Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deregulated MicroRNAs in Biliary Tract Cancer: Functional Targets and Potential Biomarkers

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is still a fatal disease with very poor prognosis. The lack of reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and of effective therapeutic targets is a major demanding problem in diagnosis and management of BTC. Due to the clinically silent and asymptomatic characteristics of the tumor, most patients are diagnosed at an already advanced stage allowing only for a palliative therapeutic approach. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs well known to regulate various cellular functions and pathologic events including the formation and progression of cancer. Over the last years, several studies have shed light on the role of microRNAs in BTC, making them potentially attractive therapeutic targets and candidates as biomarkers. In this review, we will focus on the role of oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs and their direct targets in BTC. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss data that evaluate the diagnostic power of deregulated microRNAs as possible future biomarkers for BTC.
The Insignificance of Global Reheating in the A1068 Cluster: Multiwavelength Analysis

In this paper and in a companion paper by Wise, McNamara, & Murray, we present a detailed, multiwavelength study of the A1068 galaxy cluster, and we use this data to test cooling and energy feedback models of galaxy clusters. Near-ultraviolet and infrared images of the cluster show that the cD galaxy is experiencing star formation at a rate of ~20-70 M☉ yr-1 over the past ≲100 Myr. The dusty starburst is concentrated toward the nucleus of the cD galaxy and in filamentary structures projecting 60 kpc into its halo. The Chandra X-ray image presented in Wise, McNamara, & Murray reveals a steep temperature gradient that drops from roughly 4.8 keV beyond 120 kpc to roughly 2.3 keV in the inner 10 kpc of the galaxy, where the starburst peaks. Over 95% of the ultraviolet and Hα photons associated with the starburst are emerging from regions cloaked in keV gas with very short cooling times (~100 Myr), as would be expected from star formation fueled by cooling condensations in the intracluster medium. However, the Chandra spectrum is consistent with but does not require cooling at a rate of 114-145 M☉ yr-1, factors of several below the rates found with the ROSAT observatory. The local cooling rate in the vicinity of the central starburst is ≲40 M☉ yr-1, which is consistent with the star formation rate determined with U-band and infrared data. We consider energy feedback into the intracluster medium by the radio source, heat conduction, and supernova explosions associated with the starburst. We find that energy feedback from both the radio source and thermal conduction are inconsequential in A1068. Although supernova explosions associated with the starburst may be able to retard cooling in the inner 10 kpc of the cluster by ~18% or so, they are incapable of maintaining the cooling gas at keV temperatures. Therefore, it is plausible that the star formation in A1068 is being fueled by the cooling intracluster medium. Finally, we present circumstantial evidence for the contrary view that at least some and perhaps all of the star formation may have been fueled by an interaction between the cD and one or more companion galaxies.
Local Causal Discovery of Direct Causes and Effects

We focus on the discovery and identification of direct causes and effects of a target variable in a causal network. State-of-the-art causal learning algorithms generally need to find the global causal structures in the form of complete partial directed acyclic graphs (CPDAG) in order to identify direct causes and effects of a target variable. While these algorithms are effective, it is often unnecessary and wasteful to find the global structures when we are only interested in the local structure of one target variable (such as class labels). We propose a new local causal discovery algorithm, called Causal Markov Blanket (CMB), to identify the direct causes and effects of a target variable based on Markov Blanket Discovery. CMB is designed to conduct causal discovery among multiple variables, but focuses only on finding causal relationships between a specific target variable and other variables. Under standard assumptions, we show both theoretically and experimentally that the proposed local causal discovery algorithm can obtain the comparable identification accuracy as global methods but significantly improve their efficiency, often by more than one order of magnitude.
Money, Interest Rate, and Stock Prices: New Evidence from Singapore and the United States

