Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inferring a Personalized Next Point-of-Interest Recommendation Model with Latent Behavior Patterns

In this paper, we address the problem of personalized next Point-of-interest (POI) recommendation which has become an important and very challenging task in location-based social networks (LBSNs), but not well studied yet. With the conjecture that, under different contextual scenario, human exhibits distinct mobility patterns, we attempt here to jointly model the next POI recommendation under the influence of user's latent behavior pattern. We propose to adopt a third-rank tensor to model the successive check-in behaviors. By incorporating softmax function to fuse the personalized Markov chain with latent pattern, we furnish a Bayesian Personalized Ranking (BPR) approach and derive the optimization criterion accordingly. Expectation Maximization (EM) is then used to estimate the model parameters. Extensive experiments on two large-scale LBSNs datasets demonstrate the significant improvements of our model over several state-of-the-art methods.
Better diet quality before pregnancy is associated with reduced risk of gastroschisis in Hispanic women.

BACKGROUND Gastroschisis is unique because of its substantial risk in pregnancies of adolescent women. Adolescents may have poor diet quality, which places them at higher risk of gastroschisis. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether better maternal diet quality, measured by 2 different indices, reduced the risk of gastroschisis. METHODS We used case-control data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to investigate maternal diet quality among 1125 gastroschisis cases and 9483 controls (estimated delivery dates between 1997 and 2009). Cases were ascertained from 10 U.S. birth defect surveillance systems. Control subjects were randomly selected from birth certificates or hospital records. Using a 58-item food-frequency questionnaire, interviewers queried mothers about their average food and cereal intake during the year before conception. Diet quality scores [Diet Quality Index (DQI) and Mediterranean diet score (MDS)] were calculated using specific components. Women were excluded if they consumed <500 or >5000 kcal/d, reported pregestational diabetes, or had >1 missing food item. Quartile-specific adjusted ORs (aORs) were calculated, using as reference the lowest quartile. RESULTS Overall, we observed a statistically significant decrease with increasing diet quality for both the DQI and MDS. When stratified by maternal race/ethnicity, this finding was confined to Hispanic women. Among Hispanic women, the risk of gastroschisis decreased significantly with increasing DQI quartiles: quartile 2, aOR = 0.58 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.86); quartile 3, aOR = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.79); and quartile 4, aOR = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.76). Increasing diet quality, as measured by the MDS, showed reduced risk of gastroschisis among women, mostly Hispanic, who were born outside the United States: quartile 2, aOR = 0.62 (95% CI: 0.33, 1.16); quartile 3, aOR = 0.51 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.94); and quartile 4, aOR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.90). CONCLUSIONS Increasing diet quality was associated with a reduced risk of gastroschisis only among Hispanic and foreign-born women, but these findings require replication.
HFDA: Hybrid Face Detection Algorithm for Analyzing of Biometric Application

Edges characterize boundaries and are therefore a problem of fundamental importance in image processing. Image Edge detection significantly reduces the amount of data and filters out useless information, while preserving the important structural properties in an image. Since edge detection is in the forefront of image processing for object detection, it is crucial to have a good understanding of edge detection algorithms. In this age of era, different authentication and authorization is required for security perspective. So in this concern for verifying or identify a person in the digital image, features extracted from the digital image are compared with features of the images in the facial database. In this paper, we have been implemented HFDA i
Selective cytotoxicity of drug-monoclonal antibody conjugates against murine bladder tumor cells.

Antitumor agents including mitomycin C (MMC) and methotrexate (MTX) were coupled to monoclonal antibodies against murine bladder tumor cell line MBT-2 for the purpose of enhancing their drug activity. MMC was conjugated with antibody through two carriers, periodate-oxidized dextran and dithiopyridylated serum albumin, and MTX was conjugated with antibody either directly or through dithiopyridylated serum albumin or poly-L-lysine via an amide bond. These conjugates were assayed for growth inhibitory effect on MBT-2 bladder tumor cells, MCA clone 15 embryo cells and P388 leukemic cells. The cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that drug-antibody immune conjugates were 10 to 100 times more cytotoxic against antibody-reactive MBT-2 cells than nonimmune drug conjugates and showed a similar level of cytotoxicity against antibody-nonreactive cells to that of the nonimmune conjugates. This selective cytotoxicity was also confirmed by competitive inhibition of unconjugated antibody, showing a dependency on antibody binding to the target cell surface antigens. The targeting effect was further assessed by evaluating the suppression of tumor growth subsequent to in vitro treatment of MBT-2 cells with immune conjugates. Half of the mice receiving cells treated with immune conjugates survived more than 40 d after inoculation, while none or one of 7 mice receiving cells treated with unconjugated drug, antibody alone or nonimmune conjugates survived at 40 d after inoculation.
Striking similarities between the regulatory mechanisms governing yeast mating-type genes and mammalian major histocompatibility complex genes

