Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Under-expression of LKB 1 is associated with enhanced p 38-MAPK signaling in human hepatocellular carcinoma

The tumor suppressor liver kinase B1 (LKB1), a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed protein kinase, plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. LKB1 has recently been identified in tumorigenesis of several cancers including lung cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. However, the role of LKB1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Herein, we examined the expression levels of LKB1 in HCC patients and cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Furthermore, LKB1 protein expression was analyzed in archived paraffin-embedded HCC tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC), and its association with overall survival was shown in statistical analysis. In vitro assays, including RNAi studies, were performed to further explore the role of LKB1 in tumor progression in HCC cell lines. Our results revealed that the expression of LKB1 was lower in HCC tissue and cell lines than in corresponding adjacent normal tissue and normal human liver cell line (HL7702). Moreover, HCC patients with low LKB1 expression had advanced clinical stage and worse prognosis than those with higher LKB1 expression. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knockdown of LKB1 resulted in enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Additionally, the expression level of LKB1 positively correlated with E-cadherin levels, wherein siRNA-transfected cells exhibited significantly decreased levels of E-cadherin, while phosphorylated p38 and vimentin levels were enhanced. Inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling was capable of reversing E-cadherin upregulation and vimentin down-regulation. In all, our results indicate that LKB1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene, which may inhibit EMT through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway involved in HCC progression.
Bite traces in a turtle carapace fragment from the middle Danian (Lower Paleocene) bryozoan limestone, Faxe, Denmark

A fragment of a turtle carapace from the Middle Danian bryozoan limestone at the Faxe quarry, eastern Denmark, is identified as a partial costal plate from the carapace of a chelonioid turtle. The fragment bears traces of three separate acts of predation or scavenging. Two circular bite traces Nihilichnus nihilicus Mikuláš et al. 2006, 4 mm in diameter, situated 2.5 cm apart, are interpreted as crocodylian. Groups of parallel scrapes, Machichnus bohemicus Mikuláš et al. 2006, 4–5 mm long and 0.5 mm wide, are interpreted as bite traces from sharks. Small circular traces, ~1 mm in diameter, found either alone or in a row of three, are either from sharks or fish. This is the first record of turtles from the Danian bryozoan limestone exposed in Faxe quarry, and thus represents an important addition to the Danian vertebrate fauna of Denmark.
Development and validation of the American Dream Scale: Assessing the petty bourgeois mentality

The present research developed and validated an instrument, the American Dream Scale (ADS), to measure a small business orientation conceptualized as petty bourgeois mentality. The initial exploratory study, using principal components analysis with promax rotation, was performed on the data from a convenience sample of 349 university students. A total of 17 items of the original 45 prototype items emerged from the analysis to comprise the ADS inventory that represented two factors named Creative Work Potential and Be My Own Boss. A second independent convenience sample of 306 university students provided data for a confirmatory factor analysis supporting the factor structure and an evaluation of a structural model predicting ADS. A third independent convenience sample of 502 US adults provided data for an additional confirmatory factor analysis again supporting the factor structure as well as providing convergent validity evidence to support use of the scale. Implications for future research are discussed in the context of how the ADS may help to elucidate fundamental petty bourgeois attitudes among various strata in the US working class.
Rhetorical Structure of Research Articles in Agricultural Science

Although the rhetorical structure of research articles (RA) has been extensively examined from individual sections to complete IMRD sections regarding different disciplines, no research has been addressed to the overall rhetorical structure of RAs as a whole entity in the field of agricultural science. In this study, we analyzed 45 agricultural science RAs, using Kanoksilapatham’s (2005) model as an analytical tool. A sixteen-move structure was identified, 3 for the Introduction section, 5 for the Methods section, 4 for the Results section and 4 for the Discussion section, respectively. The rhetorical structure found in this study extends and refines previous models. In particular, the occurrences of moves in the sections of Methods and Results appear to be discipline-dependent. These results seem to indicate that the rhetorical structure of agricultural science RAs tend to have their own pattern, so that this study should benefit non-native scientists in general and non-native scientists in agricultural science in particular, not only allowing them to understand RAs better, but also helping them in their competition for international publication.
Annales Geophysicae Interball-1 observations of flux transfer events

