Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of well‐differentiated/de‐differentiated liposarcomas by high‐resolution oligonucleotide array‐based comparative genomic hybridization

Well‐differentiated/de‐differentiated liposarcomas (WDLS/DDLS) encompass an intriguing disease model in which a temporal intersection occurs between the malignant transformation of mesenchymal cells and the process of adipogenesis. Deciphering the molecular events that trigger and are characteristic of the intersection of these oncogenic and normal processes is critical to affect the often morbid and lethal consequences of malignant tumors of fat. High‐resolution genome‐wide oligonucleotide array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) with matched gene expression analyses was performed on seven lipomas, one hibernoma, and 38 WD and DDLS to define and compare the genomic events associated with these tumors. WD and DDLS had complex karyotypes. On average, WDLS had 11.1 and DDLS had 22.7 chromosomal copy number aberrations. All of the liposarcomas had 12q13‐q15 amplifications with varying peaks at CDK4 (12q14.1), HMGA2 (12q14.3), and MDM2 (12q15); 24% of the DDLS and no WDLS had 1p32.2 (JUN) amplifications; 33% WDLS and 35% DDLS had 1q24.3 amplifications involving DNM3 and miR‐214/miR‐199a2; 24% of the liposarcomas had 6q23‐q24 amplifications (including MAP3K5). Amplifications in GLI1 (12q13.3), JUN, and MAP3K5 (6q23.3) were mutually exclusive and occurred predominately in the DDLS. 6q amplifications occurred primarily in retroperitoneal tumors and females represented the majority of those patients who developed fatty tumors prior to the age of 50 years old. This detailed genetic mapping provides insight into the heterogeneity of WD and DDLS and the chromosomal and genetic abnormalities that are present in and distinguish these mesenchymal malignancies. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss,Inc.
Modeling inference of mental states: As simple as possbile, as complex as necessary

Behavior oftentimes allows for many possible interpretations in terms of mental states, such as goals, beliefs, desires, and intentions. Reasoning about the relation between behavior and mental states is therefore considered to be an effortful process. We argue that people use simple strategies to deal with high cognitive demands of mental state inference. To test this hypothesis, we developed a computational cognitive model, which was able to simulate previous empirical findings: In two-player games, people apply simple strategies at first. They only start revising their strategies when these do not pay off. The model could simulate these findings by recursively attributing its own problem solving skills to the other player, thus increasing the complexity of its own inferences. The model was validated by means of a comparison with findings from a developmental study in which the children demonstrated similar strategic developments.
Affinity, specificity and T‐cell‐receptor diversity of melanoma‐specific CTL generated in vitro against a single tyrosinase epitope

MHC‐class‐I‐restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for tumor‐associated antigens expressed by malignant cells are important components of the immune response against cancer. Recently, tumor‐specific CTL could be generated in vitro, with responding lymphocytes from the blood of healthy blood donors. In the present study, we confirm that peptide‐specific stimulation in vitro can induce high‐affinity CTL capable of recognizing tumor cells expressing the appropriate tumor antigen. These tyrosinase‐specific CTL display a restricted usage of TCRAV and TCRBV gene segments but of diverse CDR3 regions, resulting in a distinct fine‐specificity for each CTL clone. This suggests that, similar to in vivo priming, peptide‐pulsed APC are capable of stimulating a T‐cell response in vitro expressing a limited TCR repertoire against autologous tumors. The generated CTL can recognize their target structure with high affinity, and this correlates in part with tumor‐cell lysis. This methodology may be used to treat melanoma patients with infusion of ex vivo‐induced and ‐expanded CTL. Int. J. Cancer 72:1122–1128, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of fixed and dynamic pricing policies in revenue management

We consider the problem of selling a fixed capacity or inventory of items over a finite selling period. Earlier research has shown that using a properly set fixed price during the selling period is asymptotically optimal as the demand potential and capacity grow large and that dynamic pricing has only a secondary effect on revenues. However, additional revenue improvements through dynamic pricing can be important in practice and needs to be further explored. We suggest two simple dynamic heuristics that continuously update prices based on remaining inventory and time in the selling period. The first heuristic is based on approximating the optimal expected revenue function and the second heuristic is based on the solution of the deterministic version of the problem. We show through a numerical study that the revenue impact of using these dynamic pricing heuristics rather than fixed pricing may be substantial. In particular, the first heuristic has a consistent and remarkable performance leading to at most 0.2% gap compared to optimal dynamic pricing. We also show that the benefits of these dynamic pricing heuristics persist under a periodic setting. This is especially true for the first heuristic for which the performance is monotone in the frequency of price changes. We conclude that dynamic pricing should be considered as a more favorable option in practice.
Fatal Tradeoffs: Public and Private Responsibilities for Risk

