Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Significant Variation in the Assessment of Cervical Involvement in Endometrial Carcinoma: An Interobserver Variation Study

The histologic assessment of cervical involvement in endometrial carcinoma may be problematic for a number of reasons, but an accurate evaluation of this is important for correct staging, dictating the need for adjuvant therapy, and prognostication. In this study, we assessed interobserver variation in the evaluation of cervical involvement in hysterectomy specimens of endometrial carcinoma among 6 specialist gynecologic pathologists. Seventy-six cases of endometrial carcinoma enriched for cases exhibiting some perceived issue in the assessment of cervical involvement were used. In all the cases, a single slide of the primary tumor in the uterine corpus and a single slide of the cervix were circulated among the 6 participants who filled in a proforma. On the basis of the responses, the tumors were staged according to the 1988 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system (I, IIA, IIB) and the 2009 FIGO staging system (I, II). Using the 1988 FIGO staging system, the unweighted and weighted &kgr; values between individual observers ranged from 0.3115 to 0.6139 (average 0.4675) and from 0.3492 to 0.6533 (average 0.5065), respectively. The &kgr; values between observers for the 2009 FIGO staging system ranged from 0.3481 to 0.6862 (average 0.4908). Although enriched for problematic cases, our study shows that there is at most a fair-to-good agreement among specialist gynecologic pathologists in the assessment of cervical involvement in endometrial carcinoma. Problematic factors include determination of the junction between the lower uterine segment and upper endocervix, the distinction between “floaters” and true cervical glandular involvement, the distinction between cervical glandular involvement and stromal involvement, and the distinction between cervical glandular involvement and reactive non-neoplastic lesions of the endocervical glands. There is a need for specialist pathology groups dealing with gynecologic cancers to develop and disseminate recommendations regarding the assessment of cervical involvement in endometrial carcinoma.
Depression during mania. Treatment response to lithium or divalproex.

BACKGROUND Little information exists from controlled studies about clinical characteristics that predict treatment response in mania. The presence of depressive symptoms during manic episodes may be associated with poor response to psychopharmacological treatments. This is an investigation of the relation between depressive symptoms and treatment response in acute manic episodes. METHODS AND DESIGN In a parallel-group, double-blind study, 179 patients hospitalized for acute manic episodes were randomized to receive divalproex sodium, lithium carbonate, or placebo (ratio, 2:1:2). The study was carried out at 9 academic medical centers. Patients had comprehensive evaluations of behavior and symptoms before and during 3 weeks of treatment. The primary outcome measure, change in mania factor scores derived from the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia: Change Version, was compared in patients with and without depressive symptoms at baseline according to nurse- or physician-rated scales. RESULTS Depressive symptoms were associated with poor antimanic response to lithium and with better response to divalproex. This was not due to differences in overall severity of illness, substance abuse, gender, age, or history. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that even a modest level of pretreatment depression-related symptoms is a robust predictor of lithium nonresponse, and is associated with better response to divalproex. Although their overall efficacy in acute mania is similar, lithium and divalproex may be most effective in clinically and biologically distinct groups of patients.
Alterations in autonomic nervous control of heart rate among tourists at 2700 and 3700 m above sea level

Objectives Many travelers who are not specially trained for activities at high altitude are at risk of physical problems, including cardiovascular disorders, when exposed to high-altitude environments. In the present study, we investigated how actual acute exposure to altitudes of 2700 and 3700 m affected the autonomic nervous control of heart rate in untrained office workers. Methods Physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood oxygen saturation, and end-expiratory carbon dioxide tension) were measured at sea level, 2700 m, and 3700 m. The power of heart rate variability was quantified by determining the areas of the spectrum in 2 component widths: low frequency (LF; 0.04–0.15 Hz) and high frequency (HF; 0.15–0.5 Hz). The ratio of LF power to HF power (LF:HF), which is considered to be an index of cardiac sympathetic tone, was also assessed. Results Both HF and LF heart rate variability decreased according to the elevation of altitude. High- and low-frequency powers at 3700 m were significantly lower than those at sea level (P < .01 for HF, P < .05 for LF). The LF:HF ratio at 2700 m was not significantly different from that at sea level. However, it was significantly increased at 3700 m (P < .01). Conclusions At 2700 and 3700 m, the activity of the autonomic nervous system measured by heart rate variability was decreased in untrained office workers. The sympathetic nervous system was dominant to the parasympathetic at 3700 m. These alterations in the autonomic nervous system might play some role in physical fitness at high altitudes.
Abrupt Changes of Global Oil Price

