Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What the numbers tell: The impact of human, family and financial capital on women and men's entry into entrepreneurship in Turkey

Entrepreneurship contributes to economic development in countries worldwide. Entrepreneurial activity is beneficial for both men and women, including those in developing countries. However, men and women may not engage in entrepreneurship to the same extent because of differential access to (various forms of) capital. This study examines the relative importance of three types of capital – human, family and financial – in pursuing entrepreneurship. Using data collected in Turkey, we find that regardless of sex, all three forms of capital influence the likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur in varying degrees. Contrary to expectations, the impact of human capital on the likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur is higher for women than men. Data also revealed that family capital facilitates women's entry into entrepreneurship only when family size is very large (i.e. seven or more). No gender differences are observed in the impact of financial capital on the likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur. Findings suggest that to encourage entrepreneurship in Turkey, policy-makers should emphasize access to human and financial capital. Furthermore, findings suggest that women's likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur will be especially encouraged if they have increased access to education, as well as the skills necessary to take advantage of their family capital.
Surgeon Perception of Risk and Benefit in the Decision to Operate

Objective: To determine how surgeons’ perceptions of treatment risks and benefits influence their decisions to operate. Background: Little is known about what makes one surgeon choose to operate on a patient and another chooses not to operate. Methods: Using an online study, we presented a national sample of surgeons (N = 767) with four detailed clinical vignettes (mesenteric ischemia, gastrointestinal bleed, bowel obstruction, appendicitis) where the best treatment option was uncertain and asked them to: (1) judge the risks (probability of serious complications) and benefits (probability of recovery) for operative and nonoperative management and (2) decide whether or not they would recommend an operation. Results: Across all clinical vignettes, surgeons varied markedly in both their assessments of the risks and benefits of operative and nonoperative management (narrowest range 4%–100% for all four predictions across vignettes) and in their decisions to operate (49%–85%). Surgeons were less likely to operate as their perceptions of operative risk increased [absolute difference (AD) = –29.6% from 1.0 standard deviation below to 1.0 standard deviation above mean (95% confidence interval, CI: –31.6, –23.8)] and their perceptions of nonoperative benefit increased [AD = –32.6% (95% CI: –32.8,–-28.9)]. Surgeons were more likely to operate as their perceptions of operative benefit increased [AD = 18.7% (95% CI: 12.6, 21.5)] and their perceptions of nonoperative risk increased [AD = 32.7% (95% CI: 28.7, 34.0)]. Differences in risk/benefit perceptions explained 39% of the observed variation in decisions to operate across the four vignettes. Conclusions: Given the same clinical scenarios, surgeons’ perceptions of treatment risks and benefits vary and are highly predictive of their decisions to operate.
Inhibition of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase modifies LPS-induced inflammatory responses of human monocytes

