Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of Programmed Death Receptor Ligand 1 with High Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Is Associated with Better Prognosis in Breast Cancer

Purpose The interaction of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1), negatively regulates immune responses. This study aimed to clarify PD-L1 expression levels in breast cancer through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and to evaluate associations between these findings and clinicopathologic variables, including prognosis. Methods PD-L1 expression was analyzed using IHC on tissue microarrays of 465 invasive breast carcinomas. Results High PD-L1 expression was demonstrated in 63 of 465 tumors (13.5%). High PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with high histologic grade (p<0.001), negative lymph nodes (p=0.011), early pathologic stage (p=0.025), high tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) (p<0.001) counts, negative estrogen receptor (p<0.001) and progesterone receptor (p=0.002) expression, positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) (p=0.003), cytokeratin 5/6 (p=0.011), epidermal growth factor receptor (p<0.001), and p53 (p<0.001) expression, and high Ki-67 proliferating index (p<0.001). Based on intrinsic subtypes, high PD-L1 expression and high TIL counts were significantly associated with the HER2 and triple-negative basal type (p<0.001). PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with better disease-free survival (DFS) (p=0.041) and overall survival (OS) (p=0.026) in the univariate analysis, but not in the multivariate analysis. Higher TIL levels was an independent prognostic factor for decreased disease progression (hazard ratio [HR], 2.389; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.284–4.445; p=0.006) and overall death (HR, 3.666; 95% CI, 1.561–8.607; p=0.003). Conclusion PD-L1 protein expression in breast cancer is associated with better DFS and OS, but is not an independent prognostic factor. High PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with high TIL levels. This finding has important implications for antibody therapies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling mechanism in breast cancer.
The Impact of School-Level Accountability on Local Test Preparation Practices

The study was designed to develop a greater understanding of how test preparation practices/activities have changed in a state with an established testing program that has recently begun to use test scores for school-level accountability purposes. Teachers within 24 public high schools completed a questionnaire related to the use of test preparation activities, the ethicality of the activities, and motivational activities/incentives related to testing. Nonparametric statistics were used to compare responses among schools. The results of the study indicate that school achievement level is not related to the use of test preparation practices. However, the number of sources of pressure to increase test scores does contribute to the use of certain test preparation activities. Also, there were no state-wide trends in the use of motivational activities/incentives related to test scores, although over half of the schools in the sample did use some type of student incentives. Finally, there are suggestions related to future research and professional development regarding the appropriateness of certain test preparation activities. This work was supported by the Iowa Department of Education (DE). The authors take full responsibility for the work and no endorsement from the Iowa DE should be assumed.
Th17 Cells in Cancer: The Ultimate Identity Crisis

T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a complex and controversial role in tumor immunity and have been found to exhibit a fluctuating identity within the context of cancer. The recent, expanding literature on these cells attests to their puzzling nature, either promoting or suppressing tumor growth depending on the malignancy and course of therapeutic intervention investigated. This review addresses several newly appreciated factors that may help delineate Th17 cells’ immunological properties in the context of cancer. Several reports suggest that inflammatory signals induced in the tumor milieu regulate the functional fate and antitumor activity of Th17 cells. Recent findings also point to significant alterations in Th17 cells due to their interplay with regulatory T lymphocytes and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells within the tumor microenvironment. Finally, an appreciation for the stem cell-like properties of Th17 cells that augment their persistence and activity emerges from recent reports. The impact of these factors on Th17 cells’ antitumor efficacy and how these factors may be exploited to improve cancer therapies will be discussed.
PERIOPERATIVE IMMUNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIAC SURGERY

