Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Void risk prediction for Molded Underfill technology on flip chip packages

Due to the demands of the market, high density and low profile packaging options of small packaging are continuously developed. As high density packaging technologies such as Molded Underfill (MUF) on flip chip package are usually used due to its simplification of assembly process steps and the saving of the cost. For MUF process, in order to ensure void free package, it is often constructed a vacuum system with distributed vent design and applies materials with fine filler sizes. However, the major quality concerns are severe air void entrapment under the die which is strongly depends on the mold process. Typically, a large design of experiment matrix is used to investigate the void issues, which requires significant time and process resources. Hence, in modern development, simulation tools are getting popular to solve these issues since they can efficiently reduce the design to implementation time, identifying key problems before actual manufacturing.
Primary isolation of TRIC organisms in HeLa 229 cells treated with DEAE-dextran.

A method of cell culture using HeLa 229 cells treated with DEAE-dextran was found to be successful in the primary isolation of trachoma-inclusion conjunctivitis (TRIC) organisms. The success of this method appeared to depend on the enhancement of infectivity by pretreatment of the cell monolayers with DEAEdextran and on centrifugation of the inoculum onto the cells. The method was shown to be as sensitive as that using the embryonated chick egg for isolation of trachoma organisms from experimental eye infections in monkeys, and was found to isolate a high rate of genital TRIC organisms from human cervical specimens, similar to the rate obtained in irradiated McCoy cells treated with DEAE-dextran.
Regionalization versus competition in complex cancer surgery

The empirical association between high hospital procedure volume and lower mortality rates has led to recommendations for the regionalization of complex surgical procedures. While regionalization may improve outcomes, it also reduces market competition, which has been found to lower prices and improve health care quality. This study estimates the potential net benefits of regionalizing the Whipple surgery for pancreatic cancer patients. We confirm that increased hospital volume and surgeon volume are associated with lower inpatient mortality rates. We then predict the price and outcome consequences of concentrating Whipple surgery at hospitals that perform at least two, four, and six procedures respectively per year. Our consumer surplus calculations suggest that regionalization can increase consumer surplus, but potential price increases extract over half of the value of reduced deaths from regionalization. We reach three conclusions. First, regionalization can increase consumer surplus, but the benefits may be substantially less than implied by examining only the outcome side of the equation. Second, modest changes in outcomes due to regionalization may lead to decreases in consumer surplus. Third, before any regionalization policy is implemented, a deep and precise understanding of the nature of both outcome/volume and price/competition relationships is needed.
Comparison of vildagliptin and metformin monotherapy in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: a 24‐week, double‐blind, randomized trial

Aims: The study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, vildagliptin, and metformin in drug‐naïve elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. The primary objective was to demonstrate non‐inferiority of vildagliptin vs. metformin in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction.
Influence of Intestinal Stoma on Spiritual Quality of Life of U.S. Veterans

Purpose: To examine spiritual quality of life (QOL) of veterans with intestinal ostomies. Design: Mixed-method cross-sectional. Methods: Male veterans with total scores in the upper (n = 59) and lower (n = 61) quartiles of the City of Hope Quality-of-Life–Ostomy survey provided spiritual QOL data. Analyses included chi-square and analysis of variance with significance set at p < . 05. Content analysis was used to explicate narratives and focus groups. Results: The high spiritual QOL group was more likely to be married, older, and report more years since surgery (each p < .0001). Upper quartile participants had more favorable scores for several spiritual QOL domains (all p < .0001). Qualitative comments reflected high or low total QOL scores. Conclusions: Spiritual QOL is influenced by an intestinal stoma. Qualitative comments lend insight into the meaning of spirituality items. Findings can assist in the provision of holistic care in this population.
Formalin-inactivated respiratory syncytial virus vaccine induces antibodies to the fusion glycoprotein that are deficient in fusion-inhibiting activity

