Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of BRCA1/2 somatic mutations in patients with pancreatic cancer in Girona: a population-based study

Background and Aims ─ Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal of malignancies and entails major health burden. The highly heterozygous nature of pancreatic cancer is partially responsible for its late diagnosis, therapeutic ineffectiveness and resistance. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 gene mutations (which prevent DNA repair by homologous recombination) have been widely studied in patients with hereditary syndromes as predisposing factors for developing Pancreatic Cancer, as well as possible predictive factors for response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Even so, few information concerning BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 somatic mutations in Pancreatic Cancer is available. Knowledge about BRCA1/2 somatic mutations in Pancreatic Cancer may allow us to identify subgroups of patients with distinct biologic and therapeutic outcome. The aim of our study is to analyse the prevalence of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma with BRCA somatic mutation in Girona’s province; to explore if there are significant differences in survival at 5 years between pancreatic cancer patients with or without BRCA1/2 somatic mutations; and, finally, to evaluate if patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy compared with patients that did not receive platinum agents related with the presence or absence of BRCA1/2 somatic mutations , had an improvement of probability of overall survival at 36 months. Methods ─ We present a retrospective cohort trial that will enrol patients diagnosed of pancreatic cancer registered on the Girona’s Cancer Registry; 1407 patients will be enrolled from 1994 to 2012 using a non-probabilistic sampling. The mutation analyses will be done through PCR techniques and Next Generation Sequencing in all the available tumour samples. We will estimate the prevalence of BRCA1/2 somatic mutations in Girona’s province using a descriptive-univariate analysis. The 5-year survival rate will be studied on patients with pancreatic cancer harbouring BRCA1/2 mutations (n=191) and patients that do not present the tumour mutation (n=191). Besides, we will analyse the probability of survival at 36 months in Pancreatic Cancer patients harbouring BRCA1/2 somatic mutations and patients that do not present the mutation, that had been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (n=190) or with non-platinum (n=190). The primary outcome measure will be the overall survival which will be analysed through bivariate and multivariate analyses
Metal pollution in marine sediments of selected harbours and industrial areas along the Red Sea coast of Egypt

A study of the geochemistry and texture of marine surface-sediments in selected areas along the Red Sea coast was conducted in order to assess the possible influence of human activities on the composition of the sediments, to test for anomalous enrichments in heavy metals, and to evaluate and quantify metal release into the sea. Surface sediments reveal extremely high total concentrations of Zn (average 21.35 ppm) in Quseir Harbour, Cu (avg. 76.74 ppm) in El-Esh area, Pb (avg. 21.56 ppm and avg. 19.54 ppm) in Safaga and Hurghada Harbours, respectively, as well as Ni (avg. 38.37 ppm), Co (avg. 6.84 ppm) and Cd (avg. 1.33 ppm) in Safaga Harbour. Some samples show very high values of Cu (366 ppm) at El-Esh area. Our results indicate that the main sources of metals in the marine environments are of anthropogenic origin. In addition, trace metals are initially supplied to these areas from terrestrial sources via wadis or the atmosphere, and from biological activity in the sea. The obtained findings will be useful for the management and sus tainable development of the areas in question.
An Investigation into the Smithian System of Sympathy: from Cognition to Emotion

The paper aims to offer a characterization of Adam Smith's concept of sympathy. After having made it explicit that Smithian sympathy, strictly speaking, possesses an emotional content, it is shown, in the first section of the paper, that it relies on a complex cognitive process (the “imaginary change of situation”) which enables one to conceive of others’ sentiments. Of course, Smith’s aim, with his system of sympathy, was not to explain how we manage to conceive of others’ feelings but rather how we come to be affected by them. This cognitive process constitutes, therefore, just one step, the next step being to highlight how we move from the cognitive to the emotional realm. It is argued that such a movement relies on the concept of “force of conception” which allows for our conception of others’ feelings to give rise to an emotion being experienced that is related to others’ situations. In the second section, the paper offers a characterization of the emotional result that arises from Smith’s imaginary change of situation. We do so by highlighting the influence of the cognitive realm on the emotional realm, through the role of the force of conception. After having highlighted two properties of Smith’s imaginary change of situation it is shown that it systematically leads the spectator to feel an emotion distinct from the one felt by the person with whom he identifies.
Sunspots and Monetary Policy Jagjit Chadha

A monetary economy subject to expectational sunspots is prone to instability, in the sense of multiple rational expectations equilibria. We show how to modify the policy rule to guarantee stability in the presence of expectational sunspots. The policy-maker must co-ordinate ination dynamics by targeting each of lagged, current and expected ination. We show that this solution maps directly into the timeless perspective by Woodford. Finally, we trace the responses in an arti cial sunspot economy to the adoption of our rule and illustrate the extent to which macroeconomic persistence is reduced. JEL classi cation: C62; C63; E00.
Long-Distance Modulation of Sensory Encoding via Axonal Neuromodulation

