Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytological diagnostic features of late breast implant seromas: From reactive to anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Late breast implant seroma may be the presentation of a breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BI-ALCL), which claims for a prompt recognition. However, BI-ALCL diagnosis on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) might be challenging for pathologists lacking experience with peri-implant breast effusions. Sixty-seven late breast implant seromas collected by FNA from 50 patients were evaluated by Papanicolaou smear stain and immunocytochemistry on cell blocks. A diagnostic algorithm based on the cellular composition, cell morphology and percentage of CD30+ cells was developed. Histological evaluation of the corresponding peri-prosthetic capsules was also performed. Most of the effusions (91% of the samples) were classified as reactive and 9% as BI-ALCL. In the BI-ALCL cases, medium-to-large atypical cells expressing CD30 represented more than 70% of the cellularity, whereas in in the reactive effusions CD30+ elements were extremely rare (<5%) and consisted of non-atypical elements. The reactive effusions were categorized into three patterns: i) acute infiltrate with prominent neutrophilic component (33% of the samples); ii) mixed infiltrate characterized by a variable number of neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages (30% of the samples); iii) chronic infiltrate composed predominantly of T lymphocytes or macrophages with only sporadic granulocytes (37% of the samples). The inflammatory cytological patterns were consistent with the histology of the corresponding capsules. Our results indicate that cytological analysis of late breast implant effusions, supported by the knowledge of the heterogeneous cytomorphological spectrum of late seromas, is a valuable approach for the early recognition of BI-ALCL.
Innovation processes in moderately innovative countries: the competencies of knowledge brokers

Successful innovation processes are strongly related to collaborations among actors in the business environment, including small and medium enterprises, local institutions, business associations, liaison offices, and technology transfer offices. Such collaborations are not well guided in moderately developed regions, where actors are not well supported by local institutions, and the level and quality of communication among them is extremely low. The success of collaborative processes is strongly related to the competence level of professionals known in the literature as 'individual knowledge brokers'. In this paper, results from a field research aimed at exploring the types, roles, activities, and competences of knowledge brokers in different brokerage processes in Southern Italy are presented. Results are discussed in order to define guidelines for education and training policy to enhance the coverage and to strengthen the capacity of the knowledge brokers in moderately developed countries.
Silk fibroin as a biomaterial substrate for corneal epithelial cell sheet generation.

PURPOSE To evaluate a silk fibroin (SF) biomaterial as a substrate for corneal epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation, and stratification in vitro compared with denuded human amniotic membrane (AM). METHODS Primary human and rabbit corneal epithelial cells and immortalized human corneal limbal epithelial cells were cultured on the SF and denuded AM, respectively. The biological cell behavior, including the morphology, proliferation, differentiation, and stratification, on the two substrates was compared and analyzed. RESULTS Corneal epithelial cells can adhere and proliferate on the SF and denuded AM with a cobblestone appearance, abundant microvilli on the surface, and wide connection with the adjacent cells. MTT assay showed that cell proliferation on denuded AM was statistically higher than that on SF at 24 and 72 hours after plating (P = 0.001 and 0.0005, respectively). Expression of ΔNp63a and keratin 3/12 was detected in primary cell cultures on the two substrates with no statistical difference. When cultured at the air-liquid interface for 7 days, cells on SF could form a comparable stratified graft with a 2- to 3-cell layering, which compared similarly to AM cultures. CONCLUSIONS SF, a novel biomaterial, could support corneal epithelial cells to proliferate, differentiate, and stratify, retaining the normal characteristic epithelium phenotype. Compared with AM, its unique features, including the transparency, ease of handling, and transfer, and inherent freedom from disease transmission, make it a promising substrate for corneal wound repair and tissue-engineering purposes.
Psychological Contracts and Informal Networks in Organizations: The Effects of Social Status and Local Ties

Informal social networks in organizations shape how employees understand their employment relationship. Networks can aid or undercut HR efforts to promote psychological contracts that benefit both employees and the employer. Data collected from 96 university faculty members demonstrate that network influence from both social status in the organization's larger informal structure and local ties with socially proximate colleagues shape psychological contract beliefs. Specific effects, however, vary by type of contract term. When contract terms involve resources employees compete for (e.g., opportunities for career advancement), effects are found for social status, such that those who are better positioned in the advice network hold more positive beliefs regarding the extent of the employer commitment. When contract terms involve noncompetitive resources broadly available to all employees (e.g., concern for employee well-being), network effects reveal comparable beliefs between those who share a direct friendship tie (cohesion) or the same friends in common with other faculty members (structural equivalence). Implications for research and HR practice are discussed.
Clinical guidelines for interstitial cystitis and hypersensitive bladder syndrome

