Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological patterns of paediatric solid cancer in Lagos, Nigeria.

With successful implementation of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (E.P.I.), many Nigerian children are protected against the common infections of childhood which claim their lives within the first decade of existence. Recent observations tend to show that paediatric cancer may start to play a significant role in childhood morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study analyses 372 cases of paediatric solid malignant tumours received at the Department of Morbid Anatomy, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (L.U.T.H) from 1974 to 1988. Considering all the age groups together, the commonest malignant tumour is lymphoma (32.8%), of which Burkitt's lymphoma accounts for 19.6%. Retinoblastoma and Wilms' tumour represent second and third commonest solid cancers respectively. There is, however, slight variation in the different age groups. For example, in the age group 1-4 years, malignant lymphoma is an uncommon disease representing only 11.0% of all cancers whilst retinoblastoma (34.5%) and nephroblastoma (24.0%) together account for 58.6%. Epithelial cancer although rare in children, represents 12.6% in the 10-14 year age group. There is a higher incidence of this tumour when compared to the other age groups (less than 1 year, 1-4 years and 5-9 years). Intracranial neoplasia are uncommon, representing only 2.0%. The overall incidence of solid malignant tumours in children aged 0-14 years in Lagos is estimated to be 22 per million person years.
A Two-Step Indirect Inference Approach to Estimate the Long-Run Risk Asset Pricing Model

The long-run consumption risk model provides a theoretically appealing explanation for prominent asset pricing puzzles, but its intricate structure presents a challenge for econometric analysis. This paper proposes a two-step indirect inference approach that disentangles the estimation of the model's macroeconomic dynamics and the investor's preference parameters. A Monte Carlo study explores the feasibility and efficiency of the estimation strategy. We apply the method to recent U.S. data and provide a critical re-assessment of the long-run risk model's ability to reconcile the real economy and financial markets. This two-step indirect inference approach is potentially useful for the econometric analysis of other prominent consumption-based asset pricing models that are equally difficult to estimate.
van der Waals forces in density functional theory : The vdW-DF method

Chalmers Publication Library (CPL) offers the possibility of retrieving research publications produced at Chalmers University of Technology. It covers all types of publications: articles, dissertations, licentiate theses, masters theses, conference papers, reports etc. Since 2006 it is the official tool for Chalmers official publication statistics. To ensure that Chalmers research results are disseminated as widely as possible, an Open Access Policy has been adopted. The CPL service is administrated and maintained by Chalmers Library.
Randomized Trial of Partial vs. Stepwise Caries Removal

This randomized, multicenter clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of 2 treatments for deep caries lesions — partial caries removal (PCR) and stepwise excavation (SW) — with respect to the primary outcome of pulp vitality for a 3-year follow-up period. Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients with permanent molars presenting deep caries lesions (lesion affecting ≥ 1/2 of the dentin on radiographic examination), positive response to a cold test, absence of spontaneous pain, negative sensitivity to percussion, and absence of periapical lesions (radiographic examination). Teeth randomly assigned to PCR (test) received incomplete caries removal and filling in a single session. Outcome success was evaluated by assessment of pulp vitality, determined by pulp sensitivity to a cold test and the absence of periapical lesions. Data were analyzed by a Weibull regression model with shared frailty term (survival analysis). At baseline, 299 treatments were executed: PCR, 152 and SW, 147. By the end of the 3-year follow-up period, 213 teeth had been evaluated. Adjusted survival rates were 91% for PCR and 69% for SW (p = 0.004). These results suggest that there is no need to re-open a cavity and perform a second excavation for pulp vitality to be preserved (Clinical trials registration NCT00887952).
Yardstick Regulation of Electricity Distribution—Disentangling Short-run and Long-run Inefficiencies

In this paper we estimate the short-run, long-run and overall efficiency of Norwegian electricity distribution companies for the period 2000-2013 controlling for both noise and company effects. Short-run inefficiency is the part of inefficiency that is allowed to adjust freely over time for each company, but long-run (persistent) inefficiency remains constant over time, although it is allowed to vary across companies. For robustness check we also consider two additional models in which either company effects are not controlled or these are treated as inefficiency. The production technology is represented by a translog input distance function in all three models. We find that technical change and returns to scale are quite robust across the models. However, the efficiency scores across the three models we consider are not correlated strongly. We conclude that the regulators and practitioners should take extra caution in using the proper model in practice, especially when the efficiency measures are used to reward/punish companies through incentives for better performance.
Bi‐functional action of transforming growth factor‐β on DNA synthesis in early passage human fetal fibroblasts

