Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advances in Brief A Tumor Suppressor Gene on Chromosome Ip 32-pter Controls the Amplification of MYC Family Genes in Breast Cancer 1

To investigate the possibility of collaboration between telomeric dele tion on the short arm of chromosome 1 and genetic amplification similar to that described in human neuroblastoma, 122 human primary breast tumors were examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for loss of heterozygosity on Ip32-pter and for the three most frequently amplified genetic regions in breast carcinomas (MYC and I Klill. protooncogenes and the chromosomal region Hql3). Allelic losses at one or more loci on the telomeric part of the short arm of chromosome 1 was observed in 57 (47%) of 122 informative tumors. MYC, ERBB2, and the Ilql3 region were amplified in 23, 20, and 21% of breast tumors, respectively. A correlation was found between loss of heterozygosity on chromosome Ip32â€”pter and amplification of the MYC (formerly c-myc) protooncogene i/' = 0.003), suggesting that these two genetic events may collaborate during tumor progression in human breast cancer. These results, together with those obtained in human neuroblastoma, suggest that the distal part of the short arm of chromosome 1 harbors an unidentified tumor suppressor gene(s), whose inactivation may be in volved in MYC family gene amplification (an example of genetic instabil ity) in tumors of various cellular origins.
Ownership, Quality of Earnings, and Family Firms in Japan

We investigate quality of earnings of publicly traded family firms in Japan. Family firms have strong incentives to seek for long-term orientations as well as to bequeath their businesses to their descendants. The long-term orientations eliminate opportunistic earnings management of firms to protect firms’ reputations. Such characteristics of family firms should increase the effectiveness of monitoring and potentially improve earnings quality. We find the discretionary accruals of family firms are lower after controlling for other characteristic of the firms than non-family firms, and that the quality of earnings is higher. This finding is consistent with effective monitoring of family firms, which may stem from their long-term orientations. We find that the accruals quality of family firms, in which the founder has executive authority over the firm, is almost the same with that of non-family firms. It implies the long-term orientations of the founder may be different from that of the descendants. Finally, we observe a U-shaped relationship between the founding family stock ownership and earnings quality. The relationship is similar to the findings for U. S. data. We infer that incentive structure of the family firm changes as the family share holdings increase, and it affects earnings quality. JEL Classifications: M41, G32, M10,
Innovation Management in Project-Based Firms

textabstractProject-based firms have an organizational structure, capabilities and routines that clearly distinguish them from manufacturing firms. Some have claimed that these characteristics make project-based firms more innovative than, for instance, manufacturing firms, others argue the contrary. The central question in this research is to what extent the specific characteristics of project-based firms affect innovation management. We focused on new product or service development projects in project-based firms, and investigated the influence of firm characteristics on success factors for these projects. We performed an exploratory case study to generate hypotheses, and subsequently tested these hypotheses using a large scale comparative survey of project-based and non-project-based firms in the Dutch Information and Technology, Construction, Engineering and related industries. We find that development projects enable project-based firms to follow more innovative strategies. To execute these development projects successfully, they are to be managed differently than is currently described in the innovation management literature. Multidisciplinary teams and planning, for example, hamper development projects of project-based firms. It seems that in project-based firms the experts within one discipline, who work each at separate business projects, need to work together in development projects, since collaboration between disciplines abounds. On the contrary, in manufacturing firms, where specialization abounds, the experts of the various disciplines need to collaborate in multidisciplinary development teams. In project-based firms the project leader is subsequently needed to translate the specialized new services and products, and to ensure that these are implemented within projects executed to customer order. This is clearly a different task than for heavyweight project leaders in manufacturing firms, who have to ensure and enable communication and collaboration between the various disciplines. Furthermore, it seems that project-based firms should apply a more emergent style of project management on their development projects, as their capabilities in efficient project planning hamper the quality of the services and products that are developed.
Genes, time to first cigarette and nicotine dependence in a general population sample of young adults.

AIM To examine variation in nicotine dependence scores and covariation between different dependence symptoms. DESIGN A 12-year, nationally representative, probability-based survey of adolescent health-related behaviors and their outcomes during young adulthood in the United States. The genetic contribution to nicotine dependence was evaluated in the sibling-pairs sample of the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. MEASUREMENTS Nicotine dependence (ND) was assessed using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) in 1154 young adults, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, who were from twin, full sibling and half-sibling pairs. FINDINGS Dependence in this sample was common and varied in degree. Total HSI scores evidenced moderate to large heritable contributions (61%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46-0.72), as did the quantity of cigarettes smoked (52%, 95% CI: 0.39-0.63) and urgency to smoke (55%, 95% CI: 0.38-0.68). Multivariate modeling identified a highly heritable underlying factor (76%, 95% CI: 0.56-0.91) that influenced the covariation of dependence symptoms and loaded most heavily on how soon after waking a smoker uses his or her first cigarette. The quantity of cigarettes smoked per day also evidenced residual genetic influences that were not common to other dependence-related behaviors. CONCLUSIONS In this sample of young adults from the general population, both genes and individual-specific environments are important etiological factors in ND. The urgency to smoke, as measured by the time to first cigarette, may be the most informative measure on the FTND for genetic studies of nicotine dependence.
Burden of colonoscopy compared to non-cathartic CT-colonography in a colorectal cancer screening programme: randomised controlled trial

