Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality Assurance for Steroid Receptor Assay in Human Breast Cancer: Six Years Experience of the Italian Committee

Since 1979 the quality control design proposed by the Italian ad hoc Committee has evaluated several lyophilized preparations with scalar receptor content; this permits the identification by linear regression analysis of systematic and non systematic errors. At present 41 laboratories from most of the national regions have joined the Italian Committee. The overall results of five years application of quality assurance in Italy show that there was a different pattern of imprecision with satisfactory indexes for intralaboratory performances but major variations in interlaboratory controls. There was also a remarkable difference of variability indices between the so-called « expert » and « new » laboratories; this problem can be reduced with practical seminars for new centers. On the basis of the results and experience achieved the Committee is starting another program of quality assurance for different new methodologies to provide guidelines for international working reference standards.
Improving outcomes from acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is predominantly non-variceal in origin and remains one of the most common challenges faced by gastroenterologists and endoscopists in daily clinical practice. Despite major advances in the approach to the management of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) over the past decade including prevention of peptic ulcer bleeding, optimal use of endoscopic therapy1 and high-dose proton pump inhibition,2 it still carries considerable morbidity, mortality and health economic burden. Although many modernised healthcare systems report reductions in case death over time,3–5 most likely attributable to the aforementioned advances in addition to general supportive care, mortality remains appreciably high. Of particular note, rebleeding rates—one of the most important predictive factors of mortality and arguably the best reflection of interventions directly targeted at bleeding—have not significantly improved from longitudinal data in the past 15 years.6 7 In addition to high-quality trials that have informed best evidence-based practice guidelines in recent years,8 we have been provided with a plethora of detailed ‘real-life’ outcome data from multicentre observational studies of UGIB originating from Canada (RUGBE,9 REASON10 AND REASON-211), Italy (PNED-112 and PNED-213) and the UK,14 enabling an assessment of how well such guidelines are adhered to and serving to highlight deficiencies in existing aspects of care which could be improved upon. These studies are further described in table 1. View this table: Table 1 Description of study designs and inclusion criteria Using data from published papers of the aforementioned studies, we highlight a number of areas in the management of NVUGIB where efforts could be targeted to improve existing shortcomings in care. In addition we provide suggestions for parameters upon which improvements in care may be monitored in longitudinal studies as well as highlighting key areas for …
Relationship between Apparent Viscosity and Line-Spread Test Measurement of Thickened Fruit Juices Prepared with a Xanthan Gum-based Thickener

The flow behaviors of three thickened fruit juices (orange, apple, and grape juice) prepared with a commercial instant xanthan gum (XG)-based thickener that is marketed in Korea were investigated at different thickener concentrations (1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, and 3.5%) and setting times (5 and 30 min) using a rheometer and a line-spread measurement method. The flow distance values measured by the line-spread test (LST) were compared with the apparent viscosity (ηa,50) values measured with a sophisticated computer-controlled rheometer. The ηa,50 values of the juices increased as thickener concentration increased, whereas their flow distances decreased. The ηa,50 values at the 30-min setting time were much higher than those at the 5-min setting time, indicating that the setting time before serving or consuming thickened juices can affect viscosity values. Plots comparing ηa,50 values to LST flow distances revealed strong exponential relationships between the two measures (R2=0.989 and R2=0.987 for the 5- and 30-min setting times, respectively). These results indicate that the LST can be a suitable instrument for evaluating the viscosity of thickened fruit juices prepared with different XG-based thickener concentrations and setting times for the dysphagia diet.
Platelet aggregation by Streptococcus pyogenes

