Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low Incidence along with Low mRNA Levels of EGFRvIII in Prostate and Colorectal Cancers Compared to Glioblastoma

Background: The presence as well as the potential role of EGFRvIII in tumors other than glioblastoma still remains a controversial subject with many contradictory data published. Previous analyses, however, did not consider the level of EGFRvIII mRNA expression in different tumor types. Methods: Appropriately designed protocol for Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (Real-time qRT-PCR) was applied to analyze EGFRvIII and EGFRWT mRNA expression in 155 tumor specimens. Additionally, Western Blot (WB) analysis was performed for selected samples. Stable cell lines showing EGFRvIII expression (CAS-1 and DK-MG) were analyzed by means of WB, immunocytochemistry (ICC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: Our analyses revealed EGFRvIII expression in 27.59% of glioblastomas (8/29), 8.11% of colorectal cancers (3/37), 6.52% of prostate cancers (3/46) and none of breast cancers (0/43). Despite the average relative expression of EGFRvIII varying greatly among tumors of different tissues (approximately 800-fold) or even within the same tissue group (up to 8000-fold for GB), even the marginal expression of EGFRvIII mRNA can be detrimental to cancer progression, as determined by the analysis of stable cell lines endogenously expressing the oncogene. Conclusion: EGFRvIII plays an unquestionable role in glioblastomas with high expression of this oncogene. Our data suggests that EGFRvIII importance should not be underestimated even in tumors with relatively low expression of this oncogene.
AN ODYSSEY INTO LOCAL REFINEMENT AND MULTILEVEL PRECONDITIONING II: STABILIZING HIERARCHICAL BASIS METHODS

In this article, we examine the wavelet modified (or stabilized) hierarchical basis (WHB) methods of Vassilevski and Wang, and extend their original quasiuniformity-based framework and results to local 2D and 3D red-green refinement procedures. The concept of a stable Riesz basis plays a critical role in the original work on WHB, and in the design of efficient multilevel preconditioners in general. We carefully examine the impact of local mesh refinement on Riesz bases and matrix conditioning. In the analysis of WHB methods, a critical first step is to establish that the BPX preconditioner is optimal for the refinement procedures under consideration. Therefore, the first article in this series was devoted to extending the results of Dahmen and Kunoth on the optimality of BPX for 2D local red-green refinement to 3D local red-green refinement procedures introduced by Bornemann-Erdmann-Kornhuber (BEK). These results from the first article, together with the local refinement extension of the WHB analysis framework presented here, allow us to establish optimality of the WHB preconditioner on locally refined meshes in both 2D and 3D. In particular, with the minimal smoothness assumption that the PDE coefficients are in L∞, we establish optimality for the additive WHB preconditioner on locally refined 2D and 3D meshes. An interesting implication of the optimality of WHB preconditioner is the a priori H1-stability of the L2-projection. The existing a posteriori approaches in the literature dictate a reconstruction of the mesh if such conditions cannot be satisfied. The proof techniques employed throughout the paper allow extension of the optimality results, the H1-stability of L2-projection results, and the various supporting results to arbitrary spatial dimension d ≥ 1.
A comparison of material and illumination discrimination performance for real rough, real smooth and computer generated smooth spheres

The appearance of objects in natural scenes is determined by their reflectance, their 3D texture, their shape and by the nature of the illumination. Results of previous experiments using computer generated images of spheres with different reflectance modes and under different canonical illuminations suggested that perception of reflectance mode and illumination are basically confounded. In the present study we investigate whether the conclusions from the experiments with simplified rendered spheres can be extended to ecologically valid images. We use two sets of photographs of real spheres, the first set is taken from the Dror Database [Dror et al. 2001], with simple reflectance modes but complex natural illumination (e.g. desklamp, lab, foodcourt). The second set is taken from the Utrecht Oranges Database [Pont and Koenderink 2003], with simple canonical illumination but material consisting of both reflectance and 3D texture differences (e.g. orange, golf ball, christmas decoration). We find that, although to a lesser extent, even in images of complex objects, perception of material and illumination are basically confounded. Overall, illumination and material are confounded most when we present rendered spheres that differ only in reflectance mode under simple canonical illumination conditions. Interestingly, adding complex natural illumination containing higher order angular frequencies helps to disambiguate this confound in material judgments, but not in illumination judgments. Most helpful was the addition of 3D texture.
An Automatically Generated Evaluation Function in General Game Playing

General game-playing (GGP) competitions provide a framework for building multigame-playing agents. In this paper, we describe an attempt at the implementation of such an agent. It relies heavily on our knowledge-free method of automatic construction of an approximate state evaluation function, based on game rules only. This function is then employed by one of the two game tree search methods: MTD (f) or guided upper confidence bounds applied to trees (GUCT), the latter being our proposal of an algorithm combining UCT with the usage of an evaluation function. The performance of our agent is very satisfactory when compared to a baseline UCT implementation.
In Thoughts, Words, and Deeds: Are Social Class Differences in Parental Support Similar across Immigrant and Native Families?

