Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association studies identify genetic loci related to alcohol consumption in Korean men.

BACKGROUND Genome-wide association (GWA) studies regarding the quantitative trait of alcohol consumption are limited. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to explore genetic loci associated with the amount of alcohol consumed. DESIGN We conducted a GWA study with discovery data on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 1721 Korean male drinkers aged 40-69 y who were included in an urban population-based cohort. Another sample that comprised 1113 male drinkers who were from an independent cohort enrolled in a rural area served as a resource for replication. At baseline (18 June 2001 through 29 January 2003), members of both cohorts provided information on average daily alcohol consumptions, and their DNA samples were collected for genotyping. RESULTS We tested 315,914 SNPs of discovery data by using multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for age and smoking, and 12 SNPs on chromosome 12q24 had genome-wide significant associations with alcohol consumption; adjusted P values by using Bonferroni correction were 1.6 × 10(-5) through 5.8 × 10(-46). We observed most SNPs in intronic regions and showed that the genes that harbor SNPs were C12orf51, CCDC63, MYL2, OAS3, CUX2, and RPH3A. In particular, signals in or near C12orf51, CCDC63, and MYL2 were successfully replicated in the test for 317,951 SNPs; rs2074356 in C12orf51 was in high linkage disequilibrium with SNPs in ALDH2, but other SNPs were not. CONCLUSIONS In a GWA study, we identified loci and alleles highly associated with alcohol consumption. The findings suggest the need for further investigations on the genetic propensity for drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
Prior Stock-Splits and Volatility Changes Surrounding the Corporate Divestiture Announcements

Extant literature demonstrates that the stock splits increase the volatility of the firm. In this paper, we highlight another impact of stock split on the stock return volatility. We show that stock split also contributes to the increase in volatility upon the announcement of a major corporate event. Using the sample of divesture (mainly of equity carve-outs and spin-offs) announcements, between 1985 and 2004, we, first, show that the parent firms experience increase in overall stock market volatility. Second, the univariate analysis reports an increase in volatility is mainly for those parent firms which had conducted stock splits within five prior years to the divesture announcements, have split factor less than or equal to 1, and have conducted splits more than once in the 15 years prior to the divestitures. Results of regression analysis show that the impact of prior stock-splits is mainly limited to the sample of parent firms that have divested their unit through spin-offs.
Tumor detection in automated breast ultrasound images using quantitative tissue clustering.

PURPOSE A computer-aided detection (CADe) system based on quantitative tissue clustering algorithm was proposed to identify potential tumors in automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) images. METHODS Our three-dimensional (3D) ABUS images database included 148 biopsy-verified lesions (size 0.4-7.9 cm; mean 1.76 cm). An ABUS volume was comprised of 229-282 slices of two-dimensional (2D) images. For tumor detection, the fast 3D mean shift method was used to remove the speckle noise and the segment tissues with similar properties. The hypoechogenic regions, i.e., the tumor candidates, were extracted using fuzzy c-means clustering. Seven features related to echogenicity and morphology were quantified and used to predict the likelihood of identifying a tumor and filtering out the false-positive (FP) regions. RESULTS The sensitivity of the proposed CADe system achieved 89.19% (132/148) with 2.00 FPs per volume. For the volumes without lesion, the FP rate was 1.27. The sensitivity was 92.50% (74/80) for malignant tumors and 85.29% (58/68) for benign tumors. CONCLUSIONS The proposed CADe system provides an automatic and quantitative procedure for tumor detection in ABUS images. Further studies are needed to reduce the FP rate of the CADe algorithm.
A Study of Female Travelers' Needs Trajectory and Family Life Cycle

ABSTRACT This study examined female travelers' needs and preferences trajectory by adopting the concepts of modernized family life cycle and the travel career ladder. The results supported the travel career ladder model to an extent, yielding four major needs, namely, relaxation, relationship, self-development, and self-esteem oriented. The patterns of female travelers' needs of the travel career ladder and travel preferences were varied across different stages of the family life cycle and employment status. The results indicated that providing total relaxation, socialization, and self-development opportunities can be examples of potential marketing communication emphases for tourism marketers targeting at female travelers.
Diffusion weighted vertical gradient and spin echo

