Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity maintains the viability of hairy cells and modulates their response to interferon-alpha

Hairy-cell leukemia is characterised by a marked sensitivity of the malignant cells to the cytotoxic effects of therapeutically administered interferon-α. The aim of this study was to assess the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases in the maintenance of hairy-cell (HC) viability and their sensitivity to interferon-α. The selective tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor mpV(pic) killed HCs, but not normal B lymphocytes or chronic lymphotic leukemia (CLL) cells. HCs displayed increased expression of the phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2 when compared with normal B lymphocytes. Phosphatase inhibition also enhanced the cytotoxic effect of interferon-α against HCs in four of the five cases tested. Therefore, HCs, but not normal B cells or CLL-cells, require tyrosine phosphatase activity for preservation of their viability. In addition, HC sensitivity to interferon is down-regulated by this activity.
CT-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Deep Suprahyoid Head and Neck Lesions in Untreated Patients

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CT-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of deep head and neck tumors in untreated patients. We retrospectively reviewed the records of ten consecutive CT-guided CNB procedures from ten patients without a related history from March 2004 to February 2012. The surgical results, treatment response and clinical follow-up were used as the diagnostic standards. All specimens were considered adequate. Nine out of ten cases matched the final diagnosis. Biopsy failed to diagnose the infratemporal meningioma en plaque in a particular case. Three cases were carcinomas. No complication was encountered. CT-guided core needle biopsy is an efficient and safe technique for histological diagnosis of skull base lesions in patients without a related history. This technique can offer a definite tissue diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgical interventions for such patients.
Genotypic and phenotypic analysis of Streptococcus uberis isolated from bovine mammary secretions

SUMMARY Genotypic and phenotypic analysis of 42 strains of Streptococcus uberis isolated from mammary secretions of 17 cows collected at different periods of the lactation cycle and from episodes of clinical mastitis were performed. Seventeen restriction endonuclease fingerprint (REF) patterns and 12 bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) fingerprints were observed. REF identified and differentiated closely related strains of S. uberis isolated from mammary secretions collected from the same cow at different periods of the lactation cycle and from episodes of clinical mastitis. BLIS fingerprinting of S. uberis complemented REF results. REF and BLIS fingerprinting provided evidence concerning persistence of infection in the same quarter or different quarters of the mammary gland over different periods of the lactation cycle, and occurrence of infection with similar and dissimilar strains of S. uberis. Biochemical profiles could not identify closely related strains nor did they complement REF results. Antibiotic resistance patterns alone were of little value in differentiating closely related strains, but were identical with isolates having same REF pattern. None of the S. uberis strains was found to carry plasmids. REF and BLIS fingerprinting can be utilized effectively to differentiate closely related and unrelated strains of S. uberis isolated from bovine mammary secretions.
Developing residential wireless sensor networks for ECG healthcare monitoring

Wireless technology development has increased rapidly due to it’s convenience and cost effectiveness compared to wired applications, particularly considering the advantages offered by Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) based applications. Such applications exist in several domains including healthcare, medical, industrial and home automation. In the present study, a home-based wireless ECG monitoring system using Zigbee technology is considered. Such systems can be useful for monitoring people in their own home as well as for periodic monitoring by physicians for appropriate healthcare, allowing people to live in their home for longer. Health monitoring systems can continuously monitor many physiological signals and offer further analysis and interpretation. The characteristics and drawbacks of these systems may affect the wearer’s mobility during monitoring the vital signs. Real-time monitoring systems record, measure, and monitor the heart electrical activity while maintaining the consumer’s comfort. Zigbee devices can offer low-power, small size, and a low-cost suitable solution for monitoring the ECG signal in the home, but such systems are often designed in isolation, with no consideration of existing home control networks and smart home solutions. The present study offers a state of the art review and then introduces the main concepts and contents of the wireless ECG monitoring systems. In addition, models of the ECG signal and the power consumption formulas are highlighted. Challenges and future perspectives are also reported. The paper concludes that such mass-market health monitoring systems will only be prevalent when implemented together with home environmental monitoring and control systems.
[Efficacy of modified B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol on Burkitt's lymphoma in Chinese children and adolescents].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Burkitt's lymphoma is an aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and often involves bone marrow and central nerve system. The efficacy of CHOP regimen on Burkitt's lymphoma is poor. The optimal chemotherapy regimen needs to be investigated. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of modified B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol on Burkitt's lymphoma in children and adolescents, and observe the survival status. METHODS From Oct. 1999 to Nov. 2006, 31 untreated Burkitt's lymphoma patients aged less than 20 were enrolled. The median age of these patients was 5 (range, 1.5-20 years old). Of the 31 patients, 20 (64.5%) were male, 11 (35.5%) were female. According to St Jude staging system, 1 (3.2%) was at stage I, 6 (19.4%) at stage II, 8 (25.8%) at stage III, 16 (51.6%) at stage IV; 24 (77.4%) were at stage III/IV. According to clinical stage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level and treatment response, these patients were divided into low, moderate and high risk groups. They received modified B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol: cytotoxic drugs such as cyclophosphamide, vincristine, ifosfamide, etoposide, adriamycin, HD-methotrexate, vindesin, dexamethasone, cytarabinec/HD-cytarabine and intrathecal injection. RESULTS One patient died of tumor lysis syndrome during prophase. The efficacy was evaluable in 30 patients. Of the 30 patients, 25 (83.3%) achieved complete remission (CR), 3 (10.0%) achieved partial remission (PR), 2 (6.7%) had progressive disease (PD)û 1 had tumor relapse. Grade 3-4 myelosuppression occurred in most patients and were recovered by active support care and did not affect next course of chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 33 months (range, 3-98 months), the 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 86.0% for all patients, with 100% for stage I/II patients and 82.1% for stage III/IV patients, 100% for low risk group, 92.0% for moderate risk group, and 70.0% for high risk group. CONCLUSIONS Modified B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol can improve the responses and survival of Burkitt's lymphoma in Chinese children and adolescents, with tolerable toxicity. It should be used in the experienced cancer center and hematological unit.
Toward a Theory of Economic Institutions: Synergy and Path Dependency