This book is the culmination and synthesis of Viscusi's distinguished work in the social regulation of risk. It covers issues relating to the value of life, empirical estimates of the value of life, the rationality of individual responses to risk, the effect of government risk regulation efforts, and the role of the courts and social insurance in dealing with risk.
Corporate social performance: Why it matters? Case of Taiwan

Purpose – The objective of this article is to explore the relationship between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance (CFP) of firms in Taiwan, as the empirical evidence of Taiwan firms is scarce. Design/methodology/approach – This paper studies the empirical relation between CSP and CFP using a sample of 71 Taiwan-based companies during 2005-2011. CSP data are a composite of two Taiwan’s CSP ratings, and CFP data are retrieved from Taiwan Economic Journal database. Two control variables, R&D investment (R&D) and industry type (IND), are included in our models. The multiple regression is used as a statistical analysis tool. Findings – Our findings indicate a significantly positive CSP–CFP relationship of firms in Taiwan. Furthermore, our study reveals that the CSP in the non-manufacturing sector is more highly related with CFP than the case in the manufacturing sector in Taiwan. Originality/value – First, Our findings are consistent with the majority of recent research and .
Weak Form Efficiency of the Nigerian Stock Market: Further Evidence

This study provides further evidence on the weak form efficiency of the Nigerian stock market, that is, whether security prices on the Nigerian stock market adjust to historical price information. Using correlation analysis, monthly stock returns data over the period January 1981–December 1992 were employed in the analysis. The results provided support for the work of Samuels and Yacout (1981) and Ayadi (1983), that is, the Nigerian stock market appears to be efficient in the weak form. — Cet article traite de la faible efficacite de la Bourse des valeurs du Nigeria, a savoir que, a partir de nouveaux elements, il cherche aetablir si les cours des titres cotes a la Bourse du Nigeria sont reajustes pour tenir compte des donnees chronologiques. A l’aide d’une analyse de correlation, un examen des donnees mensuelles sur le rendement des titres, pour la periode allant de janvier 1981 a decembre 1992, a ete realise. Les resultats corroborent les travaux de Samuels et Yacout (1981) et ceux de Ayadi (1983), a savoir que la Bourse des valeurs du Nigeria semble etre faiblement efficace.
Dynamic Gate Stress-Induced  $V_{\text {TH}}$  Shift and Its Impact on Dynamic  $R_{\mathrm {ON}}$  in GaN MIS-HEMTs

Very fast transients of VTH shift and their impact on RON under dynamic AC (1 k-1 MHz) positive gate stress in depletion-mode (D-mode) metal-insulator-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MIS-HEMTs) are revealed. We achieve data acquisition within 120 ns right after each stress pulse throughout the entire stress time range from 10-7 up to 103 s, by virtue of a short stress-to-sense delay of ~100 ns and high sampling rate up to 50 MSa/s. Despite the considerable VTH shift, its impact on RON in D-mode MIS-HEMT is modest, if the device is under sufficient gate overdrive. Furthermore, VTH shift and the consequent RON increase under dynamic stress, which are more relevant to high-frequency switching operation, exhibits frequency dependence within 1 k-1 MHz and is always smaller than that under conventionally used static (constant) stress.
Good news! You may be out of a job: reflections on the past and future 50 years for Northern NGOs.

After 50 years of spectacularly successful work (particularly in raising the equity stakes, improving the quality of overseas development aid, fostering Southern NGO work at the international level and organising quick and effective humanitarian assistance), Northern development NGOs have come to a crossroads. The author argues that the history of the NGO 'occupational category', coupled with a changing political and economic environment (the end of the Cold War, rising international investment, declining overseas development aid, and vastly heightened Southern NGO capacity), means that most Northern NGOs should close up shop. Instead, a kaleidoscopic rebirth is envisaged, where four key functions remain for Northerners--as humanitarian agents, economic policy watchers, North-South brokers, and corporate responsibility advocates. This change of job is heralded as good news: evidence that the project of global social justice has moved dramatically forwards.
Microalbuminuria: associations with height and sex in non-diabetic subjects.

