Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung, ileum and heart are predilection sites for AApoAII amyloid deposition in CD-1 Swiss mice used for toxicity studies. Pulmonary amyloid indicates AApoAII

Amyloid deposits represent frequent histological findings in SPF strains of mice mainly used for toxicological studies. Usually, these are deposits of reactive amyloid (AA-amyloid) derived from the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA). The SAA is an apoprotein of high density lipoprotein (apoSAA). Senescence-accelerated amyloid (ASsam) occurs in a special strain of mice. This type of amyloid is derived from apolipoprotein-AII and, therefore, is called AApoAII. Recently, C57B1/Ka control mice not treated for long duration with immunosuppressive agents, were found to have developed AApoAII-amyloidosis with a predilection for the deposits in the ileum (HogenEsch et al. 1993). In the present study, SPF CD-1 Swiss outbred mice, used for chronic toxicity experiments, were investigated. Amyloidosis was diagnosed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. The tissue localization of amyloid was recorded and confirmed by Congo red staining. The chemical type of amyloid was investigated by peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP)-immunostaining using anti-murine AA and anti-murine AApoAII antibodies. Those animals which died during the study and the mice killed at end of the experiment, aged 18 months, from treated as well as non-treated control groups, showed AApoAII-amyloid deposits with similar prevalence. The AApoAII amyloid had organ predilection for gut, heart and lung tissue. A group of animals was euthanazed intercurrently at a young age, since they suffered from spontaneous dermatitis associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection. Sixty-eight percent had reactive amyloid deposits found primarily in spleen, liver, kidney and gut. From these findings and literature data on various other mouse strains, it is concluded that in mice used for toxicity studies, AA and AApoAII types of amyloidosis may be expected. The deposition patterns of these types of amyloid are slightly different. AA-amyloid has a predilection for spleen, liver, gut and kidney, and is often associated with inflammatory lesions of the skin, whereas masses of amyloid in lung, heart and ileum suggest AApoAII. Pulmonary amyloid appears to represent the most reliable deposition criterion for discriminating between both types of amyloidosis.
A Dynamic Approach for Workload Partitioning on GPU Architectures

Workload partitioning and the subsequent work item-to-thread mapping are key aspects to face when implementing any efficient GPU application. Different techniques have been proposed to deal with such issues, ranging from the computationally simplest static to the most complex dynamic ones. Each of them finds the best use depending on the workload characteristics (static for more regular workloads, dynamic for irregular workloads). Nevertheless, no one of them provides a sound tradeoff when applied in both cases. Static approaches lead to load unbalancing with irregular problems, while the computational overhead introduced by the dynamic or semi-dynamic approaches often worsens the overall application performance when run on regular problems. This article presents an efficient dynamic technique for workload partitioning and work item-to-thread mapping whose complexity is significantly reduced with respect to the other dynamic approaches in literature. The article shows how the partitioning and mapping algorithm has been implemented by fully taking advantage of the GPU device characteristics with the aim of minimizing the involved computational overhead. The article shows, compares, and analyses the experimental results obtained by applying the proposed approach and several static, dynamic, and semi-dynamic techniques at the state of the art to different benchmarks and over different GPU technologies (i.e., NVIDIA Fermi, Kepler, and Maxwell) to understand when and how each technique best applies.
Analysis, ranking and selection of R&D projects in a portfolio

A method for the analysis, ranking and selection of R&D projects from a portfolio is outlined and demonstrated. It is proposed that an objective multi-criteria decision making method, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), be used to split a portfolio of projects into accept, consider further and reject sub-groups. Next, the "consider further" group is examined using a subjective method, the Value Creation Model. Such an approach allows for obvious decisions to be automated and complex decisions to be given careful consideration, an approach that is more consistent with how practising managers actually make select/reject decisions. DEA allows for comparison of variables without requiring weights or conversion factors. The relation between research strategy and consideration of categorical data is considered in relation to the research portfolio of the Advanced Technology Division of Bell Laboratories.
A note on estimating the minimum extended Gini hedge ratio

The extended Gini coefficient, Γ, is a measure of dispersion with strong theoretical merit for use in futures hedging. Yitzhaki (1982, 1983) provides conditions under which a two‐parameter framework using the mean and Γ of portfolio returns yields an efficient set consistent with second‐order stochastic dominance. Unlike mean‐variance theory, the mean‐Γ framework requires no particular return distribution or utility function to yield this conclusion. However, Γ must be computed iteratively making it less convenient to use than variance. Shalit (1995) offers a solution to the computation problem by suggesting an instrumental variables (IV) slope estimator, β-super-I-super-V, as the basis for the minimum extended Gini hedge ratio where the instruments are based on the empirical distribution function (edf) of futures prices. However, the validity of employing the IV slope coefficient as the basis for the minimum extended Gini hedge ratio requires the questionable assumption that the rankings of futures prices to be the same as those for the profits of the hedged portfolio. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 19:101–113, 1999
Choosing the Joneses: On the Endogeneity of Reference Groups

A growing economic literature recognizes and deals with the fact that economic agents' utility and well-being is not solely determined by absolute achievements, but also by achievements relative to a reference standard or reference group. In this literature it is assumed that the reference standard is completely exogenous. Social psychologists have questioned the exogenous nature of the comparison process "forced comparison conception" and have emphasized that people play a more active role in the determination of their reference standards "coping approach". The present paper takes up this idea. In our model the reference standard is determined endogenously. Following the social comparison literature we assume that in choosing the optimal reference standard people pursue goals of self-improvement and self-enhancement. Our model predicts that the optimally chosen reference standard (or group) increases in people's abilities. We present new questionnaire data together with a review.
Au-Induced Directional Growth of Inkjet-Printed 6,13-Bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) Pentacene

An inkjet printing method for directional crystallization was proposed that employs difference in surface energy to induce film growth with higher crystallinity and orderliness. Inkjet printing of 6,13-bis(triisopropyl- silylethynyl) pentacene, a small-molecule semiconductor was performed as a single-line film with the starting point set on a patch of Au film, which had been surface-treated to have a slightly higher dispersive surface energy than the dielectric substrate. A larger dispersive surface energy on the metal resulted in advanced contact-line pinning thereof between the liquid and the substrate and induced film growth along the printing direction. With the influence of the differential surface energy, larger grain size as well as more convergent crystalline microstructure was obtained, which is beneficial to the fabrication of organic thin-film transistors with improved electrical performance and device-to-device uniformity.
Selecting the best treatment in designed experiments

A common question in biological experimentation is concerned with finding an optimal level for a treatment using data obtained from a designed experiment. For example, an experiment might concern a group of hyperactive adolescent males that have been grouped into blocks according to some relevant factors. Within each group the subjects are randomly assigned to several treatments for hyperactivity. An important aspect of the study would then be determining which of the treatment options is most effective in reducing hyperactivity in the subjects. Basing such a determination directly on the estimated treatment effects may be unreliable because of the inherent variability associated with the estimates. Other methods, such as multiple comparison procedures and best subset selection procedures can also be applied to this problem. Unfortunately, such procedures are often difficult to interpret and rely on assumptions that may not be appropriate for the experiment under consideration. In this paper we develop a method of assigning a confidence level to each treatment that measures how confident we are that each treatment is optimal. The method for assigning the confidence levels is based on a more general methodology developed for the problem of regions, where one assigns levels of confidence that an unknown parameter is within specified subsets of the parameter space. The actual computation of the confidence levels is based on the bootstrap. The method is applied to an example and is studied empirically. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Political Economy of International Trade and Factor Mobility

Free trade in goods and factors is efficient. When we move away from economic theory and consider the policies actually followed by governments, we observe distortions being implemented both on goods and factors trades. It is natural then to question the relative merits of the two types of intervention, and the normative literature has provided only partial answers. We ask then why is the international flow of goods and factors not free, and the political economy literature has looked at the two issues only separately. In studying the determination of trade policy, a theoretical paradigm has emerged, focusing on the role of influence driven contributions. This approach has also found strong empirical support. The literature on the political economy of factor mobility, on the other hand, is fragmented. Distortions in labor and capital flows are typically the subject of different studies, and only recently a unified framework has been proposed. More work has to be done in this area as well as in integrating the political economy of trade and factor movements. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 2004.
A case–control study of risk factors for urinary acquisition of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing CTX-M-15 in an outbreak situation in Sweden

Abstract A retrospective case–control study was initiated at Uppsala University Hospital in 2006 during a major outbreak caused by a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain producing CTX-M-15. To identify risk factors associated with acquisition of the outbreak strain in the urinary tract, 52 case patients with a urine culture positive for the outbreak strain between 1 May and 31 December 2005 were enrolled. Case patients were matched 1:2 with concurrently hospitalized control patients with significant growth of susceptible Escherichia coli in a urine sample. Conditional logistic regression analyses identified hospital stay ≥9 days (odds ratio (OR) 18.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.74–61.2), nasogastric feeding tube (OR 18.0, 95% CI 2.28–142) and diarrhoea (OR 9.62, 95% CI 3.30–28.1) as risk factors with high ORs. The odds of previous use of cephalosporins were 7.58 (95% CI 3.13–18.4) times higher in case patients compared with the controls. Several multivariable models were evaluated to reduce bias from confounding. These models identified prolonged period of hospitalization, diarrhoea, malignancy and antibiotic use as the most important risk factors for acquisition of the outbreak strain, factors that are often found in elderly patients with a poor functional status.
Purification and Characterization of the Catalytic Subunit of Human DNA Polymerase δ Expressed in Baculovirus-infected Insect Cells*

The catalytic subunit of human DNA polymerase δ has been overexpressed in insect cells by a recombinant baculovirus. The recombinant protein has a Mr = ∼125,000 and is recognized by polyclonal antisera against N-terminal and C-terminal peptides of the catalytic subunit of human DNA polymerase δ. The recombinant protein was purified to near homogeneity (approximately 1200-fold) from insect cells by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose, heparin-agarose, and single-stranded DNA-cellulose. The purified protein had both DNA polymerase and 3′-5′ exonuclease activities. The properties of the recombinant catalytic subunit were compared with those of the native heterodimeric DNA polymerase δ isolated from fetal calf thymus, and the enzymes were found to differ in several respects. Although the native heterodimer is equally active with either Mn2+ or Mg2+ as divalent cation activator, the recombinant catalytic subunit is approximately 5-fold more active in Mn2+ than in Mg2+. The most striking difference between the two proteins is the response to the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The activity and processivity of native DNA polymerase δ are markedly stimulated by PCNA whereas it has no effect on the recombinant catalytic subunit. These results suggest that the small subunit of DNA polymerase δ is essential for functional interaction with PCNA.
Rates of Return to Educational Qualifications in the Transitional Economies

This paper presents a set of cross-country estimates on rates of return within a broadly comparable framwork for a set of transitional economies that span Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the Former Soviet Union countries of Central Asia. Our estimates reveal some tendency for rates to rise in most transitional economies over the period consideed. The variability in the rates of return to higher education is seen to provide some explanation for the variability in wage inequality experienced across the set of transitional economies.
Experiments in Evolutionary Finance

Combining ideas from evolution and learning to understand empirical puzzles in financial markets is a growing area of interest in economic research. This paper provides a short survey of some of the ongoing work in this area with special attention paid to computational models relying on artificial intelligence methods. Also, specific experiments will be analyzed using the Santa Fe Artificial Stock Market. The conclusion ties some of the results from these very different modeling approaches together, and suggests paths for future research. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Flow cytometry histograms: Transformations, resolution, and display

Flow cytometry data analysis routinely includes the use of one‐ or two‐parameter histograms to visualize the data. These histograms have traditionally been plotted with either a linear or logarithmic scale. However, the recent trend of performing the logarithmic conversion in software has made apparent some limitations of the traditional visual presentation of logarithmic data. This review discusses the mathematics of presenting data on a histogram and emphasizes the difference between scaling and binning. The review introduces the concept of an effective resolution to describe how the bin width changes in a variable bin‐width histogram. The change in effective resolution is used to explain the commonly observed valley and picket fencing artifacts. These result from the effective resolution of the display histogram being too high for the data being presented. Recently, several different binning transformations have been described that are becoming more popular because they allow one to view a large dynamic range of data on a single plot, while allowing the display of negative data values. While each of the transforms is based upon different equations, they all exhibit very similar properties. All of the transforms bin the data logarithmically at high channel values and linearly at low channel values. The linear scaling of the lower channels serves to limit the effective resolution of the histogram, thus minimizing the valley and picket fencing artifacts. The newer transformations are not without their own limitations and recommendations for the appropriate manner of presenting flow cytometry data using these newer transformations are discussed. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Measurement of the cardiac silhouette in psittacines.

OBJECTIVE To determine reference values for size of the radiographic cardiac silhouette in healthy adult medium-sized psittacines. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 46 African grey parrots (Psittacus erythacus), 7 Senegal parrots (Poicephalus senegalis), and 6 orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica). PROCEDURE Birds were anesthetized, and ventrodorsal radiographic projections were obtained. Maximum width of the cardiac silhouette, width of the thorax at the level of the maximum width of the cardiac silhouette, and width of the coracoid were measured on the radiographs. Sternum length was directly measured on individual birds. Results of physical examination, electrocardiography, and echocardiography were normal in all birds. RESULTS Mean cardiac silhouette width-to-sternum length ratio was 38%, mean cardiac silhouette width-to-thorax width ratio was 55%, and mean cardiac silhouette width-to-coracoid width ratio was 600%. Width of the cardiac silhouette was strongly correlated with length of the sternum, width of the coracoid, and width of the thorax. No significant differences between species were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that in healthy adult medium-sized psittacines, the cardiac silhouette on a ventrodorsal radiographic projection should be 35 to 41 % of the length of the sternum, 51 to 61 % of the width of the thorax, and 545 to 672% of the width of the coracoid.
The Impact of Psychic Distance on the Internationalisation of the Australian Firm

