Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methylation of the calcium channel-related gene, CACNA2D3, is frequent and a poor prognostic factor in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The calcium channel voltage-dependent alpha2delta subunit consists of 4 genes, CACNA2D1 to CACNA2D4, of which CACNA2D2 and CACNA2D3 are located on 3p21.3 and 3p21.1, respectively. Here, we examined the relation between alpha2delta subunit gene alterations and gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS The expression and methylation status of the alpha2delta subunit genes were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and methylation-specific PCR in gastric cancers (GCs). The effects of CACNA2D3 expression were examined by cell proliferation and adhesion assays, and they predicted target gene alterations. RESULTS Aberrant methylation of CACNA2D1 and CACNA2D3 mostly corresponded to their expression status in GC cell lines. CACNA2D1/3 methylation was detected in 10 (12.5%) and 24 (30%) of the 80 GC cases, respectively, but no CACNA2D2 methylation was seen in 32 cases. CACNA2D3 methylation was more frequently found in diffuse type than in intestinal type (16/38 [42.1%] vs 8/42 [19.0%]; P = .025) GCs. Among the 53 patients with advanced GCs, patients with cancers showing CACNA2D3 methylation had a significantly shorter survival time than patients without this methylation (P = .003). Exogenous CACNA2D3 expression strongly inhibited cell growth and adhesion and up-regulated p21 and p27 expression in HEK-293T and NUGC4 cells. Inverse effects were seen by CACNA2D3 small interfering RNA treatment in the CACNA2D3-positive cell lines, indicating that CACNA2D3 may have tumor suppressive functions. CONCLUSIONS Loss of CACNA2D3 expression through aberrant promoter hypermethylation may contribute to gastric carcinogenesis, and CACNA2D3 methylation is a useful prognostic marker for patients with advanced GC.
Peripheral blood and synovial fluid monocyte expression of interleukin 1 alpha and 1 beta during active rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mononuclear cell (MNC) types from peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) expressing interleukin-1 beta and -1 alpha (IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha). METHODS PB and SF MNC from 16 patients with classical or definite RA and controls were analyzed by flow cytometry for IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha staining. RESULTS MNC from normal individuals do not stain for either IL-1 beta or IL-1 alpha. By contrast, PB and SF CD14+ monocytes from patients with active RA show significant staining for surface and intracellular IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha. Furthermore, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) correlates with the surface expression of IL-1 alpha (r = 0.52, p < 0.05) while the number of active joints (i.e., tender and/or swollen) correlate with the intracellular expression of IL-1 beta (r = 0.58, p < 0.03) in CD14+ monocytes. CONCLUSION The analysis of IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha expression on CD14+ monocytes from peripheral blood by flow cytometry could be a potential immunological marker of disease activity in RA and its variation could be used to monitor the effects of therapy.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with sputum smear‐negative pulmonary tuberculosis using a polymerase chain reaction assay

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens of patients suspected of having active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) but who were sputum smear‐negative. Patients undergoing investigation for suspected pulmonary TB at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, and who were sputum smear‐negative underwent fibreoptic bronchoscopy and BAL. One portion of each lavage specimen was submitted for smear examination for acid‐fast bacilli and mycobacterial culture and the other portion assayed by PCR for the presence of a 562‐base pair DNA segment belonging to the insertion sequence IS986, unique to the M. tuberculosis complex. As controls, lavage specimens from patients with other lung lesions were also similarly tested. The PCR assay gave a positivity rate of 80.9% (55 of 68) compared with 8.8% of smear examination and 7.4% of culture for detecting M. tuberculosis in BAL specimens. The assay was positive in two of 45 BAL specimens from 35 control subjects. The PCR assay was more sensitive than smear and culture in detecting M. tuberculosis in BAL specimens of patients with sputum smear‐negative pulmonary TB.
Social Acceptability in Ecosystem Management

Standards in recreation settings refer to levels of impact which are defined as acceptable. Standards are established for different "indicators," or variables which reflect various impact levels, and they have become a central idea in several recreation planning frameworks, focusing management attention on quality and future conditions. For all their usefulness, however, there is little information about how good standards should be developed: the criterion for choosing indicator variables for which standards are set, the characteristics of good standards, or the sources of good standards. This paper examines each of these issues. Discussion suggests that indicator variables should be specific, measurable, sensitive to change, correlate with and respond to alternative management actions, integrate well with several impacts or conditions, and significantly affect the environment or experience being provided. Good standards should be like good objectives: quantifiable, timebounded, attainable, and output-oriented. The sources for good standards begin with broad laws or policy mandates, and may then include managers' professional judgement, scientific research, public involvement, and representative surveys of users, each with various advantages and problems.
International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party on red cell immunogenetics and blood group terminology: Berlin report

