Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FOXA1 Expression in Breast Cancer—Correlation with Luminal Subtype A and Survival

Purpose: FOXA1, a forkhead family transcription factor, is essential for optimum expression of ∼50% of estrogen receptor α (ERα):estrogen responsive genes. FOXA1 is expressed in breast cancer cells. It segregates with genes that characterize the luminal subtypes in DNA microarray analyses. The utility of FOXA1 as a possible independent prognostic factor has not been determined in breast cancers. Materials and Methods: A tissue microarray comprising tumors from 438 patients with 15.4 years median follow-up was analyzed for FOXA1 expression by immunohistochemistry. Interpretable FOXA1 expression obtained in 404 patients was analyzed along with other prognostic factors like tumor grade, size, nodal status, ER, progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2/neu. Results: FOXA1 expression (score >3) was seen in 300 of 404 breast cancers and it correlated with ER (P = 0.000001), PR (P = 0.00001), and luminal A subtype (P = 0.000001). Loss of expression was noted with worsening tumor grade (P = 0.001). Univariate analysis showed nodal status (P = 0.0000012), tumor size (P = 0.00001), FOXA1 (P = 0.0004), and ER (P = 0.012) to be predictors of breast cancer–specific survival. Multivariate analysis showed only nodal status (P = 0.001) and tumor size (P = 0.039) to be significant prognostic factors, whereas FOXA1 (P = 0.060) and ER (P = 0.131) were not significant. In luminal subtype A patient subgroup, FOXA1 expression was associated with better cancer-specific survival (P = 0.024) and in ER-positive subgroup, it was better predictor of cancer-specific survival (P = 0.009) than PR (P = 0.213). Conclusion: FOXA1 expression correlates with luminal subtype A breast cancer and it is significant predictor of cancer-specific survival in patients with ER-positive tumors. Prognostic ability of FOXA1 in these low-risk breast cancers may prove to be useful in clinical treatment decisions.
From Awareness To Action On The Nutrition And Epidemiologic Transition In Nigeria: The Role Of Policy Actor Perspectives And Strategic Capacity

Previous studies have documented the increasing burden of non communicable diseases (NCDs) in developing countries, including Nigeria. The WHO and other bodies have emphasized the need for a “sound and explicit government policy” as fundamental for the prevention and control of NCDs. However, such a policy cannot be formulated without a certain level of awareness, understanding and concern among policy actors. This research assessed the perspectives of federal and state policy actors in Nigeria about NCDs. Key policy actors were identified using snowball sampling, and the perspectives of participants were assessed using Q-methodology and interviews. Three dominant groups were identified – the polycentric, the skeptics, and the contented. All groups were of the view that NCDs are a serious problem in Nigeria, and must be addressed. The groups were also of the view that effective action, which has been slow till date, is possible within the system. However, there were important differences in the emphasis of each of the groups. The polycentric emphasized non-institutionally restricted action; the skeptics perceived low institutional effectiveness, and focused on individual responsibility, and the contented stressed the effectiveness of action undertaken through existing institutions. The study found that some type of policy attention on NCDs is likely in the immediate future, but it may not be the concerted multisectoral efforts urged by global authorities.
PRINCIPAL-AGENT THEORY AND ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE

Principal-agent theory has provided a powerful and all-encompassing framework for public sector organisation. Its influence in New Zealand since the late-1980s has been particularly strong, despite questions over its appropriateness. This article discusses the case of health information management in New Zealand's health sector which, through the 1990s, endured several policy changes. One constant during this period was reliance on principal-agent theory-inspired organisation. The article illustrates how principal-agent theory failed to create an environment conducive to effective development of health information systems. By the end of the 1990s, when principals wanted collaboration in health care, information systems developed in the preceding competitive period, with no central coordination, were simply inadequate. Based on experiences outlined in the article, four areas are noted in which principal-agent theory may need revision.
Host and Pathogen Glycosaminoglycan-Binding Proteins Modulate Antimicrobial Peptide Responses in Drosophila melanogaster

