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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a lethal disease with a 5-year survival rate of 4%. A key hallmark of PDAC is extensive stromal involvement, which makes capturing precise tumor-specific molecular information difficult. Here we have overcome this problem by applying blind source separation to a diverse collection of PDAC gene expression microarray data, including data from primary tumor, metastatic and normal samples. By digitally separating tumor, stromal and normal gene expression, we have identified and validated two tumor subtypes, including a 'basal-like' subtype that has worse outcome and is molecularly similar to basal tumors in bladder and breast cancers. Furthermore, we define 'normal' and 'activated' stromal subtypes, which are independently prognostic. Our results provide new insights into the molecular composition of PDAC, which may be used to tailor therapies or provide decision support in a clinical setting where the choice and timing of therapies are critical.

This article reports on the curriculum design of a distance learning sustainability bachelor’s degree in order to broaden the coverage and increase the quality of education for sustainable development in Mexican higher education. The goal of this case study was to describe the useful of the competence-based curriculum design to increase the actual stock of knowledge toward achieving curriculum greening. This bachelor’s degree has been designed with the primary purpose of boosting the supply of educational services in the country in order to not only meet the rights of all Mexicans citizens to obtain a higher education, but also to confront the sustainability challenges within the UNESCO key campaigns such as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, Education for all and the Millennium Development Goals (EAMG). Having as the organizing principle the competency-based framework, the sustainability bachelor’s degree project was carried out using the focus group research technique for collecting data. The concept of competence has played a key role in defining the outcomes of this curriculum; yet, there are a number of ongoing issues that are significant enough in order to address the challenges imposed by this decade that have not been included because it is impossible to cover all aspects of sustainable development. Hopefully, the sustainability graduate students will have the competences for being the most effective agent of change to foster sustainability in organizations.

Times of crisis bring about increased demands on businesses as shortages, or unexpected but significant, business costs are encountered. Passing on such costs to consumers is a challenge. When faced with a retail price increase, consumers may rely on cues as to the motive behind the increase. Such cues can raise suspicion of alternative motive (e.g., taking advantage of the consumer) affecting consumers’ judgments of price fairness. This research investigates two triggers of suspicion: salience of alternative motives, and behavior judged to be out-of-character for the business. Results of the two studies within crisis contexts indicate that suspicion is created when alternative motives are salient and when a retailer acts out-of-character. Multiple group analyses revealed that suspicion induced negative affect and subsequent perceptions of price fairness. When suspicion was present, more negative feelings toward the retailer and judgments of price unfairness resulted.