Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of FNAC and open biopsy in palpable breast lumps.

OBJECTIVE To compare the results of FNAC and open biopsy in patients presented with palpable breast lump. DESIGN Comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Nishtar Hospital, Multan, during the period of October 2001 to October 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS All female patients, irrespective of their age, who presented with breast lump were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, group I & II of clinically benign and clinically malignant respectively. Both groups underwent FNAC. The patients with suspicious FNAC were subjected to excision biopsy in group I patients. Group II patients were advised surgery and final report was made on histopathology. Sensitivity and specificity of the FNAC was determined. RESULTS A total of 89 cases were included in whom both FNAC and histopathology results were available for comparison. Clinically, 54 were benign and 35 were malignant. The cytological diagnosis was unequivocally malignant in 29 patients, suspicious in 3 cases, unequivocally benign in 44 patients and probably benign in 7 patients while specimen was inadequate in 6 patients. Histological diagnosis of these 89 patients showed 55 patients with benign disease and 34 patients having malignant disease. In malignant disease, sensitivity of the FNAC was 85.29% with 100% specificity, 14.7% false negative rate, 100% positive predictive value and 98.79% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION FNAC has good sensitivity (85.29%) and very high specificity (100%). It can replace the open biopsy in majority cases of clinically malignant disease. Although FNAC is slightly less sensitive (80%) in benign diseases, it is highly specific (100%), so it can help to reassure and relieve the anxiety of the patients.
Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction: A Case Study of Hotel Industry in Vietnam

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in Vietnamese hotels, survey questionnaire was constructed with 23 service quality items covering 5 service quality dimensions based on SERVQUAL model. Data were collected from 432 guests of 33 three-star hotels in Vietnam in 2013. Analysis results indicate that Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance, and Empathy significantly impact on the customer satisfaction. The study implies that service quality plays an important role as a driver for higher customer satisfaction level in hotel service. Managers would focus on Empathy, Reliability, Responsiveness, and Assurance to achieve high degree of customer satisfaction which leads to customer loyalty and business profit.
TensorLog: Deep Learning Meets Probabilistic DBs

We present an implementation of a probabilistic first-order logic called TensorLog, in which classes of logical queries are compiled into differentiable functions in a neural-network infrastructure such as Tensorflow or Theano. This leads to a close integration of probabilistic logical reasoning with deep-learning infrastructure: in particular, it enables high-performance deep learning frameworks to be used for tuning the parameters of a probabilistic logic. Experimental results show that TensorLog scales to problems involving hundreds of thousands of knowledge-base triples and tens of thousands of examples.
Cell Homogeneity Indispensable for Regenerative Medicine by Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cells.

PURPOSE To identify the subpopulation (SP) among heterogeneous cultured human corneal endothelial cells (cHCECs) devoid of cell-state transition applicable for cell-based therapy. METHODS Subpopulation presence in cHCECs was confirmed via surface CD-marker expression level by flow cytometry. CD markers effective for distinguishing distinct SPs were selected by analyzing those on established cHCECs with a small cell area and high cell density. Contrasting features among three typical cHCEC SPs was confirmed by PCR array for extracellular matrix (ECM). Combined analysis of CD markers was performed to identify the SP (effector cells) applicable for therapy. ZO-1 and Na+/K+ ATPase, CD200, and HLA expression were compared among heterogeneous SPs. RESULTS Flow cytometry analysis identified the effector cell expressing CD166+CD105-CD44-∼+/-CD26-CD24-, but CD200-, and the presence of other SPs with CD166+ CD105-CD44+++ (CD26 and CD24, either + or -) was confirmed. PCR array revealed three distinct ECM expression profiles. Some SPs expressed ZO-1 and Na+/K+ ATPase at comparable levels with effector cells, while only one SP expressed CD200, but not on effector cells. Human leukocyte antigen expression was most reduced in the effector SP. The proportion of effector cells (E-ratio) inversely paralleled donor age and decreased during prolonged culture passages. The presence of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor increased the E-ratio in cHCECs. The average area of effector cells was approximately 200∼220 μm2, and the density of cHCECs exceeded 2500 cells/mm2. CONCLUSIONS A specified cultured effector cell population sharing the surface phenotypes with mature HCECs in corneal tissues may serve as an alternative to donor corneas for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction.
Relationship of homocysteine levels with lumbar spine and femur neck BMD in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE The focus of several studies in recent years has been the association between increased plasma concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy), reduced bone mineral density and increased risk of bone fractures. Nevertheless, inconsistencies persist in the literature. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between serum Hcy and vitamin B12 status, and bone mineral density, on a group of post-menopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred thirty-nine postmenopausal women were recruited to enter this cross-sectional study. Bone mineral density (BMD) of total hip, femoral neck and lumbar spine was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and serum Hcy, vitamin B12, parathyroid hormone (PTH), total calcium and magnesium levels were determined. In addition, we investigated the relationship of Hcy and vitamin B12 and BMD using a meta-analysis approach. RESULTS Serum Hcy levels were significantly higher in osteoporotic women when compared to other BMD groups, and were inversely related to lumbar spine BMD and femur neck BMD. Body mass index and serum Hcy levels were shown to be significant predictors of BMD at lumbar spine, femur neck and total hip. The performed meta-analysis showed that serum Hcy levels were significantly higher in osteoporotic subjects compared to normal BMD subjects. CONCLUSION This study shows that Hcy status, but not vitamin B12 status, is associated with BMD in this cohort of postmenopausal women. We therefore confirm that high Hcy levels are an independent risk factor for osteoporosis. BMD evaluation in women at post menopause with high Hcy levels may be helpful in advising precautionary measures.
Design and Application of the CSRR-Based Planar Sensor for Noninvasive Measurement of Complex Permittivity

