Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Gene Mutation in Juvenile Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene has been considered to be a tumor suppressor gene, since the NF1 gene product downregulates the ras oncogene product (p21ras). In addition, children with NF1 show an increased incidence of myelogenous leukemia, including juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML). We studied 8 Japanese JCML patients without NF1 for mutations in exons 21–36 of the NF1 gene by using polymerase chain reaction/single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. This region was chosen because it includes two main hotspots in the NF1 gene as well as the functionally important domain, GTPase-activating protein-related domain, which mediates the downregulation of ras activity. One of the 8 JCML patients exhibited a G to T transversion at the third nucleotide of the codon GAG for Glu at amino acid residue 1699, which results in the heterozygous conversion to Asp (E1699D). This variation was detected neither in 65 healthy volunteers nor 50 NF1 patients. No other variations were detected in our JCML patients. We suggest that NF1 gene mutation does not occur frequently in JCML without NF1.
Plum Curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Adult Mortality and Associated Fruit Injury After Exposure to Field-Aged Insecticides on Tart Cherry Branches

ABSTRACT Plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), adults were exposed to field-aged residues of thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, indoxacarb, or azinphos-methyl on tart cherry, Prunus cerasus L. variety Montmorency. At 1, 3, 7, and 14 d postapplication, fruit were sampled for chemical residues, and bioassays were used to assess beetle mortality and plant tissue injury. Azinphos-methyl had lethal activity within 1 d of exposure at all postapplication intervals and significant fruit protection extended to 14 d postapplication. All of the neonicotinoids had lethal activity at 3 d posttreatment, with acetamiprid activity extending to 7 d. Antifeedant and oviposition deterrent effects were seen with thiamethoxam and thiacloprid; damage incidence was significantly reduced in the absence of significant beetle mortality or intoxication. Thiamethoxam and acetamiprid penetrated into leaf and fruit tissue and were detected in the interior tissues at 14 d postapplication, but interior thiacloprid residues were not detected after day 1. Indoxacarb provided some fruit protection out to 7 d postapplication, and 14-d-old residues intoxicated beetles, but the slow action of this compound allowed significant damage to occur before beetles were incapacitated. Indoxacarb was only detected as a surface residue after the first day postapplication. These data on the plant— insect—chemistry interactions will support use and management decisions as compounds with acute contact activity are phased out.
Region-Based Multiscale Spatiotemporal Saliency for Video

Detecting salient objects from a video requires exploiting both spatial and temporal knowledge included in the video. We propose a novel region-based multiscale spatiotemporal saliency detection method for videos, where static features and dynamic features computed from the low and middle levels are combined together. Our method utilizes such combined features spatially over each frame and, at the same time, temporally across frames using consistency between consecutive frames. Saliency cues in our method are analyzed through a multiscale segmentation model, and fused across scale levels, yielding to exploring regions efficiently. An adaptive temporal window using motion information is also developed to combine saliency values of consecutive frames in order to keep temporal consistency across frames. Performance evaluation on several popular benchmark datasets validates that our method outperforms existing state-of-the-arts.
Effect of the Dose and Duration of Interferon-Alpha Therapy on the Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Noncirrhotic Patients with a Nonsustained Response to Interferon for Chronic Hepatitis C

Objective: We evaluated the effect of dose and duration of treatment with interferon (IFN)-α on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after IFN treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: A total of 291 noncirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C without hepatitis B virus coinfection in whom hepatitis C virus (HCV) was not eradicated by IFN-α therapy were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of HCC after IFN therapy was compared according to the total dose or duration of treatment. Results: Patients were followed up for 6–117 months after the end of IFN treatment. The duration of IFN treatment (≦24 vs. >24 weeks) had no effect on the incidence of HCC. However, the incidence of HCC was significantly lower in patients who received >500 million units of IFN as a total dose than in patients who received ≦500 million units of IFN (p = 0.0480), and the total dose of IFN (>500 million units) was an independent factor affecting the incidence of HCC (p = 0.0405). In addition, when focusing on patients whose histology was F2 or F3 before IFN treatment, the suppressive effect of the total dose of IFN (>500 million units) was emphasized (p = 0.0049 in generalized Wilcoxon test and p = 0.0178 in multivariate analysis). Conclusions: Patients with chronic hepatitis C should receive more than 500 million units of IFN when IFN is used to decrease the incidence of subsequent HCC.
Development and validation of a CGH microarray for clinical cytogenetic diagnosis