Abstract Aiming to shed light on the predominant variations or events that lead to the abrupt change of oil price that affect the Chinese macro economy growth, this paper performs product partition model to identify and analyze world historic abrupt change of oil price and related variations as well as the identification of the structural change point of crude oil market equilibrium structure during the investigation stage using a MSBVAR model. We found out that abrupt change of oil price occurred time and again from 1991 to 2011. Yet the change of equilibrium structure of oil market emerged only once.
Diurnal changes in large-bowel metabolism: short-chain fatty acids and transit time in rats fed on wheat bran

To investigate diurnal changes in large-bowel metabolism rats were fed once daily on a cooked maize-based diet without or with 200 g wLeat bran/kg diet and containing Cr2O3 as an indigestible marker. After 17 d four rats on each diet were killed at 4, 10, 16 and 22 h postfeeding. Emptying of dry matter (DM) from the stomach occurred by an apparently zero-order process at about 0·5 g/h in both diet groups. Feeding wheat bran had little effect on caecal pH or total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration but was associated with a marked increase in molar proportion of butyrate and a fall in propionate. There were substantial changes in caecal total SCFA concentration and in the molar proportions of individual SCFA throughout the day but no evidence of an interaction between diet and time interval after feeding. Caecal transit time (TT) was significantly reduced by feeding wheat bran whilst colonic TT was unaffected. Although when averaged across both diets there were no significant time effects on caecal or colonic TT, there was a significant diet × time interaction for caecal TT. The extent of coprophagy was measured. The proportion of stomach DM derived from ingested faeces increased with time interval after feeding but it was always a minor contribution so that in these circumstances coprophagy is unlikely to result in significant bias in estimates of digesta flow-rates or TT.
The methyltransferase EZH2 is not required for mammary cancer development, although high EZH2 and low H3K27me3 correlate with poor prognosis of ER‐positive breast cancers

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) catalyzes trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) and its demethylation is catalyzed by UTX. EZH2 levels are frequently elevated in breast cancer and have been proposed to control gene expression through regulating repressive H3K27me3 marks. However, it is not fully established whether breast cancers with different levels of H3K27me3, EZH2 and UTX exhibit different biological behaviors. Levels of H3K27me3, EZH2 and UTX and their prognostic significance were evaluated in 146 cases of breast cancer. H3K27me3 levels were higher in HER2‐negative samples. EZH2 expression was higher in cancers that were LN+, size > 20mm, and with higher tumor grade and stage. Using a Cox regression model, H3K27me3 levels and EZH2 expression were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival for all the breast cancers studied as well as the ER‐positive subgroup. The combination of low H3K27me3 and high EZH2 expression levels were significantly associated with shorter survival. UTX expression was not significantly associated with prognosis and there were no correlations between H3K27me3 levels and EZH2/UTX expression. To determine if EZH2 is required to establish H3K27me3 marks in mammary cancer, Brca1 and Ezh2 were deleted in mammary stem cells in mice. Brca1‐deficient mammary cancers with unaltered H3K27me3 levels developed in the absence of EZH2, demonstrating that EZH2 is not a mandatory H3K27 methyltransferase in mammary neoplasia and providing genetic evidence for biological independence between H3K27me3 and EZH2 in this tissue. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrasonic assessment of the determinants of human cortical bone elasticity: Relative contributions of Haversian porosity and mineralized matrix stiffness

At the mesoscale (a few millimeters), cortical bone can be described as a two-phase material which consists in a relatively hard matrix and pores. The mesoscopic elastic properties are hence essentially determined by the stiffness of the matrix and the pores morphology. The goal of the study was to assess the relative contributions of tissue elasticity and porosity to mesoscopic elasticity. Measurements were conducted on human femoral cortical bone (21 specimens taken from 10 women donors aged from 66 to 98 years). A 50-MHz scanning acoustic microscope was used to assess the cortical porosity and evaluate the bone matrix elasticity. A contact ultrasonic method based on wave velocity and apparent tissue density measurements was applied to determine the bone mesoscale stiffness coefficients. The mesoscale stiffness was highly correlated to the cortical porosity whereas the mean tissue elasticity (reflected by acoustic impedance values) did not explain the mesoscopic stiffness variations. This work suggests that, for the elderly population, the elastic properties of the mineralized matrix do not undergo large variations among different samples and the cortical porosity accounts for most of the variations of mesoscale elasticity.
Farm Gate Prices for Non-Varietal Wine in Argentina: A Multilevel Comparison of the Prices Paid by Cooperatives and Investor-Oriented Firms

