Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
miR-1290 is a potential prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND miR-1290 is a newly discovered microRNA (miRNA), and its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of miR-1290 in NSCLC tissues and serum, and explore its associations with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of NSCLC patients. METHODS A total of 33 pairs of tissues and 73 serum samples were obtained from NSCLC patients and expression levels of miR-1290 were detected by specific TaqMan qRT-PCR. The relationship between miR-1290 expression levels in NSCLC tissues and serum and clinicopathological characteristics was estimated respectively. The correlation between serum miR-1290 expression levels and overall survival of NSCLC patients was performed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS We determined that miR-1290 expression levels were increased significantly in NSCLC tissues compared with non-tumor adjacent normal tissues, and higher miR-1290 expression levels were positively correlated with high tumor stage (P=0.004) and positive lymph node metastasis (P=0.013). Compared with benign lung disease and healthy controls, serum levels of NSCLC patients exhibited higher expression of miR-1290. Furthermore, the up-regulation of serum miR-1290 more frequently occurred in NSCLC patients with high TNM stage, positive lymph node metastasis (P=0.022 and P=0.024, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that high serum miR-1290 expression levels predicted poor survival (P=0.022). Cox proportional hazards risk analysis indicated that miR-1290 was an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that miR-1290 is overexpressed in NSCLC, and serum miR-1290 may be used as a potential prognostic biomarker for NSCLC.
Neo Robust Control Theory–Beyond The Small-Gain and Passivity Paradigms–

Abstract The celebrated small-gain approach to robust control only makes use of the gain information of uncertainty. This results in a limitation on the achievable control bandwidth in system design. On the other hand, the alternative passivity approach has only limited applications. To relax the limitations associated with small-gain and passivity approaches, we explore the possibility of utilizing both the gain and the phase information of uncertainty in robust control design. This paper discusses the modeling of uncertainty accounting for both gain and phase, robust stability conditions and their state space characterization.
Human Histone Demethylase LSD1 Reads the Histone Code*

Human histone demethylase LSD1 is a flavin-dependent amine oxidase that catalyzes the specific removal of methyl groups from mono- and dimethylated Lys4 of histone H3. The N-terminal tail of H3 is subject to various covalent modifications, and a fundamental question in LSD1 biology is how these epigenetic marks affect the demethylase activity. We show that LSD1 does not have a strong preference for mono- or dimethylated Lys4 of H3. Substrate recognition is not confined to the residues neighboring Lys4, but it requires a sufficiently long peptide segment consisting of the N-terminal 20 amino acids of H3. Electrostatic interactions are an important factor in protein-substrate recognition, as indicated by the high sensitivity of Km to ionic strength. We have probed LSD1 for its ability to demethylate Lys4 in presence of a second modification on the same peptide substrate. Methylation of Lys9 does not affect enzyme catalysis. Conversely, Lys9 acetylation causes an almost 6-fold increase in the Km value, whereas phosphorylation of Ser10 totally abolishes activity. LSD1 is inhibited by a demethylated peptide with an inhibition constant of 1.8 μm, suggesting that LSD1 can bind to H3 independently of Lys4 methylation. LSD1 is a chromatin-modifying enzyme, which is able to read different epigenetic marks on the histone N-terminal tail and can serve as a docking module for the stabilization of the associated corepressor complex(es) on chromatin.
Optimal Insurance in Incomplete Markets

This paper examines the theory of optimal insurance purchasing in the presence of uninsurable background risk. Existing theorems concerning the optimal level of insurance and the optimal form of an insurance contract are shown to hold only under restricted market and risk assumptions. In particular, conditions sufficient for the optimality of full coverage or sufficient for the optimality of deductible policies depend on the correlation between insurable and uninsurable risks. These results may provide a partial explanation why existing theory is often contradicted by observable behavior.
Millennial Generation Opinions of the Military: A Case Study