A clinical guideline and algorism for interstitial cystitis and hypersensitive bladder syndrome has been developed by a group of East Asian urologists as a revised form of the Japanese guideline for interstitial cystitis. The guideline defines interstitial cystitis (IC) as a disease of the urinary bladder diagnosed by 3 requirements; 1) a characteristic complex of lower urinary tract symptoms, 2) bladder pathology such as Hunner's ulcer and bladder bleeding after overdistension, and 3) exclusions of confusable diseases. The characteristic symptom complex is termed as hypersensitive bladder syndrome (HBS), which is defined as bladder hypersensitivity, usually associated with urinary frequency, with or without bladder pain. For the definite diagnosis of IC, cytoscopy or hydrodistension is crutial; HBS is the diagnosis when IC is suspected but not confirmed by the 3 requirements. Numerous therapeutic options are available; however, most of them lack in high level of evidence, leaving a few as recommended therapies. Etiology of IC are multifactorial; the interaction among nervous, immune and endocrine factors forms a vicious cycle, provocating and maintaining inflammatory reactions in the bladder. The inclusion and efficacy criteria for clinical trials should be standardized to enhance the clinical research for this disabling disease, which has proved to be more prevalent than previously believed.
Influence of strategic approach to BPM on financial and non‐financial performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the way strategic approach to business process management (BPM) impacts organizational performance, both its financial and non‐financial aspects, using empirical data from Croatian firms. The impact of strategic approach to BPM on process performance measurement (PPM) is examined as well.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 194 manufacturing and service firms in Croatia and propositions were tested using a structural equation model with SAS software.Findings – The results suggest that PPM practice is positively related to strategic approach to BPM. The impact of PPM on non‐financial performance has been found, as well as the impact of non‐financial performance on financial performance, thus indicating an indirect influence of PPM on financial performance.Originality/value – The paper extends the previous research that exclusively investigated impact of BPM to organizational performance. The authors extended resu.
Competitive tendering in UK health and local authorities: what happens to the quality of services?

This paper analyzes the effects on the quality of U.K. health and local authority services arising from the substitution of contract governance for direct provision. Empirical studies of contract provision tend to be confined to estimating cost savings. The paper assumes that transaction benefits as well production and transaction costs are pertinent to governance choice. Quality is assumed to be a benefit generated by health and local authorities. An ordered-probit model is presented and predicts that service quality is sensitive to governance adjustments; implying that the case for contracting services is not as clear cut as its advocates suggest. Copyright 1995 by Scottish Economic Society.
A trait-based model of the potential demand for a genetically engineered food crop in a developing economy

We predict the potential demand of smallholder farmers for genetically transformed varieties of a food crop, the cooking banana of the East African highlands. Farmer demand for planting material is derived in an agricultural household model that accounts for variety traits and missing markets. The demand for candidate host varieties is predicted using a Zero-Inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression system. The fitted model is used to illustrate the sensitivity of farmer demand for improved planting material to ("a") investments in research and development, represented by the effectiveness of gene insertion and expression, and ("b") other public investments in education, extension, and market infrastructure that support diffusion. By comparing the characteristics of agricultural households we demonstrate that the choice of host variety can have social consequences, favoring one rural population compared with another. Clients for transgenic banana planting material are likely to be poorer, subsistence-oriented farmers in areas greatly affected by biotic constraints. A model of this type might be useful in assessing the investments needed to support the systematic dissemination of improved planting material. The approach can be generalized to other crop biotechnologies for smallholder farming systems, particularly in developing economies. Copyright 2006 International Association of Agricultural Economists.
Adjuvant Therapy with Tolazamide and Insulin Improves Metabolic Control in Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Sulfonylurea agents have been well documented to be effective in type II diabetes mellitus by increasing insulin secretion as well as by enhancing cellular binding of endogenous insulin. We have examined in 20 type I diabetic subjects the efficacy of tolazamide, a common sulfonylurea agent, as adjuvant therapy in combination with an appropriate diet and insulin. This regimen decreased the insulin dose while continuing to maintain adequate metabolic control, as reflected by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) <150 mg/dl and HbA1 levels <9%, and reduced number of hypoglycemic episodes to almost nil in a group of subjects with adequate metabolic control before institution of combination therapy. In subjects in whom metabolic control was inadequate (FPG > 150 mg/dl and HbA1 > 9%) with insulin alone, the adjuvant therapy with tolazamide improved or normalized hyperglycemia and HbA1. In 13 subjects in whom adequate metabolic control was achieved with combination therapy, metabolic control worsened on withdrawal of tolazamide while continuing insulin in the same dosage and adequate metabolic control promptly returned on reinstitution of combination therapy with insulin and tolazamide. In the remaining seven subjects, metabolic control remained adequate with combination therapy during the 4–10-mo follow-up period. This study therefore demonstrates that combination therapy with sulfonylurea agent and insulin may be beneficial in management of type I diabetes. Furthermore, this regimen may be helpful in prevention of extreme plasma glucose excursions observed in brittle diabetic individuals. A larger, long-term clinical trial with this regimen in type I diabetic subjects must be undertaken to establish this preliminary finding.
The Future of Capitalism

