jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of isolated tumor cells in regional lymph nodes in patients with T2-T3 stage gastric cancer.

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

8 Background: The prognostic impact of isolated tumor cells (ITCs) in regional lymph nodes is unclear. This study was aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of ITCs in subpopulation with T2-T3 gastric cancer by adopting the standard definition for ITC (≤ 0.2 mm, detected by H&E or IHC) and micrometastsis (≤ 2 mm, detected by H&E or IHC) in 7 th AJCC staging. Methods: A total of three hundred eleven patients diagnosed as pT2-3/N0-2/M0 gastric carcinoma after curative surgery at Korea Cancer Center Hospital between January 1996 and December 2000 was retrospectively studied. All tumor and lymph node specimens by H&E received reexaminations, and 5,825 lymph nodes from 191 patients without macrometastasis (> 2.0 mm) were re-evaluated after IHC staining with anti-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3). And N stage was reclassified into pN0(i-), pN0(i+), pN1mi, pN1, and pN2. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier method with Log-rank test and Cox regression model. Results: According to original N stage, 5-year overall survival rates were estimated as 80.5% in N0, 79.3% in N1, 68.8% in N2 without statistical difference between N0 and N1 (p=0.790). Whereas according to reclassified pN stage, survival rates were estimated as 92.3% in pN0(i-), 75.5% in pN0(i+), 84.4% in pN1mi, 76.1% in pN1, and 69.0% in pN2, and significant difference was found between pN0(i-) and pN0(i+) (p=0.034). In the multivariate Cox model with backward conditional method, reclassified pN stage was remained as an independent prognostic factor along with age and tumor location while excluding original N stage, and the hazard ratio (95% CI) of pN0(i+) compared to pN0(i-) was 3.60 (1.08-12.00). Conclusions: The result demonstrates that ITCs in regional lymph nodes is a bad prognostic factor, even after adjusting for other prognostic factors. So we suggest that ITCs should be classified separately from the N0 in gastric cancer staging.
Genomic affinities of Zea luxurians, Z. diploperennis, and Z. perennis: Meiotic behavior of their F1 hybrids and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH)

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

Since 1987 cytological evidence has arisen in our laboratory, pointing to x = 5 as the original basic chromosome number of maize and its related wild species. This paper deals with the analysis of the meiotic behavior of F 1 hybrids Zea luxurians × Z. diploperennis (2n = 20) and Z. luxurians × Z. perennis (2n = 30). In the first hybrid the most frequent configuration was 8ll + 4l and in the latter was 5lll + 5ll + 5l. Applying GISH (genomic in situ hybridization) to mitotic chromosomes of Z. luxurians we found that DAPI (4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) positive bands located in all telomeric regions of this species did not hybridize with either Z. perennis or Z. diploperennis genomic probe. Therefore, Z. luxurians has a repetitive sequence that can be used in fluorescent staining to identify its chromosomes. When GISH was employed on metaphase I of the 2n = 30 hybrid, all the univalents showed distinctive telomeres of Z. luxurians, while the bivalents did not present any signal. These findings show that the formation of bivalent-univalent configurations is not a random event. The bivalents tend to be spatially separated and are very often observed forming an independent group of 5II. Finally, trivalents were composed by one chromosome labeled in its telomeric regions, and two smaller and unlabeled ones. The use of chromosome markers of Z. luxurians demonstrated to be a good step forward in interpreting the nature of meiotic configurations in 2n = 30 Zea spp. hybrids. They can help to clarify the relationship between genomes and provide a useful addition to the taxonomic classification in the genus Zea.Key Words: Zea hybrids, evolution, cytogenetics, repetitive sequences, heterochromatic knobs.
Effects of peer versus expert exercise standards on exercise cognitions and behaviour

Field: Psychology (Social Sciences)

