Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coordinate Interaction between IL-13 and Epithelial Differentiation Cluster Genes in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

We have previously proposed that the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is mediated by an IL-13–driven epithelial cell response associated with marked gene dysregulation including eotaxin-3 overproduction. In this study, we compared epithelial responses between healthy patients and those with EE, aiming to uncover molecular explanations for EE pathogenesis. Esophageal epithelial cells could be maintained for up to five passages, with 67% and 62% of cell lines reaching confluence in healthy controls and EE cases, respectively. Both sets of epithelial cells avidly responded to IL-13 at similar levels as assessed by eotaxin-3 production. Acidic pH increased cellular release of eotaxin-3 (4.6 ± 1.98 ng/ml versus 12.46 ± 2.90 ng/ml at pH 7.4 and 4, respectively; p < 0.05). Numerous epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) genes, such as filaggrin and SPRR3, were downregulated both in IL-13–stimulated esophageal epithelial cells and in EE biopsies specimens compared with healthy controls. Whereas the filaggrin loss of function mutation 2282del4 was overrepresented in EE compared with control individuals (6.1% versus 1.3% respectively; p = 0.0172), the decreased filaggrin expression was uniformly seen in all EE cases in vivo. Indeed, expression of the EDC genes filaggrin and involucrin was strongly decreased directly by IL-13. These results establish that the epithelial response in EE involves a cooperative interaction between IL-13 and expression of EDC genes.
Social Capital, Race, and Income Inequality in the United States

Since the 1980s, the United States has witnessed increasing wealth concentration in the hands of the ultra-rich. Measured at the state level, the top 10 percent of income earners amassed roughly 43% of total income, and economic growth only enhanced this inequality between the ultrarich and the rest of citizens. This paper examines whether social capital plays a positive role in mitigating income inequality at the state level, with an emphasis on racial diversity and its relation to church attendance. The empirical findings demonstrate that social capital, whether measured by Robert Putnam’s state-level social capital index (SCI), or a new measure that improves SCI’s original measurement, fails to improve income equality. In comparison, racial diversity is found to be a consistent contributor of income inequality. In states with a greater proportion of minority population, the ultra-rich tend to share more wealth and social capital potentially facilitates the ultra-rich to enjoy the benefit of economic growth.
Soft selective sweeps in fungicide resistance evolution: recurrent mutations without fitness costs in grapevine downy mildew

Adaptation produces hard or soft selective sweeps depending on the supply of adaptive genetic polymorphism. The evolution of pesticide resistance in parasites is a striking example of rapid adaptation that can shed light on selection processes. Plasmopara viticola, which causes grapevine downy mildew, forms large populations, in which resistance has rapidly evolved due to excessive fungicide use. We investigated the pathways by which fungicide resistance has evolved in this plant pathogen, to determine whether hard or soft selective sweeps were involved. An analysis of nucleotide polymorphism in 108 field isolates from the Bordeaux region revealed recurrent mutations of cytb and CesA3 conferring resistance to quinone outside inhibiting (QoI) and carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides, respectively. Higher levels of genetic differentiation were observed for nucleotide positions involved in resistance than for neutral microsatellites, consistent with local adaptation of the pathogen to fungicide treatments. No hitchhiking was found between selected sites and neighbouring polymorphisms in cytb and CesA3, confirming multiple origins of resistance alleles. We assessed resistance costs, by evaluating the fitness of the 108 isolates through measurements of multiple quantitative pathogenicity traits under controlled conditions. No significant differences were found between sensitive and resistant isolates, suggesting that fitness costs may be absent or negligible. Our results indicate that the rapid evolution of fungicide resistance in P. viticola has involved a soft sweep.
Controls on gravel termination in seven distributary channels of the Selenga River Delta, Baikal Rift basin, Russia

