Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic importance of cytogenetic subgroups in de novo pediatric acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Reports of close associations between recurring chromosomal abnormalities and the clinical behavior of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) have stimulated efforts to define this disease in cytogenetic terms. Here we report on the leukemic cell karyotypes of 155 children with ANLL who were treated from 1980 to 1987 in consecutive programs of chemotherapy at this institution. Of 121 cases with adequate banding, 20% were normal, 30% had miscellaneous clonal abnormalities, and 50% were classified into known cytogenetic subgroups: inv(16)/del(16q) (n = 15), t(8; 21) (n = 14), t(15;17) (n = 9), t(9;11) (n = 9), t(11;V)/del(11q) (n = 7) and -7/del(7q) (n = 6). The inv(16)/del(16q) cases showed a nearly equal distribution of myelocytic and monocytic French-American-British (FAB) subtypes; only four of these patients presented with M4Eo morphology. Despite a 100% remission induction rate, patients with inv(16)/del(16q)-positive ANLL fared no better overall than the entire group; only 40% of this subgroup were event-free survivors at 2 years from diagnosis (P = .23). Patients with inv(16)/del(16q) frequently had CNS involvement at diagnosis (eight of 15) or initially relapsed in this site (three of eight). Event-free survival (EFS) was clearly superior for young patients with FAB M5 leukemia and the t(9;11) (P = .041). These patients were clinically indistinguishable from others with the FAB disease subtype, yet their responses to etoposide-containing therapies were noteworthy. By contrast, children with structural abnormalities involving 11q23, other than t(9;11), were infants (median age, 6 months) with FAB M4 or M5 leukemia, hyperleukocytosis, and frequent coagulation abnormalities. Patients with such changes [t(11;V) or del(11q)] relapsed early during postremission therapy: none remained disease-free more than 16 months from diagnosis. Because of resistant leukemia, patients with monosomy 7/del(7q) had a poor remission induction rate (17%; P = .0015); patients with the t(15;17) were also poor responders to induction therapy (44%; P = 0.02) because of hemorrhagic deaths. These results identify several cytogenetic subtypes of pediatric ANLL that may represent unique disease processes for which more effective early cytoreduction [-7/del(7q), t(11;V)], better supportive care measures [t(15;17)], or more effective CNS prophylaxis [inv(16)/del(16q)] would be warranted.
Collaborative Consensus for Optimized Multilocus Sequence Typing of Candida albicans

ABSTRACT A panel of 86 different Candida albicans isolates was subjected to multilocus sequence typing (MLST) in two laboratories to obtain sequence data for 10 published housekeeping gene fragments. Analysis of data for all possible combinations of five, six, seven, eight, and nine of the fragments showed that a set comprising the fragments AAT1a, ACC1, ADP1, MPIb, SYA1, VPS13, and ZWF1b was the smallest that yielded 86 unique diploid sequence types for the 86 isolates. This set is recommended for future MLST with C. albicans.
Evaluating Seattle Parking Tax Options

This report describes and evaluates parking tax options for possible implementation by the City of Seattle. A commercial parking tax is a special tax on priced parking. A nonresidential parking tax (NRPT) is a special tax that applies to both unpriced and priced parking. Commercial parking taxes discourage the pricing of parking and concentrate impacts in a few areas. Non-residential parking taxes distribute cost burdens more broadly, encourage property owners to manage parking supply more efficiently, which tends to reduce total parking costs, reduce automobile traffic, and reduce sprawl. Although non-residential parking taxes are more challenging to implement, they tend to support more of Seattle’s strategic planning objectives.
Identify QTLs for grain size and weight in common wild rice using chromosome segment substitution lines across six environments

Grain size and weight are important determinants of rice yield. The identification of beneficial genes from wild rice that have been lost or weakened in cultivated rice has become increasingly important for modern breeding strategies. In this study, we constructed a set of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) of wild rice, Oryza rufipogon with the indica cultivar 9311 genetic background. Four grain-related traits, i.e., grain length (GL), grain width (GW), length-width ratio (LWR), and thousand grain weight (TGW), were screened across six environments. A total of 37 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified in these environments and mapped to 12 chromosomes. Sixteen QTLs were detected in at least two environments, and two QTL clusters were observed on Chr. 4 and Chr. 8. Based on a comparative analysis with QTLs identified in previous studies, the CSSLs between Oryza rufipogon accessions and 9311 had high genetic diversity. Among the sixteen stable QTLs, seven for TGW, LWR, GL, and GW were not previously identified, indicating potentially novel alleles from wild rice. These CSSLs provide powerful tools for functional studies and the cloning of essential genes in rice; furthermore, we identified elite germplasm for rice variety improvement.
Integration into the Australian Labour Market: The Experience of Three "Visibly Different" Groups of Recently Arrived Refugees