Objective: This experiment examined whether people respond differently to information about where they stand relative to peer behaviour or to expert behavioural recommendations, and whether responses depend on the attainability of these standards.Design: University students (N = 345) were randomly assigned to receive information about their exercise levels relative to peer behaviour or expert recommendations, both varying in attainability, or to a no-feedback control.Main Outcome Measures: Exercise-related cognitions were assessed immediately after feedback and exercise intentions and behaviour were assessed one month later.Results: Among those who received expert recommendations, immediate perceived comparative risk as well as exercise intentions one month later were higher if the standard was more attainable. Those who received peer information reported more exercise minutes in the past week if the standard was less attainable.Conclusion: These outcomes provide evidence that attainability of the standard should be a consideration for norm- and information-based health behaviour interventions.
Ecology and development of companies

Field: Business, Management and Accounting (Social Sciences)

Gli autori analizzano le tendenze dell'ambiente nei confronti dell'ecologia e argumentano che l'ecologia e diventata un fattore di sviluppo che stimola l'addattamento del comportamento delle imprese. Nuove condizioni di mercato creano nouve opportunita' e ostacoli. Le imprese reagiscono creando una soluzione di diffesa o dell'attacco.
Design and Analysis of Flat Head Pressure Vessel in Petroleum Industry

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

Naphtha is a volatile commercial product which is obtained by the distillation process in petroleum refinery of coal tar. Petroleum naphtha is a name for the petroleum distillate which contains aliphatic hydrocarbons and boiling point higher than the gasoline and lower than kerosene. In the crude oil distillation the overhead liquid distillate is called virgin or straight naphtha. Heat is used to maintain viscosity of naphtha that is stored. As naphtha has a non-linear thermal property after distillation it is in the semi-fluid form. If the temperature drops the fluid changes from semi-liquid to semi-solid form and can cause considerable damage to the system and becomes difficult for further processing. Hence to avoid this heat pipes are inserted in pressure vessel from top to ensure efficient distribution of heat.In this project we will study the effect of thermal stress due the presence of embedded heat pipes and try to simulate the distribution of heat in the system using ANSYS.
INFLATION AND GRAIN STOCKS OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS: WHY DON’T FARMERS STORE GRAIN AS BEFORE?

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance (Social Sciences)

This paper empirically addresses how inflation rates affect China’s private grain stocks.Storable grain is characterized as a capital asset. Farm households would choose either to store grain or to sell grain to get bank deposits. We first build a farm household model in which real interest rates can alter farmer’s grain storage behavior. Using household survey data collected in Hebei province, China from 2004-2009, we empirically test the theory. Our estimates show that inflation rates significantly and negatively affect private grain storage. This finding provides an alternative explanation for the decline in private grain stocks since 2004 in China.
Making Expert Bodies: A Sociological Analysis of the Formation of Regulatory Agencies in U.S. Politics

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Abstract In this paper, we ask what it means that regulatory expertise is ‘political’. To address this question, we retrace the formation of two regulatory agencies in the United States, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We study the formation of these two agencies as a contentious political process of making expert bodies. In this process, epistemological questions of assembling expertise are systematically bound to questions of political structure formation. We ground a relational concept of expertise in a differentiation-theoretical concept of politics. This perspective sharpens our view for the dynamic interplay between politics and its societal environment that defines the making of regulatory expertise. We identify three ‘boundary moments’ that structure the making of expert bodies across both cases: a moment of boundary transgression (1), in which the politicization of environmental problems questioned established decision-making structures; a moment of boundary reflection (2), in which a concrete demand for expertise was articulated and organized structures to address it were created; and finally, a moment of boundary negotiation (3), in which the newly assembled expert bodies were anchored in the federal infrastructure. By scrutinizing the concept of expertise through the lens of a theory of the political, we hope to contribute to theoretical efforts in the sociology of expertise.
A Chemical Approach for Programmable Protein Outputs Based on Engineered Cell Interactions

