Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The significance of pulmonary nodule in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary nodule in patients with breast cancer is a difficult problem and constitutes a therapeutic challenge. This study questioned the significance of solitary pulmonary nodule in breast cancer patients and compared the survival with patients who had normal thorax tomography. METHODS There were 58 breast cancer patients included in the study. From these, 28 patients had normal preoperative tomography (group 1), and 30 patients had pulmonary nodule less than 1 cm on thorax tomography (group 2). Chi-square and Fisher tests were used for comparisons and Kaplan-Meier test for survival. RESULTS Stage, tumour size, treatment, histology, lymph node involvement, adjuvant therapy, were similar in both groups. We did not find a significant difference in disease-free and overall survival rates, between two groups. CONCLUSIONS For the nodules that show benign properties at tomography, there is no need to do further investigation and no need to change treatment plan in breast cancer patients (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 12). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj. sk.
Contextual Influences on Managerial Attitudes toward Supplier Integration: A Cross-Country Study

Studies show the benefits of supplier integration, yet negative attitudes toward supplier integration may exist that constrain the initiative. The source of these negative attitudes is unclear, however. While literature tends to treat inter-firm management issues, e.g. supplier integration, separately from intra-firm management issues, we posit that with regards to attitudes, one is indicative of the other, and that the firm context influences how this occurs. Specifically, our research proposes that (A) characteristics related to intra-firm integration influence attitudes toward inter-firm integration, and (B) such influences have opposing strengths between the United States (U.S.) and China. Using theory about attitudes from social psychology literature and data from 224 U.S. and 117 Chinese manufacturing managers, our study finds that managerial attitudes toward supplier integration depend on the degree to which a collaborative organizational culture and synchronous manufacturing practices exist within.
PET studies of the effects of aerobic exercise on human striatal dopamine release.

UNLABELLED In vivo microdialysis studies have shown that exercise increases the concentration of dopamine (DA) in the striatum of the rat brain. It has also been shown that PET with [11C]raclopride can be used to assess changes in brain DA induced by drugs and by performance tasks such as playing a video game. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise (treadmill running) on striatal DA release in the human brain. METHODS Twelve healthy volunteers (5 women, 7 men; mean age, 32 +/- 5 y; age range, 25-40 y) with a history of regular exercise received 2 PET scans with [11C]raclopride on 2 separate days, 1 at baseline and 1 at 5-10 min after running on a treadmill for 30 min. The speed and inclination of the treadmill were increased gradually to reach a maximal speed of 9.7 km/h (6 mph) and a maximal inclination of 10degrees. Data were acquired on a Siemens HR+ scanner in 3-dimensional mode for 60 min. Heart rates and electrocardiograms were monitored. DA D2 receptor availability was measured using the ratio of the distribution volume in the putamen to that in the cerebellum, which is a function of the number of available binding sites/dissociation constant. RESULTS The subjects ran at an average speed of 8.7 +/- 0.5 km/h (5.4 +/- 0.3 mph) and at an inclination of 3.3degrees +/- 2degrees. The maximum effort of running was maintained for 10-15 min. The heart rates of the subjects were increased by 143% +/- 47%. DA D2 receptor availability in the putamen after treadmill running (4.22 +/- 0.34) was no different from that of baseline (4.17 +/- 0.29; P < 0.6). CONCLUSION No significant changes in synaptic DA concentration were detected, although the subjects exercised vigorously for 30 min.
Pseudomonas putida KT2440 Strain Metabolizes Glucose through a Cycle Formed by Enzymes of the Entner-Doudoroff, Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas, and Pentose Phosphate Pathways*

Background: Glucose metabolism in many bacteria is based on the standard linear Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway. Results: Pseudomonas putida operates a cycle merging components of the Entner-Doudoroff and pentose phosphate pathways along with gluconeogenic reactions from the upper glycolysis to process glucose (EDEMP cycle). Conclusion: This unusual glycolytic cycle nucleates the central metabolism of P. putida. Significance: The environmental lifestyle of P. putida is reflected in its central metabolic map. The soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 lacks a functional Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, and glycolysis is known to proceed almost exclusively through the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) route. To investigate the raison d'être of this metabolic arrangement, the distribution of periplasmic and cytoplasmic carbon fluxes was studied in glucose cultures of this bacterium by using 13C-labeled substrates, combined with quantitative physiology experiments, metabolite quantification, and in vitro enzymatic assays under both saturating and non-saturating, quasi in vivo conditions. Metabolic flux analysis demonstrated that 90% of the consumed sugar was converted into gluconate, entering central carbon metabolism as 6-phosphogluconate and further channeled into the ED pathway. Remarkably, about 10% of the triose phosphates were found to be recycled back to form hexose phosphates. This set of reactions merges activities belonging to the ED, the EMP (operating in a gluconeogenic fashion), and the pentose phosphate pathways to form an unforeseen metabolic architecture (EDEMP cycle). Determination of the NADPH balance revealed that the default metabolic state of P. putida KT2440 is characterized by a slight catabolic overproduction of reducing power. Cells growing on glucose thus run a biochemical cycle that favors NADPH formation. Because NADPH is required not only for anabolic functions but also for counteracting different types of environmental stress, such a cyclic operation may contribute to the physiological heftiness of this bacterium in its natural habitats.
Poisson stochastic integration in Banach spaces

