Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growing on Steroids: Rapidly Scaling the User Base of Digital Ventures Through Digital Innovation

Digital ventures, start-ups growing by drawing on and adding to digital infrastructures, can scale their business at an unprecedented pace. We view such rapid scaling as a generative process by which a venture's user base increases significantly between two points in time through digital innovation. We studied WeCash, a Chinese digital venture, nearly doubling its user base monthly, to learn more about this generative process. We trace three contingent mechanisms underpinning rapid scaling: data-driven operation, instant release, and swift transformation. We explain these mechanisms and how they interact in the rapid scaling of digital ventures. The research offers an agency perspective on scaling of digital ventures that speaks to the digital innovation literature.
Laterality effects in cross-modal affective priming

ABSTRACT The present study pursued M. P. Bryden's legacy by investigating how contextual factors can affect laterality effects. Specifically, a cross-modal affective priming paradigm was used in two experiments to determine whether priming with facial expressions would affect responses to emotional sounds. Experiment 1 established that cross-modal priming could be obtained when presenting the emotional sounds binaurally by showing more accurate responses when prime and target were congruent than when they were incongruent, although this extended to response time only for the happy emotion. This priming effect justified Experiment 2, in which the priming paradigm was integrated into a dichotic listening task. The central finding of Experiment 2 was a congruency by ear interaction on number of correct reports, showing that presentation of a facial emotion congruent with a left target produced a large left ear advantage that was reduced when a right ear congruent prime or an incongruent pairing was used. Implications of these findings for emotion processing in the context of Bryden's legacy are discussed.
Parameter Estimation of Convolutional and Helical Interleavers in a Noisy Environment

Forward error correction (FEC) codes followed by an interleaver play a significant role in improving the error performance of the digital systems by counteracting random and burst errors. In most of the applications, interleaver and FEC code parameters are known at the receiver to successfully de-interleave and decode the information bits. However, in certain non-cooperative applications, only partial information about the code and interleaver parameters is known. Furthermore, in cognitive radio applications, an intelligent receiver should adapt itself to the transmission parameters. Hence, there is a need to blindly estimate the FEC code and interleaver parameters in the mentioned applications from the received data stream with the availability of partial knowledge about the transmission parameters at the receiver. In this paper, a blind recognition of convolutional and helical interleaver parameters is carried out using innovative algorithms for unsynchronized, convolutionally encoded data in the presence of bit errors. In addition, the proposed algorithms also estimate the starting bit position for achieving proper synchronization. In a nutshell, it has been observed from the numerical results that the interleaver parameters have been estimated successfully over erroneous channel conditions from the proposed algorithms. Finally, the performances of the proposed algorithms for both the interleavers considering various bit error rate values have also been analyzed.
Current Indications for Surgical Treatment of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in the Elderly

This study presents the results of surgery in the elderly for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from a single institution's experience. We retrospectively analyzed 898 cases of surgically treated PHPT, divided into two groups: 135 elderly patients (A) and 763 patients younger than 65 years (B). PHPT was symptomatic in 68.8 per cent patients in group A and in 81.6 per cent in group B. Unilateral temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was observed in 0.9 per cent in group A and 0.1 per cent in group B (P > 0.05). No cervical hematomas, mortality or major cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory or metabolic postoperative complications were registered. All the patients evaluated at one year had improvement in the quality of life, with increase of bone mineral density (BMD) in 85.6 per cent and 79.8 per cent of patients in groups A and B, with no significant differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Parathyroidectomy in elderly PHPT patients is safe, with rate of morbidity similar to what observed in younger individuals. Further investigations are recommended to confirm the role of surgery as an effective approach in elderly PHPT patients.
Management of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Pregnancy

Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a low platelet count and mucocutaneous bleeding. Pregnancy does not increase the incidence of ITP nor does it exacerbate a preexisting disease. Although pregnant women with ITP may experience several maternal and fetal complications, in most cases even with a very low platelet count, there is neither maternal nor fetal morbidity or mortality. Corticosteroids are the first line of therapy in pregnant women; intravenous immune globulin is commonly used in steroid resistant patients. Other treatments such as intravenously administered anti-D (Rhogam®) and splenectomy during pregnancy have been reported. Antiplatelet IgG antibodies can cross the placenta and can induce fetal thrombocytopenia. In most women there is no indication to assess fetal platelet counts during the pregnancy. The mode of delivery is determined by obstetrical considerations. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall that chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has very little direct effects on mother and fetus, relate that most patients respond to first-line therapy, and explain that it is rare that there is fetal thrombocytopenia even though the IgG antibodies cross the placenta.
Ibrutinib resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is active in CLL, but resistance may emerge. The authors observed the emergence of a CLL clone with a cysteine-to-serine change in amino acid 481 of the target protein that substantially weakens drug binding and leads to resistance.
Corporate governance and voluntary disclosure: evidence from Bahrain

This study examined the relationship between corporate governance and voluntary disclosure. The study used a cross-sectional data for the year 2013 of 41 firms listed on Bahrain Bourse. Multiple regression approach was incorporated. The study found that the governance level was 47.1%. Voluntary disclosure percentage was found to be 51.1% in Bahrain Bourse which is considered high compared to previous studies. The results of the study test indicate that there is a positive relationship between the principals: ownership of the largest shareholder, size of the board of directors and independency of board of directors with voluntary disclosure, and that there is no relationship between ownership of the three largest shareholders and voluntary disclosure.
Development and characterization of a triple combination gene therapy vector inhibiting HIV‐1 multiplication

RNA‐based approaches are promising for long‐term gene therapy against HIV‐1. They can target virtually any step of the viral replication cycle. It is also possible to combine anti‐HIV‐1 transgenes targeting different facets of HIV replication to compensate for limitations of any individual construct, maximizing efficacy and decreasing chances of escape mutations. We have previously developed two strategies to inhibit HIV‐1 multiplication. One was a short hairpin RNA targeting the host factor cyclophilin A implicated in HIV‐1 replication. Additionally, an antisense derivative of U7 small nuclear RNA was designed to induce the skipping of the HIV‐1 Tat and Rev internal exons.
From Farm to Consumer - Linking Crop Physiology and Production with Buyer-oriented Quality. I. Vegetables

Crop and product quality are based on the assignment of value to both by a farmer, processor, wholesaler, or consumer. Physical, chemical, biological, sensory, production method-based, and food safety- or human health-related characteristics of the commodity may be used to assign value (i.e., rate quality). They may also influence price and/or the frequency of initial or repeated purchase. Although crop and product quality is increasingly important in the marketplace, many scientific questions remain regarding mechanisms underlying its development and maintenance at all levels of organization within the plant. Likewise, additional questions persist regarding how crop or product quality may be managed during production and after harvest for the potential benefit of farmers, processors, wholesalers, consumers or others. Practical questions of immediate and long-term importance, in particular, have driven integrated, multi-disciplinary efforts among researchers in several departments within the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University to explore natural and human forces which shape crop quality. We report here on a set of completed and ongoing studies dealing with the separate and combined effects of biotic and abiotic factors on vegetable crop quality. Numerous studies involving four crops (cabbage, Brassica oleracea L., Capitata Group; lettuce, Lactuca sativa, L.; potato, Solanum tuberosum, L.; tomatoes for processing, Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.) grown in controlled environments or the field, using conventional, organic, or transitional-organic methods are discussed.
Parasites of free‐ranging black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) from Belize and Mexico