The neuromodulatory system plays a critical role in sensorimotor system function and animal behavior. Its influence on axons, however, remains enigmatic although axons possess receptors for a plethora of modulators, and pathologies of the neuromodulatory system impair neuronal communication. The most dramatic neuromodulatory effect on axons is ectopic spiking, a process common to many systems and neurons during which action potentials are elicited in the axon trunk and travel antidromically towards the site of sensory transduction. We argue that ectopic action potentials modify sensory encoding by invading the primary spike initiation zone in the periphery. This is a particularly intriguing concept, since it allows the modulatory system to alter sensory information processing. We demonstrate that aminergic modulation of a proprioceptive axon that elicits spontaneous ectopic action potentials changes spike frequency, which determines the burst behavior of the proprioceptor. Increasing ectopic spike frequency delayed the peripheral burst, caused reductions in spike number and burst duration, and changes in sensory firing frequency. Computational models show these effects depend on slow ionic conductances to modulate membrane excitability. Thus, axonal neuromodulation provides a means to rapidly influence sensory encoding without directly or locally affecting the sites of stimulus reception and spike initiation.
Stable Parameter Identification Evaluation of Volatility

Using the dual Black-Scholes partial differential equation, Dupire [6] derived an explicit formula, involving the ratio of partial derivatives of the evolving fair value of a European call option (ECO), for recovering information about its variable volatility. Because the prices, as a function of maturity and strike, are only available as discrete noisy observations, the evaluation of Dupire’s formula reduces to being an ill-posed numerical differentiation problem, complicated by the need to take the ratio of derivatives. In order to illustrate the nature of ill-posedness, a simple finite difference scheme is first used to approximate the partial derivatives. A new method is then proposed which reformulates the determination of the volatility, from the partial differential equation defining the fair value of the ECO, as a parameter identification activity. By using the weak formulation of this equation, the problem is localized to a subregion on which the volatility surface can be approximated by a constant or a constant multiplied by some known shape function which models the local shape of the volatility function. The essential regularization is achieved through the localization, the choice of the analytic weight function, and the application of integration-by-parts to the weak formulation to transfer the differentiation of the discrete data to the differentiation of the analytic weight function.
Evidence of a Starburst within 9 Parsecs of the Active Nucleus of NGC 1097

We report evidence of a recent burst of star formation located within 9 pc of the active nucleus of NGC 1097. The observational signatures of the starburst include UV absorption lines and continuum emission from young stars observed in a small-aperture Hubble Space Telescope spectrum. The burst is ≤ a few × 106 yr old, has a mass of ~106 M☉, an observed luminosity of 1.5 × 107 L☉, and is obscured by AV ≈ 3 mag. The importance of this finding is twofold: (1) the proximity of the starburst to the active nucleus and thus its possible association with it, and (2) its obscuration by and apparent association with a dusty absorbing medium, while the broad emission lines appear unobscured, suggesting that the starburst could be embedded in a circumnuclear torus as predicted in the unified model of active galactic nuclei.
Chinese FDI strategy in Italy: the 'Marco Polo' effect

This study investigates the motivations driving Chinese outward direct investment to Italy. The analysis is based on secondary sources and in-depth interviews with key informants and senior managers of Chinese affiliates in Italy. The evolution of the Chinese firms' pattern of entry in Italy confirms the model followed by Chinese firms in other European countries, but we obtain some additional interesting results. Chinese investments in Italy are increasingly targeting the acquisition of technological capabilities and of design skills and brands to tap local competences available in specialised manufacturing clusters in sectors such as automotives and home appliances. They try to link, leverage and learn from foreign acquisitions. The main industries of specialisation of Chinese OFDI in Italy reflect this approach and appear to be related to China's strategy to increase the sophistication of its exports and to move away from standardised commodities and intermediate manufactures and components.
Interannual variability of alongshore spring bloom dynamics in a coastal sea caused by the differential influence of hydrodynamics and light climate

