characterized a ST11 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strain which harbored an IncFIB/IncHI1B type virulence plasmid and an IncFII/IncR type blaKPC–2-bearing plasmid. The virulence plasmid was found to be conjugative and harbored a 35-kbp fragment including aerobactin encoding cluster from virulence plasmid pLVPK and multiple resistance genes, resulting in a mosaic multi-drug resistance and virulence plasmid. This virulence plasmid could be transferred via conjugation to Escherichia coli and K. pneumoniae strains alone as well as together with the blaKPC–2-bearing plasmid. Co-transmission of virulence and blaKPC–2-bearing plasmids would directly convert a classic K. pneumoniae strain into CR-HvKP strain, leading to a sharp increase in the prevalence of CR-HvKP in clinical settings, which poses a great threat to human health.
An empirical investigation of manufacturing performance measures utilization: The perspectives of executives and financial analysts

Purpose - The objective of this study is to shed some light on the information flow between executives and financial analysts in the context of manufacturing performance measurement and evaluation. Design/methodology/approach - The predictive value, information availability and frequency of performance measures used by the sampled manufacturing organizations and financial analysts are compared using multiple regression analysis. Findings - The findings of this study clearly underscore the increasing significance of non-financial and non-traditional performance measures. The importance of customer-based and quality-related measures is noted. Research limitations/implications - The sample used in this study is specific in nature. It consisted of Portuguese manufacturing organizations and Portuguese financial analysts. Thus, the results should be interpreted accordingly. Practical implications - The findings of this study have clear implications for organizational information systems. Re-engineering of organizational information systems is called for toward closing the information gaps which exist in the context of organizational performance measurement. Originality/value - This study has both practical and theoretical value, as it empirically explores the practical implications of some important issues related to organizational performance.
What Do Paraeducators in Inclusive Classrooms Say About Their Work

What advice do paraeducators offer regarding the work they do in inclusive classrooms? What barriers and benefits do paraeducators face? In this study, over 200 paraeducators from 38 different states in the USA volunteered to respond to a national survey. Their responses were corroborated in follow-up interviews with 27 different paraeducators at five California school sites in San Diego County. Recommendations for professional development are offered.
The scent of fear.

In this study we tried to find out if fear can be detected from human body odours. Female subjects wore under-arm axillary pads while watching a terrifying film. Saliva cortisol samples were taken before and after the film presentation as a hormonal measure for the fear response. The fear experience itself was measured by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A "neutral" film, shown one day after the "fear" film, was used as a control in a repeated measures design. In part two of the experiment, the axillary pads were presented to female subjects in a triple forced choice test. Results show that subjects were able to discriminate between fear and non-fear axillary pads, suggesting that women are indeed able to detect "the scent of fear". A direct correlation between induced fear, changes in cortisol levels and smell ratings could not be established. Thus cortisol levels are probably not the inducer of the scent of fear and a hypothetical fear pheromone could have other origins.
Public regulations and the slowdown in productivity growth

A time-series regression model of the US manufacturing sector is developed to estimate the direct and indirect relationships of public regulations and productivity for the 1973 to 1977 period. Preliminary results show that 12 to 21% of the productivity slowdown is blamed on regulation. Other contributing factors are a reduced non-labor to labor input (15%), average cyclical impact (0 to 15%), and a combination of changes in labor composition, expenses for research and development, and shifts in sectoral output. The study focuses on measured productivity, and the results have little implication to true productivity growth. 14 references, 24 tables. (DCK)
Tightening the link between employee wellbeing at work and performance

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to show that, though essential, the achievement of business‐oriented performance outcomes has obscured the importance of employee wellbeing at work, which is a neglected area of inquiry within the field of human resource management. Instead the emphasis typically placed on the business case for HRM suggests a one‐sided focus on organisational outcomes at the expense of employees. With this in mind, this paper seeks to examine the effects of HRM practices on employee wellbeing and performance.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from a public sector (local government) organisation to identify the link between HRM practices, employee wellbeing at work, and performance. A preliminary staff survey of employees provides a brief overview of the link between HRM practices, employee wellbeing at work and performance.Findings – HRM practices adopted have a significant impact on employee wellbeing at work and tend to be more positive than negative. Overall a consis.
A CONSTANT MOLECULAR GAS DEPLETION TIME IN NEARBY DISK GALAXIES