Parasites are important members of the ecological web within which an animal lives, and can be used as indicators of ecosystem health. However, few baseline parasitological data are available for free‐ranging animals, particularly for the black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra). In this study a total of 283 fecal samples were collected from 50 individually identified A. pigra during 2003 and 2004 and examined for parasites. The samples were processed using standard quantitative centrifugation concentration techniques, with sugar and zinc sulfate used as flotation media. The slides were examined using bright‐field and phase microscopy. Antigen capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to detect protozoa. Four parasites were detected: 1) Controrchis biliophilus (Dicrocoeliidae), 2) Trypanoxyuris minutus (Oxyuridae), 3) Giardia sp. (Hexamitidae), and 4) Entamoeba sp. (Endamoebidae). Controrchis biliophilus was detected in 80% (wet season) and 81% (dry season) of the A. pigra samples; Trypanoxyuris minutus was detected in 8% (wet season) and 27% (dry season) of samples; and Giardia sp. was detected in 40% (wet season) and 27% (dry season) of samples. For the first time, DNA from Giardia sp. ‐positive fecal samples was extracted from A. pigra. Alouatta pigra individuals that lived near human settlements in Belize were infected with Giardia duodenalis (syn. G. lamblia, G. intestinalis) Assemblages A and B. These results suggest that G. duodenalis is transmitted from people and/or domestic animals to A. pigra. Am. J. Primatol. 68:1089–1097, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HIV risk factors among patients with tuberculosis — Botswana 1999

To identify factors associated with HIV in Botswana, a standardized questionnaire was administered to 135 tuberculosis patients with known HIV status. HIV-positive patients were more likely than HIV-negative patients to: be female (45% vs 26% (adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR)=3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1-12.7)); be 26-35 years old (50% vs 19% (aPOR=2.7, CI=0.7-10.7)); be unmarried (91% vs 71% (aPOR=13.3, CI=2.5-72.7)); have higher income (24% vs 10% (aPOR=8.2, CI=1.6-42.9)); report separation from spouse/partner for work (63% vs 52% (aPOR=1.8, CI=0.5-6.2)); have 2 sex partners other than their regular partner (82% vs 67% (aPOR=1.8, CI=0.5-7.5)); and state that they or their partner drank alcohol before sex (77% vs 55% (aPOR=6.8, CI=1.9-24.1)). Only 22% of respondents used condoms during all of their past 10 sexual encounters. These data provide information for HIV prevention strategies.
Shifts in trait means and variances in North American tree assemblages: species richness patterns are loosely related to the functional space

One of the key hypothesized drivers of gradients in species richness is environmental filtering, where environmental stress limits which species from a larger species pool gain membership in a local community owing to their traits. Whereas most studies focus on small-scale variation in functional traits along environmental gradient, the effect of large-scale environmental filtering is less well understood. Furthermore, it has been rarely tested whether the factors that constrain the niche space limit the total number of coexisting species. We assessed the role of environmental filtering in shaping tree assemblages across North America north of Mexico by testing the hypothesis that colder, drier, or seasonal environments (stressful conditions for most plants) constrain tree trait diversity and thereby limit species richness. We assessed geographic patterns in trait filtering and their relationships to species richness pattern using a comprehensive set of tree range maps. We focused on four key plant functional traits reflecting major life history axes (maximum height, specific leaf area, seed mass, and wood density) and four climatic variables (annual mean and seasonality of temperature and precipitation). We tested for significant spatial shifts in trait means and variances using a null model approach. While we found significant shifts in mean species’ trait values at most grid cells, trait variances at most grid cells did not deviate from the null expectation. Measures of environmental harshness (cold, dry, seasonal climates) and lower species richness were weakly associated with a reduction in variance of seed mass and specific leaf area. The pattern in variance of height and wood density was, however, opposite. These findings do not support the hypothesis that more stressful conditions universally limit species and trait diversity in North America. Environmental filtering does, however, structure assemblage composition, by selecting for certain optimum trait values under a given set of conditions.
Rollable Silicon IC Wafers Achieved by Backside Nanotexturing

This letter presents a wafer-level approach for producing rollable single-crystal silicon integrated circuit (IC) wafers, bent with a 17-mm minimum radius of curvature, achieved by backside nanotexturing. The three-point bending test indicates a mechanical strength enhancement by a factor of 2.3 for nanotextured 60-μm thick samples. The minimum radius of curvature decreased by 43.4%, exhibiting improved flexibility. The carrier charge mobility increases by 4.9%, 12.6%, and 16.9% for the bending radii of 45, 30, and 24 mm, respectively. The increment of the mobility corresponds with the changing compressive stress in p-MOSFETs fabricated on the IC wafer.
Racial patterns of extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type, in California: a population‐based study