ABSTRACT Much of the literature examining social class differences in parental involvement has drawn on Bourdieu’s theory of cultural reproduction, but the applicability of this model to immigrant families is unclear. Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, a nationally representative study of high school students who were sophomores in 2002 (n = 11,430), we examine whether patterns of social class differences, as measured by maternal education, in parental support among immigrant parents are similar to those found among native-born parents. Results from multivariate regression analyses show that social class differences among immigrant parents differ in magnitude and in some cases, direction, compared to those of native-born parents. We argue that these findings suggest a cross-class “immigrant habitus” that shapes parental support both in schools and at home.
Learning environment for the gifted—What do outstanding teachers of the gifted think?

This study aims to assess the views of outstanding teachers of the gifted regarding their students’ learning environment. Thirty teachers were interviewed and an interpretive approach was used to analyze their views. The teachers’ comments were divided according to the following themes: (a) characteristics of gifted students, (b) characteristics of teachers of the gifted, (c) physical characteristics and population, (d) learning atmosphere, (e) emotional and social aspects, and (f) suitable curriculum and teaching strategies to meet the academic needs of the gifted. The study highlights the significance of exploring teachers’ perceptions regarding the learning environment for the gifted in order to understand in depth what characterizes these particular teachers and to suggest an appropriate pedagogy that will enhance the students’ giftedness. This study can contribute to teachers’ education programs and curriculum design for gifted students, and ultimately benefit all students.
The Fastest Relativistic Jets: VLBA Observations of Blazars with Apparent Speeds Exceeding 25c

We have measured peak apparent speeds of 25.6c ± 7.0c, 25.6c ± 4.4c, and 28.2c ± 6.6c in the jets of 0235+164, 0827+243, and 1406-076, respectively, based on six epochs of high-sensitivity VLBA observations at 22 and 43 GHz during 2002 and 2003 (H0 = 71 km s-1 Mpc-1, Ωm = 0.27, and ΩΛ = 0.73). These blazars had been identified as potentially having apparent speeds exceeding 40c in an earlier VLBA survey of EGRET blazars by Jorstad and coworkers. We therefore confirm (with high confidence in 0827+243, and lower confidence in 0235+164 and 1406-076) the presence of highly relativistic pattern speeds in these three jets, although not at the >40c levels reported by Jorstad and coworkers. The lower limit to the bulk Lorentz factor implied by the observed apparent speeds is Γ ≳ 25-30 in these three sources, if the pattern speeds are equal to or slower than the bulk flow speed.
A new approach to variable selection in least squares problems

The title Lasso has been suggested by Tibshirani (1996) as a colourful name for a technique of variable selection which requires the minimization of a sum of squares subject to an l 1 bound κ on the solution. This forces zero components in the minimizing solution for small values of κ. Thus this bound can function as a selection parameter. This paper makes two contributions to computational problems associated with implementing the Lasso: (1) a compact descent method for solving the constrained problem for a particular value of κ is formulated, and (2) a homotopy method, in which the constraint bound κ becomes the homotopy parameter, is developed to completely describe the possible selection regimes. Both algorithms have a finite termination property. It is suggested that modified Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization applied to an augmented design matrix provides an effective basis for implementing the algorithms.
Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between COPD and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods. 2,362 patients who underwent PCI were included in this study. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: with COPD (n = 233) and without COPD (n = 2,129). Cox proportional hazards models were analyzed to determine the effect of COPD on the incidence of MACCE. Results. The patients with COPD were older (P < 0.0001) and were more likely to be current smokers (P = 0.02) and have had hypertension (P = 0.02) and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.01). Prevalence of serious cardiovascular comorbidity was higher in the patients with COPD, including a history of MI (P = 0.02) and HF (P < 0.0001). Compared with non-COPD group, the COPD group showed a higher risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio (HR): 2.45, P < 0.0001), cardiac death (HR: 2.53, P = 0.0002), MI (HR: 1.387, P = 0.027), and HF (HR: 2.25, P < 0.0001). Conclusions. Patients with CAD and concomitant COPD are associated with a higher incidence of MACCE (all-cause death, cardiac death, MI, and HF) compared to patients without COPD. The patients with a history of COPD have higher in-hospital and long-term mortality rates than those without COPD after PCI.
Adherence to Physician Recommendations for Surveillance in Opportunistic Colorectal Cancer Screening: The Necessity of Organized Surveillance

