Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Expression and significance of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE To study the expression and the location of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) gene and its clinical significance in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS In situ hybridization, PV-9000 polymer detection system for immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression and the location of VCAM-1 mRNA and VCAM-1 protein in 48 cases of OSCC and 10 cases of normal controls. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test in SPSS 13.0. RESULTS VCAM-1 protein was mainly expressed in tumor cell cytoplasm and membrane, VCAM-1 mRNA was mainly expressed in tumor cell cytoplasm. The expression rate of VCAM-1 mRNA and VCAM-1 protein was significantly higher in OSCC than that in normal oral mucosa (P<0.01). The expression of VCAM-1 mRNA was positively correlated with that of VCAM-1 protein (P<0.01). In the clinicopathologic factors, lymph node metastasis and depth of infiltration were closely correlated with VCAM-1 expression (P<0.01). The expression of VCAM-1 was significantly higher in tumor with lymph node metastasis than in tumor without lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Overexpression of VCAM-1 gene in OSCC may play a potential role in the development of OSCC. The overexpression of VCAM-1 gene in OSCC may be related to the tumor infiltration and metastasis.
Nouvelles approches de calcul du -spectre de matrices et de faisceaux de matrices

La notion du -spectre d'une matrice et le calcul de son portrait spectral s'est aujourd'hui impose comme etant la methode de reference pour etudier les phenomenes d'instabilite spectrale. La premiere partie de cette these est consacree a l'etude d'une maniere originale et peu couteuse d'approximer le portrait spectral d'une matrice a. Cette methode est basee sur la recherche d'une factorisation sous forme diagonale par bloc de a, tout en imposant au conditionnement de la matrice de changement de base de rester aussi petit que possible. Le portrait spectral de la matrice a est alors approxime par celui des differents blocs diagonaux. Des relations d'inclusion entre le -spectre de la matrice a et celui de la matrice bloc-diagonale sont demontrees. Dans la seconde partie, on etend la notion du -spectre au cas des faisceaux reguliers de matrices. On developpe une maniere originale de visualiser un spectre generalise ou un portrait spectral de faisceau de matrices sur la sphere de riemann, par l'intermediaire de la projection stereographique. Enfin, on etudie une generalisation de la methode precedente de bloc-diagonalisation et d'approximation du portrait spectral aux faisceaux reguliers de matrices. Dans la derniere partie de la these, nous abordons une nouvelle approche du portrait spectral de matrices, basee sur les methodes de dichotomie spectrale (cercle, ellipse, polygone). En particulier, une methode recursive de determination de taches spectrales ainsi qu'une implantation parallele de cette derniere sont decrites. De nombreux exemples numeriques illustrent chacune des trois parties de cette these.
New goods with new attributes: combining revealed and stated preferences to assess the effect of a novel quality label in the food industry

This paper evaluates the effect on market shares and consumer surplus of the introduction of a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-labeled product in the frozen fried potatoes (FFP) industry. We first estimate a model of household demand in Mar del Plata, Argentina, using scanner data and demographic information. We find that higher income individuals are more concerned about health and nutrition, and that younger and lower-income consumers are more price-sensitive. Then we postulate that a properly GAP-labeled FFP is available in the market, and we assess its effect by using the estimated utility function and prior information about consumers' declared willingness to pay (WTP) for sustainably produced potatoes. We find that the older the individual, the greater the influence of the hypothetical introduction of the GAP-labeled product; the relationship is less conclusive in the case of income. Finally, we predict the results of a greater consumer surplus extraction by fixing a higher price for the new product, and we calculate the maximum increase in the marginal cost that the firm would be able to afford if farmers charge higher prices for GAP fresh potatoes.
Evaluation of Modified Alvarado Score and Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is one of the commonest surgical conditions. Diagnosis of this disease still remains a problem. Alvarado score is a clinical scoring system used to diagnose this. Modified Alvarado score alone has sensitivity of 95% and Ultrasonography has 86%. Combining both the modalities, sensitivity is 86% but specificity is 100%. Accuracy of positive diagnosis by Alvarado score alone was 71% and by Ultrasound alone was 85% in women. This increased to 92% by combining both. Modified Alvarado score should be combined with Ultrasonography for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
Regulation of CNS glial phenotypes in N20.1 cells