Abstract. Timing and spatial distribution of phytoplankton blooms in coastal oceans are highly variable. The interactions of various biological and physical factors leading to the observed variability are complex and remain poorly understood. We present an example for distinct differences in the spatio-temporal chlorophyll a (CHL- a ) distribution on an interannual scale, integrating high-frequency data from an autonomous measuring device (FerryBox), which operated on an alongshore route in the coastal German Bight (North Sea). While in one year the distribution of CHL- a was spatially homogeneous (2004), a bloom only developed in one part of the transect in the following spring period (2005). We use a one-dimensional Lagrangian particle tracking model, which operates along the mean current direction, combined with a NPZ-model to identify the mechanisms controlling the observed interannual bloom variability on the alongshore transect. Our results clearly indicate that in 2004 the local light climate determined the spatial and temporal dynamics of the spring bloom. In contrast, the import of a water mass with elevated CHL- a concentrations from the adjacent Southern Bight triggered the spring bloom in 2005. The inflow event did, however, not last long enough to spread the bloom into the eastern part of the study area, where high turbidity prevented local phytoplankton growth. The model identifies two interacting mechanisms, light climate and hydrodynamics, that controlled the alongshore dynamics. Especially the occurrence of a pronounced spring bloom despite unfavourable light conditions in 2005 underlines the need to carefully consider hydrodynamics to understand the dynamics of the plankton community in coastal environments.
INFLUENCE OF ARTICULATOR AND MANNER ON STIFFNESS

Comparatively little is known about the role that the speed of different articulatory movements plays in speech production. Using 3D Electromagnetic Articulography, the present experiment analyzes articulatory data from Moroccan Arabic for independent influences of oral articulator and manner on stiffness, an important property of articulator movement. Tongue back movements were found to have lower stiffness than those of the tongue tip or lower lip. No differences based on manner were found. Relevance to phonetics and phonology is discussed.
Tracking errors in 2D multiple particle tracking microrheology

Tracking errors due to particles moving in and out of the focal plane are a fundamental problem of multiple particle tracking microrheology. Here, we present a new approach to treat these errors so that a statistically significant number of particle trajectories with reasonable length are received, which is important for an unbiased analysis of multiple particle tracking data from inhomogeneous fluids. Starting from Crocker and Grier’s tracking algorithm, we identify particle displacements between subsequent images as artificial jumps; if this displacement deviates more than four standard deviations from the mean value, trajectories are terminated at such positions. In a further processing step, trajectories separated by a time gap Δτmax ? > are merged based on an adaptive search radius criterion accounting for individual particle mobility. For a series of Newtonian fluids covering the viscosity range 6–1300 mPa s, this approach yields the correct viscosity but also results in a viscosity-independent number of trajectories equal to the average number of particles in an image with a minimum length covering at least two orders of magnitude in time. This allows for an unbiased characterization of heterogeneous fluids. For a Carbopol ETD 2050 solution we recover the expected broad variation of particle mobility. Consistent with the widely accepted structural model of highly swollen microgel particles suspended in a polymer solution, we find about 2/3 of the tracers are elastically trapped.
The Sources of Growth in the Former SFRY Countries: Comparative Analysis

The topic of this paper is comparative analysis of the economic growth in the former SFRY countries. The paper is primarily devoted to the analysis of the sources of economic growth in these countries. In this regard, apart from conventional decomposition of growth (contributions of capital, labor and total factor productivity), the demand and the industry composition sides of the sources-of-growth analyses have also been considered. Furthermore, the reserves for further rise in GDP per capita have been identified and estimated on the basis of obtained results. Special attention has been paid to possible increase in the total factor productivity induced by the advance in “broader knowledge” as well as to increase in the labor participation rate. Institutional and policy prerequisites for realization of these reserves of growth are also briefly analysed.
DOES OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE INFLUENCE FIRM PERFORMANCE? EMPIRICAL INSIGHTS FROM AN EMERGING MARKET

This paper examines empirically the question of whether ownership structure leads to improvements in firm performance in an emerging market like Nigeria. The institutional climate in Nigeria differs from that of many industrialized economies in several ways, including a weak corporate control market, a strong concentrated ownership and weak investor protection. We utilize data on 73 firms, allowing us to discriminate between alternative hypotheses and to answer causal research questions on the relationship between ownership structure and firm performance. The results for concentrated ownership structure suggest that concentrated ownership has negative and insignificant impact on firm performance, which lend some credence to the entrenchment effects. Overall, the evidence supports the view that foreign ownership can be an effective mechanism to impact and thus ameliorate performance and, moreover, highlights the importance of assessing firm performance across alternative governance structures.
BOARD CHARACTERISTICS AND FIRM PERFORMANCE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM TURKEY

The objective of this study is to examines the relationship between board characteristics and firm performance. The study used data of 146 public listed firms in Istanbul stock exchange for the period of 2011-2015. The study utilised cross sectional time-series feasible generalized least squire regression, which count for autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity to examine the influence of board characteristics in firm performance in Turkey. This study results reflect that board attributes proxies by interlocking directorship, education level and board size improve firm performance. This study finds insignificant relationship between independent directors and firm performance. The finding of this study has policy and practical implication on corporate governance. For example, future regulation reforms might consider board attributes instead of the concentrate on more independent directors to work in the board of directors.
Bilingualism enhances attentional control in non-verbal conflict tasks – evidence from ex-Gaussian analyses*

