Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of glomerular filtration rate in cancer patients by an equation for Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate.

BACKGROUND Assessment of renal function is important for safe cancer chemotherapy, and eligibility criteria for clinical trials often include creatinine clearance. However, creatinine clearance overestimates glomerular filtration rate, and various new formulae have been proposed to estimate glomerular filtration rate. Because these were developed mostly in patients with chronic kidney disease, we evaluated their validity in cancer patients without kidney disease. METHODS Glomerular filtration rate was measured by inulin clearance in 45 Japanese cancer patients, and compared with creatinine clearance measured by 24-h urine collection as well as that estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula, Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate developed in chronic kidney disease patients, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations were adjusted for the Japanese population by multiplying by 0.808 and 0.813, respectively. RESULTS The mean inulin clearance was 79.2 ± 18.7 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Bias values to estimate glomerular filtration rate for Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate, the Cockcroft-Gault formula, creatinine clearance measured by 24-h urine collection, the 0.808 × Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation and the 0.813 × Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation were 0.94, 9.75, 29.67, 5.26 and -0.92 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. Precision (root-mean square error) was 14.7, 22.4, 39.8, 16.0 and 14.1 ml/min, respectively. Of the scatter plots of inulin clearance versus each estimation formula, the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate correlated most accurately with actual measured inulin clearance. CONCLUSION The Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate and the 0.813 × Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation estimated glomerular filtration rate with lower bias and higher precision than the other formulae. We therefore propose Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate in Japanese cancer patients.
Has the reduction of employment been efficient in the restructuring of banks in Europe? An insight into the overbranched sector in Spain

ABSTRACT This study examines whether the reduction of the number of employees has actually been efficient in the restructuring undertaken in the European banking sector, focusing on the case of Spain but providing insight into restructuring and downsizing issues similar in other southern countries in Europe. In Spain, the concentration process has been more intense because of the financial crisis. For this purpose, the evolution of the number of employees in the subsector of the listed banks was analyzed during the 2003–2012 period in order to have a timespan that would enable the diverse hypotheses to be verified under the double scenario of the economic boom (2003–2007) and the subsequent financial crisis (2008–2012). It was also during this second period when savings banks disappeared and had to be converted into banks; meanwhile, other entities were involved in mergers, acquisitions, and also in hybrid and innovative formulas of concentration as the Institutional Protection Schemes (IPS). This transformation has given rise to a marked reduction of the commercial network. In this context, employment has been adversely affected. Using a model of linear regression with panel data, the results enable us to confirm that none of the findings obtained examining the relationship between downsizing and the increase of corporate efficiency allow us to conclude that the impact has been positive, as significant differences cannot be appreciated between the reduction of personnel and corporate efficiency.
Designing a computer-supported collaborative learning situation for broadening and deepening understanding of the space of debate.

In the continuation of research on the role of socio-cognitive conflict in cooperative learning (Doise and Mugny, 1981), it has been conjectured that the cooperative resolution of such conflicts in argumentative interactions could be the most important factor (Mevarech & Light, 1991). More recent research has begun to elucidate the processes by which the types of argumentative interactions that arise spontaneously during cooperative problem solving can lead to co-construction of knowledge (Baker, 1996, 1999). For example, the interactional pressure imposed by mutually recognised verbal conflict can lead students to refine meanings, to dissociate notions and to elaborate more coherent discourses, either during argumentation phases, or else as a means of resolving, dissolving or closing them.
Immune Evasion Proteins of Murine Cytomegalovirus Preferentially Affect Cell Surface Display of Recently Generated Peptide Presentation Complexes

ABSTRACT For recognition of infected cells by CD8 T cells, antigenic peptides are presented at the cell surface, bound to major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. Downmodulation of cell surface MHC-I molecules is regarded as a hallmark function of cytomegalovirus-encoded immunoevasins. The molecular mechanisms by which immunoevasins interfere with the MHC-I pathway suggest, however, that this downmodulation may be secondary to an interruption of turnover replenishment and that hindrance of the vesicular transport of recently generated peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes to the cell surface is the actual function of immunoevasins. Here we have used the model of murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV) infection to provide experimental evidence for this hypothesis. To quantitate pMHC complexes at the cell surface after infection in the presence and absence of immunoevasins, we generated the recombinant viruses mCMV-SIINFEKL and mCMV-Δm06m152-SIINFEKL, respectively, expressing the Kb-presented peptide SIINFEKL with early-phase kinetics in place of an immunodominant peptide of the viral carrier protein gp36.5/m164. The data revealed ∼10,000 Kb molecules presenting SIINFEKL in the absence of immunoevasins, which is an occupancy of ∼10% of all cell surface Kb molecules, whereas immunoevasins reduced this number to almost the detection limit. To selectively evaluate their effect on preexisting pMHC complexes, cells were exogenously loaded with SIINFEKL peptide shortly after infection with mCMV-SIINFEKA, in which endogenous presentation is prevented by an L174A mutation of the C-terminal MHC-I anchor residue. The data suggest that pMHC complexes present at the cell surface in advance of immunoevasin gene expression are downmodulated due to constitutive turnover in the absence of resupply.
Characterization and DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity of Gallic Acid-Lecithin Complex