The Selenga River Delta, Lake Baikal, Russia, is ∼600 km2 in size and contains multiple distributary channels that receive varying amounts of water and sediment discharge. The delta is positioned along the deep-water (∼1600 m) margin of Lake Baikal, a half-graben–styled rift basin, qualifying it as a modern analogue of a shelf-edge delta system. This study provides a detailed field survey of channel bed sediment composition, channel geometry, and water discharge. The data and analyses presented here indicate that the Selenga Delta exhibits downstream sediment fining over tens of kilometers, ranging from predominantly gravel (coarse pebble) and sand near its apex to silt and sand at the delta-lake interface. We developed an analytical framework to evaluate the downstream elimination of gravel within the multiple distributary channels. The findings include the following. (1) The Selenga River Delta consists of at least eight orders of distributary channels. (2) With increasing channel order downstream, channel cross-sectional area, width-depth ratio, water discharge, boundary shear stress, and sediment flux systematically decrease. (3) The downstream elimination of gravel in distributary channels is caused by declining boundary shear stress as a result of water discharge partitioning among the bifurcating channels. (4) Over longer time scales, gravel is contained on the delta topset due to frequent and discrete seismic events that produce subsidence and accommodation, so that coarse sediment cannot be transported to the axis of the Baikal Rift basin. The distribution of sediment grain size in deltaic channels, as related to hydrodynamics and sediment transport, plays a critical role in influencing stratigraphy, because the sustained tectonism leads to high preservation potential of the delta topset sedimentary deposits. Therefore, the Selenga River Delta provides an opportunity to explore the interactions between modern deltaic sedimentation processes and tectonics that affect the production of basin stratigraphy.
Estimates of the live births, natural losses, and elective terminations with Down syndrome in the United States

The present and future live birth prevalence of Down syndrome (DS) is of practical importance for planning services and prioritizing research to support people living with the condition. Live birth prevalence is influenced by changes in prenatal screening technologies and policies. To predict the future impact of these changes, a model for estimating the live births of people with DS is required. In this study, we combine diverse and robust datasets with validated estimation techniques to describe the non‐selective and live birth prevalence of DS in the United States from 1900–2010. Additionally, for the period 1974–2010, we estimate the impact of DS‐related elective pregnancy terminations (following a prenatal diagnosis of DS) on the live births with DS. The live birth prevalence for DS in the most recent years (2006–2010) was estimated at 12.6 per 10,000 (95% CI 12.4–12.8), with around 5,300 births annually. During this period, an estimated 3,100 DS‐related elective pregnancy terminations were performed in the U.S. annually. As of 2007, the estimated rates at which live births with DS were reduced as a consequence of DS‐related elective pregnancy terminations were 30% (95% CI: 27.3–31.9) for the U.S. as a whole. Our results and our model provide data on the impact of elective pregnancy terminations on live births with DS and may provide a baseline from which future trends for live births with DS can be estimated. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MHC class I antigen processing pathway defects, ras mutations and disease stage in colorectal carcinoma

Colorectal tumorigenesis has been associated with the progressive acquisition of a variety of genetic alterations. These include mutations of the Ki‐ras proto‐oncogene in codons 12 and 13, which account for 85% of genetic changes in colorectal cancer. In murine in vitro models of oncogenic transformation, an association between ras‐mediated transformation and downregulation of different components of the MHC class I antigen processing machinery (APM) has been described. In order to investigate whether this association also exists in human tumors, 10 cases of high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HIN), as well as primary tumors and autologous lymph node metastases from 42 patients with colorectal carcinoma, were monitored by allele‐specific restriction analysis for Ki‐ras mutations. In parallel, APM component expression and tumor cell proliferation were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. In comparison to autologous colorectal mucosa, TAP1, LMP2 and tapasin loss was found in 68%, 67% and 80% of HIN, respectively. In contrast, impaired TAP1, LMP2 and tapasin expression was found in 42%, 42% and 63% of primary adenocarcinomas of stage III disease and in 63%, 47% and 79% of the matched lymph node metastases, respectively. More than 60% of colorectal tumor lesions with TAP1, LMP2 and/or tapasin defects displayed Ki‐ras mutations. The frequency of TAP1, LMP2 and tapasin loss varied between 33% of primary adenocarcinomas, 40% of HIN to approximately 67% of metastases. These data suggest that i) APM component deficiencies occur more frequently in Ki‐ras‐mutated colorectal carcinoma lesions and ii) APM abnormalities in conjunction with Ki‐ras mutations appear to be associated with disease stage. These findings support the hypothesis that Ki‐ras mutations may contribute to immune escape mechanisms of tumors by downregulating the MHC class I APM component expression. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
EXAMINING EVIDENCE IN U.S. PAYER COVERAGE POLICIES FOR MULTI-GENE PANELS AND SEQUENCING TESTS