The fusion (F) glycoprotein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) induces neutralizing antibodies and antibodies that inhibit fusion of infected cells (FI antibody). It was previously shown that infants and children immunized with Formalin-inactivated RSV 20 years ago developed antibodies that bound to the F glycoprotein but were deficient in neutralizing activity. A reexamination of these sera indicated that they were also deficient in FI activity. Thus, Formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine stimulated an unbalanced immune response in which an unusually large proportion of the induced antibodies were directed against nonprotective epitopes rather than against the epitopes that induce functional antibodies, i.e., neutralizing and FI antibodies. This deficiency in stimulation of functional antibodies probably decreased the protective efficacy of the vaccine and could have contributed to potentiation of disease in the vaccines during subsequent RSV infection.
Valorisation des ressources en eau non conventionnelles au sud tunisien par la culture de l'olivier (Olea europaea L.). II- Les eaux salees

Dans l'objectif de valoriser ces eaux non conventionnelles et d'etudier leurs effets sur l'olivier, une parcelle experimentale a ete installee a la station d'epuration de Tataouine en 2002. 19 varietes reparties entre locales et introduites, a table, a double fin et a huile ont ete plantees a une densite de 204 pieds/ha. Apres 4 ans de suivi, les resultats ont montre une difference significative dans la reponse des varietes aussi bien dans les aspects agronomiques que technologiques. Sur le plan agronomique, l'entree en production etait precoce pour Dhokkar, Chemlali Sfax, Zalmati et Neb Jmel, et moyenne pour 9 varietes. La production moyenne par arbre enregistree en 2005 accuse une variation tres large. On distingue un groupe de six varietes ayant produit plus de 1,5 kg avec un maximum pour Chemlali Ontha (3,83 kg). Les autres varietes a majorite a double fin et a table ont eu une faible production (moins de 0,5 kg) ou une production nulle. Sur le plan pomologique, on a obtenu une teneur de plus de 18 % de matiere grasse par fruit et un rapport pulpe/noyau superieur a 7, avec la variete Jemri Bouchouka, hormis la recolte qui etait assez precoce (debut octobre). Le poids moyen du fruit varie de 0,67 a 2,49 g pour les varietes a huile et de 3,69 a 6,29 pour les autres. Sur le plan chimique, l'irrigation par les eaux usees a engendre une augmentation du pourcentage d'acide palmitique (C16:0), stearique (C18:0) et linoleique (C18:2) et de diminuer le pourcentage d'acide oleique (C18:1). La teneur en insaponifiable a ete amelioree par ce mode de conduite. Ces resultats s'averent prometteurs et devront etre appuyes par des analyses minerales (ses mineraux et metaux lourds) et microbiologiques (microorganismes qui peuvent attaquer l'olive.).
ALK translocation detection in non‐small cell lung cancer cytological samples obtained by TBNA or EBUS‐TBNA

As the diagnosis of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is based on cytology in around 70% of cases, it is important to use the same material for molecular analyses. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the only approved test for the detection of the translocation and inversion of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), but the optimal procedures for the fixation or staining of the sample before FISH evaluation have not been established. We investigated whether ALK gene status determined by FISH in a prospectively enrolled case series of patients was affected by fixation and staining.
CAN EFFLUENT HYALURONIC ACID OR CREATINE KINASE PREDICT SINUSOIDAL INJURY SEVERITY AFTER COLD ISCHEMIA?