We investigated the influence of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) on DNA synthesis in human fetal fibroblasts, as measured by the incorporation of [3H] thymidine and cell replication. In serum‐free medium, without additional peptide growth factors, TGF‐β had no action on thymidine incorporation. However, in the presence of 0.1% v/v fetal calf serum, TGF‐β exhibited a bi‐functional action on the cells. A dose‐dependent stimulation of [3H] thymidine incorporation, and an increase in cell number, occurred with fibroblasts established from fetuses under 50 g body weight, with a maximum stimulation seen at 1.25 ng/ml. For fibroblasts from fetuses of 100 g or greater body weight, TGF‐β caused a dose‐related decrease in thymidine uptake with a maximal inhibition at 2.5 ng/ml, and a small decrease in cell number. When DNA synthesis was stimulated by the addition of somatomedin‐C/insulin‐like growth factor I, epidermal growth factor, or platelet‐derived growth factor, their actions were potentiated by the presence of TGF‐β on cells derived from fetuses under 50 g body weight, but inhibited on cells obtained from the larger fetuses wieghing more than 100 g. Similar results were found for changes in cell number in response to TGF‐β when stimulated by SM‐C/IGF I. The ability of TGF‐β to modulate [3H] thymidine incorporation did not involve a change in the time required for growth‐restricted cells to enter the S phase of the replication cycle. These data suggest that TGF‐β may exert either a growth‐promoting or growth‐inhibiting action on human fetal connective tissues in the presence of other peptide growth factors, which is dependent on fetal age and development.
Antibodies to oxidized LDL and LDL-containing immune complexes as risk factors for coronary artery disease in diabetes mellitus.

Several groups have published results from clinical studies supporting the involvement of anti-modified LDL antibodies as risk factors for the initiation or progression of cardiovascular disease. However, the data published so far are judged inconclusive because of several contradictory observations concerning the correlation between clinical evidence of arteriosclerosis and the levels of antibodies to oxidized LDL (oxLDL Ab). We have previously reported that oxLDL Ab exist both in free form and as antigen-antibody complexes (LDL-IC) in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The presence of LDL-IC in IDDM patients has important implications: it may interfere with the assay of oxLDL antibodies and the levels of LDL-IC may correlate better with the development of arteriosclerosis than the levels of free oxLDL antibodies. To clarify these questions baseline samples collected from 49 IDDM patients, who subsequently developed coronary artery disease (CAD) during an 8-year follow-up period, were compared to baseline samples from 49 age-, sex-, and duration-matched control IDDM subjects who remained free of clinical CAD during an identical follow-up period. The levels of free oxLDL antibody were significantly lower in the patients who developed CAD. The same patients had significantly higher concentrations of total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and IgA in immune complex-enriched polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitates. The concentration of IgG was also higher in PEG precipitates from patients who developed CAD, but did not reach statistical significance. This indicates that patients who develop CAD had higher levels of circulating LDL-IC, a fact that could not be deduced from the measurement of free oxLDL antibody concentrations. A linear regression analysis of the correlation between the concentrations of total cholesterol in PEG precipitates, taken as a surrogate measurement of PEG-precipitated oxLDL-IC, and the concentration of free oxLDL antibody in serum showed a statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.229, P = 0. 024). Our results support the conclusion that oxLDL-IC may be a risk factor for the development of macrovascular disease in IDDM patients. We also have demonstrated that circulating oxLDL-IC interfere with the assay of free oxLDL antibodies.
Interplay between reputation and growth: the source, role and audience of reputation of rapid growth technology-based SMEs

Abstract Drawing on resource-based view and signalling theory, this paper presents a comparative case of four (young vs. old; small vs. medium-sized) business-to-business firms to examine how (i.e. through which sources), why (i.e. for which managerial purposes) and for whom (i.e. for which audiences) do technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises build their reputation along the process of rapid growth? The results indicate that in the pre-growth stage product awards as well as technological and financial partners are important sources of reputation for demonstrating technological capabilities and firm sustainability to potential customers especially for young firms. Older firms, in turn, rely on technology partners and acquisitions in the rapid growth stage to convince existing customers that the firms’ can keep up with their customer’s changing needs. Moreover, the reputation gained from the first well-known customer and a focused clientele appear to be two critical antecedents of rapid growth whereas patents do not seem to have a significant reputational role in rapid growth. Our study informs the theory of reputation development of growing technology-based firms by abstracting a more nuanced understanding of stakeholder- and stage-contingent reputation that fosters rapid growth, and provides new insight into the literature on small firm growth.
Direct Association of STAT3 with the IFNAR-1 Chain of the Human Type I Interferon Receptor (*)