The N20.1 oligodendroglial cell line, immortalized with SV40 T antigen, simultaneously expresses oligodendroglial markers and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astroglial marker. This study examines the plasticity of N20.1 cells with regard to GFAP expression, and its relationship to expression of SV40 T antigen, p53, and a novel nuclear antigen detected by the A007 monoclonal antibody. Marked changes occur in GFAP levels and cell morphology when N20.1 cells are switched from the permissive temperature (34°C) to the non‐permissive temperature (39°C), and with cyclic AMP elevation at 39°C. At 34°C, levels of GFAP are high; when cells are switched to 39°C, GFAP levels decrease significantly, then increase slightly when forskolin is added. At both temperatures, the cells display feathery GFAP immunostaining. When forskolin is added at 39°C, however, cells display bright fibrous GFAP staining in elongated processes. The changes in GFAP were compared to changes in T antigen and p53. As expected, the decrease in T antigen at 39°C was accompanied by movement of p53 from the nucleus to cytoplasm. Total p53 levels did not change, however, and forskolin did not alter the respective distribution or levels of p53 at either temperature. At both temperatures, the cell bodies and processes show internal expression of sulfatide, as demonstrated with the O4, Sulph I, and A007 antibodies. We show, for the first time, abundant nuclear immunoreactivity with the A007 monoclonal antibody in the N20.1 cells. This nuclear reactivity is seen at 34°C, but not at 39°C, similar to p53, and is not detected with the other sulfatide antibodies. Double‐label immunostaining shows that the nuclear A007 immunoreactivity is co‐localized in nuclear structures with T antigen and p53 at 34°C, but is not found in every nucleus containing these antigens. We conclude that regulation of GFAP expression and morphology in N20.1 cells is dependent on a combination of T antigen expression and level of cAMP and may be related to regulation of p53 and the A007 nuclear antigen. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two proton transfers in the transition state for nucleotidyl transfer catalyzed by RNA- and DNA-dependent RNA and DNA polymerases

The rate-limiting step for nucleotide incorporation in the pre-steady state for most nucleic acid polymerases is thought to be a conformational change. As a result, very little information is available on the role of active-site residues in the chemistry of nucleotidyl transfer. For the poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol), chemistry is partially (Mg2+) or completely (Mn2+) rate limiting. Here we show that nucleotidyl transfer depends on two ionizable groups with pKa values of 7.0 or 8.2 and 10.5, depending upon the divalent cation used in the reaction. A solvent deuterium isotope effect of three to seven was observed on the rate constant for nucleotide incorporation in the pre-steady state; none was observed in the steady state. Proton-inventory experiments were consistent with two protons being transferred during the rate-limiting transition state of the reaction, suggesting that both deprotonation of the 3′-hydroxyl nucleophile and protonation of the pyrophosphate leaving group occur in the transition state for phosphodiester bond formation. Importantly, two proton transfers occur in the transition state for nucleotidyl-transfer reactions catalyzed by RB69 DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, T7 DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and HIV reverse transcriptase. Interpretation of these data in the context of known polymerase structures suggests the existence of a general base for deprotonation of the 3′-OH nucleophile, although use of a water molecule cannot be ruled out conclusively, and a general acid for protonation of the pyrophosphate leaving group in all nucleic acid polymerases. These data imply an associative-like transition-state structure.
Take Profit and Stop Loss Trading Strategies Comparison in Combination with an MACD Trading System

