Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating Costs in the Economic Evaluation of Medical Technologies

The complexities and nuances of evaluating the costs associated with providing medical technologies are often underestimated by analysts engaged in economic evaluations. This article describes the theoretical underpinnings of cost estimation, emphasizing the importance of accounting for opportunity costs and marginal costs. The various types of costs that should be considered in an analysis are described; a listing of specific cost elements may provide a helpful guide to analysis. The process of identifying and estimating costs is detailed, and practical recommendations for handling the challenges of cost estimation are provided. The roles of sensitivity analysis and discounting are characterized, as are determinants of the types of costs to include in an analysis. Finally, common problems facing the analyst are enumerated with suggestions for managing these problems.
Pulmonary Inflammation and Remodeling Role of 5-Lipoxygenase in IL-13-Induced

Exaggerated levels of IL-13 and leukotriene (LT) pathway activation frequently coexist at sites of Th2 inﬂammation and in tissue ﬁbrotic responses. However, the relationship(s) between the IL-13 and LTs in these responses have not been deﬁned. We hypothesized that the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway of LT metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IL-13-induced chronic inﬂammation and remodeling. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of IL-13 on components of the 5-LO metabolic and activation pathways. We also compared the effects of transgenic IL-13 in C57BL/6 mice with wild-type and null 5-LO genetic loci . These studies demonstrate that IL-13 increases the levels of mRNA encoding cytosolic phospholipase A 2 , LTA 4 hydrolase, and 5-LO-activating protein without altering the expression of 5-LO, LTC 4 synthase, LTB 4 receptors 1 and 2, and cysteinyl-LT receptors 1 and 2. They also demonstrate that this activation is associated with the enhanced accumulation of LTB 4 but not of cysteinyl-LTs. Furthermore, they demonstrate that this stimulation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of IL-13-induced inﬂammation, tissue ﬁbrosis, and respiratory failure-induced death while inhibiting alveolar remodeling. Lastly, mechanistic insights are provided by demonstrating that IL-13-induced 5-LO activation is required for optimal stimulation and activation of TGF- (cid:1) 1 and the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-12. When viewed in combination, these studies demonstrate that 5-LO plays an important role in IL-13-induced inﬂammation and remodeling. The Journal of Immunology, 2006, 177: 1918–1924. These studies demonstrate that increased levels of PGE 2 are seen in lungs from IL-13 Tg (cid:1) They also demonstrate that these levels are not signiﬁcantly altered in the absence of 5-LO and therefore do not contribute, in a major way, to the alterations in the tissue effects of IL-13 that are seen in this setting.
Soft decode-and-forward using LDPC coding in half-duplex relay channels

This paper proposes a new soft decode-and-forward (SDF) protocol using LDPC codes in the half-duplex relay channels. In order for the encoding of the additional parity-check symbols at the relay to be linear and systematic, we introduce a structured rate-compatible (RC) LDPC code. We then develop the soft-decoding and soft-re-encoding algorithms for the proposed RC-LDPC code, which allows the relay to forward soft messages to the destination when the relay fails to decode the source's message. Furthermore, we propose a new method, which we refer to as soft fading, to compute the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) of the received signal at the destination for the SDF protocol. We show that our proposed method performs better when compared to a previous reported method in literature.
Effects of ocean acidification on the early life history of a tropical marine fish

Little is known about how fishes and other non-calcifying marine organisms will respond to the increased levels of dissolved CO2 and reduced sea water pH that are predicted to occur over the coming century. We reared eggs and larvae of the orange clownfish, Amphiprion percula, in sea water simulating a range of ocean acidification scenarios for the next 50–100 years (current day, 550, 750 and 1030 ppm atmospheric CO2). CO2 acidification had no detectable effect on embryonic duration, egg survival and size at hatching. In contrast, CO2 acidification tended to increase the growth rate of larvae. By the time of settlement (11 days post-hatching), larvae from some parental pairs were 15 to 18 per cent longer and 47 to 52 per cent heavier in acidified water compared with controls. Larvae from other parents were unaffected by CO2 acidification. Elevated CO2 and reduced pH had no effect on the maximum swimming speed of settlement-stage larvae. There was, however, a weak positive relationship between length and swimming speed. Large size is usually considered to be advantageous for larvae and newly settled juveniles. Consequently, these results suggest that levels of ocean acidification likely to be experienced in the near future might not, in isolation, significantly disadvantage the growth and performance of larvae from benthic-spawning marine fishes.
Joint torque-velocity pair based manipulability for grasping system

This paper provides a new approach of manipulability for general grasping system. While conventional manipulability is analysis in velocity domain and can not include force effect such as gravitational force, the proposing approach can include the force effect to keep grasping. For the purpose, an operation range is introduced. The operation range is for actuator attached with every joint of robot and provides generable joint torque and velocity and their relation (between generating torque/velocity and addable velocity/torque). Using the operation range, we derive manipulability set and measure in velocity domain, including force effect. The proposing method can evaluate not only the performance in velocity domain but also effects of friction, contact state, and external forces, which were not obtained in conventional studies.
Occlusion Geodesics for Online Multi-object Tracking

Robust multi-object tracking-by-detection requires the correct assignment of noisy detection results to object trajectories. We address this problem by proposing an online approach based on the observation that object detectors primarily fail if objects are significantly occluded. In contrast to most existing work, we only rely on geometric information to efficiently overcome detection failures. In particular, we exploit the spatio-temporal evolution of occlusion regions, detector reliability, and target motion prediction to robustly handle missed detections. In combination with a conservative association scheme for visible objects, this allows for real-time tracking of multiple objects from a single static camera, even in complex scenarios. Our evaluations on publicly available multi-object tracking benchmark datasets demonstrate favorable performance compared to the state-of-the-art in online and offline multi-object tracking.
The replication initiator of the cholera pathogen's second chromosome shows structural similarity to plasmid initiators

Abstract The conserved DnaA-oriC system is used to initiate replication of primary chromosomes throughout the bacterial kingdom; however, bacteria with multipartite genomes evolved distinct systems to initiate replication of secondary chromosomes. In the cholera pathogen, Vibrio cholerae, and in related species, secondary chromosome replication requires the RctB initiator protein. Here, we show that RctB consists of four domains. The structure of its central two domains resembles that of several plasmid replication initiators. RctB contains at least three DNA binding winged-helix-turn-helix motifs, and mutations within any of these severely compromise biological activity. In the structure, RctB adopts a head-to-head dimeric configuration that likely reflects the arrangement in solution. Therefore, major structural reorganization likely accompanies complex formation on the head-to-tail array of binding sites in oriCII. Our findings support the hypothesis that the second Vibrionaceae chromosome arose from an ancestral plasmid, and that RctB may have evolved additional regulatory features.
Poisson's ratio over two centuries: challenging hypotheses

This article explores Poisson's ratio, starting with the controversy concerning its magnitude and uniqueness in the context of the molecular and continuum hypotheses competing in the development of elasticity theory in the nineteenth century, moving on to its place in the development of materials science and engineering in the twentieth century, and concluding with its recent re-emergence as a universal metric for the mechanical performance of materials on any length scale. During these episodes France lost its scientific pre-eminence as paradigms switched from mathematical to observational, and accurate experiments became the prerequisite for scientific advance. The emergence of the engineering of metals followed, and subsequently the invention of composites—both somewhat separated from the discovery of quantum mechanics and crystallography, and illustrating the bifurcation of technology and science. Nowadays disciplines are reconnecting in the face of new scientific demands. During the past two centuries, though, the shape versus volume concept embedded in Poisson's ratio has remained invariant, but its application has exploded from its origins in describing the elastic response of solids and liquids, into areas such as materials with negative Poisson's ratio, brittleness, glass formation, and a re-evaluation of traditional materials. Moreover, the two contentious hypotheses have been reconciled in their complementarity within the hierarchical structure of materials and through computational modelling.
Measuring the spin polarization of a metal with a superconducting point contact

A superconducting point contact is used to determine the spin polarization at the Fermi energy of several metals. Because the process of supercurrent conversion at a superconductor-metal interface (Andreev reflection) is limited by the minority spin population near the Fermi surface, the differential conductance of the point contact can reveal the spin polarization of the metal. This technique has been applied to a variety of metals where the spin polarization ranges from 35 to 90 percent: Ni0.8Fe0. 2, Ni, Co, Fe, NiMnSb, La0.7Sr0. 3MnO3, and CrO2.
Universal Dimensions of Meaning Derived from Semantic Relations among Words and Senses: Mereological Completeness vs. Ontological Generality

A key to semantic analysis is a precise and practically useful definition of meaning that is general for all domains of knowledge. We previously introduced the notion of weak semantic map: a metric space allocating concepts along their most general (universal) semantic characteristics while at the same time ignoring other, domain-specific aspects of their meanings. Here we address questions of the number, quality, and mutual independence of the weak semantic dimensions. Specifically, we employ semantic relationships not previously used for weak semantic mapping, such as holonymy/meronymy (“is-part/member-of”), and we compare maps constructed from word senses to those constructed from words. We show that the “completeness” dimension derived from the holonym/meronym relation is independent of, and practically orthogonal to, the “abstractness” dimension derived from the hypernym-hyponym (“is-a”) relation, while both dimensions are orthogonal to the maps derived from synonymy and antonymy. Interestingly, the choice of using relations among words vs. senses implies a non-trivial trade-off between rich and unambiguous information due to homonymy and polysemy. The practical utility of the new and prior dimensions is illustrated by the automated evaluation of different kinds of documents. Residual analysis of available linguistic resources, such as WordNet, suggests that the number of universal semantic dimensions representable in natural language may be finite. Their complete characterization, as well as the extension of results to non-linguistic materials, remains an open challenge.
A new pricing model for next generation spectrum access

