Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Articulation: Brightness, Apparent Illumination, and Contrast Ratios

Luminance edges in the environment can be due to regions that differ in reflectance or in illumination. In three experiments, we varied the spatial organization of 10 achromatic (simulated) surfaces so that some arrangements were consistent with an ecologically valid and parsimonious interpretation of 5 surfaces under two different illuminants. A constant contrast-ratio along a luminance edge in the scene allows this interpretation. The brightness of patches in this condition was compared to their brightness with minimally different spatial arrangements that fail to maintain the constant contrast-ratio criterion. When the spatial arrangement of the 10 surfaces included a luminance edge satisfying the constant contrast-ratio criterion, brightness changed systematically, compared to arrangements without such a luminance edge. We account for the results by positing that a luminance edge with a constant contrast-ratio segments the scene into regions of lower and higher illumination, with the same effect as a difference in real physical illumination: all else equal, a given surface appears brighter under higher than under lower illumination.
Jagged1 is the pathological link between Wnt and Notch pathways in colorectal cancer

Notch has been linked to β-catenin-dependent tumorigenesis; however, the mechanisms leading to Notch activation and the contribution of the Notch pathway to colorectal cancer is not yet understood. By microarray analysis, we have identified a group of genes downstream of Wnt/β-catenin (down-regulated when blocking Wnt/β-catenin) that are directly regulated by Notch (repressed by γ-secretase inhibitors and up-regulated by active Notch1 in the absence of β-catenin signaling). We demonstrate that Notch is downstream of Wnt in colorectal cancer cells through β-catenin-mediated transcriptional activation of the Notch-ligand Jagged1. Consistently, expression of activated Notch1 partially reverts the effects of blocking Wnt/β-catenin pathway in tumors implanted s.c. in nude mice. Crossing APCMin/+ with Jagged1+/Δ mice is sufficient to significantly reduce the size of the polyps arising in the APC mutant background indicating that Notch is an essential modulator of tumorigenesis induced by nuclear β-catenin. We show that this mechanism is operating in human tumors from Familial Adenomatous Polyposis patients. We conclude that Notch activation, accomplished by β-catenin-mediated up-regulation of Jagged1, is required for tumorigenesis in the intestine. The Notch-specific genetic signature is sufficient to block differentiation and promote vasculogenesis in tumors whereas proliferation depends on both pathways.
Concussion-Like Symptoms in Child and Youth Athletes at Baseline: What Is "Typical"?

