Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Common variants in beta 3-adrenergic-receptor and uncoupling protein-2 genes are associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) gene Ala55Val variation and beta(3)-adrenergic-receptor (beta(3)-AR) gene Trp64Arg variation on type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as the combined effects between the two variations. METHODS The peripheral blood samples of 173 type 2 diabetics, 119 obese persons, and 177 control subjects were collected. PCR-RFLP was used to detect the UCP2 gene Ala55Val variation and beta(3)-AR gene Trp64Arg variation. The haplotype and allele frequency distributions among the three groups were analyzed. The combined effect of the two gene mutations was analyzed too. RESULTS (1) The frequencies of homozygote of UCP2 gene Ala55Val variation in the diabetes and obesity patients were both significantly higher than that in the control subjects (OR = 4.62, P = 0.001; OR = 3.71, P = 0.001). The Ala55Val variation carriers had higher BMI in the control subjects. (2) The gene frequency of homozygote of beta(3)-AR gene Trp64Arg variation was significantly higher in the diabetes patients than in the control subjects. The Trp64Arg variation carriers had higher fasting and 2-hour postgrandual glucose levels than the non-carriers in the control subjects. (3) When there was only UCP2 gene mutation or beta(3)-AR gene mutation, their frequencies in diabetes and obesity patients were not significantly different from that in the control subjects (both P > 0.05). However, the frequencies of the combined mutations of these two genes in either the diabetes patients or in the obesity patients were both significantly higher than in the control subjects (OR = 3.69, P = 0.000; OR = 2.57, P = 0.009). (4) The Val/Val + Trp/Arg carriers had the greatest relation with diabetes (OR = 10.43, P = 0.000) and obesity (OR = 8.58, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION The homozygote of UCP2 gene Ala55Val mutation significantly enhances the risks of diabetes and obesity. The homozygote of beta(3)-AR gene Trp64Arg mutation is related with diabetes. The accumulation of the effects of two micro-genes creates obvious phenotypic effects.
Corporate Governance and Internal Capital Markets

We exploit an exogenous shock to corporate ownership structures created by a recent tax reform in Germany to explore the link between corporate governance and internal capital markets. We find that firms with more concentrated ownership are less diversified and have more efficient internal capital markets. Our findings provide direct evidence in support of Scharfstein and Stein’s (2000) model, which suggests that internal capital misallocations are partly a result of poor corporate governance. We also provide evidence of a channel through which the benefits of ownership concentration outweigh its costs.
TOWARD AN INTEGRATIVE MODEL OF INNOVATION : A CRITIQUE AND SYNTHESIS OF RESEARCH ACROSS LEVELS

Despite a voluminous literature and widespread belief in the inherent value of innovation, our understanding of the innovation construct remains rudimentary. Extant research on innovation spans across a variety of disciplines and levels of analysis. Yet, the divergence in core assumptions and methodologies across disciplines, coupled with few systematic efforts to integrate findings, have seriously hampered the crossfertilization of research ideas in the field of innovation. The motivation for this work stems from the fragmentary nature of innovation research and the need for a more holistic, ecumenical outlook on innovation. We believe that this paper takes a step toward overcoming disciplinary myopia and a further step toward synthesizing the diverse innovation literature. In this paper, we provide a synopsis of the innovation literature, with an emphasis on how innovation may potentially be reframed to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the construct. To this end, the paper is structured as follows. First, we outline various semantic definitions of innovation and their lexical variants. We then briefly discuss three confluent, but distinct terms (creativity, invention and organizational change) often mistakenly perceived to be synonymous with innovation. Next, we delineate the levels of analysis associated with innovation research and describe exemplary research emerging from these domains. Finally, we identify a number of promising research directions and propose an integrative cross-level model of innovation to energize future innovation research.
Trading Costs and Returns for U.S. Equities: Estimating Effective Costs from Daily Data