Based on the reports of the activation of the transcription factor known as STAT3 (for signal transducers and activators of transcription) or APRF (for acute phase response factor) by various cytokines, we investigated the possible role of STAT3 in type I interferon (IFN) receptor signaling. We show that STAT3 undergoes IFNαdependent tyrosine phosphorylation and IFNα treatment induces protein-DNA complexes that contain STAT3. In addition, STAT3 associates with the IFNAR-1 chain of the type I receptor in a tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent manner upon IFNα addition. The binding of STAT3 to the IFNAR-1 chain occurs through a direct interaction between the SH2 domain-containing portion of STAT3 and the tyrosine-phosphorylated IFNAR-1 chain. Furthermore, tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT3 bound to the IFNAR-1 chain also undergoes a secondary modification involving serine phosphorylation. This phosphorylation event is apparently mediated by protein kinase C, since it was blocked by low concentrations of the protein kinase inhibitor H-7. The biological relevance of IFN activation of STAT3 is further illustrated by the finding that STAT3 is not activated by IFN in a cell line resistant to the antiviral and antiproliferative actions of IFNα but in which other components of the JAK-STAT pathway are activated by IFNα.
The Multifaceted Nature of Exploration and Exploitation: Value of Supply, Demand, and Spatial Search for Innovation

In this paper, exploration and exploitation are conceptualized in terms of a nonlocal-local search continuum in three-dimensional supply, demand, and geographic space. Using cross-sectional data from a wide range of manufacturing industries, we develop and validate an operational measure of the exploration-exploitation concept. In line with theory-based arguments, our analysis suggests that the value of supply-side, demand-side, and spatial exploration and exploitation is contingent on the environment. While boundary-spanning supply-side search is found to be positively associated with innovation in more-dynamic environments typical of the entrepreneurial regime phase of technology evolution, such exploration appears to hurt innovation in less-dynamic environments. In a reverse fashion, while boundary-spanning demand-side search is found to be favorably associated with innovation in less-dynamic environments, it appears to harm innovation in a more-dynamic context. Interestingly, spatial boundary-spanning search seems to contribute to innovation in more- as well as less-dynamic environments. With the caveat that the substantive findings of this study are based on cross-sectional data, we discuss the implications of our work and future research directions.
Macroeconomic surveillance of portfolio flows and its real effects: Malaysia’s experience

This study highlights Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) statistical efforts for capital flow surveillance. We describe the development of various data systems that capture capital flows with differing levels of timeliness and coverage, and discuss how these datasets complement each other. We then estimate Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) models to assess the causes and effects of portfolio flows in Malaysia. Three findings emerge: first, global and domestic factors play transitory roles in driving portfolio flows, with domestic influences having a more gradual and persistent effect. Second, higher portfolio inflows lead to exchange rate appreciation, higher equity prices and higher credit. The effects are first visible in the exchange rate, followed by equity prices and credit. Portfolio inflows lead to transient short-term improvements in domestic growth, with volatile dynamics. In the transmission of higher portfolio flows to growth, the positive effects from improved equity prices and credit conditions are partially offset by the dampening effect that the appreciating exchange rate has on output.
IDF and ATP‐III definitions of metabolic syndrome in the prediction of all‐cause mortality in type 2 diabetic patients

Aim: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recently, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) proposed to lower diagnostic thresholds for fasting glucose and waist circumference and to limit the diagnosis of MS only to subjects with abdominal adiposity. The aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic value of IDF criteria in diabetic patients, in comparison with previous ATP‐III criteria.
Serum Ca 125 levels in children with acute leukemia and lymphoma