CONTEXT After a concussion, guidelines emphasize that an athlete should be asymptomatic before starting a return-to-play protocol. However, many concussion symptoms are nonspecific and may be present in individuals without concussion. Limited evidence exists regarding the presence of "typical" or preinjury (baseline) symptoms in child and youth athletes. OBJECTIVE To describe the frequency of symptoms reported at baseline by child and youth athletes and identify how age, sex, history of concussion, and learning factors influence the presence of baseline symptoms. DESIGN Cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING Baseline testing was conducted at a hospital research laboratory or in a sport or school setting (eg, gym or arena). PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A total of 888 child (9-12 years old, n = 333) and youth (13-17 years old, n = 555) athletes participated (46.4% boys and 53.6% girls, average age = 13.09 ± 1.83 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Demographic and symptom data were collected as part of a baseline protocol. Age-appropriate versions of the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (a self-report concussion-symptoms measure with strong psychometric properties for pediatric populations) were administered. Demographic data (age, sex, concussion history, learning factors) were also collected. RESULTS Common baseline symptoms for children were feeling sleepier than usual (30% boys, 24% girls) and feeling nervous or worried (17% boys, 25% girls). Fatigue was reported by more than half of the youth group (50% boys, 67% girls). Nervousness was reported by 32% of youth girls. Headaches, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating were each reported by 25% of youth boys and girls. For youths, a higher total symptom score was associated with increasing age and number of previous concussions, although these effects were small (age rs = 0.143, number of concussions rs = .084). No significant relationships were found in the child group. CONCLUSIONS Children and youths commonly experienced symptoms at baseline, including fatigue and nervousness. Whether clinicians should expect complete symptom resolution after concussion is not clear.
The Effects of Litigation on Symptom Expression: A Prospective Study following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective: To prospectively assess the association between litigation and neurobehavioural symptoms following mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Design: A prospective study with the inception cohort assessed on average 42.2(17.2) days after injury. Setting: an outpatient clinic within a large general hospital. Patients: a consecutive sample of 100 clinic attendee with mild TBI. Outcome measures: A cognitive screen (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test (GOAT), a measure of psychological distress (the 28 item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)) and two head injury outcome measures, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and the Rivermead Head Injury Follow-up Questionnaire (RHFUQ). Results: Demographic characteristics, TBI severity ratings and premorbid risk factors for poor outcome did not differ between litigants (27.8 per cent of the sample) and non-litigants. However, litigants were significantly more anxious (p<0.0001), depressed (p<0.01), had greater social dysfunction (p<0.0001) and had poorer outcome on the GOS (p<0.002) and RHFUQ (p<0.002). There were no cognitive differences between the groups. Conclusions the data demonstrate an association between litigation and increased psychological distress at the outset of the litigation process. While association is not synonymous with causality, the absence of demographic, premorbid and TBI related differences between litigants and non-litigants suggests that the pursuit of compensation may influence the subjective expression of symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury.
Are Empowered Employees More Proactive? The Contingency of How They Evaluate Their Leader

Finding ways to enhance employee proactive behavior is a focal concern for academics and practitioners. Previous studies have found a positive association between empowering leadership and proactive behavior (Martin et al., 2013; Li et al., 2017). However, these studies lack elaboration on mechanisms and do not rule out the effect of employees’ proactive personality during empirical testing. We investigate empowering leadership from individual perspective due to the variation of empowerment levels even in the same team. Our research proposes a more elaborated theoretical model that explains why, and when, empowering leadership might promote employee proactive behavior. Specifically, we examine mediating mechanisms based on social cognitive theory and propose trust in leader competency as boundary condition. Using a sample of 280 leader–follower dyads from a large state-owned Chinese company, our results revealed that (1) empowering leadership was positively related to proactive behavior, with role breadth self-efficacy acting as a mediator for this relationship; (2) employees’ trust in leader competency moderated both the empowering leadership–subordinate proactive behavior relationship and the mediating effect of role breadth self-efficacy, such that the empowering leadership–subordinate proactive behavior relationship was weaker, and the mediating effect of role breadth self-efficacy was stronger, for employees with high levels of trust in leader competency.
Clinical profiles of multiple myeloma in Asia—An Asian Myeloma Network study

The incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) is known to be variable according to ethnicity. However, the differences in clinical characteristics between ethnic groups are not well‐defined. In Asian countries, although the incidence of MM has been lower than that of Western countries, there is growing evidence that MM is increasing rapidly. The Asian Myeloma Network decided to initiate the first multinational project to describe the clinical characteristics of MM and the clinical practices in Asia. Data were retrospectively collected from 23 centers in 7 countries and regions. The clinical characteristics at diagnosis, survival rates and initial treatment of 3,405 symptomatic MM patients were described. Median age was 62 years (range, 19–106), with 55.6% of being male. Median overall survival (OS) was 47 months (95% CI 44.0–50.0). Stem cell transplantation was performed in 666 patients who showed better survival rates (79 vs. 41 months, P < 0.001). The first‐line treatments of 2,970 patients were analyzed. The overall response rate was 71% including very good partial response or better in 31% of the 2,660 patients those were able to be evaluated. New drugs including bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide were used in 36% of 2,970 patients and affected OS when used as a first‐line treatment. Am. J. Hematol. 89:751–756, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prelude to Virtual Groups: Leadership and Technology in Semi-Virtual Groups