We combine new sensitive, wide-field CO data from the HERACLES survey with ultraviolet and infrared data from GALEX and Spitzer to compare the surface densities of H2, ΣH2, and the recent star formation rate, ΣSFR, over many thousands of positions in 30 nearby disk galaxies. We more than quadruple the size of the galaxy sample compared to previous work and include targets with a wide range of galaxy properties. Even though the disk galaxies in this study span a wide range of properties, we find a strong, and approximately linear correlation between ΣSFR and ΣH2 at our common resolution of 1 kpc. This implies a roughly constant median H2 consumption time, τH2Dep = ΣH2/ΣSFR, of ∼2.35 Gyr (including heavy elements) across our sample. At 1 kpc resolution, there is only a weak correlation between ΣH2 and τH2Dep over the range ΣH2 ≈ 5–100 M☉ pc−2, which is probed by our data. We compile a broad set of literature measurements that have been obtained using a variety of star formation tracers, sampling schemes, and physical scales and show that overall, these data yield almost exactly the same results, although with more scatter. We interpret these results as strong, albeit indirect evidence that star formation proceeds in a uniform way in giant molecular clouds in the disks of spiral galaxies.
A Specific CD36-Dependent Signaling Pathway Is Required for Platelet Activation by Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein

Platelet hyperactivity associated with hyperlipidemia may contribute to development of a prothrombotic state. We previously showed that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) formed in the setting of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis activated platelets in a CD36-dependent manner. We now show that mitogen-activated protein kinase c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)2 and its upstream activator MKK4 were phosphorylated in platelets exposed to oxLDL. Using apoE−/− mice as a model of hyperlipidemia, we showed that JNK was constitutively phosphorylated in platelets in a CD36-dependent manner. Inhibition of src kinase activity reduced JNK phosphorylation by oxLDL. Immunoprecipitations revealed that active phosphorylated forms of src kinases Fyn and Lyn were recruited to CD36 in platelets exposed to oxLDL. Pharmacological inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase JNK or src family kinases abolished platelet activation by oxLDL in vitro. Using a murine carotid artery thrombosis model we demonstrated CD36-dependent phosphorylation of platelet JNK within thrombi. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of JNK prolonged thrombosis times in wild-type but not cd36-null mice in vivo. These findings suggest that a specific CD36-dependent signaling pathway is required for platelet activation by oxLDL and may provide insights related to development of novel antiplatelet therapies more relevant to atherothrombosis than to normal hemostasis.
Optimal steady-state and transient trajectories of a two queue switching server

We consider two fluid queues attended by a switching server and address the optimal steady-state and transient trajectory problems. The steady-state problem is formulated as a quadratic problem (QP), given a fixed cycle time. Evaluating the QP problem over a range of cycle times results in the optimal steady-state trajectory. We minimize the holding costs, backlog costs and setup costs, allow setup times and allow constraints on queue contents, cycle times and service times. Second, given initial conditions, we derive the optimal transient trajectory that leads to the optimal steady-state trajectory in a finite amount of time with minimal costs. The transient switching behavior and optimal initial modes are also addressed.
Strategies For Sustainable Land Management And Poverty Reduction In Uganda

"The government of Uganda, with help from its development partners, is designing and implementing policies and strategies to address poverty, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity. Land degradation, especially soil erosion and depletion of soil nutrients, is widespread in Uganda and contributes to declining productivity, which in turn increases poverty. The report has four major objectives: (1) to examine the causes of land degradation in Uganda; (2) to identify the determinants of income strategies and land management decisions and their impacts on agricultural productivity, soil erosion, and household income; (3) to assess the trade-offs and complementarities among these different objectives; and (4) to analyze the soil nutrient depletion in eastern Uganda to determine the factors that influence it. " from Text
Equity Valuation and Negative Earnings: The Role of Book Value of Equity

