Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo model for research of breast cancer biomarkers

The preoperative (neoadjuvant) setting of breast cancer treatment is an optimal in vivo model by which to allow the characterization of biomarker expression pattern with the tumor remaining in situ throughout treatment as an in vivo measure of response to particular therapy. Elucidating surrogate molecular or cellular markers of tumor response to therapy, may provide biological insight into both, the mechanism of tumor growth dynamics and drug sensitivity/resistance. Owing to the knowledge that many drugs are effective on actively proliferating cells and more intriguingly, that many anticancer agents with differing modes of action achieve cytotoxic effects by inducing apoptosis, has lead to a reappraisal of traditional views of tumor response/resistance to cytotoxic drugs in vivo. Accordingly, this review article will focus on discussing apoptosis phenomena and the p53 and bcl-2 protein as its regulators of principal importance; a cell proliferation determined by the Ki-67 expression, as the major counterbalancing process to apoptosis is also considered. This paper reviews the rationale for the use of these proteins as indices of tumor response to therapy, as well as the published literature regarding their clinical relevance. So far, no firm conclusions can be made concerning their predictive utility.
Plasma sheet turbulence observed by Cluster II

Cluster fluxgate magnetometer (FGM) and ion spectrometer (CIS) data are employed to analyze magnetic field fluctuations within the plasma sheet during passages through the magnetotail region in the summers of 2001 and 2002 and, in particular, to look for characteristics of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. Power spectral indices determined from power spectral density functions are on average larger than Kolmogorov's theoretical value for fluid turbulence as well as Kraichnan's theoretical value for MHD plasma turbulence. Probability distribution functions of the magnetic fluctuations show a scaling law over a large range of temporal scales with non-Gaussian distributions at small dissipative scales and inertial scales and more Gaussian distribution at large driving scales. Furthermore, a multifractal analysis of the magnetic field components shows scaling behavior in the inertial range of the fluctuations from about 20 s to 13 min for moments through the fifth order. Both the scaling behavior of the probability distribution functions and the multifractal structure function suggest that intermittent turbulence is present within the plasma sheet. The unique multispacecraft aspect and fortuitous spacecraft spacing allow us to examine the turbulent eddy scale sizes. Dynamic autocorrelation and cross correlation analysis of the magnetic field components allow us to determine that eddy scale sizes fit within the plasma sheet. These results suggest that magnetic field turbulence is occurring within the plasma sheet resulting in turbulent energy dissipation.
Operating Profit, Expenses and Investors Herding Behavior in Iran

Many securities are transacted in the financial markets every day. Securities' Price determination is influenced by many different criteria that each one leaves an impression on securities with its own intensity and in different ways. As a result, the determination of effective factors on the price is very important. As a whole, one of the roles of financial markets is economical allocation of sources. On the other hand, industries efflorescence, creation of occupation and going out of crises and economic undesired situations require provision of desired conditions to invest in share markets, so recognizing and detecting present inadequacies and solving existent problems in order to avoid such downfalls which threaten shares market is essential and necessitous. Standard financial theories are based on two basic theories, namely investors being logical and efficient market hypothesis (EMH). Due to some malformations such as realization of higher yields from shares expectations of small firms, losing, having a high coefficient P/E or possessing market value ratio to low office value and also calendar malformations like yield unexpected changes in especial times of year or severe fluctuations of price and appearing bubble and downfall of prices, these theories, were challenged in the late 1980s (Golarzi, 2010). In fact, by appearing above mentioned malformations, standard financial models were replaced by behavioral financial theories. Herding
Fabrication and characterization of nIn 0 . 4 Ga 0 . 6 N / pSi solar cell

Electro-optic characteristics of a fabricated n-In0.4Ga0. 6N/p-Si hetero-structure solar cell on Si substrate with Al and ITO (or Ti/Al/Ni/Au) materials for p and n-type contacts were investigated in this letter. The solar cell devices with ITO as n-type contacts were also compared to the solar cell using Ti/Al/Ni/Au as n-type contact in this study. High short-circuit current density observed for solar cell with ITO as n-type contacts due to the increased amount of light reaching the solar cell. The device with ITO contact exhibited an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.52 V and a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 8.68 mA/cm 2 with 54% fill factor. The conversion and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the solar cell were 7.12 and 20.8%, respectively. Besides, a relationship between Voc and In content in the InxGa1 xN alloys for this type of solar cell was also derived. & 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Predicting Extinction Risk for Data Deficient Bats

