Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clear cell carcinoma of liver. An ultrastructural study

A light microscopic and ultrastructural study of ten consecutive cases each of the clear cell type and nonclear cell type of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed important differences between the two groups which may help to explain their different biological behavior. The clear cells contained substantial quantities of glycogen and lipid which partly substitute the usual cytoplasmic constituents. An analogy was made between these tumor cells with clear cytoplasm and the clear cells which occurred in the intermediary stages of hepatocellular carcinogenesis in animals in an attempt to explain the better outcome of clear cell HCC.
Design of a conductor-backed coplanar waveguide (CB-CPW) wide bandpass filter using interdigital capacitor and meander line inductor

In this present work, a compact sized conductor backed coplanar waveguide (CB-CPW) wide bandpass filter (BPF) centered at 4.3 GHz, 3-dB bandwidth of 3.8 GHz from 2.8 GHz to 6.6 GHz, return loss of 46.7 dB and small insertion loss of 0.5 dB in the passband is proposed which consists of interdigital capacitor, shorted meander line inductors and L-shaped pair (in lower ground plane). The filter has design freedom to obtain proper bandwidth by adjusting length of each teeth of interdigital capacitor and length of shorted meandered line inductor. The designed filter exhibits a good lower stopband with rejection greater than 20 dB below 1.7 GHz. The BPF show better performance, and hence can be used for practical purposes.
From Funding Liquidity to Market Liquidity: Evidence from Danish Bond Markets

This paper shows empirically that funding liquidity drives market liquidity. As it becomes harder to secure term funding in the money markets, liquidity deteriorates in the Danish bond market. We show that the first principal component of bond market liquidity is driven by the market makers’ ability to obtain funding. This effect holds true across both long and short term, government and covered bonds. We use MiFID data which provides a complete transaction level dataset for the Danish market covering both the subprime crisis and the Euro sovereign crisis. Furthermore, we verify the findings for other European government bonds using MTS data. The findings suggest that regulatory bond based liquidity buffers for banks will have limited effectiveness.
Effect of Zinc Intake on Growth in Infants: A Meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) intake on growth in infants. Out of 5500 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 19 RCTs were selected after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria. The influence of Zn intake on growth was considered in the overall meta-analysis. Other variables were also taken into account as possible effect modifiers: doses of Zn intake, intervention duration, nutritional status, and risk of bias. From each select growth study, final measures of weight, length, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), head circumference, weight for age z-score (WAZ), length for age z-score (LAZ), and weight for length z-score (WLZ) were assessed. Pooled β and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Additionally, we carried out a sensitivity analysis. Zn intake was not associated with weight, length, MUAC, head circumference, and LAZ in the pooled analyses. However, Zn intake had a positive and statistically effect on WAZ (β = 0.06; 95%CI 0.02 to 0.10) and WLZ (β = 0.05; 95%CI 0.01 to 0.08). The dose–response relationship between Zn intake and these parameters indicated that a doubling of Zn intake increased WAZ and WLZ by approximately 4%. Substantial heterogeneity was present only in length analyses (I2 = 45%; p = 0.03). Zn intake was positively associated with length values at short time (four to 20 weeks) (β = 0.01; CI 95% 0 to 0.02) and at medium doses of Zn (4.1 to 8 mg/day) (β = 0.003; CI 95% 0 to 0.01). Nevertheless, the effect magnitude was small. Our results indicate that Zn intake increases growth parameters of infants. Nonetheless, interpretation of these results should be carefully considered.
Nocturnal stomatal conductance effects on the delta(18)O signatures of foliage gas exchange observed in two forest ecosystems.

We report field observations of oxygen isotope ((18)O) discrimination during nocturnal foliage respiration ((18)Delta(R)) in branch chambers in two forest ecosystems: a Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. ) plantation in Scotland; and a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest in Germany. We used observations and modeling to examine the impact of nocturnal stomatal conductance on the (18)O/(16)O (delta(18)O) signatures of foliage gas exchange at night. We found that nocturnal stomatal conductance can influence the delta(18)O signature by affecting: (1) the bidirectional diffusion of CO(2) into and out of the leaf (with isotopic equilibration); and (2) the (18)O enrichment of the foliage water with which the CO(2) equilibrates. Both effects were manifest in high apparent (18)Delta(R) values and enriched delta(18)O signatures of foliage water at night. The effects were more pronounced for Sitka spruce because of its higher nocturnal stomatal conductance and higher specific leaf water content compared to beech. We found that taking the effects of nocturnal stomatal conductance into account may change the sign of the delta(18)O signature of nocturnal foliage respiration, generally thought to decrease the delta(18)O of atmospheric CO(2). We conclude that nocturnal stomatal exchange can have a profound effect on isotopic exchange depending on species and environmental conditions. These effects can be important when using delta(18)O signatures of canopy CO(2) to distinguish foliage and soil respiration, and when modeling the delta(18)O signature of CO(2) exchanged between ecosystems and the atmosphere.
Benchmarking the Maturity of Quality Management Systems in Western Australia