Bilinguals have been found to possess cognitive advantages. But the nature of this advantage is unclear. While some evidence suggests that bilinguals have developed enhanced inhibitory control abilities, other evidence suggests that they possess enhanced attentional control abilities. In the current study, English monolingual and English–Chinese bilingual young adults were tested in three non-verbal conflict tasks (Flanker task, Spatial Stroop task and Simon task). Ex-Gaussian analyses were utilized to inspect response time distributions. The two participant groups showed comparable effects of stimulus-response congruency on the Gaussian part of response distributions (μ), but different effects on the distribution tails (τ), with reduced tails for bilingual speakers particularly in the more demanding incongruent condition. These results suggest that bilingual advantage emerges from better sustained attention and attentional monitoring rather than inhibition. We also discuss the usefulness of ex-Gaussian analyses.
A model for the J-V characteristics of P3HT:PCBM solar cells

Current-voltage (J-V) characteristics of an organic bulk heterojunction solar cell have been modeled and compared with the measured characteristics of solar cell based on the blend of poly(3-hexylethiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl [6,6] C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). In an undoped organic double Schottky junction diode, for V<Vbi the electric field remains constant and is given by (Vbi−V)/d, where Vbi is the built-in voltage, V is the applied voltage, and d is sample thickness. We considered the effect of this constant electric field on the charge carrier transport and solved the drift and diffusion equations to model the J-V characteristics. For V<Vbi the current is found to be dominated by diffusion. A comparison of the theoretical results with the experimental data measured in dark and under different illumination intensities shows good agreement.
Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Annual and Perennial Biofuel Cropping Systems

Agronomy Journa l • Volume 110 , I s sue 6 • 2018 The transportation sector contributes 28% of total GHG emissions in the United States (USEPA, 2014). A number of strategies are proposed to reduce GHG emissions in this sector, including the partial substitution of biofuels for fossil fuels. To encourage the implementation of biofuels in the United States, Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) in 2007 which included a mandate for the production of 60 billion liters per year (16 billion gallons) of cellulosic ethanol by 2022 (US Congress, 2007). Potential feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol include agricultural residues such as corn or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stover as well as dedicated energy crops. Dedicated energy crops could include annual crops such as photoperiod-sensitive sorghum and perennial grasses such as switchgrass and miscanthus (USDOE, 2011). Photoperiod-sensitive sorghum does not produce grain at most latitudes in the United States, providing high lignocellulosic yield potentials compared to most grain and forage sorghum varieties (Propheter et al., 2010). Photoperiod-sensitive sorghum commonly yields 20 to 30 Mg ha–1 in the Midwest and Great Plains with yields reported as great as 35 Mg ha–1 (Propheter et al., 2010; Maughan et al., 2012; Roozeboom et al., 2018). Perennial grass yields also can be high. Previous studies in the United States report average switchgrass yields from 9 to 13 Mg ha–1 and miscanthus yields reaching up to 30 to 60 Mg ha–1 (Heaton et al., 2008; Wullschleger et al., 2010). In the central Great Plains, 10-yr average yields of switchgrass and miscanthus were 11 and 14 Mg ha–1, respectively (Roozeboom et al., 2018). The high productivity of dedicated energy crops could make them an important feedstock for biofuel production. Even though biofuels are a promising alternative fuel source, substantial quantities of GHGs are emitted throughout the biofuel production cycle. To ensure that these emissions do not offset the mitigative capacity of biofuel production as mandated in the EISA, the act stipulates that cellulosic biofuels must have GHG emissions 60% less than those of conventional fossil fuels (US Congress, 2007). This mandate highlights the need to accurately estimate GHG emissions associated with the production and use of biofuels to ensure that they are actually reducing GHG emissions relative to conventional fossil fuels. Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Annual and Perennial Biofuel Cropping Systems
Afghan EFL Lecturers’ Assessment Practices in the Classroom

: The current study is conducted with the aim to explore the practices and perceptions of Afghan EFL lecturers toward assessment. A second aim of the study is to explore the challenges the lecturers encounter in the implementation of formative assessments in their classes. To serve these basic objectives, a qualitative case study method design was employed with three English language lectures as the participants. Semi-structured interviews were used as the main instrument to collect data. The findings of the study indicated that all three lecturers maintained positive perceptions toward formative assessment and favored it over summative assessment. However, the study also discovered that the lecturers practice summative assessments more than formative assessments in their classrooms. This, as indicated by the lecturers, was due to the fact that their choices of employing certain assessment practices were dictated in terms of certain challenges such as university rules and policies, large classes, and time constraints. Lastly, some suggestions are made that may prove useful to effectively apply formative assessment in Afghan EFL context.