Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low postoperative nonstimulated thyroglobulin as a criterion to spare radioiodine ablation.

This study evaluated the recurrence rate in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who had low nonstimulated thyroglobulin (Tg), measured with a second-generation assay, after total thyroidectomy and who were not submitted to ablation with (131)I. The objective was to define whether low postoperative nonstimulated Tg can be used as a criterion to spare patients with PTC from therapy with (131)I. This was a prospective study including 222 patients with PTC (except for microcarcinoma restricted to the thyroid and tumor with extensive extrathyroid invasion (pT4), aggressive histology, extensive lymph node (LN) involvement, or known residual disease). After thyroidectomy, all patients had nonstimulated Tg<0.3 ng/ml, negative antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and neck ultrasonography (US) showing no anomalies. Because of this finding, the patients were not submitted to ablation with (131)I. The time of follow-up ranged from 15 to 102 months (median 62 months). Of the 222 patients, 217 (97.7%) continued to have nonstimulated Tg <0.3 ng/ml and negative US. Tg was undetectable in the last assessment in 185 of these patients and detectable in 32. Five patients (2.2%) exhibited an increase in Tg, and LN metastases were detected in 4 (structural recurrence). One patient progressed to an increase in Tg, but disease was not detected by the imaging methods (biochemical recurrence). The results obtained here suggest that patients with PTC who have low nonstimulated Tg (measured with a second-generation assay and in the absence of TgAb) and negative neck US after thyroidectomy do not require ablation with (131)I.
Knowledge Management under Coopetition

Behind the emerging digital facade, companies have started to operate in a distributed fashion. The intricate connectivity among these firms implies the exchange of valuable resources like knowledge and information. Such ‘cooperation’ or ‘collaboration’ is what enables organizations and individuals to make decisions collectively, learn from one another, communicate effectively, and thus create knowledge (Brown & Duguid, 1991; Huber, 1991; McDonald, 1995; von Krogh & Roos, 1995; Grant & Baden-Fuller, 2004). However, cooperating organizations often simultaneously compete (coopetition). While reciprocal knowledge sharing may enhance the total and individual added value, inter-firm knowledge sharing may also affect the uniqueness and thus competitive contribution of a firm’s knowledge repository. Opportunistic behavior of counterparts may erode anticipated benefits of cooperation and result in unevenly distributed value. The inherent balancing act between cooperation and competition requires designing and implementing specific management processes to enable economic value maximization for participating individuals and firms. The value-driven aBSract
Differential distribution of PDE4B splice variant mRNAs in rat brain and the effects of systemic administration of LPS in their expression

Phosphodiesterases (PDE) control intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, which appear to play an important role in the regulation of inflammation. PDE4B is especially important in this process. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry we first mapped the expression sites of the four PDE4B splicing forms in rat brain. Using the systemic administration of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an inflammation model in rats, we found an increase in PDEB2 mRNA expression in choroid plexus. The differential expression of PDE4B spliced forms and the differential regulation of PDE4B2 in an inflammatory model further supports an involvement of this splicing variant in the inflammatory response. Synapse 62:74–79, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification and detection of indoxacarb resistance mutations in the para sodium channel of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta.

BACKGROUND Indoxacarb is an important active ingredient extensively used for the control of Tuta absoluta, a major tomato pest, playing a particular role in insecticide resistance management schemes. RESULTS Reduced susceptibility to indoxacarb was identified (1794-fold resistance) through toxicological bioassays in a field population from Greece and evolved rapidly to resistance after short laboratory selection. Combined bioassays with synergists and biochemical analysis suggested only a partial involvement of detoxification enzymes in the resistant phenotype. To investigate the role of target-site resistance, segment 6 of domain IV of the sodium channel in T. absoluta was cloned and the sequences compared between susceptible and indoxacarb-resistant T. absoluta insects. The presence of the F1845Y and the V1848I indoxacarb resistance mutations was detected and was strongly associated with the phenotype. These amino acid substitutions correspond to recently characterised indoxacarb resistance mutations in diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Robust and accurate PCR-RFLP assays were subsequently developed and successfully validated for detecting both indoxacarb resistance mutations in field T. absoluta populations. CONCLUSION The identification of indoxacarb resistance mutations and the development of diagnostic tools will allow early detection of indoxacarb resistance, facilitating implementation of appropriate resistance management strategies, thus delaying the spread of resistance. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Performance, Carcass and Meat Characteristics of West African Dwarf Rams Given Water Contaminated With Used Engine Oil

