Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Continence following radical retropubic prostatectomy using self-reporting instruments.

PURPOSE We performed a global self-assessment of continence following radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and determined how this global self-assessment of continence correlates with commonly used definitions of continence. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between October 2000 and February 2002 all men who underwent RRP were encouraged to complete the University of California-Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Beginning October 2002 a single question capturing the patient global self-assessment of continence status was added to the postoperative continence assessment. The study design was cross-sectional since only continence surveys submitted between October 2002 through February 2003 were evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity and kappa coefficient was determined for the relationship between the patient global assessment of continence vs the definition of continence based on pad requirement, problem due to incontinence and frequency of incontinence. RESULTS Continence progressively improved 3 to 24 months following RRP for all continence outcomes. At 24 months following RRP 97.1% of men considered themselves continent, while 97.1%, 94.1% and 97.1% were considered continent using continence definitions, including the requirement of no or 1 pad in a 24-hour interval, no or slight bother due to incontinence and total control or occasional dribbling, respectively. Our 3 definitions of continence derived from responses to the University of California-Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index had excellent agreement with patient global self-assessment of continence (kappa coefficients between 0.76 and 0.83). CONCLUSIONS The majority of men achieve continence without invasive intervention following RRP. Final continence status should be ascertained at 24 months. The patient global assessment of continence provides face validity for other definitions of continence based on responses to validated self-administered questionnaires.
The Influence of Silica Nanoparticles On The Preparation and Stability of O/W Emulsions

The effect of silica nanoparticle addition on the stability of O/W emulsions initially stabilized by lecithin or oleylamine has been investigated. The synergy between silica nanoparticles and the emulsifiers at stabilizing the oil-water interface has been established. The influence of variation in the number of homogenization cycles, the ratio of emulsifier to silica, oil load and the initial location of nanoparticles on the size distribution of emulsion droplets have been studied. freeze-fracture scanning electron microscopy was used to study the interfacial structure of the emulsion droplets. The results confirm improvement in the long term physical stability of emulsions in the presence of silica nanoparticles
Immunologically Induced and Elicited Local Resistance to Staphylococcus aureus

Allergy characterized by delayed hypersensitivity was induced in populations of mice by injection, respectively, of Staphylococcus aureus and of tubercle bacilli. Eliciting doses of staphylococcal antigen or of old tuberculin antigen were injected subcutaneously into the nape of the neck of samples of these mice. A challenge dose of S. aureus was injected into the site of the eliciting injection, and the subsequent survival curves of the infecting staphylococci were determined by plate counts. Survival of the challenge staphylococci was significantly reduced only when the eliciting antigen was homologous with the inducing antigen. Thus induction and elicitation were specific, but the local resistance was nonspecifically effective against staphylococci.
Fabrication of Low-Loss Silicon Photonic Wires by Self-Profile Transformation and Applications in 3-D Photonic Integration and Nonlinear Optics

A new technology using self-profile transformation is introduced to make subwavelength silicon photonic wires with very smooth surface. Due to the smooth surface, the propagation loss was measured to be as low as 1.26 dB/cm. Moreover, 2-D beam spot-size converters and 2-D multimode interference couplers were demonstrated to monolithically integrate the photonic wires, showing the possibility of 3-D photonic integration. Owing to the low-insertion loss of the wires, various nonlinear optical processes such as four-wave mixing and spontaneous Raman emission were observed with low-pump power of just tens of milliwatts.
ISAR Cross-Range Scaling by Using Sharpness Maximization

This letter presents a new method of cross-range scaling in inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging. The effective rotational velocity (ERV), being the crucial factor for scaling, is generally unknown for noncooperative objects. By considering the degradation from target rotation, the proposed scheme estimates ERV based on image sharpness maximization. A range deviator induced by the center shift is also embedded in the estimation process. The cross-range scaling factor with an enhanced ISAR image can be obtained by an efficient Gauss-Newton method. The results acquired from both the simulations and real data experiments validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method.
Expression of Progesterone Receptor A and B Isoforms in Low-grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma

Summary:The progesterone receptor (PR) exists as two isoforms, PRA and PRB. In vitro studies have shown that these proteins are functionally distinct, suggesting that their relative expression can influence progesterone response. Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LGESS) is an uncommon tumor that usually expresses PR. In normal endometrial stroma, both PR isoforms are present with PRA predominant throughout the menstrual cycle. The relative expression of PRA and PRB in LGESS has not been previously reported. All nine cases of primary LGESS (seven uterine, two extrauterine) expressed PRB. Eight tumors also contained PRA and it was the predominant isoform in seven cases. These tumors had similar histopathologic appearances, whereas a case with approximately equal PR isoform expression showed features of sex cord or smooth muscle differentiation. An extrauterine tumor expressing only PRB had myxoid stroma. Recurrent tumor in two cases, which expressed predominantly PRA in the primary, contained reduced levels of PR consisting predominantly or entirely of PRB after prolonged interval progestin therapy. Most primary LGESSs showed PR isoform expression similar to normal endometrial stroma, consistent with the highly differentiated phenotype of this tumor. Variant differentiation or disease recurrence was accompanied by an altered PR isoform profile that could impact on hormone response.
Is media just noise?The link between media factors and stock performance

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Interest towards media analytics has increased significantly by both practitioners and academia alike. The hot topic is whether or not qualitative texts contain information relevant to stock financials, and if they do, whether the impact can be used to earn abnormal returns. In order to answer this, we study the impact media factors have on financial metrics in a novel specification that combines all the major media factors in a holistic media model. To transform qualitative texts information into a “sentiment score”, we develop a new methodology to estimate sentiment more accurately than currently prevailing methods. DATA AND METHODOLOGY Our study focuses on the S&P 100 constituents between the time period of 2006 and 2011. As a source of qualitative texts, we use major news publications and earnings announcements retrieved from LexisNexis -database using a web scraper program developed for the purpose of this study. We retrieve the financials data for our study using Thomson Reuters Datastream -database. In order to estimate investor sentiment, we employ both the customary word count, as well as our novel Linearized Phrase-Structure -methodology. For word count, we test the Harvard Psychological -dictionary and a finance-specific dictionary by Loughran and McDonald (2011). As our data is panel in nature, we analyze the correlations in our error terms in line with Petersen (2009), first without clustering and then clustering by firm and by time. We find time-effect in our error terms, and therefore employ a Fama-Macbeth (1973) methodology with clustering done in quarters. To mitigate a methodological choice driving our results, we run our specifications with a multitude of alternative specifications. RESULTS We find that Linearized Phrase-Structure (LPS) outperforms the predominant naive word count methodology. Also, we find that if employing word counts, researchers should employ context dependent dictionaries, such as Loughran and McDonald’s (2011). In terms of our main variables, we find that the existing media factors are not mutually exclusive, and impact financial metrics in chorus. Alas, we do not find statistically significant relationship between sentiment and abnormal returns. However, we find a relationship between aggregate market news volume and abnormal returns, and also between sentiment and abnormal volatility. We infer that our findings support limited attention –theory, and provide evidence against market efficiency.
FixJ: a Major Regulator of the Oxygen Limitation Response and Late Symbiotic Functions of Sinorhizobium meliloti

ABSTRACT Sinorhizobium meliloti exists either in a free-living state in the soil or in symbiosis within legume nodules, where the bacteria differentiate into nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. Expression of genes involved in nitrogen fixation and associated respiration is governed by two intermediate regulators, NifA and FixK, respectively, which are controlled by a two-component regulatory system FixLJ in response to low-oxygen conditions. In order to identify the FixLJ regulon, gene expression profiles were determined in microaerobic free-living cells as well as during the symbiotic life of the bacterium for the wild type and a fixJ null-mutant strain. We identified 122 genes activated by FixJ in either state, including 87 novel targets. FixJ controls 74% of the genes induced in microaerobiosis (2% oxygen) and the majority of genes expressed in mature bacteroids. Ninety-seven percent of FixJ-activated genes are located on the symbiotic plasmid pSymA. Transcriptome profiles of a nifA and a fixK mutant showed that NifA activates a limited number of genes, all specific to the symbiotic state, whereas FixK controls more than 90 genes, involved in free-living and/or symbiotic life. This study also revealed that FixJ has no other direct targets besides those already known. FixJ is involved in the regulation of functions such as denitrification or amino acid/polyamine metabolism and transport. Mutations in selected novel FixJ targets did not affect the ability of the bacteria to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on Medicago sativa roots. From these results, we propose an updated model of the FixJ regulon.
Influence of Temperature on Cambial Activity and Cell Differentiation in Quercus Sessiliflora and Acer Pseudoplatanus of Different Ages