Little could demonstrate more the profound difference between neoclassical and institutional economics than that the research program of institutional economics may be appropriately stated in exactly those variables that in neoclassical economics are considered "historical" and are therefore kept constant. What is exogenous to neoclassical theory constitutes the very theoretical core of institutional economics. Just as one would not expect an atheist to demonstrate the metaphysical validity of religion, so one does not expect a neoclassical economist to make institutions a topic of theoretical inquiry. Either the paradigmatic assumptions would have to be relaxed-in which case it would not be the coherent system of neoclassical theory anymore-or one would still follow the neoclassical assumption that institutions are basically a historical phenomenon-and which case scientific efforts can hardly be expected to result in a theory. The best litmus test for an institutional theory consists in asking whether its propositions and hypotheses are part of the exogenous domain of neoclassical theory. If the answer is in the affirmative, proceed, because you are conceptually on safe grounds. We call economic institutions-as does in much of institutional
Sports and the Deaf Child

he increasingly sedentary American lifestyle has resulted in a growing number of overweight and out-of-shape school-age children. Deaf children are not exempt from this trend, yet there is little evidence that public school programs for these children are doing anything to counter it. Much can be done to assist deaf students, not only in becoming more active movers but in gaining knowledge of opportunities and benefits associated with Deaf sport. The authors provide an argument for schools that expose deaf children to the role of sports in the Deaf community and for designing programs that will enable these children to become active participants in Deaf sport activities as athletes and organizers, or, later in life, when they no longer have the inclination or ability to compete, as spectators, with all the socialization benefits that form of involvement provides.
Generating and designing DNA with deep generative models

We propose generative neural network methods to generate DNA sequences and tune them to have desired properties. We present three approaches: creating synthetic DNA sequences using a generative adversarial network; a DNA-based variant of the activation maximization ("deep dream") design method; and a joint procedure which combines these two approaches together. We show that these tools capture important structures of the data and, when applied to designing probes for protein binding microarrays, allow us to generate new sequences whose properties are estimated to be superior to those found in the training data. We believe that these results open the door for applying deep generative models to advance genomics research.
Molecular basis of age‐associated cytokine dysregulation in LPS‐stimulated macrophages

Aged humans and rodents are susceptible to infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria as a result of an inability to make antibodies to capsular polysaccharides. This is partly a result of decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines and increased production of interleukin (IL)‐10 by macrophages (MΦ) from aged mice. To understand the molecular basis of cytokine dysregulation in aged mouse MΦ, a microarray analysis was performed on RNA from resting and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated MΦ from aged and control mice using the Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 gene chip. Two‐way ANOVA analysis demonstrated that at an overall P < 0.01 level, 853 genes were regulated by LPS (169 in only the young, 184 in only the aged, and 500 in both). Expression analysis of systematic explorer revealed that immune response (proinflammatory chemokines, cytokines, and their receptors) and signal transduction genes were specifically reduced in aged mouse MΦ. Accordingly, expression of Il1 and Il6 was reduced, and Il10 was increased, confirming our previous results. There was also decreased expression of interferon‐γ. Genes in the Toll‐like receptor‐signaling pathway leading to nuclear factor‐κB activation were also down‐regulated but IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 3, a negative regulator of this pathway, was increased in aged mice. An increase in expression of the gene for p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) was observed with a corresponding increase in protein expression and enzyme activity confirmed by Western blotting. Low doses of a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) enhanced proinflammatory cytokine production by MΦ and reduced IL‐10 levels, indicating that increased p38 MAPK activity has a role in cytokine dysregulation in the aged mouse MΦ.
Correlation analysis of the main agronomic traits and performance of 21 alfalfa varieties