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the evidence payers cited in their coverage policies for multi-gene panels and sequencing tests (panels), and to compare these findings with the evidence payers cited in their coverage policies for other types of medical interventions. Methods: We used the University of California at San Francisco TRANSPERS Payer Coverage Registry to identify coverage policies for panels issued by five of the largest US private payers. We reviewed each policy and categorized the evidence cited within as: clinical studies, systematic reviews, technology assessments, cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs), budget impact studies, and clinical guidelines. We compared the evidence cited in these coverage policies for panels with the evidence cited in policies for other intervention types (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostic tests and imaging, and surgical interventions) as reported in a previous study. Results: Fifty-five coverage policies for panels were included. On average, payers cited clinical guidelines in 84 percent of their coverage policies (range, 73–100 percent), clinical studies in 69 percent (50–87 percent), technology assessments 47 percent (33–86 percent), systematic reviews or meta-analyses 31 percent (7–71 percent), and CEAs 5 percent (0–7 percent). No payers cited budget impact studies in their policies. Payers less often cited clinical studies, systematic reviews, technology assessments, and CEAs in their coverage policies for panels than in their policies for other intervention types. Payers cited clinical guidelines in a comparable proportion of policies for panels and other technology types. Conclusions: Payers in our sample less often cited clinical studies and other evidence types in their coverage policies for panels than they did in their coverage policies for other types of medical interventions.
Selection Test Anxiety: Exploring Tension and Fear of Failure Across the Sexes in Simulated Selection Scenarios

Standardized tests are commonly used to select individuals in both pre-employment and educational settings. Nevertheless, research has yet to sufficiently explore the relationship between test anxiety (TA) and test performance in selection contexts. The goal of this study was to assess the dimensionality of TA, the relations between TA and test performance, and the impact of gender on TA within the realm of personnel selection. Test anxiety was found to be bi-dimensional and negatively related to performance on a cognitively based selection instrument. Gender moderated the relation between TA and test performance, with stronger associations for males. This finding is consistent with the sex-linked anxiety coping theory that is advanced here. Implications of this study and avenues for future research are discussed.
THE PERIURETHRAL AEROBIC FLORA IN GIRLS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO URINARY INFECTIONS

Abstract. After the age of 5 years, normal children have but few aerobic gram‐negative rods periurethrally. This study examines whether there is an abnormal periurethral colonization in urinary tract infection‐prone girls during infection‐free intervals, indicating a defective local defence. In 13 girls with a history of recurrent infection, daily bacterial samples were obtained from the periurethral area and from urine. Sampling continued until an infection eventually occurred. Seven girls contracted a urinary tract infection within 3–30 days. All were heavily colonized with gram‐negative rods, often several species, before infection appeared. Serotyping of E. coli confirmed that it was the colonizing strain which later invaded the bladder. The findings suggest a local defect in the antibacterial defence of infection‐prone individuals and gives strong evidence for ascending infection. Six girls remained uninfected during an observation period of 9–123 days. They all had a normal periurethral flora. A reasonable hypothesis would be that the same factor counteracted colonization and infection. Since abnormal periurethral colonization was not a constant phenomenon the postulated defect may vary. This might explain the fact that urinary tract infections often appear in quick succession, often followed by long infection‐free intervals.
The influence of spiritual leadership and workplace spirituality on knowledge sharing behavior / Nur Kamariah Abdul Wahid