This paper examines the long-term as well as short-term equilibrium relationships between the major stock indices and selected macroeconomic variables (such as money supply and interest rate) of Singapore and the United States by employing the advanced time series analysis techniques that include cointegration, Johansen multivariate cointegrated system, fractional cointegration and Granger causality. The cointegration results based on data covering the period January 1982 to December 2002 suggest that Singapore’s stock prices generally display a long- run equilibrium relationship with interest rate and money supply (M1) but a similar relationship does not hold for the United States. To capture the short-run dynamics of the relationship, we replicate the same experiments with different subsets of data representing shorter time periods. It is evident that stock markets in Singapore moved in tandem with interest rate and money supply before the Asian Crisis of 1997, but this pattern was not observed after the crisis. In the United States, stock prices were strongly cointegrated with macroeconomic variables before the 1987 equity crisis but the relationship gradually weakened and totally disappeared with the emergence of Asian Crisis that also indirectly affected the United States. The results of fractional cointegration and the Johansen multivariate system are consistent with the earlier cointegration result that both Singapore and US stock markets did possess equilibrium relationship with M1 and interest rate at the early days. However, the stability of the systems was disturbed by a series of well-known financial turbulence in the past two decades and eventually weakened for Singapore and completely disappeared for the U.S. This may imply that monetary authority may take action to respond to the asset price turbulence in order to maintain the stability of monetary economy and thus break the existing equilibrium between stock markets and macroeconomic variables like interest rate and M1. Another possible explanation is that the market became more efficient after 1997 Asian crisis. Finally, the results of Granger causality tests uncover some systematic causal relationships implying That stock market performance might be a good gauge for Central Bank’s monetary policy adjustment.
TRAINING FOR SITUATION AWARENESS

Due to the important role that SA plays in the pilot decision making process and its substantial role in aviation accidents and incidents, the development and validation of methods for training to improve SA in aircraft pilots is a subject that is beginning to receive focus in the operational and human factors communities. SA training can be focused at improving individual SA or at improving SA at the team level. Each approach should be considered as complimentary, and potentially useful as additions to activities directed at improving SA through system design. As a practical matter pilots will always need to learn to develop the best SA possible with whatever system they are flying.
Distributed Fault Detection and Isolation of Continuous-Time Non-Linear Systems

This paper presents a continuous-time distributed fault detection and isolation methodology for nonlinear uncertain possibly large-scale dynamical systems. The monitored system is modeled as the interconnection of several subsystems and a divide et impera approach using an overlapping decomposition is adopted. Each subsystem is monitored by a Local Fault Diagnoser using the information based on the measured local state of the subsystem as well as the measurements about neighboring states thanks to the subsystem interconnections. The local diagnostic decision is made on the basis of the knowledge of the local subsystem dynamic model and of an adaptive approximation of the interconnection with neighboring subsystems. In order to improve the detectability and isolability of faults affecting variables shared among different subsystems, a consensus-based estimator is designed. Theoretical results are provided to characterize the detection and isolation capabilities of the proposed distributed scheme.
ANItools web: a web tool for fast genome comparison within multiple bacterial strains

Background: Early classification of prokaryotes was based solely on phenotypic similarities, but modern prokaryote characterization has been strongly influenced by advances in genetic methods. With the fast development of the sequencing technology, the ever increasing number of genomic sequences per species offers the possibility for developing distance determinations based on whole-genome information. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), calculated from pair-wise comparisons of all sequences shared between two given strains, has been proposed as the new metrics for bacterial species definition and classification. Results: In this study, we developed the web version of ANItools (http://ani.mypathogen.cn/), which helps users directly get ANI values from online sources. A database covering ANI values of any two strains in a genus was also included (2773 strains, 1487 species and 668 genera). Importantly, ANItools web can automatically run genome comparison between the input genomic sequence and data sequences (Genus and Species levels), and generate a graphical report for ANI calculation results. Conclusion: ANItools web is useful for defining the relationship between bacterial strains, further contributing to the classification and identification of bacterial species using genome data. Database URL: http://ani.mypathogen. cn/
Firms Performance and CEO Compensation in Canada.

For years researchers have tried to determine if there is a relationship connecting a firm’s performance to a Chief Executive Officer’s compensation. The bulk of studies have been done in the United States and yielded results that indicated a numerically low, positive correlation between performance and remuneration. Using a sample of 168 Canadian publicly listed companies for the year 2003 and looking first at a wide array of industry sectors, this paper partially corroborates past research by finding a positive statistical relationships connecting salary to performance. It differentiates itself by finding a high sensitivity level connecting the CEO’s salary to a company’s performance. The results held true for different compensation structures and for four distinct measures of performance. Furthermore, to try to distinguish if the sensitivity levels between wage and company performance would change when focusing on specific markets, similar tests were applied to a subgroup composed of raw material, industrial product, and public service sectors. While the sensitivity levels between salary and performance were still positive, the coefficients for wage were smaller, which indicated less responsiveness on performance. In either case, it appears that theories regarding incentive contracts are working well to counter the agency problem and that CEO’s are in fact operating in the best interest of the shareholders.
Image Denoising Using a New Implementation of the Hyperanalytic Wavelet Transform