Background Limited evidence exists on the utilization of surveillance colonoscopy in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs. We assessed adherence to physician recommendations for surveillance in opportunistic CRC screening in Germany. Methods A follow-up study of screening colonoscopy participants in 2007-2009 in Saarland, Germany, was conducted using health insurance claims data. Utilization of additional colonoscopies through to 2011 was ascertained. Adherence to surveillance intervals of 3, 6, 12 and 36 months, defined as having had colonoscopy at 2.5 to 4, 5 to 8, 10.5 to 16 and 33 to 48 months, respectively (i.e., tolerating a delay of 33% of each interval) was assessed. Potential predictors of non-adherence were investigated using logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 20,058 screening colonoscopy participants were included in the study. Of those with recommended surveillance intervals of 3, 6, 12 and 36 months, 46.5% (95%-confidence interval [CI]: 37.3-55.7%), 38.5% (95%-CI: 29.6-47.3%), 25.4% (95%-CI: 21.2-29.6%) and 28.0% (95%-CI: 25.5-30.5%), respectively, had a subsequent colonoscopy within the specified margins. Old age, longer recommended surveillance interval, not having had polypectomy at screening and negative colonoscopy were statistically significant predictors of non-adherence. Conclusion This study suggests frequent non-adherence to physician recommendations for surveillance colonoscopy in community practice. Increased efforts to improve adherence, including introduction of more elements of an organized screening program, seem necessary to assure a high-quality CRC screening process.
A Systematic Analysis on mRNA and MicroRNA Expression in Runting and Stunting Chickens

Runting and stunting syndrome (RSS), which is characterized by lower body weight, widely occurs in broilers. Some RSS chickens simply exhibit slow growth without pathological changes. An increasing number of studies indicate that broiler strains differ in susceptibility to infectious diseases, most likely due to their genetic differences. The objective of this study was to detect the differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in RSS and normal chickens. By integrating miRNA with mRNA expression profiling, potential molecular mechanisms involved in RSS could be further explored. Twenty-two known miRNAs and 1,159 genes were differentially expressed in RSS chickens compared with normal chickens (P < 0.05). qPCR validation results displayed similar patterns. The differentially expressed genes were primarily involved in energy metabolism pathways. The antisense transcripts were extensively expressed in chicken liver albeit with reduced abundance. Dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that gga-miR-30b/c directly target CARS through binding to its 3′UTR. The miR-30b/c: CARS regulation mainly occurred in liver. In thigh muscle and the hypothalamus, miR-30b/c are expressed at higher levels in RSS chickens compared with normal chickens from 2 to 6 w of age, and notably significant differences are observed at 4 w of age.
Optimization of computationally expensive simulations with Gaussian processes and parameter uncertainty: Application to cardiovascular surgery

In many applications of simulation-based optimization, the random output variable whose expectation is being optimized is a deterministic function of a low-dimensional random vector. This deterministic function is often expensive to compute, making simulation-based optimization difficult. Motivated by an application in the design of bypass grafts for cardiovascular surgery with uncertainty about input parameters, we use Bayesian methods to design an algorithm that exploits this random vector's low-dimensionality to improve performance.
Distinct Firing Patterns of Neuronal Subtypes in Cortical Synchronized Activities

Cortical neurons, especially GABAergic interneurons, are composed of very diverse subtypes. It remains to be investigated whether each subtype shows a unique firing pattern during the synchronized activities generated by the intracortical circuit. By lowering extracellular Mg2+in vitro, we induced NMDA receptor-dependent spontaneous activities in the rat frontal cortex at 30°C. After a series of spontaneous depolarization shifts, the long bursts occurred. The long bursts were composed of initial discharges and fast run-like potentials (FRLP) (4–10 Hz). Large inhibitory currents were induced at the initial discharge. After the strong inhibition decreased, the FRLP started. However, the periodical inhibition survived during the FRLP. At each phase of the synchronized activities, cortical neuron types exhibited distinct firing patterns. Pyramidal cells increased firing frequency periodically up to ∼25–55 Hz during the FRLP cycles. Fast-spiking (FS) cells fired at the highest frequency in the initial discharge, up to 400 Hz, and could continue firing faster than 200 Hz for several seconds. In the FRLP, the firing frequency of FS cells rhythmically increased up to 150 Hz. In contrast, large cholecystokinin basket cells fired, very similarly to pyramidal cells, at each phase. Somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide cells fired faster than pyramidal cells at the initial discharge, but showed the similar firings to pyramidal cells during the FRLP. The firing patterns of cortical neurons are not only determined by the strength and temporal pattern of synchronized inputs but also strongly dependent on the neuronal subtype with specific physiological, chemical, and morphological characteristics.
Prolonged ovarian hormone deprivation alters the effects of 17β-estradiol on microRNA expression in the aged female rat hypothalamus

