Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma: A review on molecular profiling of patient tumors

Pancreatic carcinomas with acinar differentiation are rare, accounting for 1%-2% of adult pancreatic tumors; they include pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC), pancreatoblastoma, and carcinomas of mixed differentiation. Patients with PACC have a prognosis better than pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas but worse than pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Reports of overall survival range from 18 to 47 mo. A literature review on PACCs included comprehensive genomic profiling and whole exome sequencing on a series of more than 70 patients as well as other diagnostic studies including immunohistochemistry. Surgical resection of PACC is the preferred treatment for localized and resectable tumors. The efficacy of adjuvant treatment is unclear. Metastatic PACCs are generally not curable and treated with systemic chemotherapy. They are moderately responsive to chemotherapy with different regimens showing various degrees of response in case reports/series. Most of these regimens were developed to treat patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas or colorectal adenocarcinomas. Review of PACC’s molecular profiling showed a number of gene alterations such as: SMAD4, BRAF, BRCA2, TP53, RB1, MEN1, JAK-1, BRCA-1, BRCA-2, and DNA mismatch repair abnormalities. PACCs had multiple somatic mutations with some targetable with available drugs. Therefore, molecular profiling of PACC should be an option for patients with refractory PACC.
Hybrids of Shigatoxigenic and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC/ETEC) Among Human and Animal Isolates in Finland

Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) cause serious foodborne infections in humans. Total of 450 Shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC) strains isolated from humans, animals and environment in Finland were examined by multiplex PCR targeting the virulence genes of various DEC pathogroups simultaneously. One per cent (3/291) of the human STEC and 14% (22/159) of the animal and environmental STEC had genes typically present in enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). The strains possessed genes encoding both Shiga toxin 1 and/or 2 (stx1 and/or stx2) and ETEC‐specific heat‐stable (ST) enterotoxin Ia (estIa). The identified stx subtypes were stx1a, stx1c, stx2a, stx2d and stx2g. The three human STEC/ETEC strains were isolated from the patients with haemolytic uraemic syndrome and diarrhoea and from an asymptomatic carrier. The animal STEC/ETEC strains were isolated from cattle and moose. The human and animal STEC/ETEC strains belonged to 11 serotypes, of which O2:H27, O15:H16, O101:H‐, O128:H8 and O141:H8 have previously been described to be associated with human disease. Identification of multiple virulence genes offers further information for assessing the virulence potential of STEC and other DEC. The emergence of novel hybrid pathogens should be taken into account in the patient care and epidemiological surveillance.
Nutritional knowledge and body mass index: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE To verify the knowledge about food and nutrition and its association with the nutritional status of obese patients with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and to identify the relationship between information sources and level of knowledge. METHOD Cross-sectional study that included 263 outpatients of a cardiology referral hospital in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The participants filled out a questionnaire on socioeconomic data and knowledge about food and nutrition and had their nutritional status evaluated by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR). RESULTS BMI showed a significant inverse association with the percentage of correct answers (p=0.002), as well as WC (p=0.000) and WHR (p<0.001). This was also true for education (p<0.001) and female gender (p=0.005) compared to males. More than 60% of patients reported using television and 23% reported using newspaper as sources of nutritional information. CONCLUSION Our study revealed a significant association between BMI and the level of knowledge about foods, showing that there is need for more information on obesity-related NCDs for greater understanding by patients.
SER Analysis and PDF Derivation for Multi-Hop Amplify-and-Forward Relay Systems

An amplify-and-forward, multi-branch, multi-hop relay system with K relays, in which the relays broadcast to other relays as well as the destination, is analyzed. An approximate symbol-error-rate (SER) expression, which is valid for any number of relays and for several modulation schemes, is found for the multi-hop system. Also, the cumulative density function (CDF) and probability density function (PDF) are found for the random variable, Z = XY/(X + Y + c), where X and Y are sums of independent, Erlang random variables, and c is a constant. The moment generating function (MGF) of Z is found for the special case in which c = 0. It is shown that these results are generalizations of previously published results for special cases of Z. The MGF of Z is used to develop the approximate SER expression. Results for the analytic SER expression are included and compared with simulation results for various values of K, for various modulation schemes, and for two choices of system parameters (channel variances). Results for the multi-hop system are also compared to results for the two-hop system (in which relays transmit only to the destination).
Waking Up to Advocacy in a New Political Reality for Libraries

