Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of EZH2 Expression and Activity in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

Increased expression of EZH2 correlates with aggressive clinical behavior in various malignancies. In this study, we aim to investigate the clinical and prognostic values of EZH2 expression and activity in tumor tissues and improve the risk stratification in patients with renal cell carcinoma after surgery. We analyzed EZH2 expression and its activity as indicated by H3K27me3 levels comprising 373 patients with renal cell carcinoma in our institute. Outcome was assessed as overall survival and disease free survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Prognostic values of EZH2 and H3K27me3 expression for clinical outcomes were evaluated by Cox regression analysis. We used receiver operating characteristic to calculate diagnostic accuracy. High EZH2 expression correlates with poor overall survival in all patients, especially in advanced RCC, which is an independent prognostic factor in disease free survival and overall survival. Compared with EZH2, H3K27me3 expression is not an independent prognostic factor. The expressions of H3K27me3 and EZH2 are not completely consistent, which might be due to complicated interaction of Polycomb Repressor Complex 2. A combination of EZH2 expression and TNM stage could have better prognostic value than do TNM stage or EZH2 expression alone in both sets for disease free survival and overall survival. These results imply that evaluating intratumoral EZH2 density might improve prognostic value to the TNM staging system and inform treatment decisions for patients with late-stage renal cell carcinoma.
High‐versus low‐Context culture: A comparison of Chinese, Korean, and American cultures

The potential usefulness of Hall's concept of high- versus low-context cultures to international marketing has been discussed widely. However, implications of this concept in marketing have largely been discussed descriptively and little attempt has been made to empirically compare various cultures in a real setting. In this article the authors report the findings from a cross-cultural study that attempts to show whether Hall's description of the characteristics of high- and low-context cultures can indeed be empirically confirmed. With the use of a survey consisting of 16 items, subjects from three different countries—China, Korea, and the U.S.—representing both high- and low-context cultures, are studied. Overall, the results show that the three cultures differ in a way that is consistent with Hall's conceptualization. Specifically, the Chinese and Korean subjects are shown to exhibit tendencies that are consistent with Hall's description of high-context cultures, and the American subjects are shown to exhibit tendencies that are consistent with low-context cultures. For example, the subjects from China and Korea are found to be more socially oriented, to be more confrontation-avoiding, and to have more trouble dealing with new situations. The article concludes by pointing to a further need for efforts in developing measurement scales for the concept. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Exploring the use of Machine Translation resources for English-Japanese Cross-Language Information Retrieval

This paper describes a detailed investigation into the use of Machine Translation techniques for query translation in English-Japanese Cross-Language Information Retrieval (CLIR). Experimental results are reported for the standard BMIR-J2 Japanese text retrieval collection extended to a CLIR task. Results indicate that retrieval performance increases as greater linguistic processing is used in the translation process, and that local feedback via term reweighting and query expansion is e ective for this task.
Speech Rate and NNS Comprehension: A Preliminary Study in Time‐Benefit Analysis*

The study reported in this article describes an investigation into the effects of three speech rates: 200 words per minute [wpm] (3.8 syllables per second [sps]); 150 wpm (2.85 sps); and 100 wpm (1.93 sps) on the comprehension of three 350- to 400-word lexically and grammatically graded passages delivered to a group of lower-intermediate level adult NNSs(nonnative speakers). Results showed that moderately fast speech rates resulted in a significant reduction in comprehension, but that scores on passages delivered at slow rates did not significantly differ from those delivered at average rates. Subjective responses confirmed previous research findings showing that perception of speech rate variation is frequently inaccurate. Results of the investigation are discussed in relation to the practical recommendations that might be drawn from them, particularly in terms of time-benefit analysis, if future studies support the present tentative findings.
Police Culture and the Perpetuation of the Officer Shuffle: The Paradox of Life behind “The Blue Wall”

A rich and well documented body of research continues to indicate U.S. citizens have long voiced concerns about The Blue Wall and the self-regulating nature of police work. Of little concern has been a phenomenon referred to as the officer shuffle, a practice by which discredited officers are allowed to remain in police work merely by moving from one department to another. The focus of this study is the paradox that defines The Blue Wall for those serving behind its walls. While much research exists regarding police work and law enforcement in general, to date no studies exist that examine the effects of the officer shuffle on those working beside the one who has moved from one department to another due to prior acts of misconduct. This ethnographic study, based in St. Louis and the ninety-one surrounding municipalities, examines just that. In so doing it draws from the work of legal scholars who have suggested mechanisms for ending the nationwide officer shuffle. But, the findings emanating from interviews with, and observations of, local police officers lead to additional suggestions for change in the existing laws that currently guide the hiring practices among those in law enforcement. The information and findings presented here derive from those most affected by the officer shuffle—those in law enforcement who find themselves working side-by-side with the gypsy cop who sustains and maintains the officer shuffle. While The Blue Wall promotes loyalty among officers, those who fear the presence of the gypsy cop express difficulty in honoring that long held tradition. Herein lies the paradox of The Blue Wall.
Lactate shuttles in nature.

