Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cancer stem cells: understanding tumor hierarchy and heterogeneity

AbstractHeterogeneity within and between tumors is a well-known phenomenon that greatly complicates the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A large body of research indicates that heterogeneity develops through time as tumor-initiating stem cells, also known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), evolve genetic or epigenetic alterations that allow them to differentiate into multiple tumor cell types. Similar to normal stem cells, CSCs can self-renew and possess long-term repopulation potential. However, unlike normal stem cells, CSCs are not subject to the usual controls that limit growth. Different models have been postulated to explain the heterogeneity of tumors, but it is widely agreed that interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment create niches that promote CSC properties and enable their survival. Within the microenvironment, CSC self-renewal, replication, and differentiation are postulated to produce a hierarchy of cells constituting the tumor mass. Increased understanding of the factors that create and contribute to tumor heterogeneity may support the design of therapies that affect CSC function and their microenvironments.
Crony Capitalism: Corruption and Development in South Korea and the Philippines. By David C. Kang. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2002. 204 pp.

quintessential "outsider" Hasegawa Nyozekan, drawn to the state like a moth to a flame, comes to mind). But few have Harootunian's command of the intellectual world of both Europe and Japan. So it is a surprise and a disappointment that after 400 pages the book concludes not with a consideration of the historical role of the important intellectuals-Japanese and European-he introduced us to, but instead with a twelve-page assessment of what he earlier calls a "lesser" thinker, Takada Yasuma, and his "contribution to the specter of fascism in Japan" (p. 403). Harootunian could have given us a better summation of the role of intellectuals in global fascism (a rubric that is surely most useful in a comparative sense). Instead his book ends sedately. We can only hope that Harootunian will provide us with the comparative perspective on the intellectual road to fascism that this powerfully suggestive work confirms he is capable of. • Lawrence Fouraker, History Department St. John Fisher College
ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT ON BREAST CANCER (MCF7) OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED EXTRACTS

Background: Moringa oleifera belongs to plant family, Moringaceae and popularly called “wonderful tree”, for it is used traditionally to cure many diseases including cancer in Africa and Asia, however, there is limited knowledge on cytotoxic activity of Moringa oleifera seeds on MCF7 breast cancer cell. The present study evaluated antiproliferative effect on MCF7 of the seed. Materials and Methods: Seeds of Moringa oleifera were grinded to powder and its phytochemicals were extracted using water and 80% ethanol solvents, part of the ethanolic extract were sequentially partitioned to fractions with four solvents (hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, and n-butanol). Antiproliferative effects on MCF7 of the samples were determined. Finally, potent samples that significantly inhibited MCF7 growth were tested on MCF 10A. Results: Crude water extract, hexane and dichloromethane fractions of the seeds inhibited the proliferation of MCF7 with the following IC50 values 280 μg/ml, 130 μg/ml and 26 μg/ml respectively, however, of the 3 samples, only hexane fraction had minimal cytotoxic effect on MCF 10A (IC50 > 400μg/ml). Conclusion: Moringa oleifera seed has antiproliferative effect on MCF7.
Dissecting the Maturation Steps of the Lasso Peptide Microcin J25 in vitro

Microcin J25 is the archetype of a growing class of bacterial ribosomal peptides possessing a knotted topology (lasso peptides). It consists of an eight‐residue macrolactam ring through which the C‐terminal tail is threaded. It is biosynthesized as a precursor that is processed by two maturation enzymes (McjB/McjC). Insights into the mechanism of microcin J25 biosynthesis have been provided previously by mutagenesis of the precursor peptide in vivo. In this study we have demonstrated distinct functions of McjB and McjC in vitro for the first time, based on the detection of reaction intermediates. McjB was characterized as a new ATP‐dependent cysteine protease, whereas McjC was confirmed to be a lactam synthetase. The two enzymes were functionally interdependent, likely forming a structural complex. Their substrate preference was directly investigated with the aid of mutated precursor peptides. Depending on the substitutions, microcin J25 variants with either a lasso or branched‐cyclic topology could be generated in vitro.
Challenging Myths About China’s One-Child Policy

China’s controversial one-child policy continues to generate controversy and misinformation. This essay challenges several common myths: that Mao Zedong consistently opposed efforts to limit China’s population growth; that consequently China’s population continued to grow rapidly until after his death; that the launching of the one-child policy in 1980 led to a dramatic decline in China’s fertility rate; and that the imposition of the policy prevented 400 million births. Evidence is presented contradicting each of these claims. Mao Zedong at times forcefully advocated strict limits on births and presided over a major switch to coercive birth planning after 1970; as much as three-quarters of the decline in fertility since 1970 occurred before the launching of the one-child policy; fertility levels fluctuated in China after the policy was launched; and most of the further decline in fertility since 1980 can be attributed to economic development, not coercive enforcement of birth limits.
Differential RF Phase Shifter With Harmonic Suppression