Objective CT-colonography has been suggested to be less burdensome for primary colorectal cancer (CRC) screening than colonoscopy. To compare the expected and perceived burden of both in a randomised trial. Design 8844 Dutch citizens aged 50–74 years were randomly invited for CRC screening with colonoscopy (n=5924) or CT-colonography (n=2920). Colonoscopy was performed after full colon lavage, or CT-colonography after limited bowel preparation (non-cathartic). All invitees were asked to complete the expected burden questionnaire before the procedure. All participants were invited to complete the perceived burden questionnaire 14 days later. Mean scores were calculated on 5-point scales. Results Expected burden: 2111 (36%) colonoscopy and 1199 (41%) CT-colonography invitees completed the expected burden questionnaire. Colonoscopy invitees expected the bowel preparation and screening procedure to be more burdensome than CT-colonography invitees: mean scores 3.0±1.1 vs 2.3±0.9 (p<0.001) and 3.1±1.1 vs 2.2±0.9 (p<0.001). Perceived burden: 1009/1276 (79%) colonoscopy and 801/982 (82%) CT-colonography participants completed the perceived burden questionnaire. The full screening procedure was reported as more burdensome in CT-colonography than in colonoscopy: 1.8±0.9 vs 2.0±0.9 (p<0.001). Drinking the bowel preparation resulted in a higher burden score in colonoscopy (3.0±1.3 vs 1.7±1.0, p<0.001) while related bowel movements were scored more burdensome in CT-colonography (2.0±1.0 vs 2.2±1.1, p<0.001). Most participants would probably or definitely take part in a next screening round: 96% for colonoscopy and 93% for CT-colonography (p=0.99). Conclusion In a CRC screening programme, colonoscopy invitees expected the screening procedure and bowel preparation to be more burdensome than CT-colonography invitees. In participants, CT-colonography was scored as more burdensome than colonoscopy. Intended participation in a next screening round was comparable.
Community attitudes towards mental illness and socio-demographic characteristics: an Italian study

SUMMARY Aim — To assess the association between socio-demographic characteristics and community attitudes towards mentally ill people. Method — We assessed a sample of 280 subjects, stratified for sex and age, which has identified using the electoral registers of Brescia. A letter was sent to everyone in order to introduce the future potential study participant to the topics of the public attitudes towards mental illness and it included an invitation to take part in the study. After, 280 subjects were contacted by telephone. Finally, 174 persons, who expressed their willingness to collaborate, were visited by a team of four trained interviewers. The instruments used were: a semi-structured interview; the Community Attitudes to the Mentally III (CAMI) inven-tory, which is composed by 40 statements, concerning the degree of acceptance of mental health services and mentally ill patients in the community; and the Fear and Behavioural Intentions (FABI) inventory, which is composed by 10 items, concerning fears and behavioural intentions towards mentally ill people. 106 subjects refused to participate. Results — Factor analysis of the CAMI revealed three components Physical distance and fear, Social isolation and Social responsibility and tolerance. Factor 1 is associated with: people >61 years old; people being divorced/widowed/living separated; people who haven't participated in social or volunteer activities. Factor 2 is associated with: people > 41 years old; people being schooled at a level that's higher than elementary level; unemployed people. Factor 3 doesn't present any associations. Conclusions — The results of this study outline the need to: a) promote interventions focused to improve the general attitude towards people with mental illness; b) to favour specific actions in order to prevent or eliminate prejudices in subgroups of the population. Declaration of Interest: in the last two years the authors have been paid by the IRCCS Centra San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli in Brescia (Italy), as employees and free professionals.
Dynamic thermal modeling of power transformers: further Development-part II

This paper presents new temperature calculation methods based on heat-transfer theory, the application of the lumped capacitance method, the thermal-electrical analogy, and a new definition of nonlinear thermal resistances at different locations within a power transformer. The methods presented in this paper take into account oil viscosity changes and loss variation with temperature. The changes in transformer time constants due to changes in the oil viscosity are also accounted for in the thermal models. The models are validated using experimental results, which have been obtained from a series of thermal tests performed on a range of power transformers. The results are also compared with the IEEE-Loading guide (1995) Annex G method
Automatic planning of robot pushing operations