We evaluated the response of active cambium of sessile oak (Quercus sessilifl ora) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) to experimentally increased (20–22 °C) and decreased (9–11 °C) temperatures. Heating and cooling experiments on 150-year old Q. sessilifl ora were performed during the growth season of 2007 and on 30-year old A. pseudoplatanus in 2008. In 2009, heating experiment was carried out on 30-year old Q. sessilifl ora. For each treatment, two trees were selected of each species and sampled at 21-day intervals during the vegetation period and investigated by means of light microscopy. Continuously elevated temperatures slightly promoted the development of xylem cells in old Q. sessilifl ora trees in the fi rst month of cambial activity. However, no effect of elevated or decreased temperature was detected in the timing and dynamics of wood and phloem formation. The applied treatments, therefore, had no visible impact on the structure or width of the xylem or phloem increments in 2007. On the other hand, heating young A. pseudoplatanus trees provoked the development of epicormic shoots two months after the onset of the experiment and fi nally the death of trees. The cambium of those trees did not reactivate in 2008; xylem and phloem increments were consequently not formed. Low temperature treatments slowed down cell production at the very beginning of the growing season, but no alterations in wood or phloem formation dynamics or structure were observed later. The heating of young Q. sessilifl ora trees caused the development of epicormic shoots and the death of trees four months after the experiment. The pattern of their dying was similar as in A. pseudoplatanus but with a two month delay. The observations indicate that tree age, thickness of dead bark and duration of the applied treatments infl uence the response of cambium. The development of dead bark is species specifi c and it occurs earlier in Q. sessilifl ora than in A. pseudoplatanus. Thick dead bark acts as a very good insulation layer for the sensitive internal, living tissues of bark and cambium and therefore protects them against external abiotic and biotic factors.
Rescue of Dysfunctional Autophagy Attenuates Hyperinflammatory Responses from Cystic Fibrosis Cells

A hallmark feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) is progressive pulmonary obstruction arising from exaggerated host proinflammatory responses to chronic bacterial airway colonization. The mechanisms for these heightened inflammatory responses have been only partially characterized, hampering development of effective anti-inflammatory therapies. The aim of this study was to identify and validate novel dysfunctional processes or pathways driving the hyperinflammatory phenotype of CF cells using systems biology and network analysis to examine transcriptional changes induced by innate defense regulator (IDR)-1018, an anti-inflammatory peptide. IDR-1018 selectively attenuated hyperinflammatory cytokine production from CF airway cells and PBMCs stimulated with multiple bacterial ligands, including flagellin (FliC). Network analysis of CF cell transcriptional responses to FliC and IDR-1018 identified dysfunctional autophagy as the target of the peptide via modulation of upstream adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK)–Akt signaling. After treatment with FliC, CF cells were found to have elevated levels of the autophagosome marker LC3-II, and GFP-LC3–transfected CF airway cells showed abnormal perinuclear accumulation of GFP+ structures. In both instances, treatment of CF cells with IDR-1018 abolished the accumulation of LC3 induced by FliC. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagosome–lysosome fusion with bafilomycinA1 attenuated the anti-inflammatory and autophagosome-clearing effects of IDR-1018, as did a chemical inhibitor of Akt and an activator of AMPK. These findings were consistent with hypotheses generated in silico, demonstrating the utility of systems biology and network analysis approaches for providing pathway-level insights into CF-associated inflammation. Collectively, these data suggest that dysfunctional autophagosome clearance contributes to heightened inflammatory responses from CF transmembrane receptor mutant cells and highlight autophagy and AMPK–Akt signaling as novel anti-inflammatory targets in CF.
Neurotransmitter Systems in Alcohol Dependence

An interplay of different neurotransmitter systems has been implicated in the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence. Here we focus on neuroadaptations in reward-related neurotransmitter systems and their impact on central processing of alcohol-associated and reward-indicating stimuli. We discuss genotype effects on cue-induced neuronal activation and present new computational methods based on machine learning to deal with complex genotype-phenotype interactions, e.g. between brain atrophy and genes associated with glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission.
Investor attention and stock market outcomes