A novel microwave noninvasive planar sensor based on the complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) is proposed for an accurate measurement of the complex permittivity of materials. The CSRR is etched in the ground plane of the planar microstrip line. Two CSRRs of rectangular and circular cross-sections are chosen for the sensitivity analysis, where the later is found to possess higher sensitivity and hence appears to be more appropriate for the sensor design. At resonance, the electric field induced along the plane of CSRR is found to be quite sensitive for the characterization of specimen kept in contact with the sensor. A numerical model is developed here for the calculation of the complex permittivity as a function of resonant frequency and the quality factor data using the electromagnetic simulator, the Computer Simulation Technology. For practical applications, a detailed air gap analysis is carried out to consider the effect of any air gap present between the test sample and the CSRR. The designed sensor is fabricated and tested, and accordingly the numerically established relations are experimentally verified for various reference samples e.g., teflon, polyvinyl chloride, plexiglas, polyethylene, rubber, and wood. Experimentally, it is found that the permittivity measurement using the proposed sensor is possible with a typical error of 3%.
Developing a system to assess the quality of cancer care: ASCO's national initiative on cancer care quality.

Eric C. Schneider and Arnold M. Epstein, Department of Health Policy Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University; and the Section on Health Policy, Division of General Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA Jennifer L. Malin and Katherine L. Kahn, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles; and Rand Corporation, Santa Monica, CA Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Department of Clinical Bioethics, Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Antigenic Variation of Anaplasma Marginale: Major Surface Protein 2 Diversity during Cyclic Transmission between Ticks and Cattle

ABSTRACT The rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma marginale expresses a variable immunodominant outer membrane protein, major surface protein 2 (MSP2), involved in antigenic variation and long-term persistence of the organism in carrier animals. MSP2 contains a central hypervariable region of about 100 amino acids that encodes immunogenic B-cell epitopes that induce variant-specific antibodies during infection. Previously, we have shown that MSP2 is encoded on a polycistronic mRNA transcript in erythrocyte stages of A. marginale and defined the structure of the genomic expression site for this transcript. In this study, we show that the same expression site is utilized in stages of A. marginale infecting tick salivary glands. We also analyzed the variability of this genomic expression site in Oklahoma strain A. marginale transmitted from in vitro cultures to cattle and between cattle and ticks. The structure of the expression site and flanking regions was conserved except for sequence that encoded the MSP2 hypervariable region. At least three different MSP2 variants were encoded in each A. marginalepopulation. The major sequence variants did not change on passage ofA. marginale between culture, acute erythrocyte stage infections, and tick salivary glands but did change during persistent infections of cattle. The variant types found in tick salivary glands most closely resembled those present in bovine blood at the time of acquisition of infection, whether infection was acquired from an acute or from a persistent rickettsemia. These variations in structure of an expression site for a major, immunoprotective outer membrane protein have important implications for vaccine development and for obtaining an improved understanding of the mechanisms of persistence of ehrlichial infections in humans, domestic animals, and reservoir hosts.
Female‐female social relationships in wild white‐faced capuchin monkeys, Cebus capucinus