It is well recognized that current selection criteria used to assess liver grafts before implantation are inaccurate and correlate poorly with graft outcome. A bench or laboratory-based test that could indicate the extent of liver injury immediately before implantation would be a valuable adjunct to clinical assessment. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and creatine kinase (BB component; CK-BB) levels in the caval effluent after liver perfusion have been suggested as indicators of preservation injury. Our objective was to investigate the relevance of preserved liver effluent HA and CK-BB as a predictor of early graft function. Perfused liver effluent HA and CK-BB levels were measured. Graft function was measured in terms of peak serum aspartate transaminase and its level on day 5 postoperatively as well as peak bilirubin level and prothrombin time. The cold ischemia time (CIT) was recorded. Statistical comparisons were made among HA level, CK-BB level, CIT, and graft function parameters. The study was conducted at The Liver and Hepatobiliary Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Fifty patients undergoing OLT were studied. HA level was measured in 50 patients and CK-BB level in 30 patients. The main outcome measures were graft function and graft outcome. The graft function data are grouped according to effluent HA levels above or below 400 μg/L. Thirteen patients (26%) had a level below 400 μg/L and the remaining 37 (74%) were above this threshold. There were no significant differences between the groups for these indicators of graft function. There was no difference between the 2 groups for CIT. The overall median HA level was 1212 μg/L (range 39–4000 μg/L). The median total CK activity in the perfusate was 302 IU/L (range 118–1155 IU/L). The proportion of CK-BB activity from this total was 146 IU/L (8–641 IU/L), or 48% of the total CK activity. In a multiple regression analysis with CK-BB activity as the dependent variable, there was no demonstrable numerical relationship to graft function. In a separate multiple regression analysis similar results were obtained for HA. We conclude that the level of HA or CK-BB levels should not be used in determining the suitability for implantation of a harvested hepatic allograft.
A Model of 3G Adoption

In this paper we develop a model of end users’ 3G adoption behavior based on the premise that 3G is not an entirely new innovation but rather an upgrade of mobile data services (MDS). Drawing theoretical foundations from the knowledge transfer paradigm in marketing research and based on the technological architecture of MDS, we hypothesize how beliefs about upgrading benefits and costs are formed and how they will influence 3G adoption intention. The empirical results support our hypotheses, based on which theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
THE DRAINAGE OF SUBRETINAL FLUID: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on a series of 120 consecutive cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. One group of 60 eyes, randomly selected, was managed with a scleral buckling operation that included the drainage of subretinal fluid. The other group of 60 had a similar operation without drainage. A new method for evaluating complications, the “Complications Score,” was devised. The score was higher (P=0.005) for the drainage group, but this did not decrease the final anatomic or visual results. Eighty-seven percent of the drainage group was reattached with one operation, a figure not significantly different from the 83% reattached in the nondrainage group. The final cure rate after reoperations was 97% for both groups. The best corrected visual acuity, measured six months after operation, was not significantly different for the two groups. This study concludes that equally good results can be obtained with either a drainage or nondrainage operation.
Linaclotide inhibits colonic nociceptors and relieves abdominal pain via guanylate cyclase-C and extracellular cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Linaclotide is a minimally absorbed agonist of guanylate cyclase-C (GUCY2C or GC-C) that reduces symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Little is known about the mechanism by which linaclotide reduces abdominal pain in patients with IBS-C. METHODS We determined the effects of linaclotide on colonic sensory afferents in healthy mice and those with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. We assessed pain transmission by measuring activation of dorsal horn neurons in the spinal cord in response to noxious colorectal distention. Levels of Gucy2c messenger RNA were measured in tissues from mice using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. We used human intestinal cell lines to measure release of cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) by linaclotide. We performed a post-hoc analysis of data from a phase III, double-blind, parallel-group study in which 805 patients with IBS-C were randomly assigned to groups given an oral placebo or 290 μg linaclotide once daily for 26 weeks. We quantified changes in IBS-C symptoms, including abdominal pain. RESULTS In mice, linaclotide inhibited colonic nociceptors with greater efficacy during chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Intra-colonic administration of linaclotide reduced signaling of noxious colorectal distention to the spinal cord. The colonic mucosa, but not neurons, was found to express linaclotide's target, GC-C. The downstream effector of GC-C, cGMP, was released after administration of linaclotide and also inhibited nociceptors. The effects of linaclotide were lost in Gucy2c(-/-) mice and prevented by inhibiting cGMP transporters or removing the mucosa. During 26 weeks of linaclotide administration, a significantly greater percentage of patients (70%) had at least a 30% reduction in abdominal pain compared with patients given placebo (50%). CONCLUSIONS We have identified an analgesic mechanism of linaclotide: it activates GC-C expressed on mucosal epithelial cells, resulting in the production and release of cGMP. This extracellular cGMP acts on and inhibits nociceptors, thereby reducing nociception. We also found that linaclotide reduces chronic abdominal pain in patients with IBS-C.
Comparison of rilmenidine and lisinopril on ambulatory blood pressure and plasma lipid and glucose levels in hypertensive women with metabolic syndrome