Abstract : This study examines the attitudes, values, and beliefs of the Millennial generation as they relate to military service. Specifically, the study looks at factors that influence Millennials' perceptions of the military, including attitudes toward the repeal of the policy known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Information was collected via a survey and follow-up focus group discussions, administered during February 2011 at four community colleges in the Monterey Bay area. A total of 481 students participated. Data analysis focused on identifying attitudinal changes over the past 10 years, particularly across gender. Study results reveal the following: youth have little knowledge about the military and the educational opportunities available; higher education is the military's top competitor; female Millennials are more likely to attend college after high school; Millennials value extrinsic benefits, as well as intrinsic benefits such as flexibility in the workplace; and the majority of youth support equal rights, believing that gays should not be restricted from military service. Recommendations are offered to improve recruiting, particularly in better aligning individual goals with the military's unique value to achieve these goals.
Growth Hormone Secretagogue Actions On The Pituitary Gland: Multiple Receptors For Multiple Ligands?

1. Growth hormone (GH) secretion is thought to occur under the reciprocal regulation of two hypothalamic hormones, namely GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIF), through their engagement with specific cell‐surface receptors on the anterior pituitary somatotropes.
Applying Resilience Thinking to Natural Resource Management through a “Planning-By-Doing” Framework

Natural resource management (NRM) organizations are increasingly looking to resilience thinking to provide insights into how social and environmental systems interact and to identify points of intervention. Drawing on complex systems analysis, resilience thinking emphasizes that landscapes constantly change from social and ecological interactions, and focuses NRM planners’ attention on identifying key variables, feedbacks, and thresholds that can help improve intervention strategies. More deliberative approaches are being developed to use resilience thinking in ways that engage and build human capacity for action. This article documents experiences shared with NRM agencies in rural Australia as we developed new approaches to link resilience thinking with collective learning principles. We present an emerging framework through which heuristics associated with resilience thinking is being used as part of a planning-by-doing process. The framework is being tested to assess whether and how it can enable change agents to advance their capacities for adaptation and transformation.
The internationalisation of Indian multinationals: determinants of expansion through acquisitions

In recent years, there is an increasing number of papers focusing on the internationalisation process of Indian multinationals. However, there is still a gap in understanding the determinants of their outward foreign direct investment (FDI) decisions. Thus, this paper analyses the factors influencing the choice between FDI modes by Indian firms. Our findings show that industry technological intensity, host country risk, host market attractiveness, previous international experience and the volume of exports from India to the host country are determining factors of the choice between acquisitions and greenfields.
Neuropsychological Dysfunction in the Absence of Structural Evidence for Cerebral Ischemia after Uncomplicated Carotid Endarterectomy

OBJECTIVE: Neurocognitive dysfunction has been shown to occur in roughly 25% of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Despite this, little is known about the mechanism of this injury. Recently, several groups have shown that new diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)-positive lesions are seen in 20% of patients undergoing CEA. We investigated to what degree neurocognitive dysfunction was associated with new DWI lesions. METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive patients undergoing CEA were subjected to pre- and postoperative cognitive evaluation with a battery of neuropsychological tests. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all patients within 24 hours of surgery. Lesions that showed high signal on DWI and restricted diffusion on apparent diffusion coefficient maps but no abnormal high signal on the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images were considered hyperacute. RESULTS: Cognitive dysfunction was seen in eight (24%) patients. New hyperacute DWI lesions were seen in three (9%). Only one (13%) of the patients with cognitive dysfunction had a new DWI lesion. Two thirds of the new DWI lesions occurred in the absence of cognitive deterioration. Patients with cognitive dysfunction had significantly longer carotid cross-clamp times. CONCLUSION: Neurocognitive dysfunction after CEA does not seem to be associated with new DWI positive lesions.
Diversity & Inclusion and innovation: a virtuous cycle