For the first time, a differential phase shifter with harmonic suppression is proposed. Not only does the proposed structure provide a constant differential phase shift over a wide bandwidth, but it also has good harmonic rejection. Compared to the existing coupled-line phase shifters, the proposed stub-loaded transmission line configurations show good performance, with simplicity in both design and fabrication. Design formulas for the structure are derived using an analytical technique. Optimal design parameters for typical differential phase shifts which are independent of substrate used and operating frequency are provided to allow for a quick design procedure. To illustrate the principles, a broadband 45 ° phase shifter with harmonic suppression is designed, fabricated, and measured. It achieved excellent performance with small insertion loss, small phase deviation within the desired bandwidth, and good out-of-band rejection.
Influence of Rules for Computing Corporate Income Tax on the Accuracy of Financial Statements of Lithuanian Companies

Abstract Companies in Lithuania have to follow Business Accounting Standards (BAS) when preparing their financial statements. Recording financial transactions according to BAS ensures that the information a company shares with potential lenders and investors gives a true and fair view of its business situation. However, the tax law prescribes its own set of accounting rules, which can result in a difference between what a business shows in financial statements and what it reports on its tax returns. This paper examines whether Lithuanian companies predominantly use tax accounting principles that migrate into their financial statements to create an inaccurate picture of business performance. The method of experts’ evaluation was chosen for that purpose. The results indicate that Lithuanian companies tend to heavily rely on accounting principles prescribed in corporate income tax law thus distorting information contained in financial statements. The paper contributes to the scarce literature on this issue of high relevance to both academics and practitioners.
Further evidence on the link between migraine and neuroticism

Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between migraine and neuroticism.In this report, we examine prospectively whether higher levels of neuroticism, measured at baseline by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, signaled increased risk for first incidence of migraine during a 5-year follow-up interval. The sample was randomly selected from the list of young adult members of a large Health Maintenance Organization in southeast Michigan. Follow-up data were available on 972 subjects, 97.2% of the initial sample. Neuroticism predicted the first incidence of migraine in females. The relative risk for migraine in females scoring in the highest quartile of the neuroticism scales versus the lowest quartile was 4.0 (95% Cl 1.6, 10.3). Controlling for history of major depression and anxiety disorders at baseline reduced the estimate to 2.9 (95% Cl 1.1, 7.7). Neuroticism did not predict migraine in males, although the results in males were limited greatly by the small number of incidence cases. Neuroticism might be causally related to migraine, or alternatively, might be an early correlate with shared etiologies. NEUROLOGY 1996;47: 663-667
The influence of age and sex on asthma admissions.

