Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins in human breast cancer correlates with estrogen receptor status

The insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) have been implicated in the growth regulation of human breast cancer. Since the IGFs are associated with specific binding proteins (IGFBPs) which may modulate receptor/ligand interactions, production of IGFBPs by breast cancer cells could alter their IGF‐dependent growth. This study examined the expression of IGFBPs 4, 5, and 6 in eight breast cancer cell lines (BCCLs) using ribonuclease (RNase) protection assays. IGFBP‐4 mRNA was detected in all BCCLs studied. IGFBP‐5 expression was higher in estrogen receptor (ER) positive cells, while IGFBP‐6 mRNA was detected in only two ER negative BCCLs. We also found that E2 treatment enhanced the expression of IGFBPs 2, 4, and 5 in T47‐D cells. We next studied IGFBP mRNA expression in 40 primary breast tumors. All tumors expressed mRNA for IGFBPs 2–6 but none expressed IGFBP‐1 message. IGFBP‐3 expression was higher in ER negative tumors, while that of IGFBP‐4 and ‐5 was higher in ER positive specimens. These differences were statistically significant (P < .05). Ligand blot analysis of tumor extracts confirmed the presence of IGFBPs in breast cancer tissues. Thus, differential IGFBP expression in ER positive and negative tumors suggests an important role for this protein in breast cancer biology.
STRATEGI DIVERSIFIKASI TERHADAP KINERJA PERUSAHAAN

The purposes of this research were to provide an empirical evidence of the influenceof diversification to the firm performance. This research used 75 manufacturer firms thatdiversified their business. It also used control variable that describe firms characteristic, such asfirm size, debt ratio, current ratio, and firm age. The empirical result showed that thediversification strategy negatively influenced firm performance. It could be because the firmin Indonesia was under the conditions of unstable economics.
Bounded Rationality and Bounded Reliability: A Study of Nonfamily Managers’ Entrepreneurial Behavior in Family Firms

We use transaction cost economics to explain the individual-level entrepreneurial behavior of family and nonfamily managers in family firms. We argue that nonfamily managers exhibit lower entrepreneurial behavior than family managers, particularly after the founder’s departure from the business. Moreover, we identify an expanded set of factors through which family firms can facilitate nonfamily managers’ entrepreneurial behavior, including monitoring, incentives, distributive justice, access to the top management, and job control perceptions. We test these hypotheses in a sample of 296 family firm managers, contributing new insights on nonfamily managers and corporate entrepreneurship in family firms.
Interleukin-2 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor stimulate growth of a virulent strain of Escherichia coli

The effect of human recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) and human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on the growth of a virulent strain of Escherichia coli in tissue culture medium and in untreated, normal mouse serum was investigated. Both of these cytokines enhanced the growth of the microorganism two- to threefold in tissue culture medium with or without additional fetal calf serum and in untreated mouse serum. IL-4 did not have any effect on the growth of this microbe under the conditions tested. That the enhancement of growth seen with recombinant IL-2 was due to the active cytokine was shown by the following data: (i) addition of an antibody to IL-2 abrogated the growth-promoting effect; (ii) the excipient buffer, which contained everything except the active cytokine, was inactive in modifying bacterial growth; and (iii) heat-inactivated recombinant IL-2 did not promote enhanced microbial growth. The enhancement of growth with IL-2 was significant with concentrations as low as 1 U/ml. Growth of an avirulent strain of E. coli was not stimulated by IL-2. Moreover, addition of IL-2 to growth virulent E. coli in tissue culture medium led to rapid removal of the cytokine from the medium. Collectively, these data suggest that cytokines may act as growth factors for some virulent bacteria.
New Indices to Characterize Powder Flow Based on Their Avalanching Behavior