Heat-killed group A Streptococcus pyogenes induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma. Aggregation was dependent upon the ratio of platelets to bacteria, with maximal aggregation occurring at 0.8 platelets per bacterium (final concentration, 300,000 per microliter). Inhibition of the reaction by 3 mM EDTA indicated it was a true aggregation and not merely adhesion and agglutination. Lactic acid dehydrogenase assays indicated lysis of platelets did not occur during a 6-min incubation period. Aggregation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by acetylsalicylic acid (100 microM to 10 mM) and quinacrine (15.6 to 250 microM), with no decrease in aggregation at the lowest concentration of inhibitor tested. S. pyogenes induced the release of [14C]serotonin, which was maximal (50%) at 2.4 min, when aggregation was nearly complete. Gel-filtered platelets were not aggregated unless fibrinogen (final concentration, 1.8 mg/ml) was included in the reaction mixture. Staphylococcus aureus, a group B streptococcus, and Escherichia coli were unable to induce aggregation in platelet-rich plasma under the conditions used for S. pyogenes.
Maximizing the Functional Yield of Wafer-to-Wafer 3-D Integration

Three-dimensional integrated circuit technology with through-silicon vias offers many advantages, including improved form factor, increased circuit performance, robust heterogenous integration, and reduced costs. Wafer-to-wafer integration supports the highest possible density of through-silicon vias and highest throughput; however, in contrast to die-to-wafer integration, it does not benefit from the ability to bond only tested and diced good die. In wafer-to-wafer integration, wafers are entirely bonded together, which can unintentionally integrate a bad die from one wafer to a good die from another wafer reducing the yield. In this paper, we propose solutions that maximize the yield of wafer-to-wafer 3-D integration, assuming that the individual die can be tested on the wafers before bonding. We exploit some of the available flexibility in the integration process, and propose wafer assignment algorithms that maximize the number of good 3-D ICs. Our algorithms range from scalable, fast heuristics to optimal methods that exactly maximize the yield of wafer-to-wafer 3-D integration. Using realistic defect models and yield simulations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods up to large numbers of wafer stacks. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to significantly improve the yield in comparison to yield-oblivious wafer assignment methods.
Brightness preserving dynamic fuzzy histogram equalization

This paper proposes a novel modification of the brightness preserving dynamic histogram equalization technique to improve its brightness preserving and contrast enhancement abilities while reducing its computational complexity. The modified technique, called Brightness Preserving Dynamic Fuzzy Histogram Equalization (BPDFHE), uses fuzzy statistics of digital images for their representation and processing. Representation and processing of images in the fuzzy domain enables the technique to handle the inexactness of gray level values in a better way, resulting in improved performance. Execution time is dependent on image size and nature of the histogram, however experimental results show it to be faster as compared to the techniques compared here. The performance analysis of the BPDFHE along with that for BPDHE has been given for comparative evaluation.
Analytical Prediction of Low-velocity Impact Response of Composite Sandwich Panels using New TDOF Spring–mass–damper Model