ABSTRACT During group B streptococcal infection, the alpha C protein (ACP) on the bacterial surface binds to host cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and facilitates entry of bacteria into human epithelial cells. Previous studies in a Drosophila melanogaster model showed that binding of ACP to the sulfated polysaccharide chains (glycosaminoglycans) of HSPGs promotes host death and is associated with higher bacterial burdens. We hypothesized that ACP-glycosaminoglycan binding might determine infection outcome by altering host responses to infection, such as expression of antimicrobial peptides. As glycosaminoglycans/HSPGs also interact with a number of endogenous secreted signaling molecules in Drosophila, we examined the effects of host and pathogen glycosaminoglycan/HSPG-binding structures in host survival of infection and antimicrobial peptide expression. Strikingly, host survival after infection with wild-type streptococci was enhanced among flies overexpressing the endogenous glycosaminoglycan/HSPG-binding morphogen Decapentaplegic—a transforming growth factor β-like Drosophila homolog of mammalian bone morphogenetic proteins—but not by flies overexpressing a mutant, non-glycosaminoglycan-binding Decapentaplegic, or the other endogenous glycosaminoglycan/HSPG-binding morphogens, Hedgehog and Wingless. While ACP-glycosaminoglycan binding was associated with enhanced transcription of peptidoglycan recognition proteins and antimicrobial peptides, Decapentaplegic overexpression suppressed transcription of these genes during streptococcal infection. Further, the glycosaminoglycan-binding domain of ACP competed with Decapentaplegic for binding to the soluble glycosaminoglycan heparin in an in vitro assay. These data suggest that, in addition to promoting bacterial entry into host cells, ACP competes with Decapentaplegic for binding to glycosaminoglycans/HSPGs during infection and that these bacterial and endogenous glycosaminoglycan-binding structures determine host survival and regulate antimicrobial peptide transcription.
Determining Whether There are any Effects of Incentive Compensation and Stock Ownership on Internal Audit Procedures

This study examines whether internal auditor incentive compensation and stock ownership affect internal auditors' decisions to extend audit procedures when warranted. Internal auditors may be reluctant to extend audit procedures in situations that could adversely impact the company's earnings, as this could have a negative impact on the internal auditor's compensation and/or stock value. Since this involves a sensitive issue, the randomized response technique is used to elicit responses. The results indicate that while a sizeable proportion of internal auditors were reluctant to extend audit procedures when warranted, neither incentive compensation nor stock ownership affected the audit planning decisions.
Non-Monetary Exchange within Firms and Industry

This paper considers why non-monetary means of exchange, such as barter and the reciprocation of favors, are chosen by firms despite the usual benefits of monetary transactions. We consider the chosen means of exchange when both monetary and non-monetary exchange mechanisms are available. We illustrate three potential reasons for the emergence of non-monetary trade. First, a willingness to barter may reveal information that cannot be revealed solely through monetary trade. Second, non-monetary trade may constrain the ability of agents to engage in inefficient rent-seeking activities. Finally, non-monetary trade improves the ability of agents to impose trade sanctions on those who act dishonestly. We consider a number of applications of each of these ideas.
Can Principals Identify Effective Teachers? Evidence on Subjective Performance Evaluation in Education

We examine how well principals can distinguish between more and less effective teachers. To put principal evaluations in context, we compare them with the traditional determinants of teacher compensation—education and experience—as well as value‐added measures of teacher effectiveness based on student achievement gains. We present “out‐of‐sample” predictions that mitigate concerns that the teacher quality and student achievement measures are determined simultaneously. We find that principals can generally identify teachers who produce the largest and smallest standardized achievement gains but have far less ability to distinguish between teachers in the middle of this distribution.
Economic pressure, multi‐tiered subcontracting and occupational health and safety in Australian long‐haul trucking

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to analyse the relationship between economic pressure, multi‐tiered subcontracting and occupational health and safety (OHS) outcomes for employee and owner/drivers in long‐haul trucking, using Australian evidence.Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on direct interviews with 300 long‐haul drivers, using a structured questionnaire along with an examination of documentary records, statistics and government reports. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered on self‐reported acute and chronic injuries, the incidence of occupational violence, truck crashes, indicators of illicit drug use, hours of work/fatigue and psychological distress.Findings – Variations between owner/drivers and employees working for small and large firms were investigated. Overall, owner/drivers reported worse OHS than small fleet and, more especially, large fleet drivers. Evidence also indicated a connection between economic pressure, the expansion of contingent work and neg.
Synaptic Vesicle Depletion Correlates with Attenuated Synaptic Responses to Prolonged Repetitive Stimulation in Mice Lacking α-Synuclein

Although the mutation of α-synuclein, a protein associated with presynaptic vesicles, is implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, the biological function of the normal protein is unknown. Mice that lack α-synuclein have been generated by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Electron microscopic examination of hippocampal synapses revealed a striking selective deficiency of undocked vesicles without affecting docked vesicles. Field recording of CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices from the mutant mice demonstrated normal basal synaptic transmission, paired-pulse facilitation, and response to a brief train of high-frequency stimulation (100 Hz, 40 pulses) that exhausts only docked vesicles. In contrast, the α-synuclein knock-out mice exhibited significant impairments in synaptic response to a prolonged train of repetitive stimulation (12.5 Hz, 300 pulses) capable of depleting docked as well as reserve pool vesicles. Moreover, the replenishment of the docked vesicles by reserve pool vesicles after depletion was slower in the mutant synapses. Thus, α-synuclein may be required for the genesis and/or maintenance of a subset of presynaptic vesicles, those in the “reserve” or “resting” pools. These results reveal, for the first time, the normal function of endogenous α-synuclein in regulating synaptic vesicle mobilization at nerve terminals.
Biologic width around titanium implants. A physiologically formed and stable dimension over time.