Conservation biology aims to identify species most at risk of extinction and to understand factors that forecast species vulnerability. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is a leading source for extinction risk data of species globally, however, many potentially at risk species are not assessed by the IUCN owing to inadequate data. Of the approximately 1150 bat species (Chiroptera) recognized by the IUCN, 17 percent are categorized as Data Deficient. Here, we show that large trait databases in combination with a comprehensive phylogeny can identify which traits are important for assessing extinction risk in bats. Using phylogenetic logistic regressions, we show that geographic range and island endemism are the strongest correlates of binary extinction risk. We also show that simulations using two models that trade-off between data complexity and data coverage provide similar estimates of extinction risk for species that have received a Red List assessment. We then use our model parameters to provide quantitative predictions of extinction risk for 60 species that have not received risk assessments by the IUCN. Our model suggests that at least 20 bat species should be treated as threatened by extinction. In combination with expert knowledge, our results can be used as a quick, first-pass prioritization for conservation action.
The Effect of Oral L-arginine Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

etabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disorders including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension (1,2) which is considered a major challenge in health care across the world due to increasing urbanization, extra energy consumption, increasing obesity and sedentary lifestyle. (3) Also, MetS increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and the risk of death from all causes. (4-6) There are several definitions of the MetS, such as the definition of Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), MetS is defined as having three or more of the following factors (7,8): waist circumference (WC) more than 102 cm in men and more than 88 cm in women, triglycerides (TG) ≥150 mg/dl, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) less than 40 mg/dl in men and less than 50 mg/dl in women, blood M 1. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Concentrations and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Seawater around Langkawi Island, Malaysia

This paper reports the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water around the Island and their probable sources. Water samples were collected from four jetties and three marine fish farms around the main Langkawi Island and analysed for 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in December 2010. The total PAH concentrations ranged from 6.1 ± 0.43 to 46 ± 0.42 μgL−1, which exceed the maximum admissible concentrations of PAHs (0.20 μgL−1) for the water standard of European Union. The calculated diagnostic benzo[a]anthracene : benzo[a]anthracene
Buyer and non buyer of counterfeits of luxury brands: examining their differences in behavioural outcomes

The purpose of the study is to examine the behavioural differences between non-buyer and buyer of counterfeits of luxury brands. Data was collected using a mall intercept in downtown Shanghai, China. 202 useable responses were retained for analysis. Findings revealed that there are differences between both group of consumers. Social and personality factors do influence attitudes and purchase intentions towards counterfeits of luxury brands. Managerial implications were also discussed. INTRODUCTION China, other than being the international economic superpower, is also the world’s most notorious country for counterfeiting (Furnham and Valgeirsson, 2007). A wide range of counterfeit goods ranging from pharmaceuticals to luxury brands that are produced, are traced to China as the source of production (Hung, 2003; Forney, 2005; Cheung and Prendergast, 2006; Bian and Veloutsou, 2007; Phau and Teah, 2009). Furthermore, due to the economic growth, there is an increase in luxury consumers, thereby spurting the growth of counterfeit production to an astronomical level (Jiang, 2005; Sonmez and Yang, 2005; Li and Su, 2007). Although there has been visible effort that the Chinese officials are committing to prosecute counterfeiters and eradicate the problem, the fundamental flaws and loopholes in the copyright and IP legislation allow counterfeiting to continue (Sonmez and Yang, 2005; Clark, 2006). Buyer and non-buyers attitudes towards counterfeiting Past research have shown that buyers and non-buyers of counterfeits of luxury brands hold different attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands (Ang et al., 2001; Wang et al., 2005). Buyers of counterfeits of luxury brands will perceive their actions in a more favourable light, and are also known to have some degree of loyalty towards counterfeit goods (Tom et al., 1998). It was also found that there are notable differences between non-buyer and buyer attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands. Buyers do tend to perceive quality, reliability and functional aspects of the counterfeits of luxury brands to be higher and more closely similar to the genuine articles (Phau and Teah, 2009). Furthermore, with the improving quality of
Optimal dietary taurine level for growth of juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

The requirement for taurine in juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was determined by feeding diets containing various levels of taurine and cystine. Test diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of taurine or with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of l-cystine were prepared. The basal diet contained 55% protein from white fish meal. These diets were fed to juvenile Japanese flounder with an initial mean bodyweight of 0.9 g (total length (TL) 48 mm) for 5 weeks. Approximately 1.4% taurine content in the diet was required for optimum growth of juvenile flounder. A positive linear rela- tionship was noted between the content of taurine accumulated in the muscle, liver and brain and the level of taurine in the diet. However, there was no increased taurine content in tissues of fish fed the cystine-supplemented diet. In contrast, the fish fed control and cystine-supplemented diets showed higher contents of cystathionine in the tissues. The concentration of cystathionine in tissues rapidly decreased with an increase of taurine in the diet. It was also observed that for each of the dietary groups, a trace amount of taurine was excreted. These results suggest that the taurine content in the diet affects the sulfur amino acid metabolism of juvenile Japanese flounder, and indicate that juvenile flounder are unable to biosynthesize taurine from cystine.
From bipolar to elliptical: simulating the morphological evolution of planetary nebulae