A new equivalent three-degree-of-freedom (TDOF) spring–mass– damper (SMD) model has proposed to predict the low-velocity impact response of composite sandwich panels with transversely flexible core. Impacts are assumed to occur normally over the top face-sheet with the arbitrary different impactor masses and initial velocities. The interaction between the impactor and the panel is modeled with the help of a new proposed system having TDOF consisting of springs, damper, and masses. An analytical procedure that includes the transverse flexibility and structural damping of the core has not yet been dealt with. In the present model, the effects of transverse flexibility of the core and structural damping of the panel are considered analytically. The analysis yields analytic functions describing the history of contact force, displacements of the impactor and the panel in the transverse direction etc. The effects of some physical and geometrical parameters such as initial potential energy of the impactor, the aspect ratio of the panel, location of the impacted point on the panel and the material density of the core on dynamic response of composite sandwich panels have been discussed.
THE EFFECTS OF Syzygium aromaticum-DERIVED TRITERPENES ON GASTROINTESTINAL GHRELIN EXPRESSION IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Background: Diabetic polyphagia has been associated with elevated plasma ghrelin levels in experimental type 1 diabetes. This increase in food consumption contributes to chronic hyperglycaemia in diabetes thus contributing to the development of micro- and macrovascular complications. We have reported that plant-derived oleanolic acid (OA) and maslinic acid (MA) reduce blood glucose levels, in part, through the inhibition of intestinal carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes and glucose transporters. However, their effects on food intake and plasma ghrelin concentrations are unclear. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of these triterpenes on food intake and ghrelin expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Material: The effects of OA and MA on blood glucose concentration; food and water intake were monitored over five weeks after which plasma ghrelin concentrations were measured. Additionally, the expression of ghrelin in the various sections of the GIT was determined using Western blot analysis. Results: Ghrelin concentrations in untreated STZ-induced diabetic rats were significantly higher in comparison to the non-diabetic control. Interestingly, the administration of OA and MA reduced food intake, blood glucose levels and plasma ghrelin levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. This was further complemented by significant reductions in the gastrointestinal expression of ghrelin suggesting that the anti-diabetic properties of these triterpenes are mediated, in part, through the reduction of food intake and the modulation of ghrelin expression. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that the control of food intake through the reduction of ghrelin expression by plant-derived OA and MA may constitute an avenue of glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus.
Is Student Debt Jeopardizing the Short-Term Financial Health of U.S. Households?

In this study, the authors use the Survey of Consumer Finances to determine whether student loans are associated with household net worth. They find that median 2009 net worth ($117,700) for households with no outstanding student loan debt is nearly three times higher than for households with outstanding student loan debt ($42,800). Further, multivariate statistics indicate that households with outstanding student loan debt and a median 2007 net worth of $128,828 incur a loss of about 54 percent of net worth in 2009 compared with households with similar net worth levels but no student loan debt over the same period. The main policy implication of this study is that outstanding student debt may jeopardize the short-run financial health of households. However, this topic is complex and more research is needed before suggesting policy prescriptions.
A Theory of Arbitrage Capital 1 Viral

Fire sales that occur during crises beg the question of why su¢ cient outside capital does not move in quickly to take advantage of re sales, or in other words, why outside capital is so slow-moving. We propose an answer to this puzzle in the context of an equilibrium model of capital allocation. There are states of the world in which asset prices fall low enough that it is pro table to carry liquid capital to acquire assets in such states. Set against this, keeping capital in liquid form entails costs in terms of foregone pro table investments. We show that a robust consequence of this trade-o¤ between making investments today and waiting for arbitrage opportunities in future is the combination of occasional re sales and limited standby capital. When there are learning-by-doing e¤ects, such stand-by capital moves in to acquire assets only if re-sale discounts are su¢ ciently deep. An extension of our model to several types of investments gives rise to a novel channel for contagion where su¢ ciently adverse shocks to one type can induce re sales in other types that are fundamentally unrelated, provided these investments are arbitraged by a common pool of capital. J.E. L. Classi cation: G21, G28, G38, E58, D62. Keywords: re sales, arbitrage, illiquidity, crises, spillover.
Baculovirus Molecular Evolution via Gene Turnover and Recurrent Positive Selection of Key Genes