Abstract In this paper, we use a unique data set of the prices paid to farmers in Argentina for grapes to examine the prices paid by non-varietal wine processing cooperatives and investor-oriented firms (IOFs). Motivated by contrasting theoretical predictions of cooperative price effects generated by the yardstick of competition and property rights theories, we apply a multilevel regression model to identify price differences at the transaction level and the departmental level. On average, farmers selling to cooperatives receive a 3.4 % lower price than farmers selling to IOFs. However, we find cooperatives pay approximately 2.4 % more in departments where cooperatives have larger market shares. We suggest that the inability of cooperatives to pay a price equal to or greater than the one paid by IOFs can be explained by the market structure for non-varietal wine in Argentina. Specifically, there is evidence that cooperative members differ from other farmers in terms of size, assets and the cost of accessing the market. We conclude that the analysis of cooperative pricing cannot solely focus on the price differential between cooperatives and IOFs, but instead must consider other factors that are important to the members.
Evolutionary Game Research on Enterprises Tacit Knowledge Transposition from the Perspective of Reciprocity

Knowledge transposition is an important part of knowledge management. The tacit knowledge transposition is the effective means to improve enterprises' knowledge management efficiency. The reciprocal enterprises environment provides an effective means for the implementation of the tacit knowledge transposition, which overcomes the numerous obstacles in the process of the tacit knowledge transposition. The tacit knowledge transposition efficiency between individuals under the reciprocal preference environment are significantly higher than tacit knowledge transposition efficiency under the rational economic environment, which improves interest payments of knowledge transposition subjects, and create the conditions for the evolution game analysis of the tacit knowledge transposition in enterprises under the reciprocal enterprises environment. The evolutionary game analysis results showed that in some external incentive mechanism, the tacit knowledge transposition subjects in general have the development tendency of the reciprocal knowledge transposition subjects in enterprises, so that the tacit knowledge transposition between individuals enter into the dominant steady state, and ultimately improve the efficiency of enterprises' knowledge transposition.
A Modular and Combinatorial View of the Antigen Cross‐Presentation Pathway in Dendritic Cells

Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) presentation of exogenous antigens (cross‐presentation) by dendritic cells (DC) is essential for CD8 T‐cell immunity. Most cells use MHC I molecules to present peptides derived from endogenous proteins processed in the cytosol by the proteasome. The resulting peptides are translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum for loading onto MHC I molecules, and these complexes are then transported to the cell surface. In cross‐presenting DC, these steps have been proposed to occur along two major tracks. In the ‘endocytic’ track, exogenous antigen processing and loading occur within endosomal compartments, using MHC I molecules recycled from the plasma membrane and transported back to the surface. In the ‘cytosolic’ track, antigens are translocated from endosomes to the cytosol, accessing the endogenous MHC I presentation pathway. This dichotomy now appears too simplistic. Some steps may occur in locations belonging to the endosomal track and others in the cytosolic track, or in hybrid compartments combining features of both. We propose a ‘modular’ view of cross‐presentation, whereby processing, loading and MHC I transport represent modules that can occur in one or more locations. Cross‐presentation of each MHC I–peptide complex may result from combining one or more options for each of these modules.
Politicited Corporations and Legitimacy Gaps: Challenges for Corporate Governance

Beyond national peculiarities, corporate governance practice is mainly centered on the protection of investors’ rights. However, this view neglects the fundamental changes of the operating conditions of business due to globalization and the weakening of regulatory frameworks. Weak or absent enforcement of contracts, increasingly unfettered negative externalities of corporate action, and involvement of private actors in the provision of public goods change the role of business in a fundamental way, rendering it a political actor in part. Resulting in the extension of corporate power these developments challenge the very assumptions of dominant corporate governance theory. Recurring misuse of this power poses a threat to organizational legitimacy as well as to the legitimacy of the capitalist system of market economy. Drawing on suggestions to restore organizational legitimacy by means of discursive processes, we argue that corporate governance needs to become open to such processes to contribute to the safeguarding of organizational legitimacy and therewith the legitimacy of the system of market economy in a globalized world. Based on these considerations, basic requirements as well as limits for an according modification of current corporate governance practice will be introduced.
Current Distribution During Parallel Stimulation: Implications for an Epiretinal Neuroprosthesis

A simplified mathematical model has been developed in order to better understand local current spread when multiple simultaneous current sources are used in an epiretinal neuroprosthesis. To test the model, pairs of platinum electrodes of 430 mum diameter and an intra-pair spacing of 1 mm between centers, were arranged either in-line or in parallel, in a bath of physiological saline. Each pair was separated by distances from 1 mm to 6 mm. The currents in each electrode in the bath were measured and compared with the computational model of the same arrangement. This approach allowed us to quantify return current interaction between parallel sources. As predicted, with parallel electrodes and matching currents in each electrode pair, there is no current cross-talk. However with imbalanced current sources, significant cross-talk is evident. The cross-talk decreases as a function of electrode pair separation. The implication of this work in the design of an epiretinal neuroprosthesis is discussed
Supervision analysis and control system of photovoltaic power plants

This paper describes a supervision system able to handling the data collection from photovoltaic implants, their analysis allowing providing prevision and control of energy production. The supervision system integrates different functionality usually demanded to single subsystems and advanced features devoted to the implants maintenance and security. The supervision system is able to interact with the PV plant varying its functionality.
Hunters and Non-hunters Chronic Wasting Disease Risk Perceptions over Time

Abstract We examined risk perceptions of chronic wasting disease (CWD) over time (2004 vs. 2012), and among hunters and non-hunters. Data were obtained from two mailed surveys in 2004 that included random samples of hunters (n = 1879) and non-hunters (n = 1122). We conducted two additional mail surveys in 2012 that also included random samples of hunters (n = 3391) and non-hunters (n = 1615). Based on the psychometric paradigm, we hypothesized that CWD risk perceptions will: (1) decline over time (2004 vs. 2012, Hypothesis 1), and (2) be higher for hunters than non-hunters (Hypothesis 2). We also predicted that study year (2004 vs. 2012) and sample (hunters vs. non-hunters) will interact (Hypothesis 3). Results supported hypothesis 1; CWD risk perceptions declined over time. Hypothesis 2 was also supported as hunters reported higher risk perceptions than non-hunters. Year and sample interacted to influence perceived risk; supporting hypothesis 3.
IoT based smart water tank with Android application

In this paper, we introduce the project of water level monitoring as well as controlling with IoT and android application. Wastage of water in the current scenario, merely due to overflowing tanks is not affordable. Conventional water tanks can neither monitor nor control the water level in tank, leading to large amount of wastage. Some other technologies had certain drawbacks in some or the other way. The need of removal of these short-comings and providing an efficient and economical solution has been the main focus of this project.
Semiconductor devices inspired by and integrated with biology

Biology relies on classes of materials that are soft and elastic, in structures that have complex curvilinear geometries. By contrast, all known high performance electronic/optoelectronic systems are built on the rigid, brittle planar surfaces of semiconductor wafers. Technologies that bridge this gap in form and mechanics create new opportunities in devices that adopt biologically inspired designs or require intimate integration with the human body. This paper reviews concepts for building electronics that combine hard and soft materials in ways that can exploit established semiconductors such as silicon, gallium arsenide, gallium nitride in systems that have the mechanical properties of a rubber band. Due to the central role of mechanics and physical motions in these systems, they can be considered also as a type of MEMS technology. Application examples include (1) bio-integrated systems capable of monitoring and delivering various forms of therapy, and (2) bio-inspired, `eyeball' cameras for wide field-of-view imaging.
Cytokine expression in the brain during the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

The pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) disease in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is poorly understood but may be related to specific effects of the immune system. Cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukin‐1 may have toxic effects on CNS cells and have been postulated to contribute to the pathogenesis of the neurological complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. To characterize viral and immunological activity in the CNS, frozen specimens taken at autopsy from the cerebral cortex and white matter of HIV‐seropositive and ‐seronegative individuals were stained immunocytochemically for mononuclear cells, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, HIV, astrocytes, and the cytokines interleukin‐1 and ‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α and ‐β, and interferon γ. Levels of soluble CD4, CD8, and interleukin‐2 receptor, as well as interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor‐α, β2‐microglobulin, neopterin, and interleukin‐6 and ‐1 β were assayed in the cerbrospinal fluid and plasma of many of these individuals during life. The HIV‐seropositive group included individuals without neurological disease, those with CNS oppotunistic infections, and those with HIV encephalopathy. Perivascular cells, consisting primarily of macrophages with some CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and rare B cells, were consistently MHC class II positive. MHC class II antigen was also present, on microglial cells, which were frequently positive for tumor necrosis factor‐α. HIV p24 antigen, when present, was found on macrophages and microglia. Endothelial cells were frequently positive for interleukin‐1 and interferon γ and less frequently for tumor necrosis factor and interleukin‐6. There were gliosis and significant increases in MHC class II antigen, interleukin‐1, and tumor necrosis factor‐α in HIV‐positive patients compared to HIV‐negative brains. Cerebrospinal fluid from most of the patients tested had increased levels of tumor necrosis factor, β2‐microglobulin, and neopterin. There was no correlationin HIV‐positive individuals between levels of cytokines and the presence or absence of CNS disease. These data indicate that there is a relative state of “immune activation” in the brains of HIV‐positive compared to HIV‐negative individuals, and suggest a potential role for the immune system in the pathogenesis of HIV encephalopathy.