In this study we evaluated the impact of cardiac surgery on the immune system, particularly on some commonly used laboratory parameters of cellular (CD3, CD3/4, CD3/8, CD3/HLA-DR, CD8/38, CD14/HLA-DR) and humoral immunity (acute-phase C-reactive protein; CRP). Our aim was, by immunological monitoring, to detect patients who were at increased risk of post-operative infectious complications, and had therefore poorer prognosis, as early as possible. We evaluated the predictive value of decreased expression of the HLA-DR surface marker on monocytes for the potential development of bacterial infections and, consequently, the patient’s survival and the predictive value of increased expression of the HLA-DR activating marker on T- lymphocytes and increased expression of CD38 on cytotoxic lymphocytes for the potential development of viral infection. Fifty patients staying in the intensive care unit (ICU) for more than four days because of complicated post-operative outcomes due to bacterial endocarditis, other infections or circulatory problems, also usually accompanied by infections, were included in the risk group. This was further divided into survivor (SV, n=40) and non-survivor (NSV, n=10) subgroups. The control group (CG) comprised 30 consecutive patients without complications in whom pre- and post-operative immunological values were available. We used flow cytometry to assess cellular immunity parameters, and nephelometry to detect CRP levels. In the control group, most of the values of cellular immunity parameters that were markedly modified on post-operative day 1 approached the pre-operative values on day 4. However, in the risk subgroups, marked changes in these parameters remained detectable throughout the post-operative period. Persisting leukocytosis, lymphopenia and reduced HLA-DR expression on monocytes correlated well with post-operative complications and ICU stay for more than four days. Moreover, it was possible to take the reduced HLA-DR expression on monocytes as a prognostic marker for survival (SV vs CG, non-significant; NSV vs SV, P < 0.005). The increased expression of CD38 on cytotoxic lymphocytes (SV vs CG, P<0.001; NSV vs CG, P<0.01) and increased expression of HLA-DR on T lymphocytes (SV vs CG, P<0.03; NSV vs CG, P<0.03) were recorded in high-risk patients with prolonged ICU stay. It is speculated that these increased values may be related to cytomegalovirus reactivation, which may play a role in a slow recovery after cardiac surgery.
Esterified Hyaluronic Acid and Autologous Bone in the Surgical Correction of the Infra-Bone Defects

We study the osteoinductive effect of the hyaluronic acid (HA) by using an esterified low-molecular HA preparation (EHA) as a coadjuvant in the grafting processes to produce bone-like tissue in the presence of employing autologous bone obtained from intra-oral sites, to treat infra-bone defects without covering membrane. We report on 9 patients with periodontal defects treated by EHA and autologous grafting (4 males and 5 females, all non smokers, with a mean age of 43,8 years for females, 40,0 years for males and 42 years for all the group, in good health) with a mean depth of 8.3 mm of the infra-bone defects, as revealed by intra-operative probes. Data were obtained at baseline before treatment and after 10 days, and subsequently at 6,9, and 24 months after treatment. Clinical results showed a mean gain hi clinical attachment (gCAL) of 2.6mm of the treated sites, confirmed by radiographic evaluation. Such results suggest that autologous bone combined with EHA seems to have good capabilities in accelerating new bone formation in the infra-bone defects.
Existence, uniqueness, and asymptotic stability of traveling waves in nonlocal evolution equations

The existence, uniqueness, and global exponential stability of traveling wave solutions of a class of nonlinear and nonlocal evolution equations are established. It is assumed that there are two stable equilibria so that a traveling wave is a solution that connects them. A basic assumption is the comparison principle: a smaller initial value produces a smaller solution. When applied to di ↵ erential equations or integro-di ↵ erential equations, the result recovers and/or complements a number of existing ones.
Questioning the answer: questioning style, choice and self-determination in interactions with young people with intellectual disabilities*

For young people with intellectual disabilities (ID), the transition from children's to adult services has long been recognised as a challenging move. One of the aims of the White Paper Valuing People (2001) was to address some of the problems associated with this transition. This paper reports on data from a project which examines the impact of these service changes, and the ways in which transition is negotiated by carers, professionals and users. It presents a conversation analysis of eight tape-recorded formal review meetings at which transition to adult services is discussed. It takes as its starting point the existing interactional work on ID and the way in which this demonstrates the effects of the local and contextual specifics of particular kinds of interaction on the eventual outcomes (e.g. Rapley 2004, Antaki 2001, Maynard and Marlaire 1992). We show that an attempt to allow self-determination in the context of transitions can paradoxically result in undermining user choice and control. We also argue that, while a rule-based approach to practice may offer moral clarity for professionals, it can result in interactional and practical difficulties which cannot be easily reconciled.
Misalignment in the Timing of Seasonal Demand and Supply: The Landslide Effect

Seasonal demand for products is common at many companies including Kraft Foods, Case New Holland, and Elmer’s Products. Planning inventory and production in the face of seasonal demand can be challenging. Many companies experience a severe drop in inventory and service as they transition from a high season to a low season. Kraft has termed this phenomenon the 'landslide effect. ' In this paper, we present real examples of the landslide effect and describe its causes by comparing common industry practice to the correct inventory mathematics for non stationary demand. We investigate the magnitude and drivers of the landslide effect through both an analytical model and a case study. We find that the effect increases with seasonality, lead time, and demand uncertainty and can lower service by an average of ten points at a representative company. Companies can avoid the landslide effect by using demand forecasts over the preceding lead time to calculate safety stock targets.
Scale interactions during the formation of typhoon irving