A single social group of wild white‐faced capuchin monkeys was studied for a period of 26 months at Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve, Costa Rica. A total of 604 hr of focal animal data was collected on six adult females in a group of 21 monkeys. Females could be ranked in a stable, linear dominance hierarchy. Adult females spent much more time in proximity to other adult females than to adult males. Females groomed other females twice as often as they groomed males, and about 55 times more often than males groomed males. Females tended to groom up the dominance hierarchy, and dyads with smaller rank distances groomed more often. Higher‐ranking females nursed infants other than their own at lower rates than did lower‐ranking females; however, females nursed infants of females ranked both above and below them. Although lower‐ranking females were more likely than higher‐ranking females to be the victims of aggression, higher‐ranking females were not necessarily more aggressive than lower‐ranking females. In 96% of female‐female coalitions vs. a female, the victim was lower‐ranking than both coalition partners; in the remaining 4%, the victim was intermediate in rank between the two coalition partners. Higher‐ranking female‐female dyads formed coalitions more often than did lower‐ranking dyads. Those female‐female dyads that groomed more frequently also formed coalitions more frequently. The patterning of social interactions indicates that Cebus capucinus at Lomas Barbudal are female bonded. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Health-related quality of life and impact of antiviral treatment in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C in Taiwan.

AIM To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C), and the impact of antiviral treatment. METHODS Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaires to interview CH-C patients, and age- and sex-matched control subjects at outpatient clinics of a medical center in Taiwan were used. Data were transformed to scores for comparisons of eight major SF-36 domains. We also enrolled consecutive CH-C patients who completed one course of antiviral treatment (interferon alpha with ribavirin), and measured the HRQOL before, at the 12th wk of treatment, at the end of treatment, and at mo 6, after stopping the treatment to evaluate the impact of antiviral treatment. RESULTS A total of 371 outpatients were enrolled, including 182 with CH-C and 189 age- and sex-matched subjects without CH-C. CH-C subjects had obviously lower educational status (P<0.01). Mean scores of domains in general health, physical functioning, role-physical, role-emotional, vitality, and mental health of the SF-36 were significantly lower in subjects with CH-C than those without CH-C (P<0.05). In an analysis of 47 CH-C patients who received and completed the whole course of antiviral treatment, mean scores of all domains were significantly lower at wk 12 of treatment compared to baseline. The scores returned to pretreatment values by the end of treatment, but were significantly increased at mo 6 after stopping the treatment. Among the 47 CH-C patients, 21 had sustained responses and 26 had non-sustained responses to antiviral treatment. Compared to pretreatment values, subjects with sustained responses had significantly lower social functioning scores at wk 12 of treatment, and scores for all SF-36 domains returned to pretreatment values, and increased significantly at mo 6 after stopping the treatment. For non-sustained virological responders, scores of all SF-36 domains significantly decreased at wk 12 of treatment, and did not increase significantly by the end of treatment, or at mo 6 after stopping the treatment when compared to the pretreatment values. CONCLUSION HRQOL in CH-C patients is significantly impaired in most SF-36 domains. Antiviral treatment impaired HRQOL of CH-C subjects during early treatment, mainly in non-sustained virological responders, and improved at mo 6 after stopping the treatment, mainly in sustained virological responders.
Substantia nigra 6‐hydroxydopamine lesions alter dopaminergic synaptic markers in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis and striatum of rats

Recent findings have demonstrated the existence of dopaminergic (DA) markers in the nbM of the human brain and a reduction of these markers in both the nbM and the striatum of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD). To investigate the source of the DA synaptic markers found in the nbM, rats received unilateral 6‐OHDA lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The SNc lesions caused signigificant reductions in DA and DOPAC but not HVA in the nbM and the striaum; 3H‐sulpiride binding to D2 receptors ipsilateral to the SNc lesion was significantly increased in the stratum (16%), consistent with denervation supersensitivity, but single‐point analysis showed no significant changes in the nbM. These data suggest that the decreases in DA and 3H‐spiperone binding levels observed in the nbM of AD patients may be due to partial destruction of DA nbM afferent projections from the brainstem.
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of ethyl p-methoxycinnamate from Kaempferia galanga L. rhizome and its apoptotic induction in human HepG2 cells

In this study, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of ethyl p-methoxycinnamate from Kaempferia galanga L. rhizome and its apoptotic induction in human HepG2 cells are reported for the first time. By using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, the yield of ethyl p-methoxycinnamate identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was as high as 2.5% with respect to the raw materials. In the anticancer assay, it was found that ethyl p-methoxycinnamate could inhibit the proliferation of the human hepatocellular liver carcinoma HepG2 cell line in a dose-dependent manner and induce the significant increase of the subG0 cell population. After treatment with ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, phosphatidylserine of HepG2 cells could significantly translocate to the surface of the membrane. The increase of an early apoptotic population was observed by both annexin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and propidium iodide (PI) staining. It was concluded that ethyl p-methoxycinnamate not only induced cells to enter into apoptosis, but also affected the progress of the cell cycle.
On Quadratic Cost Criteria for Option Hedging