Once thought to be the consequence of oxygen lack in contracting skeletal muscle, the glycolytic product lactate is formed and utilized continuously under fully aerobic conditions. "Cell-cell" and "intracellular lactate shuttle" concepts describe the roles of lactate in the delivery of oxidative and gluconeogenic substrates, as well as in cell signalling. Examples of cell-cell shuttles include lactate exchanges between white-glycolytic and red-oxidative fibres within a working muscle bed, between working skeletal muscle and heart, and between tissues of net lactate release and gluconeogenesis. Lactate exchange between astrocytes and neurons that is linked to glutamatergic signalling in the brain is an example of a lactate shuttle supporting cell-cell signalling. Lactate uptake by mitochondria and pyruvate-lactate exchange in peroxisomes are examples of intracellular lactate shuttles. Lactate exchange between sites of production and removal is facilitated by monocarboxylate transport proteins, of which there are several isoforms, and, probably, also by scaffolding proteins. The mitochondrial lactate-pyruvate transporter appears to work in conjunction with mitochondrial lactate dehydrogenase, which permits lactate to be oxidized within actively respiring cells. Hence mitochondria function to establish the concentration and proton gradients necessary for cells with high mitochondrial densities (e.g. cardiocytes) to take up and oxidize lactate. Arteriovenous difference measurements on working cardiac and skeletal muscle beds as well as NMR spectral analyses of these tissues show that lactate is formed and oxidized within the cells of formation in vivo. Glycolysis and lactate oxidation within cells permits high flux rates and the maintenance of redox balance in the cytosol and mitochondria. Other examples of intracellular lactate shuttles include lactate uptake and oxidation in sperm mitochondria and the facilitation of beta-oxidation in peroxisomes by pyruvate-lactate exchange. An ancient origin to the utility of lactate shuttling is implied by the observation that mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain flavocytochrome b(2), a lactate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase that couples lactate dehydrogenation to the reduction of cytochrome c. The presence of cell-cell and intracellular lactate shuttles gives rise to the notion that glycolytic and oxidative pathways can be viewed as linked, as opposed to alternative, processes, because lactate, the product of one pathway, is the substrate for the other.
The Moderating Effect of Firm-Specific Factors on the Relationship Marketing - Customer Retention Association: Evidence from Kenya’s Microfinance Sector

Retaining customers is a considered a key determinant of the long term survival of a firm. Existing studies show a positive association between relationship marketing and customer retention. As such, firms employ relationship marketing strategies with the aim of retaining customers. In recent times though, many businesses seem to be facing customer retention challenges despite employing relationship marketing strategies. This implies there could be third forces affecting this direct association between relationship and customer retention. However, empirical evidence on the moderating effect of such third forces is very scarce. This research sought to investigate the moderating effect of firm-specific factors on the relationship marketing-customer retention association, by using a sample of 48 managers and 492 customers from Kenya’s microfinance institutions. Data was analyzed by applying simple and multiple regression. Results showed firm-specific factors had a statistically significant but negative moderating effect. This study makes a theoretical contribution to relationship marketing knowledge base by proposing a model which explains the role of moderating factors in the relationship marketing–customer retention association. The study’s empirical evidence thus supports a more complex structure of the relationship marketing-customer retention link. Practically, the findings suggest marketers should combine relationship marketing with firm specific factors for optimum customer retention results. Keywords: Relationship marketing, Firm specific factors, Customer retention
Application of evolutionary programming to optimal siting and sizing and optimal scheduling of distributed generation

This study proposes a method for sizing, siting, and scheduling distributed generators using an evolutionary programming algorithm. The distribution system is modelled using a loadflow formulation wherein the distributed generator is modelled as injected real and reactive power. Evolutionary programming is implemented by perturbing distributed generator outputs and evaluating the fitness values of the resulting systems. Optimal locations and sizes of distributed generators are determined using a fitness value based on system loss reduction, while an optimal distributed generator schedule is determined for a 24-hour period using a fitness value based on energy cost. A mathematical model is developed to represent different customer types within the distribution system and different types of energy sources are represented based on their availability and cost. Spot market prices are modelled based on a typical 24-hour price curve. The method is found to be effective and flexible based on results for a 69-bus test system.
Clinical Utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT Concurrent with 131I Therapy in Intermediate–to–High-Risk Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Dual-Center Experience with 286 Patients

Patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) are treated with 131I therapy after total thyroidectomy or surgical resection of recurrent tumor. However, some recurrent DTC lesions are not iodine-avid, which affects further treatment planning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefit of 18F-FDG PET/CT performed concurrently with 131I therapy in DTC patients with intermediate to high risk. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 286 DTC patients at 2 Korean medical centers who comprised 2 different patient groups: 28 patients who underwent adjuvant 131I treatment after curative surgical resection of recurrent tumor and 258 patients with intermediate to high risk who underwent 131I ablation after total thyroidectomy. 131I therapy and 18F-FDG PET/CT scanning were performed on the same day. Administration of l-thyroxine was withheld from all enrollees for 4 wk before 131I treatment. Results: In 39 patients (14%), 18F-FDG PET/CT detected additional recurrent or metastatic lesions that were not detected on the posttherapy 131I scan, and the treatment plan was changed for 30 patients (10%) based on such findings. Among the 28 patients receiving 131I treatment after resection of recurrent tumor, PET/CT detected additional lesions in 46%, and treatment was changed in 43%. Assessing a subgroup of stage T3–T4N1 patients with tumor size > 2.0 cm, among 258 patients undergoing 131I ablation after total thyroidectomy, we found that 25% had additional positive PET/CT results, and treatment changed for 17%. In contrast, 8% of stage T3–T4N1 patients with tumor size ≤ 2.0 cm, 6% of stage T1–T2N1 patients, and 3% of stage T3–T4N0 patients had additional positive PET/CT findings. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT performed concurrently with 131I therapy detected additional lesions in 14% of DTC patients and was particularly helpful for detecting additional lesions in patients undergoing 131I therapy after resection of recurrent tumor or in stage T3–T4N1 patients with tumor size > 2.0 cm.
Inferring Intentions and Responsibility from Motives and Outcomes: Evidential and Extra-Evidential Judgments

Positive and negative motives and outcomes were manipulated in a series of short vignettes, along with whether the outcomes of behavior were relatively foreseeable or unforeseeable. Subjects rated the actor's responsibility (praise—blame) for the outcome and for the goodness or badness of the actor's intentions. As expected, main effects were obtained for both the actor's motives and the outcomes they produced on ratings of perceived responsibility and intention. The proposed link between motive and intention was supported by the fact that the effect of motive on responsibility was completely eradicated when ratings of intention were covaried. When the outcomes of behavior were foreseeable, evidential (mediated by inferences of intentionality) influences of outcome information were expected to occur, whereas with low foreseeability, only an extraevidential effect (unmediated by inferences about intentionality) was expected. As predicted, the effect of outcome information was significant under conditions o.
ESTABLISHING THE VALIDITY OF SHORT-FORM COMPOSITE ITEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF TEACHING EVALUATIONS

The current study seeks to demonstrate the validity of a short form teaching evaluation instrument that has been created to measure several dimensions of teaching effectiveness. The primary motivation for this study stems from some of the shortcomings that exist with the current teaching evaluation tool that is used in the majority of classrooms at the University of Kansas, including its length. The items of the new short form are composite in nature such that each item consists of two or three key adjectives describing a particular construct of interest. The main empirical question is how much information would be lost by using this short form compared to a long form with multiple items per construct. For each student, data were collected on both a long and a short form. A total of 1297 students from 51 classrooms participated. Results indicated that the short form was a valid measure, despite smaller magnitude correlations and factor loadings compared to the long form measure of the same constructs.
Are We Correcting Correctly?

The formulae for attenuation correction in meta-analysis treat reliabilities as if they were independent of each other. The current study puts this assumption of independence to the test by empirically examining the correlation among predictor and criterion reliability estimates across studies. Interdependence of reliabilities would result in either overestimation or underestimation of population correlations depending on the direction of the relationship between the reliabilities. We conducted two studies to examine the extent to which predictor and criterion reliabilities correlate across studies. Study 1 is based on 628 pairs of reliability estimates from 518 studies published in the Academy of Management Journal and the Journal of Applied Psychology between 2004 and 2011, while Study 2 is based on 564 pairs of reliability estimates from 347 studies included in a meta-analysis on perceived organizational support (POS) and some of its antecedents and outcomes. The findings in both studies show substantial correlations between predictor and criterion reliability coefficients across studies. Our article discusses important implications from these findings for future research and for the future conduct of meta-analyses.
Neuropathic pain correlates with myelinated fibre loss and cytokine profile in POEMS syndrome