J. R. Storry, L. Castilho, G. Daniels, W. A. Flegel, G. Garratty, C. L. Francis, J. M. Moulds, J. J. Moulds, M. L. Olsson, J. Poole, M. E. Reid, P. Rouger, E. van der Schoot, M. Scott, E. Smart, Y. Tani, L. -C. Yu, S. Wendel, C. Westhoff, V. Yahalom & T. Zelinski Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University and Regional Laboratories, Lund, Sweden University of Campinas ⁄ Hemocentro, Campinas, Brazil Bristol Institute for Transfusion Sciences and IBGRL, NHSBT, Bristol, UK NIH Clinical Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA American Red Cross Blood Services, Pomona, CA, USA New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA LifeShare Blood Centers, Shreveport, LA, USA Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden Centre National de Référence pour les Groupes sanguines, Paris, France Sanquin Research at CLB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Durban, South Africa Osaka Red Cross Blood Center, Osaka, Japan Mackay Memorial Hospital and National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Blood Bank, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, São Paulo, Brazil NBGRL Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel Rh Laboratory, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Boosted and LinkedMixtures of HMMs for Brain-Machine Interfaces

We propose two algorithms that decompose the joint likelihood of observing multidimensional neural input data into marginal likelihoods. The first algorithm, boosted mixtures of hidden Markov chains (BMs-HMM), applies techniques from boosting to create implicit hierarchic dependencies between these marginal subspaces. The second algorithm, linked mixtures of hidden Markov chains (LMs-HMM), uses a graphical modeling framework to explicitly create the hierarchic dependencies between these marginal subspaces. Our results show that these algorithms are very simple to train and computationally efficient, while also reducing the input dimensionality for brain-machine interfaces (BMIs).
Common Risk Factors and the Macroeconomy: New Evidence from the Japanese Stock Market

Using new data on returns and risk factors the paper considers the stock performance on the Japanese market, which is the second largest in the world and operates under unique macroeconomic conditions. We find that the CAPM model is not an adequate approach for the Japanese market. The Carhart model performs reasonably well but fails to reject the null hypothesis of a zero intercept for the full period. Extended tests reveal a structural change in asset prices in the year 1998. When separating the sample into two periods, the standard four factor model explains market returns much better. We show that the relation between stock returns and risk factors is affected by macroeconomic conditions, especially when considering the momentum strategy. The Japanese case illustrates the necessity of considering structural instability related to the macroeconomic development, which is especially important for countries and time periods with a sluggish economy.
Human Resource Strategy: A Behavioral Perspective for the General Manager

Part 1 Understanding Behavior in Organizations: Basic Theoretical Orientations1 The Effective Management of People: An Introduction and Point-of-View2 Some Basic Theory about Ability, Motivation, and OpportunityPart 2: Human Resource Systems: What the General Manager Should Know3: Human Resource Systems: A Look at the Possibilities4: Reward and Compensation Systems5: Staffing Systems6: Employee and Career Development Systems7: Performance Management SystemsPart 3: Aligning HR with Business Strategy8: The Link to Business Strategy and Firm Performance9: Sustained Competitive Advantage through Inimitable HR Practices10: Domestic and International Labor Markets11: The Equal Employment and Labor Relations EnvironmentPart 4: Designing HR Systems for Specific Business SituationsIllustration 1: HR Systems for the Customer Contact TierIllustration 2: HR Systems for TQM-Oriented Manufacturing TeamsIllustration 3: HR Systems for Financial Services SalesIllustration 4: HR Systems for Project-Development Teams: Writing for TelevisionIllustration 5: HR Systems for Marketing Managers in Asia
Model Selection in Binary Trait Locus Mapping

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping methodology for continuous normally distributed traits is the subject of much attention in the literature. Binary trait locus (BTL) mapping in experimental populations has received much less attention. A binary trait by definition has only two possible values, and the penetrance parameter is restricted to values between zero and one. Due to this restriction, the infinitesimal model appears to come into play even when only a few loci are involved, making selection of an appropriate genetic model in BTL mapping challenging. We present a probability model for an arbitrary number of BTL and demonstrate that, given adequate sample sizes, the power for detecting loci is high under a wide range of genetic models, including most epistatic models. A novel model selection strategy based upon the underlying genetic map is employed for choosing the genetic model. We propose selecting the “best” marker from each linkage group, regardless of significance. This reduces the model space so that an efficient search for epistatic loci can be conducted without invoking stepwise model selection. This procedure can identify unlinked epistatic BTL, demonstrated by our simulations and the reanalysis of Oncorhynchus mykiss experimental data.
A comparison of acquisition of a behavior chain using social, edible and no reinforcers