We present the results of a survey of 807 FTEs observed by Interball-1 on the midand high-latitude dayside and flank magnetopause. Dayside magnetosheath events show a strong tendency to occur for southward magnetosheath magnetic fields suggesting origin via component (or perhaps antiparallel) reconnection near the equatorial plane. Flank FTEs occur for both magnetosheath magnetic field orientations with only a slight preference for southward magnetosheath magnetic fields. These events are consistent with generation along an extended subsolar component reconnection line for all IMF orientations or a combination of reconnection along a subsolar component reconnection line for southward IMF and antiparallel reconnection at higher latitudes for northward IMF. The distribution of direct and reverse magnetosheath FTEs and the tilt angle of the reconnection line for dawnward and duskward IMF are in a good agreement with the theoretical predictions of the component merging model. The clear anticorrelation between the magnitude of the east/west (Bm) perturbation observed within magnetosphere FTEs versus Bm in the magnetosheath also demands an explanation of the FTEs in terms of reconnection along a tilted subsolar merging line, e.g. in terms of component merging.
Comparison of Some Reproductive Traits between Holstein Cows Receiving Curent Presynch-Ovsynch and a New Modified Double-Ovsynch Protocol

In the present study which was performed on 129 milking Holstein cows, several reproductive parameters were compared between the cows that were randomly allocated in current Presynch-Ovsynch (PO, n = 62) or Modified Double-Ovsynch (MDO, n = 67) protocols. The cows that were assigned to PO protocol received the following treatment: PGF2α (Prostaglandin F-2 alpha) on day 0 14 d (Day) PGF2α 12 d GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone) 7 d PGF2α 2 d GnRH 18 h (Hour) – FTAI (Fixed-time artificial insemination). The cows that were assigned to MDO protocol received the following treatment: PGF2α on day 0 7 d GnRH 7 d PGF2α 3 d GnRH 7 d GnRH 7 d PGF2α 2 d GnRH 18 h FTAI. Average conception rates of the cows for PO and MDO protocols were 29% (18/62) and 29.8% (20/67) respectively (P > 0.05). From the aspect of being a functional corpus luteum on the ovaries of the cows at the both times of the 1st GnRH and PGF2α injections in the Ovsynch and fixed-time artificial insemination (OVS + FTAI) program, MDO is more effective than PO protocol (P < 0.01). MDO in comparison to PO protocol reduced the number of the cows with low circulatory progesterone concentration at the time of the 1st GnRH injection and high circulatory progesterone concentration at the time of the PGF2α injection in the OVS + FTAI program (P = 0.01).
THE DETERMINANTS OF HOME BIAS

Despite the well-known gains of the international diversification, investors have the tendency to overinvest in domestic equities. This irrational behavior is called home bias. It is considered by Obstfeld and Rogoff (2000) as one of the six major puzzles in the international macroeconomics. The present paper examines the different determinants to understand this major puzzle. Based on a sample of 564 observations (countries-years) that cover the period 2003 to 2013, we found that home bias is explained by the information asymmetry that exists between countries and their economic volatility (assessed by the growth rate of the gross domestic product). Furthermore, our findings indicate that home bias decreases among developed markets and countries characterized by a higher rule of law.
The Abundance of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Lake Victoria Nile Perch