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify the reciprocal relationship between Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and innovation to demonstrate how each may be effectively leveraged for the benefit of the other to help businesses grow. The paper aims to expand the discussion around the relationship between D&I and innovation by exploring not only how D&I can be leveraged for better outcomes in innovation, but also how innovation can be leveraged for better outcomes in D&I. Design/methodology/approach – This paper explores insights from researchers and practitioners, case examples, and the authors’ professional experiences, opinions and interpretations. Findings – Set in the context of current challenges facing business leaders, the paper provides insights, recommendations and case examples about how D&I can be leveraged to bring about innovative products, services and business solutions. It also discusses factors limiting success in the field of D&I calling for innovative approaches that can deliver bet.
Determinants of hotel room price

Purpose – This study aims to examine whether and how hotel class, attributes of the room, quality, location, cleanliness, and service influence room rates in hotels.Design/methodology/approach – Regression models were developed for the hotel industry and for various grades of hotels.Findings – Using data from New York, empirical findings suggest that room quality and location are important determinants of room price for the industry, but attributes that can influence room rates differ greatly among hotel segments.Practical implications – Hotels can reap benefits from understanding customers' specific expectation of a market segment and seeking to provide amenities accordingly.Originality/value – The quality of hotel attributes is evidenced through customer reviews on a travel advice website. The theory of the hierarchy of needs is supported in the hotel industry, namely, the ascending order of accommodation needs are the quality of a room, location, and service.
Vulcanisaeta thermophila sp. nov., a hyperthermophilic and acidophilic crenarchaeon isolated from solfataric soil.

An anaerobic, rod-shaped, hyperthermophilic and acidophilic crenarchaeon, designated strain CBA1501(T), was isolated from solfataric soil of the Mayon volcano in the Republic of the Philippines. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain CBA1501(T) is affiliated with the genus Vulcanisaeta in the phylum Crenarchaeota. DNA sequence similarities between the 16S rRNA gene of strain CBA1501(T) and those of Vulcanisaeta distributa IC-017(T) and Vulcanisaeta souniana IC-059(T) were 98.5 and 97.4 %, respectively. Strain CBA1501(T) grew between 75-90 °C, over a pH range of 4.0-6.0 and in the presence of 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth occurring at 85 °C, pH 5.0, and with 0 % (w/v) NaCl. Fumarate, malate, oxidized glutathione, sulfur and thiosulfate were used as final electron acceptors, but FeCl3, nitrate and sulfate were not. The DNA G+C content of strain CBA1501(T) was 43.1 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic analysis, strain CBA1501(T) represents a novel species of the genus Vulcanisaeta in the phylum Crenarchaeota, for which we propose the name Vulcanisaeta thermophila sp. nov. The type strain is CBA1501(T) ( = ATCC BAA-2415(T) = JCM 17228(T)).
Borderplex brand name medicine price differences

Relatively high brand name pharmaceutical prices have led many US residents to cross the border into Mexico as ‘medical tourists’. To examine the savings potentially available to consumers willing to cross into Mexico, data are collected and analysed for brand name prescription medicines sold in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Retail pharmacy prices are generally lower on the south side of the border and substantial savings result for some medicines. For some products, however, shelf prices are lower on the north side of the border.
Evaluation of government e‐tax websites: an information quality and system quality approach