Shift invariance associated with good directional selectivity is important for the use of a wavelet transform (WT) in many fields of image processing. Generally, complex wavelet transforms, e.g., the double-tree complex WT (DTCWT), have these useful properties. In this paper, we propose the use of a recently introduced implementation of such a WT, namely, the hyperanalytic WT (HWT), in association with filtering techniques already used with the discrete WT (DWT). The result is a very simple and fast image denoising algorithm. Some simulation results and comparisons prove the performance obtained using the new method.
Saving-Growth Relationship in Nigeria: An Empirical Evidence

The purpose of this research paper is to provide empirical evidence regarding savings and growth relationship in Nigeria using a quarterly data spanning between 1970:1 and 1998:4. We investigate the causal links between saving and growth using Granger causality tests and impulse response analysis of vector autoregressive models. The evidence from impulse response analysis and Granger causality tests shows that growth, using per capita income, is sensitive to, and has an inverse effect on, savings.
Mass segregation in young star clusters: can it be detected from the integrated photometric properties?

We consider the effect of mass segregation on the observable integrated properties of star clusters. The measurable properties depend on a combination of the dynamical age of the cluster and the physical age of the stars in the cluster. To investigate all possible combinations of these two quantities, we propose an analytical model for the mass function of segregated star clusters that agree with the results of N-body simulations, in which any combination can be specified. For a realistic degree of mass segregation and a fixed density profile, we find with increasing age an increase in the measured core radii and a central surface brightness which decreases in all filters more rapidly than what is expected from stellar evolution alone. Within a gigayear, the measured core radius increases by a factor of 2 and the central surface density in all filters of a segregated cluster will be overestimated by a similar factor if mass segregation is not taken into account during the conversion from light to mass. We find that the V - I colour of mass-segregated clusters decreases with radius by about 0.1-0.2 mag, which could be observable. From recent observations of partially resolved extragalactic clusters, a decreasing half-light radius with increasing wavelength was observed, which was attributed to mass segregation. These observations cannot be reproduced by our models. In addition, we provide physical arguments based on the evolution of individual stars that one should not expect strong dependence of core radius as a function of the wavelength. We find that the differences between measured radii in different filters are always smaller than 5 per cent.
Rapid categorization of achromatic natural scenes: how robust at very low contrasts?

The human visual system is remarkably good at categorizing objects even in challenging visual conditions. Here we specifically assessed the robustness of the visual system in the face of large contrast variations in a high‐level categorization task using natural images. Human subjects performed a go/no‐go animal/nonanimal categorization task with briefly flashed grey level images. Performance was analysed for a large range of contrast conditions randomly presented to the subjects and varying from normal to 3% of initial contrast. Accuracy was very robust and subjects were performing well above chance level (≈ 70% correct) with only 10–12% of initial contrast. Accuracy decreased with contrast reduction but reached chance level only in the most extreme condition (3% of initial contrast). Conversely, the maximal increase in mean reaction time was ≈ 60 ms (at 8% of initial contrast); it then remained stable with further contrast reductions. Associated ERPs recorded on correct target and distractor trials showed a clear differential effect whose amplitude and peak latency were correlated respectively with task accuracy and mean reaction times. These data show the strong robustness of the visual system in object categorization at very low contrast. They suggest that magnocellular information could play a role in ventral stream visual functions such as object recognition. Performance may rely on early object representations which lack the details provided subsequently by the parvocellular system but contain enough information to reach decision in the categorization task.
'Relationships Mean Everything'; a Typology of Small-Business Relationship Strategies in a Reflexive Context

This paper reports on empirical research that investigates the meaning of relationships to owner-managers of small firms, and how differences in meaning are implicated in the strategy of the firms. In-depth interviews with owner-managers yielded 36 usable transcripts. These were coded using a grounded theory approach and the narrative was analysed for differences in meaning. Five categories of orientation to relationships were grounded in the narratives with each firm appearing to have a dominant orientation both with customers and suppliers. A number of apparently common themes in the discourse on relationships, for example, trust, talk, expectations and service, were shown to be interpreted differently, consistent with the types of relationship strategy. We adopted the term strategy because relationships were shown to have a long-term and influential effect, mediated reflexively, on the trajectory of the business. The analysis illustrates the significance of social constructionism and reflexivity as explanatory theories, and therefore the centrality of the meaning of relationships to the strategic management of the firm. Relationships are conceptualized as the mechanism that links the firm to its environment and causal to the impact that change in the environment has on the firm.
Enhancing the Accuracy of Case-Based Estimation Model through Early Prediction of Error Patterns