This paper describes the development of a benchmarking approach that assesses the maturity of Quality Management Systems. It was a collaborative study commissioned by the Western Australia Quality Forum involving industry and academia. The aim of the study was to provide a tool that would enable companies to assess their own level of maturity against an overall benchmark derived from medium to large AEC sector companies in Western Australia. A descriptive structured approach was adopted using a survey instrument that included both quantitative and qualitative elements. The survey questions were based on the ISO 9004:2009 standard. The analysis of the survey data used a frequency analysis framework to determine the benchmark levels. The study extends the understanding of maturity levels of quality management system implementation. Further research will be required to monitor how the tool is used by the participating organizations to improve their quality management systems. The outcome of this research was a maturity-level based benchmarking approach that can be used to improve the implementation and effectiveness of Quality Management Systems.
Kernel Smoothing for Nested Estimation with Application to Portfolio Risk Measurement

Nested estimation involves estimating an expectation of a function of a conditional expectation via simulation. This problem has of late received increasing attention amongst researchers due to its broad applicability particularly in portfolio risk measurement and in pricing complex derivatives. In this paper, we study a kernel smoothing approach. We analyze its asymptotic properties, and present efficient algorithms for practical implementation. While asymptotic results suggest that the kernel smoothing approach is preferable over nested simulation only for low-dimensional problems, we propose a decomposition technique for portfolio risk measurement, through which a high-dimensional problem may be decomposed into low-dimensional ones that allow an efficient use of the kernel smoothing approach. Numerical studies show that, with the decomposition technique, the kernel smoothing approach works well for a reasonably large portfolio with 200 risk factors. This suggests that the proposed methodology may serve.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Trial Participants in Botswana

Recent clinical trials have shown that a daily dose of oral TDF/FTC pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in reducing human immunodeficiency (HIV) risk. Understanding trial participants’ perspectives about retention and PrEP adherence is critical to inform future PrEP trials and the scale-up and implementation of PrEP programs. We analyzed 53 in-depth interviews conducted in April 2010 with participants in the TDF2 study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of daily oral TDF/FTC with heterosexual men and women in Francistown and Gaborone, Botswana. We examined participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of the trial, identified facilitators and barriers to enrollment and retention, and compared participant responses by study site, sex, and study drug adherence. Our findings point to several factors to consider for participant retention and adherence in PrEP trials and programs, including conducting pre-enrollment education and myth reduction counseling, providing accurate estimates of participant obligations and side effect symptoms, ensuring participant understanding of the effects of non-adherence, gauging personal commitment and interest in study outcomes, and developing a strong external social support network for participants.
A WASp–VASP complex regulates actin polymerization at the plasma membrane

Proteins of the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome and Ena/VASP families both play essential functions in the regulation of actin dynamics at the cell leading edge. However, possibilities of functional interplay between members of these two families have not been addressed. Here we show that, in hemopoietic cells, recruitment of the C‐terminal VCA (Verprolin homology, Cofilin homology, Acidic) domain of WASp at the plasma membrane by a ligand technique using rapamycin as an intermediate is not sufficient to elicit efficient Arp2/3 complex‐mediated actin polymerization. Other domains of WASp, in particular the proline‐rich domain, are required for the formation of actin‐rich structures. An in vitro analysis demonstrates that the proline‐rich domain of WASp binds VASP with an affinity of ∼106 M−1. In addition, WASp and VASP both accumulate in actin‐rich phagocytic cups. Finally, in a reconstituted motility medium, VASP enhances actin‐based propulsion of WASp‐coated beads in a fashion reminiscent of its effect on Listeria movement. We propose that VASP and WASp cooperation is essential in stimulating actin assembly and membrane protrusion at the leading edge.
How management accounting can be helpful for startup companies

