Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Plasma Thrombomodulin in Cancer Patients

Summary Plasma samples from 35 patients with colorectal cancer, 16 patients with pancreatic cancer and 46 patients with various cancers in the terminal stage were analysed for soluble plasma thrombomodulin with an ELISA method. At time of diagnosis and before primary treatment, the patients with colorectal cancer had normal plasma TM levels. In the patients who developed disseminated disease, the mean plasma TM level increased significantly. In the patients with pancreatic cancer, the mean plasma TM level was increased already at time of primary treatment. The TM level increased further with progress of the pancreatic cancer. In the patients with various cancer types in the terminal stage, the mean TM was also significantly increased compared to healthy controls. Great individual variation in the plasma TM level was observed, as well as great variation of mean TM level between the various cancer types. There was no significant correlation between the TM levels and the levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor, another endothelial coagulation inhibitor, which increased with progress of malignant disease. This may indicate different underlying mechanisms for the increased plasma levels.
Stapedectomy Results in a Residency Training Program

As the total number of stapedectomy procedures has declined, the adequacy of residency training for this procedure must be evaluated. Results of 5 years of stapedectomies performed by the resident otology service at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary from Oct 1, 1979, through Sept 30, 1984, are reviewed and compared with other published results. A suggestion is made for improving the residency teaching program.
Estimation risk and auditor conservatism

Estimation risk occurs when individuals form beliefs about parameters that are unknown. We examine how auditors respond to the estimation risk that arises when they form beliefs about the likelihood of client bankruptcy. We argue that auditors are likely to become more conservative when facing higher estimation risk because they are risk-averse. We find that estimation risk is of first-order importance in explaining auditor behavior. In particular, auditors are more likely to issue going-concern opinions, are more likely to resign, and charge higher audit fees when the standard errors surrounding the point estimates of bankruptcy are larger. To our knowledge, this is the first study to quantify estimation risk using the variance-covariance matrix of coefficient estimates taken from a statistical prediction model.
Outer membrane proteomics of Pasteurella multocida isolates to identify putative host-specificity determinants

Pasteurella multocida is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for diseases affecting a broad range of farm-reared animals. Although there is an association between capsular serotype and disease, the molecular basis of host specificity is poorly understood. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are at the interface of bacterium and host and are likely to play important roles in host specificity and disease. Two classes are of particular importance—adhesins that are adapted for colonization of specific host niches and iron-acquisition proteins that allow pathogens to acquire iron from host-specific iron complexes. A comparative analysis of the outer membrane (OM) proteome of eight P. multocida isolates associated with disease of avian, bovine, ovine and porcine species was performed to identify putative host-specificity determinants. Isolates were cultured in iron-replete media, and also in iron-limited conditions to mimic the ironlimited host environment, and induce expression of iron-regulated OMPs expressed in vivo. The OMP-rich sarcosyl-insoluble cell fraction was isolated and the OMPs were separated by SDS-PAGE and identified by matrix-assisted light desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The expressed proteome was compared with the in silico predicted proteome from the genome sequence of P. multocida strain Pm70, using PSORTb and Proteome Analyst subcellular localization software. In iron-rich conditions isolates were clustered into three groups based on high molecular weight (HMW) OMP similarity. Isolates responsible for invasive disease were clustered into a single group. Putative colonization OMPs were present in isolates recovered from different host species, but showed molecular weight heterogeneity. Such proteins are good candidates for further study as disease or host-specificity determinants, as variation between these proteins may be a consequence of adaptation to different host niches. HMW OMPs were identified as being involved in iron-uptake. However, isolates associated with different diseases and host species expressed different iron-uptake proteins, or regulated expression differently, suggesting adaptation to specific host niches.
Novel Mobile Climbing Robot Agent for Offshore Platforms