A lot of strategies for Take Profit and Stop Loss functionalities have been propounded and scrutinized over the years. In this paper, we examine various strategies added to a simple MACD automated trading system and used on selected assets from Forex, Metals, Energy, and Cryptocurrencies categories and afterwards, we compare and contrast their results. We conclude that Take Profit strategies based on faster take profit signals on MACD are not better than a simple MACD strategy and of the different Stop Loss strategies based on ATR, the sliding and variable ATR window has the best results for a period of 12 and a multiplier of 6. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we implement a combination of an adaptive MACD Expert Advisor that uses back-tested optimized parameters per asset with price levels defined by the ATR indicator, used to set limits for Stop Loss.
How the phage lambda N gene product suppresses transcription termination: communication of RNA polymerase with regulatory proteins mediated by signals in nascent RNA

The phage A N gene product is an atypical activator of transcription. It does not help host RNA polymerase (RNAP) to start transcription. Instead, the N protein prevents termination and as a consequence allows transcription of the downstream genes (46). Termination-antitermination as the means to switch genes off and on is employed in numerous systems in prokaryotes (1), and a few examples of this control have been uncovered for eukaryotes as well (52). Two general mechanisms allow antitermination. Because transcription is coupled to translation in bacteria and at least part of the signal for transcription termination is encoded in the nascent RNA, the translating ribosomes in many bacterial operons mask the termination signal and prevent a termination factor from interacting with RNA (1, 61). Genespecific factors may allow termination suppression by the same mechanism (14, 32, 39). The most well-characterized member of this group is BglG, a sequence-specific RNAbinding protein of Escherichia coli whose activity is regulated by phosphorylation (32). X N protein is the archetype of yet another family of diffusible antiterminators which act by a novel mechanism: they interact with RNAP to mask its response to the downstream terminators.
Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Are Associated With Generalized Microvascular Dysfunction: The Maastricht Study

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This can be partly explained by large-artery dysfunction, which already occurs in prediabetes (“ticking clock hypothesis”). Whether a similar phenomenon also applies to microvascular dysfunction is not known. We therefore tested the hypothesis that microvascular dysfunction is already present in prediabetes and is more severe in T2DM. To do so, we investigated the associations of prediabetes, T2DM, and measures of hyperglycemia with microvascular function measured as flicker light-induced retinal arteriolar dilation and heat-induced skin hyperemia. Methods: In the Maastricht Study, a T2DM-enriched population-based cohort study (n=2213, 51% men, aged [mean±standard deviation] 59.7±8.2 years), we determined flicker light-induced retinal arteriolar %-dilation (Dynamic Vessel Analyzer), heat-induced skin %-hyperemia (laser-Doppler flowmetry), and glucose metabolism status (oral glucose tolerance test; normal glucose metabolism [n=1269], prediabetes [n=335], or T2DM [n=609]). Differences were assessed with multivariable regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, systolic blood pressure, lipid profile, retinopathy, estimated glomerular filtration rate, (micro)albuminuria, the use of lipid-modifying and blood pressure-lowering medication, and prior cardiovascular disease. Results: Retinal arteriolar %-dilation was (mean±standard deviation) 3.4±2.8 in normal glucose metabolism, 3.0±2.7 in prediabetes, and 2.3±2.6 in T2DM. Adjusted analyses showed a lower arteriolar %-dilation in prediabetes (B=–0.20, 95% confidence interval –0.56 to 0.15) with further deterioration in T2DM (B=–0.61 [–0.97 to –0.25]) versus normal glucose metabolism (P for trend=0.001). Skin %-hyperemia was (mean±standard deviation) 1235±810 in normal glucose metabolism, 1109±748 in prediabetes, and 937±683 in T2DM. Adjusted analyses showed a lower %-hyperemia in prediabetes (B=–46 [–163 to 72]) with further deterioration in T2DM (B=–184 [–297 to –71]) versus normal glucose metabolism (P for trend=0.001). In addition, higher glycohemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose were associated with lower retinal arteriolar %-dilation and skin %-hyperemia in fully adjusted models (for glycohemoglobin A1c, standardized B=–0.10 [–0.15 to –0.05], P<0.001 and standardized B=–0.13 [–0.19 to –0.07], P<0.001, respectively; for fasting plasma glucose, standardized B=–0.09 [–0.15 to –0.04], P<0.001 and standardized B=–0.10 [–0.15 to –0.04], P=0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Prediabetes, T2DM, and measures of hyperglycemia are independently associated with impaired microvascular function in the retina and skin. These findings support the concept that microvascular dysfunction precedes and thus may contribute to T2DM-associated cardiovascular disease and other complications, which may in part have a microvascular origin such as impaired cognition and heart failure.
Distracted Driving Among Newly Licensed Teen Drivers