Use of powder avalanches in the study of flow properties of pharmaceutical excipients has yet to be popularized even though it is rather simple to use and yields comparatively reliable results. Commonly employed flow assessment methods include compressibility studies and shear cell and repose angle measurements. Though widely accepted, these methods are not without limitations and inadequacies. More often than not, experimental and environmental conditions lead to a considerable amount of variability in the results obtained. The primary objective of this current work is to propose two new indices, avalanche flow index (AFI) and cohesive interaction index (CoI) based on the avalanche flow behaviors of powders. Not only were these two indices able to describe the ease of powder flow but they also provided a simpler means of quantifying the extent of cohesive interactions within the powder mass without elaborate mathematical functions.
Financial Performance in the Light of Corporate Governance in Polish Family Businesses

The article presents a view (on the basis of theoretical and empirical analysis) of corporate governance models used in Polish family businesses through financial performance. The empirical analysis covered a sample of 24,000 Polish family businesses in the period of 2008–2013. The use of linear regression has allowed the authors to verify the hypothesis concerning the occurrence of differences in profitability ratios in groups of family businesses using variant management models and allowed verifying the relationship between the degree of control and involvement of the owners in management and financial performance. The received results, though inconclusive, indicate that the involvement of the owner in the governance process can affect the financial aspect of a business. The prepared empirical analysis and conclusions of the article contribute to a better understanding of the measures taken on management and control decisions; what is more, they can provide guidance to the owners of family businesses in shaping the corporate governance model.
[Perinatal mortality in The Netherlands 2000-2006; risk factors and risk selection].

OBJECTIVE To gain insight in recent perinatal mortality figures in The Netherlands and their relation with important risk factors, risk groups and risk selection among pregnant women. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHOD The National Obstetrical Registrations and the National Neonatal Registration were linked into The Netherlands Perinatal Registry to prevent double counting. From this database, data on 1.3 million births in the years 2000-2006 were analysed with perinatal mortality as outcome measure. RESULTS In 2006, perinatal mortality was 9.8 per 1000 total births (foetal mortality 6.8 per 1000 births and early neonatal mortality 3.1 per 1000 live births). Maternal age (< 20 and > or = 40 years) and high multiparity (> or = 4) were risk factors for perinatal mortality but showed low prevalence (< 3%). Non-Western ethnicity and nulliparity were important risk factors (relative risk of both 1.4) with a prevalence of 16% and 46%, respectively. The very preterm births (22.0-25.6 weeks of gestation) provided 29% ofall perinatal mortality with a mortality risk of 935 per 1000 births. Full-term births (> or = 37.0 weeks) accounted for 26% of all perinatal mortality with a mortality risk of 2.8 per 1000 births. In the full-term born group, perinatal mortality was 0.4 per 1000 births in home births, 2.7 per 1000 births in outpatient clinics and 4.5 per 1000 births when the women were referred to the gynaecologist before start of labour. CONCLUSION At a population level, low or high maternal age and high parity are less important risk factors than expected. More detailed research is indicated into the mortality ofvery preterm births but also offull-term born children.
Erythromycin Resistance-Conferring Plasmid pRSB105, Isolated from a Sewage Treatment Plant, Harbors a New Macrolide Resistance Determinant, an Integron-Containing Tn402-Like Element, and a Large Region of Unknown Function