Purpose : To investigate the physicochemical properties and DPPH radical scavenging activity of gallic acid–lecithin complex Methods : The complex of gallic acid with lecithin was prepared by solvent method. The physicochemical properties of the complex were investigated by ultraviolet-visible spectrometry (UV), infrared spectrometry (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray diffractometry (XRD). Antioxidant activity was examined b 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Results : The UV and IR spectra of the complex showed an additive effect of gallic acid and lecithin, in which the characteristic absorption peaks of gallic acid and lecithin were retained. SEM suggests that gallic acid was dispersed into lecithin while DSC and XRD results for the complex mainly showed the presence of lecithin with the characteristic peaks for gallic acid absent. At all concentrations of the complex (0.2 - 1.0 mg/mL), the DPPH radical scavenging activity of the complex was higher than that of the reference antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Conclusion : Gallic acid and lecithin in the complex are combined by a non-covalent bond, and did not form a new compound. The complex is an effective scavenger of DPPH radicals. Keywords : Gallic acid, Lecithin, Complex, Antioxidant
Photoperiodic Control of Carbon Distribution during the Floral Transition in Arabidopsis[C][W][OPEN]

The distribution of carbon resources from starch to soluble sugars is crucial to fuel the diverse physiological processes that take place during the floral transition. A multidisciplinary study supports the control of sugar mobilization in Arabidopsis during photoperiodic flowering through regulation of GRANULE BOUND STARCH SYNTHASE expression by the key photoperiodic regulator CONSTANS. Flowering is a crucial process that demands substantial resources. Carbon metabolism must be coordinated with development through a control mechanism that optimizes fitness for any physiological need and growth stage of the plant. However, how sugar allocation is controlled during the floral transition is unknown. Recently, the role of a CONSTANS (CO) ortholog (Cr-CO) in the control of the photoperiod response in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and its influence on starch metabolism was demonstrated. In this work, we show that transitory starch accumulation and glycan composition during the floral transition in Arabidopsis thaliana are regulated by photoperiod. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, we demonstrate a role for CO in regulating the level and timing of expression of the GRANULE BOUND STARCH SYNTHASE (GBSS) gene. Furthermore, we provide a detailed characterization of a GBSS mutant involved in transitory starch synthesis and analyze its flowering time phenotype in relation to its altered capacity to synthesize amylose and to modify the plant free sugar content. Photoperiod modification of starch homeostasis by CO may be crucial for increasing the sugar mobilization demanded by the floral transition. This finding contributes to our understanding of the flowering process.
An Equivalent Lumped Circuit Model for Thin Avalanche Photodiodes With Nonuniform Electric Field Profile

A staircase approximation method is deployed to model nonuniform field in the multiplication region and its surrounding ambient of a thin avalanche photodiode (APD). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first instance of introducing an equivalent circuit model that is taking the effect of the electric field profile in a thin APD's multiplication region and its surroundings into account. This equivalent circuit model that is developed from the carriers' rate equations also includes the effect of the tunneling current. The tunneling current that can be induced as a small current injected into the multiplication region results in an enhanced model behavior at high reverse bias voltages near breakdown. The output current obtained from the proposed model is compared with available experimental data. This comparison reveals excellent model accuracy, in regard to the current levels and prediction of breakdown voltages for both photo and dark currents. Moreover, simulations demonstrate ability of the present model for gain-bandwidth analysis.
Generation of Influenza A Viruses with Chimeric (Type A/B) Hemagglutinins

ABSTRACT To gain insight into the intertypic incompatibility between type A and B influenza viruses, we focused on the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, systematically studying the compatibility of chimeric (type A/B) HAs with a type A genetic background. An attempt to generate a reassortant containing an intact type B HA segment in a type A virus background by reverse genetics was unsuccessful despite transcription of the type B HA segment by the type A polymerase complex. Although a type A virus with a chimeric HA segment comprising the entire coding sequence of the type B HA flanked by the noncoding sequence of the type A HA was viable, it replicated only marginally. Other chimeric viruses contained type A/B HAs possessing the type A noncoding region together with either the signal peptide or transmembrane/cytoplasmic region of type A virus or both, with the remaining regions derived from the type B HA. Each of these viruses grew to median tissue culture infectious doses of more than 105 per ml, but those with more type A HA regions replicated better, suggesting protein-protein interactions or increased HA segment incorporation into virions as contributing factors in the efficient growth of this series of viruses. All of these chimeric (A/B) HA viruses were attenuated in mice compared with wild-type A or B viruses. All animals intranasally immunized with a chimeric virus survived upon challenge with a lethal dose of wild-type type B virus. These results suggest a framework for the design of a novel live vaccine virus.
Essays in Industrial Organization and Consumer Policy