Relationships between the major agronomic traits and production performance of 21 alfalfa varieties have been studied using correlation and grey correlation degree analysis.The results showed that alfalfa hay yields were significantly correlated with growth rate,plant height and the fresh-dry ratio(P0.01). The correlation coefficients were 0.87,0.86 and 0.55 respectively.The grey correlation coefficients were 0.8360,0.8330 and 0.7716 respectively.Hay yields were not significantly correlated with either plant number or branch number(P0.05). The grey correlation coefficient was 0.5921,0.6267 and 0.7406 respectively.The production performances of the 21 alfalfa varieties were evaluated using the method of optimal correlation degree.The production performance of Gannong No.5,Golden Queen,WL363 HQ,WL319HQ and Sandeli were superior to the other varieties.The Aohan,Caoyuan No.3and Gannong No.2varieties were the poorest performers in the Ningxia irrigation area.
The Correlation between Protein Catabolic Rate and Kt/V in Hemodialysis is not a Mathematical Artifact

To test whether the demonstrated correlation between Kt/V urea and normalised protein catabolic rate (NPCR) is caused by a mathematical artifact, we examined 12 adult and 8 paediatric haemodialysis patients. Kt/V was determined by the classical method. As an equivalent of NPCR we measured normalised urea generation rate (NUGR) by a one-week collection of dialysate and urine using total body water estimated by bioelectrical impedance for normalisation. The correlation between Kt/V and NUGR was 0.58 (all), 0.55 (adults), and 0.62 (children). Since the determination of Kt/V and NUGR are not interdependent, we conclude that the correlation between Kt/V and protein catabolism is not artifactual.
A trade-off model between cost and reliability during the design phase of software development

This work proposes a method for estimating the development cost of a software system with modular structure taking into account the target level of reliability for that system. The required reliability of each individual module is set in order to meet the overall required reliability of the system. Consequently the individual cost estimates for each module and the overall cost of the software system are linked to the overall required reliability. Cost estimation is carried out during the early design phase, that is, well in advance of any detailed development. Where a satisfactory compromise between cost and reliability is feasible, this will enable a project manager to plan the allocation of resources to the implementation and testing phases so that the estimated total system cost does not exceed the project budget and the estimated system reliability matches the required target. The line of argument developed here is that the operational reliability of a software module can be linked to the effort spent during the testing phase. That is, a higher level of desired reliability will require more testing effort and will therefore cost more. A method is developed which enable us to estimate the cost of development based on an estimate of the number of faults to be found and fixed, in order to achieve the required reliability, using data obtained from the requirements specification and historical data. Using Markov analysis a method is proposed for allocating an appropriate reliability requirement to each module of a modular software system. A formula to calculate an estimate of the overall system reliability is established. Using this formula, a procedure to allocate the reliability requirement for each module is derived using a minimization process, which takes into account the stipulated overall required level of reliability. This procedure allow us to construct some scenarios for cost and the overall required reliability. The foremost application of the outcome of this work is to establish a basis for a trade-off model between cost and reliability during the design phase of the development of a modular software system. The proposed model is easy to understand and suitable for use by a project manager. Key-Words: Software Cost Modelling, Trade-off Cost-Reliability, Development Cost, Software Testing, Markov Analysis
Chromatic input to cells of the magnocellular pathway: Mean chromaticity and the relative phase of modulated lights

If the relative phase of red and green modulated lights is changed, at low temporal frequencies the response of cells of the magnocellular (MC) pathway has been found to be minimal not to counterphase, chromatic modulation (as expected of a luminance mechanism) but shifted to some phase intermediate between luminance and chromatic modulation. The results could only be modeled by assuming interaction between achromatic and chromatic inputs to MC cells. The ‘phase shift’ resembled that seen with psychophysical threshold measurements using the same stimuli. Psychophysical results also showed that the phase shift is dependent on the chromaticity of a background. The results reported here show that the direction of the phase shift in MC cells is reversed by changing the background from long to short wavelengths and is consistent with psychophysical observations. Cell behavior was again modeled by assuming vector summation of achromatic and chromatic inputs. The reversal of phase-shift direction requires a reversal in polarity of the chromatic input. The underlying physiological mechanism may involve summation of chromatic signals of opposite polarity; if the relative size of these signals depends on the background, this may determine the direction of phase shift.
Poly-Silicon Trap Position and Pass Voltage Effects on RTN Amplitude in a Vertical NAND Flash Cell String