This study was conducted to determine the effect of giving water contaminated with used engine oil on performance, carcass and meat characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams. 15 WAD rams about 10 months old were used. They were grouped into 5 balanced for weight. Used engine oil was collected from an Auto mechanic workshop in Ayetoro Yewa Ogun state and mixed to 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20ml with one litre of clean water at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% designated T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The rams were assigned to these treatment groups in a completely randomized design experiment and were given the contaminated water for 13 weeks. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p=0.05. The results showed that nutrient intake was higher, while water intake decreased (p<0.05) as the level of used engine oil in water increased, nitrogen intakes and urinary nitrogen decreased (p<0.05) as well as nitrogen retention. Although weight gain increased (p<0.05) feed efficiency decreased (p<0.05). Carcass primal cuts and meat characteristics decreased except cooking yield and water holding capacity as used engine oil increased in the given water. It was therefore, recommended that used engine oil should not be allowed to flow freely into the surrounding water bodies where grazing animals may consume it as this may lead to reduction in their water intake which can affect the health of the animals and increased feed intake can affect profit margin of the farmers.
Relationship marketing in consumer markets

Businesses using direct marketing as the basis upon which to engage in relationship building must proceed in a manner that acknowledges and minimizes consumer concerns about privacy. This study reports the results of an exploratory investigation of consumer and direct marketers’ attitudes in one Canadian city towards information privacy issues. The results suggest that while both managers and consumers are concerned about the intended uses for consumer information, they tend to focus on different aspects of information privacy. The findings from this study provide some guidance to help managers identify information practices that have the potential to raise a red flag in the eyes of the public and also help them understand what steps they can take to address public concerns about information privacy.
Olympic Sponsorship Activation and the Creation of Competitive Advantage

The present study explores the leveraging activities of the Grand National sponsors of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and attempts to apply a resource-based view in their assessment. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven of the ten Grand National sponsors and through a systematic review of secondary sources. The more active sponsors invested in and utilized a number of leveraging methods, including advertising, sales promotions, and special events. Furthermore, they seemed superior to the less active sponsors in the use of their tangible and intangible resources as well as the capabilities of their organization. On the other hand, the less active sponsors appeared to have missed the opportunity to utilize their Olympic sponsorship to gain a competitive advantage. This article concludes with suggestions to companies investing in sport sponsorship for effective exploitation of acquired sponsorship rights.
Transient insulin autoantibody expression independent of development of diabetes: comparison of NOD and NOR strains.

NOD mice spontaneously develop anti-insulin autoantibodies associated with the subsequent development of diabetes. NOD mice that express insulin autoantibodies at 8 weeks of age have a diabetes risk exceeding 90%, while mice that do not express autoantibodies by 16 weeks have a risk of less than 20%. NOD female mice expressed insulin autoantibodies more often than male mice (13/15+ vs. 6/15+). Autoantibodies characteristically developed between 8 and 20 weeks and then for most mice became negative at diabetes onset in NOD mice. In the diabetes-free strain NOR mice, spontaneous expression of insulin autoantibodies was observed in less mice (female 8/15+, male 3/10+) compared to NOD mice. The expression of autoantibodies was transient in NOR mice and followed the same time-course as for NOD mice and they were all negative by 28 weeks (without progression to diabetes). No correlation was found in NOR mice between the levels of autoantibodies and insulitis. The program of insulin autoantibody expression is regulated over approximately 5 months for both NOD and NOR mice with only NOD mice developing diabetes, indicating that depending upon genetic combination, the presence of insulin autoantibodies does not always predict diabetes development. In addition, this data is not consistent with the hypothesis that the time-course of autoantibodies simply reflects the destruction of beta-cells with development of diabetes.
Recommendations on the Use of Satellite Remote-Sensing Data for Urban Air Quality