The engagement of the US federal government with libraries has been disjointed. Financial support for libraries has been controversial and inconsistent, and many policy decisions have directly affected library operations and activities, particularly those of public libraries. Libraries’ experiences with the federal government offer many lessons about the broad ideological attitude toward—and constraints on—library support before the 2016 election. These lessons have import for all public-sphere institutions as they navigate the even more complicated current environment. This article argues that the best hope for library funding and support is to concentrate efforts at the local and state levels, coordinating efforts and sharing ideas and resources across locations and types of institutions. A national advocacy strategy coordinated across the states will maximize advocacy efforts where we may have a greater chance of success.
Analyzing the Coopetition between Tourism and Leisure Suppliers—A Case Study of the Leisure Card Tirol

Even though coopetition in the context of tourism is not new, research lacks concrete examples within the leisure business and about its effects on local communities. Hence, this study investigates a super-regional alliance of tourism and leisure suppliers as well as its effects on the community in the region of Tyrol, Austria. In the framework of 60 guided interviews, all organizations engaged in the Leisure Card Tirol (LCT) were contacted and questioned. The analysis of the qualitative data shows the motives for joining the alliance are either economic or non-economic in nature, and thus the alliance is evaluated differently by the various suppliers. Several corporations including swimming pools, ice skating rinks, museums, a football stadium (limited access), and mountain railway companies attract more locals to consume leisure (a partly merit good) due to their membership in the LCT alliance. However, the suppliers’ heterogeneity in respect of their management (governmental, private, and mixed forms) is suggested to be the reason behind the LCT’s financial survival. In summary, intentional coopetition in the context of a super-regional year-around pass may be a sustainable model of increasing a local community’s welfare by providing affordable leisure activities, although some minor and major issues on the part of the suppliers might occur.
Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Persian version of the modified falls efficacy scale

Purpose. To translate the Swedish version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), the FES(S), into Persian, and to determine reliability and validity of the scale to be used for Persian speaking elderly people. Method. The ‘forward-backward’ procedure was applied to translate the FES(S) into Persian. A methodological study was then carried out to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the scale. Eighty-one community-dwelling elderly persons (≥65 years) were included. Results. Both reliability and validity of the Persian FES(S) were found to be acceptable (Cronbach's α == 0.75, interclass correlation coefficients == 0.99, p < 0.001 and standard errors of measurements == 1.82). Low to moderate negative correlations of the total score of the scale with the age of the participants and number of falls in the past year were shown. There were also low to moderate correlations between the Persian FES(S) score and the Mini-Mental State Examination score, duration of walks and physical fitness. The participants who took a daily walk, felt healthy, reported no general tiredness and who had had no fall during the past year rated their self-efficacy higher than did their peers. Conclusions. The present study verified that the Persian FES(S) is a culturally relevant, valid and reliable tool for measuring self-perceived confidence in Iranian older adults.
Sequential fusion for state estimation in multirate wireless sensor networks

This paper is concerned with the optimal state fusion estimation for a linear discrete-time stochastic dynamic process with packet losses in the measurement. It is assumed that the dynamical process is a multi-rate scheme and the measurement transmission period equals to the estimates updating period, and the sampling period is shorter than the estimates updating period. The first algorithm is designed by the projection formula combing with the sequential fusion method, and the filter gains are given by a set of stochastic Riccati equations which involve the packet losses variables. While the second algorithm is developed by a different innovation analysis method combining with the sequential fusion formula, and the filter gains are given in terms of a set of generalized deterministic Riccati equations which are just involve the probability of the packet losses. The results of this note can be applied to the dynamic target tracking and locating problem, while the simulation result is shown in the finally illustrative example.
State domination in Singapore’s public–private partnerships

ABSTRACT Within U.S. cities, public–private partnerships (PPPs) consisting of government agencies and property developers have been dominated by the profit-driven goals of the private partners. In sharp contrast, Singapore’s PPPs are state dominated and aligned with general policy goals. As elsewhere, they are project specific and oriented toward promoting economic development as well as housing construction. This article discusses Singapore’s governance model and examines 3 examples of PPPs there. It shows that state land ownership and investments limit the leeway of the private partners and that the impetus for the project as a rule comes from public agencies. In relation to principles of justice—defined here as equity, democracy, and diversity—the projects ensure that gains will be realized by the public sector and that housing will be socially integrated. Failures of equity, however, are involved in the lack of rights for the foreign construction workers building the projects, while the exclusion of the public from the planning process constitutes a failure of democracy. In sum, then, PPPs in Singapore show that public land ownership gives the public sector control over the distribution of benefits within PPPs but, at the same time, the government’s decision making, for better and worse, is relatively unchecked.
Effect of cashew nut shell liquid on metabolic hydrogen flow on bovine rumen fermentation.