In order to investigate whether the clinical behaviour of extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) varies by race within a geographic region, we identified a total of 213 non‐Hispanic whites, Hispanics and Asians/Pacific islanders (APIs) diagnosed with ENKTL in the California Cancer Registry between 2001 and 2008. The incidence and outcomes of the disease in these racial groups were analysed. The incidence rates in non‐Hispanic whites, Hispanics and APIs were 0·05, 0·18 and 0·23 per 100 000 person‐years, respectively, among males; and 0·03, 0·07 and 0·10 per 100 000 person‐years, respectively, among females. The overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 28·6% in non‐Hispanic whites, 30·4% in Hispanic, and 24·0% in APIs. In multivariate analysis, distant versus local/regional disease (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 2·01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1·36, 2·96), initial treatment with chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (HR = 0·39, 95% CI: 0·22, 0·70) or radiotherapy alone (HR = 0·48, 95% CI: 0·23, 0·99) versus no therapy were associated with OS. However, OS was not affected by age, sex, race, chemotherapy alone, socioeconomic status, or human immunodeficiency virus infection. In conclusion, ENKTL is more common and clinically more similar among Hispanics and APIs than non‐Hispanic whites with poor outcome in all racial groups.
Effect of physical environment on survival of Helicobacter pylori.

AIMS: To determine the effects of physical conditions on survival of Helicobacter pylori in aquatic environments. Survival for prolonged time intervals would implicate environmental water as a possible source of infection. METHODS: The effect of ionic strength, pH, urea, protein and composition of incubation atmosphere on the survival of H pylori NCTC 11637 and two clinical isolates (CI 82 and 92) was investigated. RESULTS: H pylori strains survived for longer periods in physiological (0.15M) saline than in 0.05M or 0.6M saline solution. Optimal pH range for survival was between pH 5.8 and 6.9. Addition of urea (final concentration 100 microM/l-1 and 5 mM/l-1) to neutral unbuffered 0.15M saline resulted in a reduction in survival; addition of bovine serum albumin (1%) or gelatin (1%) resulted in variable survival times compared with saline alone. Incubation in a microaerobic gas mixture prolonged survival compared with incubation in air. CONCLUSION: H pylori survival in water over a prolonged period is possible for a range of physical variables. The results indicate that H pylori could survive in environmental water which may thus act as a potential reservoir of infection.
Purification and Properties of Ornithine Racemase from Clostridium sticklandii

ABSTRACT Ornithine racemase has been purified to homogeneity fromClostridium sticklandii, as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This is the first racemase known to be highly specific to ornithine. This PLP-dependent enzyme has an Mr of 92,000, with aKm for l-ornithine of 0.77 ± 0.05 mM and a kcat of 980 ± 20 s−1.
CYTOGENETICS IN CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA IN TAIWAN: A Single-Institutional Experience

The aim of the study was to define the frequency and types of acquired chromosomal aberrations in a group of Taiwanese children with ALL. The sample population consisted of 78 patients under 18 years of age with newly diagnosed ALL who underwent cytogenetic studies at diagnosis and had adequate metaphase chromosomes for analysis at the authors' hospital from 1993 to 2001. Metaphase chromosomes were banded using the conventional trypsin-Giemsa banding technique. Analysis of ploidy revealed 16 (20.5%) patients with normal diploidy, 28 (35.9%) with pseudodiploidy, 6 (7.7%) with hyperdiploidy (47–50), 19 (24.4%) with hyperdiploidy (> 50), and 9 (9.4%) hypodiploidy. Near-haploidy was not observed. Of the patients with abnormal karyotypes, recurrent structural abnormalities were determined in 31 (50%) cases, with the most frequent t(9;22). In conclusion, the frequency and type of acquired chromosomal aberrations found in these Taiwanese children with ALL are similar to those reported in the literature.
Effect of cotton cultivar on performance of Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Iran.

Cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), obtained from cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. , fields in the Gorgan region of northern Iran, were colonized on 'Varamin' cotton plants in a growth chamber. The development, survivorship, and life table parameters of the cotton aphid were evaluated at 27.5 +/- 1 degrees C, 65 +/- 10% RH, and aphotoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h of artificial light on five commonly growing cotton cultivars: Varamin, 'Sealand' (relatively resistant cultivar), 'Bakhtegan', 'Sahel' (both relatively susceptible cultivars), and 'Siokra' [resistant to Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)]. The developmental times of immature stages ranged from 4.6 d on Bakhtegan and Varamin to 6.3 d on Sealand, whereas the immature survival was 97.5 to 65% on Sahel and Siokra, respectively. On average, there were 28.7, 28.3, 23.5, 20.1, and 16.8 nymphs produced per female on Sahel, Bakhtegan, Varamin, Sealand, and Siokra, respectively. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) for cotton aphids on Sahel was the highest, whereas the values for r(m) varied from 0.284 (nymphs per female per d) on Siokra to 0.368 on Sahel. Jackknife estimates of generation times (T), net reproductive rate (R(0)), doubling time (DT), and finite rate of increase (lambda) on these cultivars were as follows: 9.79-10.84 d for T, 9.23-23.81 nymphs per female for R(0), 2.17-3.19 d for DT, and 1.28-1.38 nymphs per female per d for lambda. Cotton aphid performance was at its highest on Sahel and lowest on Siokra.
Eradicate Established Solid Tumors Tumor-Resident CD8 T Cell Responses to -Inducing TLR Ligands Reactivates Targeting the Effector Site with IFN-W.

Effective antitumor CD8 T cell responses may be activated by directly targeting the innate immune system within tumors. We investigated this response by injecting a range of TLR agonists into established tumors using a mouse model of malignant mesothelioma stably transduced with the hemagglutinin (HA) gene as a marker Ag (AB1-HA). Persistent delivery of the dsRNA mimetic poly(I:C) into established AB1-HA tumors resulted in complete tumor resolution in 40% of mice, with the remaining mice also showing a signiﬁcant delay in tumor progression. Experiments in athymic nude mice along with CD8 depletion and IFN- (cid:1)(cid:2) blocking studies revealed that tumor resolution required both CD8 T cells and type I IFN induction, and was associated with local changes in MHC class I expression. Surprisingly, however, tumor resolution was not associated with systemic dissemination or tumor inﬁltration of effector CD8 T cells. Instead, the antitumor response was critically dependent on the reactivation of tumor-resident CD8 T cell responses. These studies suggest that, once reactivated, pre-existing local CD8 T cell responses are sufﬁcient to resolve established tumors and that in situ type I IFN is a determining factor. The Journal of Immunology, 2008, 180: 1535–1544.
Serum insulin‐like growth factor I and its binding protein 3 in their relation to intima–media thickness: results of the study of health in Pomerania (SHIP)

Objective Previous studies detected associations between lower insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) levels and increased risk of congestive heart failure or ischaemic heart disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of IGF‐I and its binding protein 3 (IGFBP‐3) with the carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) as marker of asymptomatic cardiovascular disease.
Further evidence to support the melanocytic origin of MDA-MB-435

Background/Aims: Until recently, the cell line MDA-MB-435 was widely accepted as originating from a breast cancer. However, microarray derived data have suggested that this cell line may in fact originate from an occult melanoma. This study was designed to investigate this hypothesis further. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the tissue of origin of two sublines of MDA-MB-435 (MDA-MB-435 S and MDA-MB-435 HGF). The expression of a panel of genes typical of breast cells or melanocytes was analysed. Results: The MDA-MD-435 cell lines expressed none of the genes characteristic of breast cancer cells but did express several genes commonly expressed by melanocytes. Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that MDA-MB-435 is indeed of melanoma origin.