Purpose: We developed a microarray for clinical diagnosis of chromosomal disorders using large insert genomic DNA clones as targets for comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Methods: The array contains 362 FISH-verified clones that span genomic regions implicated in over 40 known human genomic disorders and representative subtelomeric clones for each of the 41 clinically relevant human chromosome telomeres. Three or four clones from almost all deletion or duplication genomic regions and three or more clones for each subtelomeric region were included. We tested chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) in a masked fashion by examining genomic DNA from 25 patients who were previously ascertained in a genetic clinic and studied by conventional cytogenetics. A novel software package implemented in the R statistical programming language was developed for normalization, visualization, and inference.Results: The CMA results were entirely consistent with previous cytogenetic and FISH findings. For clone by clone analysis, the sensitivity was estimated to be 96.7% and the specificity was 99.1%. Major advantages of this selected human genome array include the following: interrogation of clinically relevant genomic regions, the ability to test for a wide range of duplication and deletion syndromes in a single analysis, the ability to detect duplications that would likely be undetected by metaphase FISH, and ease of confirmation of suspected genomic changes by conventional FISH testing currently available in the cytogenetics laboratory.Conclusion: The array is an attractive alternative to telomere FISH and locus-specific FISH, but it does not include uniform coverage across the arms of each chromosome and is not intended to substitute for a standard karyotype. Limitations of CMA include the inability to detect both balanced chromosome changes and low levels of mosaicism.
Minimum wage as a wage policy tool in Japan

ABSTRACT Using prefectural data, we study the potential impact on wage dynamics of the planned minimum wage increase policy in Japan. Our main result is that stepping up minimum wage growth from 2 percent to the planned 3 percent per year could raise wage growth by 0.5 percent annually. Given Japan’s need for income policies to generate vigorous wage-price dynamics, reflecting the 2 percent inflation target, one policy implication of this finding is that, although the minimum wage plan will help boost wages, it should be accompanied by other, more “unorthodox” income policies, such as a “soft target” for private sector wage growth through a “comply-or-explain mechanism” for wage growth and increases in public wages in line with the inflation target.
Unstructured road detection from a single image

Image based road detection is a vital task for many real-world applications such as autonomous driving and obstacle detection. The detection of unstructured roads is particularly challenging by reason of blurry road borders, rough road surfaces and varying imaging conditions. In this paper, we propose a simple and effective method for unstructured road detection. The key idea is to consider the whole image as horizontal lines at regular interval. Based on the assumption that lower part of the road image contains much more road areas than other parts, we estimate horizon line by analyzing similarities between the very bottom line and other lines in terms of normalized cross correlation (NCC). A histogram based method is then carried out in the part below horizon line in order to predict road region. Finally, every point of line segments is classified as road or non-road by comparing the color feature with predicted road region. Further connection and dilation are conducted to extract road region from image. Experimental results on several complicated road images, both quantitatively and qualitatively, demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of our proposed method.
Cell-Type-Dependent Regulation of mTORC1 by REDD1 and the Tumor Suppressors TSC1/TSC2 and LKB1 in Response to Hypoxia