To improve HSE standards, oil and gas industries are interested in using remotely controlled and autonomous robots instead of human workers on offshore platforms. In addition to earlier reason this strategy would increase potential revenue, efficient usage of work experts and even would allow operations in more remote areas. This article is the presentation of a custom climbing robot, called Walloid, designed for offshore platform topside automation. This 4 arms climbing robot with grippers is an ongoing project at University of Oslo. Keywords—Climbing Robots, Mobile Robots, Offshore Robotics, Offshore Platforms, Automation, Inspection, Monitoring.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 mediates hyperalgesia and is up-regulated in rats with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The neurobiologic basis of pancreatic hyperalgesia in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is understood poorly and there is a need to identify novel therapeutic targets. Our aim was to study the role of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a key integrator of noxious stimuli, in the pathogenesis of pancreatic pain in a rat model of CP. METHODS CP was induced in rats by intraductal injection of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. TRPV1 currents in pancreas-specific DRG neurons were measured using perforated patch-clamp techniques. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mRNA expression of TRPV1 in these neurons after laser capture microdissection. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis, using TRPV1-specific antibodies, also were performed. Pancreatic hyperalgesia was assessed by rat's nocifensive behavior to electrical stimulation of the pancreas. RESULTS CP was associated with a 4-fold increase in capsaicin-induced current density (P < .02), along with an increase in the proportion of pancreas-specific DRG neurons that responded to capsaicin (52.9% in controls vs 79.0% in CP; P < .05). CP also was associated with a significant increase in TRPV1 expression both at the messenger RNA and protein level in whole thoracic DRGs and pancreas-specific sensory neurons. Systemic administration of the TRPV1 antagonist SB-366791 markedly reduced both visceral pain behavior and referred somatic hyperalgesia in rats with CP, but not in control animals. CONCLUSIONS TRPV1 up-regulation and sensitization is a specific molecular mechanism contributing to hyperalgesia in CP and represents a useful target for treating pancreatic hyperalgesia caused by inflammation.
Magnetic coupling constants from a hybrid density functional with 35% Hartree-Fock exchange

The magnetic coupling constants of KCuF3 ,S r 2CuO2Cl2 ,L a 2CuO4 ,L a 2NiO4 ,K 2NiF4, KNiF3, NiF2, KMnF3, and MnF2 are calculated with a hybrid density functional, in which 35% of the nonlocal Hartree-Fock exchange is mixed in the general gradient approximation to the density functional theory. The theoretical magnetic coupling constants for these materials with different structures, spins, and magnetic orderings are in good agreement with experiment. Our results improve significantly over the so-called B3LYP hybrid density functional, which usually overestimates the magnetic coupling constants by about 50%. However, the energy gaps from the B3LYP functional are in better agreement with experiment than the hybrid functional with 35% Hartree-Fock exchange, which means that within the current scheme of hybrid density functionals different functionals are needed to better predict different properties of materials.
Health-Aware Coverage Control With Application to a Team of Small UAVs

This paper studies the problem of controlling a team of vehicles in order to cover a region with their onboard sensors. The goal is to perform such a coverage task when the capability of the vehicles to carry out the task varies through time. We consider variable sensing performance and the loss of vehicles. Algorithms are proposed to enable coverage despite such variable health conditions. These algorithms are validated through experiments with quad-rotor unmanned air vehicles. Since these algorithms require communication among the vehicles, simulations are carried out to show that the proposed algorithms degrade nicely when perfect communication is not possible.
Alterations in coagulation following major liver resection

The international normalised ratio is frequently raised in patients who have undergone major liver resection, and is assumed to represent a potential bleeding risk. However, these patients have an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events, despite conventional coagulation tests indicating hypocoagulability. This prospective, observational study of patients undergoing major hepatic resection analysed the serial changes in coagulation in the early postoperative period. Thrombin generation parameters and viscoelastic tests of coagulation (thromboelastometry) remained within normal ranges throughout the study period. Levels of the procoagulant factors II, V, VII and X initially fell, but V and X returned to or exceeded normal range by postoperative day five. Levels of factor VIII and Von Willebrand factor were significantly elevated from postoperative day one (p < 0.01). Levels of the anticoagulants, protein C and antithrombin remained significantly depressed on postoperative day five (p = 0.01). Overall, the imbalance between pro‐ and anticoagulant factors suggested a prothrombotic environment in the early postoperative period.
Steroid-free immunosuppression after kidney transplantation with antithymocyte globulin induction and cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil maintenance therapy.

