Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Consolidation of the Financial Services Industry: Causes, Consequences, and Implications for the Future

This article designs a framework for evaluating the causes, consequences, and future implications of financial services industry consolidation, reviews the extant research literature within the context of this framework (over 250 references), and suggests fruitful avenues for future research. The evidence is consistent with increases in market power from some types of consolidation; improvements in profit efficiency and diversification of risks, but little or no cost efficiency improvements on average; relatively little effect on the availability of services to small customers; potential improvements in payments system efficiency; and potential costs on the financial system from increasing systemic risk or expanding the financial safety net.
Adjuvant Dose-Dense Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: Standard of Care in High-Risk Patients

Meta-analyses persistently confirm the superiority of dose-dense chemotherapy in comparison with standard chemotherapy. In contrast, individual studies have shown conflicting results. These may be explained by different risk profiles of the treated patient populations. Some trials show a significant advantage in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in the estrogen receptor (ER)-negative population only, whereas trials with high-risk populations like GIM-2 (Gruppo Italiano Mammella) and AGO-iddETC (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie, intense dose-dense epirubicin, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide) show a significant superiority in DFS and OS for both, ER-negative and ER-positive patients even after 7 and 10 years, respectively, of follow-up. In contrast, the 10-year follow-up data of the E1199/Intergroup trial no longer showed any superiority of weekly paclitaxel for ER-positive/HER2-negative patients; superiority was observed in the triple-negative subgroup only. Although a direct head-to-head comparison is missing, iddETC or 4 cycles each of dose-dense epirubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel are the preferred adjuvant regimens for patients at risk. Patients with ≥ 4 positive lymph nodes should preferentially be treated with iddETC.
A novel laboratory apparatus for simulating isotropic oceanic turbulence at low Reynolds number

A new experimental apparatus to simulate oceanic turbulence at low Reynolds number in the laboratory is described. Actuators located at each corner of a cubic Plexiglas box generated synthetic jets that interacted to create turbulent flow at the center of the saltwater apparatus. Four turbulent intensity levels were established, and velocity measurements were performed using digital particle image velocimetry. The flow characteristics in the center of the apparatus were confirmed to be nearly isotropic and homogeneous. The range of the dissipation rate (10−3 to 1 cm2s−3) and the Kolmogorov microscale (0.03 to 0.2 cm) agreed well with natural oceanic environments in the coastal zone, and the length scales and magnitude of the velocity and strain rate fluctuations were appropriate for zooplankton studies. The flow characteristics compared favorably with previous approaches for generating turbulence in the laboratory, in particular, oscillating‐grid apparatus. The current design also possessed increased simplicity, controllability, and transportability. Future objectives include studying the behavioral response of zooplankton to turbulent fluid motions.
Electronic Payment System and Economic Growth: A Review of Transition to Cashless Economy in Nigeria

Technological advancement has provided efficient and effective payment system devoid of ‘cash and carry syndrome’. Specifically, electronic payment system provides a medium through economic exchanges take place without visiting brick and mortal banks or with no physical presence of the transacting parties. While electronic payment system enjoys prominence in Nigeria, evidence of its contribution to economic growth has not been empirically established. Meanwhile, the current transition to cashless economy was essentially based on the prominence of e-payment system. Therefore, this study, for the first time, explored relationship between e-payment system and economic growth as means of reviewing current transition to cashless economy in Nigeria. Data was analysed using OLS and TSLS methods covering period of 7years (2005-2012). The result indicates a significant positive relationship between e-payment system and economic growth in term of real GDP per capita and trade per capita. Only ATMs was found to positively contribute to economic growth while other e-payment channels contribute negatively. Hence, current cashless policy should be tailored towards effective e-payment system and other factors which bear much relevance on successful transition to cashless economy should be prioritized.
On the complexity of approximating a Nash equilibrium