We prove new upper and lower bounds for Banach space-valued stochastic integrals with respect to a compensated Poisson random measure. Our estimates apply to Banach spaces with non-trivial martingale (co)type and extend various results in the literature. We also develop a Malliavin framework to interpret Poisson stochastic integrals as vector-valued Skorohod integrals, and prove a Clark- Ocone representation formula.
Product type and word of mouth: a dyadic perspective

Purpose – Strong evidence suggests that word‐of‐mouth (WOM) communication varies in its influence according to product type; however, empirical research remains deficient. The purpose of this paper is to propose a procedural model to examine the influence of product type on both the effect and spread of related WOM information at the same time.Design/methodology/approach – Using a self‐administered questionnaire, a sample of 895 consumers across 16 different products was collected; results were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Findings – WOM was found to be more influential and more widely spread for services than for goods. In addition, although the level of receivers' perceived risk (PR) is generally assumed to be a significant antecedent of WOM influence (WI), the results of the study indicate that PR is not a direct function of WI. Instead, WOM request (WR) mediates the effect of PR on WI.Originality/value – To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship betw.
A control switching theory for supervisory control of discrete event systems

In this paper, we introduce the concept of switching from one supervisory control to another one when changes in the state of an embedded sensory network occur. The sensory devices are assumed to be single functional, that is, they are programmed to observe and report only one event. The switching model is built based on the two criteria of language observability and state synchronization. Switching model is the basis for a megacontroller, which monitors the state of the sensory network embedded in the plant as well as the state of the supervisor in charge. Every time the state of this network changes, the megacontroller reconfigures the control system by finding an appropriate supervisor.
LOGISTICS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: AN INTEGRATIVE FRAMEWORK

Research on the external issues that affect logistics management such as the environment, diversity, safety, philanthropy, and human rights has consisted, to date, of separate examination of these matters. This work-to-date has approached these topics as if each was a stand-alone problem with differing drivers, constructs, and resolutions. However, if the research from the general corporate social responsibility literature as well as data from in-depth interviews with logistics managers are examined, we find that these seemingly isolated topics have similar characteristics that logisticians can manage by using a much broader, organization-wide approach to social responsibility. A framework of logistics social responsibility (LSR) is introduced with the goals of helping managers resolve social responsibility issues and providing a guide for future research efforts.
The significance of the amount of myometrial invasion in patients with Stage IB endometrial carcinoma

The 1988 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system for endometrial carcinoma defined Stage IB as disease with invasion of less than one‐half of the myometrium, although most of the data on prognostic factors are based on invasion of the inner one‐third, middle one‐third, or outer one‐third of the myometrium. The objective of this study was to determine whether the depth of myometrial invasion is correlated with outcome in patients with Stage IB endometrial carcinoma.
Vasopressin facilitates glycinergic and GABAergic synaptic transmission in developing hypoglossal motoneurons

The hypoglossal nucleus of young rats contains vasopressin binding sites and vasopressin can directly excite hypoglossal motoneurons. In addition, indirect evidence suggests that vasopressin can enhance the synaptic input to motoneurons. We have characterized this latter effect by using brainstem slices and whole‐cell recordings. We found that, in the presence of blockers of fast glutamatergic transmission, vasopressin strongly facilitated inhibitory synaptic activity. On average, vasopressin caused a six‐fold increase in the frequency and a 1.5‐fold increase in the amplitude of GABAergic postsynaptic currents. The effect of vasopressin on glycinergic postsynaptic currents was similar in magnitude. Vasopressin did not affect the frequency of GABAergic or glycinergic miniature postsynaptic currents, indicating that the peptide‐induced facilitation of inhibitory transmission was mediated by receptors located on the somatodendritic region rather than on axon terminals of presynaptic neurons. The pharmacological profile of these receptors was determined by using d[Cha4]AVP and dVDAVP, selective agonists of V1b and V2 vasopressin receptors, respectively, and Phaa‐D‐Tyr‐(Et)‐Phe‐Gln‐Pro‐Arg‐Arg‐NH2, a selective antagonist of V1a vasopressin receptors. The two agonists had no effect on the frequency of inhibitory postsynaptic currents. By contrast, the antagonist suppressed the vasopressin‐induced facilitation of these currents, indicating that the receptors involved were exclusively of the V1a type. Thus, vasopressin exerts a dual action on hypoglossal motoneurons: a direct excitatory action and an indirect action mediated by GABAergic and glycinergic synapses. By virtue of this dual effect, vasopressin could alter the input–output properties of these motoneurons. Alternatively, it could play a role in generating or modulating specific motor patterns.
Microinsurance that works for women : making gender-sensitive microinsurance programs