In this work, diffusion weighting and parallel imaging is combined with a vertical gradient and spin echo data readout. This sequence was implemented and evaluated on healthy volunteers using a 1.5 and a 3 T whole‐body MR system. As the vertical gradient and spin echo trajectory enables a higher k‐space velocity in the phase‐encoding direction than single‐shot echo planar imaging, the geometrical distortions are reduced. When combined with parallel imaging such as generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition, the geometric distortions are reduced even further, while also keeping the minimum echo time reasonably low. However, this combination of a diffusion preparation and multiple refocusing pulses during the vertical gradient and spin echo readout, generally violates the Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill condition, which leads to interferences between echo pathways. To suppress the stimulated echo pathway, refocusing pulses with a sharper slice profiles and an odd/even crusher variation scheme were implemented and evaluated. Being a single‐shot acquisition technique, the reconstructed images are robust to rigid‐body head motion and spatially varying brain motion, both of which are common sources of artifacts in diffusion MRI. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parameter Optimizations and Performances for the Low-Charge Beams in PAL Free-Electron Laser

We investigated optimum choices of beam and accelerator parameters for low-charge beams of self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) free-electron laser (FEL) at PAL. The FEL system is designed to provide a short pulse beam to generate the high power of the wavelength of 1-Å in the undulator. The designed linac provides the pulses of 10 fs rms and 3.85 fs rms for the charges of 0.2 nC and 0.02 nC, respectively. Parameters of the two-stage bunch compressors are optimized to reduce the effects of coherent synchrotron radiation. The bunch compressors are also designed such that the effects of nonlinearities due to wakefields, rf curvature, and second-order momentum compaction become as small as possible in the linear accelerator. Through these parameter optimizations, we have minimized the bunch charges that could decrease effects of emittance dilution and growth of energy spread, which may deteriorate the SASE performance. Start-to-end tracking simulations include the longitudinal and transverse wakefields, and the effects of errors such as rf gun timing, rf phase, and rf voltage are investigated. We investigated the effectiveness of a laser heater that may give Landau damping to suppress the microbunching beam instability. It is shown that a laser heater may suppress the microbunching beam instability in the FEL system. We also investigated the effects of the ac and dc resistive wall wakefields in a long undulator. It is shown that energy variations induced within the bunch over the length of the undulator are acceptable. As a result, through these optimizations studies, we could get beam parameters and accelerator parameters that can provide the FEL power of the 60 GW with FEL pulse of 10 fs and 3 fs in the wavelength of 1-Å in around a 50-m-long undulator for the charges of 0.2 nC and 0.02 nC, respectively. It is shown by our optimizations that our designed FEL system shows required performances for the low-charge beams in the 10 GeV.
The Capitalization of Intangibles and Managerial Information

In this study, I investigate whether managers’ capitalization of intangible expenditures conveys incremental information, about the amount and timing of future cash flows, to expensed intangible expenditures. I find the association between capitalized SD (Software Development) expenditures and future cash flows is stronger than the association between reported RD indicating managers may use the capitalization decision to convey private information when incentives to do so are higher. However, I find the association is lower for firms whose capitalized SD expenditures allows them to meet or beat analysts’ forecasts, consistent with managers using the capitalization decision opportunistically. These findings suggest that on average managers who capitalize SD expenditures use their private information to convey the future cash flow implications of SD expenditures; but that in some situations they may also use the capitalization decision opportunistically.
Stakeholder strategies for service: conceptualising user-focused service in nursing home care

In the context of the demographic imperative of the worldwide ageing population, this paper proposes a framework to understand the dimensions for service quality in stakeholder perceptions of elderly nursing home care. Using extant theory on service quality and satisfaction, we explore, through semi-structured interviews, the expectations and experience of service from the perspectives of residents, family/friends and service managers. Our conceptualisation has resonance with generic notions of service quality: responsiveness, tangibles, assurance and empathy. However, systems orientation is an additional important element of experience. Expectations included issues concerning the room, care comparable to home and service outcome (returning home).
Bioactive hydrogel-nanosilica hybrid materials: a potential injectable scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Novel bioactive organic–inorganic hybrid materials that can serve as injectable hydrogel systems for bone tissue regeneration were obtained. The silica nanoparticles (SiNP) prepared in situ by the Stöber method were dispersed in collagen, collagen-chitosan or chitosan sols, which were then subsequently crosslinked. Laser scanning confocal microscopy studies, in which fluorescent SiNP were applied, and SEM images indicated that the nanosilica particles were distributed in the whole volume of the hydrogel matrix. In vitro studies on fibroblast cell viability indicated that the hybrid materials are biocompatible. The silica nanoparticles dispersed in the biopolymer matrix had a positive effect on cell viability. Studies on the mineralization process under simulated body fluid (SBF) conditions confirmed the bioactivity of prepared materials. SEM images revealed mineral phase formation in the majority of the hybrid materials developed. EDS analysis indicated that these mineral phases are mainly composed of calcium and phosphorus. The XRD studies confirmed that mineral phases formed during SBF incubation of hybrid materials based on collagen are bone-like apatite minerals. The silica nanoparticles added to the hydrogel at the stage of synthesis induced the occurrence of mineralization. This process occurs not only at the surface of the material but in its entire volume, which is important for the preparation of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The ability of these materials to undergo in situ gelation under physiological temperature and their bioactivity as well as biocompatibility make them interesting candidates for bioactive injectable systems.
Using Alice to Teach Novice Programmers OOP Concepts