Research in implant dentistry has mainly focused on hard tissue integration with much less data available with regards to soft tissue integration involving epithelium and connective tissue. In the present study, the implantogingival junction of unloaded and loaded non-submerged titanium implants has been analyzed histometrically in the canine mandible. In 6 foxhounds, 69 implants were placed. Dogs in the unloaded group were sacrificed 3 months after implant placement. Loaded implants were restored with gold crowns and those dogs were sacrificed after 3 months and 12 months of loading. Non-decalcified histologic sections were analyzed histometrically measuring the dimensions of the Sulcus Depth (SD), the Junctional Epithelium (JE), and the Connective Tissue Contact (CTC). Histometric evaluation revealed that significant changes within tissue compartments (SD, JE, CTC) occurred over time (P < 0.05). Sulcus Depth had a mean of 0.49 mm and 0.50 mm after 3 months and 6 months of healing, but after 15 months was 0.16 mm which was significantly different. Similarly, the length of the Junctional Epithelium after 3 months and 6 months of healing was 1.16 mm and 1.44 mm, respectively, and these values were significantly different from measurements taken after 15 months (1.88 mm). The area of Connective Tissue Contact showed a different pattern of change in that after 3 months of healing (1.36 mm) it was significantly different from the same area after 6 months and 15 months which were 1.01 mm and 1.05 mm, respectively. Interestingly, the sum of SD, JE, and CTC, forming the Biologic Width, did not change over the observation period (P > 0.05). These data indicate that the Biologic Width is a physiologically formed and stable structure over time in the case of non-submerged, one-piece titanium implants as evaluated histometrically under unloaded and loaded conditions. Dynamic changes did occur, however, within the overall Biologic Width dimension. Thus, the use of non-submerged, one-piece implants allow for stable overall peri-implant soft tissues as evaluated under loaded conditions for up to 12 months.
Perception of important information in corporate social disclosures: evidence from Indonesia

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the most important corporate social disclosure (CSD) as perceived by the Indonesian stakeholders and the disclosures in Indonesian listed companies' annual reports. Design/methodology/approach - Questionnaire and content analysis methods were applied for the purpose of the study. A total of 306 people from six primary stakeholder groups (shareholders, investors, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities) provided their opinions by ranking the importance of every theme of disclosure. Further, the information disclosed by 119 Indonesian listed companies in their 2003, 2004, and 2005 annual reports was examined. Findings - The results show that there are gaps between the most important information perceived by the stakeholders and the information disclosed by the companies. This result may indicate that the information disclosed by the companies has not fulfilled the stakeholders' needs. Therefore, the stakeholder theory should be investigated further in this context. Research limitations/implications - The study is expected to assist Indonesian businesses to focus on the information they disclose in their CSD particularly as a consequence of their corporate social responsibility (CSR). Originality/value - The paper is based on an original study that addresses the current gap between the CSD needed by the stakeholders and the fact that CSD has been disclosed in the companies' annual reports. The study is particularly valuable for both stakeholders and companies.
Hormone receptor status (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor), human epidermal growth factor-2 and p53 in South Indian breast cancer patients: A tertiary care center experience

Abstract Breast cancer, in India, is the second commonest cancer in females. Receptor status with ER/PR/Her 2 is now routinely done in patients with invasive carcinoma. The tumour suppressor gene, p53, is also present in most breast cancers. Proteins produced by a mutated p53 gene, accumulate in the nucleus of tumour cells and are detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). We have undertaken this study with the aim to evaluate the ER, PR, HER-2 and p53 expressions in invasive breast carcinomas by IHC and to compare the HER-2 expression with various clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective single institutional study from January 2001 to December 2010, 389 cases of histopathologically diagnosed infiltrating carcinoma of breast were evaluated taking into account various parameters like age, tumour size, grade, lymph node involvement, ER and PR. HER-2 and p53 was done in 352 cases. Results: The age range was 23-90 years with a mean of 50.7 years. Majority of tumours were T2 (79.6%) and Grade II (60.9%). Our data showed overall 47.6% ER, 48.8% PR, 29.6% HER-2 and 69.2% p53 positivity. There was no significant correlation between HER-2 and age, tumour size, lymph node status, ER, and PR. There was significant correlation between HER-2 and tumour grade (P = 0.031), p53 (P < 0.001). There was no inverse correlation between HER-2 and combined ER, PR status. Triple-negative breast cancers which constituted 22.7% of our cases did not reveal any correlation with various parameters. Conclusion: In our study, ER status was low, and incidence of p53 was high. These findings suggest that many of the tumours in Indian females may be of an aggressive type, and novel treatment approaches may be tried. We conclude that the assessment of all four markers is desirable.
A preliminary study on the use of demisyllables in automatic speech recognition