The Situation  With teen crash rates roughly four times higher than those of adult drivers, traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for the age group  To date there has been little concrete information or research available on distracted driving among teens specifically  Teenage drivers are believed to be at risk for distracted driving-related crashes, as they are avid users of cell phones and other technologies, are inexperienced drivers, and are still undergoing development in areas of the brain responsible for decision-making and risk management
BOARD CHARACTERISTICS AND INDUSTRY SPECIALIST AUDITOR : THE MODERATING ROLE OF CONCENTRATED OWNERSHIP

This study illustrates the impact of concentrated ownership on the monitoring role of board of directors in term of high quality audit proxy by industry specialist auditor. The integration of agency theory and resource dependency theory reflects that board has different incentives and abilities to monitor management. The analyses of Turkish listed firms indicates that board characteristic complement high quality audit when ownership concentration at low levels. When ownership concentration is at high level, this is not the case- proposing that there is substitution influence between concentrated ownership and board characteristics in term of the demand for high quality audit.
The Ace locus of Drosophila melanogaster: structural gene for acetylcholinesterase with an unusual 5′ leader.

The Ace locus of Drosophila melanogaster has been mapped at the molecular level. cDNA clones from the locus have been isolated and their sequence determined, confirming that Ace forms the structural gene for acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The cDNAs have a 1950 nucleotide open reading frame from which the complete amino acid sequence of AChE has been deduced. The Drosophila enzyme is found to have extensive homology to the known sequence of Torpedo AChE. Ace cDNAs have an unusual structure with a long 5′ leader and several short upstream open reading frames.
Immune checkpoint molecule PD-1 acts as a novel biomarker for the pathological process of gestational diabetes mellitus.

AIM Accumulating evidence suggested that challenge of the maternal-fetal interaction during pregnancy might cause the impairment of immunological hemostasis and lead to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pathological process. Immune checkpoint molecule PD-1 is one of the critical molecule balancing immune response and immunological tolerance. METHODS PD-1 expressions on T-cell subsets of GDM patients and control groups were measured via flow cytometric analysis and followed up. RESULTS Downregulation of PD-1 acted as an indicator for GDM occurrence in the third trimester of pregnancy. With the recovery of GDM, PD-1 expression restored to normal level. CONCLUSION PD-1 expression on T-cell subsets is a novel biomarker for the occurrence and recovery of GDM.
Smaller beaks for colder winters: Thermoregulation drives beak size evolution in Australasian songbirds

Birds’ beaks play a key role in foraging, and most research on their size and shape has focused on this function. Recent findings suggest that beaks may also be important for thermoregulation, and this may drive morphological evolution as predicted by Allen's rule. However, the role of thermoregulation in the evolution of beak size across species remains largely unexplored. In particular, it remains unclear whether the need for retaining heat in the winter or dissipating heat in the summer plays the greater role in selection for beak size. Comparative studies are needed to evaluate the relative importance of these functions in beak size evolution. We addressed this question in a clade of birds exhibiting wide variation in their climatic niche: the Australasian honeyeaters and allies (Meliphagoidea). Across 158 species, we compared species’ climatic conditions extracted from their ranges to beak size measurements in a combined spatial‐phylogenetic framework. We found that winter minimum temperature was positively correlated with beak size, while summer maximum temperature was not. This suggests that while diet and foraging behavior may drive evolutionary changes in beak shape, changes in beak size can also be explained by the beak's role in thermoregulation, and winter heat retention in particular.
Development of a functional food bar containing coffee