The first essay (Chapter 2) shows that changes in gambling attitudes affect asset prices and corporate decisions. Using the Internet search volume for lottery-related keywords to capture gambling sentiment shifts, we show that when the overall gambling sentiment is high, investor demand for lottery-like stocks increases, stocks with lottery-like characteristics earn positive abnormal returns in the short-run, managers are more likely to announce stock splits to cater to the increased demand for low-priced lottery stocks, and IPOs perceived as lotteries earn higher first-day returns. Further, the sentiment-return relation is stronger among low institutional-ownership firms and in regions where gambling is more acceptable. The second essay (Chapter 3) examines the relation between social attributes and stock returns. As investors regularly update their beliefs on firm-level CSR records, they are likely to rebalance their portfolios to include firms with good social attributes. Using a novel measure to identify perceived social attributes, we demonstrate that stocks with good perceived social attributes have better future returns. A trading strategy that attempts to exploit demand-based return predictability generates an annualized risk adjusted performance of 14% and spans 15-36% of the market. Further, institutional trading results show that institutions have consistently higher demand for firms with good perceived social attributes. Our findings suggest that perceived social attributes predict stock returns. The third essay (Chapter 4) investigates how social attributes affect mutual fund flows. Using social sensitivity estimates to capture fund-level social attributes perceived by the market, we show that mutual funds with good social attributes attract 0.13% higher monthly flows than their counterparts. In addition, these funds experience greater appreciation in flows following good performance and lower decline in flows following bad performance. When investors increase demand for corporate social responsibility, funds perceived to have poor social attributes experience 0.5% reduction in monthly fund flows. Overall, our findings are consistent with the view that mutual fund investors value social attributes when making investment decisions.
Pathokinematics of precision pinch movement associated with carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can adversely affect fine motor control of the hand. Precision pinch between the thumb and index finger requires coordinated movements of these digits for reliable task performance. We examined the impairment upon precision pinch function affected by CTS during digit movement and digit contact. Eleven CTS subjects and 11 able‐bodied (ABL) controls donned markers for motion capture of the thumb and index finger during precision pinch movement (PPM). Subjects were instructed to repetitively execute the PPM task, and performance was assessed by range of movement, variability of the movement trajectory, and precision of digit contact. The CTS group demonstrated shorter path‐length of digit endpoints and greater variability in inter‐pad distance and most joint angles across the PPM movement. Subjects with CTS also showed lack of precision in contact points on the digit‐pads and relative orientation of the digits at contact. Carpal tunnel syndrome impairs the ability to perform precision pinch across the movement and at digit‐contact. The findings may serve to identify deficits in manual dexterity for functional evaluation of CTS. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:786–792, 2014.
Binding of Antitumor Compounds to Wheat Protein

ABSTRACT Binding of porphyrins to biological macromolecules is important to be studied as an approach to keeping them in stable, effective and safe dosage forms. In this work we show the interaction of three porphyrin compounds: Hematoporphyrin IX, Mn- and Fe- porphyrins with plant lectin Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). Porphyrin binding to WGA was monitored by the changes in the intrinsic protein fluorescence. Conformational changes due to the formation of WGA-porphyrin complexes, were shown by the hyperbolic binding curves. The calculated dissociation constants KD (0.16 μM to 0.24 μM) indicate high affinity of WGA for the three porphyrins. Most probably they occupy the same high affinity sites. In conclusion, since WGA binds cancer cells and interacts with antitumor compounds, it could be useful as a drug delivery molecule.
An investigation of organizational creativity of Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Restaurants in the Philippines using Structural Equation Modeling

Anchored on Teresa Amabile’s componential theory of creativity, the organizational creativity model was investigated. The primary goal was to investigate the interrelationship of variables in the organizational creativity model such as domain-relevant skills, creative-relevant skills, intrinsic task motivation, work environment, and organizational creativity using 133 respondents from micro, small and mediumscale restaurants inside and outside the National Capital Region (NCR) in the Philippines. Results of the partial least squaresstructural equation modeling revealed that only creative-relevant skills and work environment predicts significantly organizational creativity, while work environment significantly affects creativerelevant skills, intrinsic task motivation, and domain-relevant skills. Implications for work environments, as in the case of Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) and directions for future research are provided.
Applying stakeholder theory to analyze corporate environmental performance: evidence from Australia's top 100 listed companies

This study uses the stakeholder framework to analyse corporate environmental behaviour by Top 100 Australian listed companies. By adopting Ullmann’s (1985) threedimensional framework comprising of stakeholder power, strategic posture and economic performance the empirical results provides important insights on the determinants of corporate environmental performance. The findings in this study suggest that the level of ownership dispersion (SP), the industry sensitivity characterized by the increased regulatory sanctions (GP) as well as the top management’s conviction on environmental issues (EC) (a measure of strategic posture) are the main significant factors influencing the decision to incorporate superior environmental activities in corporate strategic plans. Measures of past and current economic performance, which consist of three accounting-based measures showed no significant relation with the firms’ environmental performance. Suggestions that size and age of the firms could act as intervening variables are not supported by the results in this study.
Robust Control Design for a Two-axis Gimbaled Stabilization System

A two-axis gimbaled stabilization system in air vehicles must stabilize the line of sight toward a target against the external motion induced by air vehicle maneuvering and aerodynamic forces. It is well known that the target tracking and pointing performances of the air vehicles are largely affected by air vehicle motion decoupling capability. This paper introduces a servo drive model for a two-axis gimbaled stabilization system, and presents robust controllers for the air vehicle stabilization system. The simulation results are compared to confirm the validity of the suggested simulation model and the control design procedures for the stabilization system applied to an air vehicle.