Objective: To reveal characteristic clinicopathological correlates of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome. Methods: The clinical features of 22 patients with POEMS syndrome were investigated and correlated with the histopathological features of sural nerves and serum cytokine profiles. Results: More than half of the patients complained of pain in the lower extremities, which is closely related to hyperalgesia. Assessment of the total nerve fibre population using complete transverse sural nerve cross-sections, excluding the marked enlargement of endoneurial areas due to intrafascicular oedema, showed that myelinated fibres, especially small myelinated fibres, were reduced, whereas unmyelinated fibres were preserved. Uncompacted myelin lamellae and segmental demyelination were seen more frequently in the small, rather than the large, myelinated fibres. The presence of hyperalgesia was electrophysiologically associated with a reduction of sensory nerve action potentials in the sural nerve (p<0.05) and histopathologically associated with myelinated fibre loss (p<0.01). Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α), but not their soluble receptors, were significantly elevated in patients with hyperalgesia (p<0.05–0.01). Conclusions: Hyperalgesia seen in patients with POEMS syndrome is closely related with a reduction in the myelinated, but not unmyelinated, fibre population. Elevation of proinflammatory cytokines is also correlated with hyperalgesia. The painful symptoms in POEMS syndrome may be generated by well-preserved unmyelinated C-fibres due to the lack of inhibitory myelinated A-fibres, along with cytokine sensitisation.
Alteration of PBP 3 entails resistance to imipenem in Listeria monocytogenes

A mutant with decreased susceptibility to imipenem (IpR) was selected in vitro from a susceptible clinical isolate of Listeria monocytogenes (IpS). IpR exhibited decreased susceptibility to penicillin G (4 x MIC) and imipenem (16 x MIC) and increased susceptibility to cefotaxime (0.25 x MIC). Electrophoretic profiles of membrane proteins and penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) were identical in the two strains; each strain had five PBPs with molecular masses of ca. 97, 83.3, 81, 77.1, and 42.6 kilodaltons. A decreased affinity of PBP 3 for penicillin G and imipenem (10-fold) was observed in IpR. In contrast, the affinity of PBP 3 for cefotaxime in IpR was increased twofold and correlated with the decreased MIC of this drug. From these findings and competition experiments with different beta-lactam antibiotics, we conclude that the alteration of PBP 3 is responsible for the decreased susceptibility of IpR to penicillin and imipenem and that PBP 3 might be an essential target of beta-lactam antibiotics in L. monocytogenes.
The roles of, and relationships between, expatriates, volunteers, and local development workers

This article reports on exploratory research based on interviews with expatriate and local aid workers employed by local and international NGOs in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Thematic analysis of the interviews found that personnel were placed in groups based on their job category – consultant, volunteer, or permanent staff – regardless of experience. These categories logically reflect each worker's pay level, purpose, and role, but they may also have an implicit power meaning which reinforces group differences and inhibits inter-group relationships. Relationship building was reported to be the most important factor contributing to the success of capacity-development initiatives. Four sub-themes were identified: communication, friendship, reciprocal learning/teaching, and confidence.
Attitudinal and Behavioral Factors Associated with Extramarital Sex Among Nigerian Men: Findings from a National Survey

ABSTRACT Using couple data from a national survey, this article examines couple's characteristics associated with extramarital sex among Nigerian men. We found 15.4% of married men had extramarital sex in the past 12 months. Extramarital sex was significantly associated with men's attitude toward extramarital sex (OR = 1.7 [1.4–3.0]), early sexual debut (OR = 1.9 [1.6–2.3]), alcohol use (OR = 1.7 [1.4–2.1]), and intimate partner violence against wife (IPV) (OR = 1.4 [1.2–1.7]). Increased wife's education was associated with decreased husband's extramarital sex. Men living in rural areas and in the Central and Southern regions were also more likely to have extramarital sex. The findings suggest useful implications for HIV prevention programs in Nigeria. Interventions should focus on influencing social norms around protective behaviors for men to avoid risks associated with extramarital sex and IPV, helping men to change attitudes toward extramarital sex and IPV, and promoting delay in age at first sex among young men.
Not all that it might seem: why job satisfaction is worth studying despite it being a poor summary measure of job quality

Interest in data on job satisfaction is increasing in both academic and policy circles. One common way of interpreting these data is to see a positive association between job satisfaction and job quality. Another view is to dismiss the usefulness of job satisfaction data, because workers can often express satisfaction with work where job quality is poor. It is argued that this second view has some validity, but that survey data on job satisfaction and subjective well-being at work are informative if interpreted carefully. If researchers are to come to sensible conclusions about the meaning behind job satisfaction data, information about why workers report job satisfaction is needed. It is in the understanding of why workers report feeling satisfied (or dissatisfied) with their jobs that sociology can make a positive contribution.