ABSTRACT mTORC1 is a critical regulator of cell growth that integrates multiple signals and is deregulated in cancer. We previously reported that mTORC1 regulation by hypoxia involves Redd1 and the Tsc1/Tsc2 complex. Here we show that Redd1 induction by hypoxia is tissue dependent and that hypoxia signals are relayed to mTORC1 through different pathways in a tissue-specific manner. In the liver, Redd1 induction is restricted to the centrilobular area, and in primary hepatocytes, mTORC1 inhibition by hypoxia is independent of Redd1. Furthermore, Tsc1/Tsc2 and Arnt (Hif-1β) are similarly dispensable. Hypoxia signaling in hepatocytes involves Lkb1, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and raptor. Differences in signal relay extend beyond hypoxia and involve AMPK signaling. AMPK activation (using 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside [AICAR]) induces raptor phosphorylation and inhibits mTORC1 in both mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) and hepatocytes, but whereas mTORC1 inhibition is Tsc1/Tsc2 dependent in MEFs, it is independent in hepatocytes. In liver cells, raptor phosphorylation is essential for both AMPK and hypoxia signaling. Thus, context-specific signals are required for raptor phosphorylation-induced mTORC1 inhibition. Our data illustrate a heretofore unappreciated topological complexity in mTORC1 regulation. Interestingly, topological differences in mTORC1 regulation by the tumor suppressor proteins Lkb1 and Tsc1/Tsc2 may underlie their tissue specificity of tumor suppressor action.
Design and Analysis of Distributed Hopping-Based Channel Access in Multi-Channel Cognitive Radio Systems with Delay Constraints

To support delay-sensitive traffic in multi-channel cognitive radio systems, designing a channel access scheme faces two major challenges, namely, the long waiting time due to continuous channel occupancy of primary users (PUs) and the performance degradation due to transmission collisions among secondary users (SUs). To address both issues, we propose a two-phase channel access scheme, which consists of a distributed channel negotiation phase and a hopping-based channel access phase for each SU. Specifically, in its first phase, an SU attempts to negotiate a specific initial slot/channel differing from the ones chosen by other SUs. Then, in its second phase, the SU chooses a channel in each time slot in a hopping-based manner to transmit data, where the hopping starts from its initial channel and follows a common hopping sequence. Virtual channels are introduced to accommodate the situation when the number of SUs is larger than that of actual channels. The average maximal waiting time due to the channel negotiation phase is derived, and the effective capacity of the service process for each SU in the channel access phase is analyzed. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme can support a higher traffic load under the statistical delay constraint, as compared with fixed or random channel access schemes.
Reactive near-field region radiation of planar UWB antennas close to a dispersive tissue model

This paper focuses on the radiation properties of planar Ultra Wideband (UWB) antennas in the vicinity of a dispersive layered tissue model through the range of 0-30 mm above the body model surface. Radiation properties are investigated in terms of the realized maximum gain, total antenna efficiency and radiation patterns (the plots of realized gain) at different antenna-body distances. Two planar UWB antennas are simulated in free space in this study and at multiple distances to the tissue model. Results are analyzed and discussed based on the antenna theory. When the operation distance over the boundary of antenna's reactive field can be used, the performance close to free space can be achieved.
ON THE STAR-CONSTRUCTION FOR TOPOLOGICAL 4-MANIFOLDS

We discuss existence and uniqueness of the ∗-construction which reverses the Kirby-Siebenmann invariant of a topological 4-manifold while fixing the homotopy type. In particular, we point out an error in Theorem 10.3 of [4] where a certain ∗-partner was mistakenly proven not to exist. The existence of this 4-manifold will follow from our Theorem 1 which proves that for fundamental group Z/2 all possible isometries of the equivariant intersection form are realized by homeomorphisms.
The role of FIS in trans activation of stable RNA operons of E. coli.