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Targeted disruption of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1alpha-hydroxylase gene in ras-transformed keratinocytes demonstrates that locally produced 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppresses growth and induces differentiation in an autocrine fashion.

It has been previously shown that keratinocytes express a high level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25-OHD(3)) 1alpha-hydroxylase (1alpha-hydroxylase). 1alpha-Hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of 25-OHD(3) to 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)]. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) is both antiproliferative (i.e., suppresses cell growth) and prodifferentiative (i.e., induces cell differentiation) in many cell types. We hypothesized that local production of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) by keratinocytes may suppress their growth and induce their differentiation in an autocrine fashion. To test this hypothesis, we inactivated both 1alpha-hydroxylase alleles in a ras-transformed keratinocyte cell line, HPK1Aras, which typically produces squamous carcinoma in nude mice. To inactivate 1alpha-hydroxylase expression by HPK1Aras cells, we disrupted both alleles of the 1alpha-hydroxylase gene by homologous recombination. Lack of expression and activity of 1alpha-hydroxylase was confirmed by Northern blot analysis and detected conversion of 25-OHD(3) to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). We then examined the effect of substrate 25-OHD(3) on parameters of growth and differentiation in the double knockout cell line as compared to wild-type HPK1Aras cells in vitro. It was found that 1alpha-hydroxylase inactivation blocked the antiproliferative and prodifferentiative effect of 25-OHD(3). These in vitro effects were further analyzed in vivo by injecting knockout or control cells subcutaneously in severely compromised immunodeficient mice. Tumor growth was accelerated and differentiation was inhibited in mice given injections of knockout cells as compared to control cells in the presence of substrate 25-OHD(3). Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that 1alpha-hydroxylase expression by keratinocytes plays an important role in autocrine growth and differentiation of these cells, and suggest that expression of this enzyme may modulate tumor growth in squamous carcinomas.
THE EFFECT OF BUG DAMAGE ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL, ELECTROPHORETIC AND QUALITY FACTORS OF WHEAT GLUTEN

One of the most important forms of preharvest damage to wheat is caused by sunn pests. The insects insert their mouth parts into the immature grain and while injecting their saliva suck the milky juices. Flour from damaged wheat results in low baking performance due to the bug proteolytic enzymes' injected which cause the breakdown of gluten structure in the dough. In the present study three wheat varieties named Alvand, Mahdavi and Roshan with different levels of bug damage were studied. The effect of bug damage on physicochmical properties showed reduced thousand kernel weight, protein and ash contents. Gluten and gluten index decreased significantly upon bug damage. Among the factors the degree of gluten hydrolysis, total reducing substances and sulfhydryl groups content were increased upon bug damage in all the three varieties examined but disulfide groups content was reduced. Monitoring of the wheat flour protein by SDS-PAGE indicated that some of the bands related to HMW-GS at the top of electropherogram were disappeared and the intensity of some other were decreased. In Roshan and Alvand varieties, the intensity of bands with similar mobility to gliadins was decreased. Incubation of bug-damaged samples resulted in further degradation of electropherogram bands of high molecular weights and development of bands with lower molecular weights that is due to the hydrolyzing effect of bug protease.
Proceedings of WAVE 2010 study on vehicle locating and tracking based on IEEE802.11p wireless base station

At the beginning of application of In-vehicle network system, there will be incomplete or even no signal coverage in some sections of highway. In order to ensure a smooth transition in network, we locate and track vehicles with In-vehicle network system assistant with the most extensive nationwide coverage of GSM network signal. With a single base station location model, we put forward two kinds of positioning methods, and conducted a simulation analysis.
Post-source decay analysis in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of biomolecules†

An introduction to primary structure analysis of biomolecules by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) post-source decay (PSD) is given, sketching the principles and applications of the method for scientists in molecular biology, biochemistry and biomedicine. The fundamentals of PSD are described in order to explain the potential and limitations of its applicability. Two examples of peptide sequencing of a completely unknown peptide and of a database-listed peptide are presented and the procedure of (non-automated) amino acid sequence elucidation is described. 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A conceptual model for selecting and evaluating third‐party reverse logistics providers