The development of Typhoon Irving is investigated using a variety of data, including special research aircraft data from the Tropical Cyclone Motion (TCM-92) experiment, objective analyses, satellite data, and traditional surface and sounding data. The development process is treated as a dry-adiabatic vortex dynamics problem, and it is found that environmental and mesoscale dynamics mutually enhance each other in a cooperative interaction during cyclone formation. Synoptic-scale interactions result in the evolution of the hostile environment toward more favorable conditions for storm development. Mesoscale interactions with the low-level, large-scale circulations and with other midlevel, mesoscale features result in development of vorticity in the midlevels and enhancement of the low-level vorticity associated with the developing surface cyclone. Multiple developments of mesoscale convective systems after the storm reaches tropical depression strength suggests both an increase in low-level confluence and a tendency toward recurrent development of associated mesoscale convective vortices. This is observed in both aircraft data and satellite imagery where subsequent interactions, including mergers with the low-level, tropical depression vortex, are observed. A contour dynamics experiment suggests that the movement of mesoscale convective systems in satellite imagery corresponds well to the movement of their associated midlevel vortices. Results from a simple baroclinic experiment show that the midlevel vortices affect the large-scale, low-level circulation in two ways: 1) initially, interactions between midlevel vortices produce a combined vortex of greater depth; 2) interaction between midlevel vortices and the low-level circulation produces a development downward of the midlevel vorticity. This strengthens the surface vortex and develops a more cohesive vortex that extends from the surface through the midtroposphere.
Neddylation inhibits CtIP-mediated resection and regulates DNA double strand break repair pathway choice

DNA double strand breaks are the most cytotoxic lesions that can occur on the DNA. They can be repaired by different mechanisms and optimal survival requires a tight control between them. Here we uncover protein deneddylation as a major controller of repair pathway choice. Neddylation inhibition changes the normal repair profile toward an increase on homologous recombination. Indeed, RNF111/UBE2M-mediated neddylation acts as an inhibitor of BRCA1 and CtIP-mediated DNA end resection, a key process in repair pathway choice. By controlling the length of ssDNA produced during DNA resection, protein neddylation not only affects the choice between NHEJ and homologous recombination but also controls the balance between different recombination subpathways. Thus, protein neddylation status has a great impact in the way cells respond to DNA breaks.
Excess success for three related papers on racial bias

Three related articles reported that racial bias altered perceptual experience and influenced decision-making. These findings have been applied to training programs for law enforcement, and elsewhere, to mitigate racial bias. However, a statistical analysis of each of the three articles finds that the reported experimental results should be rare, even if the theoretical ideas were correct. The analysis estimates that the probability of the reported experimental success for the articles is 0.003, 0.048, and 0.070, respectively. These low probabilities suggest that similar future work is unlikely to produce as successful outcomes and indicates that readers should be skeptical about the validity of the reported findings and their theoretical implications. The reported findings should not be used to guide policies related to racial bias, and new experimental work is needed to judge the merit of the theoretical ideas.
Timeless Perspective vs. Discretionary Monetary Policy In Forward-Looking Models

This Paper reviews the distinction between the timeless perspective and discretionary modes of monetary policymaking, the former representing rule-based policy as recently formalized by Woodford (1999b). In models with forward-looking expectations there is typically a second inefficiency from discretionary policymaking, besides the inflationary bias. The Paper presents calculations of the quantitative magnitude of this second inefficiency, using calibrated models of two prominent types; it examines the distinction between instrument rules and targeting rules; and briefly investigates operationality issues involving the unobservability of current output and the possibility that an incorrect concept of the natural-rate level of output is used by the policymaker.
Comparing Chinese International and American-born Graduate Students' Beliefs about Teaching and Learning.

This study examined the educational beliefs about teaching and learning of Chinese international and American-born graduate students in the disciplines of pure and applied sciences and mathematics at Auburn University by comparing their similarities and differences. The study reported (a) participants’ demographic characteristics, (b) the dominant beliefs about teaching and learning of the two groups, (c) the two groups’ educational beliefs about teaching and learning. One hundred and fifty-three graduate students who were in pure and applied sciences and mathematics participated in the study. There were 54 Chinese international students, and 99 American-born graduate students. Results indicated there were more similarities in beliefs about teaching and learning between Chinese international and American-born graduate students in the disciplines of pure and applied sciences and mathematics than differences. This study provided a new dimension in cross-cultural comparative investigation.
Assessment of Preoperative Liver Function in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma – The Albumin-Indocyanine Green Evaluation (ALICE) Grade

