Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is the Paternal Mononuclear Cells’ Immunization a Successful Treatment for Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion?

PROBLEM: Alloimmunization as a treatment for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is still controversial due to the lack of enough controls to evaluate its effectiveness. The present study was conducted to compare the live birth rate in the presence or absence of immunotherapy. METHOD OF STUDY: Ninety‐two women with RSA (79 primary [PA] and 13 secondary aborters[SA]) received immunotherapy. Thirty‐seven RSA couples not receiving paternal alloimmunization, constituted the “control” group. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate in alloimmunized was 58 vs 46% in the control group. The live birth increased from 71% in the controls to 88% after immunotherapy. The alloimmunization induced mixed lymphocyte reaction blocking factors (MLR BFs) in 79% of women. However, they were also present in 83% of immunized women experiencing a new abortion. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that alloimmunization may be useful in the treatment of RSA.
Governance work in inter-organizational networks: driving processes and structures

There are many calls for further investigation of the underlying processes, practices and specificities of governance when economic exchanges are organized within networks. Through an examination of what governance involves and how it occurs in two clusters specialized in digital and video game industries, our multi-method study provides useful insights in the finalities and purposes of governance in an inter-organizational and collaborative context, the main tools and mechanisms that are being used and the structures supporting network governance. Our findings shed also light upon the processual nature of governance in networks contexts. Governance is a set of processes, or a "meta-process", that are geared toward the (1) creation, the maintenance and the evolution of a set of common interests, (2) the design of a adapted architecture of rights and obligations and (3) the crafting of different mechanisms of coordination and control. These processes aim also to adapt the structure of governance continually to the frequent changes in the network attributes. We coin this process of governance functioning, evolution and continuous (re) actualization as governance work and argue for a new perspective about network governance.
Probing the structure of bacteriophage phi 29 prohead RNA with specific mutations.

Bacteriophage phi 29 of Bacillus subtilis packages its double-stranded DNA genome into a preformed prohead in an ATP-dependent reaction. A 174-residue phi 29-encoded RNA molecule (pRNA) is a structural component of the prohead and is essential for DNA packaging. The secondary and tertiary structures of the prohead binding site on pRNA have been probed using a series of specific mutant pRNAs and by measuring binding to RNA-free proheads and in vitro packaging of the DNA-gene product 3 (DNA.gp3) complex. A pseudoknot in pRNA inferred from phylogenetic studies was confirmed with specific mutations, and this pseudoknot was necessary for DNA.gp3 packaging activity. pRNA was truncated progressively from the 5' and 3' ends to isolate the prohead binding site, and three truncated pRNAs of 79, 71, and 62 residues retained prohead binding activity but could not reconstitute proheads for DNA.gp3 packaging. Mutation resulting in changes of the D hairpin loop and its connecting residues within the prohead binding site of pRNA and DNA packaging studies demonstrated that some alteration of secondary structure in this helix was permissible. The analyses provided further confirmation of a discrete prohead binding domain in pRNA and further delineated specific structural requirements for DNA.gp3 packaging activity which may not be required for prohead binding.
CD274/PD-L1 gene amplification and PD-L1 protein expression are common events in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Immunomodulatory therapies, targeting the immune checkpoint receptor-ligand complex PD-1/PD-L1 have shown promising results in early phase clinical trials in solid malignancies, including carcinomas of the head and neck. In this context, PD-L1 protein expression has been proposed as a potentially valuable predictive marker. In the present study, expression of PD-L1 and PD-1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 80 patients with predominantly HPV-negative oral squamous cell carcinomas and associated nodal metastasis. In addition, CD274/PD-L1 gene copy number status was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. PD-L1 expression was detected in 36/80 (45%) cases and concordance of PD-L1 expression in primary tumor and corresponding nodal metastasis was present in only 20/28 (72%) cases. PD-1 expression was found in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) but not in tumor cells. CD274/PD-L1 gene amplification was detected in 19% of cases, with high level PD-L1 amplification present in 12/80 (15%), and low level amplification in 3/80 (4%). Interestingly, CD274/PD-L1 gene amplification was associated with positive PD-L1 immunostaining in only 73% of cases. PD-L1 copy number status was concordant in primary tumor and associated metastases. Clinically, PD-L1 tumor immunopositivity was associated with a higher risk for nodal metastasis at diagnosis, overall tumor related death und recurrence. Based on our findings we propose to include PD-L1 copy number status in addition to protein status in screening programs for future clinical trials with immunotherapeutic strategies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.
Entrepreneurial Potential in the Younger Generation