Led by the Women's World Banking and the Zurich Insurance Company, this research is intended to generate discussion of a gendered approach to microinsurance. While insurance companies are beginning to design and deliver a variety of products to the poor, the paper focuses primarily on health and life insurance because these two risks typically are reported to exert significant financial pressure on poor women. The authors explore how health and life microinsurance could be designed to more effectively respond to women's needs, and offer practical advice to insurance companies for delivering such schemes. They conclude with a call to action for insurance companies, delivery channels, researchers and donors to make insurance more gender-sensitive, which will serve the dual mission of poverty alleviation and profitability.
Do All Systems Age Together?

Background: Aging changes in different body system are well described, but few studies have considered the relationship between them. Objective: The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the interrelationships between markers of aging in different parts of the body. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Structural and functional markers of aging were measured in a number of different body systems. Results: Conditional independence analysis demonstrated that the aging markers selected clustered into two groups, either related to chronological age or adult height. Visual acuity, lens opacity, hearing threshold, cognitive decline, and the number of teeth were associated with age, while systolic blood pressure and skin thickness were related to height. Grip strength was associated with both. Conclusions: The differential associations of the aging markers with chronological age and adult height suggest that different systems do not age together. This may have relevance for understanding what underlies aging, and these preliminary findings now require replication in other aging cohorts.
Undetected Posttraumatic Instability of “Stable” Thoracolumbar Fractures

A review of 106 consecutive patients who had operative stabilization of thoracolumbar fractures revealed that 16 patients had surgery 4 months to 13 years after injury, for chronic instability. In these 16 patients, there were 8 wedge-compression fractures, 6 flexion-distraction injuries, 1 burst fracture, and 1 fracture-dislocation. All six patients with flexion-distraction injuries and the two patients with either a burst fracture or a fracture-dislocation had good results. Only two of the eight patients with wedge-compression fractures had good results. We concluded from this study that: (a) instability that presents without a progressive spinal deformity may go unrecognized; (b) all types of spine fractures can produce chronic, painful instability; and (c) poor results predominate in wedge-compression fractures operated more than 13 months after injury, regardless of the type of surgical treatment rendered.
How brand oriented dynamic capabilities affect market share performance output: A resource-based theory approach

Resource-based theory (RBT) posits that firm performance is the result of how firms manipulate their resources and dynamic capabilities to achieve performance goals. Research to date has not synthesized the relationship between branding, differentiation (as a marketing construct), and market share (as a performance metric). This is surprising given both the relatively large amount of academic research in each of these three areas, and the emphasis placed on each by industry practitioners. We bridge this gap in the extant literature by empirically validating the relationship between these phenomena and find that brand oriented dynamic capabilities have limited effect on performance metric - market share. These findings are useful for both academics and practitioners because they address new and future research. In doing so, we advance the firm performance and branding literature with extension in the resource-based theory.
Comparing Co-Determinants Affection on Stock Return: Focusing Business Strategies

The present study investigates the impact of assets' age and business strategies on the relationship between the growth of assets and the operational performance of the companies. Stock return is considered to be the representatives of the operational performance of the companies. For this purpose, a sample including 86 companies listed at Tehran's stock exchange during the 2006 and 2010 has been studied. By doing hierarchical cluster analysis, the companies were categorized into two clusters of cost leadership and product differentiation. In order to analyze and examine the relationship between the variables in our study, the approaches of balanced panel data and Estimated Generalized Least Square (EGLS) were used. The results show that there's a significant relationship between and the assets' age operational performance of the companies. These findings underline the influence of the variables of the assets' age and business strategies on the relationship between growth of the assets and the performance of the companies. These results indicate that the impact of factors on the growth of assets in the companies with older assets is more intensive. From the other hand, the findings show that the impact of the growth of the assets in the companies following the product differentiation approach is negative.
Lack of the NS5B S282T Mutation in HCV Isolates from Liver Tissue of Treatment-Naive Patients with HCV Genotype-1b Infection