The effective cost of trading is usually estimated from transaction‐level data. This study proposes a Gibbs estimate that is based on daily closing prices. In a validation sample, the daily Gibbs estimate achieves a correlation of 0.965 with the transaction‐level estimate. When the Gibbs estimates are incorporated into asset pricing specifications over a long historical sample (1926 to 2006), the results suggest that effective cost (as a characteristic) is positively related to stock returns. The relation is strongest in January, but it appears to be distinct from size effects.
The spaces of index one minimal surfaces and stable constant mean curvature surfaces embedded in flat three manifolds

It is proved that the spaces of index one minimal surfaces and stable constant mean curvature surfaces with genus greater than one in (non fixed) flat three manifolds are compact in a strong sense: given a sequence of any of the above surfaces we can extract a convergent subsequence of both the surfaces and the ambient manifolds in the Ck topology. These limits preserve the topological type of the surfaces and the affine diffeomorphism class of the ambient manifolds. Some applications to the isoperimetric problem are given.
Factors That Influence Health‐Seeking Behaviors of Patients Experiencing Acute Stroke

&NA; Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious, long‐term disability. Patients who sustain a sudden ischemic stroke can benefit from the administration of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA). rt‐PA may reduce disability, yet few patients arrive in emergency departments in time to be eligible for rt‐PA administration. The purpose of this study was to discover factors that influence patients' decision‐making process when seeking treatment for acute‐stroke symptoms. Qualitative inquiry using grounded‐theory methods was used to elicit descriptions of the decision‐making process. The primary purpose of grounded theory is to generate explanatory models of human behavior that are grounded in the data. A purposive sample of 10 clinically stable patients or their caregivers were interviewed after acute ischemic stroke. Data were analyzed and broken down into descriptive themes following the grounded‐theory approach. Distinct themes emerged for patients who presented for treatment early and late. Five themes emerged for patients who presented late for treatment: lack of knowledge, fear of hospitals, denial, living alone, and preexisting health concerns. The theme that emerged from the group that presented early for treatment was previous history or knowledge of stroke. The most significant implication for practice identified in this study is that nurses must take a leading role in educating the public regarding symptoms, risk factors, and available treatments for stroke.
UBR5-mediated ubiquitination of ATMIN is required for ionizing radiation-induced ATM signaling and function

Significance The checkpoint kinase ATM directs the cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR) by localizing to DNA damage sites and actively phosphorylating proteins involved in repair and survival. ATM is recruited and activated at damage sites via an interaction with the Mre11/Rad50/NBS1 (MRN) complex. We have previously shown that an alternative ATM binding partner, ATMIN, competitively inhibits this interaction, suggesting that there must be a mechanism preventing ATMIN from disrupting ATM signaling in IR conditions. Here, we show that ATMIN is ubiquitinated by the E3 ligase UBR5, a modification that is stimulated by IR and favors its dissociation from ATM, freeing ATM to interact with NBS1. This mechanism allows efficient ATM activation at damage sites and promotes cell survival after irradiation. The Mre11/Rad50/NBS1 (MRN) protein complex and ATMIN protein mediate ATM kinase signaling in response to ionizing radiation (IR) and chromatin changes, respectively. NBS1 and ATMIN directly compete for ATM binding, but the molecular mechanism favoring either NBS1 or ATMIN in response to specific stimuli is enigmatic. Here, we identify the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR5 as a key component of ATM activation in response to IR. UBR5 interacts with ATMIN and catalyzes ubiquitination of ATMIN at lysine 238 in an IR-stimulated manner, which decreases ATMIN interaction with ATM and promotes MRN-mediated signaling. We show that UBR5 deficiency, or mutation of ATMIN lysine 238, prevents ATMIN dissociation from ATM and inhibits ATM and NBS1 foci formation after IR, thereby impairing checkpoint activation and increasing radiosensitivity. Thus, UBR5-mediated ATMIN ubiquitination is a vital event for ATM pathway selection and activation in response to DNA damage.
PharmGKB very important pharmacogene : SLCO 1 B 1

The solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene encodes for a membrane-bound sodium-independent organic anion transporter protein (OATP1B1) that is involved in active cellular influx of many endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. SLCO1B1, formerly known by several other names including organic anion transporter 2 (OATP2), OATPC, liver-specific transporter 1 (LST1), and SLC21A6, is located on chromosome 12 and encodes a 691 amino acid protein with 12 transmembrane helices [1,2]. The gene is a member of the family of SLC21 (human: OATP, rodent: Oatp) transporters [3,4]. OATP1B1 is expressed predominantly on the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes [5,6], where it mediates active intracellular hepatic transport of various anionic compounds [5,6].
Lymphocyte activation by house dust allergen in asthma: analysis with monoclonal antibodies

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (MNC) response to house dust (HD) stimulation in cultures was studied in a group of 35 subjects with asthma and a multiple positive skin test (ST) reaction to inhalant allergens including HD, and in 19 healthy controls. The MNC response to allergen stimulation was assessed by interleukin‐2 receptor (IL‐2R) expression identified with an anti‐Tac monoclonal antibody. Lymphocyte subpopulations of baseline and cultured cells were also analysed. The percentage of IL‐2R presenting cells increased significantly in HD‐driven cultures in the asthma group compared to controls. The increase in proportion of IL‐2R+ cells was closely related to the increase in CD4+ percentage of cultured cells and was accompanied by a decrease in proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages, suggesting that HD‐activated cells were CD4+ lymphocytes. Lymphocyte activation, measured by IL‐2R expression, was significantly higher in the group of asthmatics, and positive dual (early and late) skin reaction to HD, as compared to those with single early reaction.
Determinants of exposure to 2-butoxyethanol from cleaning tasks: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND The quantitative assessment of airborne cleaning exposures requires numerous measurement methods, which are costly and difficult to apply in the workplace. Exposure determinants can be used to predict exposures but have yet to be investigated for cleaning activities. We identified determinants of exposure to 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE), a known respiratory irritant and suspected human carcinogen, commonly found in cleaning products. In addition, we investigated whether 2-BE exposures can be predicted from exposure determinants and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) measured with direct reading methods, which are easier to apply in field investigations. METHODS Exposure determinants were studied in a quasi-experimental study design. Cleaning tasks were performed similarly as in the workplace, but potential factors that can impact exposures were controlled. Simultaneously for each task, we measured concentrations of (1) 2-BE according to the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety 1430 method and (2) TVOC with photoionization detectors (PIDs). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify 2-BE exposure determinants and to develop exposure prediction models. RESULTS Significant determinants from univariate analyses consisted of product type, tasks performed, room volume, and ventilation. The best-fit multivariable model was the one comprised of product type, tasks performed, 2-BE product concentration, room volume, and ventilation (R(2) = 77%). We found a strong correlation between the 2-BE and the TVOC concentrations recorded by the PID instruments. A multivariable model with TVOC explained a significant portion of the 2-BE concentrations (R(2) = 72%) when product type and room ventilation were included in the model. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that quantitative exposure assessment for an epidemiologic investigation of cleaning health effects may be feasible even without performing integrated sampling and analytic measurements.
The associations between organizational culture, organizational structure and quality management in European hospitals

Objective To better understand associations between organizational culture (OC), organizational management structure (OS) and quality management in hospitals. Design A multi-method, multi-level, cross-sectional observational study. Setting and participants As part of the DUQuE project (Deepening our Understanding of Quality improvement in Europe), a random sample of 188 hospitals in 7 countries (France, Poland, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Germany and Czech Republic) participated in a comprehensive questionnaire survey and a one-day on-site surveyor audit. Respondents for this study (n = 158) included professional quality managers and hospital trustees. Main outcome measures Extent of implementation of quality management systems, extent of compliance with existing management procedures and implementation of clinical quality activities. Results Among participating hospitals, 33% had a clan culture as their dominant culture type, 26% an open and developmental culture type, 16% a hierarchical culture type and 25% a rational culture type. The culture type had no statistically significant association with the outcome measures. Some structural characteristics were associated with the development of quality management systems. Conclusion The type of OC was not associated with the development of quality management in hospitals. Other factors (not culture type) are associated with the development of quality management. An OS that uses fewer protocols is associated with a less developed quality management system, whereas an OS which supports innovation in care is associated with a more developed quality management system.
Organized Interests and the Decision of Whom to Lobby in Congress