OBJECTIVE To describe demographic data from a large population of asthmatic patients to define the role of age and sex as risk factors for asthma admission. DESIGN A retrospective review of all asthma admissions as defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 493.0. SOURCE All medical-surgical admissions from 67 hospitals in five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania from 1986 through 1989. RESULTS Patients admitted for asthma treatment (33,269) were reviewed. In the 0- to 5-year-old and 6- to 10-year-old age groups, males were admitted nearly twice as often as age-identical females. In the 11- to 20-year-old age group, admissions for males and females were nearly identical. Between 20 and 50 years of age, the female-to-male ratio was nearly 3:1. Thereafter, females were admitted for asthma at a rate of about 2.5:1 when compared with their age-equivalent male counterparts. Length of stay increased proportionally as the patient age increased. After 30 years of age, the length of stay was slightly greater for females than males. CONCLUSIONS There is a much higher rate of admission for prepubertal males than females. However, there is a higher incidence of asthma admissions for adult females than adult male asthmatic patients, and female asthmatic patients experience longer hospital stays per admission as well. These data indicate that adult females are more severely affected by asthma and raise the possibility that hormonal or biochemical differences related to sex may play a role in the pathophysiology of asthma.
Seasonal Maintenance of Influenza Vaccine-Induced Antibody Response in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background/Aims: Although annual influenza vaccination is recommended for kidney transplant recipients, efficacy as reflected by serum antibody titers has not been well studied beyond 1 month in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: We performed a single-center prospective cohort study of 51 kidney transplant recipients and 102 healthy controls receiving the 2006–2007 influenza vaccine. Anti-hemagglutinin antibody titers to A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B were measured before and 1 month after vaccination, and again at the end of influenza season. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants maintaining seroprotection (antibody titer ≥1:32) for the duration of the influenza season after influenza vaccination. Results: Median follow-up time was 175 and 155 days in the transplant and control groups, respectively. For types A/H1N1 and B, a similar high proportion of the transplant and control groups (88.5 and 81.6% vs. 83.7 and 74.2% for A/H1N1 and B, respectively) maintained seroprotection. For type A/H3N2, significantly less of the transplant group (66.7%) versus the control group (90%) maintained a protective influenza vaccine response (odds ratio 0.21, 95% confidence interval 0.07–0.64). This difference disappeared in adjusted analyses. Actual geometric mean titers decreased significantly within both groups (p < 0.001) but this did not differ between groups. Conclusions: Once they have developed protective vaccine-induced antibody responses to influenza vaccine, kidney transplant recipients are able to maintain adequate protective levels of antibody compared with healthy controls.
Decolorization of Several Polymeric Dyes by the Lignin-Degrading Basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The polymeric dyes Poly B-411, Poly R-481, and Poly Y-606 were examined as possible alternatives to the radiolabeled lignin previously used as a substrate in lignin biodegradation assays. Like lignin degradation, the decolorization of these dyes by the white rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium occurred during secondary metabolism, was suppressed in cultures grown in the presence of high levels of nitrogen, and was strongly dependent on the oxygen concentration in the cultures. A variety of inhibitors of lignin degradation, including thiourea, azide, and 4′-O-methylisoeugenol, also inhibited dye decolorization. A pleiotropic mutant of P. chrysosporium, 104-2, lacking phenol oxidase and ligninolytic activity was also not able to decolorize the polymeric dyes, whereas a phenotypic revertant strain, 424-2, regained this capacity. All of these results suggest that the ligninolytic degradation activity of the fungus was responsible for the decolorization of these dyes.
A Theoretical Model of Social Impact

This paper constructs a theoretical model of social impact as it applies to civil society organisations. It does so by drawing on the social ontology defined by practice theory. This approach begins with what is understood within current organisational practices. It then assesses a practice approach against the recent literature on impact and evaluation. This is followed by an exploration of the capitals, notably social, human and cultural capital and their interrelationships, as a theoretical base for the explication of social impact. A formal model of social impact is finally identified together with a set of basic propositions that may collectively be said to define social impact. Finally the implications of the model are discussed for social policy and organisational management. Defining the scope of the paper While much is talked about concerning social impact, and policy papers stress its importance, there is in fact considerable confusion about what it is, and how it relates to wider issues of community cohesion and wellbeing. This paper attempts to structure a theoretical model of social impact, to construct a conceptual frame which may then be useful in determining not only what it is, but how it might then be measured within a community context. This paper focuses specifically on grassroots, community-based nonprofits such as sporting clubs, service organisations, youth organisations, church-based clubs, community arts organisations. The question that needs answering is ‘what is the social impact of these organisations on their local community, and on civil society more broadly’? The question goes beyond any particular program or project of the organisation in question, but is concerned with the impact of the whole organisation.
Anesthetic and ethanol effects on spontaneously opening glycine receptor channels

Strychnine‐sensitive glycine receptors mediate inhibitory neurotransmission occurring in the brain stem and spinal cord. Alcohols, volatile anesthetics and inhaled drugs of abuse are positive allosteric modulators of glycine receptor function, normally enhancing function only in the presence of glycine. A complication in studying allosteric actions on ligand‐gated ion channels is in the dissection of their effects on neurotransmitter binding from their effects on channel opening. Mutation of an aspartate residue at position 97 to arginine in the glycine receptor α1 subunit simulated the effects of glycine binding, producing receptors that exhibited tonic channel opening in the absence of neurotransmitter; i.e. these receptors demonstrated a dissociation of channel opening from neurotransmitter binding. In these receptors, ethanol, enflurane, chloroform, halothane, 1,1,1‐trichloroethane and toluene elicited inward currents in the absence of glycine. We previously identified mutations on ligand‐gated ion channels that eliminate ethanol, anesthetic and inhalant actions (such as S267I on α1 glycine receptors). The double mutant (D97R and S267I) receptors were both constitutively active and resistant to the enhancing effects of ethanol and enflurane. These data demonstrate that ethanol and volatile anesthetics can affect glycine receptor channel opening independently of their effects on enhancing neurotransmitter binding.
Optimization of quasi-diagonal matrix–vector multiplication on GPU