Background Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have underlying liver disease, therefore, precise preoperative evaluation of the patient’s liver function is essential for surgical decision making. Methods We developed a grading system incorporating only two variables, namely, the serum albumin level and the indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (ICG R15), to assess the preoperative liver function, based on the overall survival of 1868 patients with HCC who underwent liver resection. We then tested the model in a European cohort (n = 70) and analyzed the predictive power for the postoperative short-term outcome. Results The Albumin-Indocyanine Green Evaluation (ALICE) grading system was developed in a randomly assigned training cohort: linear predictor = 0.663 × log10ICG R15 (%)−0.0718 × albumin (g/L) (cut-off value: -2.20 and -1.39). This new grading system showed a predictive power for the overall survival similar to the Child-Pugh grading system in the validation cohort. Determination of the ALICE grade in Child-Pugh A patients allowed further stratification of the postoperative prognosis. This result was reproducible in the European cohort. Determination of the ALICE grade allowed better prediction of the risk of postoperative liver failure and mortality (ascites: grade 1, 2.1%; grade 2, 6.5%; grade 3, 16.0%; mortality: grade 1, 0%; grade 2, 1.3%; grade 3, 5.3%) than the previously reported model based on the presence/absence of portal hypertension. Conclusions This new grading system is a simple method for prediction of the postoperative long-term and short-term outcomes.
I E E E E C O M M U N I C a T I O N S

he Internet connects millions of computers, sensors, monitoring devices, and Internet Protocol (IP) tele-phony devices together, offering many applications and services such as the World Wide Web, email, and content distribution networks. Hosts on the Internet are connected via thousands of Internet service providers (ISPs). An ISP contains one or more autonomous systems (ASs) depending on its size. An AS is a set of routers within a single administration domain, such as a university or corporate network. By convention, the Internet is built on two domain categories , transit and stub. A transit AS usually carries traffic between other domains. A stub AS, such as a university network , is one that has connections to end hosts and relies on at least one transit AS for connectivity to the rest of the Inter-net. Stub ASs usually do not enable IP packets to transit their networks if they are not sent or received by an end host within the network. Figure 1 displays a simplified version of this structure. In Fig. 1 transit domains carry traffic between customer ASs, ISPs or stub domains. The ISPs may have exchange (peering) relationships among themselves for resilience and cost saving purposes. Some ASs of ISPs are attached to more than one transit AS. This is a backup measure increasingly being taken by corporate networks and business customers in order to ensure the existence of alternative routes to the Internet should their main provider fail. It is also a technique for traffic engineering, allowing traffic to be sent over links of different levels of performance. This strategy is called multi-homing and is displayed in Fig. 1. The growth of the Internet and the overlay networks that rely on it has led to emerging applications and properties that have not been considered in the current topology inference and generation tools. Dynamic reconfiguration of routers and firewalls, changes in routing policies of ISPs, overlay networks , peer-to-peer networks, increasing use of virtual private networks (VPNs), protocols such as multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), and tunneling techniques, multihoming, on-demand circuit setup, and bandwidth allocation for home entertainment and videoconferencing, and the increased existence of mobile devices and laptops have caused the topology of networks to be in constant change. There is no central node in the Internet. As a result of this, there are no coordinate systems embedded within the architecture of the Internet. However, an important result of …
Comparison of face detection and image classification for detecting front seat passengers in vehicles

Due to the high volume of traffic on modern roadways, transportation agencies have proposed High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and High Occupancy Tolling (HOT) lanes to promote car pooling. However, enforcement of the rules of these lanes is currently performed by roadside enforcement officers using visual observation. Manual roadside enforcement is known to be inefficient, costly, potentially dangerous, and ultimately ineffective. Violation rates up to 50%-80% have been reported, while manual enforcement rates of less than 10% are typical. Therefore, there is a need for automated vehicle occupancy detection to support HOV/HOT lane enforcement. A key component of determining vehicle occupancy is to determine whether or not the vehicle's front passenger seat is occupied. In this paper, we examine two methods of determining vehicle front seat occupancy using a near infrared (NIR) camera system pointed at the vehicle's front windshield. The first method examines a state-of-the-art deformable part model (DPM) based face detection system that is robust to facial pose. The second method examines state-of-the-art local aggregation based image classification using bag-of-visual-words (BOW) and Fisher vectors (FV). A dataset of 3000 images was collected on a public roadway and is used to perform the comparison. From these experiments it is clear that the image classification approach is superior for this problem.
Dosage of 2,6-Bis (1.1-Dimethylethyl)-4-Methylphenol (BHT) in the Plant Extract Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

A naturally occurring BHT was identified in the leaves of the halophyte plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. This phenol was extracted in this study by two methods at the different plant growth stages. One of the methods was better for BHT extraction; the concentration of this phenol is plant growth stage dependent. In this study, the floraison stage has the highest BHT concentration. The antioxidant activity of the plant extract was not related to BHT concentration. The higher antioxidant activity is obtained at seedlings stage.