We investigate the dependence of random telegraph noise (RTN) on a poly-silicon trap position in a 3D vertical channel and charge-trapping NAND flash cell string. We characterize RTN in read current of each cell of a string at different read and pass voltages. RTN characteristics resulting from a trap in a read cell or in a pass cell are differentiated. A method to identify a poly-silicon trap position in a NAND string is proposed. We perform the 3D TCAD simulation to calculate channel electron density in a string. Measured RTN characteristics can be explained by current-path percolation and channel carrier screening effects. The distribution of RTN amplitudes in NAND strings is characterized.
Optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy after an episode of venous thromboembolism

The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still a matter of debate. It is essential to balance the desired effect of the anticoagulants in reducing recurrences against the risk of major bleeding. The aims of this paper are to describe the current concepts in this field. Recent data, based on randomized controlled trials, suggest that it is necessary to tailor the duration of anticoagulation individually according to the topography of VTE and the presence of risk factors. A 6-week treatment for patients with isolated calf vein thrombosis is sufficient. For proximal thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism, a short anticoagulant course is sufficient in patients with temporary risk factors (3 months), and a longer anticoagulant course (6 months at least) is recommended for cases with permanent risk factors or idiopathic VTE. For these high-risk of recurrence patients, an assessment of low- or fixed-dose oral anticoagulation is necessary in order to reduce the bleeding risk. It is not possible to precisely determine the optimal duration with the available data. We have already performed a meta-analysis on summary data that suggests a long course of oral anticoagulant therapy is superior to a short course. An individual meta-analytic approach is needed to draw more precise conclusions on an interesting and important clinical topic.
Anterior Referencing versus Posterior Referencing in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Appropriate femoral component positioning and sizing is essential for proper kinematic function in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Anterior or posterior referencing (AR or PR) are two major techniques for setting center of rotation and for balancing the sagittal plane of the arthroplasty. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages. Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) TKA has added yet another aspect to intraoperative techniques and postoperative outcomes. A total of 100 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral MIS TKA were prospectively randomized to either AR or PR. Knee Society Scores, range of motion, SF-12, and strength testing by Cybex dynamometer were evaluated at standardized intervals postoperatively for 2 years. There were no statistically significant differences in surgical (incision length, surgical release, blood loss, surgical time, and length of stay) or clinical outcomes between two groups at all postoperative intervals (2 and 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 and 2 years). Results demonstrate that both AR and PR are effective and can be used successfully during MIS TKA.
Smoking characteristics and comorbidities in the power to quit randomized clinical trial for homeless smokers.

INTRODUCTION Smoking prevalence in homeless populations is strikingly high (∼70%); yet, little is known about effective smoking cessation interventions for this population. We conducted a community-based clinical trial, Power To Quit (PTQ), to assess the effects of motivational interviewing (MI) and nicotine patch (nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]) on smoking cessation among homeless smokers. This paper describes the smoking characteristics and comorbidities of smokers in the study. METHODS Four hundred and thirty homeless adult smokers were randomized to either the intervention arm (NRT + MI) or the control arm (NRT + Brief Advice). Baseline assessment included demographic information, shelter status, smoking history, motivation to quit smoking, alcohol/other substance abuse, and psychiatric comorbidities. RESULTS Of the 849 individuals who completed the eligibility survey, 578 (68.1%) were eligible and 430 (74.4% of eligibles) were enrolled. Participants were predominantly Black, male, and had mean age of 44.4 years (S D = 9.9), and the majority were unemployed (90.5%). Most participants reported sleeping in emergency shelters; nearly half had been homeless for more than a year. Nearly all the participants were daily smokers who smoked an average of 20 cigarettes/day. Nearly 40% had patient health questionnaire-9 depression scores in the moderate or worse range, and more than 80% screened positive for lifetime history of drug abuse or dependence. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the feasibility of enrolling a diverse sample of homeless smokers into a smoking cessation clinical trial. The uniqueness of the study sample enables investigators to examine the influence of nicotine dependence as well as psychiatric and substance abuse comorbidities on smoking cessation outcomes.
GMM estimation of a realized stochastic volatility model: A Monte Carlo study

ABSTRACT This article investigates alternative generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation procedures of a stochastic volatility model with realized volatility measures. The extended model can accommodate a more general correlation structure. General closed form moment conditions are derived to examine the model properties and to evaluate the performance of various GMM estimation procedures under Monte Carlo environment, including standard GMM, principal component GMM, robust GMM and regularized GMM. An application to five company stocks and one stock index is also provided for an empirical demonstration.