Expression of a mammalian major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I gene is in part regulated by a silencer DNA sequence element which binds a complex of silencer factors. This negative regulatory system is shown to be strikingly similar to the yeast alpha 2 mating-type repression system. A moderate DNA sequence homology exists between the MHC class I silencer DNA element and the yeast alpha 2 operator. Mammalian silencer factors specifically bind to the yeast alpha 2 operator DNA and also specifically interact with a yeast alpha 2-binding protein. Furthermore, the alpha 2 operator functions as a silencer element in mammalian cells when placed upstream of a MHC class I promoter.
Haplotype association and synergistic effect of human aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene polymorphisms causing susceptibility to essential hypertension in Indian patients

ABSTRACT Background: Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is a key enzyme involved in the terminal steps of aldosterone biosynthesis. Genetic variability in CYP11B2 gene has been associated with heterogeneous aldosterone production, which can affect sodium homeostasis and thereby regulation of blood pressure. Hence, the present study was aimed to explore the single-locus variations, haplotype and epistasis patterns of CYP11B2 (C-344T, intron-2 gene conversion and Lys173Arg) gene polymorphisms, and the risk contributed by them to the development of essential hypertension (EHT). Methods: A total of 279 hypertensive patients and 200 normotensive controls were enrolled in this study. C-344T and Lys173Arg polymorphisms of CYP11B2 gene were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method and intron-2 gene conversion (IC) polymorphism by allele-specific PCR analysis. Results: Single-locus analysis revealed significant association of CYP11B2 C-344T and Lys173Arg polymorphisms with EHT (p < 0.05). Considering the sexes, Lys173 allele was found to be at risk for hypertension in males (OR 1.40; 95% CI = 1.01–1.96). Unphased haplotype analysis revealed H1 (T-Conv-Lys; p = 0.0017) to have significant risk for EHT, while haplotype H4 (T-Wt-Arg) had a significant protective effect. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) interaction analysis found the overall best model with C-344T and IC polymorphisms exhibiting strong synergistic effect. Conclusion: The present study revealed a strong synergistic effect of CYP11B2 C-344T and IC polymorphisms causing susceptibility to EHT and haplotype H1 (-344T-Conv-Lys173) as the risk-conferring factor for hypertension predisposition.
Novel Virulence Gene of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato Strain DC3000

ABSTRACT Previously, we conducted a mutant screen of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 to identify genes that contribute to virulence on Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Here we describe the characterization of one mutant strain, DB4H2, which contains a single Tn5 insertion in PSPTO3576, an open reading frame that is predicted to encode a protein belonging to the TetR family of transcriptional regulators. We demonstrate that PSPTO3576 is necessary for virulence in DC3000 and designate the encoded protein TvrR (TetR-like virulence regulator). TvrR, like many other TetR-like transcriptional regulators, negatively regulates its own expression. Despite the presence of a putative HrpL binding site in the tvrR promoter region, tvrR is not regulated by HrpL, an alternative sigma factor that regulates the expression of many known DC3000 virulence genes. tvrR mutant strains grow comparably to wild-type DC3000 in culture and possess an intact type III secretion system. However, tvrR mutants do not cause disease symptoms on inoculated A. thaliana and tomato plants, and their growth within plant tissue is significantly impaired. We demonstrate that tvrR mutant strains are able to synthesize coronatine (COR), a phytotoxin required for virulence of DC3000 on A. thaliana. Given that tvrR mutant strains are not defective for type III secretion or COR production, tvrR appears to be a novel virulence factor required for a previously unexplored process that is necessary for pathogenesis.
Determinants of capital structure: Evidence from international joint ventures in Ghana

Capital structure has attracted intense debate and scholarly attention in the financial management arena over the past four decades. However, in the context of sub‐Saharan Africa capital structure has received a scant attention. This paper attempts to rectify this position by considering the firm specific factors influencing the capital structure of international joint venture formation based on a sample of 41 firms in Ghana with partners from Western Europe, North America and Asia. The results indicate that size of joint venture, type of joint venture industry and ownership level of joint venture partner have a positive bearing on the capital structure of joint ventures in Ghana.
Influence of microbial interactions on the susceptibility of Karenia spp. to algicidal bacteria

A bacterial strain (D38BY) belonging to the family Flavobacteriaceae and antagonistic towards an algicidal bacterium (strain S03; Flavobacteriaceae) was isolated from a culture of the red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis that had previously been characterized as resistant to attack by strain S03. This antagonistic bacterium increased the survival time of otherwise susceptible, bacteria- free K. brevis cultures in a concentration-dependent manner during exposure to the algicidal bac- terium. Experimental evidence indicated that direct contact was required in order for strain D38BY to inhibit the killing activity of algicidal strain S03. While further work is needed to determine its pre- cise mode of action, the antagonistic properties of strain D38BY provide further evidence that the resistance or susceptibility of certain algal taxa to algicidal attack can be more a function of inter- actions within the ambient microbial community than an intrinsic property of the alga.
A phase II study of escalated-dose docetaxel with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support in patients with advanced breast cancer.