Abstract Given that entrepreneurship plays a key role in the development of a country's economy, governments should stimulate entrepreneurial orientation, particularly among youngsters. In this context, we applied a framework with which to screen school populations in the Azores Islands, Portugal, for prospects of entrepreneurship and to study the profiles of those who demonstrate an entrepreneurial orientation. This work led to the following main findings: first, that a quarter of all senior students in high school in the Azores Islands have potential for entrepreneurship and, second, that this same group shows a well-defined psychological profile that may vary depending on the willingness to expend effort.
Assessment of Deep Venous Incompetence: A Prospective Study Comparing Duplex Scanning with Descending Phlebography

In this prospective study duplex scanning was performed in 21 consecutive patients (23 lower extremities) referred for descending phlebography. The grade of deep venous insufficiency (Grades 1-4) was estimated in a blinded fashion with phlebography and duplex technique. Agreement occurred in 15 of 23 lower extremities. Discrepancies were found particularly in patients with minor degrees of reflux. The patients with reflux below the knee according to phlebography were also identified with ultrasonography. The authors found duplex scanning to be an accurate method of evaluating deep venous valvular function. With duplex—but not with phlebography—it was also possible to diagnose isolated lower extremity valvular insufficiency.
Design and Performance Evaluation of Network-assisted Control Strategies for HTTP Adaptive Streaming

This article investigates several network-assisted streaming approaches that rely on active cooperation between video streaming applications and the network. We build a Video Control Plane that enforces Video Quality Fairness among concurrent video flows generated by heterogeneous client devices. For this purpose, a max-min fairness optimization problem is solved at runtime. We compare two approaches to actuate the optimal solution in an Software Defined Networking network: The first one allocates network bandwidth slices to video flows, and the second one guides video players in the video bitrate selection. We assess performance through several QoE-related metrics, such as Video Quality Fairness, video quality, and switching frequency. The impact of client-side adaptation algorithms is also investigated.
Ratios derived from an array of standard haematological indices predict the oncological outcome in colon cancer

The interaction between inflammation and cancer is well established. Surrogate markers of systemic inflammation, such as the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), may be associated with the long‐term oncological outcome. The present study aimed to characterize the relationship between several ratios derived from haematological indices using a classification and regression tree analysis.
Las dimensiones de la responsabilidad social de las empresas como determinantes de las intenciones de comportamiento del consumidor

The current paper analyzes the influence of three subdimensions of corporate social responsibility –legal, ethical and philantrophic– in consumers’ behaviour since it adds new questions related to that issue to a traditional loyalty model. According to this, 781 customer evaluations of ethical and social activities of Spanish financial services companies are collected, in order to put them into relation with the global valuation of service, satisfaction and behavioural loyalty by means of a causal model. The study is able to verify a direct effect of corporate social responsibility dimensions on service valuation and an indirect influence on satisfaction and loyalty.
A Novel P2X7 Receptor Activator, the Human Cathelicidin-Derived Peptide LL37, Induces IL-1β Processing and Release1

The release of IL-1β is a tightly controlled process that requires induced synthesis of the precursor pro-IL-1β and a second stimulus that initiates cleavage and secretion of mature IL-1β. Although ATP as a second stimulus potently promotes IL-1β maturation and release via P2X7 receptor activation, millimolar ATP concentrations are needed. The human cathelicidin-derived peptide LL37 is a potent antimicrobial peptide produced predominantly by neutrophils and epithelial cells. In this study, we report that LL37 stimulation of LPS-primed monocytes leads to maturation and release of IL-1β via the P2X7 receptor. LL37 induces a transient release of ATP, membrane permeability, caspase-1 activation, and IL-1β release without cell cytotoxicity. IL-1β release and cell permeability are suppressed by pretreatment with the P2X7 inhibitors oxidized ATP, KN04, and KN62. In the presence of apyrase, which hydrolyzes ATP to AMP, the effect of LL37 was not altered, indicating that LL37 rather than autocrine ATP is responsible for the activation of the P2X7 receptor. We conclude that endogenous LL37 may promote IL-1β processing and release via direct activation of P2X7 receptors.
Artificial Chaperone-assisted Refolding of Citrate Synthase*

The power of genetic engineering methods, along with increasing genomic information, makes heterologous expression of proteins an extremely important biochemical tool. Unfortunately, proteins obtained in this way often are not in their native form, and folding becomes a crucial step in protein production. We have recently developed a strategy that promotes the folding of chemically denatured proteins via the sequential addition of low molecular weight “artificial chaperones. ” Here we describe in detail the application of this method to porcine heart citrate synthase. Refolding yields of as high as 65% have been achieved. Mechanistic studies indicate that there are significant differences between artificial chaperone-assisted refolding of citrate synthase and artificial chaperone-assisted refolding of two other proteins that have been examined, carbonic anhydrase B (Rozema, D., and Gellman, S. H. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 3478–3487) and lysozyme (Rozema, D., and Gellman, S. H. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 15760–15771). The differences among these three test proteins reveal the range of procedural variation that must be considered in the application of the artificial chaperone method to new proteins.
Online Product Search and Purchase Behavior of Generation Y