We show that computing a relative---that is, multiplicative as opposed to additive---approximate Nash equilibrium in two-player games is PPAD-complete, even for constant values of the approximation. Our result is the first constant inapproximability result for the problem, since the appearance of the original results on the complexity of the Nash equilibrium [8, 5, 7]. Moreover, it provides an apparent---assuming that PPAD ⊈ TIME(nO(log n))---dichotomy between the complexities of additive and relative notions of approximation, since for constant values of additive approximation a quasi-polynomial-time algorithm is known [22]. Such a dichotomy does not arise for values of the approximation that scale with the size of the game, as both relative and additive approximations are PPAD-complete [7]. As a byproduct, our proof shows that the Lipton-Markakis-Mehta sampling lemma is not applicable to relative notions of constant approximation, answering in the negative direction a question posed to us by Shang-Hua Teng [26].
Proximal gastric cancers resected via a transabdominal-only approach. Results and comparisons to distal adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of patients with proximal gastric cancer (PGC) treated by a transabdominal-only resection to that of patients with distal gastric cancer (DGC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA It has been suggested that PGC is inherently more aggressive than DGC. The worse survival of PGC compared with that of DGC may be in part, because of the difficulty distinguishing PGC from distal esophageal adenocarcinoma. By defining a subset of PGC resected using an transabdominal-only approach, one may discriminate true PGC from distal esophageal adenocarcinoma. This subset of patients is a more appropriate comparison group when analyzing outcome relative to patients with DGC. METHODS A review of the prospective database for gastric adenocarcinoma at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between July 1985 and August 1995 identified 98 patients with PGC resection via a transabdominal-only approach. Of these, 65 underwent proximal gastrectomy and 33 underwent total gastrectomy. For DGC, 258 required a distal gastrectomy and 71 required total gastrectomy. RESULTS The overall 5-year survival of patients with PGC was 42% (median survival, 47 months), whereas the 5-year survival for patients with DGC was 61% (median survival, 106 months, p = 0.03). Within each stage, there were no significant survival differences, but in all stages, survival was better for patients with DGC. More important, the site of the primary tumor appears to affect survival, with a worse outcome as the tumor moves proximally. CONCLUSIONS Despite excluding distal esophageal cancers, survival for patients with PGC remains worse than for those with DGC. Late stage of presentation could not explain this difference. It appears that PGCs are inherently more aggressive than are DGCs. In addition, site of the primary tumor appears to affect outcome, with a trend toward a worse outcome as the tumor moves proximally.
Cortical Information Processing in Coma

ObjectivesTo evaluate cortical information processing (particularly, semantic processing) in acute nontraumatic coma by means of event-related brain potentials (ERPs). MethodsThe tests included measures of obligatory auditory processing (N100), automatic (Mismatch Negativity) and controlled (P300) detection of stimulus deviance, and semantic processing (ERP effects in word pairs and sentences). The tests were presented to 20 healthy participants and 42 coma patients with Glasgow Coma Scale <9. ResultsResponders (ie, patients whose ERP data indicate that their brain was able to process the corresponding stimuli) were found in each ERP test, and their distribution was statistically different from that expected by chance. Particularly, 7 responders were found in the word pair paradigm and 3 responders in the sentence paradigm. The P300 responsiveness highly correlated with other ERP responses, with Glasgow Coma Scale and with the future development of coma (ie, P300 on day 4 was related to the clinical state on day 20). ConclusionsResults suggest a wide range of cortical information processing in coma, including semantic processing. The question is discussed of whether, and to what extent, these processing operations are related to conscious awareness of stimuli.
The measurement of active errors: methodological issues

The value of research in any topic area turns on its validity. Patient safety research has revealed—or, at least, given renewed urgency to—a raft of methodological issues. The meaning and thus the value of empirical research in this field is contingent on getting the methodology right. The need for good methods for the measurement of error is necessary whenever an inference is intended and, since inferences lie at the heart of research and management, there is a huge need to understand better how to make measurements that are meaningful, precise, and accurate. In this paper we consider issues relating to the measurement of error and the need for more research.
Detection of a Variable Infrared Excess around SDSS J121209.31+013627.7

We present near-infrared JHKs photometry and light curves of the candidate magnetic white dwarf+brown dwarf binary SDSS J121209.31+013627.7 and report on the detection of near-infrared excess and variability in the Ks band. The observed near-infrared excess can be explained by the presence of an L7 brown dwarf and an extra emission source. The J and H light curves appear flat, which rules out eclipses deeper than 0.2 mag and the presence of an accretion hot spot on the white dwarf. From the variable Ks light curve, we get a refined period for the system of 88 ± 1 minutes. We show that the observed variability in the Ks band can be explained by cyclotron emission, which can be modeled by a small spot on the surface of the white dwarf. SDSS J121209.31+013627.7 exhibits similarities to the ultra-short-period Polar EF Eridani; however, the lack of evidence for Roche lobe overflow accretion suggests that it may be a pre-Polar.
Update on the Science and Technology of Diesel Particulate Filters

As diesel emission regulations become more stringent, diesel particulate filters (DPFs) have become possibly the most important and complex diesel emission control device. This paper provides an update on the science and technology of diesel particulate emission control, drawing from the results of many research projects carried out by the authors in collaboration with the automotive industry and its suppliers. Both fundamental as well as application-oriented approaches are presented to study the physicochemical characteristics of diesel soot particles and soot deposits formed in DPFs, which are viewed as multifunctional separators/reactors. Theroretical and experimental aspects of filtration efficiency, pressure drop, ash accumulation and soot reactivity (with emphasis on catalyst-assisted soot oxidation) are addressed, employing systems ranging from small-scale filter samples to full-scale devices installed in the exhaust system of diesel engines. Properly combined, the current state of knowledge, experimental methods and simulation approaches all provide a rational and systematic route for enhancing the design and reliability of future diesel particulate emission
Cellular senescence in oral cancer and precancer and treatment implications: A review