ABSTRACT Objective: In previous studies, the I1 imidazoline specific agonist rilmenidine effectively lowered office blood pressure (BP) in patients with metabolic syndrome, improved glucose metabolism and did not demonstrate unfavourable effects on plasma lipids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks’ therapy with rilmenidine compared with the ACE inhibitor lisinopril on ambulatory BP, plasma lipid and fasting glucose levels in women with metabolic syndrome. Research design: Prospective randomised open-label, blinded end-points study. Methods: Female patients (n = 51) with hypertension and other components of metabolic syndrome were treated with 1 mg rilmenidine (n = 24) or 10 mg lisinopril (n = 27), once- or twice-daily. Anthropometric measurements, office BP and heart rate (HR) measurements, ambulatory BP monitoring, lipid and fasting glucose assessment were performed before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Main outcome measures: Changes in ambulatory BP and HR, including 24-h, daytime and night-time values, and in lipids and glucose levels. All changes were adjusted for baseline values using the analysis of covariance method. Results: Ambulatory 24-h systolic BP and diastolic BP were decreased significantly in the rilmenidine group (–11.9 ± 1.9 and –7.7 ± 0.8 mm Hg, p < 0.001) respectively and the lisinopril group (–11.0 ± 1.8 and –6.7 ± 0.7 mm Hg respectively, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups. Rilmenidine reduced 24-h ambulatory HR (–3.6 ± 0.8 bpm versus 0.3 ± 0.8 bpm with lisinopril; p = 0.002). The reductions of day-time and night-time BP were also significant for both treatment groups, but the rilmenidine group demonstrated a greater decrease in night-time diastolic BP ( p = 0.046). Rilmenidine significantly increased HDL cholesterol and decreased fasting glucose levels ( p = 0.009 and p = 0.012, respectively). HDL cholesterol tended to increase and fasting glucose tended to decrease in the lisinopril group. However, differences between groups were not significant. Conclusion: Rilmenidine has similar effects on ambulatory BP patterns in hypertensive women with metabolic syndrome as lisinopril. Rilmenidine compared with lisinopril significantly reduces ambulatory HR. In this study, rilmenidine and lisinopril demonstrate similar effects on plasma lipid and fasting glucose levels.
Close Relationship between Asterina and Solasteridae (Asteroidea) Supported by Both Nuclear and Mitochondrial Gene Molecular Phylogenies

Abstract Phylogenetic relationships among asteroids remain to be extremely controversial in spite of many morphological and molecular studies have been applied to this issue. In the present study, especially focusing on resolving the relationship of Asterina and Solasteridae, we reconstructed the molecular phylogenetic tree of asteroids using nuclear 18S rDNA. A close relationship between Asterina and Solasteridae, which has been suggested from analyses of mitochondrial 12S rDNA and 16S rDNA, is supported here by the nuclear 18S rDNA dataset. The support is even stronger when the sequences of mitochondrial rDNAs and nuclear 18S rDNA are combined as a total dataset. The independent support from both nuclear 18S rDNA and mitochondrial rDNAs strongly argues for a close relationship between the Asterina and Solasteridae.
Effect of Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade with Sugammadex versus Usual Care on Bleeding Risk in a Randomized Study of Surgical Patients