Purpose - Despite the growth in adoption of technology by governments, the assessment of quality in electronically delivered public services has been relatively lacking. Past researches on information systems have identified information and service quality, system use, playfulness, and system design quality as critical factors of successful service delivery in e-commerce. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the applicability of system and information quality criteria in evaluating government e-services websites. The main research problem identified in this study was "what are the system and information quality characteristics of government service delivery websites? " Design/methodology/approach - Based on a survey of 97 Municipalities from all the 21 regions of Sweden, the authors examine the presence of system quality features, specifically functionality, navigation, and accessibility; and measures of information quality in government websites. A systematic random sampling was chosen as the suitable approach; 290 municipalities are organized in 21 counties and we have chosen every 3rd number of municipalities from the list. An online survey was conducted, with 408 valid responses taken. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for system and information quality. Findings - Results indicate that accessibility and the navigation facility are important in determining a citizen's perceived system quality. Information preciseness, timeliness, and sufficiency were found to be key measures of information quality in government e-services. Furthermore, an important finding from this research is that theories from information systems (IS), e-commerce, and marketing were found to be applicable in assessing government e-tax services within the broader area of government-to-citizen (G2C) service delivery systems. In addition, a quantitative study was conducted among citizens to determine system and information quality characteristics. Originality/value - The results presented in this paper can help the authorities to identify key quality criteria for e-tax services that are valued by citizens and consequently improve service levels. Taking the context into consideration, additional variables are incorporated from literature that spans several disciplines (IS, e-commerce, and marketing), and some re-specifications are made to identify system and information quality criteria in the context of an e-tax filing service, which was the main theoretical contribution of this study.
Large UK Companies and Derivatives

Derivative securities have transformed the way treasurers view financial price risk and have been used to hedge risks that were previously left open. In this paper, we present the results of surveys of treasurers of large UK companies to questions about their derivative use. We examine the extent of derivative use, the reasons for their use, the perceived risks associated with derivatives, what sort of controls are in place to monitor the use of derivatives, and, finally, reporting practices which govern the disclosure of derivative practices. Results of the surveys indicate widespread use of derivatives like swaps, forwards and options. The primary reasons for their use are to manage interest rate and currency risk. There is a rather limited, but growing, use of derivatives to manage commodity and equity risk. Treasurers report that they are somewhat cautious about more exotic types of derivatives, primarily because of concern over the illiquidity of the underlying market for these derivatives. Interestingly, treasurers revealed that they view control and the nature of their counterparty as the main risks in using derivatives. Finally, the use of derivatives is accompanied by significant control mechanisms inside companies, and treasurers are using sophisticated procedures to quantify their derivative exposures before they are reported at board level.
The Cyclicality of Markups in a Model with Adjustment Costs: Econometric Evidence for US Industry

In this paper, the authors investigate the impact of demand fluctuations on market power in U.S. manufacturing industries. They impose on a model with adjustment costs the minimum structure necessary to recover a measure of markups. Markups are allowed to vary with both the state and future evolution of demand and estimates of price-cost margins are obtained from the Euler equation for capital. The authors conduct the empirical investigation for U.S. two-digit manufacturing industries using annual data covering the 1952-85 period. They find that markups are inversely related to current demand. However, given the state of demand, they vary directly with expectations of future demand changes. Copyright 1998 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Is proton beam therapy cost effective in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate?

PURPOSE New treatments are introduced routinely into clinical practice without rigorous economic analysis. The specific aim of this study was to examine the cost effectiveness of proton beam radiation compared with current state-of-the art therapy in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS A Markov model was informed with cost, freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF), and utility data obtained from the literature and from patient interviews to compare the cost effectiveness of 91.8 cobalt gray equivalent (CGE) delivered with proton beam versus 81 CGE delivered with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The length of how many years the model was run, patient's age, probability of FFBF after treatment with proton beam therapy and IMRT, utility of patients treated with salvage hormone therapy, and treatment cost were tested in sensitivity analyses. RESULTS Analysis at 15 years resulted in an expected mean cost of proton beam therapy and IMRT of $63,511 and $36,808, and $64,989 and $39,355 for a 70-year-old and 60-year-old man respectively, with quality-adjusted survival of 8.54 and 8.12 and 9.91 and 9.45 quality-adjusted life-years (QALY), respectively. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio was calculated to be $63,578/QALY for a 70-year-old man and $55,726/QALY for a 60-year-old man. CONCLUSION Even when based on the unproven assumption that protons will permit a 10-Gy escalation of prostate dose compared with IMRT photons, proton beam therapy is not cost effective for most patients with prostate cancer using the commonly accepted standard of $50,000/QALY. Consideration should be given to limiting the number of proton facilities to allow comprehensive evaluation of this modality.
BRIDGING THE SMALL-BIG DIVIDE: A TRANSACTION COST APPROACH TO ENTERPRISE MODELLING FOR MUSSEL MARICULTURE IN SALDANHA BAY / BRIDGING THE SMALL-BIG DIVIDE: A TRANSACTION COST APPROACH TO ENTERPRISE MODELLING FOR MUSSEL MARICULTURE IN SALDANHA BAY