This thesis contains three distinct, single-authored papers that are all related to the field of industrial organization. Chapter 2 proposes an empirical framework that allows to estimate the degree of industry competition and the degree of horizontal integration of merging firms. Thus, this chapter is also linked to the field of organizational economics. Chapters 3 and 4 analyze the effects of consumer biases on market outcomes and assess the effectiveness of specific consumer protection policies. These chapters also relate to the field of behavioral economics.
New Public Management in a Scandinavian context

This chapter gives an overview of the main NPM reforms and trends in the Nordic countries. The idea of a uniform Scandinavian model of NPM is discussed – the chapter presents the different countries as members of a shared public administration tradition, albeit with different traits and particular reforms. The Swedish constitution and the organization of the public sector in a centralized and a two-part local government structure are presented, both as a backdrop to the subsequent chapters and for a reflection about whether there is a uniqueness to be found in the Swedish NPM initiatives. The long history of decentralized public decision-making and its ramifications on the structure of the Swedish public-sector organization is given special attention. From a Scandinavian perspective, the public-sector structures and characteristics in Norway, Denmark and Finland are presented, by which the idea of a single Scandinavian model for all is discussed and contested. (Less)
A 3-Phase AC–AC Matrix Converter GaN Chipset With Drive-by-Microwave Technology

This paper describes an ultracompact GaN 3 × 3 matrix power converter with drive-by-microwave (DBM) technology, which comprises a radio frequency (RF)-triggered GaN-gate injection transistor (GIT) bidirectional power switches integration chip with co-integrated RF rectifiers, novel isolated dividing couplers in a printed circuit board to reduce complicated gate lines, and low-consumption GaN/Si DBM gate driver on a chip that controls nine bi-directional power switches. The proposed 4.0-kW GaN 3 × 3 matrix power converter is extremely compact, measuring only 18 × 25 mm due to the use of GaN-GIT power device integration technology and DBM technology that provides isolated gate signals by microwave wireless power transmission and eliminates the need for photo-couplers and isolated power supplies. The GaN/Si DBM driver realizes low power consumption of only 2.0 W as a result of gate power sharing with three RF oscillators. The sequential switching operation by the fabricated GaN 3 × 3 matrix converter was successfully achieved.
Discussion of “Combining Health Data Uses to Ignite Health System Learning”

Summary This article is part of a For-Discussion-Section of Methods of Information in Medicine about the paper “Combining Health Data Uses to Ignite Health System Learning” written by John D. Ainsworth and Iain E. Buchan [1]. It is introduced by an editorial. This article contains the combined commentaries invited to independently comment on the paper of Ainsworth and Buchan. In subsequent issues the discussion can continue through letters to the editor. With these comments on the paper “Combining Health Data Uses to Ignite Health System Learning”, written by John D. Ainsworth and Iain E. Buchan [1], the journal seeks to stimulate a broad discussion on new ways for combining data sources for the reuse of health data in order to identify new opportunities for health system learning. An international group of experts has been invited by the editor of Methods to comment on this paper. Each of the invited commentaries forms one section of this paper.
Effective Practices for Inclusive Programs: A Technical Assistance Planning Guide.

This technical assistance planning guide was developed as part of the PEERS (Providing Education for Everyone in Regular Schools) Project, a California project to facilitate the integration of students with severe disabilities previously at special centers into services at regular school sites and to facilitate the integration of students in special classes in regular schools into general education. The guide emphasizes building the capacity of states, school districts, and school sites to provide quality educational programs to students with disabilities in integrated and inclusive environments by providing a framework of technical assistance activities. The guide stresses local ownership and provides self-assessment checklists to evaluate practices at the state, district, and school building levels. After an introduction and suggestions for using the guide, the guide lists (with references) practices shown to be effective at each level. The next three sections address state level planning, district level planning, and building level planning respectively. Provided for each level is an "Effective Practice Checklist," specification of effective practices and supportive strategies, and a "Resource Planning Guide. " Checklists and planning forms are appended. (Contains 406 references). (DB) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** U.S. DINNTININT OF ROUCATION Office of Educatoner Reerch sod imensimet EDUCATIONAL RESOUR RCES (ERIC) INFORMATION CENTE OXa document Ms been moms:WNW es received from the person of organizsteen originating It 0 Nino; changes have been made to wnprove rproductfOO Quality Points of view Of OPMOM Meted th <Wumon( 'SO not oCOSilfoty footmen! °Moat OE Ri position or pof.cy EFFECTIVE PRACTICES FOR INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS: A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PLANNING GUIDE Marlene Simon Patricia Karasoff California Research Institute* San Francisco State University Anne Smith United States Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs With Contributions From: Ann Halvorsen California State University, Hayward Tom Neary California state University, Sacramento PEERS Project California State Depirtment of Education
Observations on the formation of deletions on monomeric and dimeric plasmids in Escherichia coli