Recent studies have identified enzymes that use NAD as a substrate, thus contributing to its net consumption. To maintain the intracellular pool, NAD is re-synthesized by a salvage pathway using nicotinamide, the by-product generated by the enzymatic cleavage of NAD. Enzymes involved in NAD re-synthesis include nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase. Our studies show, that NAMPT was substantially up-regulated by LPS in primary human monocytes, suggesting that it may be especially required during the process of monocyte activation. To evaluate the contribution of the NAD rescue pathway to LPS-induced biological responses in human monocytes, we used APO866, a well-characterized inhibitor of NAMPT. Concomitant with the inhibition of NAMPT, LPS-induced TNF-α protein synthesis declined, while TNF-α mRNA levels were minimally affected. Moreover, APO866 strongly decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased surface expression of the NAD-consuming enzyme CD38, and modified the production of selective eicosanoids. We further demonstrate that protein ADP-ribosylation was strongly reduced, indicating a possible link between this post-translational protein modification and human monocyte inflammatory responses. Despite a substantial reduction in intracellular NAD levels, activated monocytes were resistant to apoptosis, while resting monocytes were not. Taken together, our data suggest that activated monocytes strongly depend on the NAD salvage pathway to mount an appropriate inflammatory response. Their survival is not affected by NAD-depletion, probably as a result of LPS-mediated anti-apoptotic signals.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of medial radial displacement of the medial meniscus in knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate medial radial displacement (MRD) of the medial meniscus in osteoarthritic (OA) and normal knees, with and without weight bearing, using ultrasonography (US), and to prospectively evaluate the time course of changes in MRD in OA knees. METHODS The study subjects were 78 patients with OA of the knee (69% female; mean age 66.4 years) and 20 healthy, asymptomatic subjects (70% female; mean age 64.5 years) who served as a control group. The OA stage was determined according to the Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) radiographic grading system. US measurement of MRD was performed with subjects in the supine and standing positions. With the exception of subjects who dropped out, 58 OA knees (followup rate 74%) were evaluated at baseline and ∼1 year later. RESULTS The medial meniscus was significantly displaced radially by weight bearing in control knees (P<0.001) and in knees with K/L grades 1-3 OA (P<0.01 for each comparison). MRD in either the supine or the standing position was not significantly different between the control knees and the K/L grade 1 knees, but significant differences were noted between the control knees and K/L grade 2 or more severe OA knees (P<0.01 for each comparison). MRD of the medial meniscus had increased significantly on followup in all knees (P<0.05 for each comparison) excluding K/L grade 4 knees in the standing position. CONCLUSION MRD of the medial meniscus increased with weight bearing and during followup. These findings suggest a close association between extraarticular displacement of the medial meniscus and progression of OA.
Segmentation of sputum color image for lung cancer diagnosis based on mean shift algorithm

This paper presents the mean shift segmentation algorithm for segmenting the extracted sputum cells into nuclei and cytoplasm regions. The segmentation results will be used as a base for a Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system for early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. The mean shift is a mode seeking process on a surface design with a kernel. Also it will be used as a strategy to perform multistart global optimization. The histogram analysis is used to find the best distribution of the nuclei and cytoplasm sputum cell pixels and to find the best color space that can be used to perform the mean shift segmentation. The Mena shift method offers better performance compared to other segmentation algorithm including Hopefield Neural Network (HNN). The new method is validated on a set of manually defined ground truths sputum images.
Evidence for multiple genetic factors underlying DSM-IV criteria for major depression.

IMPORTANCE We do not know whether the clinical criteria for major depression (MD) reflect a single or multiple dimensions of genetic risk. OBJECTIVE To determine the structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for the 9 DSM-IV symptomatic MD criteria. DESIGN Population-based twin registry. SETTING Virginia. PARTICIPANTS Seven thousand five hundred members of adult twin pairs from the Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Symptoms of lifetime MD as assessed at personal interview. RESULTS The best-fit twin model was multidimensional, requiring 3 genetic, 1 common environmental and 3 unique environmental common factors, and criterion-specific unique environmental factors. The first genetic factor was characterized by high loadings on cognitive and psychomotor depressive symptoms. The second and third genetic factors had strong loadings for mood and neurovegetative depressive symptoms, respectively. Genetic factor scores derived from these 3 factors differentially predicted patterns of comorbidity, other historical/clinical features of MD, and demographic variables. These results suggested that the first genetic factor reflected a general liability to internalizing disorders, while the third genetic factor was more specific for melancholic MD. The 3 unique environmental common factors reflected, respectively, global depressive, core mood, and cognitive depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The DSM-IV syndrome of MD does not reflect a single dimension of genetic liability. Rather, these criteria reflect 3 underlying dimensions that index genetic risk for cognitive/psychomotor, mood, and neurovegetative symptoms. While in need of replication, these results, validated by predictions using estimated genetic factor scores, have implications for gene-finding efforts for MD.
Co-evolution of sensing morphology and locomotion control of simulated Snakebot