PURPOSE Docetaxel is highly active in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. The principal dose-limiting toxicities of the 3-weekly regimen are neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. In a previous phase I dose-escalation study with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support, the recommended dose was determined to be docetaxel 160 mg/m(2) 3-weekly. The objectives of this phase II study were to determine the response rate and toxicity of this dose and schedule, given as first-line in patients with advanced breast cancer. Mobilisation of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) was also investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible women had metastatic breast cancer and were aged 18-75 years with ECOG performance status < or =2. Strict criteria for liver function were followed, and adjuvant chemotherapy must have been completed at least 6 months previously. Treatment was docetaxel 160 mg/m(2) over 60-90 min every 21 days with G-CSF 5 micro g/kg/day until neutrophil recovery, for up to six cycles. A 3-day corticosteroid prophylaxis was given. Bloods samples to determine PBSC levels [CD34+, granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) and burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E)] were taken on days 6, 8, 9 and 11 following docetaxel. RESULTS Twenty-five women with median age 50 years (range 35-66) were included. Seventeen (68%) had previously received adjuvant chemotherapy. In total, 112 cycles were delivered (median four per patient), with dose reductions required in 12.5% of cycles. G-CSF was given for a median of 6 days. The median neutrophil nadir was 0.5 x 10(9)/l and occurred a median 5 days after treatment. The median duration of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 2 days (range 1-7). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 44% of patients, but there was only one episode of febrile neutropenia. Five patients were taken off study due to toxicities that included oedema, neurosensory toxicity and asthenia. Confirmed partial response was seen in nine patients (37.5%; 95% confidence interval 19% to 59%). CD34+ cells, GM-CFC and BFU-E levels peaked at day 8 following docetaxel administration. The median CD34+ cell peak was 6.5 x 10(4)/ml, with only 20% of patients <2 x 10(4)/ml, a level below which leukapheresis is not usually attempted. CONCLUSIONS Docetaxel 160 mg/m(2) was delivered with G-CSF support with a very low rate of febrile neutropenia. Non-haematological toxicity was significant, causing five patients to go off study. Effective mobilisation of PBSCs was seen. The response rate of 37.5% was less than that obtained in first-line studies using standard-dose docetaxel 100 mg/m(2), suggesting that there is no additional benefit in dose escalation of this cytotoxic agent in breast cancer patients using this schedule.
Online purchasing actions of international tourists in North Cyprus.

ABSTRACT IJMP is a publication of International Business and Toursim Societywww.ib-ts.org/ijmp.htm © 2008 All rights reserved. Online Purchasing Actions of International Tourists in North Cyprus Ali Bavik, PhD. Candidate Department of Tourism, University of OtagoDunedin, New Zealand Nowadays the Internet is an indispensable part of tourism sector. Even today, developments of the Internet affect both the production periods and marketing activities of all the service sectors. Particularly, in the previous quarter age the improvements in the communication technologies have affected the daily activities of service providers and their competitors. In addition, they have shaken the existed marketing balances (Buhalis and Licata, 2002; Paraskevas and Buhalis, 2002; Anckar and Welden, 2001; Ducatel, 1999). The importance of the fast and active communication on the traveling and accommodation activities of tourism sector makes the Internet to be followed closely by industries (Luck and Lancester, 2003; O’ Connor and Frew, 2002; Ho, 2002; Aksu
Analysis of the dielectrophoretic (DEP) spectra of biological cells

This study presents an approach for analyzing the dielectrophoretic (DEP) spectra of biological cells without ascertaining their membrane and cytoplasmic properties. DEP spectrum device with reciprocal V-shaped planar-electrodes was utilized to obtain DEP spectra information of cells. Integrating electric field simulations based on a strong theory with the experimental data enables determination of the DEP spectrum at a range of frequencies, for the first in the literature. The proposed method is tested with MCF7 breast cancer cells and DEP spectra are obtained for 15 different frequencies in the range from 100 kHz to 50 MHz at 10 Vpp.
Analysis of the Impact of Accounting Accruals on Earnings Uncertainty and Response Coefficients