The paper tries to explore the importance of software fault prediction and to minimize them thoroughly with the advanced knowledge of the error-prone modules, so as to enhance the software quality. For estimating a new project effort, case-based reasoning is used to predict software quality of the system by examining a software module and predicting whether it is faulty or non faulty. In this research we have proposed a model with the help of past data which is used for prediction. Two different similarity measures namely, Euclidean and Manhattan are used for retrieving the matching case from the knowledge base. These measures are used to calculate the distance of the new record set or case from each record set stored in the knowledge base. The matching case(s) are those that have the minimum distance from the new record set. This can be extended to variety of system like web based applications, real time system etc. In this paper we have used the terms errors and faults, and no explicit distinction made between errors and faults. In order to obtain results we have used MATLAB 7.10. 0 version as an analyzing tool.
Towards religious polarisation in post-industrial societies? : mutations and effects of religious commitment in North America, Europe and Oceania

For over a century, many have been predicting the demise of religion within Western societies. However, while individual religiosity has mutated since the Victorian era, many studies since the 1960s have shown that the contemporary social realities of religion are complex and varied. More recently, evidence has been pointing towards a new development: one of a growing divide between the religious and the secular, or in other words of religious polarisation. The present research explores the logistics of how, where, when and why this polarisation has been developing in post-industrialised countries. In so doing, we thoroughly test a hypothesis that has long been an afterthought to many a secularisation theory. Analysing repeated cross-sectional data from a variety of national and regional contexts, we find examples of non-Nordic, mainly Protestant areas with higher initial rates of non-affiliation being characterised by a form of religious polarisation. These areas have seen a shrinking of their middle-ground group of nominally affiliated individuals, their populations splitting more and more into two camps: a larger group severed from institutional religion contrasts a small but proportionally steady core of affiliated individuals frequently attending religious services. Additionally, in areas with more advanced secularisation, average differences between these unaffiliated and religiously committed individuals regarding many attitudes, beliefs and personal practices are greater. Yet, these polarisation configurations and trends are not universally found across post-industrialised nations. Even within polarised contexts, social distance between the religiously committed and the unaffiliated has not necessarily grown. For example, levels of intermarriage and intercohabitation have not changed beyond the constraints of the marriage market. With these findings, we begin to establish the degree to which religious polarisation is becoming a new reality, and to what extent policy makers will have to contend with a new social cleavage along secular/religious lines.
The critical time of avian leukosis virus subgroup J-mediated immunosuppression during early stage infection in specific pathogen-free chickens

The critical time of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J)-mediated immunosuppression was determined by body weight, relative immune organ weight, histopathology, and presence of group specific antigen and antibodies in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. CD4+ and CD8+ cell activity in the spleen, total and differential leukocyte counts in blood, and viral RNA levels in spleen were measured. Significant growth suppression was observed in the two ALV-J-infected groups. A strong immune response by infected groups was present in spleen at 2-weeks-of-age, but after 4-weeks-of-age, the response decreased quickly. The thymus and bursa showed persistent immunosuppression until 4-weeks-of-age. Proliferation of fibroblasts and dendritic cells were observed in immune organs at 4- and 5-weeks-of-age. However, the granulocyte cell number was markedly lower in the infected groups than in the control group. In group 1 (day 1 infection) CD4+ cells increased during the second week but significantly decreased during the fourth week, while group 2 (day 7 infection) showed the opposite effect. Viral RNA increased significantly by the fourth week. These data identify 3~4 weeks post-infection as the key time at which the ALV-J virus exerts its immunosuppressive effects on the host.
Synaptic Plasticity and Learning in Animal Models of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is caused by a mutation of either the Tsc1 or Tsc2 gene. As these genes work in concert to negatively regulate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase which is involved in protein translation, mutations of these genes lead to a disinhibited mTOR activity. Both the clinical appearance of this condition including tumors, cognitive decline, and epileptic seizures and the molecular understanding of the mTOR signaling pathway, not only involved in cell growth, but also in neuronal functioning, have inspired numerous studies on learning behavior as well as on synaptic plasticity which is the key molecular mechanism of information storage in the brain. A couple of interesting animal models have been established, and the data obtained in these animals will be discussed. A special focus will be laid on differences among these models, which may be in part due to different background strains, but also may indicate pathophysiological variation in different mutations.