Consider an option with maturity time T corresponding to a contingent claim H in an incomplete market. A fair hedging price for H should take into account an optimal dynamical hedging plan against H. Let Ct be the cumulative cost and ât be the set of events of the history up to time t. You can choose the plan at time t such that you minimize i E[{Ct+1-Ct}2 â£ ât], ii E[{CT-Ct}2 â£ ât], or iii E[{CT-C0}2]. Sufficient conditions on the underlying stochastic process in discrete time are provided such that the fair hedging price does not depend on the choice of i, ii, or iii, which fact should increase its acceptability.
Field measurements of internal pressurization in Phragmites australis (Poaceae) and implications for regulation of methane emissions in a midlatitude prairie wetland.

Emergent aquatic macrophytes in vegetated wetlands provide routes for methane (CH(4)) transport from sites of production in oxygen-poor sediments, where CH(4) concentrations are relatively high, to the atmosphere, which typically has much lower CH(4) concentrations. Transport can occur through aerenchymatous tissue via simple diffusion. Recently, the importance of convective throughflow (i.e., mass transport of gases through plants driven by pressure gradients) in enhancing gas transport has been demonstrated in several genera (e.g., Nuphar, Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Typha, and Phragmites). This study was conducted to elucidate the governing plant-mediated gas transport mechanisms in a midlatitude prairie wetland and to determine both their diel and seasonal variations and the importance of environmental controlling factors. Pressures inside culms of the two dominant emergent aquatic macrophytes (Scirpus acutus and Phragmites australis) were measured directly throughout the growing season and on selected days in midseason. Supporting measurements included solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, and windspeed. Results indicated pressures inside green healthy culms of Phragmites were above atmospheric pressure by up to 1650 Pa during the day. At night culm pressures were at or slightly above atmospheric. No pressurization was detected in Scirpus. Highest pressures in Phragmites occurred during midseason when biomass and foliage area index were at their maxima (920 g/m(2) and 2.8, respectively). High internal pressures also coincided with periods of high solar radiation (>500 W/m(2)), high temperature (>20°C), and low relative humidity (<60%). Periods of high internal pressures also coincided with periods of high CH(4) efflux from the wetland as measured in concomitant studies. Convective throughflow driven by internal pressure gradients in Phragmites thus explains much of the diel variation in methane efflux previously reported from this wetland.
Intrusion-tolerant replication under attack

Much of our critical infrastructure is controlled by large software systems whose participants are distributed across the Internet. As our dependence on these critical systems continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important that they meet strict availability and performance requirements, even in the face of malicious attacks, including those that are successful in compromising parts of the system. This dissertation presents the first replication protocols capable of guaranteeing correctness, availability, and good performance even when some of the servers are compromised, enabling the construction of highly available and highly resilient systems for our critical infrastructure. Prior to this work, intrusion-tolerant replication protocols were designed to perform well in fault-free executions, and this is how they were evaluated. In this dissertation we point out that many state-of-the-art protocols are vulnerable to significant performance degradation by a small number of malicious processors. We define a new performance-oriented correctness criterion, BOUNDED-DELAY, against which intrusion-tolerant replication protocols can be evaluated. Protocols that meet BOUNDED-DELAY are required to provide a consistent level of performance, even when the system is under attack by an adversary that controls some of the processors. We present Prime, an intrusion-tolerant replication protocol that meets BOUNDED-DELAY and thus offers a stronger performance guarantee under attack than previous state-of-the-art protocols. An evaluation of a prototype implementation shows that Prime performs competitively with existing protocols in fault-free executions and achieves an order of magnitude performance improvement in under-attack executions in 4-server and 7-server configurations. Using Prime as a building block, we show how to design and implement an attack-resilient, large-scale intrusion-tolerant replication system for wide-area networks. The system is hierarchical and is suited to deployments consisting of several wide-area sites, each with a cluster of replication servers. We present three mechanisms for attack-resilient and efficient inter-site communication, which enable the system to perform well in bandwidth-constrained wide-area networks without making it susceptible to performance degradation caused by malicious servers. Our results provide evidence that it is possible to construct highly resilient, large-scale survivable systems that perform well even when some of the servers (and some entire sites) are compromised.