Ca 125 is a tumor marker for the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian carcinoma. We investigated serum Ca 125 levels in 44 children with leukemia and 59 children with lymphoma at initial presentation and 4 weeks after chemotherapy. Serum Ca 125 levels were measured chemilumimetrically with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The incidence of elevated serum Ca 125 levels was significantly higher in children with leukemia (14 children) and lymphoma (26 children) than in the healthy children (2 children). In the patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who had abdominal involvement and/or serous membrane involvement (ascides, pleural, pericardial effusion) at presentation, serum Ca 125 levels were significantly higher than in the patients without abdominal and/or serosal involvement. Serum Ca 125 levels were impressively increased in the patients with Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) in whom abdominal and/or serous membrane involvement were observed more frequently than the other types of lymphoma. The increased serum Ca 125 levels in the patients returned to normal 4 weeks after chemotherapy when they achieved complete remission. In conclusion, serum Ca 125 seems to be a good indicator for serous membrane involvement and it seems to be a promising tumor marker in the assessment of therapeutic response in children with leukemia and NHL.
Pharyngocutaneous fistulae in laryngectomy patients: the Toronto Hospital experience.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of post-laryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistulae and its association with age, gender, preoperative radiation, TNM staging, patients comorbidity factors, choice of ablation, choice of reconstruction, modality of postoperative feeding, and whether or not a primary tracheoesophageal puncture was performed. DESIGN Retrospective clinical study. SETTING The Toronto Hospital/Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. METHOD One hundred and twenty-five consecutive laryngectomy procedures performed between July 1, 1992, and October 1, 1996, were reviewed. RESULTS There was an overall fistula rate of 22%. No association found was between fistula rates and age, gender, patient comorbidity factors, TNM stage, choice of ablation, choice of reconstruction, modality of postoperative feeding, or whether a primary tracheoesophageal puncture was performed or not. CONCLUSIONS At this tertiary care head and neck oncology centre, pharyngocutaneous fistulae remain an unpredictable and serious complication with an estimated economic cost of Cdn $400,000 per year.
Hierarchical Organization of the Human Auditory Cortex Revealed by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The concept of hierarchical processingthat the sensory world is broken down into basic features later integrated into more complex stimulus preferencesoriginated from investigations of the visual cortex. Recent studies of the auditory cortex in nonhuman primates revealed a comparable architecture, in which core areas, receiving direct input from the thalamus, in turn, provide input to a surrounding belt. Here functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) shows that the human auditory cortex displays a similar hierarchical organization: pure tones (PTs) activate primarily the core, whereas belt areas prefer complex sounds, such as narrow-band noise bursts.
Volume targeted ventilation (volume guarantee) in the weaning phase of premature newborn infants

Several options are currently available in neonatal mechanical ventilation: complete breathing synchronization (patient triggered ventilation, synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation—SIPPV); positive pressure flow‐cycled ventilation (pressure support ventilation, PSV); and volume targeted positive pressure ventilation (volume guarantee, VG). The software algorithm for the guarantee volume attempts to deliver a tidal volume (Vt) as close as possible to what has been selected by the clinician as the target volume. Main objectives of the present study were to compare patient–ventilator interactions and Vt variability in premature infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who were weaned by various ventilator modes (SIMV/PSV + VG/SIPPV + VG and SIMV + VG).
Prohibitins Regulate Membrane Protein Degradation by the m-AAA Protease in Mitochondria

ABSTRACT Prohibitins comprise a protein family in eukaryotic cells with potential roles in senescence and tumor suppression. Phb1p and Phb2p, members of the prohibitin family in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have been implicated in the regulation of the replicative life span of the cells and in the maintenance of mitochondrial morphology. The functional activities of these proteins, however, have not been elucidated. We demonstrate here that prohibitins regulate the turnover of membrane proteins by the m-AAA protease, a conserved ATP-dependent protease in the inner membrane of mitochondria. The m-AAA protease is composed of the homologous subunits Yta10p (Afg3p) and Yta12p (Rca1p). Deletion ofPHB1 or PHB2 impairs growth of Δyta10 or Δyta12 cells but does not affect cell growth in the presence of the m-AAA protease. A prohibitin complex with a native molecular mass of approximately 2 MDa containing Phb1p and Phb2p forms a supercomplex with them-AAA protease. Proteolysis of nonassembled inner membrane proteins by the m-AAA protease is accelerated in mitochondria lacking Phb1p or Phb2p, indicating a negative regulatory effect of prohibitins on m-AAA protease activity. These results functionally link members of two conserved protein families in eukaryotes to the degradation of membrane proteins in mitochondria.
pH dependence of melanoma cell migration: protons extruded by NHE1 dominate protons of the bulk solution

Migration and morphology of human melanoma cells (MV3) depend on extracellular pH (pHe) and the activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1. To distinguish effects of NHE1 activity per se from effects of pHe we compared an NHE1‐deficient mutant with rescued and wild‐type cells. Time lapse video microscopy was used to investigate migratory and morphological effects caused by pHe and NHE1 activity, and a membrane‐bound fluorescein conjugate was employed for ratiometric pH measurements at the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. As long as NHE1 remained inactive due to deficiency or inhibition by cariporide (HOE642) neither migration nor morphology was affected by changes in pHe. Under these conditions pH at the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane was uniform all over the cell surface. The typical pH dependence of MV3 cell migration and morphology could be reconstituted by restoring NHE1 activity. At the same time the proton gradient at the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane with the higher proton concentration at the leading edge and the lower one at the cell rear was re‐established as well. Hence, NHE1 activity generates a proton gradient at the cell surface accompanied by the cells' ability to respond to changes in pHe (bulk pH). We conclude that NHE1 activity contributes to the generation of a well‐defined cell surface pH by creating a proton gradient at the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane that is needed for (i) the development of a variety of morphologies including a distinct polarity and (ii) migration. A missing proton gradient at the cell surface cannot be compensated for by varying pHe.