This paper uses the residual income valuation model in Feltham and Ohlson (1996) as the basis for developing a model in which management has private information and their choice of accruals influences the information received by investors. The noisiness of accruals relative to management's private value relevant information is exogenous. The analysis examines how the characteristics of the management's private information and their accrual choice process influences the variance of unexpected earnings and the earnings response coefficient. The variance of unexpected earnings is shown to be an increasing function of the noise in managed accruals, but information enhancing earnings management does not necessarily decrease the variance of unexpected earnings. It depends on the nature of the information. The earnings response coefficient is shown to depend on both the persistence of earnings as well as the informativeness of reported earnings.
Abnormal forearm vascular responses in the carcinoid syndrome: the role of kinisns and kinin-generating system.

effects of bradykinin, epinephrine, methoxamine, and reflex stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (cold pressor test) on a specific vascular bed, that of the forearm. The effects of these interventions on both the resistance and capacitance vessels were examined in normal subjects and carcinoid patients. In addition, an understanding of the pharmacodynamics of induced and spontaneous flushes was accomplished by the determination of tumor kallikrein and kinin peptide in arterial plasma and comparison of the levels of these substances with the circulatory changes observed.
The use of contractual working time flexibility by Spanish SMEs

This paper investigates the use of contractual working flexibility (temporary and part‐time contracts) by Spanish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). A framework based on a contingency approach is used to identify variables that influence contractual working flexibility and is used to put forward a number of propositions and hypotheses that are tested using data collected from a survey of 602 Spanish SMEs. One‐way ANOVA analysis results reveal significant relationships between the level of contractual working flexibility and industry, life cycle, level of uncertainty, technological system, age, size and human resources practices. These findings are used to construct profiles of SMEs in relation to use of high and low levels of contractual working flexibility. The results suggest that various contingency factors as well as uncertainty, lead SMEs to develop different usage of contractual working flexibility.
Impact of mutational testing on the diagnosis and management of patients with cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules: a prospective analysis of 1056 FNA samples.

CONTEXT Thyroid nodules are common in adults, but only a small fraction of them is malignant. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology provides a definitive diagnosis of benign or malignant disease in many cases, whereas about 25% of nodules are indeterminate, hindering most appropriate management. OBJECTIVE The objective of the investigation was to study the clinical utility of molecular testing of thyroid FNA samples with indeterminate cytology. DESIGN Residual material from 1056 consecutive thyroid FNA samples with indeterminate cytology was used for prospective molecular analysis that included the assessment of cell adequacy by a newly developed PCR assay and testing for a panel of mutations consisted of BRAF V600E, NRAS codon 61, HRAS codon 61, and KRAS codons 12/13 point mutations and RET/PTC1, RET/PTC3, and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements. RESULTS The collected material was adequate for molecular analysis in 967 samples (92%), which yielded 87 mutations including 19 BRAF, 62 RAS, 1 RET/PTC, and five PAX8/PPARγ. Four hundred seventy-nine patients who contributed 513 samples underwent surgery. In specific categories of indeterminate cytology, i.e. atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance, follicular neoplasm/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm, and suspicious for malignant cells, the detection of any mutation conferred the risk of histologic malignancy of 88, 87, and 95%, respectively. The risk of cancer in mutation-negative nodules was 6, 14, and 28%, respectively. Of 6% of cancers in mutation-negative nodules with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance cytology, only 2.3% were invasive and 0.5% had extrathyroidal extension. CONCLUSION Molecular analysis for a panel of mutations has significant diagnostic value for all categories of indeterminate cytology and can be helpful for more effective clinical management of these patients.
Stimulation of Inositol Incorporation into Lipids of PC 12 Cells by Nerve Growth Factor and Bradykinin

Abstract: The effects of bradykinin (BK) and lithium on the phosphatidylinositol cycle were examined in PC 12 cells cultured for 20 h in the presence [PC12 (+)] or in the absence [PC12 (−)] of nerve growth factor (NGF). BK (1 nM) induced a small stimulation of the incorporation of m′o‐[2–3H] inositol into the lipids of PC12 (−) ceils and a three‐ to fourfold stimulation of such incorporation into the lipids of PC12 (+) cells. About 15 h of incubation with NGF and >10 min of incubation with BK were needed for maximal stimulation of inositol incorporation by BK. In the presence of 25 mM LiCl, BK stimulated the inositol monophosphate levels ninefold in PC12 (−) and 30‐fold in PC12 (+) cells. After incubation for 20 h with NGF, an increased binding of [3H]BK to the PC12 (+) cells was observed at 4°C. Exposure of the cells for 30 min to 25 mM LiCl enhanced the effect of BK on the inositol incorporation into total inositol lipids, especially in PC 12 (+) cells. In these cells, LiCl in the presence of BK also increased several‐fold the intracellular levels of inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate.