Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MEDPREP—30 Years of Making a Difference

The Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has served over 1,000 educationally or economically disadvantaged students since its inception in 1972. Seventy-eight percent of the former students (95% of the current students) are members of AAMC-defined underrepresented minority groups (URMs). Over the course of its 30-year history, 68% of the students have been accepted to professional schools, with 92% being accepted to medical schools and attending 90 different medical schools in the country. Of those accepted to professional schools, 87% have graduated or are expected to graduate. MEDPREP has had this impact on the profession by staying true to its original mission, assisting minority students and other students with disadvantaged backgrounds to prepare for admission and success in medical school. MEDPREP is an environment of high expectations, teamwork, personal growth, and opportunities to achieve goals. Students are served by an advisor who helps structure an individualized curriculum designed to develop a knowledge base and learning and reasoning skills. The success of the program is due to the school's commitment and support, the faculty who serve the students, and the sacrifice and hard work of the MEDPREP students.
“Rolling” phenomenon in twin screw granulation with controlled-release excipients

Abstract The developed knowledge regarding use of twin screw granulators for continuous wet granulation has been primarily limited to immediate release formulations in the literature. The present study highlights an issue previously unreported for wet granulation with twin screw extruders when using formulations containing controlled-release (CR) excipients. Long (3–10 mm), twisted noodle-like granules can be produced in the presence of these excipients that are difficult to control and are anticipated to create complications in downstream unit operations to the granulator. Working with two different CR excipients, METHOCEL™ K4M and Kollidon® SR, each blended at different ratios with a mixture of 80% α-lactose monohydrate/20% microcrystalline cellulose, these unique particles were found to be produced in the conveying elements of the extruder, arising from a rolling action at the top of the screw flights. The CR excipients adhesively strengthen the wetted mass, forming this undesired granule shape such that they persisted to the exit of the machine; the shape appeared most strongly affected by screw speed, producing particles of higher aspect ratio as speed was increased. Adjusting the concentration of these CR excipients in the formulation, the flow rate or the type of compression element used in the screws proved ineffective in controlling the problem. Rather, a re-design of the extruder screws was required to prevent generation of these extended-form granules.
The conformation of the sarcin/ricin loop from 28S ribosomal RNA.

The sarcin/ricin loop is a highly conserved sequence found in the RNA of all large ribosomal subunits. The cytotoxins alpha-sarcin and ricin both inactivate ribosomes by cleaving a single bond in that loop. Once it has been attacked, ribosomes no longer interact with elongation factors properly, and translation stops. We have determined the conformation of the sarcin/ricin loop by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy using E73, a 29-nucleotide RNA that has the sarcin/ricin loop sequence and that is sensitive to both toxins in vitro. The sarcin/ricin loop has a compact structure that contains several purine.purine base pairs, a GAGA tetraloop, and a bulged guanosine adjacent to a reverse Hoogsteen A.U pair. It is stabilized by an unusual set of cross-strand base-stacking interactions and imino proton to phosphate oxygen hydrogen bonds. In addition to having interesting structural features, this model explains many of the biochemical observations made about the loop's structure and its reactivity with cytotoxins, and it sheds light on the loop's interactions with elongation factors.
The Costs/Benefits of a Common Monetary Policy in France and Germany and Possible Lessons for Monetary Union

In order to study the costs/benefits of a monetary union between Germany and France, we attempt to go beyond a mere focus on asymmetries and examine what each country would have lost or gained had there been a common monetary policy. We try to identify the macroeconomic effects of such a change within a structural VAR model, which is first estimated by employing mixed long-run and short-run identification schemes, and subsequently simulated under the restrictions of a common monetary policy. Our analysis centres on the effect of identical monetary policy on movements in output, inflation and the current account. We also study the effects on interest rate differentials in order to draw possible inferences about monetary integration. Based on the usual interpretations of national preferences in both countries, the results imply that, if anything, Germany would lose from any French participation in the setting of domestic monetary policy. By contrast, however, France would clearly gain from corresponding German participation in French decision-making.
Advertising and Product Quality in Posted-Offer Experiments

Sellers select both price and quality, but buyers have limited information about those choices in the experiments reported here. Market efficiency is high under full information with truthful advertising of prices and qualities, but is much lower with no advertising of price or quality. Efficiency does not improve when sellers were permitted to advertise price, but not quality, and in half of these experiments "lemons" outcomes occur. Although the range of outcomes is great, it cannot be claimed that price advertising improves efficiency when quality is unknown. Copyright 1990 by Oxford University Press.
Toxoplasmosis in rats (Rattus norvegicus): congenital transmission to first and second generation offspring and isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from seronegative rats