The selection of third‐party logistics providers is an intriguing practical and research question. With the development and advancement of reverse logistics concepts and practice, the selection of partners for the specific function of reverse logistics support becomes more important. This paper is one of the first to address this issue. The factors that play an important role in selecting a third‐party reverse logistics provider; such as a focus on end‐of‐life product organizational roles (e.g. recycling, reuse, etc.), differ from some traditional factors for supplier selection. How these new factors can be included for the selection of a partner is modeled within a decision‐making framework.
An FMRI Study of Olfactory Cues to Perception of Conspecific Stress

Abstract : Alarm substances are airborne chemical signals, released by an individual into the environment, which communicate emotional stress between conspecifics. Here it is tested whether humans, like other mammals, are able to detect emotional stress in others by chemosensory cues. Sweat samples collected from individuals undergoing an acute emotional stressor, with exercise as a control, were pooled and presented to a separate group of participants (blind to condition) during four experiments. In an fMRI experiment and its replication, it was found that scanned participants showed amygdala activation in response to samples obtained from donors undergoing an emotional, but not physical, stressor. An odor-discrimination experiment suggested the effect was primarily due to emotional, and not odor, differences between the two stimuli. A fourth experiment investigated behavioral effects, demonstrating that stress samples sharpened emotion-perception of ambiguous facial stimuli. Together, these findings suggest human chemosensory signaling of emotional stress, with neurobiological and behavioral effects.
A phase 1/1b study of rituximab, bendamustine, and ibrutinib in patients with untreated and relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Ibrutinib has single agent activity of 22% to 68% in relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of ibrutinib combined with rituximab (R) and bendamustine. Patients received R (375 mg/m(2)) on day 1, bendamustine (90 mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 2, and ibrutinib (280 or 560 mg) on days 1 to 28 every 28 days for 6 cycles followed by ibrutinib alone until progression. Forty-eight patients enrolled, including 12 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), 16 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLCL), and 17 with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Patients received a median of 8 cycles, with 26 completing 6 cycles and continuing ibrutinib alone in cycles 7 to 34. The overall response (OR) rate was 72%, with 52% complete responses (CRs). By histology, the OR rate was 94% (76% CR) in MCL, 37% (31% CR) in DLCL, and 90% (50% CR) in FL. Grade 3 to 4 toxicities included lymphopenia (77%), neutropenia (33%), thrombocytopenia (19%), and rash (25%). Median progression-free survival has not been reached (95% CI, 8.7 months to not reached). The recommended phase 2 dose of ibrutinib in combination with R-bendamustine in patients with NHL is 560 mg. The combination has promising efficacy, particularly in MCL and FL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as #NCT01479842.
Enterprise Resource Planning implementation at Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: an initial study of the Greek market

The research reported in this article is part of a larger project involving Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) adoption in Greece aiming at the investigation of the criteria that affect actual implementation. A structured questionnaire has been developed based on a combination of two frameworks: the first one is an extension proposed to the Markus and Tanis model, and the second one is based on a previously developed methodology (the six imperatives) for ERP evaluation, selection, and implementation. The paper discusses the frameworks, methodology, and preliminary findings from 40 companies of various industries. The results indicate a number of factors affecting ERP implementation and some differences in choices and activities between Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and larger companies concerning ERP adoption. One important finding is that many SMEs do not follow a structured methodology for ERP system implementation and they are not familiar with techniques such as business process reengineering and change management.
Observation on Spammers in Sina Weibo

Micro-blogging service has been developing and evolving rapidly in China which has led to a significant rise in social spamming attacks. However, little is known about these spammers. Thus, in this paper, we presented an observation on spammers in Sina Weibo, the biggest micro-blogging community in China. Specifically, we used program-controlled profiles to monitor, track and record spamming behaviors. We gave a detailed description of the experiment settings and then analyzed the spamming data collected by these profiles. We found that the spammers on Sina Weibo can be classified into two categories and they shared some distinguishing characteristics. These results are promising for the future study on automatically detecting and identifying spammers. Keywords-Chinese micro-blog communities, Sina weibo, spammers
Effective Medium Theory for Carbon Nanotube Composites and their Potential Applications as Metamaterials

An improved effective medium theory to study the interaction of the electromagnetic field with carbon nanotubes composites is presented. Analytical derivations of the effective material tensor are achieved carefully through appropriate homogenization formalism. The proposed theory is self-consistent and in conformity with experimental results in literature. Analysis is provided to demonstrate that carbon nanotube composites could support left-hand wave propagation.