A method for automatic planning of robot pushing operations is described. The operation is performed by a two-point pusher. It has been shown that such an operation can entirely constrain polygonal workpiece in a plane and can deal with objects in the presence of initial uncertainty. The operation is discussed with regard to bounds on initial error in position and orientation. The success of an attempt to push the object depends on correct pushing direction and starting point of the pusher. The goal is to catch the object between the fingers and to eventually bring it to known position and orientation. The starting point and the pushing direction define an operation space of all possible tasks. A bounded region in this space is constructed, such that any point inside this region guarantees the object will not be pushed away. The planner also accounts for the uncertainty in positioning, suggesting the pushing operation that will succeed even if worst case error occurs. <<ETX>>
The CCND 1 G 870 A Gene Polymorphism and Brain Tumor Risk : a Meta-analysis

According to the estimates of WHO, cancer was a leading cause of death worldwide and accounted for 7.6 million deaths (13% of all deaths) in 2008 (http://www. who.int/gho/ncd/mortality_morbidity/cancer/en/index. html). The incidence of primary brain tumors and nervous system is estimated at 3.5 per 100,000 persons for all ages, and the mortality is 2.5. The incidence and mortality of men are higher than women (http://globocan.iarc.fr/ factsheet.asp#BOTH). According to the classification of pathology (WHO), three common types of brain tumors are glioma, meningioma, and pituitary adenomas. Glioma and meningioma are the two commonest primary brain tumors with approximately 50% and 20% proportion respectively (Inskip et al., 1995), and prolactinoma is the commonest pituitary tumors in adults, occupying more than 60% of all functioning pituitary adenomas (Daly et al., 2006). According to the research, primary brain tumors mostly appear familial aggregation, suggesting an important genetic basis for its tendency. Thus, many studies related to SNP are used to clarify the molecular in disease (Bondy et al., 2008). Regulatory genes of cell cycle mainly detect DNA damage through preventing error propagation and stimulating the cell cycle check points. Hereditary alterations of the critical genes are associated
Identifying industrial clusters for competitiveness : policy implications for economic development in the North West Province of South Africa

iii OPSOMMING . v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . vii LIST OF FIGURES . xx LIST OF TABLES . xxiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background and motivation . 1 1.2. Industrial cluster formation as a strategy to enhance competitiveness, growth and development . 3 1.3 The identification of realistic export opportunities . 5 1.4 Problem statement . 7 1.5 Research questions . 7 1.6 Objectives . 8 1.6. 1 Primary objectives . 8 1.6. 2 Secondary objectives . 9 1.7 Research method. 10 1.8 Outline of chapters . 11 CHAPTER 2: ELUCIDATING THE INDUSTRIAL CLUSTER PHENOMENON . 12 2.
Preferential use of unobstructed lateral portals as the access route to the pore of human ATP-gated ion channels (P2X receptors)

P2X receptors are trimeric cation channels with widespread roles in health and disease. The recent crystal structure of a P2X4 receptor provides a 3D view of their topology and architecture. A key unresolved issue is how ions gain access to the pore, because the structure reveals two different pathways within the extracellular domain. One of these is the central pathway spanning the entire length of the extracellular domain and covering a distance of ≈70 Å. The second consists of three lateral portals, adjacent to the membrane and connected to the transmembrane pore by short tunnels. Here, we demonstrate the preferential use of the lateral portals. Owing to their favorable diameters and equivalent spacing, the lateral portals split the task of ion supply threefold and minimize an ion's diffusive path before it succumbs to transmembrane electrochemical gradients.
Fir Filter Design Based on Rounded and Truncated With Multiple Constant Multiplication and Accumulation

Low-cost and power efficient finite impulse response (FIR) designs are presented using the concept of faithfully rounded truncated multipliers. Here we consider the optimization of bit width and hardware resources without abdication of the frequency response and output signal precision in the process of accumulation of filter computations. Non uniform coefficient quantization with proper filter order is proposed to minimize total area cost. Multiple constant multiplication/accumulation (MCMA) in a direct FIR structure is implemented using an improved version of truncated multipliers. While Comparisons with prior FIR design like transposed structures which as huge digital novel components in the operation and we enhanced the architectural approaches show that the proposed designs achieve the best area and power results.
Answers to Health Questions: Internet Search Results Versus Online Health Community Responses