ABSTRACT Hosts and viruses are locked in an evolutionary arms race. Hosts are constantly evolving to suppress virulence and replication, while viruses, which are reliant on host machinery for survival and reproduction, develop counterstrategies to escape this immune defense. Viruses must also adapt to novel conditions while establishing themselves in a host species. Both processes provide strong selection for viral adaptation. Understanding adaptive evolution in insect viruses can help us to better understand adaptive evolution in general and is important due to the use of these viruses as biocontrol agents and for protecting ecologically or economically important species from outbreaks. Here we examine the molecular evolution of baculoviruses and nudiviruses, a group of insect-infecting viruses with key roles in biocontrol. We looked for signatures of selection between genomes of baculoviruses infecting a range of species and within a population of baculoviruses. Both analyses found only a few strong signatures of positive selection, primarily in replication- and transcription-associated genes and several structural protein genes. In both analyses, we detected a conserved complex of genes, including the helicase gene, showing consistently high levels of adaptive evolution, suggesting that they may be key in antagonistic coevolution to escape host suppression. These genes are integral to the baculovirus life cycle and may be good focal genes for developing baculoviruses as effective biocontrol agents or for targeting baculoviruses infecting ecologically relevant species. Recombination and complex genomes make evolution in these double-stranded DNA viruses more efficient than that in smaller RNA viruses with error-prone replication, as seen via signatures of selection in specific genes within a population of baculoviruses. IMPORTANCE Most viral evolutionary studies focus on RNA viruses. While these viruses cause many human and animal diseases, such studies leave us with a lesser understanding of how DNA viruses adapt to hosts and how the host responds to these pathogens. In this paper, we focus on the evolution of baculoviruses, a group of insect-infecting DNA viruses, many of which have been used in biocontrol. We find that most of the genome is under purifying selection, with only a few key genes evolving adaptively. Our results provide a glimpse into how DNA viruses differ from RNA viruses in their evolutionary dynamics and identify genes that are key to DNA virus adaptation, improving our understanding of how this group of pathogens evolves.
Relationship between plasma lipids and palmitoyl‐CoA hydrolase and synthetase activities with peroxisomal proliferation in rats treated with fibrates

1 The time‐course of the effect of clofibrate (CFB), bezafibrate (BFB) and gemfibrozil (GFB) on lipid plasma levels and palmitoyl‐CoA hydrolase and synthetase activities, as well as the correlations with the peroxisomal proliferation phenomenon have been studied in male Sprague‐Dawley rats. 2 The administration of the three drugs caused a significant reduction in body weight gain, accompanied with a paradoxical increase in food intake in groups treated with BFB and GFB. 3 Drug treatment produced gross hepatomegaly and increase in peroxisomal β‐oxidation, and these parameters were strongly correlated. The order of potency was BFB > CFB ≥ GFB. 4 Both plasma cholesterol (BFB ∼ CFB > GFB) and triglyceride (BFB ∼ GFB > CFB) levels were reduced in treated animals. There was an inverse correlation between these parameters and peroxisomal β‐oxidation, although the peroxisomal proliferation seemed to explain only a small part of the hypolipidemic effect observed. 5 Cytosolic and microsomal (but not mitochondrial) palmitoyl‐CoA hydrolase activities were increased by the three drugs (BFB > CFB > GFB), probably by inducing the hydrolase I isoform, which is insensitive to inhibition by fibrates in vitro. The increased hydrolase activities were directly and strongly correlated with peroxisomal β‐oxidation. 6 Palmitoyl‐CoA synthetase activity was also increased by the treatment with fibrates (BFB > CFB >GFB), probably as a consequence of the enhancement of hydrolase activities. 7 Some of the effects of fibrate treatment can be explained, at least in part, in terms of peroxisomal induction and caution should be exercised in the extrapolation of these results to species, such as man, that are insensitive to peroxisomal proliferation.
IL-10 Induces IL-10 in Primary Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages via the Transcription Factor Stat31

IL-10 is an important immunosuppressive cytokine that can down-regulate expression of other cytokines and has been shown to down-regulate itself. We show, in this study, that treatment of human monocyte-derived macrophages with IL-10 induces IL-10 mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner with an optimum induction at 100 ng/ml and at 6 h, whereas IL-10-induced IL-10 protein can be detected at 18 h. In the same cells, IL-10 can partially suppress IL-10 mRNA induced by LPS, but only down to the level of IL-10-induced IL-10. An adenoviral luciferase reporter construct driven by the −195 IL-10 promoter, which contains a Stat motif, was readily induced by both IL-10 and LPS. Mutation of this Stat motif ablated IL-10 activation of this promoter, but not the LPS activation. Finally, we show that overexpression of a dominant-negative Stat3 protein will prevent IL-10 induction, but not LPS induction, of IL-10 mRNA. These data show that IL-10 induces IL-10 in monocyte-derived macrophages in an autocrine manner via activation of the transcription factor Stat3.
Lymphatic Vessel Density and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Expression Correlate with Malignant Behavior in Human Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors

Metastatic dissemination of tumor cells to regional lymph nodes is a common early feature of many human cancers including pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In contrast, lymph node metastasis is more variably observed in pancreatic endocrine tumors. The objective of this study was to assess the lymphatic system of human pancreatic endocrine tumors and correlate this to clinical behavior. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies to two recently identified markers of lymphatic endothelium, namely, LYVE-1 and podoplanin, and to the lymphangiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C. As has been reported previously, we observed that in the normal pancreas, islets of Langerhans are devoid of intra-islet lymphatics, but that lymphatics are present in connective tissue in association with ducts and blood vessels. We found that both benign and malignant pancreatic endocrine tumors contain intratumoral lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessel density was related to the size of the tumor in benign tumors and to the presence of liver metastasis but not to lymph node metastasis in malignant tumors. VEGF-C was expressed in tumor cells: 4 of 19 (21%) benign tumors were positive, whereas 6 of 9 (67%) borderline tumors and 9 of 11 (82%) carcinomas were positive. These findings strongly suggest that lymphangiogenesis occurs in pancreatic endocrine tumors and that lymphatic invasion and the development of metastases are associated with VEGF-C expression.
Judging Borrowers by the Company They Keep : Social Networks and Adverse Selection in Online Peer-to-Peer Lending

We study the online market for peer to peer (P2P) lending in which individuals bid on unsecured microloans sought by other individual borrowers. Using a large sample of consummated and failed listings from the largest online P2P lending marketplace Prosper.com, we test whether social networks lead to better lending outcomes, focusing on the distinction between the structural and relational aspects of networks. While the structural aspects have limited to no significance, the relational aspects are consistently significant predictors of lending outcomes, with a striking gradation based on the verifiability and visibility of a borrower's social capital. Stronger and more verifiable relational network measures are associated with a higher likelihood of a loan being funded, a lower risk of default, and lower interest rates. We discuss the implications of our findings for financial disintermediation and the design of decentralized electronic lending markets. † Corresponding Author: Siva Viswanathan can be reached at sviswana@rhsmith.umd. edu. The authors thank Ethan Cohen-Cole, Jerry Hoberg, Dalida Kadyrzhanova, De Liu, Vojislav Maksimovic, Gordon Phillips, Kislaya Prasad, Galit Shmueli, seminar participants at the 2008 Summer Doctoral Program of the Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University, participants at the 2008 INFORMS Annual Conference, as well as participants at the 2008 Workshop on Information Systems and Economics in Paris, France, for their valuable comments and suggestions. Mingfeng Lin is also thankful to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for the 2009 Dissertation Fellowship Award, and to the Economic Club of Washington D.C. (2008) for their generous financial support. We also thank Prosper.com for making the data for the study available. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Heat Transfer in Compression Molding of Thermoplastic Composite Laminates and Sandwich Panels

The key to finding relevant process parameters in manufacturing of thermoplastic sandwich panels is an accurate prediction of the temperature at the interface between core and face during manufacturing, as this temperature is critical for the bond between the constituents. In this paper a model for prediction of the temperature distribution within a sandwich panel during manufacturing is presented. The process of face manufacturing by compression molding also is modeled, both for a one-dimensional case using finite difference methods to investigate effects of varying thermal contact conductances, and for a three-dimensional (3D) case using finite element methods to study temperature edge effects. The models are verified by experiments, in which a preconsolidated glass fiber/polyamide 12 laminate is used, partly as a ply in a thicker laminate, partly as face sheet for a sandwich panel. The core material used is polymethacrylimide foam.