We have studied the formation of spontaneous mutations on plasmids present In the monomeric and dimeric states in a recF strain of Escherichia coli. Two test systems were employed: (i) the precise excision of Tn5 from the tetA gene of the plasmid pBR322 and (ii) operator constitutive (Oc) mutations on the pBR322‐derived plasmid pPY97. The rate of Oc mutations was increased by a factor of three when this plasmid was present in the dimeric state compared to the monomeric state and the Oc phenotype was caused by small deletions in the operator sequence. No apparent mutational hot‐spot was found. The rate of Tn5 excision was increased on dimeric compared to monomeric plasmids. Excision from a dimeric plasmid usually resulted in two types of mutant plasmids; a dimeric plasmid, where the Tn5 had excised from one of the plasmid units, and a monomeric parental pBR322. A mechanism to account for this is suggested. Complementation tests revealed that the increased mutation rate on dimeric plasmids is the result of dimers being mutaphilic per se, rather than the result of a general, trans‐acting increase in mutation rates of the host, induced by the presence of the dimeric plasmid. Furthermore, it was found that the rate of Tn5 excision from plasmids in the monomeric state was increased when the region carrying the inserted Tn5 was duplicated.
How high are carrier frequencies of rare recessive syndromes? Contemporary estimates for Fanconi Anemia in the United States and Israel

For many recessive genetic syndromes, carrier frequencies have been assessed through screening studies in founder populations but remain unclear in heterogeneous populations. One such syndrome is Fanconi Anemia (FA). FA is a model disease in cancer research, yet there are no contemporary data on carrier frequency or prevalence in the general United States (US) population or elsewhere. We inferred carrier frequency from birth incidence using the Hardy–Weinberg law. We estimated prevalence using birth incidence and survival data. We defined “plausible ranges” to incorporate uncertainty about completeness of case ascertainment. We made estimates for the US and Israel using demographic data from the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund and Israeli Fanconi Anemia Registry. In the US, a plausible range for the carrier frequency is 1:156–1:209 [midpoint 1:181]; we estimate that 550–975 persons were living with FA in 2010. For Israel, a plausible range for the carrier frequency is 1:66–1:128 [midpoint 1:93] in line with founder screening studies; we estimate that 40–135 Israelis were living with FA in 2008. The estimated US FA carrier frequency of 1:181 is significantly higher than the historical estimate of 1:300; hence, the gap may be narrower than previously recognized between the US carrier frequency and higher carrier frequencies of around 1:100 in several founder groups including Ashkenazi Jews. Assessment of cancer risks in heterozygous carriers merits further study. Clinical trials in FA will require co‐ordination and innovative design because the number of living US patients is probably less than 1,000. Published 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tetrahydrobiopterin and Total Biopterin Content of Neuroblastoma (N1E‐115, N2A) and Pheochromocytoma (PC‐12) Clones and the Dependence of Catecholamine Synthesis on Tetrahydrobiopterin Concentration in PC‐12 Cells

Abstract: Tetrahydrobiopterin content was determined in several clonal cell lines by reversed‐phase HPCL and subsequent electrochemical detection. The same chromatography system was used to determine the total biopterin (tetrahydrobiopterin and 7,8‐dihydrobiopterin) by fluorescence detection. The catecholamine‐producing clones neuroblastoma N1E‐115 and pheochromocytoma PC‐12 contained 96 and 60 ng tetrahydrobiopterin/mg protein, respectively. The corresponding amount for the neuroblastoma clone N2A was 36 ng/mg protein. The tetrahydrobiopterin content in C‐6 glioma cells was below the limit of detection. The total biopterin is about 20% above the tetrahydrobiopterin content. Tetrahydrobiopterin and biopterin from the cells were identified by coelution with standard solutions and by potential‐current relationship or emission and excitation spectra, respectively. Addition of 2,4‐diamino‐6‐hydroxypyrimidine, an inhibitor of biopterin synthesis from GTP, to the culture medium of PC‐12 cells resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease of tetrahydrobiopterin and total biopterin content within 4 h, suggesting that the cells are capable of synthesising the biopterin which was found. A decrease in intracellular tetrahydrobiopterin levels by different concentrations of 2,4‐diamino‐6‐hydroxypyrimidine reduces the cellular production of dihydroxyphenylalanine after inhibition of aromatic L‐amino acid decarboxylase, indicating that the concentration of tetrahydrobiopterin might be a limiting factor for catecholamine synthesis in catecholamine‐producing cells.