In a departure from previous research, we focus on the dyadic relationship between lobbyists and committee members in the House of Representatives in order to test hypotheses about what factors shape the decisions of individual groups to lobby individual committee members. Our primary assumption is that organized interests seek to expand their supportive coalitions and affect the content and fate of bills referred to committees. In order to accomplish these goals, they give highest priority to lobbying their legislative allies in committee; allies may lobby other members of Congress on a group's behalf and shape legislation to conform with a group's preferences. But organizations with access to a strong resource base can move beyond their allies and work directly to expand support among undecided committee members and legislative opponents. Our empirical analysis provides evidence to support our expectations.
Single World Intervention Graphs : A Primer

We present a simple graphical theory unifying causal directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) and potential (aka counterfactual) outcomes via a node-splitting transformation. We introduce a new graph, the Single-World Intervention Graph (SWIG). The SWIG encodes the counterfactual independences associated with a specific hypothetical intervention on the set of treatment variables. The nodes on the SWIG are the corresponding counterfactual random variables. We illustrate the theory with a number of examples. Our graphical theory of SWIGs may be used to infer the counterfactual independence relations that hold among the SWIG variables under the FFRCISTG model of Robins (1986) and the NPSEM model with Independent Errors of Pearl (2000, 2009). Furthermore, in the absence of hidden variables, the joint distribution of the counterfactuals is identified; the identifying formula is the extended g-computation formula introduced in (Robins et al., 2004). As an illustration of the benefit of reasoning with SWIGs, we use SWIGs to correct an error regarding Example 11.3. 3 presented in (Pearl, 2009).
The effect of flow rate and agitation technique on irrigant extrusion ex vivo.

AIM To evaluate (i) the effect of irrigant flow rate, needle type, needle insertion depth and apical constriction diameter and (ii) the effect of ultrasonic, sonic and manual dynamic agitation on irrigant extrusion using a recently introduced method. METHODOLOGY Thirty-two human teeth with a straight root canal were prepared to size 35, 0.06 taper and assigned to group A or B. The apical constriction diameter was 0.15-0.25 mm. Specimens were mounted on a plastic vial filled with distilled water to simulate a periapical lesion. A point-conductivity probe was used to determine the volume of irrigant extruded into the vial. Within group A, NaOCl was delivered at 0.14 or 0.26 mL s(-1) by an open-ended or a closed-ended needle at 1 or 3 mm short of working length (WL). In group B, NaOCl was agitated at high or low power either by an ultrasonically or sonically oscillating instrument inserted at 1 or 3 mm short of WL or by manual push-pull strokes of a gutta-percha cone. Results were analysed by repeated-measures anovas, at 0.05 significance. RESULTS An increase in the flow rate resulted in increased extrusion (P < 0.001). The open-ended needle extruded significantly more irrigant than the closed-ended (P < 0.001). Extrusion decreased as needles moved away from WL (P < 0.001). The effect of apical constriction diameter was not significant (P > 0.454). Manual dynamic agitation extruded significantly more irrigant than sonic and ultrasonic agitation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Irrigant flow rate, needle type and insertion depth and agitation technique had a significant effect on extrusion.
Recognition of prior learning: the participants’ perspective