This paper examines online product search and purchase behaviors of Generation Y. A survey of 116 undergraduate college students with questions regarding the types of products researched and purchased over the Internet, the type of information they looked for when researching the products, reasons for not purchasing products online, and reasons for returning products purchased over the Internet. While both male and female college students use the Internet to research and purchase products, the findings indicate that they differ significantly in the types of products they research and purchase online, the kinds of information they sought when researching products over the Internet, and their reasons for not purchasing a product online.
Suprachiasmatic nucleus input to autonomic circuits identified by retrograde transsynaptic transport of pseudorabies virus from the eye

Intraocular injection of the Bartha strain of pseudorabies virus (PRV Bartha) results in transsynaptic infection of the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a retinorecipient circadian oscillator. PRV Bartha infection of a limited number of retinorecipient structures, including the SCN, was initially interpreted as the differential infection of a subpopulation of rat retinal ganglion cells, followed by replication and anterograde transport via the optic nerve. A recent report that used a recombinant strain of PRV Bartha (PRV152) expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein demonstrated that SCN infection actually results from retrograde transneuronal transport of the virus via the autonomic innervation of the eye in the golden hamster. In the present study using the rat, the pattern of infection after intravitreal inoculation with PRV152 was examined to determine if infection of the rat SCN is also restricted to retrograde transsynaptic transport. It was observed that infection in preganglionic autonomic nuclei (i.e., Edinger‐Westphal nucleus, superior salivatory nucleus, and intermediolateral nucleus) precedes infection in the SCN. Sympathetic superior cervical ganglionectomy did not abolish label in the SCN after intraocular infection, nor did lesions of parasympathetic preganglionic neurons in the Edinger‐Westphal nucleus. However, combined Edinger‐Westphal nucleus ablation and superior cervical ganglionectomy eliminated infection of the SCN. This observation allowed a detailed examination of the SCN contribution to descending autonomic circuits afferent to the eye. The results indicate that in the rat, as in the hamster, SCN infection after intraocular PRV152 inoculation is by retrograde transsynaptic transport via autonomic pathways to the eye. J. Comp. Neurol. 471:298–313, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
History of Ultrasound in Cardiology

n keeping with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), I was asked to write a brief article on the history of ultrasound in cardiology. This is meant to be a commentary on cardiac ultrasound in the United States. It will emphasize early development and include key events and contributions in the field and also will indicate how the events have led to the current state of the art. Obviously, it is impossible to mention all the important contributors to this dynamic and important field in diagnostic medicine, and my omission of any of the many individuals who have so contributed does not minimize their efforts and contributions. It was not a conscious effort on my part but a constraint of the limit on editorial space. I do hope that this commentary represents a fair historical account of where we have been and hope to go.
Packet Delivery Performance of Simple Cooperative Relaying in Real-World Car-to-Car Communications

We evaluate the packet delivery performance of low-complex cooperative relaying in car-to-car communications by real-world measurements. The ratio and temporal correlation of packet delivery are evaluated for suburban and highway environments using three cars equipped with programmable radios and serving as sender, relay, and destination. We compare the relaying performance to that of pure time diversity and show how temporal autocorrelation of packet delivery is a key factor in whether or not relaying exhibits benefits. Results are relevant in the design of relay selection protocols, as they give guidelines for the affordable selection delay.
The Effects of Company Image and Communication Platform Alignment on Investor Information Processing

Motivated by firms' increasing use of new media technology for investor communications, we investigate how alignment between company image and communication platform affects investor judgment and decision making. In our first experiment, we demonstrate that investors expect alignment between firm image and the perception of the new media communication platform managers choose for investor relations. In a second experiment, we examine how this alignment affects investor judgment and decision-making. We predict and find that greater platform-image alignment leads investors to experience subjective ease of processing, but does not change investment amounts. Additionally, we demonstrate an approach to conducting an explicit test of a null hypothesis by evaluating the convergence of null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) and Bayesian methods. Our findings have implications for researchers, firms, and investors and add to a growing literature on new media disclosure.
Dynamic Programming Approach to a Two Machine Flow Shop Sequencing with Two-Step-Prior-Job Dependent Setup Times

The purpose of this study is to develop an effective scheduling methodology for a realistic flow shop sequencing problem. The flow shop consists of two machines where only the first machine has separable, external, and sequence dependent setup times. The length of setup times required for a job depends not on the immediately preceding job but on the job which is two steps prior to it. The problem is solved by a backward dynamic programming with the objective of minimizing the makespan. An optimal schedule is found and its performance is examined through a simulation study.
Gain tuning in discrete-time adaptive control for robots

