Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway and Its Prognostic Impact in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Background: The sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is critical in fetal organogenesis. Activation of the SHH pathway has been associated with several types of human cancer; however, the clinical impact of SHH activation in patients with gastric cancer is still unknown. Methods: The present study included 41 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy between 2000 and 2004. SHH, Patched-1 (PTCH1), Smoothened (SMO) and Glioma-associated oncogene-1 (GLI1) were examined immunohistochemically, and these of mRNAs from the cancer lesions were evaluated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Immunohistological expressions of SHH-related molecules were relatively intense in cancer tissue, but no significant correlation was found with any clinicopathological factors of tumor. PTCH1 was only the molecule associated with poor prognosis of patients with differentiated type of tumor. For mRNA analysis, a significant correlation was demonstrated between certain clinicopathological factors and PTCH1, SMO or/and GLI1 mRNA levels. High levels of SHH and PTCH1 mRNA were associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the PTCH1 mRNA level and liver metastasis as significant independent prognostic factors. Conclusions:PTCH1 expression in the SHH pathway was possibly involved in gastric cancer tumor progression, and could be a useful indicator for the prognosis of gastric cancer.
Processes of a case study methodology for postgraduate research in marketing

Qualitative research has not been viewed as a rigorous alternative to established quantitative methods in postgraduate marketing research. However, this paper reports on the Australian development of a successful, structured approach to using the case study methodology in postgraduate research. Its aim is to present and justify guidelines for using the case study research methodology in honours, masters and PhD research theses, and so it should interest candidates and their supervisors. First, appropriate positions on a range of scientific paradigms and core issues of induction and deduction are established. Then implementation of the case study methodology is examined, including the numbers of case studies and of interviews. Unusual but effective uses of theoretical replication to rigorously analyze case study data are illustrated from postgraduate theses. Finally, a framework is provided for constructing a thesis, emphasizing the key methodology chapter.
High-Dynamic-Range Wireless-Over-Fiber Link Using Feedforward Linearization

We demonstrate the implementation of feedforward linearization at 5 GHz, which is the highest operating frequency yet reported, with 500-MHz linearization bandwidth having at least 24-dB distortion suppression. Simultaneous reduction of 26-dB third-order intermodulation distortion and 7-dB laser-noise reduction is achieved at 5.2 GHz, leading to enhanced spurious-free dynamic range of 107 dB (1 Hz) in a directly modulated uncooled semiconductor laser for applications in wireless-over-fiber (WoF) systems. This paper also provides detailed analysis on feedforward, theoretical distortion reduction, criteria for component selection, and the effect of dispersion. The effectiveness of feedforward in a multichannel system is demonstrated at 5.8 GHz for fixed wireless systems, such as WiMAX. These results suggest that the feedforward-linearization arrangement can make practical multichannel and multioperator WoF systems.
Prenatal contraceptive counseling and method provision after childbirth

Postpartum contraception is undergoing major changes, not only in timing, but also in content. Failure to provide immediate postpartum contraception contributes to the problems of unintended pregnancies and rapid repeat pregnancy because often the highest-risk women do not return for postpartum care. If they do attend that visit, they have often lost the insurance coverage that would enable them to use the most effective forms of birth control. Most of the issues surrounding early initiation of progestin-only methods and breastfeeding have been favorably resolved. In some cases, insurance coverage for delivery has been expanded to cover the costs of providing intrauterine devices and implants before the woman is discharged home. All of these new opportunities shift the burden of counseling about postpartum contraception onto the shoulders of the prenatal care provider. This article provides information about the advantages and disadvantages of providing immediate postpartum contraception with each of the eligible methods so clinicians can provide the needed counseling both during pregnancy and during hospitalization for delivery. It also provides guidance for initiation of bridging contraception, if needed, to initiate a method for a woman later in the postpartum period.
Ischemia‐Reperfusion: Mechanisms of Microvascular Dysfunction and the Influence of Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Endothelial cell function in all segments (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) of the microvasculature is compromised in tissues exposed to ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). This endothelial cell dysfunction is manifested as an impaired ability of arterioles to vasodilate, enhanced fluid filtration and leukocyte plugging in capillaries, and leukocyte‐endothelial cell adhesion and increased protein extravasation in venules. An imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide contributes to most of these responses. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and hypertension all appear to exacerbate the microvascular responses to I/R. A common feature of the deleterious effects of these risk factors is the enhanced oxidant stress experienced by endothelial cells, which appears to promote leukocyte‐endothelial cell adhesion via transcription‐independent (early response) and dependent (late response) processes. The exaggerated endothelial barrier dysfunction elicited by I/R in hypercholesterolemic animals is linked to the enhanced leukocyte recruitment, while the enhanced protein extravasation in postischemic venules of diabetic animals occurs independently of leukocyte recruitment.
EFFECT OF IRRIGATION LEVELS ON THE GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF POTATO