Administration of 17β-estradiol (E2) has beneficial effects on cognitive function in peri- but not post-menopausal women, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related changes in E2 action remain unclear. We propose that there is a biological switch in E2 action that occurs coincident with age and length of time after ovarian hormone depletion, and we hypothesized that age-dependent regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) could be the molecular basis for that switch. Previously we showed that miRNAs are regulated by E2 in young compared to aged female rats. Here we tested whether increasing lengths of ovarian hormone deprivation in aged females altered E2 regulation of these mature miRNAs. In addition, we determined where along the miRNA biogenesis pathway E2 exerted its effects. Our results showed that age and increased lengths of ovarian hormone deprivation abolished the ability of E2 to regulate mature miRNA expression in the brain. Further, we show that E2 acted at specific points along the miRNA biogenesis pathway.
The ultraluminous X-ray sources in the high-velocity system of NGC 1275

We report the results of a study of X-ray point sources coincident with the high-velocity system (HVS) projected in front of NGC 1275. A very deep X-ray image of the core of the Perseus cluster, made with the Chandra X-ray Observatory, has been used. We find a population of ultraluminous X-ray sources [ULXs; seven sources with L X (0.5 - 7.0 keV) > 7 x 10 39 erg s -1 ]. As with the ULX populations in the Antennae and Cartwheel galaxies, those in the HVS are associated with a region of very active star formation. Several sources have possible optical counterparts found on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images, although the X-ray brightest one does not. Absorbed power-law models fit the X-ray spectra, with most having a photon index between 2 and 3.
Microfibril Orientation Dominates the Microelastic Properties of Human Bone Tissue at the Lamellar Length Scale

The elastic properties of bone tissue determine the biomechanical behavior of bone at the organ level. It is now widely accepted that the nanoscale structure of bone plays an important role to determine the elastic properties at the tissue level. Hence, in addition to the mineral density, the structure and organization of the mineral nanoparticles and of the collagen microfibrils appear as potential key factors governing the elasticity. Many studies exist on the role of the organization of collagen microfibril and mineral nanocrystals in strongly remodeled bone. However, there is no direct experimental proof to support the theoretical calculations. Here, we provide such evidence through a novel approach combining several high resolution imaging techniques: scanning acoustic microscopy, quantitative scanning small-Angle X-ray scattering imaging and synchrotron radiation computed microtomography. We find that the periodic modulations of elasticity across osteonal bone are essentially determined by the orientation of the mineral nanoparticles and to a lesser extent only by the particle size and density. Based on the strong correlation between the orientation of the mineral nanoparticles and the collagen molecules, we conclude that the microfibril orientation is the main determinant of the observed undulations of microelastic properties in regions of constant mineralization in osteonal lamellar bone. This multimodal approach could be applied to a much broader range of fibrous biological materials for the purpose of biomimetic technologies.
Polyphenols in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

Polyphenols have gained much interest recently due to its antioxidant capacity and possible benefits to human health such as anti-carcinogenic, anti-atherogenic, anti-ulcer, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, immune modulating, anti-microbial, vasodilatory and analgesic effects. Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a rich source of polyphenols and reported having high antioxidant activity than teas and red wines. Cocoa and its derived products (cocoa powder, cocoa liquor and chocolates) contain varied polyphenol contents and possess different levels of antioxidant potentials. The polyphenols in cocoa beans contribute to about 12-18% of the dry weight of the whole bean. Main classes of polyphenolic compounds identified are such as simple phenols, benzoquinones, phenolic acids, acetophenones, phenylacetic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, phenylpropenes, coumarines, chromones, naphtoquinones, xanthones, stilbenes, anthraquinones, flavonoids, lignans and lignins. Three main groups of cocoa polyphenols can be distinguished namely the catechins (37%), anthocyanins (4%) and proanthocyanidins (58%). The main catechin is (-)-epicatechin with up to 35% of polyphenol content. Effects of processing could influence the polyphenols of cocoa and its products. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of some of the latest developments and studies reported for cocoa polyphenols and its contribution of this area for the betterment of human health.
Is Corporate Diversification Beneficial in Emerging Markets?

Using a sample of over 1000 firms from seven emerging markets in 1995, we find that diversified firms trade at a discount of approximately 7% compared to single-segment firms. Diversified firms are also less profitable than single-segment firms, but lower profitability only explains part of the discount. We find a discount only for those firms that are part of industrial groups and for diversified firms with management ownership concentration between 10% and 30%. The discount is most severe when management control rights substantially exceed their cash flow rights. Our results do not support internal capital market efficiency in economies with severe capital market imperfections.