To study congenital transmission of Toxoplasma gondii during acute and chronic infections, 4 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were each fed 10000 oocysts of the VEG strain. Toxoplasma gondii was recovered from 33, 55, 83 and 57% of rats (F1) when dams were inoculated at 6, 9, 12 or 15 days of gestation, respectively. Progeny of 15 congenitally infected female rats were examined for T. gondii. Toxoplasma gondii was recovered from tissues of 1 of 155 rats (F2) born to congenitally infected dams. A total of 4 (F2) females were mated; 0 of 40 (F3) rats born to them were infected. None of the acutely infected 4 dams that had given birth to congenitally infected litters produced congenitally infected offspring during the second pregnancy. Thus, unlike mice, evidence for repeated congenital transmission of T. gondii in the rat was found in <1% of cases. Of the 16 congenitally T. gondii infected pups with demonstrable tissue cysts, 5 were seronegative (<1[ratio ]4) in the Sabin-Feldman dye test and 5 were seronegative (<1[ratio ]20) in the modified agglutination test by the use of whole formalinized tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol.
Who Governs Finance? The Shifting Public–Private Divide in the Regulation of Derivatives, Rating Agencies and Hedge Funds

The division of responsibilities in the regulation and supervision of financial markets between ‘public’ regulatory agencies and ‘private’ market actors is not fixed; it has radically changed across time. This paper argues that the financial crisis of 2007–2009 has triggered the latest turn in the ‘public–private’ divide in the regulation of finance. Focusing in particular on the extensive reforms that have been introduced in the regulation of over‐the‐counter derivatives, credit rating agencies and hedge funds in Europe and internationally, this paper argues that the response to the financial crisis has brought to a halt the reliance on self‐regulation and market discipline as primary regulatory mechanisms that had characterised the approach of regulators prior to the crisis. However, while public regulatory agencies have consolidated in their hands the authority to regulate and oversee markets previously left outside their regulatory oversight, the content and the purpose of their regulatory intervention continue to present significant element of continuity with the pre‐crisis regulatory model.
Ship detection and velocity estimation in quad polarimetric SAR images from pursuit monostatic mode of TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X

To explore the capability of quad polarimetric SAR images from a new pursuit monostatic mode of TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X, a novel process chain for ship detection and velocity estimation is proposed in this paper. Compared with the classic processing chain used for single SAR image, more efficient techniques are integrated into this novel chain, which take advantage of the new image mode and its excellent imaging quality in term of the radiometric and geometric accuracies. Land masking based on coherence optimization and ship velocity estimation depended on the difference of positions from individual images are proposed as significant improvements in the new process chain. Their efficiency is validated with the experimental SAR images acquired over East China Sea. The experimental results show that the land regions and small islands are entirely removed and the estimation results of ship velocity is close to the ground truth from automatic identification system (AIS) data.
What Works? A Meta Analysis of Recent Active Labor Market Program Evaluations

We present a meta-analysis of impact estimates from over 200 recent econometric evaluations of active labor market programs from around the world. We classify estimates by program type and participant group, and distinguish between three different post-program time horizons. Using meta-analytic models for the effect size of a given estimate (for studies that model the probability of employment) and for the sign and significance of the estimate (for all the studies in our sample) we conclude that: (1) average impacts are close to zero in the short run, but become more positive 2-3 years after completion of the program; (2) the time profile of impacts varies by type of program, with larger gains for programs that emphasize human capital accumulation; (3) there is systematic heterogeneity across participant groups, with larger impacts for females and participants who enter from long term unemployment; (4) active labor market programs are more likely to show positive impacts in a recession.
Temperature dependence of anaphase chromosome velocity and microtubule depolymerization

The time course of chromosome movement and decay of half-spindle birefringence retardation in anaphase have been precisely determined in the endosperm cell of a plant Tilia americana and in the egg of an animal Asterias forbesi. For each species, the anaphase retardation decay rate constant and chromosome velocity are similar exponential functions of temperature. Over the temperature range at which these cells can complete anaphase, chromosome velocity and retardation rate constant yield a positive linear relationship when plotted against each other. At the higher temperatures where the chromosomes move faster, the spindle retardation decays faster, even though the absolute spindle retardation is greater. Chromosome velocity thus parallels the anaphase spindle retardation decay rate, or rate of spindle microtubule depolymerization, rather than absolute spindle retardation, or the amount of microtubules in the spindle. These observations suggest that a common mechanism exists for mitosis in plant and animal cells. The rate of anaphase chromosome movement is associated with an apparent first-order process of spindle fiber disassembly. This process irreversibly prevents spindle fiber subunits from participating in the polymerization equilibrium and removes microtubular subunits from chromosomal spindle fibers.
Does rent control cause homelessness? taking the claim seriously