The dependency of organizations on their employees’ knowledge bank to justify for the overall organizational performance has become a matter of attention. This is because it is easily said than done to motivate employees to share their knowledge in terms of skills, experiences and know-how even with proper package of rewards and incentives. Human capital is in the phase of revolutionizing from merely as working capital to dynamic resources that hold the competitive advantage of the organization. The challenges posited by the dynamic evolution of human capital undeniably challenge the style of leadership too. Studies have shown that an effective leadership style could be a mechanism to induce employees’ engagement so that knowledge sharing would not be an issue to employees. There have been many theories of leadership, approaches to tackle employee engagement, and explorations done to address how to produce a conducive working climate. Leaders should be able to identify the most effective combination qualities of a leadership style. Among many industries, telecommunication industry is known for its dependency in creativity and innovations to meet the dynamic challenges that are linked to employees’ knowledge. As being challenged by obsolete knowledge and skills, the industry needs to always keep their offerings ahead of competitors so that they could control the game field. Leaders of the telecommunication organizations were challenged to find ways to encourage knowledge sharing among employees to keep them fighting confidently on a competitive edge. Thus, the study aimed to explore potentials of involving spiritual values within the framework of leadership and workplace values in order to encourage knowledge sharing behavior. This could be done by knowing how to motivate them to share the knowledge and at the same time enrich the options available for an effective leadership style by exploring and explaining the phenomena of spiritual leadership and workplace spirituality. The research method used in this study enabled the exploration on the interactions between workplace and leaders based on spiritual values that could positively induce motivations to share knowledge to go beyond typical definition by the discovery of deeper level of intrinsic motivations, and cross validated the outcomes to different groups (Morse, 1991), measuring its prevalence.
THE EFFECT OF ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT ON FIRM PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY ON TURKEY

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is a risk management process based on all of the risks faced in business and applied entirely by the enterprise. It is also a risk management process that evaluates risk and opportunity together and provides reasonable assurance that the business objectives are realized. This study attempts to determine the effect of ERM on firms’ financial performance and the determinants of ERM. The study sample was prepared by the firms listed in Stock Exchange Istanbul (BIST), within the first 200 of the list of the Top 500 Industrial Enterprises of Turkey which Istanbul Chamber of Industry prepared for 2015. 231 observational values were obtained from a sample of 33 firms in the 2009-2015 period. In panel data analysis, it was seen that the effects of ERM on firm performance were not determined, whereas in the panel logistic regression, firm size was found to be determinant of ERM applications.
Analisis Pemanfaatan Social Commerce bagi UMKM: Anteseden dan Konsekuen

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that influence social media usage among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the impact on financial and non-financial performance. Convenience sampling was used to collect data. The respondent in this study are owner of SME that use facebook and instagram on their business activities. Based on SEM-PLS analysis, this study revealed that interactivity, cost effectiveness, and trust was identified as factors that motivate the usage social media. Meanwhile, compatibility has no significant effect on social media usage. Social media usage has a strong positive impact on financial performance (sales) and non-financial performance of SMEs in terms of customer service, internal operations, and marketing. In addition, this study indicate that social media usage has no positive effects on perceived impact on innovation. Keywords: social media, SME, performance, inovation,social commerce
Wetting of carbon nanotubes by aluminum oxide