ABSTRACT The erythromycin resistance plasmid pRSB105 was previously isolated from an activated sludge bacterial community of a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Compilation of the complete pRSB105 nucleotide sequence revealed that the plasmid is 57,137 bp in size and has a mean G+C content of 56.66 mol%. The pRSB105 backbone is composed of two different replication and/or partitioning modules and a functional mobilization region encoding the mobilization genes mobCDE and mobBA. The first replicon (Rep1) is nearly identical to the corresponding replication module of the multiresistance plasmid pRSB101 isolated from an unknown activated sludge bacterium. Accordingly, pRSB101 and pRSB105 are sister plasmids belonging to a new plasmid family. The second replicon (Rep2) of pRSB105 was classified as a member of the IncP-6 group. While Rep1 confers replication ability only in γ-proteobacteria, Rep2 extents the host range of the plasmid since it is also functional in the β-proteobacterium Ralstonia eutropha. Plasmid pRSB105 harbors the macrolide resistance genes mel and mph, encoding, respectively, a predicted ABC-type efflux permease and a macrolide-2′-phosphotransferase. Erythromycin resistance is mainly attributed to mel, whereas mph contributes to erythromycin resistance to a lesser extent. The second resistance region, represented by an integron-containing Tn402-like element, includes a β-lactam (oxa10) and a trimethoprim (dfrB2) resistance gene cassette. In addition to antibiotic resistance modules, pRSB105 encodes a functional restriction/modification system and two nonresistance regions of unknown function. The presence of different mobile genetic elements that flank resistance and nonresistance modules on pRSB105 indicates that these elements were involved in acquisition of accessory plasmid modules. Comparative genomics of pRSB105 and related plasmids elucidated that pRSB105 evolved by integration of distinct modules from different plasmid sources, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa plasmids, and thus represents a mosaic plasmid.
A five-port direct conversion receiver for software radio applications

The six-port topologies are very suitable for software radio applications where a broadband RF stage can support multi-standard systems. In this paper, we introduce a new five-port architecture for direct conversion receivers with some advantages in compare to the previous structures. The analytical, simulation and the measurement results indicate that the proposed five-port direct receiver is able to perform MQAM and MPSK demodulations successfully.
Disparities in the Use of Breast-Conserving Therapy Among Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

IMPORTANCE Although breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is an accepted modality for treatment of early-stage breast cancer, many women continue to undergo mastectomy. Detailing the factors associated with choice of BCT may assist with overcoming barriers in the use of this treatment modality. OBJECTIVE To conduct a population-based examination of the factors that influence the use of BCT. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Using the National Cancer Data Base, we examined the surgical choices of women with stage T1 or T2 breast cancer treated between 1998 and 2011. Logistic regression analysis conducted between September 19, 2013, and August 26, 2014, was used to assess the multivariate association between patient and facility variables and the probability of undergoing BCT. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Factors associated with the use of BCT. RESULTS A cohort of 727,927 women was identified in the National Cancer Data Base. Use of BCT, determined using odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI, was greater in patients aged 52 to 61 years compared with younger patients (1.14; 1.12-1.15) and in those with the highest educational level (1.16; 1.14-1.19). Rates of BCT were lower in patients without insurance compared with those with private insurance (0.75; 0.72-0.78) and in those with the lowest median income (0.92; 0.90-0.94). Academic cancer programs, US Northeast location, and residence within 27.8 km of a treatment facility were associated with greater BCT rates than were community cancer programs (1.13; 1.11-1.15), Southern location (1.50; 1.48-1.52), and residence farther from a treatment facility (1.25; 1.23-1.27). When comparing BCT use in 1998 with use in 2011, increases were seen across age groups (from 48.2% to 59.7%), in community cancer programs (48.4% in 1998 vs 58.8% in 2011), and in facilities located in the South (45.1% in 1998 vs 55.3% in 2011). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Although the use of BCT has increased during the past 14 years, nonclinical factors, including socioeconomic demographics, insurance, and travel distance to the treatment facility, persist as key barriers to receipt of BCT. Interventions that address these barriers may facilitate further uptake of BCT.
Winners and losers from an announced durable tax hike: Tesla in Denmark

ABSTRACT We study the consumer response and tax revenue implications of the early announcement of a durable good tax. In 2015, the Danish government announced a tax hike on electric vehicles several months before its implementation. There was a dramatic surge in sales of Tesla Model S vehicles just before the tax came into effect, and a dramatic ebb in the months following. We find that the government lost 169 million DKK (23 million Euro) in tax revenue on luxury vehicles by announcing the tax change before its implementation. We further find that speculation played at most a limited role in the Tesla sales surge. In total, final consumers of Teslas gained from the roll-out of the law change by avoiding the new tax.
An Improved Spiral Dynamic Optimization Algorithm With Engineering Application