This paper explores the effects of "visible difference" on employment outcomes of three recently arrived refugee groups: ex-Yugoslavs, black Africans, and people from the Middle East. The paper draws on data collected through a survey (150 questionnaire-based face-to-face interviews conducted by bilingual interviewers) of refugees who settled in Western Australia over the past decade. Results indicate different outcomes for respondents from the three backgrounds despite similar levels of human capital and similar length of residence. Our evidence supports a "political economy of labour migration" interpretation for the differential outcomes, based on both structural and interpersonal racism, rather than a neo-classical explanation which holds that the job market is "blind to ethnicity". Despite high unemployment and loss of occupational status, predominantly highly educated refugees were relatively satisfied with their lives in Australia.
Best practices for investment risk management

A successful investment process requires a risk management structure that addresses multiple aspects of risk. In this paper, we lay out a best practices framework that rests on three pillars: risk measurement, risk monitoring, and risk-adjusted investment management. All three are critical. Risk measurement means using the right tools accurately to quantify risk from various perspectives. Risk monitoring means tracking the output from the tools and flagging anomalies on a regular and timely basis. Risk-adjusted investment management (RAIM) uses the information from measurement and monitoring to align the portfolio with expectations and risk tolerance.
A Probabilistic Sentence Reduction Using Maximum Entropy Model

This paper describes a new probabilistic sentence reduction method using maximum entropy model. In contrast to previous methods, the proposed method has the ability to produce multiple best results for a given sentence, which is useful in text summarization applications. Experimental results show that the proposed method improves on earlier methods in both accuracy and computation time.
High-resolution histologic analysis of the human choroidal vasculature.

PURPOSE To develop a high-resolution histologic technique to study the postmortem human choroidal vasculature in dual perspective: vascular pattern in the flat perspective and structure in cross sections. METHODS Fresh whole human choroids were denuded of retinal pigment epithelium, fixed, incubated for enzyme histochemical demonstration of alkaline phosphatase (APase) activity, bleached with hydrogen peroxide, and flat-embedded in glycol methacrylate. Vascular patterns were examined and documented en bloc, and subsequent serial sectioning was performed through specific sites of interest. RESULTS APase staining provided excellent visualization of the entire choroidal vasculature en bloc. Reaction product was generally more prominent in the choriocapillaris and collecting venules than in veins or arterioles, whereas arteries had the least activity. Diminished activity within focal regions of the choriocapillaris was observed in the far periphery of most aged subjects and was related to loss of endothelium and capillary atrophy. Hard drusen were generally observed in clusters located near collecting venules and appeared unrelated to any underlying angiopathy, whereas basal linear and laminar deposits were most often associated with regions of capillary dropout. Choroids from patients with diabetes demonstrated angiopathic changes consisting of extensive capillary dropout, beaded capillaries, neovascularization, and Bruch's membrane degeneration. CONCLUSIONS The benefits afforded by this method of analysis are that choroidal vasculature can be visualized in the native state and that nonvascular structures are retained for simultaneous analysis with vascular pattern and blood vessel structure.
The evolution of plant microRNAs: insights from a basal eudicot sacred lotus

&NA; microRNAs (miRNAs) are important noncoding small RNAs that regulate mRNAs in eukaryotes. However, under which circumstances different miRNAs/miRNA families exhibit different evolutionary trajectories in plants remains unclear. In this study, we sequenced the small RNAs and degradome from a basal eudicot, sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera or lotus), to identify miRNAs and their targets. Combining with public miRNAs, we predicted 57 pre‐eudicot miRNA families from different evolutionary stages. We found that miRNA families featuring older age, higher copy and target number tend to show lower propensity for miRNA family loss (PGL) and stronger signature of purifying selection during divergence of temperate and tropical lotus. Further analyses of lotus genome revealed that there is an association between loss of miRNA families in descendent plants and in duplicated genomes. Gene dosage balance is crucial in maintaining those preferentially retained MIRNA duplicates by imposing stronger purifying selection. However, these factors and selection influencing miRNA family evolution are not applicable to the putative MIRNA‐likes. Additionally, the MIRNAs participating in lotus pollen–pistil interaction, a conserved process in angiosperms, also have a strong signature of purifying selection. Functionally, sequence divergence in MIRNAs escalates expression divergence of their target genes between temperate and tropical lotus during rhizome and leaf growth. Overall, our study unravels several important factors and selection that determine the miRNA family distribution in plants and duplicated genomes, and provides evidence for functional impact of MIRNA sequence evolution. Significance statement microRNAs are noncoding small RNAs known to regulate gene expression. Here we compared microRNAs from an early diverging eudicot (sacred lotus) with those of other eudicot families and concluded that copy number, target gene number and genome duplication all influence microRNA evolutionary trajectories, by imposing different levels of purifying selection.
Lowered pulmonary arterial pressure prevents edema after endotoxin in sheep.