A speech recognition system is described for recognizing isolated words from reference templates created by concatenating demisyllables from a corpus of about 1000 demisyllables. The composition (in terms of demisyllables) of each reference word is specified in a lexicon with one or more entries for each word of the vocabulary. Experiments were carried out, using a 100-word vocabulary, to investigate the usefulness of such a representation and the effect on performance of some simple modifications in demisyllable specification and durations of reference patterns. Recognition accuracy of 97.6% was obtained using 132 reference templates for the 100-word vocabulary.
Shifts in the Demand and Supply of Skills in the OECD: A Single-Index Model With a Continuous Distribution of Skills

This paper proposes a one-dimensional index for the gap between the demand and supply of skills; this index can be estimated based on the labour market performance of groups defined with characteristics (e.g. education) that are only imperfectly correlated with labour market skills. Using data from five European countries and the US, we find that the relative demand for skills has increased more than the relative supply in the US and UK during the 1980s but not in other European countries. However, the gap between relative demand and supply increased in Italy and the Netherlands from the early 1990s. Copyright 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Estimating the benefits of water quality improvements under the Water Framework Directive: are benefits transferable?

The Water Framework Directive sets an objective of ‘Good Ecological Status’ for water bodies across the EU. Non-point pollution from agriculture is a major reason for the failure of rivers in the UK to meet this target. In this paper, we use choice experiment methodology to test the transferability of benefit estimates of water quality improvements for two small catchments where agricultural-source non-point pollution and irrigation water abstraction are the main threats to ecological status. We also investigate the most appropriate techniques to apply to transfer testing, including allowing for correlation between preferences for environmental attributes, and testing for acceptable differences between transferred and original values.
Monetary Policy Alternatives at the Zero Bound: An Empirical Assessment

The success over the years in reducing inflation and, consequently, the average level of nominal interest rates has increased the likelihood that the nominal policy interest rate may become constrained by the zero lower bound. When that happens, a central bank can no longer stimulate aggregate demand by further interest-rate reductions and must rely on non-standard policy alternatives. To assess the potential effectiveness of such policies, we analyze the behavior of selected asset prices over short periods surrounding central bank statements or other types of financial or economic news and estimate no-arbitrage models of the term structure for the United States and Japan. There is some evidence that central bank communications can help to shape public expectations of future policy actions and that asset purchases in large volume by a central bank would be able to affect the price or yield of the targeted asset.
Technical Efficiency Of Small-Holder Cocoyam Farmers In Anambra State, Nigeria: A Translog Stochastic Frontier Production Function Approach

This study employed a translog stochastic frontier production function to measure the level of technical efficiency and it's determinants in small-holder cocoyam production in Anambra state, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 cocoyam farmers in the state in 2005 from whom input-output data were obtained using the cost-route approach. The parameters of the stochastic frontier production function were estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The result of the analysis shows that individual farm level technical efficiency was about 93%. The study found farm size, use of fertilizer and membership of farmers' association/cooperative societies to be positively and significantly related to technical efficiency at 5% while no significant relationship was found between technical efficiency and age, education, farming experience, extension contact, household sizes and credit. Keywords : Translog Stochastic Frontier, Production Function and Technical Efficiency. > International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 9 2007: pp. 1-6
A yield-macro model for actuarial use in the United Kingdom

Abstract We construct yield curve models for the UK nominal, real and implied inflation spot rates considering the linkage between their term structures and some macroeconomic variables, in particular, realised inflation and real GDP growth. The paper extends the benchmark “yield-only” model proposed by Şahin et al. (2014) by exploring the bidirectional relations between the yield curve factors and the macroeconomic variables and proposes a “yield-macro” model. Although a simple autoregressive order one process fits the yield curve factors quite well the insertion of some macroeconomic variables such as realised inflation and real GDP growth improves the models significantly. We also model macroeconomic variables that take the term structures into account and compare the yield-macro model with Wilkie’s model both philosophically and empirically.