Background Despite the availability of several direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) specifically inhibiting different HCV proteins, treatment of chronic HCV infection is still a challenge also because of the possible selection of resistant viral variants under DAA therapy. Indeed, only the emergence of viruses resistant to the nucleoside inhibitors of the HCV NS5B polymerase (Pol) has not yet been reported, in spite of the fact that in vitro studies have clearly shown that an S282T amino acid change in the Pol protein may confer resistance to these drugs. On the basis of a previous study showing that viral variants resistant to HCV protease inhibitors are largely present in the liver – but not in the serum – of untreated patients, we investigated the possible natural occurrence of viral populations with the S282T change in the Pol protein, analysing viral isolates from liver and serum of HCV genotype-1b treatment-naive patients. Methods HCV-1b isolates from liver specimens and serum samples of 10 chronic hepatitis C patients were analysed by cloning and sequencing. Results The S282T mutation was not found in any of the viral isolates from either liver or serum samples of all the cases, although an S282G mutation of unknown virological/clinical relevance was detected in 2/19 liver isolates from one patient. Conclusions Our study confirms that the natural selection of the S282T mutation is a rare event, thus explaining the lack of emergence and takeover of these variants under drug pressure.
Comparing perceptions of marketing communication channels

Purpose – The purpose of this study is threefold: To compare many old and new media channels in terms of a range of attributes such as perceived intrusiveness, reliability, trustworthiness, convenience, and entertainment value. To compare the perceived relative effectiveness of alternative communication channels in terms of how a marketing proposition is evaluated by recipients and thus to establish whether some channels are better than others for achieving engagement and persuasion. To additionally survey the senders of marketing communications, to examine potential differences between how senders think recipients perceive each channel and what recipients actually perceive. Moreover, it is proposed that the survey be conducted in both consumer and business markets.Design/methodology/approach – First, in a survey, the channels are compared from the perspective of both receivers and senders of marketing communications and additionally from that of consumer and business markets. Second, by means of experime.
The Role of Social Presence and Moderating Role of Computer Self-Efficacy in Predicting the Continuance Usage of E-Learning Systems

The continuous growth of the electronic learning (e-learning) market has drawn a lot of discussion about the effectiveness of virtual learning environments (VLE). The initial emphasis of e-learning in the context of information technology skills training continues to be relevant. The success of an e-learning program in information technology (IT) may require users to be equipped with a certain degree of computer self-efficacy and affect for information systems. These factors may, in turn, influence the satisfaction level of online learners and their intention to continue using the e-learning system. Therefore, it is plausible that these factors may be as important as or more important than the design of an effective VLE in an IT context. This paper blends the Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE) and Expectation-Confirmation Models (ECM), and assesses their applicability on the intention of online learners who continue using the e-learning system as a vehicle to assimilate IT skills. Second, it theorizes the causal relationship of the factors of Perceived Usefulness, Confirmation, Satisfaction, and IS Continuance in the e-learning context. Finally, it assesses the relative importance of social presence in helping online learners to prevail over the online asynchronous environment. Our results indicate that, in the context of assimilating IT skills, there is not a significant relationship among the CSE of online learners, their perceived usefulness, confirmation, and satisfaction level. As a moderating factor, computer self-efficacy does not have significant influence on learning outcomes. For knowledge long transfer, social presence was shown to have an effect in different VLEs.
Cloud Computing: TOE Adoption Factors By Service Model In Manufacturing

Cloud Computing: Toe Adoption Factors By Service Model In Manufacturing By Michael R. McKinnie May 2016 Committee Chair: Karen D. Loch Major Academic Unit: Executive Doctorate in Business Organizations are adopting cloud technologies for two primary reasons: to reduce costs and to enhance business agility. The pressure to innovate, reduce costs and respond quickly to changes in market demand brought about by intense global competition has U.S. manufacturing firms turning to cloud computing as an enabling strategy. Cloud computing is a service based information technology model that enables on-demand access to a shared pool of computing services provisioned over a broadband network. Cloud is categorized across three primary service models, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS), differentiated by the cloud provider’s level of responsibility for managing hardware services, development platforms and application services. While prior research in cloud computing has sought to define the concept and explore the business value, empirical studies in the Information Systems literature stream are sparse, limited to exploratory case studies and SaaS research. Using the Technology, Organization, and Environment framework as a theoretical foundation, this research provides a holistic cloud adoption model inclusive of all cloud service layers. The study