ABuBAker, B. M. A. , Y. ShuAng-en, S. guAng-Cheng, M. AlhAdi and A. elSiddig, 2014. effect of irrigation levels on the growth, yield and quality of potato. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 20: 303-309 Water significantly affects the high yield crop production of potato and is needed in sufficient amount to ensure optimum yield. To investigate the effect of different irrigation water quantity on the potato crop growth, yield and other agronomic components, a field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2008-2010 on the eastern side of the Nile River, about 54 km north of Khartoum, Sudan. In the concerned experiment a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used, where four different seasonal irrigation treatments were applied during the first season (Fs) while six were applied during the second season (Ss) through furrow irrigation system. The results showed that the growth parameters and the yield were significantly response (P < 0.05) to the seasonal water supply. The tuber yield was increased during the first season on the behalf of water supplied as compared to other.
The HR Scorecard: Linking People, Strategy, and Performance

Three experts in Human Resources introduce a measurement system that convincingly showcases how HR impacts business performance. Drawing from the authors' ongoing study of nearly 3,000 firms, this book describes a seven-step process for embedding HR systems within the firm's overall strategy--what the authors describe as an HR Scorecard--and measuring its activities in terms that line managers and CEOs will find compelling. Analyzing how each element of the HR system can be designed to enhance firm performance and maximize the overall quality of human capital, this important book heralds the emergence of HR as a strategic powerhouse in today's organizations. Contents: HR as a strategic partner : the measurement challenge Clarifying and measuring HR's strategic influence : introduction to a seven-step process Creating an HR scorecard Cost-benefit analyses for HR interventions The principles of good measurement Measuring HR alignment Competencies for HR professionals Guidelines for implementing an HR scorecard.
The role of illness beliefs and coping in the adjustment to dentine hypersensitivity.

AIM Dentine hypersensitivity is a common oral health problem, however, there has been little research on how people cope with this condition. This study aimed to quantify the effects of illness beliefs and coping strategies on the health outcomes of individuals with dentine hypersensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants were purposively sampled from students and staff in one large UK University and 101 self-diagnosed dentine hypersensitivity sufferers participated in the longitudinal study. Participants were required to complete questionnaires which assessed health anxiety, specific illness beliefs (control, consequences, illness coherence, timeline perspectives and emotional representations), coping strategies (passive and active coping) and oral health-related and health-related quality of life (OHRQoL and HRQoL) at baseline and 1 month follow-up. RESULTS Over half of the participants (N = 56) experienced sensations in their teeth on a daily basis and the majority had experienced dentine hypersensitivity for at least 1 year (N = 87). Structural equation modelling indicated that predictors of OHRQoL and HRQoL impacts at follow-up were frequency of sensations, low levels of illness coherence, negative emotional representations, greater health anxiety and use of passive coping strategies at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Illness beliefs and coping strategies predict oral and health-related quality of life outcomes in people with dentine hypersensitivity.
Regulation of Sialic Acid 9-O-Acetylation during the Growth and Differentiation of Murine Erythroleukemia Cells*

Sialic acids are typically found at the terminal position on vertebrate oligosaccharides. They are sometimes modified by an O-acetyl ester at the 9-position, potentially altering recognition of sialic acid by antibodies, lectins, and viruses. 9-O-Acetylation is known to be selectively expressed on gangliosides in melanoma cells and on N-linked chains in hepatocytes. Using a recently developed probe, we show here that in murine erythroleukemia cells, this modification is selectively expressed on another class of oligosaccharides, O-linked chains carried on cell surface sialomucins. These cells also express 9-O-acetylation on the ganglioside GD3, but this modification appears to be undetectable on the cell surface. Increasing cell density in culture is associated with a decrease in cell surface 9-O-acetylation of sialomucins. This change correlates with the spontaneous differentiation toward a mature erythroid phenotype. This down-regulation upon differentiation and entry into the G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle is confirmed by differentiation-inducing agents. In contrast, cells arrested in G2/M by the microtubule depolymerizing agent nocodazole show increased expression of cell surface 9-O-acetylated sialomucins (but not the 9-O-acetylated ganglioside). However, the microtubule stabilizer taxol does not induce this increase, showing that the nocodazole effect is independent of cell cycle stage. Indeed, direct analysis showed no correlation of 9-O-acetylation with cell cycle stage in rapidly growing cells, and shorter treatments with nocodazole also increased expression. Western blots of cell extracts confirmed that changes caused by differentiation and nocodazole are not due to redistribution of molecules from the cell surface. Indeed, following selective removal of 9-O-acetyl groups from the cell surface by a specific esterase, the recovery of expression is mediated by new synthesis rather than by redistribution from an internal pool. Thus, 9-O-acetylation on these sialomucins appears to be primarily regulated by the rate of synthesis, and the increase with nocodazole treatment is likely due to the inhibition of turnover of cell surface molecules. These data show that 9-O-acetylation of sialic acids in murine erythroleukemia cells is a highly regulated modification, being selectively expressed in a cell type-specific manner on certain classes of oligosaccharides and differentially regulated with regard to subcellular localization and to the state of cellular differentiation.
Sources of variability in the response of coupled spins to the PRESS sequence and their potential impact on metabolite quantification