We propose an approach of automated co-evolution of the optimal values of attributes of active sensing (orientation, range and timing of activation of sensors) and the control of locomotion gaits of simulated snake-like robot (Snakebot) that result in a fast speed of locomotion in a confined environment. The experimental results illustrate the emergence of a contactless wall-following navigation of fast sidewinding Snakebots. The wall-following is accomplished by means of differential steering, facilitated by the evolutionary defined control sequences incorporating the readings of evolutionary optimized sensors.
Molecular Cloning of a Third Member of the Potassium-dependent Sodium-Calcium Exchanger Gene Family,NCKX3 *

We describe here the identification and characterization of a novel member of the family of K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, NCKX3(gene SLC24A3). Human NCKX3 encodes a protein of 644 amino acids that displayed a high level of sequence identity to the other family members, rod NCKX1 and cone/neuronal NCKX2, in the hydrophobic regions surrounding the “α -repeat” sequences thought to form the ion-binding pocket for transport. Outside of these regions NCKX3 showed no significant identity to other known proteins. As anticipated from this sequence similarity, NCKX3 displayed K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+exchanger activity when assayed in heterologous expression systems, using digital imaging of fura-2 fluorescence, electrophysiology, or radioactive 45Ca2+ uptake. The N-terminal region of NCKX3, although not essential for expression, increased functional activity at least 10-fold and may represent a cleavable signal sequence. NCKX3 transcripts were most abundant in brain, with highest levels found in selected thalamic nuclei, in hippocampal CA1 neurons, and in layer IV of the cerebral cortex. Many other tissues also expressed NCKX3 at lower levels, especially aorta, uterus, and intestine, which are rich in smooth muscle. The discovery of NCKX3 thus expands the K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchanger family and suggests this class of transporter has a more widespread role in cellular Ca2+ handling than previously appreciated.
Review of the evidence for the use of erythromycin in the management of persons exposed to pertussis

We assessed the quality of evidence for the use of erythromycin in preventing secondary transmission of pertussis to close contacts of primary cases. A literature search was undertaken and identified papers were reviewed critically. Thirteen original papers and 1 manuscript met the inclusion criteria for review (3 randomized controlled trials, 4 analytical studies and 7 descriptive studies). Evidence from both experimental and analytical studies showed little effect of the use of erythromycin in preventing secondary transmission. Its effect is at best modest when compared with the protection conferred by use of good quality whole cell vaccine. Three studies reported adverse events with erythromycin prophylaxis; these were mainly nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In countries where effective pertussis vaccines are in use, erythromycin use should be confined to close contacts of cases, particularly unimmunized children or partially immunized infants who would be most susceptible to the complications of pertussis, or adults who come into close contact with vulnerable children.
Governing Mega-Events: Tools of Security Risk Management for the FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany and London 2012 Olympic Games

Abstract Mega-events present a special venue for the practice of risk management. This article analyses the management of security risks in the case of two sporting mega-events, the London 2012 Olympic Games and the FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany. To what extent do strategies and practices of risk management resemble each other across events? And what explains similarities or differences in the tools of risk management observed in each of these cases? First, this article explores three theoretical explanations for the choice of particular policy tools or instruments. Second, it introduces the tools of government approach as a means of conducting a direct comparative analysis of risk management across political and organizational settings and over time. The tools used for security risk management at the two mega-events are then compared and the different logics of tool choice are evaluated. This analytical approach offers a basis for future comparative inquiry into tools of risk management used in public and private organizations. The empirical findings highlight the particular importance of national political systems in influencing tool choice.
Performance pay and ethnic earnings differences in Britain

In the first British study, we show that the ethnic earnings gap amongst performance pay jobs is smaller than that amongst time rate jobs. This partially reflects sorting but persists with diminished magnitude in fixed effect estimates. Although varying somewhat with specification, quantile decompositions show that the smaller ethnic earnings gap is driven by bonus payments in the upper middle portion of the earnings distribution. These findings differ dramatically from those for the USA in which performance pay has been associated with larger negative racial differentials especially at the top of the earnings distribution.
Expression of the novel galanin receptor subtype GALR2 in the adult rat CNS: Distinct distribution from GALR1