There has been basic research conducted on chains and task analyses, however, no studies have compared the effects of different consequences on the acquisition of a behavior chain. The purpose of this study was to compare the acquisition of a behavior chain taught with various consequence conditions. These conditions consisted of either edible or social consequences or no reinforcer following responding. Three individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder participated. Three 15-step play const ructs were taught using an alternating treatments design and the dependent measur es were the number of trials and sessions to acquisition and the number of errors in each consequence condition. Sessions in each condition consisted of one probe trial followed by 10 training trials with the behavior chain. Most-to-least prompting with a constant delay wa s utilized for all conditions. Results showed that all reinforcement procedures were effe ctiv while the efficiency varied across learners. For one of the three individuals, acquis ition of the behavior chain was demonstrated to be quicker in the edible reinforcer condition. Findings generalized across novel teachers and settings. IOA data were c ollected in at least 34% of sessions and averaged 97%. Procedural integrity data were taken i n at l ast 34% of sessions and averaged 95%. Intrinsic reinforcers and negative reinforce rs may have affected the acquisition of the chains since all three individuals acquired t he chain in the edible reinforcer, social reinforcer, and the no reinforcer conditions. Acquisition of Behavior Chains A comparison of acquisition of a behavior chain using social, edible and no reinforcers Table of
Estimation and initialization of quantum network via continuous measurement on single node

For reliable and consistent quantum information processing carried out on a quantum network, the network structure must be fully known and a desired initial state has to be prepared on it. In this paper, we consider a spin network with only a single node accessible and provide continuous-measurement-based methods to fulfill the above two requirements. More specifically, the measurement results continuously obtained are used to update the estimate of the network structure, which converges to the true structure with high probability; for the latter problem, we further employ an adaptive measurement scheme to deterministically drive the state to a desired target state for network initialization.
Molecular Aspects of Theileria parva and Approaches to Vaccine Development for Animals a

Theileria parva is a tick-transmitted, obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which causes an acute and often fatal form of theileriosis, East Coast fever (ECF), in large areas of eastern and central Africa. T. annulata, which usually infects B cells, causes a related disease of cattle or domestic buffalo around the Mediterranean and in vast areas of Asia including India, southern Russia, and China. The mammalian-infective stage of the parasite, the sporozoite, is injected into vector attachment sites during tick feeding. In Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, the vector for T. parva, rapid feeding does not occur until the third to fifth day of tick attachment, during which time the host target leukocytes will have been attracted into the vector attachment site. Although T. parva sporozoites enter a variety of bovine leukocyte populations engaging a receptor/ligand-like passive endocytotic process, the parasite appears to survive in, and induce proliferation of, mostly T cells in vivo. '*2 The sporozoites of T. parva develop in the salivary glands of the tick vector and are morphologically identical to sporozoites or merozoites of Plasmodium spp. in having a surface coat and subcellular organelles such as micronemes and rhoptries. The process of T. parva sporozoite entry into target cells has several features of interest which have been well characterized. ' First, the process is rapid and is not ultrastructurally directional, unlike what has been shown to be the case for sporozoites or merozoites of Plasmodium. Second, entry of target cells occurs at O'C, suggesting that metabolic energy requirement may be minimal. ' This suggestion is complemented by observations showing
Presumed Angel's trumpet (Brugmansia) poisoning: clinical effects and epidemiology.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pattern and epidemiology of anticholinergic plant poisoning, and to characterize its time course and clinical features. METHODS We reviewed all anticholinergic plant poisonings using a prospective database of all poisonings admitted to a major toxicology unit in Australia. All patients that presented with anticholinergic plant poisoning between July 1990 and June 2000 were included. Patient demographics, details of poisoning, diagnostic clinical features, adverse effects (seizures, arrhythmias, hypotension, accidental injury), and treatments required were obtained. Important diagnostic features were analysed and compared to previous studies. RESULTS Thirty-three patients were presumed to have ingested Brugmansia spp. (Angel's trumpet) based on their description of the plant; median age 18 years (interquartile range 16-20); 82% males. Thirty-one ingested a brewed tea or parts of the plant (flower). Thirty-one used it recreationally. Common clinical features were: mydriasis (100%), mean duration 29 h (SD 13) and delirium (88%) with a mean duration of 18 h (SD 12). Tachycardia only occurred in 11 of the 33 patients (33%). In 24 patients where the time of ingestion was certain, 7 of 8 (88%) patients presenting within 5 h had tachycardia and only 5 out of 16 (31%) presenting after 5 h had tachycardia. There were no deaths, seizures or arrhythmias (excepting tachycardia). One patient had hypotension and two sustained accidental traumatic injuries. Nineteen patients required sedation, mainly with benzodiazepines. Physostigmine was used diagnostically in eight cases. CONCLUSIONS Anticholinergic plant abuse is sporadic in nature. Most cases were moderate in severity, requiring sedation only, and severe toxicity was rare. Mydriasis and delirium were the commonest features, the later having important implications for management.
The effects of CEO’s personality traits (Big 5) and a CEO’s external network on innovation performance in SMEs.