This study was carried out to determine the presence and abundance of lactic acid from gastrointestinal tracts of Latesniloticus fish with the specific objective of determining fish size effect on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population. The study was conducted in Lake Victoria between April-June and July-September, 2014. Statistical analysis was performed by using Minitab 9.1. 3 software version. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and east significant difference (LSD) was used for statistical comparisons. Differences were considered significant at α=0.05 level. The average weight of small fish sampled during the wet season was 667.9g that gave an average colony forming units/g of 9.2x 10 3 ; medium averaging 1485.1g had an average of 2.1x10 4 cfu and big averaging 3210.8g had 4.9 x 10 4 cfu. In the dry spells, the small fish averaging 614.6g had 6.7 x 10 3 , medium averaging 1392.9g had an average of 1.7x10 4 cfu and big averaging 2756.3g had 3.4 x 10 4 cfu. The mean of counts of LABs are significantly different for the three sizes tested, with the big size giving the highest followed by medium and small respectively. This could be due to ability to access more variety of foods. The means of counts of LABs are insignificantly different for the eight sites tested. The mean of counts of LABs are significantly different for the wet and dry seasons tested. In conclusion, this study showed availability of lactic acid bacteria in the gut of Lake Victoria Nile perch which can be used as a source of potential bio preservative. Key words : Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), Gastrointestinal tracts, Nile perch, L. Victoria, ANOVA
Activity Theory Analysis of Virtualising Teaching and Teaching Environment in a Developing Country

This study aims to understand how a developing country higher education institution (HEI) attempted to digitalise teaching. The Internet has disrupted the traditional teaching environment and teaching practices leading to the migration from physical face-to-face teaching to online teaching changing the work environment of the teacher. Information systems literature has examined the academic environment of HEIs from student’s perspective in a virtual learning environment but not from the instructor’s perspective in a teaching work environment. How the teaching work environment can be virtualised has not also been widely explored. Using activity theory and an interpretive case study approach data was obtained from interviews, documents and participant observation. Using hermeneutics as the mode of analysis the findings reveal how tools: an open source technology and rules are modified through the resolution of contradictions to suit developing country context of the HEI. The study provides practitioners insights on how emerging contradictions in tools, implementers and rules in a teaching work environment virtualisation can be used as an avenue for development. It also offers insight into how HEIs can migrate their physical teaching environment to online. Educ Inf Technol https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-018-9774-7 * Ibrahim Osman Adam ioadam@uds.edu. gh John Effah jeffah@ug.edu. gh Richard Boateng richboateng@ug.edu. gh 1 School of Business and Law, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box 36, Wa, Ghana 2 University of Ghana Business School, P.O. Box 78, Legon, Ghana Author's personal copy
Bachelor’s Thesis

This research investigates the utility of several one-class classification algorithms in distinguishing human-made paintings from AI-generated ones. This investigation questions the general use of one-class-based novelty detection algorithms while aiming for an analysis based on the metadata captured during this research. The research utilizes several classification algorithms, namely One-Class SVM, Isolation Forest, Local Outlier Factor, One-Class Neural Network, and Robust Convolutional Autoencoder. This study was conducted due to the insufficient amount of literature available on the varied applications of such algorithms and the researcher’s own fascination with artworks. For the experiments, we use a collection of paintings gathered from WikiArt and OpenArt websites with the extra data related to these paintings. Then, we propose several detectors to make the distinguishing between real and fake paintings. The best-performing detector extracts the features of the images with a residual neural network. Following this extraction, it standardizes these extracted features and reconstructs them afterward by an autoencoder we introduce. Finally, the one-class classifier, built into the detector, gives a final decision on the class of the data given as input. While feature extraction makes this research computationally feasible, input processing with an autoencoder increases the final accuracy of the model. The majority of the test results show a high rate of false positives and false negatives. Although the AUC scores indicate that these algorithms perform better than random guessing, they demonstrate a significantly lower accuracy compared to a multi-class classifier. Based on the accuracy and the occurrences in the experiments, the paper provides a metadata analysis. In conclusion, the overall status of one-class classification is uncertain, and it is evident that multi-class classifiers excel in this particular task.
A retrospective analysis of prognostic factors in patients with cervical non-squamous cell carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Objective: To investigate the prognostic factors for cervical non-squamous cell carcinoma (NSCC) patients who were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 111 cervical NSCC patients who were treated with CCRT at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2005 and December 2014. Survival data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors for overall survival was performed by Wilcoxon (Gehan) test. Prognostic factors for overall survival and progression free survival (PFS) were further analyzed by multivariate Cox regression model. Results: Of the 111 patients, 83 (74.8%) had adenocarcinoma, 16 (14.4%) had adenosquamous carcinoma, and 12 (10.8%) had other special types. According to FIGO staging system, 9 (8.1%) had stage I, 8 (7.2%) had stage IIA. 75 (67.6%) had stage IIB, and 19 (17.1%) had stage III/IV. Fifty-five patients had tumor diameter < 4 cm. Forty-three patients (38.8%) had positive pre-treatment CA125. Fifty-five patients (49.5%) had pelvic lymph node enlargement. The 5-year overall survival rate was 66.0%. Univariant and multivariant analysis identified FIGO stage, local tumor size, histological grade, lymph node enlargement as prognostic factors for overall survival. FIGO stage and tumor size were independently assocaited with the progrssion-free survival of these patients. Conclusion: FIGO stage, local tumor size, histological grade, lymph node enlargement are prognostic factors for cervical NSCC. Patients with higher FIGO stage and/or tumor diameter ≥ 4 cm have poor posnosis and early tumor progression following CCRT. New treatment strategies should be considered for these patients.
A simple method to back-project isocenter dose of radiotherapy treatments using EPID transit dosimetry