BACKGROUND Our goal in clinical renal transplantation is to find immunosuppressive procedures that not only promote long-term patient and graft survival but also improve the overall well-being of the patients. METHODS In a retrospective consecutive clinical study with historical controls, 68 patients were discharged from our center with functioning grafts between September 1995 and December 1997. Patients received steroid-free immunosuppression using an initial 10-day antithymocyte globulin induction and maintenance therapy with cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). No steroids were given. RESULTS After an observation for up to 2.5 years (median 488 days, range 127 to 945 days), 66 patients (one died from sepsis after 6 months, and one died of peritonitis after returning to dialysis) were alive and well. Sixty-four grafts were functioning well, hemolytic uremic syndrome recurred in one graft, one graft had to be removed for noncompliance, and two patients returned to dialysis after chronic rejection-one after 8 months (the patient who died in peritoneal dialysis) and one (a third graft in an antibody-positive patient) 16 months after transplantation. We observed only 10 acute rejections (15%), a rate significantly lower (P=0.0006) than the 71 acute rejections observed in 190 previous consecutive transplants (37.4%) treated without MMF but otherwise after exactly the same protocol. In further comparison, the MMF-treated group also showed an equivalent (P=NS) rate of cytomegalovirus infections and a lower rate (P<0.00005) of Epstein-Barr virus infections. Graft function was excellent (median serum creatinine below 200 micromol/L at 1 year), and no malignancies were observed in the MMF-treated patients. Side effects were mainly leukopenia and two gastrointestinal disturbances. CONCLUSIONS Our first-line, steroid-free immunosuppressive protocol allows initial graft function, provides a safe level of long-term graft survival and function with a very low rejection rate, gives an acceptable rate of side effects, and possesses the potential for lowering the incidence of chronic rejection over the long-term. Compared with protocols that discontinue steroids after the initial posttransplant period, a steroid-free protocol avoids the increased risk of infection and body disfigurement in the early posttransplant period. It also avoids the long-term risks of steroid use and the increased risks of rejection when the steroids are withdrawn.
Anxiety sensitivity and CO2 challenge reactivity as unique and interactive prospective predictors of anxiety pathology

Emerging evidence suggests that anxiety sensitivity (AS) and CO2‐induced fear reactivity are associated with panic attacks and anxiety disorders. However, evidence regarding the unique and potentially synergistic effects of these variables is currently lacking. Our primary aims in this study were to determine whether AS and CO2‐induced fear reactivity are unique and potentially interactive vulnerability factors involved in the pathogenesis of panic attacks and anxiety psychopathology. A large nonclinical sample of young adults (N=404) was prospectively followed over approximately 2 years. AS (i.e., 16‐item Anxiety Sensitivity Index total scores) and biological challenge reactivity [i.e., fearful responding to pre– and postchallenge changes in subjective units of distress (SUDS) to a 20‐s 20% CO2 challenge] at study entry served as the primary predictor variables. Consistent with expectation, AS and challenge reactivity correlated only moderately with one another. Challenge reactivity was uniquely associated with the development of spontaneous panic attacks, whereas AS was uniquely associated with anxiety disorder diagnoses, including panic disorder. Moreover, the combination of both risk factors predicted spontaneous panic attacks beyond the effects of either risk factor individually. These data provide novel evidence for the unique and combined effects of AS and CO2‐induced fear reactivity as risk factors in the development of anxiety and its disorders. Depression and Anxiety 24:527–536, 2007. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Weak States: Causes and Consequences of the Sicilian Mafia

We document that the spread of the Mafia in Sicily at the end of the 19th century was in part caused by the rise of socialist Peasant Fasci organizations. In an environment with weak state presence, this socialist threat triggered landowners, estate managers, and local politicians to turn to the Mafia to resist and combat peasant demands. We show that the location of the Peasant Fasci is significantly affected by a severe drought in 1893, and using information on rainfall, we estimate the impact of the Peasant Fasci on the location of the Mafia in 1900. We provide extensive evidence that rainfall before and after this critical period has no effect on the spread of the Mafia or various economic and political outcomes. In the second part of the article, we use this source of variation in the strength of the Mafia in 1900 to estimate its medium-term and long-term effects. We find significant and quantitatively large negative impacts of the Mafia on literacy and various public goods in the 1910s and 20s. We also show a sizable impact of the Mafia on political competition, which could be one of the channels via which it affected local economic outcomes. We document negative effects of the Mafia on longer-term outcomes (in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s) as well, but these are in general weaker and often only marginally significant. One exception is its persistent and strong impact on political competition.
Audit Quality and Accrual Persistence: Evidence from the Pre- and Post-Sarbanes-Oxley Periods