Recent molecular cloning studies by our laboratory and others have identified the existence of a novel rat galanin receptor subtype, GALR2. In the present study, we examined the regional and cellular distribution of GALR2 mRNA in the rat central nervous system (CNS) by in situ hybridization. For comparative purposes, adjacent sections were probed for GALR1 mRNA expression. Our findings indicate that dorsal root ganglia express by far the highest levels of GALR2 mRNA in the rat CNS. Hybridization signal is mainly concentrated over small and intermediate primary sensory neurons. In spinal cord, the large α motoneurons of the ventral horn are moderately labeled and several small, but less intensely labeled, cells are scattered throughout the gray matter. In brain sections, the highest levels of GALR2 mRNA are detected in granule cells of the dentate gyrus, in the mammillary nuclei, and in the cerebellar cortex. Moderate levels of GALR2 mRNA are observed in the olfactory bulb, olfactory tubercle, piriform and retrospinal cortices, hypothalamus (namely the preoptic area, arcuate nucleus, and dorsal hypothalamic area), substantia nigra pars compacta, and sensory trigeminal nucleus. Moderate to weak hybridization signal is also present in several other hypothalamic nuclei, specific layers of the neocortex, periaqueductal gray, and several nuclei within the pons and medulla, including locus coeruleus, lateral parabrachial, motor trigeminal, pontine reticular, hypoglossal, vestibular complex, ambiguus, and facial and lateral reticular nuclei. This novel pattern of GALR2 distribution within the rat CNS differs considerably from that of GALR1, suggesting that specific physiologic effects of galanin may be ascribed to the GALR2 galanin receptor subtype. J. Comp. Neurol. 409:469–481, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A study of a measuring method for EMF distributions using the Kinect sensor

It is very important to identify the measuring position for measuring spatial electromagnetic field distributions. Our Previous studies have proposed various tracking methods for obtaining measurement position automatically by using a magnetic tracker, an optical tracker and an infrared tracker. In this study, we newly introduce measuring method which uses a Kinect as a position sensor. A measuring position is identified by the Kinect in real time and generate electromagnetic field distribution map automatically. As a result, it is confirmed that the Kinect works well to track a measuring position in high accuracy. It is found that an accuracy of identification of the measurement position in combination with the Kinect is less than 0.5 cm by scanning an electromagnetic field sensor at a rate of 10 cm / sec or less.
Research Directions for Knowledge Management

The emerging interest in knowledge management requires, and will probably receive, considerable scholarly inquiry. As research advances, it ought to be especially sensitive to preserving, and building upon, the already significant literatures on the management of technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, and business strategy. There are several research issues that are particularly salient and warrant special attention. Researchers need to: assemble evidence to test the proposition that firm-level competitive advantage in open economies flows fundamentally from difficult to replicate knowledge assets; make greater effort to quantify the value of intangible assets; understand generic inputs, idiosyncratic inputs, and profitability; and explore the importance of entrepreneurial versus administrative capabilities.
Decreased expression and promoter methylation of the menin tumor suppressor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Loss of menin, a tumor suppressor coded by the MEN1 gene, is a key factor in the pathogenesis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I and in a percentage of sporadic endocrine tumors of the pancreas and parathyroid glands. This study investigated expression of the menin protein in the normal exocrine pancreas and in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common pancreatic tumor. Immunofluorescence (IF) analyses showed that menin is expressed at high levels in normal acinar and duct cells. Examination of 24 clinical samples of PDAC revealed a pronounced decrease in menin expression in all tumors examined. To identify alterations underlying this defect, we searched for disruption and epigenetic silencing of the MEN1 gene. Analysis of nine laser‐microdissected tumors revealed loss of heterozygosity of intragenic (one tumor) or adjacent (three tumors) MEN1 microsatellite markers. Methylation of CpG sites in the MEN1 promoter was documented in five of 24 tumors. IF analyses also revealed low to undetectable menin expression in the PDAC cell lines MiaPaCa‐2 and Panc‐1. Ectopic expression of menin in these cells resulted in a marked alteration of the cell cycle, with an increase in the G1/S+G2 ratio. These findings represent the first evidence that the MEN1 gene is a target of mutation and methylation in PDAC and that menin influences the cell cycle profile of duct cells. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss,Inc.
Efficiency in Removing Pollutants by Constructed Wetland Purification Systems in Poland