In this paper we model the evolution of pre-planetary nebula (PPN) and planetary nebula (PN) morphologies as a function of nebular age. The aim of this work is to understand if shape transitions from one evolutionary phase to the other can be driven by changes in the parameters of the mass-loss from the central star. We carry out 2.5D hydrodynamical simulations of mass-loss at the end stages of stellar evolution for intermediate mass stars. Changes in wind velocity, mass-loss rate and mass-loss geometry are tracked. We focus on the transition from mass-loss dominated by a short-duration jet flow (driven during the PPN phase) to mass-loss driven by a spherical fast wind (produced by the central star of the PN). Our results show that while jet-driven nebulae can be expected to be dominated by bipolar morphologies, systems that begin with a jet but are followed by a spherical fast wind will evolve into elliptical objects. Systems that begin with an aspherical asymptotic giant branch wind evolve into butterfly-shaped nebula with, or without, a jet phase. In addition, our models show that spherical nebulae are highly unlikely to derive from either bipolar PPN or elliptical PN over relevant time-scales. The morphological transitions seen in our simulations may however provide insight into the driving mechanisms of both PPN and PN as point to evolutionary changes in the central engine.
Twentieth century increase of Scots pine radial growth in NE Spain shows strong climate interactions

Stem radial growth responds to environmental conditions, and has been widely used as a proxy to study long‐term patterns of tree growth and to assess the impact of environmental changes on growth patterns. In this study, we use a tree ring dataset from the Catalan Ecological and Forest Inventory to study the temporal variability of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stem growth during the 20th century across a relatively large region (Catalonia, NE Spain) close to the southern limit of the distribution of the species. Basal area increment (BAI) was modelled as a function of tree size and environmental variables by means of mixed effects models. Our results showed an overall increase of 84% in Scots pine BAI during the 20th century, consistent with most previous studies for temperate forests. This trend was associated with increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations and, possibly, with a general increase in nutrient availability, and we interpreted it as a fertilization effect. Over the same time period, there was also a marked increase in temperature across the study region (0.19 °C per decade on average). This warming had a negative impact on radial growth, particularly at the drier sites, but its magnitude was not enough to counteract the fertilization effect. In fact, the substantial warming observed during the 20th century in the study area did not result in a clear pattern of increased summer drought stress because of the large variability in precipitation, which did not show any clear time trend. But the situation may change in the future if temperatures continue to rise and/or precipitation becomes scarcer. Such a change could potentially reverse the temporal trend in growth, particularly at the driest sites, and is suggested in our data by the relative constancy of radial growth after ca. 1975, coinciding with the warmer period. If this situation is representative of other relatively dry, temperate forests, the implications for the regional carbon balance would be substantial.
Fatigue life prediction for cyclically bent threaded connections

In this paper it is shown that the modified norma-tive method improved by incorporating in the calculation the data of load distribution in threads is fitted for the fati-gue life prediction of cyclically bent threaded connections. The model for calculation of load and stress distribution along the thread based on elastic deformation properties of the full and partial profile turns pairs is used. Results of fatigue life prediction obtained for the cyclically bent threaded connections M16x2 are close to the experimental values, howerer do not exceed them. http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.mech. 17.2. 324
Stepgrandmothers and Grandmothers of Stepfamilies: Role Behaviors, Role Meanings, and Grandmothering Styles.

Research on the transition to remarriage and stepfamily formation has focused upon sociodemographic factors, the relationship between remarriage and the well-being of individual family members, and stepfamily integration. This study examined recently remarried mothers' perceptions of stepgrandmothers' and grandmothers' role behaviors, role meanings, and grandmothering styles with their grandchildren and stepgrandchildren. Subjects (N=62) were women in remarried families. From the sample of 62 mothers, perceptions of 248 grandmother/grandchild and stepgrandmother/stepgrandchild relationships were examined. Mothers' perceptions of stepgrandmothers' and grandmothers' relationships with stepgrandchildren and grandchildren were assessed using a questionnaire based on Robertson's study of grandmother/grandchild relations'. The results provided considerable support for the hypotheses that higher levels of role behaviors and role meaning would be perceived in grandmother/grandchild relations than in stepgrandmother/stepgrandchild relations. Mothers perceived differences in relationships with stepgrandchildren and grandchildren during the early years of stepfamily life. (ABL) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. *********************************************k*************************
Human Resource Outsourcing in Times of Economic Turbulence – a Contemporary Review of Practice

This article reviews developments in human resource outsourcing (HRO) in recent years, particularly in light of the severe economic recession prevailing since 2007. It establishes that companies are increasingly outsourcing routine HR processes, and in some cases, critical HR processes in view to cut costs. The article takes the view that while such a strategy could be viable in the short term, its long-term strategic effectiveness is questionable. This view is founded on widely accepted assumptions that people are critical assets in organizations, thus, commanding that companies maintain a strong hold on vital employee commitment processes. Outsourcing may not be the only valid framework for the future; companies must consider alternatives. Key words: Outsourcing; HRO; economic recession; cost saving; globalization; transaction cost.
AN AGENDA FOR BOARD RESEARCH

Scholarly investigations on the board of directors, although intense from the mid-1990s onward, did not lead to entirely convincing results. This study proposes discussion on building a multidisciplinary and integrated theoretical framework able to capture the complexity and distinctive dimensions of the board as a group decision-making process. This is achieved through an essay developed from analytical and descriptive review of the literature. A synthesis on board research is presented, aiming to understand theoretical models lenses used to study corporate governance issues. The strengths and weaknesses of these models are pointed out, and their influence on board investigation is observed. This essay concludes by proposing a research agenda that considers the addition of psychological and sociological approaches to economic models of the analysis of group decision-making.
Cosmic Rays Report from the Structure of Space

Spectrum of cosmic rays follows a broken power law over twelve orders of magnitude. Since ubiquitous power laws are manifestations of the principle of least action, we interpret the spectrum accordingly. Our analysis complies with understanding that low-energy particles originate mostly from rapidly receding sources throughout the cosmos. The flux peaks about proton rest energy whereafter it decreases because fewer and fewer receding sources are energetic enough to provide particles with high enough velocities to compensate for the recessional velocities. Above 1015.6 eV the flux from the expanding Universe diminishes below the flux from the nearby nonexpanding part of the Universe. In this spectral feature, known as the “knee,” we relate to a distance of about 1.3 Mpc where the gravitational potential tallies the energy density of free space. At higher energies particles decelerate in a dissipative manner to attain thermodynamic balance with the vacuum. At about 1017.2 eV a distinct dissipative mechanism opens up for protons to slow down by electron-positron pair production. At about 1019.6 eV a more effective mechanism opens up via pion production. All in all, the universal principle discloses that the broad spectrum of cosmic rays probes the structure of space from cosmic distances down to microscopic details.
The Effects of Conventional and Unconventional Monetary Policy Surprises on Asset Markets in the United States

This study estimates the impacts of conventional and unconventional monetary policy surprises on asset markets in the United States using the heteroskedasticity-based GMM technique suggested by Rigobon and Sack (2004). Monetary policy surprises have statistically significant effects on major asset markets in both periods, yet magnitudes of responses differ notably in the unconventional period. For the unconventional period, the impacts of monetary policy surprises on stock returns and the implied volatilities in stock and bond markets are found to be lower compared to the conventional period. For most of the other asset returns however, responses are similar or higher in the unconventional period.
ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF Vernonia amygdalina IMPROVES ISLET MORPHOLOGY AND UPREGULATES PANCREATIC G6PDH ACTIVITY IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Summary Potential botanical sources of antidiabetic therapies are currently being explored. In this work, we studied the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on glycemia, pancreatic islet microanatomy, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase activity of the pancreas and liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia was induced in fasted adult Wistar rats with an intraperitoneal dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg bw/d). Leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina and chlorpropamide were administered orally at 400 mg/kg bw/d and 15 mg/kg bw/d, respectively, for 6 weeks. The pancreas was processed for histological studies and pancreatic levels glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase and Lactate dehydrogenase were estimated in the plasma and tissue homogenates. Normoglycemia was established in Vernonia amygdalina-treated diabetic rats at the end of week 3. Necrosis was observed in the islets of untreated diabetic rats, while a degree of histological improvement was observed in islets of Vernonia amygdalina-treated diabetic rats and upregulation of the enzymes activity had occurred in the pancreas of this group compared with control (P<0.05). The present study suggests that chronic treatment with ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina improves hyperglycemia and ameliorates islet lesions in diabetic rats.