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is two-fold: first, to examine whether the quality of accruals, as measured by accrual persistence, improved in the post-Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) period, and second, to examine the degree to which SOX-related improvement in accrual persistence varies across companies depending on the degree of their auditor's independence. Design/methodology/approach - The paper compares accrual persistence in the pre- and post-SOX periods to test the first question. Then, partitioning on relative client importance as a measure of auditor independence, the paper compares the SOX-based improvement for clients of low and high independence audit firms. Findings - The study first demonstrates that accrual persistence increased significantly in the post-SOX period. The study also finds evidence that in the post-SOX period, the subsample of companies audited by Big-N auditors with lower-independence experienced the greatest improvement in accrual persistence. Originality/value - This is the first paper to evaluate SOX-related improvements in the quality of earnings as measured by accrual persistence. Prior studies test abnormal accruals and other earnings management metrics, however, persistence is a more general test of financial statement quality. This study also is the first to compare SOX-related improvements for clients of firms with differing levels of independence.
Multiple Description Quantizer Design Using A Channel Optimized Quantizer Approach

o This paper extends the channel optimized quantiza- tion scheme of Farvardin and Vaishampayan (1) to two parallel channels. The extended multiple-channel optimized quantizer design (MCOQD) framework is applied to discrete memory- less channels with erasures. The resultant MCOQD subsumes the multiple description scalar quantizer (MDSQ) design of Vaishampayan (2). While MDSQ is suited to only ion-offi channels, MCOQD accounts for both erasure and symbol errors. Performance results based on simulation show that MCOQD provides more robust quantizers than MDSQ. I. INTRODUCTION Multiple description coding (MDC) is a method of com- municating information from a source over two or more channels such that the information received from any subset of channels can be used for source reconstruction, and the reconstruction quality improves with the size of the subset. Most existing MDC schemes (e.g., (2), (3)) consider only ion- offi channels (i.e., erasure channels), and are not suited to channels with symbol or bit errors. In (4), multiple description scalar quantization is combined with error correcting codes and then applied to channels with bit errors. They reported that the MD codes considered were outperformed by single description codes. In this paper we consider the more general problem of designing a MDC scheme for both erasure errors and sym- bol errors. The proposed scheme is based on extending the channel-optimized scalar quantization scheme of (1) to multiple parallel channels; hence, we call the new scheme multiple-channel optimized quantizer design (MCOQD). We show in this paper that the multiple description scalar quan- tizer (MDSQ) design of Vaishampayan (2) is subsumed by MCOQD. MCOQD specializes to MDSQ design when the channel is free of symbol or bit errors. We introduce MCOQD in the next section. As per the usual practice, we gain insights by rst studying the two-channel case. In Section 3, the features of MCOQD are compared with MDSQ, in order to determine how they are related. Simulation results are provided in Section 4 for comparing the performance of the two approaches and conclusions are drawn in Section 5. II. MDC WITH MCOQD Firstly, we set up the MDC framework by reviewing the MDSQ scheme of Vaishampayan (2), a block diagram of which is shown in Fig. 1. The encoder is shown to comprise two parts. A scalar quantizer maps a source sample x to the nearest codeword in a codebook such that the quantization error is minimized. The quantizer codeword index is then mapped to two channel codewords, each to be sent over a sep- arate independent erasure channel. If both channel codewords are received, the central decoder reconstructs the source as ^ x 0 . If only one codeword is received, a side decoder reconstructs the source as either ^ 1 or ^ x 2 . The expected quality of ^ 0
Training of physicians for the twenty-first century: Role of the basic sciences

Background: Rapid changes in the healthcare environment and public dissatisfaction with the cost and quality of medical care have prompted a critical analysis of how physicians are trained in the United States. Accrediting agencies have catalyzed a transformation from a process based to a competency-based curriculum, both at the undergraduate and the graduate levels. Aim: The objective of this overview is to determine how these changes are likely to alter the role of basic science in medical education. Methods: Policy statements related to basic science education from the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) were reviewed and assessed for common themes. Results: Three primary roles for the basic sciences in medical education are proposed: (1) basic science to support the development of clinical reasoning skills; (2) basic science to support a critical analysis of medical and surgical interventions (“evidence-based medicine”); and (3) basic and translational science to support analysis of processes to improve healthcare (“science of healthcare delivery”). Conclusion: With these roles in mind, several methods to incorporate basic sciences into the curriculum are suggested.
Recent perspectives in the study of motivation : Goal Orientation Theory

Studies on academic motivation from the perspective of goal orientation have been plentiful in recent years. Nonetheless, the conceptual and empirical approach is not uniform, evolving from normative conceptions toward other multidimensional ones. This paper analyzes the classic and reformulated versions of this theory, looking at assumptions, empirical evidence, inconsistencies and research developed along both lines of study. Finally, it evaluates implications in carrying some of these insufficiently verified principles into educational