A study of 76 more and less virtual investment clubs examines the relationships between communication technologies used for club business (from face-to-face to more highly technologically enabled), group leadership role behaviors, and club portfolio value. The results are interesting, with more and less virtual clubs benefiting from different forms of leadership behaviors. Clubs using fewer technologies seem to benefit from a greater focus on socioemotional role (communication) behaviors, while the opposite is found in clubs using more technologies. The effect for procedural role behaviors (agenda setting and the like) appears to run in the opposite direction: clubs using more technologies seem to benefit from a greater 232 Griffith & Meader Copyright © 2004, Idea Group Inc. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of Idea Group Inc. is prohibited. focus on procedural role behaviors, while the opposite is found in clubs using fewer technologies. Managers take into account obvious and subtle differences between more and less virtual groups.
A CLOSER EXAMINATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGER HERDING BEHAVIOUR 1

Utilising a unique database of daily trades of institutional investors, this paper examines herding behaviour. We find active managers herd more substantially when selling stocks, trading in small stocks, and moving between industry sectors. We also show that broker participation results in a much higher level of herding. Brokers pass their best, most timely information to their largest clients first, and later disseminate the information to smaller clients. Consequently, larger broker institutional clients not only trade before, but also outperform, smaller clients. We also find evidence of leader-follower relationships. Active managers tend to follow those managers with higher past performance.
Probing the infiltrating character of brain tumors: inhibition of RhoA/ROK‐mediated CD44 cell surface shedding from glioma cells by the green tea catechin EGCg

Glioma cell‐surface binding to hyaluronan (HA), a major constituent of the brain extracellular matrix (ECM) environment, is regulated through a complex membrane type‐1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP)/CD44/caveolin interaction that takes place at the leading edges of invading cells. In the present study, intracellular transduction pathways required for the HA‐mediated recognition by infiltrating glioma cells in brain was investigated. We show that the overexpression of the GTPase RhoA up‐regulated MT1‐MMP expression and triggered CD44 shedding from the U‐87 glioma cell surface. This potential implication in cerebral metastatic processes was also observed in cells overexpressing the full‐length recombinant MT1‐MMP, while the overexpression of a cytoplasmic domain truncated from of MT1‐MMP failed to do so. This suggests that the cytoplasmic domain of MT1‐MMP transduces intracellular signaling leading to RhoA‐mediated CD44 shedding. Treatment of glioma cells with the Rho‐kinase (ROK) inhibitor Y27632, or with EGCg, a green tea catechin with anti‐MMP and anti‐angiogenesis activities, antagonized both RhoA‐ and MT1‐MMP‐induced CD44 shedding. Conversely, overexpression of recombinant ROK stimulated CD44 release. Taken together, our results suggest that RhoA/ROK intracellular signaling regulates MT1‐MMP‐mediated CD44 recognition of HA. These molecular processes may partly explain the diffuse brain‐infiltrating character of glioma cells within the surrounding parenchyma and thus be a target for new approaches to anti‐tumor therapy.
THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC MEGATRENDS UPON SOCIAL SYSTEMS AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (METHODOLOGICAL ASPECT OF STUDY)

The article reflects some outcomes of the author’s scientific research which has been conducted for recent few years. The purpose of the study was to reveal the most influential socio-economic trends that have determined the development of the contemporary social and economic systems, including business. In doing so, there has been precised the notion of a socio-economic megatrend (SEM), there have been conceptualized and systematized some key SEMs which produced an impact on the formation of modern society, influence the development of postmodern society and will contribute to the constitution of future society. In the very frame, it has been traced the impact of each of the SEM revealed upon the development of business activity.
Differential localization of the Streptococcus mutans GS-5 fructan hydrolase enzyme, FruA.