This study researches the effects of CEO’s personality traits (Big 5) and the CEO’s external network contacts in SMEs on the performance of innovation. As a lot of studies describe the individual relationship between the personality traits or external network contacts and innovation performance, this study is going deeper in on the suggestion of Hambrick that not only personalities or strategic decision making has an influence on innovation performance but that there could also be combinations that are related to innovation performance. Another point of discussion in this research is the quality and quantity of an external network. Since there are studies who conclude that for a positive effect on innovation performance a CEO should have a large network, while other studies suggest that also with a small network a CEO could have a positive influence on innovation performance in a SME. By this study it can be concluded that there is indeed a combinations that lead to innovation performance while one of them individually not leads to innovation performance. Personality traits have individually an influence on innovation performance but external network contacts needs the combination with personality traits to have an influence on innovation performance.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PENGUNGKAPAN SUKARELA "INTERNET FINANCIAL AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING"

Internet Financial and Sustainability Reporting (IFSR) is voluntary in nature. With no specific regulations on IFSR, there is a disparity of IFSR practices among companies. Some companies disclose only partial financial statement using a low level of technology, while others disclose full sets of financial reports using sophistications of the web such as multimedia and analytical tools. SustainAbility (1999) addressed the benefits (global reach, immediacy, ease of updating, transparency, link ability, and interactivity) of reporting social and environmental information on the website and thus the factors that affect decision of whether or not to use this communication medium. By placing information on the firm’s website, users can search, filter, retrieve, download, and even reconfigure such information at low cost in a timely fashion. The purpose of this study was to examine financial variables that affect Internet Financial and Sustainability Reporting (IFSR) in Indonesia Stock Exchange companies. The samples of this research include 104 listed firms in Indonesia Stock Exchange. The multiple regressions was used to examine variables that affect Internet Financial and Sustainability Reporting (IFSR). The sample of this research is companies that listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange companies. The findings of this research found that firm size, return on asset, and majority holder are determinant factors of IFSR index in Indonesia.
Thoracic Spine Localization Using Preoperative Placement of Fiducial Markers and Subsequent CT. A Technical Report

Abstract Study Design A retrospective case series evaluating the use of fiducial markers with subsequent computed tomography (CT) or CT myelography for intraoperative localization. Objective To evaluate the safety and utility of preoperative fiducial placement, confirmed with CT myelography, for intraoperative localization of thoracic spinal levels. Summary of Background Data Thoracic spine surgery is associated with serious complications, not the least of which is the potential for wrong-level surgery. Intraoperative fluoroscopy is often used but can be unreliable due to the patient's body habitus and anatomical variation. Methods Sixteen patients with thoracic spine pathology requiring surgical intervention underwent preoperative fiducial placement at the pedicle of the level of interest in the interventional radiology suite. CT or CT myelogram was then done to evaluate fiducial location relative to the level of pathology. Surgical treatment followed at a later date in all patients. Results All patients underwent preoperative fiducial placement and CT or CT myelography, which was done on an outpatient basis in 14 of the 16 patients. Intraoperatively, fiducial localization was easily and quickly done with intraoperative fluoroscopy leading to correct localization of spinal level in all cases. All patients had symptomatic improvement following surgery. There were no complications from preoperative localization or operative intervention. Conclusions Preoperative placement of fiducial markers confirmed with a CT or CT myelogram allows for reliable and fast intraoperative localization of the spinal level of interest with minimal risks and potential complications to the patient. In most cases, a noncontrast CT should be sufficient. This should be an equally reliable means of localization while further decreasing potential for complications. CT myelography should be reserved for pathology that is not evident on noncontrast CT. Accuracy of localization is independent of variations in rib number or vertebral segmentation. The technique is a safe, reliable, and rapid means of localizing spinal level during surgery.
Prevalence of mental disorders among adults in Finland: basic results from the Mini Finland Health Survey

The Mini Finland Health Survey was an extensive epidemiological study of the Finnish population aged 30 or over; the prevalence of mental disorders was one aspect studied. Prevalence of symptoms in the General Health Questionnaire as well as the prevalence of self‐perceived and clinically assessed mental disorders was studied. The total prevalence of clinically assessed mental disorders was 17.4%, 14.8% in the men and 19.5% in the women. A definite disorder was observed for 11.7% of the subjects. About half of the subjects suffering from a mental disorder according to clinical assessment also reported a self‐perceived disorder. Of various diagnoses, the most common were phobic and anxiety neurosis (6.2%) and neurotic depression (4.6%). The prevalence of schizophrenia was 1.3%. The highest prevalence was found in the ages 50 to 64 years. The prevalence of psychoses was highest in northern and eastern Finland, and that of neuroses in southern Finland.