Most ceramic–carbon nanotube (CNT) composite processing utilizes solid state sintering, hence the concept of wetting of CNTs by molten ceramic is absolutely new. In the present work on a plasma sprayed Al2O3–CNT nanocomposite, it is observed that molten Al2O3 spreads uniformly on the CNT surface by forming a thin (∼20–25 nm) ceramic layer without any cracks. The wettability of the Al2O3–CNT system is associated with the surface tension and capillary forces as captured from the evolution of microstructure. The dynamic equilibrium between melting and solidification of Al2O3 was deduced from the meniscus height, curvature, contact perimeter and projection area of solidified Al2O3 on the CNT surface. This interfacial phenomenon illuminates the mechanisms of microstructure evolution from Al2O3-coated CNT bridge structures to CNT mesh formation. Consequent ab initio modeling depicted distorted iso-surface contours at the interface, suggesting partial bonding and good wettability of Al2O3 on the CNT surface.
Mirror instability and L‐mode electromagnetic ion cyclotron instability: Competition in the Earth's magnetosheath

We performed both two- and three-dimensional hybrid simulations of the competing processes between the L-mode electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) and mirror instabilities, assuming anisotropic energetic ions with T ⊥ /T ∥ = 4.0. In the two-dimensional model, the energy of the EMIC waves is higher at the linear growth phase because its growth rate is larger than that of the mirror mode. In the three-dimensional model, however, the energy of the mirror mode waves is larger than that of the EMIC waves for all times because the wave number spectra of mirror mode waves form torus-like structures. We also theoretically derived a necessary condition for the dominance of the mirror instability
The Effects of Increased Provision of Thoracic Surgical Specialists on the Variation in Lung Cancer Resection Rate in England

Introduction: There is a wide variation in the lung cancer resection rate in England. We assessed the effect of the regional provision of thoracic surgery service on the variation in lung cancer resection rate. Methods: A retrospective observational study correlating National Lung Cancer Audit data with thoracic surgery workforce data was performed to review the lung cancer resection rate in England in 2008 and 2009. Results: In 2008, there was a sixfold variation in resection rate, with a higher resection rate in hospitals where surgeons were based (base hospitals) than in peripheral hospitals (20.0% versus 11.6%, p < 0.001). The resection rate was also higher in cancer networks, which were served by two or more specialist thoracic surgeons (14.6% versus 12.7%, p = 0.028), and where surgeons were present in more than two-thirds of the lung cancer multidisciplinary team meetings (14.4% versus 12.0%, p = 0.046). In 2009, the overall resection rate increased from 14.5% to 18.4%. Four units increased their number of specialist thoracic surgeons and had a significantly higher increase in resection rate than units without expansion (relative rise 66.3% versus 19.2%; p = 0.022). Conclusions: The large variation in the resection rate seems, in part, to be related to the local availability of specialist thoracic surgeons. The greatest improvement in the resection rate was in units with expansion of specialist thoracic surgeons. We suggest the expansion of specialist thoracic surgeons will improve the resection rate and thereby the overall survival of lung cancer in England. This has significant implications for the future of training in cardiothoracic surgery and organization of cancer services.
Infrastructure Project Governance: An Analysis Of Public Sector Project In Northern Pakistan

Infrastructure projects in developing countries have been criticized for cost overrun, delay, substandard construction works, ineffectiveness and low efficiency. In this regard, the project governance approach offers a structured mechanism to analyze and address all of these inherent risks in a timely manner. This study has reviewed the academic literature relating to the need for project governance on infrastructure projects in order to assess the potential causes of the success and failure of projects. The review is further elaborated by discussing a case study, which represents an example of the ill planning of infrastructural development projects in the Northern region of Pakistan. This study suggests the need for exploring potential applications of project governance practices in public sectors of developing countries.
Deformable Part Models with CNN Features

In this work we report on progress in integrating deep convo-lutional features with Deformable Part Models (DPMs). We substitute the Histogram-of-Gradient features of DPMs with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) features, obtained from the top-most, fifth, convolutional layer of Krizhevsky's network [8]. We demonstrate that we thereby obtain a substantial boost in performance (+14.5 mAP) when compared to the baseline HOG-based models. This only partially bridges the gap between DPMs and the currently top-performing R-CNN method of [4], suggesting that more radical changes to DPMs may be needed.