Background:Previous studies show a prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time in healthy volunteers after treatment with sugammadex. The authors investigated the effect of sugammadex on postsurgical bleeding and coagulation variables. Methods:This randomized, double-blind trial enrolled patients receiving thromboprophylaxis and undergoing hip or knee joint replacement or hip fracture surgery. Patients received sugammadex 4 mg/kg or usual care (neostigmine or spontaneous recovery) for reversal of rocuronium- or vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade. The Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel method, stratified by thromboprophylaxis and renal status, was used to estimate relative risk and 95% confidence interval (CI) of bleeding events with sugammadex versus usual care. Safety was further evaluated by prespecified endpoints and adverse event reporting. Results:Of 1,198 patients randomized, 1,184 were treated (sugammadex n = 596, usual care n = 588). Bleeding events within 24 h (classified by an independent, blinded Adjudication Committee) were reported in 17 (2.9%) sugammadex and 24 (4.1%) usual care patients (relative risk [95% CI], 0.70 [0.38 to 1.29]). Compared with usual care, increases of 5.5% in activated partial thromboplastin time (P < 0.001) and 3.0% in prothrombin time (P < 0.001) from baseline with sugammadex occurred 10 min after administration and resolved within 60 min. There were no significant differences between sugammadex and usual care for other blood loss measures (transfusion, 24-h drain volume, drop in hemoglobin, and anemia), or risk of venous thromboembolism, and no cases of anaphylaxis. Conclusion:Sugammadex produced limited, transient (<1 h) increases in activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time but was not associated with increased risk of bleeding versus usual care.
SOLID MOLECULAR DISPERSIONS OF ITRACONAZOLE FOR ENHANCED DISSOLUTION AND CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY by Liu Hong A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . I TABLE OF CONTENTS . IV LIST OF TABLES . VII LIST OF FIGURES . VIII LIST OF EQUATIONS . XI ABBREVIATIONS . XII NOTATIONS . XIII
Intron polymorphism in the KIAA0350 gene is reproducibly associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the Han Chinese population

Objective Three independent genome‐wide association studies in white populations have reported that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the KIAA0350 gene are associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D). The gene product of KIAA0350 is predicted to be a sugar binding C‐type lectin. In the present study, we investigated whether SNPs in this gene were associated with T1D in the Han Chinese population.
Illuminating neuromyelitis optica pathogenesis

What is the most important moment in the history of a disease? Let us consider neuromyelitis optica (NMO), which was coined by French neurologist Eugene Devic in 1894 for a disease believed until recently to be a subtype of multiple sclerosis (MS). The discovery (in 2004) of a disease-specific biomarker for NMO revolutionized our understanding of both NMO and MS (1). In PNAS, Hinson et al. (2), including Lennon, who discovered the biomarker, address mechanisms of pathogenesis mediated by that same biomarker.
The independent contribution of neighborhood disadvantage and individual-level socioeconomic position to self-reported oral health: a multilevel analysis.

OBJECTIVES To examine the association between neighborhood disadvantage and individual-level socioeconomic position (SEP) and self-reported oral health. METHODS A population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2003 among males and females aged 43-57 years. The sample comprised 2915 individuals and 60 neighborhoods and was selected using a stratified two-stage cluster design. Data were collected using a mail survey (69.4% response rate). Neighborhood disadvantage was measured using a census-based composite index, and individual-level SEP was measured using education and household income. Oral health was indicated by self-reports of the impact of oral conditions on quality of life (0 = none or minor, 1 = severe), self-rated oral health (0 = excellent-good, 1 = fair/poor) and missing teeth (measured as a quantitative outcome). Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling. RESULTS After adjusting for age, sex, education, and household income, residents of socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods were significantly more likely than those in more advantaged neighborhoods to indicate negative impacts of oral conditions on quality of life, to assess their oral health as fair or poor, and to report greater tooth loss. In addition, respondents with low levels of education and those from a low income household reported poorer oral health for each outcome independent of neighborhood disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS The socioeconomic characteristics of neighborhoods are important for oral health over and above the socioeconomic characteristics of the people living in those neighborhoods. Policies and interventions to improve population oral health should be directed at the social, physical and infrastructural characteristics of places as well as individuals (i.e. the traditional target of intervention efforts).