Escherichia coli endotoxin causes increased capillary membrane permeability and increased pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in sheep. If the pulmonary hypertension extends to the level of the microvasculature, then the increased microvascular pressure may contribute to the pulmonary edema caused by endotoxin. We tested the hypothesis that reducing the pulmonary hypertension would reduce the amount of edema caused by endotoxin. Twelve sheep were chronically instrumented with catheters to measure PAP, left atrial pressure, and central venous pressure. The sheep were divided into two groups. One group (E) of six sheep received an intravenous infusion of 4 micrograms/kg of E. coli endotoxin. The second group (E + SNP) received the same dose of endotoxin as well as a continuous infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to reduce PAP. Three hours after the endotoxin infusions, the sheep were terminated and the extravascular fluid-to-blood-free dry weight ratios of the lungs were determined (EVF). The base-line PAP was 17.5 +/- 2.7 mmHg. A two-way analysis of variance demonstrated a significant difference (P less than 0.01) in PAP between the E and E + SNP groups. Although PAP in each group varied as a function of time, the difference between the two groups did not. The mean PAP for the E + SNP group (20.9 +/- 1.5 mmHg) was lower than the E group PAP of 27.3 +/- 2.1 mmHg after the endotoxin spike. Furthermore, the E + SNP group EVF (3.9 +/- 0.2) was significantly less than the EVF of the E group (4.7 +/- 0.5). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Our fragmentary knowledge of the regulatory functions of ANG II "fragments": are we beginning to see the light?

two articles in this issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology address the importance of angiotensin hormone “fragments. ” Before focusing on the angiotensin “fragments,” the main functions of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are briefly
Limits to Market Making and the Skewness Risk Premium in Options Markets

The finance literature has found it challenging to explain empirically observed option returns, most notably in the case of out-of-the-money (OTM) equity index puts. I propose liquidation risk in options markets, defined as the possibility of forced selling of speculative positions following a liquidity shock, as a major driver of the relative pricing of OTM put vs. call options (option-implied skewness) as well as their relative returns (skewness risk premium). Employing size and sign of speculative net long positions (OSP) in a panel of commodity futures options markets as a key proxy for liquidation risk, I find that both implied skewness as well as the skewness risk premium are positively correlated with OSP and that these effects are stronger when funding conditions deteriorate. I also provide direct evidence of the price effects during such liquidation events. Trading strategies designed to theoretically exploit the skewness premium yield up to 2.5 percent per month and load significantly on risk factors related to the ease of funding for financial intermediaries.
Prevalence of hypertension in an urban community in Sudan

Background: Hypertension has become a public health problem in both developed and developing countries with serious morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To study the prevalence and symptoms of hypertension in Khartoum area. Methods: This is a cross-sectional population based study among a random sample of civil employees, factory workers and secondary schools students using a structured questionnaire. Hypertension is defined as BP ≥ 140/90. Results: In a sample of 500 subjects, hypertension was detected in 91 (18.2%) subjects. Forty-two subjects (8%) had newly discovered hypertension and 49 (10.2%) were known hypertensive. There was no difference in symptoms between hypertension versus normotensives. Only 40.8% were on drug treatment, of whom 42.6% were compliant. Conclusion: It seems that there is a rise in prevalence of hypertension in Sudan.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF NUTMEG EXTRACTS AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

The antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) has been evaluated against E. coli and Staph. aureus. Four concentrations were used for each type of extract,(100%, 75%, 50%, 25%). In the 100% concentration, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of nutmeg were effective against E. coli with inhibition zones of 16 mm and 19 mm respectively, while in the 75% concentration, the inhibition zones were 14 mm and 19 mm,
New Bioactive Macrocyclic Diterpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia

Three new macrocyclic diterpenoids, euphoscopoids A – C (1 – 3), including two new jatrophanes and a new lathyrane, were isolated from the whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Antifeedant and cytotoxic activities of these isolates were evaluated. All compounds showed significant antifeedant activity against a generalist plant‐feeding insect, Helicoverpa armigera, with EC50 values ranging from 2.05 to 4.34 μg/cm2. In addition, compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines NCI‐H1975, HepG2, and MCF‐2, while compounds 1 and 3 were not active at 80 μm. The results suggested not only the defensive function of macrocyclic diterpenoids in E. helioscopia against insect herbivores, but also their potential applications as new natural insect antifeedants.
Senior Management Labor Market: From Economic Growth to Crisis - The Case of Russia

This paper presents an analysis of changes in senior management labor market in Russia during the 2000s. The original data consists of information on the appointments of 5771 senior managers in Russia from late 1999 until 2009. The study focuses on mobility between economic sectors, and managerial positions, human capital, including education and experience and the proportion of women and expats in the senior management market. We found that the Russian labor market of top-level managers can be described as a relatively closed market, where professional executives dominate. During the period of economic growth Russian companies preferred to hire outsiders partly due to the lack of appropriate internal candidates. The typical senior manager in Russia is a 30-40 years old man with a degree in economics, engineering, or science, who moves every 2-3 years to their next executive position. The most significant changes, noted during the crisis, were the increase of the firms’ demand for senior managers’ specific human capital and the decrease of demand for general human capital.
m-Learning: Positioning educators for a mobile, connected future

Mobile learning is variously viewed as a fad, a threat, and an answer to the learning needs of time-poor mobile workers, so does it have a place in delivering mainstream learning? Based on a 2005 comparative research project, commissioned by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, the paper reports on research into Web-based information about the use of mobile technologies for commerce and learning, which was then tested through 29 interviews with manufacturers of mobile devices, businesses and education providers. The research found that mobile technologies were in common use in some commercial sectors, but their use purely for learning was rare. m-Learning lends itself to new methods of delivery, however, that are highly suited to the ‘just enough, just in time, and just for me’ demands of 21st Century learners.
Proteasomal regulation of CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) stability is part of the complex control of CCA1

The circadian (~24 h) clock has an enormous influence on the biology of plants and controls a plethora of processes including growth, photosynthesis, photoperiodic flowering and transcription of more than 30% of the genome. The oscillator mechanism that generates these circadian rhythms consists of interlocking feedback loops. CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) is a single MYB-transcription factor with a key role in the main feedback loop. CCA1 regulation is important for correct oscillator function and may be an important integration point for environmental signals such as temperature and light that entrain the oscillator. Here we show that CCA1 protein stability is controlled by the proteasome and discuss our findings in the context of the different levels of CCA1 regulation.
Image sectionalization techniques: A review

Image segmentations, a branch of image processing is developing various approaches to analyze, process and extract meaningful data from abnormalities. One such abnormality is brain tumor which nowadays is an active research area in field of image processing. In order to identify tumor, MRI images are studied which contains meaningful information, which if demonstrated technically i.e with the help of processing stages, removing noises, filtering algorithms could extract the desired feature. This paper aims at studying different brain tumor detections methods. The noise removal techniques, artifact removal, skull stripping, image enhancement techniques are the one if applied through various algorithms could provide result for the successful and effective extraction of the tumor from MRI image. In this paper such techniques and their results will be studied those along with several algorithms could provide accurate results.
Q Fever Serological Survey and Associated Risk Factors in Veterinarians, Southern Belgium, 2013

A sero-epidemiological survey was organized among veterinarians working in Southern Belgium to estimate the seroprevalence of Q fever and the risk factors associated with exposure. A total of 108 veterinarians took part to this cross-sectional study, with a majority practicing with livestock animals. The overall seroprevalence was 45.4%, but it increased to 58.3% among veterinarians having contact with livestock. Three main serological profiles were detected (relatively recent, past and potentially chronic infections). The contact with manure during the prior month was the risk factor associated with seropositivity after multivariate logistic regression analysis. Classification and regression tree analysis identified the age as the most predictive variable to exclude potentially chronic infection in apparently healthy seropositive veterinarians. In conclusion, livestock veterinarians practicing in Southern Belgium are highly exposed to Q fever, a neglected zoonosis for which serological and medical examinations should be envisaged in at risk groups.
Childhood body mass index in adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE Although weight history is relevant in predicting eating disorder symptom severity, little is known about its role in the etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to determine whether BMI or BMI trajectory differed between individuals who later developed adolescent-onset AN and a comparison group of HCs between school grades 1 through 6. METHOD This study was based on longitudinal data that identified 51 adolescents with AN and 51 matched HCs. Cases were identified through community screening in Sweden and included individuals born in 1969 through 1977. Measured weights and heights were retrieved and BMIs and weight trajectories of the AN and HC groups were compared using growth curve analysis. Main outcome measures included measured BMI and BMI trajectories from grades 1-6. Secondary outcomes examined included ponderal index at birth and maternal body weight. RESULTS Individuals who later developed AN had higher BMIs than HCs between grades 1 and 6, by an average of 1.42 BMI-units. There was no difference in rate of weight gain between groups. Ponderal index at birth was higher for the AN as compared with HC group. Maternal weight did not differ significantly between groups. DISCUSSION These findings, combined with those previously reported on the premorbid BMIs of those with bulimia nervosa, suggest that a predisposition toward elevated premorbid BMIs during childhood characterizes those who later develop anorexia or bulimia nervosa. These findings are consistent with a transdiagnostic perspective and suggest shared risk factors for AN and obesity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:1002-1009).