Using a numerical method of solving the equation of motion of the density matrix, an evaluation is presented of the sources of the marked variability in the response to the point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) pulse sequence of coupled proton spin systems. The consequences of an inappropriate 180° pulse design and of the limitations on radiofrequency power are demonstrated for a weakly coupled example, lactate. The dominating role of strong coupling, which is present in most brain metabolites, is demonstrated for glutamate, in which 160 terms in the density operator were tracked to monitor the gross changes in lineshape and signal intensity as a function of the two echo times. The predictions of the numerical solutions were confirmed by experiments on phantoms of aqueous metabolite solutions. Magn Reson Med 41:1162–1169, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromosome classification using backpropagation neural networks.

The feasibility of an artificial neural network as a chromosome classifier was examined in this study, using the relative length, the centromeric index, and the density distribution of G-banded chromosome as feature vectors. The two-layer neural network trained with the error backpropagation training algorithm showed good potential in classification of Giemsa-banded human chromosomes. The minimum classification error was obtained with the configuration that had 27 input nodes and 24 PEs in the hidden layer. However, this study also showed some problems. Only two experiments, which had 25 and 50 density distribution samples, respectively, were carried out, due to the long computation time of the backpropagation neural network. Also, the centromere finding algorithm used in this study could not apply to telocentric chromosomes (group D and group G) because of their very small short arms; their centromere locations were determined manually. The algorithm must be modified so that it can be applied to all types of chromosomes to reduce the preprocessing time. Better training algorithms to reduce training time are needed. The error backpropagation training algorithm requires very long training times. Next, finding the optimal number of input nodes that gives the minimum classification error requires a trial and error experiment. Finally, other chromosome features that reduce the classification error need to be examined.
The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the hydroalcholic extract of "Shirishadi compound" in animal model

The main objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory & analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of Shirishadi polyherbal compound on rats. Shirishadi compound consist of three herbal drugs namely- Shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck), Nagarmotha (Cyprus rotandus) & Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum). In Ayurveda (ancient Indian system of medicine) all these herbs alone or in combination with other herbs are commonly used in the managmant of bronchial asthma. In the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test for acute inflammation, the extract of Shirishadi compound in doses of 50mg, 200 mg and 500 mg/kg body weight showed 77% and 79% and 81% inhibition of edema, respectively, at the end of 4h which is comparable to that of standard ( endomethacin) i.e. 92%. In the acetic acid induced writhing test the extract of Shirishadi compound ( 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight) showed a significant (p<0.001) reduction in the number of writhes with 65.6% and 70.9% of inhibition, respectively. In radiant heat tail-flick test the crude extract produced 58.1% (p<0.001) and 61.1% (p<0.001) elongation of tail flicking time 30 minutes after oral doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively . After 60 minutes the extract showed 56.3% (p<0.001) and 59% (p<0.001) elongation of tail flicking time. Experimental results showed that Shirishadi compound has persuasive anti-inflammmatory property along with significant analgesic activity.
An Augmented Model of Customer Loyalty for Organizational Purchasing of Financial Services

ABSTRACT Purpose. To understand how the drivers of loyalty in business-to-business (B2B) markets for financial services might be moderated by short- versus long-term relational orientation to help companies in those markets optimize the allocation of their marketing resources. Methodology/Approach. The basis of this study was the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) model of customer loyalty, which was relevant for this B2B market because the ratio of customers to suppliers was large and, therefore, similar to a business-to-consumer (B2C) market. Partial least squares (PLS) was used to estimate the ECSI model in two groups defined by a median split on Ganesan's (1994) buyer's relational orientation (BRO) scale. Findings. Buyer's relational orientation was a significant moderator of several relationships in the ECSI model. For buyers with a higher (long-term) BRO, loyalty was driven by satisfaction, corporate image, product quality, and service quality. For buyers with a lower (short-term) BRO, what little loyalty existed was driven by product quality alone, rather than service quality, image, or satisfaction. Originality/Value/Contribution. This study demonstrates the usefulness of testing for differences in the drivers of loyalty for customers with short-versus long-term relational orientation. The management implications are the usefulness of adopting a portfolio approach to managing financial services customers by (1) segmenting customers into high and low BRO groups and (2) implementing different marketing approaches for these two segments.
Internal Audit in the Statutory Bodies and Government-linked Companies of Malaysia: The Never Ending Saga!