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

Cell-cell interactions and communication are crucial to the proper function of complex mammalian physiology including neurocognitive and immune system functions. While many tools are available for observing and perturbing intracellular processes, relatively few exist to probe intercellular processes. Current techniques for studying interactions often rely on direct protein contact, and few can manipulate diverse, functional outputs with tunable protein expression. To address these limitations, we have developed a small-molecule approach based on a trimethoprim prodrug-enzyme pair capable of reporting the presence of two different engineered cell populations with programmable protein outputs. The approach relies on bacterial nitroreductase enzyme catalysis, which is orthogonal to normal mammalian biology, and diffusion of trimethoprim from "activator" cells to "receiver" cells. We test this strategy, which can theoretically regulate many different types of proteins, using biochemical and in vitro culture assays with optical and cytokine protein readouts. This describes the first small-molecule approach capable of detecting and controlling engineered cell-cell outputs, and we anticipate future applications that are especially relevant to the field of immuno-oncology.
FlowPix: Accelerating Image Processing Pipelines on an FPGA Overlay using a Domain Specific Compiler

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

The exponential performance growth guaranteed by Moore’s law has started to taper in recent years. At the same time, emerging applications like image processing demand heavy computational performance. These factors inevitably lead to the emergence of domain-specific accelerators (DSA) to fill the performance void left by conventional architectures. FPGAs are rapidly evolving towards becoming an alternative to custom ASICs for designing DSAs because of their low power consumption and a higher degree of parallelism. DSA design on FPGAs requires careful calibration of the FPGA compute and memory resources towards achieving optimal throughput. Hardware Descriptive Languages (HDL) like Verilog have been traditionally used to design FPGA hardware. HDLs are not geared towards any domain, and the user has to put in much effort to describe the hardware at the register transfer level. Domain Specific Languages (DSLs) and compilers have been recently used to weave together handwritten HDLs templates targeting a specific domain. Recent efforts have designed DSAs with image-processing DSLs targeting FPGAs. Image computations in the DSL are lowered to pre-existing templates or lower-level languages like HLS-C. This approach requires expensive FPGA re-flashing for every new workload. In contrast to this fixed-function hardware approach, overlays are gaining traction. Overlays are DSAs resembling a processor, which is synthesized and flashed on the FPGA once but is flexible enough to process a broad class of computations through soft reconfiguration. Less work has been reported in the context of image processing overlays. Image processing algorithms vary in size and shape, ranging from simple blurring operations to complex pyramid systems. The primary challenge in designing an image-processing overlay is maintaining flexibility in mapping different algorithms. This paper proposes a DSL-based overlay accelerator called FlowPix for image processing applications. The DSL programs are expressed as pipelines, with each stage representing a computational step in the overall algorithm. We implement 15 image-processing benchmarks using FlowPix on a Virtex-7-690t FPGA. The benchmarks range from simple blur operations to complex pipelines like Lucas-Kande optical flow. We compare FlowPix against existing DSL-to-FPGA frameworks like Hetero-Halide and Vitis Vision library that generate fixed-function hardware. On most benchmarks, we see up to 25% degradation in latency with approximately a 1.7x to 2x increase in the FPGA LUT consumption. Our ability to execute any benchmark without incurring the high costs of hardware synthesis, place-and-route, and FPGA re-flashing justifies the slight performance loss and increased resource consumption that we experience. FlowPix achieves an average frame rate of 170 FPS on HD frames of 1920 × 1080 pixels in the implemented benchmarks.
Transcanalicular Diode Laser-Assisted Revision Surgery for Failed Dacryocystorhinostomy With or Without Distal or Common Canalicular Obstruction

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Purpose: To report the outcomes of transcanalicular diode laser-assisted revision surgery for failed dacryocystorhinostomy with/without distal or common canalicular obstruction. Methods: The medical records and recorded videos of consecutive transcanalicular diode laser-assisted revision surgeries performed for failed dacryocystorhinostomy between May 2011 and May 2015 were reviewed. Cases of unavailability of video and cases lost to follow up after surgery were excluded from the study. With respect to the level of obstruction, lacrimal drainage systems were divided into Group 1 (obstruction at the level of the ostium) and Group 2 (obstruction at the level of the distal or common canaliculus). Data associated with anatomical and functional success were analyzed. Results: Revision dacryocystorhinostomy surgeries were performed on 68 patients during the study period. Transcanalicular diode laser-assisted revision surgeries were performed on 48 eyes of 39 patients. Mean follow-up period after revision surgery was 13.3 ± 12.6 months. Overall, anatomical success rate was 83.3% (40/48) and functional success rate was 68.8% (33/48). Anatomical success rates and functional success rates in the 2 groups showed no significant difference (80.0% [24/30] vs. 86.7% [13/15], p = 0.699; 70.0% [21/30] vs. 66.7% [10/15], p = 1.000, respectively). Conclusions: Transcanalicular diode laser-assisted revision surgery may be an alternative technique for failed dacryocystorhinostomy. Distal or common canalicular obstruction did not affect the outcomes of revision surgeries.
A “Left Turn” in Latin America? Populism, Socialism, and Democratic Institutions