Introduction. Recent studies have demonstrated the capacity of the human organism to prevent the growth of potentially carcinogenic cells by paralyzing them. This antitumor mechanism is known as cellular senescence and is defined as an emergency defence system for cells on the way to becoming cancerous. Results. This review of the literature suggests that oncogene-induced senescence may be a response to oncogenic activation, acting as a natural barrier against tumorigenesis at a premalignant stage. Thus, a large number of cells enter senescence in premalignant lesions but none do so in malignant tumors, due to the loss of senescent pathway effectors such as p16INK4a or ARF-p53. Potential senescence markers in oral precancerous lesions include p21WAF1, p16INK4a, pRb, Maspin, RAR-β, G-actin, p15INK4b, DCR2, and DEC1, some of which are currently under study. Conclusion. In the short term, the study of this mechanism may yield valuable data for the management of oral cancer and precancer, for which no effective diagnostic or prognostic markers are yet available.
A cost of quality analysis of a building project: towards a complete methodology for design and build

A number of studies have been published that claim to carry out cost of quality (COQ) studies on construction projects. These studies, however, have largely ignored the contribution of prevention and appraisal costs to COQ, and have limited their analysis to the impact of quality failures on the main contractor. This paper presents a methodology for assessing the ‘complete’ COQ for construction projects and reports on the findings of a building project in the UK on which the methodology was piloted. The company that applied this approach has now extended it to other projects.
Three different premature stop codons lead to skipping of exon 7 in neurofibromatosis type I patients

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder affecting one in 3,500 individuals. The mutation rate in the NF1 gene is one of the highest known for human genes. Compared to other methods, the protein truncation test (PTT) provides improved efficiency in detecting NF1 mutations which are dispersed throughout the gene which spans 350 kilobases of genomic DNA. We have applied the PTT and subsequent sequence analysis of cloned cDNA to identify mutations in NF1 patients. We report here the identification of two novel (W336X and Q315X), and one recurrent (R304X) mutation located in exon 7 and show that all three premature termination codons lead to skipping of exon 7 in a proportion of the transcripts derived from the mutated allele. Possible mutation‐induced alterations of the RNA secondary structure and their impact on skipping of exon 7 of the NF1 gene are explored and discussed. Hum Mutat 16:90–91, 2000. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ORF73 of Herpesvirus Saimiri Strain C488 Tethers the Viral Genome to Metaphase Chromosomes and Binds to cis-Acting DNA Sequences in the Terminal Repeats

ABSTRACT Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), a human oncogenic gamma-2-herpesvirus, transforms human endothelial cells and establishes latent infection at a low efficiency in vitro. During latent infection, only a limited number of genes are expressed, and the circularized viral genome is maintained as a multicopy episome. Latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA), exclusively expressed during latency, has been shown to have a multifunctional role in KS pathogenesis. LANA tethers the viral episome to the host chromosome, thus ensuring efficient persistence of the viral genome during successive rounds of cell division. Besides episome maintenance, LANA modulates the expression of genes of various cellular and viral pathways, including those of retinoblastoma protein and p53. Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), another gamma-2-herpesvirus, primarily infects New World primates. Orf73, encoding the nuclear antigen of HVS, is the positional homolog of the LANA gene, and the ORF73 protein has some sequence homology to KSHV LANA. However, the function of ORF73 of HVS has not been thoroughly investigated. In this report, we show that HVS ORF73 may be important for episome persistence and colocalizes with the HVS genomic DNA on metaphase chromosomes. Furthermore, HVS terminal repeats (TRs) contain a cis-acting sequence similar to that in KSHV TRs, suggesting that the LANA binding sequence is conserved between these two viruses. This cis-acting element is sufficient to bind HVS ORF73 from strains C488 and A11, and plasmids containing the HVS C488 TR element are maintained and replicate in HVS C488 ORF73-expressing cells.
Functional role of STIM1 and Orai1 in silkmoth (Bombyx mori) sex pheromone production

Store-operated Ca2+ influx has recently been shown to require the activation of two proteins, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and Orai1. In mammals the putative channel ion selectivity filter is thought to comprise conserved charged residues in the first and third transmembrane domains of Orai1 in addition to three residues in the first extracellular loop. The latter residues, however, are not conserved in either of the Bombyx mori Orai1 variants or in most insects, suggesting that selectivity is a relatively recent evolutionary event. In B. mori, thapsigargin-mediated STIM1 redistribution is dependent on a cluster of highly conserved basic residues (amino acids 380-385) in the C terminus that likely interact with acidic residues in the Orai1 C terminus. BmSTIM1 redistribution in vitro also occurs downstream of pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide receptor activation. Activation of in vivo RNA interference mechanisms confirmed the physiological role of BmSTIM1 and Orai1 in sex pheromone production.
Regulation of the p53 Tumor Suppressor Protein*

Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene occur in about 50% of all human tumors, making it the most frequent target for genetic alterations in cancer (for recent reviews on p53 see Refs. 1–5). Such mutations probably facilitate carcinogenesis primarily through abrogating the tumor suppressor activities of the wild type p53 protein, although at least some forms of tumor-associated mutant p53 proteins may also contribute overt oncogenic activities (gain of function). Excessive wild type p53 activity gives rise to a variety of cellular outcomes, most notably cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These cellular effects of wild type p53 can reduce cancer incidence through elimination of cancer-prone cells from the replicative pool. However, such effects might become very undesirable if occurring in a normal, unperturbed cell. p53 activity must therefore be kept under tight control, being unleashed only when a cell accumulates lesions that may otherwise drive it into a cancerous state. The signals and mechanisms that regulate p53 activity, maintaining it at low levels under normal conditions and turning it on in cancerprone cells, are the subject of this review.
ASSESSING STRUVITE PRECIPITATION IN A PILOT‐SCALE FLUIDIZED BED CRYSTALLIZER

Abstract The recovery of phosphates from biological wastewater treatment plants, through struvite crystallization, minimizes operational downtime and offers the potential for cost‐effective recovery. The pilot‐scale, fluidized bed reactor developed at the University of British Columbia (UBC) was found to be effective in recovering phosphate in the form of nearly pure struvite product, from an anaerobic digester centrate. The desired degree of phosphate removal was achieved by maintaining operating pH 8.0–8.2, and recycle ratio 5–9, to control the supersaturation conditions inside the reactor. The performance of the system was found to be optimal when the in‐reactor supersaturation ratio was 2–6. In‐reactor magnesium to phosphate molar ratio was found to be an important parameter to maintain system performance. In‐reactor ammonium to phosphate molar ratio was also found to maintain a good correlation with phosphate removal. The influence of organic ligands on the struvite precipitation was investigated for a small molecular weight organic ligand, acetate, using a chemical equilibrium model PHREEQC. An acetate concentration below about 100 mg l−1 was not found to affect the precipitation potential of struvite. Calcium and carbonate ion did not have any noticeable effect in struvite crystallization of struvite, under the operational concentrations utilized. Since the precipitation of calcium and carbonate compounds was controlled by kinetic factors, rather than thermodynamic solubility alone, the solid precipitates harvested were pure struvite, with undetectable impurities.
The Utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT for Diagnosis and Adjustment of Therapy in Patients with Active Chronic Sarcoidosis

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detection of inflammation in granulomatous sites and management of patients with chronic sarcoidosis. The 3 specific aims were to assess differences between 18F-FDG PET/CT and multidetector CT (MDCT) findings, to compare 18F-FDG PET/CT results with serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and to determine whether 18F-FDG PET/CT findings are associated with the decision to change therapy. Methods: We studied 90 sarcoidosis patients (mean age ± SD, 47 ± 12 y; 32 men and 58 women) with persistent symptoms who were referred for 18F-FDG PET/CT evaluation to assess the extent of inflammation. They also underwent MDCT and measurement of serum ACE level. After the follow-up (12 ± 5 mo after 18F-FDG PET/CT), the clinical status and changes in therapy were analyzed. Results: 18F-FDG PET/CT detected inflammation in 74 patients (82%) (maximum standardized uptake value, 8.1 ± 3.9). MDCT was positive for sarcoidosis in 6 additional patients (80, 89%). The difference between the 2 methods was not significant (P = 0.238, McNemar test), and their agreement was fair (κ = 0.198). Although ACE levels were significantly higher in patients with positive than negative 18F-FDG PET/CT results (P = 0.002, Mann–Whitney test), 38 patients (51%) with positive 18F-FDG PET/CT results had normal ACE levels. The therapy was initiated or changed in 73 out of 90 patients (81%). Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that positive 18F-FDG PET/CT results were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with changes in therapy, with no contribution from age, sex, ACE level, CT results, or previous therapy. Conclusion: Our results indicate that 18F-FDG PET/CT is a useful adjunct to other diagnostic methods for detecting active inflammatory sites in chronic sarcoidosis patients with persistent symptoms, especially those with normal ACE levels. 18F-FDG PET/CT proved advantageous for determining the spread of active disease throughout the body and influenced the decision to adjust the therapy.