OBJECTIVES--To study the association(s) between microalbuminuria and cardiovascular risk factors in non-diabetic subjects. DESIGN--Patients aged 40-75 years were randomly selected from a general practice list and invited to participate. SETTING--Health centre in inner city London. SUBJECTS--Of those invited, 1046 out of 1671 (62.6%) attended. Subjects were excluded for the following reasons: not being white (44); urinary albumin excretion rate > 200 micrograms/min (3); having a urinary infection (5); taking penicillamine or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (7); older than 75 (2); having diabetes (25); missing data on glucose concentration (1). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Glucose tolerance test results, albumin excretion rate from overnight and timed morning collections of urine; blood pressure; height. RESULTS--Mean albumin excretion rate was significantly lower in women than men (mean ratio 0.8, 95% confidence interval (0.69 to 0.91)). Mean albumin excretion rate was significantly associated with age, blood pressure, and blood glucose concentration (fasting, 1 hour, and 2 hour) in men and inversely with height. Men who had microalbuminuria in both samples were significantly shorter (by 5 cm (1.3 to 9.3 cm)) than those who had no microalbuminuria in either sample when age was taken into account. In the case of women only systolic pressure was significantly associated with albumin excretion rate. CONCLUSIONS--Microalbuminuria and short stature in men are associated. Cardiovascular risk has been associated with both of these factors and with lower birth weight. The inverse association of microalbuminuria with height is compatible with the suggestion that factors operating in utero or early childhood are implicated in cardiovascular disease. The higher prevalence of microalbuminuria in men compared with women may indicate that sex differences in cardiovascular risk are reflected in differences in albumin excretion rate.
Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (neutrophil collagenase) in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Loss of elastin is the initiating event in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation, whereas loss of collagen is required for continued expansion. The elastolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 are well described, but the source of excessive collagenolysis remains undefined. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of MMP‐8, a potent type I collagenase, in normal aorta and AAA.
Innovating cost accounting practices in rail transport companies

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss an accounting innovation in the cost measurement system of rail transport companies. Design/methodology/approach - – The authors identify the distinctive features that cost accounting systems should have in order to capture the particular structure of the production process of rail transport companies and develop an innovative accounting practice that addresses the specific features of railway services, particularly the high fixed costs associated with the infrastructure. This accounting innovation is applied to Trentino Trasporti, a medium-sized, privately owned passenger railway company operating in the Trentino Alto Adige region of Italy. Findings - – Evidence suggests that the new accounting practice facilitates the operational connection between the company's resources and their consumption during the provision of transport services. Practical implications - – This connection enables companies to identify new opportunities for improvement and cost optimisation by finding the real origins of cost consumption in the provision of rail transport services. Originality/value - – The case analysed also shows the necessity of integrating activity-based costing (ABC) with an accounting innovation that can represent the resources consumed by the various elements of the infrastructure that support the provision of services. This innovation has important managerial outcomes for all service companies that operate with an infrastructure network, including transport, service, and utility companies, and useful implications for the accounting profession that deals with cost systems in networked-based companies.
Management and change in northern Nigerian local government

This paper looks at some recent changes introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria which seek a return to civilian rule in a stable polity. A first step in this policy has been completed with the election of chairmen and councillors at the local government level. The stated purpose of this initiative is to encourage ‘grass roots democracy’, which is expected to mobilize local action for urban and rural development. It is envisaged that local politicians and local administration will work together to this end. The paper concentrates on the consequences of the policy for the management of local government in Northern Nigeria, in which the predominant need is for rural development. The resource and management issues that arise for local government from the introduction of this polity are discussed under the following headings: finance, material resources, human resources and political relationships. The measures adopted appear radical, but have not led to a situation in which local government can easily predict what resources will be available to it. The question that is addressed is how, in an uncertain environment, local governments might use the powers and resources that are within their control to facilitate rural development in the Northern States. Suggestions are made as to what a management agenda should be and how this might be achieved through appropriate management systems and improved training.
Soft and Hard Models of Human Resource Management: A Reappraisal

Two of the most widely adopted models of human resource management are the hard and soft versions. These are based on opposing views of human nature and managerial control strategies. The hard model is based on notions of tight strategic control, and an economic model of man according to Theory X, while the soft model is based on control through commitment and Theory Y. We argue that because these assumptions are so divergent, they cannot both properly be incorporated within a single model of human resource management. Eight in-depth case studies were carried out, involving questionnaires, interviews and focus groups in order to find out whether organizations were practising either form of HRM. We found that no pure examples of either form existed. The paper concludes that the rhetoric adopted by Ae companies frequendy embraces the tenets of the soft, commitment model, while the reaUty experienced by employees is more concerned with strategic control, similar to the hard model. This distinction between rhetoric and reality needs to be taken into account in conceptualizations of human resource management.
Test Of Capital Asset Pricing Model On Stocks At Karachi Stock Exchange