This paper presents the development of an improved spiral dynamic optimization algorithm with application to nonparametric fuzzy logic modeling of a twin rotor system (TRS). The spiral motion and dynamic step size are generated by a spiral model that produces unique exploration and exploitation strategies of a spiral dynamic algorithm (SDA). However, the algorithm is subjected to settling into local optima at the end of the search process, due to insufficient exploration throughout the search area. An elimination-dispersal strategy of a bacterial foraging algorithm is adopted to solve the problem. The proposed strategy is validated with various benchmark functions and a nonparametric test analysis is performed to evaluate its significant achievement in comparison to the SDA. Moreover, nonlinear dynamic modeling of a TRS in hovering mode is presented and the results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm to solve real-world problems. The result of the modeling work is presented in both time-domain and frequency-domain. It shows how the fuzzy model optimization represents the characteristic behavior of the TRS very well.
Fas expression by tumor stroma is required for cancer eradication

The contribution of molecules such as perforin, IFN-γ (IFNγ), and particularly Fas ligand (FasL) by transferred CD8+ effector T (TE) cells to rejection of large, established tumors is incompletely understood. Efficient attack against large tumors carrying a surrogate tumor antigen (mimicking a “passenger” mutation) by TE cells requires action of IFNγ on tumor stroma cells to avoid selection of antigen-loss variants. Because “cancer-driving” antigens (CDAs) are rarely counterselected, IFNγ may be expected to be dispensable in elimination of cancers by targeting a CDA. Here, initial regression of large, established tumors required neither IFNγ, FasL, nor perforin by transferred CD8+ TE cells targeting Simian Virus (SV) 40 large T as CDA. However, cytotoxic TE cells lacking IFNγ or FasL could not prevent relapse despite retention of the rejection antigen by the cancer cells. Complete tumor rejection required IFNγ-regulated Fas by the tumor stroma. Therefore, TE cells lacking IFNγ or FasL cannot prevent progression of antigenic cancer because the tumor stroma escapes destruction if its Fas expression is down-regulated.
The Žižek reader

Preface: Burning the Bridges by Slavoj Zizek. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part I: Culture. 1. The Undergrowth of Enjoyment. 2. The Obscene Object of Postmodernity. 3. The Spectre of Ideology. 4. Fantasy as a Political Category. 5. Is it Possible to Traverse the Fantasy in Cyberspace? Part II: Woman. 6. Otto Weininger, or 'Woman doesn't Exist'. 7. Courtly Love, or Woman as Thing. 8. There is No Sexual Relationship. 9. Death and the Maiden. Part III: Philosophy. 10. Hegel's 'Logic of Essence' as a Theory of Ideology. 11. Schelling-in-Itself: The Orgasm of Forces. 12. A Hair of the Dog that Bit You. 13. Kant with (or against) Sade. 14. Of Cells and Selves. Slavoj i ek: Bibliography of Worlds in English. Index.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging findings of bone metastasis in patients with prostate cancer.

AIM To evaluate the dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) findings of bone metastasis in prostate cancer patients. METHODS Sixteen men with a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer to bones were examined with DCE-MRI at 1.5 Tesla. The mean contrast agent concentration vs time curves for bone metastasis and normal bone were calculated and K(trans) and ve values were estimated and compared. RESULTS An early significant enhancement (wash-out: n = 6, plateau: n = 8 and persistent: n = 2) was detected in all bone metastases (n = 16). Bone metastasis from prostate cancer showed significant enhancement and high K(trans) and ve values compared to normal bone which does not enhance in the elderly population. The mean K(trans) was 0.101/min and 0.0051/min (P < 0.001), the mean ve was 0.141 and 0.0038 (P < 0.001), for bone metastases and normal bone, respectively. CONCLUSION DCE-MRI and its quantitative perfusion parameters may have a role in improving the detection of skeletal metastasis in prostate cancer patients.
Firms’ Response to Macroeconomic Estimation Errors