ABSTRACT The current narrative on lifelong learning goes beyond formal education and training, including learning at work, in the family and in the community. Recognition of prior learning is a process of evaluation of those skills and knowledge acquired through life experience, allowing them to be formally recognized by the qualification systems. It is a central aspect of lifelong learning. This mixed-method study aimed to understand what changes were perceived by participants due to their participation in a program of recognition of prior learning in Portugal – grade 9 and grade 12 equivalence, resulting in certification. Content analysis of focus groups and interviews identified changes at personal, educational and training, and professional levels, but gains primarily occurred at the personal level. A scale of changes in participants was created to measure the effect of recognition of prior learning at an individual level of analysis. Descriptive statistics revealed mainly effects in terms of learning, increases in confidence, realization of the prior knowledge and skills, valorization of the life experience, and motivation to further learning.
The Magnetic Relaxation of MgB 2 Thin Films Grown by Hybrid Physical–Chemical Vapor Deposition

The magnetic relaxation of MgB2 thin film deposited on Al2O3 substrate by hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition method was investigated. The rate of magnetic relaxation (the logarithmic decay rate) S, which was obtained by the time dependence of magnetic moment m(t) at fixed magnetic field H and temperature T, of the MgB2 thin film was investigated. The decay of magnetic moment m(t) was carried out at temperatures between 5 and 37.5 K in the field ranges of 0.1-1.0 T, using PPMS-VSM (Quantum Design). The decrease of magnetic moment m(t) for 7200 s at T = 5 K was about 2%-3% and 0.2%-0.3% when the field was applied parallel to the c-axis and the ab-plane, respectively. The logarithmic decay rate S in the field parallel to the ab-plane was much smaller than that parallel to the c-axis over all temperature ranges. The time-independent behavior of logarithmic decay rate S at low temperatures below T = 10 K implies the presence of quantum creep effect.
Satiation Effects with Reversible Figures

Three experiments were performed to examine the rate at which reversible perspective figures (Necker cubes) undergo apparent reversal, as a function of selected stimulus variables. 100 subjects were instructed not to inhibit or to promote reversals of perspective, but to remain neutral. The data indicated: (1) an incomplete cube reverses less frequently than does a corresponding complete figure, (2) two adjacent cubes reverse in synchrony when of equal luminance but often out of phase when differing in luminance, (3) a shift of the cube's retinal position causes its reversal rate to drop to baseline level. These results suggest that the reversal effect increases over time due to a localized rather than general process, and are thus compatible with a sensory satiation model of perceptual alternation.
The Triple Crown of Antisocial Behavior

This study examines the effect of negative emotionality, effortful control, and community disadvantage on juvenile recidivism. Using DeLisi and Vaughn’s temperament theory as a foundation, we assess whether youth who have temperament issues and those who live in disadvantaged communities are more likely to recidivate. Findings indicate that net of a wide array of known risk factors, youth with poor temperaments, and those living in disadvantaged communities are more likely to reoffend. Additionally, those youth who face a triple threat of temperament issues and disadvantage reoffend faster post-completion. The theoretical and policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Influence of Trans Fatty Acids on Health

The contribution of dietary trans fatty acids (TFAs) on the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) has recently gained further support due to the results from large, prospective, population-based studies. Compared to saturated fat, TFAs are, gram to gram, associated with a considerably (2.5- to >10-fold) higher risk increment for IHD. A negative effect on the human fetus and on newborns and an increase in colon cancer risk in adults are possible but, however, still equivocal. Recent findings justify further studies concerning the effect of TFAs on allergic diseases in children and on the risk of type-2 diabetes in adults. The intake of industrially produced TFAs in European countries is decreasing. However, determination of the TFA content in various popular food items collected in Danish shops showed that it is likely that persons with a frequent intake of, e.g., French fries, microwave oven popcorn, chocolate bars, fast food, etc., consume industrially produced TFAs in amounts far exceeding the average intake, and are thereby exposed to an unnecessary health risk. The Danish government has decided that oils and fats containing more than 2% industrially produced TFAs will not be sold in Denmark after the January 1, 2004.