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Abstract: Progressive politics in Latin America inevitably draws from the legacies of socialism and populism, but these categories are not very useful today. We need to come to terms with the multiple types of left that are currently in office in Latin America, and to examine their differences in terms of stark contrasts among their respective countries' party systems as well as the uneven performance of their democratic institutions. The ultimate challenge for the left in Latin America is to reconcile the substantive goals of inclusion and equality with the equally substantive goals of robust procedures and institutions.
Simultaneous Bilateral Laparoscopic Cortical-sparing Adrenalectomy for Bilateral Pheochromocytomas in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract Background: laparoscopic or open cortical-sparing adrenalectomy (LCSA or OCSA; CSA) for treatment of bilateral pheochromocytomas (bPHEO) in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) offers a postoperative corticosteroid independence and is balanced against the risk of local recurrence. In this study, the optimal surgical approach and the value of the simultaneous bilateral LCSA/OCSA (SB-LCSA/ SB-OCSA) were further assessed. Methods: A total of 31 patients (54.8% women) were diagnosed with bPHEO in MEN2 at a median age at initial presentation of 38 years (range, 23–78). Twenty- seven patients (87.1%) presented with synchronous. With the exception two patients respectively presenting MEN2A died of MTC metastasis or MEN2B declined surgery, each of other 29 underwent initial CSA, and in 23 (79.3%), of whom 18 had SB-LCSA and 5 had SB-OCSA duration of the same anesthesia (synchronous surgery); whereas metachronous CSA was in 6 (20.7%), including 1 had metachronous bilateral LCSA, 2 had metachronous bilateral OCSA (metachronous surgery) and 3 had LCSA/OCSA (hybrid) surgery. Results: All 31 patients associated with RET -C634 mutations, as MEN2A (90.3%) and RET -M918T, as MEN2B (9.7%), respectively. No conversion and intraoperative or postoperative severe complications were necessary. There were less bleeding volume, and shorter hospitalizations between in SB-LCSA compared with those in SB-OCSA, as well as synchronous surgery versus metachronous (hybrid) surgery (all P < 0.05). An initial bilateral postoperative corticosteroid replacement was necessary in 14 patients (45.2%). During a median follow-up period of 7 years (range, 1.8–23), 3 of these patients (10.3%) showed a persistent/recurrent disease and needed reoperation. Conclusions: CSA for bPHEO in MEN2 has a relatively low recurrence and avoids lifelong corticosteroid replacement in well over half the patients. SB-LCSA for treatment of these synchronous bPHEO is safe and feasible, should be recommended as a prioritized surgical approach of choice.
A credit risk assessment system for the small and medium enterprises in China

Field: Business, Management and Accounting (Social Sciences)

Credit risk assessment is very important to the small and medium enterprises in China. In this paper, a credit risk assessment system for the small and medium enterprises is proposed. In order to evaluate the credit risk, the features of Chinese small and medium enterprises are analyzed first, and then a credit risk assessment index system is built up and a proper method is chosen to assess the credit risk using the index system. At the end of this paper, a prototype credit risk assessment is shown through some screens.
The Use of Signals in New-Venture Financing: A Review and Research Agenda

Field: Business, Management and Accounting (Social Sciences)