Initial Gross Domestic Product (GDP) announcements are important economic signals that convey information on the state of the economy but contain substantial estimation error. We investigate how GDP estimation errors affect firms’ real decisions and profitability. Consistent with theoretical predictions from the literature on macroeconomic signal errors, we find that GDP estimation errors are positively associated with one-quarter-ahead changes in firms’ capital investments, production, inventory, and profitability. Stronger profitability responses to GDP signal errors are observed for firms that are more sensitive to macroeconomic fluctuations. We also observe a reversal in future quarters’ corporate profits, consistent with initial over (under) production being met with declines (increases) in future profitability.
Blood culture and conventional media for vitreous culture in infectious endophthalmitis.

OBJECTIVE To study culture of vitreous fluid specimens in patients with infectious endophthalmitis, using blood culture bottles compared with conventional culture media. MATERIAL AND METHOD Patients with infectious endophthalmitis, occurred within 6 weeks after ocular trauma or intraocular surgery, were prospectively studied. Vitreous fluid specimens were cultured in both blood culture bottles and conventional culture media. The measured outcome is the yield of positive culture and time to positive culture. RESULTS The vitreous fluid culture was positive in 14 of 27 eyes (51.85%). Blood culture bottle was positive in 14 of 14 eyes (100%), whereas conventional culture media was positive in 7 of 14 eyes (50%). Most specimens in both techniques showed positive culture within 24 hours. CONCLUSION Vitreous fluid culture with blood culture bottles is superior to conventional media with statistically significant difference. There was no significant difference in time to positive culture.
Experiences of mentoring in the UK hospitality sector

ABSTRACT The challenges of developing and managing the future generation of hospitality employees and managers has highlighted the value of using mentoring to effectively socialize, support, and nurture human resources. This study examines the experiences of mentors and mentees in the UK hospitality industry using interviews and focus groups. Findings expose the beneficial outcomes of mentoring as well as the forms it can take but also the issues which may arise from this developmental intervention. The value of mentoring is highlighted, in an industry facing significant human resource dilemmas, due to its capacity to enhance the industry's image alongside its typical career development and psychosocial functions.
The Impact of Managerial Leadership Styles on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (An Empirical Study on Female Employees at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah)

This study aimed to identify the influence of different leadership styles (autocratic leadership, democratic leadership, and laissez-faire leadership) on organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) of female administrators at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah. The researcher in this study relied on descriptive analysis and questionnaires as methods of data collection. This study included (1,142) female employees in the female section of KAU’s main campus. The size of sample was (278) members. One interesting finding is that the democratic leadership style accounted for the majority of respondents. Laissez-faire leadership and autocratic leadership styles accounted for the second and third most common styles, respectively. The most striking result to emerge from the data was that (73.8%) of the sample exhibited a high degree of OCB. Furthermore, the impact of laissez-faire leadership style on the OCB was significant (23.2%). By contrast, the autocratic and democratic leadership styles have a marginal effect on OCB. In addition, the study has no statistically significant differences in the administrative leadership styles and OCB attributed to variables (age, education level, and years of experience in current job). This study suggests that the democratic leadership style should be encouraged. Also, effective measures should be taken to appropriately practice autocratic leadership and laissez-fair leadership styles. This study has raised the importance of adherence to high standards in recruiting leaders and the maintenance of a high degree of OCB in females through incentives. Also, it is recommended that the concept of OCB among employees at various administrative levels should be established through workshops.
The why and the wherefore

Through their clearly defined gatekeeper role, GPs have considerable market power to influence the flow of revenue associated with referrals and prescriptions. For this reason, and because the whole healthcare industry is going through a transition from a cottage industry to a more commercially sophisticated structure, corporatisation of general practice is on the increase. If properly and ethically run, corporatised general practices can provide high‐quality, efficient primary cars. There are four far‐reaching, potential consequences of general practice corporatisation — an increase in healthcare spending; limitation of GPs' choice of practice environment; difficulty justifying GPs' legitimate fee increases; and de‐skilling of GPs.