This study provides an explanation for the anomalous significantly negative price‐earnings relation using the simple earnings capitalization model for firms that report losses. We hypothesize and find that including book value of equity in the valuation specification eliminates the negative relation. This suggests that the simple earnings capitalization model is misspecified and the negative coefficient on earnings for loss firms is a manifestation of that misspecification. Furthermore, we provide evidence on three competing explanations for the role that book value of equity plays in valuing loss firms. Specifically, we investigate whether the importance of book value in cross‐sectional valuation models stems from its role as (1) a control for scale differences (Barth and Kallapur 1996), (2) a proxy for expected future normal earnings (Ohlson 1995; Penman 1992), or (3) a proxy for loss firms' abandonment option (Berger et al. 1996; Barth et al. 1996; Burgstahler and Dichev 1997). Our results do not suppo.
Segmenting broadcast news streams using lexical chains

In this paper we propose a course-grained NLP approach to text segmentation based on the analysis of lexical cohesion within text. Most work in this area has focused on the discovery of textual units that discuss subtopic structure within documents. In contrast our segmentation task requires the discovery of topical units of text i.e. distinct news stories from broadcast news programmes. Our system SeLeCT first builds a set of lexical chains, in order to model the discourse structure of the text. A boundary detector is then used to search for breaking points in this structure indicated by patterns of cohesive strength and weakness within the text. We evaluate this technique on a test set of concatenated CNN news story transcripts and compare it with an established statistical approach to segmentation called TextTiling.
Stability of Circulating Blood-Based MicroRNAs – Pre-Analytic Methodological Considerations

Background and aim The potential of microRNAs (miRNA) as non-invasive diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets, has recently been recognized. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of consistency in the methodology used, but to our knowledge, no study has described the methodology of sample preparation and storage systematically with respect to miRNAs as blood biomarkers. The aim of this study was to investigate the stability of miRNAs in blood under various relevant clinical and research conditions: different collection tubes, storage at different temperatures, physical disturbance, as well as serial freeze-thaw cycles. Methods Blood samples were collected from 12 healthy donors into different collection tubes containing anticoagulants, including EDTA, citrate and lithium-heparin, as well as into serum collection tubes. MiRNA stability was evaluated by measuring expression changes of miR-1, miR-21 and miR-29b at different conditions: varying processing time of whole blood (up to 72 hours (h)), long-term storage (9 months at -80°C), physical disturbance (1 and 8 h), as well as in a series of freeze/thaw cycles (1 and 4 times). Results Different collection tubes revealed comparable concentrations of miR-1, miR-21 and miR-29b. Tubes with lithium-heparin were found unsuitable for miRNA quantification. MiRNA levels were stable for at least 24 h at room temperature in whole blood, while separated fractions did show alterations within 24 h. There were significant changes in the miR-21 and miR-29b levels after 72 h incubation of whole blood at room temperature (p<0.01 for both). Both miR-1 and miR-21 showed decreased levels after physical disturbance for 8 h in separated plasma and miR-1 in serum whole blood, while after 1 h of disturbance no changes were observed. Storage of samples at -80°C extended the miRNA stability remarkably, however, miRNA levels in long-term stored (9 months) whole blood samples were significantly changed, which is in contrast to the plasma samples, where miR-21 or miR-29b levels were found to be stable. Repetitive (n = 4) freeze-thaw cycles resulted in a significant reduction of miRNA concentration both in plasma and serum samples. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of proper and systematic sample collection and preparation when measuring circulating miRNAs, e.g., in context of clinical trials. We demonstrated that the type of collection tubes, preparation, handling and storage of samples should be standardized to avoid confounding variables influencing the results.