Abstract In the last 5 yr, the capabilities of earth-observing satellites and the technological tools to share and use satellite data have advanced sufficiently to consider using satellite imagery in conjunction with ground-based data for urban-scale air quality monitoring. Satellite data can add synoptic and geospatial information to ground-based air quality data and modeling. An assessment of the integrated use of ground-based and satellite data for air quality monitoring, including several short case studies, was conducted. Findings identified current U.S. satellites with potential for air quality applications, with others available internationally and several more to be launched within the next 5 yr; several of these sensors are described in this paper as illustrations. However, use of these data for air quality applications has been hindered by historical lack of collaboration between air quality and satellite scientists, difficulty accessing and understanding new data, limited resources and agency priorities to develop new techniques, ill-defined needs, and poor understanding of the potential and limitations of the data. Specialization in organizations and funding sources has limited the resources for cross-disciplinary projects. To successfully use these new data sets requires increased collaboration between organizations, streamlined access to data, and resources for project implementation.
Feeding history influences otolith shape in tropical fish

The influence of feeding history on otolith shape and symmetry was examined in juveniles of 2 species of coral reef fish, Amphiprion akindynos and Pomacentrus amboinensis. Fast Fourier analysis was used to describe the shape of otoliths of fish from a variety of experimental feeding treatments, ranging from starvation, through pulse feeding, to feeding ad libitum. The resulting harmonics from both the left and right otoliths of each individual fish were used in a multivariate analysis to investigate shape differences among feeding treatments in the 2 species. When left and right otoliths were analysed separately, no significant differences between feeding treatments were revealed for either species. In contrast, when left and right otoliths from individuals were analysed together, clear separations in feeding groups were observed in both species. Differences among feeding treatments were largely due to differences in the finer details of the otolith shape, represented by the middle level harmonics. Fish that had been starved had significantly different otolith shapes than fish from all other treatments. Differences in otolith shape could not simply be attributed to differences in fish size or age among treatments. We conclude that differences in otolith shape are influenced by recent feeding history, but processes that influence otolith shape are complex and most likely species-specific. This study presents new evidence that otolith shape of tropical fish may directly reflect body condition of individuals regardless of fish size and age.
DW-MRI as a Predictive Biomarker of Radiosensitization of GBM through Targeted Inhibition of Checkpoint Kinases.

PURPOSE The inherent treatment resistance of glioblastoma (GBM) can involve multiple mechanisms including checkpoint kinase (Chk1/2)-mediated increased DNA repair capability, which can attenuate the effects of genotoxic chemotherapies and radiation. The goal of this study was to evaluate diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) as a biomarker for Chk1/2 inhibitors in combination with radiation for enhancement of treatment efficacy in GBM. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We evaluated a specific small molecule inhibitor of Chk1/2, AZD7762, in combination with radiation using in vitro human cell lines and in vivo using a genetically engineered GBM mouse model. DW-MRI and T1-contrast MRI were used to follow treatment effects on intracranial tumor cellularity and growth rates, respectively. RESULTS AZD7762 inhibited clonal proliferation in a panel of GBM cell lines and increased radiosensitivity in p53-mutated GBM cell lines to a greater extent compared to p53 wild-type cells. In vivo efficacy of AZD7762 demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on GBM tumor growth rate and a reduction in tumor cellularity based on DW-MRI scans along with enhancement of radiation efficacy. CONCLUSION DW-MRI was found to be a useful imaging biomarker for the detection of radiosensitization through inhibition of checkpoint kinases. Chk1/2 inhibition resulted in antiproliferative activity, prevention of DNA damage-induced repair, and radiosensitization in preclinical GBM tumor models, both in vitro and in vivo. The effects were found to be maximal in p53-mutated GBM cells. These results provide the rationale for integration of DW-MRI in clinical translation of Chk1/2 inhibition with radiation for the treatment of GBM.
The Efficiency Improvement of Central European Corporate Milk Processors in 2008 - 2013

The aim of the article is to evaluate the technical efficiency improvement of the Czech, Polish and Slovak corporate milk processors in the period 2008 â€“ 2013 to identify the possible source of low competitiveness of the Czech and Slovak milk processors towards Poland. The analysis was based on individual data of 130 milk processors (NACE 10.51). The sample covers medium-sized and large companies only. Deflated data on sales, material and energy costs, staff costs and depreciation were used as output and inputs for efficiency calculation. The DEA method was used for calculation of technical efficiency, Malmquist index estimated the efficiency change in time. Two-sample t-test and the analysis of variance enhanced by Sheffeâ€™s test verified the statistical hypotheses. The results proved that the Czech and Slovak milk processors had lower efficiency improvement than Polish companies. Investment activity did not significantly affect the efficiency improvement. The Czech and Slovak milk processors should effectively use quite big amount of public subsidies from the Rural Development Programme in the period 2014 â€“ 2020 to improve the efficiency since the Polish companies outstripped the Czech and Slovak companies in the period 2007 - 2013.
Neurocognitive functioning in women presenting with undifferentiated somatoform disorders in Oman