This study reviews the paradox of why management accounting (MA), generally seen as a set of static and formal practices to organize and control large established companies, can be helpful in a dynamic and unstructured startup environment. The study reviews current knowledge on MA in startup companies, highlights similarities and gaps in the literature, and provides implications for future research and theory development. While MA implies potential benefits for large established companies, studies have rarely addressed its role in young and small startups. The purpose of this review is to understand the paradox and provide a structured overview of existing knowledge. A systematic literature search yielded 69 empirical papers in 27 journals. Drawing on the results of a transparent two-step coding process, this study proposes 20 novel second-level constructs around the types of MA, their antecedents, and their consequences to provide a more nuanced and broader conceptualization of MA in startups. The main results show that in discussing MA, the literature mainly refers to business planning, accounting-based management control activities, and financial accounting. MA can be of value for startups because it provides tools to overcome difficulties arising from company growth and to reduce the information gap with external partners. Moreover, the quality of definitions that describe theoretical constructs seems weak. As the empirical literature on this topic is very concentrated, indicates a poor quality of theoretical construct definitions, and lacks a clear understanding of what MA really does in startups, future research and theory development are warranted.
Exploring the Influence of Sustainability Knowledge and Orientation to Slow Consumption on Fashion Leaders’ Drivers of Fast Fashion Avoidance

This research explores the complex relationship between fashion leaders’ motivations toward slow vs. fast fashion, and proposing that all consumers have the potential to adopt more sustainable consumption behaviors, offers suggestions for sustainable companies aiming to better understand and target these consumers. Fashion leaders are particularly susceptible to overconsumption, yet they are also the most attuned to fashion industry information (e.g., sustainability) and influence others through their tastes and preferences. Proposing that spurring fashion leaders toward slow consumption and away from fast fashion (FF) will prompt the spread of these trends among the broader consumer market, this exploratory study investigates how fashion leaders’ level of sustainability awareness and orientation to slow consumption influence their FF avoidance. Primary data were collected from 405 respondents. Reliability and validity were examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data and parameters were estimated using maximum likelihood method. Empirical results from SEM show that sustainability awareness positively influences orientation to slow consumption yet does not influence the drivers of FF avoidance. The results indicate that consumers’ orientation to slow consumption positively influences many FF avoidance drivers but data also suggest that fashion leaders may not characterize the FF business model as unsustainable and as fueling overconsumption. This study adds to the body of knowledge on highly fashion-involved consumers and their motivations toward sustainable consumption. It offers insight into the pro-environmental attitude-behavior gap and how these consumers reconcile their sustainability knowledge with their consumption desires. Past research has explored the impact of the pro-environmental attitude-behavior gap on consumers’ purchase intentions. However, no empirical studies have been found that concurrently examine consumers’ sustainability awareness, orientation to slow consumption, and their behavioral intention to avoid FF.
Sustainable Finance in Emerging Markets: A Venture Capital Investment Decision Dilemma

This case is crafted to highlight the dilemma faced by two senior executives of Softbank Asia Infrastructure Fund (SAIF) Partners. It showcases their approach towards an impact investment and an analysis of the same, keeping in perspective the uncertainty in an impact investment resulting due to Indian government regulatory provisions. Lack of standardized tools in measuring impact investment returns hinders the commercial funds to assess the true implications of an impact investment. Sustainable finance is directed towards benefiting both client and society by integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, either in a business practice or in an investment decision. Investing in an MSME lending enterprise has elements of impact investment in it and is best catered by sustainable funds and not commercial funds. Impact investment, sustainable funds and microfinance are some of the typical activities falling under sustainable finance. SAIF Partners is evaluating an opportunity to invest in an Indian MSME lending enterprise. The key concern is, can commercial funds like SAIF Partners see matching return opportunities in an impact investment? This case provokes the target audience to examine the nature of social impact investments and the nuances in aligning the same with the objectives of commercial investments.
Blood and bone marrow findings in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.

The blood and bone marrow smears and sections of 38 patIents with angloimmuno. blastic lymphadenopathy (AILD) were examined and their hematologic data were reviewed. A normochromic normocytic anemia was found in 84% of patients. A positive direct Coombs’ test was noted in one-third of the patients tested. Leuko. cytosis with neutrophilia and/or eoslnophilia were observed frequently. Lympho. cytopenia of various degrees was evident in 79% of the patients, and circulating immunocytes were seen in 31%. Bone marrow smears were usually hypercellular with myelocytic or erythrocytic hyperplasia and a shift to the left. They also revealed a decrease in the small matureappearing lymphocytes in 61% and an increase in immunocytes in 65% of the patients. None of the abnormalities in the cellular components of the blood and of the bone marrow smears were diagnostic of AILD. However, lesions diagnostic of AILD were found in 70% of 27 patients in whom sections of bone marrow core biopsies or spicules were available. These lesions were similar to those described in lymph nodes; they were usually focal and occasionally diffuse. The cellular abnormalities in the blood did not necessarily coincide with the presence of histologically demonstrable AILD lesions in bone marrow biopsies. However, when the bone marrow biopsies showed the lesions diagnostic of AILD, the bone marrow smears usually contained an increased number of immunocytes. Th. involvement of bone marrow by lesions diagnostic of AILD could not be correlated with clinical progression or length of survival.
Anatomopathological characterization of placentas from HIV+ patients associated with p24 expression