This paper presents a gain tuning method according to the sampling period in discrete-time adaptive control for robots. Gain matrices of model-based adaptive control in a continuous-time system are allowed high gain positive definite. However, the maximum of the gains depends on the sampling time, and gain tuning is a very time consuming work. Therefore, it is desirable to give an insight of gain tuning in discrete-time adaptive control. The proposed gain tuning consists of two steps. The first step is a gain tuning at the basic sampling time by a skillful specialist by means of trial and error. The second step that is executed if the sampling period changes, is a new gain calculation based on a new sampling period. The simulation and experiments of 1-dof robot and 3-dof robot show that the proposed gain tuned controller is stable at the large variance of the sampling period changes and more accurate than the fixed gain controller.
An experience with the Global Trigger Tool for the study of adverse events in a medical ward

Background: Health care provision is associated with adverse events (AEs) which harm hospitalized patients. Objectives: To study AEs in a medical ward. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, observational and retrospective study was conducted from 1 September 2014 to 31 December 2014 in a medical ward of the Algarve Hospital Center. The instrument used to identify the AEs was the Global Trigger Tool (GTT). All the patients who were discharged between 1 January 2014 and 30 September 2014 were listed. Results: The interrater agreement concerning the AE classification, using the Kappa value, proved to be perfect. A total of 278 triggers were identified, of which 124 resulted in AEs: 44.6% of AEs occurred during the hospitalization, and 9.4% of the patients presented AEs at the moment of admission. We found a total of 62.63 AEs per 1,000 patient days, 137.8 AE per 100 admissions, and one AE in 31.1% of the cases during hospitalization. Conclusion: The GGT proved to be a useful tool to analyze AEs in hospital settings.
The importance of employee hospitability and perceived price in the hotel industry

The main objective of this study was to determine the impact of employee hospitability on customer satisfaction, the impact of customer satisfaction on behavioural intentions, and the moderate effect of the perceived price in this relationship. Structural Equation Modelling was used to analyse the specified relationships. It was proved that employee hospitability affects customer satisfaction, and customer satisfaction affects both the repurchase intention and word-of-mouth (WOM) positively. In addition, when customers were divided into two groups, it was proved that the relationship between customer satisfaction and WOM is stronger in the unreasonable price perception group.
Validation of picogram- and femtogram-input DNA libraries for microscale metagenomics

High-throughput sequencing libraries are typically limited by the requirement for nanograms to micrograms of input DNA. This bottleneck impedes the microscale analysis of ecosystems and the exploration of low biomass samples. Current methods for amplifying environmental DNA to bypass this bottleneck introduce considerable bias into metagenomic profiles. Here we describe and validate a simple modification of the Illumina Nextera XT DNA library preparation kit which allows creation of shotgun libraries from sub-nanogram amounts of input DNA. Community composition was reproducible down to 100 fg of input DNA based on analysis of a mock community comprising 54 phylogenetically diverse Bacteria and Archaea. The main technical issues with the low input libraries were a greater potential for contamination, limited DNA complexity which has a direct effect on assembly and binning, and an associated higher percentage of read duplicates. We recommend a lower limit of 1 pg (∼100–1,000 microbial cells) to ensure community composition fidelity, and the inclusion of negative controls to identify reagent-specific contaminants. Applying the approach to marine surface water, pronounced differences were observed between bacterial community profiles of microliter volume samples, which we attribute to biological variation. This result is consistent with expected microscale patchiness in marine communities. We thus envision that our benchmarked, slightly modified low input DNA protocol will be beneficial for microscale and low biomass metagenomics.
Classification of Cities of Isfahan Province on the Basis of Indicators of Electronic Tourism

Nowadays, electronic-tourism is considered as one of the biggest economic sectors in most countries. Our country also must take some steps to develop it. One of the basic actions of electronic tourism development is classification of electronictourism infrastructure in different zones of a province and a balanced distribution of infrastructures and adjusted inequality in different regions. The study area is the vast province of Isfahan in central Iran, including 23 of the cities and is the leading province in the field of information technology. In addition to the study of electronic-tourism and information technology and its spatial distribution among the different cities of the Isfahan province, this study is used to classify and level these cities based on the electronic-tourism indicators including infrastructures of information technology using TOPSIS model So, realizing the infrastructures and classification them within the mentioned regions helps to have a better management on tourists and develop electronic tourism. The research method adopted here is descriptive - analytical and survey. TOPSIS model and SPSS software were used for analyzing the data. Preliminary results indicate that referring the considered criteria for leveling the cities ,some cities such as Isfahan, Shahin Shahr and Khomeini Shahr, are in first to third grade, respectively in electronic –tourism indicators. Fereidoonshahr and Semirom also have been graded as last ones.