The thrU(tufB) operon of Escherichia coli is endowed with a cis‐acting region upstream of the promoter, designated UAS for Upstream Activator Sequence. A protein fraction has been isolated that binds specifically to DNA fragments of the UAS, thus forming three protein‐DNA complexes corresponding to three binding sites on the UAS. It stimulates in vitro transcription of the operon by facilitating the binding of the RNA polymerase to the promoter. All three protein‐DNA complexes contain one and the same protein. Dissociation constants for the three complexes have been determined, the lowest being in the sub‐nanomolar range. The protein also binds to the UAS of the tyrT operon and to the UAS upstream of the P1 promoter of the rrnB operon, suggesting that transcription of the three operons, if not of more stable RNA operons, is activated by a common trans activator. We demonstrate that the E.coli protein FIS (Factor for Inversion Stimulation) also binds to the UAS of the thrU(tufB) operon forming three protein‐DNA complexes. A burst of UAS‐ and FIS‐dependent promoter activity is observed after reinitiation of growth of stationary cultures in fresh medium.
Spatial Price Linkages of Brown Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in Nigerian National Markets

The study was undertaken to examine the existence and the level of market integration among selected cowpea markets in Nigeria. Co-integration and Granger causality tests were used to measure market integration and leading markets between producing and consuming regions. Result of the co-integration test using Johansen likelihood procedure to determine the number of co-integrating relations indicates that the wholesale prices of brown cowpea in the selected markets in Nigeria are co-integrated. The pairwise Granger causality test shows that Umuahia–Monday, Umuahia–Giwa, Giwa–Bodija and Bodija–Giwa market pairs rejected the null hypothesis of no causaality. Moreover, there is a bidirectional Granger causality between Giwa and Bodija markets at 5 per cent significant level. Thus, Giwa and Bodija are the markets occupying the dominant position in the Nigerian brown cowpea price formation and transmission. Few of the markets are spatially linked by trade, so there is low market integration between the regional brown cowpea markets in Nigeria.
Differences in copper status and copper metabolism among Angus, Simmental, and Charolais cattle.

Thirty-eight pregnant Angus, Charolais, and Simmental heifers and their offspring were used to determine whether differences in Cu metabolism existed among breeds. The heifers were fed either 0 or 10 mg of supplemental Cu per kilogram of DM. Calves were born between d 70 and 125 of the 280 d experiment. There were few differences among breeds in plasma Cu concentration and ceruloplasmin activity when heifers were fed supplemental Cu. When heifers were not fed supplemental Cu, Angus heifers had greater (P < .10) plasma Cu concentrations than Simmental heifers from d 0 until 140 and Charolais heifers from d 28 until 140. Angus heifers had greater (P < .10) ceruloplasmin activity than Charolais and Simmental heifers between d 28 and 196. When dams were fed supplemental Cu, Angus calves had greater (P < .10) plasma Cu concentrations than Simmental calves on all days tested and Charolais calves on d 252 and 280. Ceruloplasmin activity of Angus calves in the Cu-supplemented group was greater (P < .10) than that of Charolais calves on d 224 and 280 and Simmental calves from d 224 until 280. Angus calves born to dams not receiving supplemental Cu had greater (P < .10) plasma Cu concentrations and ceruloplasmin activities than Simmental calves on all days tested. Angus calves also had greater (P < .10) plasma Cu concentrations than Charolais calves on d 196 and greater ceruloplasmin activities than Charolais calves from d 168 until 224. Eight Angus and eight Simmental steers were used to evaluate apparent Cu absorption and retention. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Making sense of quality philosophies