INTRODUCTION: The study of placentas from pregnant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive women has become the subject of numerous studies in the literature. Morphological, viral, immune and inflammatory placental aspects have been analyzed in order to grasp the vertical transmission of the virus. OBJECTIVE: To identify the most frequent findings in the placentas by associating them with a viral antigen and correlating them with the infection of newborns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five placentas from HIV- positive pregnant women were pathologically and immunohistochemically analyzed with the use of p24 antibody in the period from 1992 to1997 in accordance with the routine laboratory testing from the Anatomopathological Department - Hospital Universitario Antonio Pedro - Universidade Federal Fluminense (APD/HUAP/UFF). RESULTS: The microscopic alterations detected in all cases, including those with vertical transmission, were arteriopathy in the fetal blood circulation, chorioamnionitis, perivillous fibrin deposition, syncytial knotting, villous edema and villous immaturity. No specific macroscopic or histopathological changes were found in these placentas. The neonatal infection was observed in five cases. Vertical transmission was identified in two out of five placentas that had low weight for the respective stage of pregnancy. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed 14 positive cases, two of which showed vertical transmission. The viral protein was not identified in 10 out of 14 placentas from patients who had been medicated with zidovudine (AZT). CONCLUSION: Our study has contributed to the anatomopathological investigation into placentas from HIV-positive patients, although p24 expression per se did not allow a definite and early diagnosis of the vertical transmission.
In-Home Shoppers—An Overview

U NTIL quite recently, marketing literature overlooked shopping at home as a significant contributor to retail sales. Today, after years of relative neglect by marketing authors, in-home retailing is becoming recognized for what it has been for several decades: a modem, fast-growing, urban-oriented method of selling. ' This recognition of in-home retailing's promise has produced a growing literature profiling the in-home shopper. The published studies, still relatively few, reveal some useful insights on in-home shoppers and shopping, but the evidence is scattered, sometimes conflicting, and a clear picture of the inhome shopper has yet to emerge. This article reviews available findings in an attempt to clarify what is known and not yet known about this promising market. It is perhaps useful to look first at in-home expenditures on both aggregate and household levels. An overview of these data illustrates both the growing size and diversity of the in-home market.
Comparison between the effects of 4 different electrical stimulation current waveforms on isometric knee extension torque and perceived discomfort in healthy women

Introduction: We studied the effects of different neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) currents, 2 kHz‐frequency alternating currents (KACs, Russian and Aussie) and 2 pulsed currents (PCs), on isometric knee extension torque and discomfort level, both in isolation and combined, with maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Methods: Twenty‐one women (age 21.6 ± 2.5 years) were studied. We evaluated torque evoked by NMES or NMES combined with maximum voluntary contraction of the quadriceps muscle of healthy women. Discomfort level was measured using a visual analog pain scale. Results: Despite comparable levels of discomfort, evoked torque was lower for Russian current compared with the other modalities (Russian 50.8%, Aussie 71.7%, PC500 76.9%, and PC200 70.1%; P < 0.001). There was no advantage in combining NMES with MVC compared with isolated NMES. Conclusions: The Aussie and PC approaches proved superior to Russian current for inducing isometric knee extension torque. This information is important in guiding decision making with regard to NMES protocols for muscle strengthening. Muscle Nerve 51: 76–82, 2015
CONSIDERATIONS IN THE STUDY OF MIDLIFE RISK FACTORS FOR COGNITIVE HEALTH IN LATE LIFE

The baby boom generation is approaching the age of greatest risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. There is growing interest in strategies to modify the environment in midlife to increase the probability of maintaining cognitive health in late life. Several potentially modifiable risk factors have been studied in relation to cognitive impairment and dementia in late life, but methodological limitations of observational research have resulted in some inconsistencies across studies. The most promising strategies are maintaining cardiovascular health, engagement in mental, physical, and social activities, using alcohol in moderation, abstaining from tobacco use, and following a hearthealthy diet. Other factors that may influence cognitive health are occupational attainment, depression, personality, exposure to general anesthesia, head injury, postmenopausal hormone therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and nutritional supplements such as antioxidants. Some long-term observational studies initiated in midlife or earlier, and some randomized controlled trials, have examined the effects of specific cognitive health promotion behaviors in midlife on the risk of cognitive impairment in late life. Overall, these studies provide limited support for risk reduction at this time. Recommendations and challenges for developing effective strategies to reduce the burden of cognitive impairment and dementia in the future are discussed.