In discussion with Bruce Lloyd, Lester Thurow, Professor of Management and Economics at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, talks about his new book The Future of Capitalism. Despite the end of communism, or perhaps because of it, Thurow argues that capitalism will be under considerable pressure in the years ahead. These challenges arise from demographic factors, including increased trends for more global mobility; as well as the impact on the global economy of the new knowledge‐based industries, which are going to create both new opportunities for inequality at the same time as reinforcing old inequalities. Thurow argues strongly that we need to combine an understanding of these pressures and trends, with a willingness, and ability, to intervene effectively, if we are to be optimistic about the economic development of the world as a whole in the years ahead.
Quality practices in the manufacturing industry in the UK and Malaysia

A questionnaire on the use of quality practices has been sent to 540 and 180 randomly selected companies in Malaysia and the UK, respectively. The survey method and results, from a 30% response, are summarized, and comparisons made between the two countries. There is a common reliance on inspection and relatively low use of more sophisticated statistical methods for quality improvement. It is suggested that this is at least partly due to lack of knowledge and experience of these ideas amongst company personnel. There are substantial differences in the take up of ISO 9000, which is higher in the UK, and the use of Japanese - style quality control circles, which are related ideas, which is higher in Malaysia. It is argued that the reasons for these differences include the initiatives taken by the respective governments during the 1980s and early 1990s.
The inflation-hedging properties of Turkish REITs

This study empirically tests the inflation-hedging abilities of Turkish REITs in comparison to the indices of common stocks listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) over the period December 1999 to December 2004. Two main factors motivate this study. First, compared to their counterparts in developed capital markets, Turkish REITs have some important tax incentives as well as flexibility in managing their portfolios. Second, the Turkish economy provides a rare and good opportunity to test the hedging behaviour of real estate stocks in periods of both high- and moderate-inflation rates. The empirical results show that Turkish REITs, in general, provide a better hedge against both actual and expected inflation than do the ISE common stock indices. Dividing the entire sample period into the high- and moderate-inflation sub-periods, we find that the hedging ability of REITs is better under high inflation than under moderate inflation.
On the sum-capacity and lattice-based transmission strategies for state-dependent Gaussian interference channel

In this work, we consider an additive state-dependent Gaussian interference channel (ASD-GIC) where there is a common additive interference, known to both transmitters but not to the receivers. First, we obtain an outer bound on the sum-capacity for the asymptotic case where the interference is assumed to be Gaussian variable with unbounded variance. This asymptotic case has been referred to as the “strong interference” in [1]. By applying a lattice-based coding scheme, an achievable rate-region is provided. Under some conditions, which depend on the noise variance and channel power constraints, this achievable sum-rate region meets the outer bound and therefore lattice codes can achieve the sum-capacity of an ASD-GIC in the asymptotic case.
Epidemiology of Feline Foamy Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infections in Domestic and Feral Cats: a Seroepidemiological Study

ABSTRACT Although foamy viruses (Spumaviruses) have repeatedly been isolated from both healthy and diseased cats, cattle, and primates, the primary mode of transmission of those common viruses remains undefined. A database of the feline foamy virus (FeFV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody status, age, and sex of 389 domestic cats presented to veterinarians was assembled. A similar database for 66 feral (wild) cats was also assembled. That FeFV antibody status reflects infection was validated by PCR. Both FeFV and FIV infection rates were found to gradually increase with age, and over 70% of cats older than 9 years were seropositive for FeFV. In domestic cats, the prevalence of FeFV infection was similar in both sexes. In feral cats, FeFV infection was more prevalent in female cats than in male cats. Although both FeFV and FIV have been reported to be transmitted by biting, the patterns of infection observed are more consistent with an interpretation that transmission of these two retroviruses is not the same. The prevalence of FIV infection is highest in nondesexed male cats, the animals most likely to display aggressive behavior. The gradual increase in the proportion of FeFV-infected animals is consistent with transmission of foamy viruses by intimate social contact between animals and less commonly by aggressive behavior.
SARCOPTIC MANGE IN SPANISH IBEX FROM SPAIN

The Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) population of the “Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas” Nature Park (Spain) was isolated as the result of a severe epidemic of sarcoptic mange. In this context, the dynamic characteristics of the disease were analyzed in a wild group consisting of 35 animals from the beginning of the epizootic (when the mating period started) to the extinction of the population due to mange. Monthly tracking permitted the sequential characterization of the pathology in each animal. The duration of the disease was 2 to 3 mo, evolving to severe disease and terminating in death. Incidence and prevalence rates in terms of morbidity and severity, and mortality and lethality were calculated. At the end of the mating season, 81% of the population were affected. There were no statistically significant differences in severity of the disease across sex or age categories of the animals. Most of the carcasses were found in caves used as refuge and/or near rivers or streams. Additionally, 46 of the 63 (73%) ibex captured in different areas of the nature park were naturally infected with the Sarcoptes scabiei. Infected ibex were examined for number of mites during the initial stage of the disease (n = 3), in the development stage (n = 12), in the consolidation stage (n = 17), and in the chronic stage (n = 14). The prevalence of mites in different anatomical regions was determined in each of these phases of the infection. A histological study of the skin lesions was conducted in 22 animals. Both the clinical and the pathological (macroscopic and microscopic) aspects of the sarcoptic mange in Spanish ibex corresponded to the classic description of sarcoptic mange in other wild and domestic small ruminants.
The effect of intrapreneurship on corporate performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of intrapreneurship on the performance of companies.Design/methodology/approach – The study develops and tests a theoretical model where the intrapreneurship is supported on the factors innovation, risk/uncertainty, risk/challenges, competitive energy, proactivity and autonomy, and the performance on the factors financial performance, growth and improvement and on the variable productivity. Based on a questionnaire, data from a sample of 217 medium‐sized Portuguese companies were obtained. The study used the confirmatory analysis method based on structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings – The intrapreneurship has a multidimensional structure. This model proves its influence on the growth and improvement and the importance and explanatory power of this latent variable.Research limitations/implications – The techniques used to verify the effect of firm size and the age periods has not been sufficiently explored and the direct effect of latent v.
Unusual properties of the prespore‐specific enzyme, UDPgalactose:polysaccharide galactosyl transferase, of Dictyostelium discoideum

UDPgalactose:polysaccharide galactosyl‐transferase is the enzyme that is specifically localized in prespore cells of Dictyostelium discoideum and its activity sharply changes in response to differentiation and dedifferentiation. To clarify the nature of this enzyme, we first developed an improved assay method for the enzyme, and by using this method, we partially purified the enzyme through DEAE‐sepharose, phenyl‐sepharose and ATP‐sepharose chromatography. The apparent molecular mass of the enzyme was ca. 200 KDa (by non‐denaturing polyacrylamide gel gradient analysis) and the isoelectric point was around pH 7. The enzyme exhibited a hitherto undescribed property, that is the reaction proceeds faster at 0 °C than at 21 °C, with a smaller Km value and an unchanged Vmax value. This low‐temperature resistant property of the enzyme is consistent with the previous observation (Maeda 1984, J. Cell Sci. 69, 159–165) that prespore differentiation is favored at low temperatures. The reaction appears to proceed in a double displacement manner. ATP reversibly inhibited the enzyme with a Ki value of 2 mM, suggesting the possibility that ATP regulates its activity in vivo. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
THE EFFECT OF CAUSES OF POOR ATTITUDE TO WORK AMONG ORGANIZATIONS

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of causes of poor attitude to work. Organizations are faced with poor level of attitudes such as Erratic provision of services has become an increasing persistent problem facing the corporation and seriously affecting the general public, Careless and casual handling of the existing tools and machines and General nonchalant attitude of staff in the discharge of their duties. What are the causes? This crucial and yet unresolved questions has been and is still a source of concern to the owners, customers and members of the community as a whole and is critical for continuous research. Correspondingly, the review of the literature signifies a momentous shortage in this area of research. This study will empirically analyze the effect of causes of poor attitude to work and is enriched by mixed methods such as questionnaire surveys and in depth interviews with respondents from various sectors. An aggregate of 70 questionnaires were analyzed. Furthermore, interviews with 11 Informants were conducted. Poor attitude to work has a negative impact on productivity level of the organizations in Malaysia. Some of the prominent findings revealed that Malaysian workers widely held view that Improper Job Placement and Poor Motivation are the possible causes of poor attitude to work. The findings may not claim to be exhaustive and conclusive, in view of other contextual and external factors that might not have been addressed. This paper provides some insights and practical implications to management and Human resource Practitioners of corporations, as a matter of priority to formulate intervention and policies to that effect.
A Simple and General Approach to Fitting the Discount Curve Under No-Arbitrage Constraints

We suggest a simple and general approach to fitting the discount curve under no-arbitrage constraints based on a penalized shape-constrained B-spline. The approach accommodates B-splines of any order and fitting both under the L1 and the L2 loss functions. An application to US STRIPS data from 2001–2015 suggests that polynomial splines of order three and four are mandatory to obtain reasonable fits. The choice of the loss function appears to be less relevant.