Background About 6 million people search for health information on the Internet each day in the United States. Both patients and caregivers search for information about prescribed courses of treatments, unanswered questions after a visit to their providers, or diet and exercise regimens. Past literature has indicated potential challenges around quality in health information available on the Internet. However, diverse information exists on the Internet—ranging from government-initiated webpages to personal blog pages. Yet we do not fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of different types of information available on the Internet. Objective The objective of this research was to investigate the strengths and challenges of various types of health information available online and to suggest what information sources best fit various question types. Methods We collected questions posted to and the responses they received from an online diabetes community and classified them according to Rothwell’s classification of question types (fact, policy, or value questions). We selected 60 questions (20 each of fact, policy, and value) and the replies the questions received from the community. We then searched for responses to the same questions using a search engine and recorded the Results Community responses answered more questions than did search results overall. Search results were most effective in answering value questions and least effective in answering policy questions. Community responses answered questions across question types at an equivalent rate, but most answered policy questions and the least answered fact questions. Value questions were most answered by community responses, but some of these answers provided by the community were incorrect. Fact question search results were the most clinically valid. Conclusions The Internet is a prevalent source of health information for people. The information quality people encounter online can have a large impact on them. We present what kinds of questions people ask online and the advantages and disadvantages of various information sources in getting answers to those questions. This study contributes to addressing people’s online health information needs.
Comparison of the genetic variation of captive ring-tailed lemurs with a wild population in Madagascar.

Genetic variability among captive and wild ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) was assessed using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data. A 529 bp segment of mtDNA was sequenced and 9 microsatellite loci were genotyped for 286 ring-tailed lemurs. Samples were obtained from the well-studied L. catta population at the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve and from captive animals at six institutions worldwide. We found evidence of possible patrilineal contribution but the absence of matrilineal contribution from the Bezà area, and haplotypes not found in Bezà but present in Ambohimahavelona, Andringitra Massif, and other unknown locations, in the sampled captive population, indicating that the founders of the captive population originated from a wide geographic range. Total genetic variation and relatedness in captive L. catta in the six institutions were similar in extent to that of the wild population in Bezà. Based on the diverse origins of the captive population founders our results suggest the erosion of genetic diversity in the captive population. Sampled individuals from the same institution were more closely related to each other than members of a social group in the wild. Individuals housed at different institutions were less closely related than those of different social groups at Bezà, indicating lower genetic exchange between captive institutions than between social groups in a locality in the wild. Our findings underscore the usefulness of genotyping in determining the geographic origin of captive population founders, obtaining pedigree information if paternity is uncertain, and in maximizing preservation of extant genetic diversity in captivity.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis in survivors of myocardial infarction and their spouses: comparison to controls without personal and family history of atherosclerosis.

To explore the hypothesis that an interplay between genetic and environmental factors contributes to the development of coronary atherosclerosis, we compared the prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis among survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) and their spouses and apparently healthy men and women (spousal pairs) with no personal and family history of atherosclerosis in three generations. There were no significant differences in life-style and dietary habits between the groups. The daily vegetable and/or fruit intake was generally low and did not differ between the groups. Thirty percent and 25% of men and women did not consume any vegetables or fruits, respectively. All differences found in the male MI survivors and control men were also found between the female groups: MI survivors and their spouses were significantly more obese and had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and more pathologic plasma lipid levels compared with control males and females, respectively. Compared with the control men and women, MI survivors and spouses had higher plasma homocysteine (Hcgamma) levels (15.3 +/- 10.5, 11.9 +/- 4.0, 16.9 +/- 5.5, and 14.3 +/- 4.0, micromol/L, respectively, P = .01). The frequency of the homozygous C677T 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism in MI survivors was twice that observed in their spouses and controls (12.1%, 4.8%, and 5.8%, respectively), but this difference did not reach statistical significance. A statistically significant association of the MTHFR genotype and Hcgamma concentration (multiple ANOVA) was shown. Neither the frequencies of apolipoprotein E (apoE) alleles nor Asp9Asn mutation of exon 2, Asn29lSer mutation of exon 6, and Ser447Ter of exon 9 of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene varied significantly among the groups. A possible explanation for our findings is that individuals with a genetic predisposition for atherosclerosis and their spouses share a life-style that results in a higher body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR). On the other hand, individuals with no family history of atherosclerosis, despite an unhealthy life-style similar to that in the affected families (diet and physical activity), had a lower BMI and WHR and more favorable metabolic parameters, including plasma Hcgamma. In conclusion, we have shown that a personal and/or family history of atherosclerosis corresponds to the prevalence and level of risk factors for atherosclerosis. A combination of life-style factors and inherited metabolic abnormalities, including high plasma Hcgamma, are the more likely explanation for our findings.