2; _ __ Institute of . I University of Business and California, ‘ I Economic Research Berkeley CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE AND URBAN ECONOMICS WORKING PAPER SERIES WORKING PAPER NO. 89-167 DOES RENT CONTROL CAUSE HOMELESSNESS? TAKING THE CLAIM SERIOUSLY _ BY JOHN M. Qu IGLEY These papers are preliminary in nature: their purpose I5 to stimulate di snon and comment. Ther re. they , are not to be cited or ed ‘ ny publication with ex 5 permission of the am . GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound for differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: an updated meta-analysis

Aim We aim to assess the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (CE-EUS) for pancreatic cancer and inflammatory lesions by pooling current evidence. Materials and Methods A systematical search of PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was performed from inception to January 2016. Two authors independently screened and extracted detailed data from included studies. A random effect model was adopted to estimate the pooled sensitivity, specificity in order to determine the diagnostic ablitity of CE-EUS. Furthermore, we conducted the meta-regression and subgroup analyses to explore possible heterogeneity. Results Eighteen eligible studies enrolling 1668 patients were finally included in the study. The pooled sensitivity of CE-EUS for distinguishing pancreatic cancers from solid inflammatory masses was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91–0.94), and the specificity was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.84–0.90). The area under summary receiver operating characteristic curve yielded 0.97. No publication bias was observed by Deeks’ funnel plot in current meta-analysis. Conclusions We provided evidence that CE-EUS is a promising modality for differential diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Further multicenter prospective studies should be carried out to certify its utility.
Welfare, Work and Banking:  The Use of Consumer Credit by Current and Former Tanf Recipients  In Charlotte, North Carolina

ABSTRACT: Little is known about TANF recipients and leavers use of consumer credit. Using data from a 2001 North Carolina household survey of low-income households, we analyze banking and credit behavior of current and recent welfare recipients in Charlotte, North Carolina. Other things equal, TANF families are 70% less likely than other low-income families to have a bank account and much more likely to have participated in a credit counseling program. Except for more frequent contact with bill collectors and credit counselors, leavers are no different from other low income families struggling to make ends meet. Race also matters when it comes to accessing mainstream banking and credit systems. Targeted programs help TANF families gain greater access to the financial mainstream. When it comes to specialization programs, however, those involved in the welfare system are not very different from other poor families. However, by virtue of their formal involvement with TANF, this population can be more efficiently served than other low-income populations. For this reason and the desire to keep families from recycling back onto welfare rolls, TANF programs should address banking and credit issues.
RNA-Guided Genome Editing for Target Gene Mutations in Wheat

The clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has been used as an efficient tool for genome editing. We report the application of CRISPR-Cas–mediated genome editing to wheat (Triticum aestivum), the most important food crop plant with a very large and complex genome. The mutations were targeted in the inositol oxygenase (inox) and phytoene desaturase (pds) genes using cell suspension culture of wheat and in the pds gene in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. The expression of chimeric guide RNAs (cgRNA) targeting single and multiple sites resulted in indel mutations in all the tested samples. The expression of Cas9 or sgRNA alone did not cause any mutation. The expression of duplex cgRNA with Cas9 targeting two sites in the same gene resulted in deletion of DNA fragment between the targeted sequences. Multiplexing the cgRNA could target two genes at one time. Target specificity analysis of cgRNA showed that mismatches at the 3′ end of the target site abolished the cleavage activity completely. The mismatches at the 5′ end reduced cleavage, suggesting that the off target effects can be abolished in vivo by selecting target sites with unique sequences at 3′ end. This approach provides a powerful method for genome engineering in plants.
Survival, strobilation and sexual maturation of Echinococcus multilocularis in the small intestine of golden hamsters

Summary Echinococcus multilocularis survived, strobilated and matured sexually in the small intestine of 6-week-old male golden hamsters that were either non-treated or treated with prednisolone tertiary-butylacetate (PTBA), following oral administration of 20000 protoscoleces. Non-treated hamsters harboured the adult worms for up to 25 days post-infection (p.i.). Hamsters treated with PTBA from the day of infection (day 0 p.i.) harboured more adults than the non-treated, and their survival periods were extended. Moreover, a remarkable improvement in worm recovery, development and survival periods was observed in hamsters additionally treated with PTBA on days — 14 and — 12 p.i. , and the worm development including proglottisation, sexual maturation and egg formation was comparable with that in dogs. With the present results it is suggested that Echinococcus/rodent systems represented by the E. multilocularis/golden hamsters may rejuvenate the current stagnant research on host-parasite interactions of the definitive host-stage and egg-stage of Echinococcus.
Design of RF/Microwave efficient buildings using frequency selective surface