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency between Phragmites communis, Salix viminalis, and Populus canadensis in removing the heavy metals Al, Ba, Mn, Ni, Sr, V, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb and the eutrophying macroelements phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, Ca, Mg, K, and Fe from sewage in subsurface flow constructed wetlands in Poland. The effectiveness of the sewage treatment system was higher in summer compared to winter for the removal of (1) all heavy metals, phosphate (P) and mineral nitrogen (N) for all of species, (2) sulfates (S) for Phragmites and Salix, (3) iron (Fe) for Salix, and (4) chloride (Cl) for Salix and Populus. Analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant difference between the purifications systems in phytoremediation of Mn; so all species were equally effective (99%, prob. level 0.001). The Salix wetland system was most effective in purification of water and removal of macroelements (24–82% in summer, 10–80% in winter with Fe 97%), Cd (58–71%), V (100%), and Zn (84–92%). The Phragmites system was most effective in purification and removal of Al (81–97%), Ba (70–95%), Pb (64–81%), and Sr (24–51%), while in the case of Cu (49–60%) and Ni (55–67%) the Populus wetland system proved most effective. The outflowing water of the wetlands contained elements in amounts exceeding the admissible levels as established for unpolluted water both in winter and summer. Therefore the effectiveness of the observed phytoremediation systems in this study was not sufficient alone to remove these elements and can be considered as a supplemental tool in purification of sewage.
The role of helix 8 and of the cytosolic C‐termini in the internalization and signal transduction of B1 and B2 bradykinin receptors

Determinants for desensitization and sequestration of G protein‐coupled receptors often contain serine or threonine residues located in their C‐termini. The sequence context, however, in which these residues have to appear, and the receptor specificity of these motifs are largely unknown. Mutagenesis studies with the B2 bradykinin receptor (B2wt), stably expressed in HEK 293 cells, identified a sequence distal to N338 (NSMGTLRTSI, including I347 but not the basally phosphorylated S348) and in particular the TSI sequence therein, as a major determinant for rapid agonist‐inducible internalization and the prevention of receptor hypersensitivity. Chimeras of the noninternalizing B1 bradykinin receptor (B1wt) containing these B2wt sequences sequestered poorly, however, suggesting that additional motifs more proximal to N338 are required. In fact, further substitution of the B1wt C‐terminus with corresponding B2wt regions either at C330(7.71) following putative helix 8 (B1CB2) or at the preceding Y312(7.53) in the NPXXY sequence (B1YB2) resulted in chimeras displaying rapid internalization. Intriguingly, however, exchange performed at K322(7.63) within putative helix 8 generated a slowly internalizing chimera (B1KB2). Detailed mutagenesis analysis generating additional chimeras identified the change of V323 in B1wt to serine (as in B2wt) as being responsible for this effect. The slowly internalizing chimera as well as a B1wt point‐mutant V323S displayed significantly reduced inositol phosphate accumulation as compared to B1wt or the other chimeras. The slow internalization of B1KB2 was also accompanied by a lack of agonist‐induced phosphorylation, that in contrast was observed for B1YB2 and B1CB2, suggesting that putative helix 8 is either directly or indirectly (e.g. via G protein activation) involved in the interaction between the receptor and receptor kinases.