The aim of this work was to implement a simple algorithm to evaluate isocenter dose in a phantom using the back-projected transmitted dose acquired using an Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID) available in a Varian Trilogy accelerator with two nominal 6 and 10 MV photon beams. This algorithm was developed in MATLAB language, to calibrate EPID measured dose in absolute dose, using a deconvolution process, and to incorporate all scattering and attenuation contributions due to photon interactions with phantom. Modeling process was simplified by using empirical curve adjustments to describe the contribution of scattering and attenuation effects. The implemented algorithm and method were validated employing 19 patient treatment plans with 104 clinical irradiation fields projected on the phantom used. Results for EPID absolute dose calibration by deconvolution have showed percent deviations lower than 1%. Final method validation presented average percent deviations between isocenter doses calculated by back-projection and isocenter doses determined with ionization chamber of 1,86% (SD of 1,00%) and -0,94% (SD of 0,61%) for 6 and 10 MV, respectively. Normalized field by field analysis showed deviations smaller than 2% for 89% of all data for 6 MV beams and 94% for 10 MV beams. It was concluded that the proposed algorithm possesses sufficient accuracy to be used for in vivo dosimetry, being sensitive to detect dose delivery errors bigger than 3-4% for conformal and intensity modulated radiation therapy techniques.
DETERMINANTS OF CONTACTLESS CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTANCE IN TURKEY

The purpose of the study is to provide an insight into the determinants of individuals’contactless credit cards acceptance. We developed a theoretical model based on theTechnology Acceptance Model (TAM) with added constructs perceived risk and perceivedplayfulness empirically, and tested its ability in predicting individuals’ behavioral intentionto use contactless credit cards. We designed a survey and obtained 695 usable responses. Weanalyzed the data using Structured Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the strength of thecausal relationships. The results indicate that perceived ease of use has a direct and perceivedusefulness has an indirect effect on the acceptance of contactless credit cards. Also perceivedrisk and perceived playfulness have an effect but it is insignificant. http://dx.doi. org/10.17130/ijmeb.2017228687
Analysing the Effect of Decoupling on Agricultural Production: Evidence from Irish Dairy Farms using the Olley and Pakes Approach

Recent reform of the Common Agricultural Policy has led to the decoupling of direct payments to farmers from production. This policy change is expected to make farmersâ€™ production decisions more market oriented as their subsidy revenue maximization objectives become profit maximizing objectives. In this paper we explore the impact of decoupling on the productivity of Irish dairy farms using a modified version of Olley and Pakes methodology for productivity estimation. We isolate the effect of decoupling on productivity by controlling for other policy changes that have occurred alongside decoupling. We also explore the effect that uncertainties associated with increased price volatility may have had on farmersâ€™ decisions in the post-decoupled period. Die jA¼ngsten Reformen der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik haben dazu gefA¼hrt, dass Direktzahlungen an Landwirte von der Produktion entkoppelt wurden. Von diesem Politikwandel wird erwartet, dass sich die Produktionsentscheidungen der Landwirte zukA¼nftig weniger an staatlichen StA¼tzungsmaAŸnahmen und mehr am Ziel der Gewinnmaximierung auf freien MA¤rkten orientieren. In diesem Beitrag untersuchen wir Auswirkungen der Entkopplung auf die ProduktivitA¤t von irischen Milchviehbetrieben und verwenden dabei eine modifizierte Fassung des Ansatzes von Olley und Pakes zur SchA¤tzung der ProduktivitA¤ten. Bei der Wirkungsanalyse zur Entkoppelung wird im Modellansatz berA¼cksichtigt, dass auch noch andere PolitikA¤nderungen neben der Entkopplung der Direktzahlungen stattgefunden haben. Im Zusammenhang mit der zunehmenden PreisvolatilitA¤t auf AgrarmA¤rkten werden zudem Auswirkungen von Unsicherheit auf die Produktionsentscheidungen der Landwirte in der Nach-Entkoppelungs-Phase herausgearbeitet.
Ultrasensitive terahertz sensing with high-Q Fano resonances in metasurfaces

High quality factor resonances are extremely promising for designing ultra-sensitive refractive index label-free sensors, since it allows intense interaction between electromagnetic waves and the analyte material. Metamaterial and plasmonic sensing have recently attracted a lot of attention due to subwavelength confinement of electromagnetic fields in the resonant structures. However, the excitation of high quality factor resonances in these systems has been a challenge. We excite an order of magnitude higher quality factor resonances in planar terahertz metamaterials that we exploit for ultrasensitive sensing. The low-loss quadrupole and Fano resonances with extremely narrow linewidths enable us to measure the minute spectral shift caused due to the smallest change in the refractive index of the surrounding media. We achieve sensitivity levels of 7.75 × 103 nm/refractive index unit (RIU) with quadrupole and 5.7 × 104 nm/RIU with the Fano resonances which could be further enhanced by using thinner substrates. These findings would facilitate the design of ultrasensitive real time chemical and biomolecular sensors in the fingerprint region of the terahertz regime.
MONITORING TRENDS IN SKINK SIGHTINGS FROM ARTIFICIAL RETREATS : INFLUENCES OF RETREAT DESIGN , PLACEMENT PERIOD , AND PREDATOR ABUNDANCE

—Developing rigorous and repeatable techniques for monitoring a range of taxa is essential for evaluating responses to management. We investigated the use of artificial retreats made from a corrugated roofing material (Onduline) for monitoring Common Skinks (Oligosoma polychroma) over five years (2004–2009) in the Eglinton Valley, New Zealand. We addressed three questions: (1) how long does it take for skinks to use retreats; (2) which retreat design maximizes detection of skinks; and (3) do numbers of skinks detected co-vary with mammalian predator indices? We deployed four random transects, each comprising 11 retreats, in grassland habitat using four retreat designs of varying size and number of layers. We checked retreats for skinks at 1-month intervals primarily during summer months, and evaluated rodent and mustelid activity using quarterly footprint tracking records. We detected skinks under 30% of retreats one month after deployment and mean numbers of skinks peaked six months after deployment in the first year of sampling. Average rate of detection was proportional to retreat area and not related to the number of layers used. Skink counts from artificial retreats declined following heavy beech masting in autumn 2006 that increased predator activity, but recovered during the following summer as predator activity declined. Artificial retreats are a promising tool for monitoring skink populations and evaluating their responses to predator abundance and management.