Effect of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), a methane inhibitor, on bovine rumen fermentation was investigated through analysis of the metabolic hydrogen flow estimated from concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and methane. Three cows were fed a concentrate and hay diet without or with a CNSL-containing pellet. Two trials were conducted using CNSL pellets blended with only silica (trial 1) or with several other ingredients (trial 2). Methane production was measured in a respiration chamber system, and energy balance and nutrient digestibility were monitored. The estimated flow of metabolic hydrogen demonstrated that a part of metabolic hydrogen was used for hydrogen gas production, and a large amount of it flowed into production of methane and SCFA in both trial 1 and 2, when CNSL was administered to the bovine rumen. The results obtained by regression analyses showed that the effect of CNSL supply on methane reduction was coupled with a significant (P < 0.01) decrease of acetate and a significant (P < 0.01) increase of propionate and hydrogen gas. These findings reveal that CNSL is able to reduce methane and acetate production, and to increase hydrogen gas and propionate production in vivo.
Population structure of recrudescent Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Western Uganda

Summary It has been proposed that polymorphisms of the Merozoite Surface Protein 1 and 2 (MSP1 and MSP2) and the Glutamate Rich Protein (GLURP) genes can be considered as genetic markers for the genotyping of field populations of Plasmodium falciparum. During a field study on in vivo drug resistance against chloroquine, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (S/P) and cotrimoxazole in West Uganda, sensitive and resistant isolates were collected from patients by fingerprick for genotyping. 59 (72.8%) of the 81 P. falciparum samples isolated at day 0 showed multiclonal infection with 2–7 clones. Among the isolates we investigated, presence of the allelic family MAD20 of MSP1 at day 0 was significantly (P = 0.0041) associated with decreased resistance to antimalarials. Use of this method in a field study on in vivo drug resistance demonstrates another potential application of genotyping as a tool for epidemiological investigations.
Violence in the Household and Happiness in Mexico

This article has two purposes: first to investigate whether violence influences wellbeing; second to investigate whether the effect of violence is greater for women than for men. The results show that there is a significant impact on the wellbeing of individuals when suffering violence from someone with whom they live, with women being more severely affected than men.
Does board gender diversity affect the transparency of corporate political disclosure?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of board gender diversity on the transparency of corporate political disclosure (CPD). Design/methodology/approach Two empirical proxies, CPD transparency and policy transparency, are constructed from a data set jointly produced by the Center of Political Activity and the Carol and Lawrence Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research. The CPD transparency score measures the level of transparency in voluntary corporate disclosure of the amount of political contributions and the identity of the recipients as well as the titles and names of the executives who authorize the political spending. The policy transparency score measures the level of transparency in the voluntary disclosure of the policies governing corporate political spending. Board gender diversity is measured by the percentage of women on the board of directors. Findings Higher proportions of female directors are associated with more transparent disclosure of political contributions after controlling for a set of corporate governance and firm-level variables. Originality/value This study is the first to examine whether and how gender-diversified boards enhance the transparency of CPD. It contributes to the literature by providing evidence that gender-diversified boards enhance corporate governance.
A study on the perception of the teacher trainees towards two year B.Ed. programme implemented in the teacher education institutions in Assam

Teacher education is that integral part of education system of a country which determines the success of whole process of education. Education is the powerful instrument of bringing chance. Education moulds the society, develops the nation. But it is the teacher who makes it possible to happen. The students are the future man-power. Teacher trains them up in such a way through the education that they are able to bring positive changes in the society. But this is possible when the teacher have the adequate power of training others. It is the teacher education program which equips the teacher with all those knowledge, skills helpful in bringing change among the students by the teachers. NCTE is the regulatory body of teacher education, performing functions and making decisions in all the aspects of teacher education including B.Ed, M.Ed, Integrated B.A/B.Sc/ B.Ed. etc. As per its regulation NCTE make B.Ed , which is an important program of teacher education ,a two year duration program. As a results all educational institutions in India providing B.Ed course have extended one more year for B.ed which was earlier one year duration course. In this paper, the investigator have tried to study the perception of the trainee for this new structure of B.Ed course. With 100 sample trainees the investigator has made a small study. The result reveals their mixed reactions.
A SEROLOGIC SURVEY FOR VIRUSES AND MYCOPLASMA PULMONIS AMONG WILD HOUSE MICE (MUS DOMESTICUS) IN SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA

Plasma samples from 267 wild house mice (Mus domesticus) trapped at 14 sites in southeastern Australia were screened for antibody to 14 viruses normally associated with laboratory-reared rodents and to Mycoplasma pulmonis. Serologic prevalence was high for murine cytomegalovirus (99%, n = 94), murine coronavirus (95%), and murine rotavirus (74%). Samples from mice collected at all sites contained antibody to these viruses. The serologic prevalence was lower for mouse adenovirus, strain K87 (37%), parvovirus (33%), and reovirus type 3 (28%), with substantial site-to-site variation. Plasma from mice collected at 12 sites contained mouse adenovirus or reovirus antibody, and samples from mice at eight sites contained parvovirus antibody. Parvovirus-antibody positive mice were typically from high density populations or from low density populations that had recently declined from high density. Antibody to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and Sendai virus occurred at only three sites, and the serologic prevalence was very low (9.6% and 1.8%, respectively). All of the LCMV-positive mice were from northeastern New South Wales. The presence of this zoonotic virus in a mouse plague-prone region raises questions about human health risks resulting from cohabitation with large numbers of mice. It appeared that mouse populations at high density or declining from high density had higher prevalence of viral antibody than populations that had been at low or moderate density for some time. Thus, viral epizootics may occur among high-density populations and may be responsible for or precipitate declines in mouse density. These data raise the possibility of rodent viruses having potential as biological control agents.
Capital adequacy of commercial banks in Bulgaria: Impact strategies

*Radka Andasarova, Chief Assist. Dr., Finance and Accountancy Faculty, Accountancy and Analysis Department, University of National and World Economy, Office 1053, “8 dekemvri” Str, 1700 Sofia, Bulgaria, phone: +359 898640584, e-mail: radka_bl@abv.bg Abstract. The subject of this research in broader terms involves the activities of credit institutions, the prudential requirements and their relation and dependence on the accounting methodology in banks. The broader subject of research serves as a basis for transition to more specific exploration regarding the subject of research – the capital and capital adequacy of banks. The major aim of this paper is to reveal strategies that the banks have been using since the beginning of the latest financial crisis to achieve higher capital adequacy levels. An empirical research of the capital components and capital adequacy dynamics of the banking system in Bulgaria over the period 2007-2016 has been conducted to see the actual reflection of the latest capital framework on the capital adequacy of the banking system, and, based on research results, to make conclusions about the existing internal policies and accounting practices that would have an effect on improving the equity of commercial banks and the banking system as a whole.
Epidemiology and Predisposing Factors for Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum and Transient Neonatal Pustular: A Multicenter Study

Erythema toxicum neonatorum (ETN) and transient neonatal pustular melanosis (TNPM) are benign pustular skin conditions that are relatively common in newborns, but the predisposing factors for these conditions are unknown. Our goal was to verify the prevalence of ETN and TNPM and their predisposing factors in a large sample of neonates.
Effect of three months of periodized hydrogymnastics exercise program on urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline in older women.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of three months of periodized hydrogymnastics exercise program on urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline in older women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-six subjects were randomly assigned in two, intervention group (n = 16) and control group (n = 10). The intervention group followed 12-week of periodized hydrogymnastics training program five times a week, 50 minutes of water exercise with work heart rate reserve of 40-50% (1-6th week) increasing the load to 50-60% (7-12th week); the control group was not involved in exercise and remained sedentary. The urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline was evaluated by high resolution liquid chromatography using the reactive immulite pyrilinks-D siemens medical solutions, pretest at the baseline and at the end post-test of the 12-week of water-exercise. As statistical analyses mixed 2 x 2 ANOVA was used, also percentage changes (Δ %) was calculated. RESULTS The results did not show significant improvement (p < 0.05) comparing the interaction intergroup and the measurements of urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline (p = 0.504), percentage change (Δ %) showed positive improvements in the experimental group of -13.7 (nM/mMcreatine) in comparison with -7.1 (nM/mMcreatine) from the control group. CONCLUSION The present study involves periodization increasing the load heart rate reserve of hydrogymnastics exercise in order to produce grater adaptations, but the results showed than is not possible to infer that hydrogymnastics is effective in increase urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline in older women, will be appropriated in the future more studies to better clarify the possibilities of improvements between hydrogymnastics and urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline.
Inquiry-Based Instruction: Perceptions of National Agriscience Teacher Ambassadors.

To assist students in developing positive scientific attitudes and improve student scientific literacy, learning environments should utilize inquiry-based instruction (IBI). In order to further develop the implementation of IBI in agricultural education settings, this research sought to describe the perceptions of National Agricultural Teacher Ambassador Academy participants’ transitions to IBI. Utilizing focus groups, this research identified three themes concerning the implementation of IBI: the perceptions of time required to implementing IBI, perceptions of the transition from former teaching methods into IBI, and perceptions of the reactions from their school environment of participants’ implementation of IBI. Though participants reported initial personal and student struggles when transitioning to IBI, they also perceived that once students understood the processes associated with IBI students reported learning more than with other teaching methods. The findings indicate that a variety of professional development opportunities and supports must be provided for agricultural teachers implementing IBI in their classrooms.