This paper is part of the third and final study conducted on the state of internal audit in the public sector of Malaysia. The first study was concerned with the internal audit operations in the state and local governments found in Peninsular Malaysia (Azham et al 2007a), while the second study was concerned with internal audit in the nation’s federal government ministries, departments and agencies (Azham et al 2007b). This third study covers 47 organizations at the federal government level, comprising 27 statutory bodies and 20 government-linked companies. From the face-to-face interviews conducted with internal auditors over the three year period 2005 to 2007, several notable audit features emerged as common to all 47 organizations. Some are depressing, while a few others are encouraging. All in all, however, the internal audit function in a majority of the organizations still leaves much to be desired. Also, it is notable that these findings are very much like those of the previous two internal audit studies (Azham et al 2007a; 2007b), and to make sense of the dismal state of the internal audit function in the public organizations, there is perhaps a need to look at the bigger context within which the internal audit function is found.
Effects of an Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) on the Common Shore Crab Carcinus maenas: Tagging Pilot Experiments in the Lillgrund Offshore Wind Farm (Sweden)

Worldwide growth of offshore renewable energy production will provide marine organisms with new hard substrate for colonization in terms of artificial reefs. The artificial reef effect is important when planning offshore installations since it can create habitat enhancement. Wind power is the most advanced technology within offshore renewable energy sources and there is an urgent need to study its impacts on the marine environment. To test the hypothesis that offshore wind power increases the abundance of reef species relative to a reference area, we conduct an experiment on the model species common shore crab (Carcinus maenas). Overall, 3962 crabs were captured, observed, marked and released in 2011 and 1995 crabs in 2012. Additionally, carapace size, sex distribution, color morphs and body condition was recorded from captured crabs. We observed very low recapture rates at all sites during both years which made evaluating differences in population sizes very difficult. However, we were able to estimate population densities from the capture record for all three sites. There was no obvious artificial reef effect in the Lillgrund wind farm, but a spill-over effect to nearby habitats cannot be excluded. We could not find any effect of the wind farm on either, morphs, sex distribution or condition of the common shore crab. Our study found no evidence that Lillgrund wind farm has a negative effect on populations of the common shore crab. This study provides the first quantitative and experimental data on the common shore crab in relation to offshore wind farms.
Power density design of SiC and GaN DC-DC converters for 380 V DC distribution system based on series-parallel circuit topology

The power density for SiC and GaN isolated DC-DC converters were estimated, taking the series-parallel circuit topology and novel device characteristics into account. Design consideration for a 300 W 48 V-48 V LLC converter using GaN-FET and a 4800 W 384 V-384 V converter using SiC-MOSFET were conducted by using the power converter exact loss simulator. The power density of a low-power low-voltage GaN converter was higher than that of single SiC high-power high-voltage converter, and the potential of the series-parallel circuit topology was shown. Standardized high power density converters are attractive for future DC distribution system. This design contributes to realizing highly efficient and space-saving DC distribution system.
Population-based prevalence, incidence, and disease burden of autoimmune hepatitis in South Korea

Background and aim Little is known about population-based epidemiology and disease burden of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, incidence, comorbidity and direct medical cost of AIH in South Korea. Methods The data was from the nationwide, population-based National Health Insurance Service claims database and the Rare Intractable Disease registration program. Age and gender-specific prevalence rates were calculated, and data on comorbidity, diagnostic tests, prescribed drugs, and medical costs were retrieved for patients registered under the disease code K75.4 (AIH) from 2009 to 2013. Results A total of 4,085 patients with AIH were identified between 2009 and 2013 with a female-to-male ratio of 6.4. The age-adjusted prevalence rate was 4.82/100,000 persons and gender adjusted prevalence rates were 8.35 in females and 1.30 in males. The age-adjusted calculated incidence rate was 1.07/100,000 persons (gender-adjusted 1.83 in females and 0.31 in males). Ascites, variceal bleeding, and hepatocellular carcinoma were found in 1.4%, 1.3%, and 2.2% of the patients, respectively. Forty-six patients (1.1%) underwent liver transplantation during the study period. Case-fatality was 2.18%. Corticosteroid and azathioprine were prescribed in 44.1% and 38.0% of prevalent patients with AIH in 2013, respectively. The nationwide total direct medical cost was less than 4.0 million USD, and the average cost for each patient was 1,174 USD in 2013. Conclusion This is the first report on the nationwide epidemiology of AIH in Korea, and it showed a lower prevalence than that of Western countries with considerable disease burden.