Sparse matrix–vector multiplication (SpMV) is of singular importance in sparse linear algebra, which is an important issue in scientific computing and engineering practice. Much effort has been put into accelerating SpMV, and a few parallel solutions have been proposed. This paper focuses on a special type of SpMV, namely sparse quasi-diagonal matrix–vector multiplication (SQDMV). The sparse quasi-diagonal matrix is the key to solving many differential equations, and very little research has been done in this field. This paper discusses data structures and algorithms for SQDMV that are efficiently implemented on the compute unified device architecture (CUDA) platform for the fine-grained parallel architecture of the graphics processing unit (GPU). A new diagonal storage format, a hybrid of the diagonal format (DLA) and the compressed sparse row format (CSR) (HDC) will be presented, which overcomes the inefficiency of DLA in storing irregular matrices and the imbalances of CSR in storing non-zero elements. Furthermore, HDC can adjust the storage bandwidth of the diagonal to adapt to different discrete degrees of sparse matrix, so as to get a higher compression ratio than DLA and CSR, and reduce the computational complexity. Our implementation in a GPU shows that the performance of HDC is better than that of other formats, especially for matrices with some discrete points outside the main diagonal. In addition, we combine the different parts of HDC to make a unified kernel to get a better compression ratio and a higher speedup ratio in the GPU.
Back Pain Online: A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Quality of Web-Based Information on Low Back Pain

Study Design. A cross section of Web sites accessible to the general public was surveyed. Objective. To evaluate the quality of information on low back pain and its treatment that a “typical” patient user might access on the Internet. Summary of Background Data. Individuals with back pain have a desire to learn about their condition, what to expect, and what they can do about it. Web sites play a potentially useful role in providing information to help people learn about their low back pain and select the most appropriate methods of management. Methods. A general search using popular search engines located 60 Web sites about back pain for review. A list of criteria for evaluating and scoring back pain Web sites was established using available literature and current clinical guidelines for the management of acute low back pain. The total quality score (maximum score, 38) was composed of two separate scores: one for general quality of the site (maximum score, 14) and one for site content specific to low back pain (maximum score, 24). Statistical tests, as appropriate, were used to investigate the relation between general indicators of Web site quality and total scores obtained. Results. The quality of the Web sites surveyed was poor, most of them (n = 58, 97%) scoring less than half the maximum available score. The mean total score was 7.4 (range, 2–25). The mean score was 4.9 (range, 1–12) for general Web site quality and 2.4 (range, 1–13) for content specific to low back pain. Web sites providing references, sites created more recently, and sites not created for advertising purposes tended to be of better quality. Conclusions. This study highlighted the poor quality of information, particularly information about low back pain, available to “typical” patient users on the Internet. Health care professionals must have a role in evaluating existing information and in developing good-quality evidence-based Web sites. Patients with back pain should be discouraged from using the Internet as a source of information unless the Web sites they access have been evaluated and found to provide evidence-based messages.
The effects of the perceived external prestige of the organization on employee deviant workplace behavior: The mediating role of job satisfaction

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the effects of perceived external prestige (PEP) on deviant workplace behavior (DWB) and the mediating role of job satisfaction (JS). Design/methodology/approach – The relationship was tested via hierarchical regression analyses. The study used data drawn from 401 employees of five-star hotels located in the Turkish cities of Ankara and Antalya. Findings – The study findings suggest that there is a negative correlation between JS and organizational deviant work behaviors. Employees’ satisfaction leads to workplace harmony and brings employees closer to the purpose of the organization. Additionally, the study shows that positive PEP reflects positively on JS and vice versa. JS plays a mediating role between PEP and DWB. Research limitations/implications – The first limitation of the study is that the sample involves a specific area and, therefore, may not be generalizable. Additionally, the study contains only five-star hotels. Therefore, future researchers could replic.
Short-Run Momentum and Book-to-Market Effects

We present evidence from an event study that runs counter to the notion that the momentum and book-to-market (B/M) effects can be fully explained by time-varying risk premia. We minimize the joint hypothesis problem in market-efficiency tests by examining a relatively short (26-day) window that exhibits both momentum and reversal effects. There is return continuation during the first 17 days but sharp reversal during the last 9 days. The co-existence of strong momentum and reversal over this small event window rules out risk premium or chance as possible causes of momentum, leaving investor misvaluation as the only explanation for this anomaly during this period. Furthermore, several patterns of interaction between B/M and momentum also point to a behavioral interpretation of the B/M effect during the period. The general implication of our evidence is that investor behavioral biases are a necessary ingredient for the explanation of both the momentum and B/M anomalies.