A band-pass frequency selective surface (FSS) which is designed on energy saving glass (ESG) with a layer of hard coating to improve the transmission of RF/Microwave signals through modern buildings is presented. A square loop and top loaded cross dipoles FSSs are combined to produce a dual band-pass filter, to improve the transmission of the most common UMTS and Wi-Fi signals, while maintaining the IR insulation properties of the ESG. An optimized design is presented, which attenuates less than 10 dB within the required microwave bands, while only reducing both the total coating area and IR attenuation by 12.35%. A stable response is achieved between 0° – 60° incident angles, for both TE and TM polarizations. Parametric studies on geometrical dimensions, substrate permittivity and thickness also help clarify the effects of these parameters upon the overall performance of FSS on hard coating ESG and the process of FSS design optimization.
Operator Assisted Dynamic Spectrum Assignment with Dual Beacons

Dynamic spectrum assignment refers to a new approach for radio regulation. Whereas today either command-and-control licensing, or alternatively unlicensed bands are used to coordinate the radio spectrum utilization, it is envisioned to coordinate the spectrum utilization in a more flexible way with the help of dynamic spectrum assignment. With this new approach, radio systems will share spectrum either horizontally with distributed spectrum allocation such as listen-before-talk and equal rights to access the radio spectrum, or vertically, where so-called primary radio systems have higher priority to access the radio spectrum than the so-called secondary radio systems. Horizontal and vertical spectrum sharing are often discussed in the context of opportunistic spectrum usage and cognitive (secondary) radio. To guarantee the spectrum access priorities when spectrum is shared, and to coordinate the vertical spectrum sharing between primary and cognitive radio systems, beaconing concepts are often proposed but criticized for their poor reliability in hidden station scenarios. In this paper, we introduce an improved beaconing concept that is based on operator assistance with two instead of one single beacon. Our analysis illustrates that our proposed dual beacon concept provides high flexibility and at the same time improves the reliability of spectrum coordination
Activation of Intrinsic Immune Responses and Microglial Phagocytosis in an Ex Vivo Spinal Cord Slice Culture Model of West Nile Virus Infection

ABSTRACT West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic flavivirus that causes significant neuroinvasive disease involving the brain and/or spinal cord. Experimental mouse models of WNV infection have established the importance of innate and adaptive immune responses in controlling the extent and severity of central nervous system (CNS) disease. However, differentiating between immune responses that are intrinsic to the CNS and those that are dependent on infiltrating inflammatory cells has proven difficult. We used a murine ex vivo spinal cord slice culture (SCSC) model to determine the innate immune processes specific to the CNS during WNV infections. By 7 days after ex vivo infection of SCSCs, the majority of neurons and a substantial percentage of astrocytes were infected with WNV, resulting in apoptotic cell death and astrogliosis. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the CNS, were activated by WNV infection, as exemplified by their amoeboid morphology, the development of filopodia and lamellipodia, and phagocytosis of WNV-infected cells and debris. Microglial cell activation was concomitant with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including CXCL10, CXCL1, CCL5, CCL3, CCL2, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The application of minocycline, an inhibitor of neuroinflammation, altered the WNV-induced proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine expression profile, with inhibited production of CCL5, CCL2, and IL-6. Our findings establish that CNS-resident cells have the capacity to initiate a robust innate immune response against WNV infection in the absence of infiltrating inflammatory cells and systemic immune responses. IMPORTANCE There are no specific treatments of proven efficacy available for WNV neuroinvasive disease. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of WNV CNS infection is crucial for the rational development of novel therapies. Development of a spinal cord slice culture (SCSC) model facilitates the study of WNV pathogenesis and allows investigation of the intrinsic immune responses of the CNS. Our studies demonstrate that robust CNS innate immune responses, including microglial activation and proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine production, develop independently of contributions from the peripheral immune system and CNS-infiltrating inflammatory cells.
The cohesion deficit in Structural Fund policy

The Structural Funds of the European Union have proved to be blunt policy instruments in serving their stated purpose of enhancing both economic and social cohesion. Cohesion policy is embedded in a context of inter-governmental bargaining on budgetary allocations which structures the core of the policy around the yardstick of GDP per capita. This complicates the targeting of the funds on real deprivation. Moreover, a pork barrel logic in policy implementation favours better organized and advantaged groups within regions. This situation, as well as the growing saliency of inequality issues at EU level, have raised concern with the question of 'who benefits? ' from cohesion policy.The European Commission, some member states and local actors are responding by developing efforts to tackle deprivation as experienced by EU citizens locally. However, they face important constraints in doing so, which raises broader questions about political representation and access to decision-making in the Union.