The purpose of this paper is to improve sense-making of different quality philosophies using a quality system model. We have chosen Total Quality Management, Six Sigma, Lean Management and ISO 9000 as typical quality philosophies. The chosen model is based on describing a system as consisting of purpose, principles, methodologies and tools. This model is extended to include a roll-out process and a management process for each philosophy. The main results indicate that the proposed model presents a way of describing, comparing and interpreting quality philosophies. The major implication of the study is that it provides a way to describe and define quality philosophies. The study makes a contribution to Quality Management in proposing a model for describing a quality philosophy.
PEAK: a randomized, multicenter phase II study of panitumumab plus modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) or bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 in patients with previously untreated, unresectable, wild-type KRAS exon 2 metastatic colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE To evaluate panitumumab plus modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) or bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 in patients with previously untreated wild-type (WT) KRAS exon 2 (codons 12 and 13) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A prespecified secondary objective was to assess treatment effects in an extended RAS analysis that included exons 2, 3, and 4 of KRAS and NRAS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with WT KRAS exon 2 tumors were randomly assigned at a one-to-one ratio to panitumumab plus mFOLFOX6 or bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary end points included overall survival (OS) and safety. RESULTS Of 285 randomly assigned patients, 278 received treatment. In the WT KRAS exon 2 intent-to-treat group, PFS was similar between arms (hazard ratio [HR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.17; P = .353). Median OS was 34.2 and 24.3 months in the panitumumab and bevacizumab arms, respectively (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.89; P = .009). In the WT RAS subgroup (WT exons 2, 3, and 4 of KRAS and NRAS), PFS favored the panitumumab arm (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.96; P = .029). Median OS was 41.3 and 28.9 months (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.39 to 1.02; P = .058) in the panitumumab and bevacizumab arms, respectively. Treatment discontinuation rates because of adverse events were similar between arms. CONCLUSION PFS was similar and OS was improved with panitumumab relative to bevacizumab when combined with mFOLFOX6 in patients with WT KRAS exon 2 tumors. Patients with WT RAS tumors seemed to experience more clinical benefit with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy.
Experience and Cross‐Border Acquisitions: An Organizational Learning Perspective

Building on organizational learning theory, and notably on the notion of strategic momentum, we examine the antecedents of cross-border acquisitions, with a specific focus on the effect of experience. In particular, we unbundle firm experience into domestic and cross-border acquisition experience. Using data on 763 acquisitions in the period 2007–2013, our results show the existence of a U-shaped relationship between domestic acquisition experience and the likelihood of cross-border acquisitions: acquisition experience in the domestic market is negatively related to subsequent international M&A activity up to a certain level, after which accumulation of experience in the domestic market generates process-related capabilities that encourage subsequent cross-border acquisitions. Empirical support is provided for an inverted U-shaped relationship between prior cross-border acquisition experience and the likelihood of subsequent cross-border acquisitions: such experience encourages further acquisitions up to the point at which the coordination costs discourage further international expansion.
Wideband measurements in the 60 GHz band for short range communication

The mm wave band is expected to play a major role in future outdoor small cells such as lamp post to user. In this paper we present results of measurements performed in the 60 GHz band in outdoor environments using directional antennas at the transmitter and at the receiver where the receive antenna was rotated in 5° steps to estimate the directional channel parameters. In this paper we present the measurement methodology and the synthesis of the azimuthal received power delay profile. Examples of results of rms delay spread are presented with corresponding received power.
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1: emerging pharmacology and indications for cardiovascular biology

Transient receptor potential anykrin 1 (TRPA1) is a member of the TRP superfamily, representing the sole member of the TRPA subfamily. It has many identified endogenous and exogenous agonists, comprising largely of chemical irritants and products of oxidative stress. Classically located on sensory neurone endings, TRPA1 has developed a strong presence in pain and inflammatory studies, where it is now becoming an intriguing clinical drug target. TRPA1 is increasingly recognized in a growing number of neuronal and non‐neuronal locations with expanding expression and activity profiles providing evidence of a role for TRPA1 in other systems. Interest in discovering the pharmacological and functional roles of TRPA1 is increasing and diversifying into many areas. Historically, compounds now known as TRPA1 agonists have demonstrated cardiovascular activity, modulating activities in both the heart and the vasculature. Now TRPA1 has been identified as the receptor via which these compounds can act, these studies are being revisited and expanded on using current techniques. It is therefore timely to review the current knowledge of TRPA1 receptor presence and activities of relevance to the cardiovascular system, summarizing findings to date and identifying potential areas for future investigation.