Streptococcus mutans GS-5 synthesizes an exo-beta-D-fructosidase, FruA, capable of degrading levans, inulins, sucrose and raffinose, with the greatest activity on levans. A previous analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of the FruA protein revealed the presence of a C-terminus with an LPXTGX membrane sorting sequence and membrane spanning domain, characteristic of many Gram-positive cocci surface proteins. Here it is demonstrated that FruA, which had been previously shown to exist almost exclusively as an extracellular enzyme, can be detected in significant proportions at the surface of S. mutans cells. Moreover, growth of S. mutans GS-5 at steady state in continuous culture at pH values of 7.0, 6.0, or 5.0 revealed that the amount of cell-associated enzyme increased with decreasing pH values, such that roughly 50% of the total fructanase activity of pH 5.0-grown organisms was cell-associated. This result was confirmed using anti-recombinant-FruA antisera in Western blotting of culture supernate and cell-associated enzyme preparations from chemostat-grown cells. Incubation of S. mutans at pH values of 5.0, 6.0 or 7.0 in buffered media yielded results similar to those observed in the chemostat experiments. The release of FruA from S. mutans was also shown to be inhibitable by copper, which is known to interfere with the release of the surface adhesin, P1, from intact cells and protoplasts of S. mutans. These data provide evidence for a unique post-translational mechanism for the regulation of the catabolism of polysaccharides by bacteria. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Microcredit-Business Performance Relationship: Program Delivery Services as Mediator

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the microcredit program and the performance of microenterprises, as well as assessing the impact of the intermediary service delivery system on the relationship between the microcredit program and the performance of microenterprises. Primary data were collected from 756 micro-enterprises under the microcredit program Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) and Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (TEKU N), which are two most active microcredit programs in Malaysia. The multiple regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the performance of microcredit program and microenterprises. Empirical findings also explain the elements of modes of financing under the management of credit products, as well as the two elements under the social development programs (entrepreneurship development, monitoring and supervision) as having a clear effect of the mediators of the relationship between the microcredit program and the performance of microenterprises. However, the study found that elements of operational efficiency in the management of credit products do not affect the relationship between the two variables. These findings lucidly reveal the importance of balance between the efficiency of the management of credit products and a program of social development in the service delivery system of microcredit program. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n6s2p691
Estrogen metabolism and excretion in Oriental and Caucasian women.

BACKGROUND Caucasian and Oriental women have different incidence rates of breast cancer. Among the underlying risk factors for the development of breast cancer in the women of these two groups may be their different diets and patterns of estrogen metabolism and excretion. The absolute levels and relative ratios of 16 alpha-hydroxylated estrogens and 2-hydroxylated estrogens (catechol estrogens) in the body may have a role in the etiology of breast cancer, but studies so far have provided only conflicting results. PURPOSE Our goal was to study estrogen metabolism, in particular, the extent of 2-hydroxylation and 16 alpha-hydroxylation of estrogens in two groups of women, one Caucasian and one Oriental, with inherently different breast cancer risks. METHODS Dietary records were analyzed over 3-day periods in the mid-follicular phase, twice, at 6-month intervals for 13 premenopausal Oriental women, recent immigrant arrivals in Hawaii with presumed low risk of breast cancer, and for 12 premenopausal Finnish women with presumed higher risk. The urinary estrogen profile was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and plasma and fecal estrogens were assayed by chromatographic radioimmunoassays. RESULTS Mean fat intake per 1000 kcal was 73% higher (P < .001) in the Finnish women, but the mean fiber intake and fecal weights were similar to those of the Oriental women. Compared with Oriental women, Finnish women had 46% higher plasma estradiol (P < .01) and 124% higher plasma estrone sulfate (P < .01); however, after adjustment for differences in age and body mass index, only the difference in estrone sulfate remained statistically significant (P < .05). Mean plasma levels of estrone and estradiol correlated with height after adjustment for body mass index (P < .05). Mean plasma levels of estrone and sex hormone-binding globulin were similar. The Finns had higher mean urinary estrone (193%), estradiol (166%), various catechol estrogens (130%-439%), and total estrogen excretion (123%) (all P < .001), but similar 16 alpha-hydroxylated estrogen excretion. As calculated, 16 alpha-hydroxylation of estrone was significantly increased (P < .01) in the Oriental women, but 2-hydroxylation, 4-hydroxylation, and 16 beta-hydroxylation of estrone were similar in both groups. The ratio of catechol estrogen to 16 alpha-hydroxylated estrogen was four to five times higher (P < .001) in the Finnish women. The Oriental women had two to three times higher fecal excretion of estrogens than the Finnish women (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that high catechol estrogen formation may be a greater risk factor for breast cancer than high 16 alpha-hydroxylation of estrogens. However, the main risk factor for the Finnish women, as opposed to the Oriental women, may be their higher estrogen levels that result from a higher fat diet, higher estrogen production related to their greater height, and lower fecal estrogen excretion.
Optical polarization map of the Polaris Flare with RoboPol