This paper attempts to empirically test the single-factor CAPM developed by Sharpe (1964), Lintner (1965) and Jan Mossin (1966) and others, which proposes that the expected returns of capital assets are dependent on their risk relative to the entire market which is quantified by a correlation co-efficient between asset returns and market returns. The test of 20 stocks at Karachi Stock Exchange have shown that though, the beta co-efficients are significant, their strength is considerably weak. Therefore, other factors which are unaccounted for in this model are important in determining risk and return. In addition, betas are less relevant in a volatile emerging capital markets like the KSE. Thus, the multi-factor models are better than the classical CAPM at determining the risk-return relationship. However, the single-factor CAPM remains in practice beacause of its simplicity.
The Quest for Quality Improvement: Using Six Sigma at Starwood Hotels and Resorts

In 2001, Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced that it would be the first hospitality company to embrace Six Sigma, a quality improvement program where the development and adoption of innovative customer-focused solutions were to result in improving the quality and consistency of guests' experiences and lead to enhanced financial performance. The purpose of this article is to illustrate this process improvement program and to document the application of Six Sigma within the hospitality industry. Findings indicated an increased use of cross-functional team approaches, effective use of expanded stakeholder partnerships, and the adoption of objective techniques and statistical testing to solve problems and improve the bottom line.
Genetic associations between cathepsin D exon 2 C→T polymorphism and Alzheimer’s disease, and pathological correlations with genotype

Genetic variations represent major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While familial early onset AD is associated with mutations in the amyloid precursor protein and presenilin genes, only the e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has so far been established as a genetic risk factor for late onset familial and sporadic AD. It has been suggested that the C→T (224Ala→Val) transition within exon 2 of the cathepsin D gene (CTSD) might represent a risk factor for late onset AD. The objective of this study was to investigate whether possession of the CTSD exon 2 T allele increases the risk of developing AD, and to determine whether this modulates the amyloid pathology of the disease in conjunction with, or independent of, the APOE e4 allele. Blood samples were obtained from 412 patients with possible or probable AD and brain tissues from a further 148 patients with AD confirmed by postmortem examination. CTSD and APOE genotyping were performed by PCR on DNA extracted from blood, or from frontal cortex or cerebellum in the postmortem cases. Pathological measures of amyloid β protein (Aβ), as plaque Aβ40 and Aβ42(3) load and degree of cerebral amyloid angiopathy were made by image analysis or semiquantitative rating, respectively. CTSD genotype frequencies in AD were not significantly different from those in control subjects, nor did these differ between cases of early or late onset AD or between younger and older controls. There was no gene interaction between the CTSD T and APOE e4 alleles. The amount of plaque Aβ40 was greater in patients carrying the CTSD T allele than in non-carriers, and in patients bearing APOE e4 allele compared with non-carriers. Possession of both these alleles acted synergistically to increase levels of plaque Aβ40, especially in those individuals who were homozygous for the APOE e4 allele. Possession of the CTSD T allele had no effect on plaque Aβ42(3) load or degree of CAA. Possession of the CTSD T allele does not increase the risk of developing AD per se, but has a modulating effect on the pathogenesis of the disorder by increasing, in concert with the APOE e4 allele, the amount of Aβ deposited as senile plaques in the brain in the form of Aβ40.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of burned-out hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Michael K. Atalay, MD, PhD, and Franklin Schneider, MD  a 52 year-old Man wiTh ChroniC obstructive pulmonary disease and no prior cardiac history presented with new onset congestive heart failure (CHF). Echocardiography revealed severely depressed global left ventricular (LV) function and mildly reduced right ventricular (RV) function. His estimated pulmonary artery pressure was 80 mmHg, consistent with severe pulmonary hypertension. EKG revealed normal sinus rhythm with right bundle branch block. The patient was referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to evaluate the etiology of the cardiomyopathy (CM). CMR confirmed severe global LV dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 15% and moderate RV dysfunction. While both the LV and RV free walls were mildly thickened, the interventricular septum was markedly thickened measuring 2.7 cm (normal ≤ 1.2 cm). (Figure 1a) Post-contrast imaging demonstrated patchy predominantly subepicardial enhancement throughout the LV, septum and apical RV consistent with fibrosis. (Figure 1b) This pattern of enhancement is non-specific, but excluded an ischemic CM where scar is subendocardial. The pattern is not typical for cardiac amyloid. Though other non-ischemic etiologies such as cardiac sarcoid were considered, in light of the myocardial thickening, hypertrophic CM (HCM) was favored. Subsequent endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated myocyte disarray and hypertrophy, as well as areas of fibrosis, confirming HCM. (Figure 1c)