The use of signals to overcome information asymmetries and reduce the uncertainty inherent in resource acquisition has become a prominent theme in new-venture financing literature. In particular, the assessment of a wide range of different information signals, with the aim of conveying a venture’s quality and legitimacy to prospective investors, is receiving increased scholarly attention. With contributions from a broad spectrum of diverse research foci investigating interactions with distinct types of investors, the literature on entrepreneurial signaling in new-venture financing has become fragmented, and this is harming further development of the field. This study systematically reviews the different literature streams on entrepreneurial signaling to provide a more integrative framework, which can contribute to the cumulative and evidence-based body of knowledge about the role of entrepreneurial signaling in new-venture financing. Furthermore, the authors identify critical sender-, signal-, receiver-, and environment-related boundary conditions that influence the signaling effectiveness. In this way, the authors identify gaps in the existing literature and map directions for future research.
2089-P: Islet GLUT2 Plasticity Improves Glycemic Control in Insulin-Resistant KK Mice but Not T2DM KKAy Mice

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

Beta cells secrete insulin in response to glucose entry by GLUT transporters. GLUT are reduced in beta cells from T2DM rodents. We hypothesized that glucose entry into islets would be reduced in T2DM mice. Islets were isolated from euglycemic mice (C57/Bl6, ICR), insulin-resistant but euglycemic mice (4 and 8 wk KK), prediabetic mice (4 wk KKAy), and T2DM mice (8 wk KKAy). Islets were exposed to the fluorescent glucose analogue 2-NBDG in presence or absence of high glucose or the GLUT inhibitor phloretin. Islet fluorescence was visualized using confocal microscopy and quantified from 3-D images using FIJI Image J. GLUT2 protein was determined in isolated islets by ELISA. Islet GLUT2 location was determined using IF sections with blinded observers assigning a score from 0 (cytosol) to 10 (cell membrane). *p&lt;0.05. Using islets from euglycemic mice, 2-NBDG entry was competitively reduced 59% by high glucose and 30% by phloretin. Despite a 44% decrease in islet GLUT2 protein in prediabetic mice (KK, 4.0±0.5; KKAy, 2.3±0.3*), 2-NBDG entry into islets was similar (KK: 7.32±0.86; KKAy: 7.25±0.86). More GLUT2 transporters were located in the membrane of islets from KKAy (5.88±2.14*) as compared to KK (4.44±3.06) mice. Phloretin significantly decreased 2-NBDG entry in both KK (6.31±0.61*) and KKAy (6.52±0.69*) mice. By 8 wks of age, islet GLUT2 protein had decreased by 51% in KK mice (1.97±0.50*) with no change in KKAy mice (2.58±0.22), yet 2-NBDG entry was not altered (KK: 7.32±0.63; KKAy: 7.35±0.62). More GLUT2 was located in the membrane of 8 wk KK (7.08±1.68*) as compared to 4 wk KK mice. Membrane GLUT2 was unchanged in KKAy mice. Phloretin increased 2-NBDG entry into islets from both KK (8.05±0.48*) and KKAy (7.95±0.79*) mice. With age, HbA1c did not change in KK mice (4.53-4.97%) but increased in KKAy mice (5.27-6.57%). Plasticity in islet GLUT2 content, location and transport was evident in islets from KK mice but not KKAy mice. Plasticity may contribute to better glycemic control in aging KK mice. Disclosure K.J. LePard: None. K.L. Sondgeroth: None. Funding Midwestern University (to K.J.L.)
Preparation and characterization of nicotine tartrate and its application in gum-based chewing tobacco

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

To develop suitable nicotine derivatives for potential use in next generation tobacco products, mixtures of nicotine with tartaric acid were prepared. The prepared freeze-dried product was a white powder with good water solubility. The structure of nicotine tartrate was evaluated with X-ray powder diffraction, near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ss-NMR). The crystal structure of nicotine tartrate was analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. According to the obtained atomic coordinates, equivalent temperature factor, bond length and torsion angles, the chemical formula of nicotine tartrate was proposed as 2(C4H5O6)·C10H16N2·H2O. The relative molecular mass was 480.42, and the crystal density was 1.501 mg/m3. The crystal structure of nicotine tartrate belongs to the orthorhombic system and the monoclinic space group is P212121. Nicotine tartrate was used in gum-based chewing tobacco to substitute pure nicotine, which showed a sustained nicotine release when compared to traditional ultrafine tobacco powder as assessed by an in situ dissolution method.