The stages before the formation of stars in molecular clouds are poorly understood. Insights can be gained by studying the properties of quiescent clouds, such as their magnetic field structure. The plane-of-the-sky orientation of the field can be traced by polarized starlight. We present the first extended, wide-field (∼10 deg^2) map of the Polaris Flare cloud in dust-absorption induced optical polarization of background stars, using the Robotic Polarimeter (RoboPol) polarimeter at the Skinakas Observatory. This is the first application of the wide-field imaging capabilities of RoboPol. The data were taken in the R band and analysed with the automated reduction pipeline of the instrument. We present in detail optimizations in the reduction pipeline specific to wide-field observations. Our analysis resulted in reliable measurements of 641 stars with median fractional linear polarization 1.3 per cent. The projected magnetic field shows a large-scale ordered pattern. At high longitudes it appears to align with faint striations seen in the Herschel-Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) map of dust emission (250 μm), while in the central 4–5 deg^2 it shows an eddy-like feature. The overall polarization pattern we obtain is in good agreement with large-scale measurements by Planck of the dust emission polarization in the same area of the sky.
Putting cells under pressure: A simple and efficient way to enhance the productivity of medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoate in processes with Pseudomonas putida KT2440

The success of bioprocess implementation relies on the ability to achieve high volumetric productivities and requires working with high‐cell‐density cultivations. Elevated atmospheric pressure might constitute a promising tool for enhancing the oxygen transfer rate (OTR), the major growth‐limiting factor for such cultivations. However, elevated pressure and its effects on the cellular environment also represent a potential source of stress for bacteria and may have negative effects on product formation. In order to determine whether elevated pressure can be applied for enhancing productivity in the case of medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl‐PHA) production by Pseudomonas putida KT2440, the impact of a pressure of 7 bar on the cell physiology was assessed. It was established that cell growth was not inhibited by this pressure if dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) and dissolved carbon dioxide tension (DCT) were kept below ∼30 and ∼90 mg L−1, respectively. Remarkably, a little increase of mcl‐PHA volumetric productivity was observed under elevated pressure. Furthermore, the effect of DCT, which can reach substantial levels during high‐cell‐density processes run under elevated pressure, was investigated on cell physiology. A negative effect on product formation could be dismissed since no significant reduction of mcl‐PHA content occurred up to a DCT of ∼540 mg L−1. However, specific growth rate exhibited a significant decrease, indicating that successful high‐cell‐density processes under elevated pressure would be restricted to chemostats with low dilution rates and fed‐batches with a small growth rate imposed during the final part. This study revealed that elevated pressure is an adequate and efficient way to enhance OTR and mcl‐PHA productivity. We estimate that the oxygen provided to the culture broth under elevated pressure would be sufficient to triple mcl‐PHA productivity in our chemostat system from 3.4 (at 1 bar) to 11 g L−1 h−1 (at 3.2 bar). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:451–461. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.