Aim: There is a dearth of research from non‐Western populations focusing on neurocognitive functioning in patients presenting with undifferentiated somatoform disorders. The aim of the present quest is to examine the presence of cognitive impairment and other health‐related parameters among attendees at psychiatric settings in Oman, an Arab/Islamic country, with a diagnosis of undifferentiated somatoform disorder.
Seasonality of the red blood cell stress response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

SUMMARY The β-adrenergic stress response in red blood cells (RBCs) of rainbow trout shows seasonal changes in expression. We have explored the mechanisms underpinning this response by following, over a period of 27 months, changes in β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) binding characteristics,β -adrenergically stimulated RBC Na+/H+ exchanger (βNHE) activity, together with β-AR and βNHE mRNA levels and plasma steroid hormone and lactate levels. These parameters were measured at approximately monthly intervals in a single population of fish held under semi-natural conditions. Membrane-bound, high-affinity β-ARs were present in RBCs at all sampling times, varying from 668±112 receptors cell-1 to 2654±882 receptors cell-1 (mean± s.e.m.; N=8). βNHE activity, however, was reduced by 57% and 34% in December 1999 and February 2001, respectively, compared with an otherwise sustained influx that averaged 110.4±2.3 mmol l-1 RBCs h-1 (N=119). Only one reduction coincided with a spawning period but both were preceded by transient increases in circulating testosterone. βNHE activity measured under standard conditions was not correlated with the number or affinity of β-ARs nor with water temperature, but both β-AR numbers and βNHE activity were positively related to their respective mRNA levels (P=0.005 and 0.038, respectively). Pharmaceutical intervention in the transduction cascade linking the β-AR and βNHE failed to indicate any failure of the transduction elements in RBCs displaying low βNHE activity. Similarly, we failed to demonstrate any link between seasonal cortisol fluctuations and seasonally reduced βNHE activity. However, the βNHE activity of age-separated RBC fractions showed that younger RBCs had a significantly higher βNHE response than older RBCs, consistent with the seasonal reductions in βNHE being linked to turnover of RBCs and erythropoiesis. Testosterone is known to induce erythropoiesis and we conclude that seasonal reductions in βNHE are not caused by changes in β-AR numbers but may be linked to testosterone-induced erythropoiesis.
Issues and constraints perceived by young entrepreneurs of Pakistan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to find out intentions of business graduating students regarding launching their own business, and their perception regarding issues and constraints entrepreneur would encounter after entering into entrepreneurial activities. In addition, it focusses to provide a general understanding regarding entrepreneurship. The study also argues unfriendly policies and environment for entrepreneurship slows down poverty reduction and economic development. Design/methodology/approach – For this research, data were collected through structured questionnaire. Population of this study comprised of all the MBA final semester students of Pakistan. Statistical techniques were used for analysis. Findings – Research shows that most MBA graduating students actually plan to launch their own business, but perception about different issues and constraints refrain them to enter into the entrepreneurial field. The study also shows that policies of government and country’s environment effect en.
A taxonomy of strategic sourcing for defense forces in sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a taxonomy of strategic sourcing using the defense forces from a developing world context as a testing ground. This study builds upon the current resource-based conceptualization of strategic sourcing as a construct to introduce the institutional orientation. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts a descriptive and analytical research design of cross-sectional nature to collect data from a sample of 120 respondents to examine the taxonomy of strategic sourcing for defense forces in sub-Saharan Africa. Data were collected using an interviewee administered questionnaire and analysed using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The conceptualization of strategic sourcing is presented using a CFA. Findings – Findings reveal that strategic sourcing is a multidimensional construct composed of: information sharing and risk management, strategic purchasing, institutions for sourcing, internal integration and performance assessment, supplier management and .
Performance analysis of subspace projection techniques for interference excision in DSSS communications

This paper presents the performance analysis of the interference excision techniques in direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications using orthogonal subspace projections. It is shown that this technique is sensitive to the errors in the instantaneous frequency (IF) estimate of the interference over segments of the bit period. This paper discusses the effect of two different types of errors on the receiver SINR and compares the performance of the block-wise processing to the single block projection approach.