Small-scale mussel farming in Saldanha Bay is more efficient than production by large vertically integrated firms. A number of transaction cost factors however favour coordination between mussel production, marketing, processing, and the provision support services. The premise in this paper is that high transaction costs essentially constrain the participation of emerging farmers in the open economy. In this paper, the transaction costs associated with mussel mariculture are discussed and analysed with the purpose of identifying an appropriate farm model. Four models are compared and agricultural franchising was found to be the most suitable model. In this model the efficiency advantages of small-scale production are retained and high transaction costs are circumvented through more effective vertical co-ordination.
Stochastic Price Dynamics Implied By the Limit Order Book

In this paper we present a novel approach to the determination of fat tails in financial data by studying the information contained in the limit order book. In an order-driven market buyers and sellers may submit limit orders, which are executed when the price touches a pre-specified lower, respectively higher, limit-price. We show that, in equilibrium, the collection of all such orders - the limit order book - implies a volatility smile, similar to observations from option pricing in the Black-Scholes model. We also show how a jump-diffusion process can be explicitly inferred to account for the volatility smile.
Understanding Nurses' Knowledge Work

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF FIGURES . ix LIST OF APPENDICES . x CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION & STUDY OBJECTIVES . 1 Background and Significance . 1 Study Objectives . 4 CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK . 8 Definition and Perspectives of Knowledge . 8 Perspectives of Knowledge Work . 9 Nurses’ Knowledge Work . 12 Kelloway and Barling’s Theory of Knowledge Work in Organizations . 18 Knowledge Work Behaviours. 19 Predictors and Outcomes of Knowledge Work . 25 Related Research . 27 Empowering Leadership: An Organizational Predictor of Nurses’ Knowledge Work . 32 Individual Predictors of Nurses’ Knowledge Work . 38 Accountability . 38 Role-breadth Self-efficacy . 40 Control Over Nursing Practice . 43 Outcomes of Nurses’ Knowledge Work . 45 Nursing Care Coordination . 45 Quality of Patient Care . 50 Summary of Literature Review . 53 Research Purpose, Objectives, and Hypotheses . 55 CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODS . 58 Research Design . 58 vi Setting . 58 Sample Description . 58 Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria . 59 Sample Size & Response . 60 Data Collection Procedures . 62 Study Survey . 64 Concept Measures . 64 Leader Empowerment Behaviours Scale . 64 Specht & Ramler Accountability Index . 68 Role-Breadth Self-Efficacy Scale . 69 Control Over Nursing Practice Scale . 71 Knowledge Work Behaviours Scale . 72 Nurse Care Coordination Inventory Scale . 76 Quality of Patient Care Measure . 77 Data Management Procedures . 79 Case Screening. 80 Variable Item Screening . 81 Missing Values & Expectation Maximization Likelihood Imputation . 82 Data Analysis Procedures . 83 Structural Equation Modeling . 84 Ethical Considerations . 88 Risks & Benefits . 89 CHAPTER IV: RESEARCH RESULTS . 90 Demographic Results . 90 Sample Characteristics . 90 Demographic Comparisons . 91 Descriptive & Psychometric Measurement Results . 94 Leader Empowerment Behaviours . 98 Specht & Ramler Accountability Index . 99 Role-Breadth Self-Efficacy. 102 Control Over Nursing Practice . 107