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a cereal bar supplemented with coffee beverage that has health benefits. Design/methodology/approach Six types of cereal bars containing raisins or prunes with different concentrations of coffee were developed. Acceptability tests and physicochemical characterizations were performed by analysis of moisture, ash, protein, lipids, fibres and carbohydrates. Moreover, the levels of phenolic compounds, the fatty acid profile and the in vitro antioxidant activity were evaluated by the DPPH free radical scavenging and iron-chelating activity methods. The bars were assessed using the check-all-that-apply (CATA) methodology. The phenolic compound and antioxidant activity data were evaluated by analysis of variance. Averages were compared by the Scott–Knott test. To verify the characteristics of the food bar per the attributes cited in CATA, main component analysis was performed using the SensoMaker software. Findings The concentration of coffee did not affect the centesimal composition values. The highest percentage of scavenging activity of free radicals was observed in the food bar containing raisins, with a maximum concentration of coffee beverage equivalent to 10 mL. These values were higher in cereal bars containing raisins than in bars containing prunes with the same concentrations of coffee. The acceptance sensory test showed good acceptability ratios, ranging from 74.33 to 85.22 among different food bar formulations. Practical implications The bar consisting raisins and 100 per cent coffee presented high values of protection against oxidative stress, phenolic content and satisfying acceptability, thereby making it a novel possible alternative as a differentiated product with possible health-beneficial effects. Social implications This paper provides a differentiated product, through healthy ingredients, with convenience of purchase, besides having added value and possible health beneficial effects. Originality/value The bar consisting of raisins and 100 per cent coffee presented high values of phenolic content and protection against oxidative stress, as well as satisfying acceptability, thereby making it a novel possible alternative as a differentiated product with possible health-beneficial effects.
Research on Credit Risk of Corporate Bond-Based on Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis

Jingwei Liu Tianyong Luo School of Finance, Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, Guiyang Guizhou 550025, China Abstract In this paper, through the collection of corporate bond market data to conduct empirical research, Constructing 12 Index Systems, Using the principal component analysis method to extract the five principal component indicators, On the basis of principal component analysis, two kinds of clustering analysis were used to classify the data into two categories, And finally draw the corresponding conclusion: The profitability and solvency of the industry is the key to distinguish the credit rating of the enterprise. It is the main factor to distinguish between the two types of corporate bonds and the focus of the investors' investment.
Relationship between brightness illusion and recognition performance in human-computer interaction

The purpose of this study was to show how the degree of brightness illusion of a subjective contour figure influences the recognition performance of a represented figure. Two experiments were carried out on human-computer interaction. As a result of these experiments, we suggested it was possible that the brightness illusion of the test field causes interference between a subjective contour line and the inducing figures. To prevent the deterioration of recognition performance of illusory figures during a glance, it is necessary to produce a minimum brightness illusion.
Diagnostic therapeutic flow-charts for low back pain patients: the Italian clinical guidelines.

I 2002 the Italian Health Ministry (IHM) financed the Care and Research Institute (IRCCS) Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS of Milan to carry out a research project entitled: “Percorsi diagnostico-terapeutici evidence-based per le patologie del rachide lombare” (Evidence-based diagnostic therapeutic flow-charts (DTF) for lumbar spine pathologies). 1 The first Operative Unit of this project was assigned the task of creating a National Committee which would include all Scientific Societies representing a medical speciality and/or health profession facing problems of the lumbar spine (Appendix). 1 This Committee prepared Italian DTFs, the purpose of which was to act as a single scientific and cultural benchmark for every local initiative of development of DTF, as advised by the IHM.2 The DTF, that were produced in a strictly evidence-based way, have been considered by the IHM a subsequent step, more concrete and operative (almost clinical-care profiles) with respect to the classic Guidelines. In recent years, the guidelines have become an essential means for synthesizing results proposed in the scientific literature and making them fully available to physicians.3-7 Presently, there are numerous examples of guidelines in the field of low back pain (LBP) 4-11 and experience gained allows us to affirm, on one