Abstract This paper explores the relationship between management characteristics and psychic distance, psychic distance and internationalisation and management characteristics and internationalisation. It is argued that internationalisation takes different forms and that psychic distance will impact differently on each form whether it is outward, inward or linked. It is shown that whereas some management characteristics impact on internationalisation directly, others have impact through psychic distance acting as an intervening variable. The management implications for the above are discussed, as is its effect on planning future international activities.
Third parties’ participation in tradable permits market. Do we need them?

This paper analyses the behaviour, influence and role of third parties in tradable permits markets. Following the literature, it focuses on a framework in order to understand how society and third parties react against the firms' emissions due to their participation in the tradable permits' market. Therefore the paper reveals the tradable permits mechanism as a new way for public direct action and highlights the possible benefits for the regulator. An important part of the third parties consists of the very active participation of the Environmental Non Governmental Organisations. Therefore, this paper argues that the third party's participation and specifically the environmental groups' participation in tradable permits' market could drive the market to the optimum equilibrium. In order to examine this "proposition" we use some data from the first phase of the permits' market in European Union and some available data for the environmental groups' income. We conclude that the environmental groups could purchase the exceeded, overallocated permits and could drive the market in the equilibrium point. Finally, for the regulator the environmental groups' participation could be desirable given that they could improve the efficiency of the tradable permits market.
Delivering Public Health Care Services: Substitutes, Complements, or Both?

In this article we investigate how the availability of public health care providers increases (complement) or decreases (substitute) the likelihood of having public or private health insurance. The probability of each of three insurance alternatives (uninsured, Medicaid, private insurance) is modeled as a function of the availability of public programs in the respondents'community along with individual characteristics including family income, health status, and family structure. Using population-based estimates, public hospitals are associated with a crowd-out rate of 3.5 percent to 8.6 percent. Federally qualified health centers were associated with a net complementary effect (additional public insurance take-up) of 7.1 percent. (JEL "I11", "I18", "I38") Copyright 2005 Western Economic Association International.
Improved Functional Survival of Human Islets of Langerhans in Three-Dimensional Matrix Culture

The current study evaluates functional survival of human islets maintained in tissue culture for up to 4 wk in suspension media (CMRL-1066 with supplements) and contrasts these results with immobilizing three-dimensional matrices (agarose or alginate). The absolute number and volume of islets retrieved from agarose is significantly higher after two and four wk of culture compared to conventional free-floating media. In vitro function of islets, assessed by insulin/DNA content, insulin secretion into the culture media over 24 h and glucose-theophylline stimulated insulin release in a dynamic perifusion system, was not significantly different between free-floating and matrix preserved islets. In vivo islet function was evaluated by the effectiveness for reversal of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus by transplantation of the islets under the kidney capsule of nude mice. Although adequate insulin responses to glucose were seen after culture in conventional or matrix media, only agarose embedded islets were consistently able to induce normoglycemia in diabetic recipients after 14 days of culture. Additional transplantation experiments defined the threshold level required to reverse diabetes to be between 1,000 and 1,500 agarose preserved islets. Our data suggest improved engraftment of human islets after agarose culture. This culture method may be of benefit for the accumulation of functionally competent human islets, thus facilitating the implementation of clinical protocols that utilize freshly isolated islets from multiple donors without the need for cryopreservation.
Autochthonous primary and metastatic melanomas in Hgf‐Cdk4R24C mice evade T‐cell‐mediated immune surveillance

Genetically engineered mouse models offer new opportunities to investigate the role of cell‐mediated immunity in the natural progression of melanoma in an immunocompetent host. Here we report that Hgf‐Cdk4R24C mice spontaneously develop a spectrum of primary melanomas with high penetrance during their first year of life. Malignant transformation proceeds in a stepwise manner from multiple melanocytic nevi to single nodular melanomas and disseminated metastases in most mice. Migrating melanoma cells invade the draining lymph nodes without activating the immune system. Autochthonous primary tumors are destroyed following experimental introduction of immune surveillance using an adoptive lymphocyte transfer approach. However, some tumor cells are able to survive, evade immune cell control, and recur both locally and systemically. Immune tolerance in recurring tumors may be supported by immunosuppressive Gr1+ myeloid cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate that primary and metastatic melanomas developing spontaneously in Hgf‐Cdk4R24C mice effectively evade cellular immune surveillance.