In this paper we briefly review several concepts that are central to the design of spectrum management algorithms emphasizing on pricing. These include: (1) FCC auctions, (2) single-unit auctions (3) peakload pricing. Based on these concepts and models, we propose a new pricing spectrum's pricing model for the CAB operated by the spectrum broker for homogeneous CDMA networks.
Control of small formations using shape coordinates

Formations that contain a small number of robots are modeled as controlled Lagrangian systems on Jacobi shape space. This allows a blocked decoupled control for position, orientation and shape of the formation. Feedback control laws are derived using control Lyapunov functions. The controlled dynamics converges to the invariant set where desired shape is achieved. Controllers are implemented in a layered fashion via the extended motion description language (MDLe) system. Group MDLe plans are constructed to allow structured controller design for formations.
The Determinants of US Stock Market Returns

In the literature there are many determinants for the times series of US stock returns. The most notable are: inflation, inflation uncertainty, and the relative change in the value of the US dollar. This paper aims to reconsider and update this research question. Monthly data sets are used with the S&P 500 as the measure of the stock market index, and the US trade-weighted foreign exchange rate index as the measure of the US dollar. Least squares regressions, GARCH regressions and least square regressions with endogenous calendar breakpoints are estimated. The evidence is strong that US inflation and US inflation uncertainty do not have an impact on US stock market returns. However, for the recent sample, a significant relation between the US S&P 500 and the US dollar exists, while in the older sample such a relation is negated. Finally, there is evidence that the growth rate in the money supply has a negative and delayed impact on US stock returns whatever the econometric specification. This anomalous relation runs against market efficiency.
Taci Is a Traf-Interacting Receptor for Tall-1, a Tumor Necrosis Factor Family Member Involved in B Cell Regulation

We and others recently reported tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and apoptosis ligand-related leukocyte-expressed ligand 1 (TALL-1) as a novel member of the TNF ligand family that is functionally involved in B cell proliferation. Transgenic mice overexpressing TALL-1 have severe B cell hyperplasia and lupus-like autoimmune disease. Here, we describe expression cloning of a cell surface receptor for TALL-1 from a human Burkitt's lymphoma RAJI cell library. The cloned receptor is identical to the previously reported TNF receptor (TNFR) homologue transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand (CAML) interactor (TACI). Murine TACI was subsequently isolated from the mouse B lymphoma A20 cells. Human and murine TACI share 54% identity overall. Human TACI exhibits high binding affinities to both human and murine TALL-1. Soluble TACI extracellular domain protein specifically blocks TALL-1-mediated B cell proliferation without affecting CD40- or lipopolysaccharide-mediated B cell proliferation in vitro. In addition, when injected into mice, soluble TACI inhibits antibody production to both T cell-dependent and -independent antigens. By yeast two-hybrid screening of a B cell library with TACI intracellular domain, we identified that, like many other TNFR family members, TACI intracellular domain interacts with TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)2, 5, and 6. Correspondingly, TACI activation in a B cell line results in nuclear factor kappaB and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase activation. The identification and characterization of the receptor for TALL-1 provides useful information for the development of a treatment for B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
Evaluation of Three Methods in the Diagnosis of Dentin Cracks Caused by Apical Resection

Objective: To compare three various methods in the diagnosis of dentinal cracks formed in the apical third after root resection. Materials and Methods: One hundred extracted human maxillary central incisors were selected. The root canals were prepared with step-back technique. Then 3mm from the apical end of all roots was cut perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth. The apical end of each root was evaluated to make sure there were no cracks. Fifty specimens were randomly chosen and connected to an apparatus especially designed for application of force (50–60N) by a universal testing machine for crack formation. The cracked (no=50) and non-cracked (no=50) specimens were examined by three methods of fiber optic transillumination, methylene blue staining and combination of the two. Sensitivity and specificity of the methods were evaluated. The most suitable method for detecting cracks was determined using Youden index. To compare agreement between studied methods with the gold standard, kappa statistics and odds ratio of McNemar were utilized. Results: The sensitivity of transillumination, staining and the combination method were 82.0, 50.0 and 90.0%, respectively. The staining technique had the lowest sensitivity and the highest specificity. Both transillumination and the combination method had Youden index of 0.56, but the combination method diagnosed truly cracked samples more than the other techniques. Conclusion: The efficacy of transillumination in identification of apical root-end cracks undetectable by unaided vision was similar to the combination method. However, the efficacy of 2% methylene blue without transillumination was significantly lower than the other two methodologies.
Corpus-based Method for Automatic Identification of Support Verbs for Nominalizations

Nominalization is a highly productive phenomena in most languages. The process of nominalization ejects a verb from its syntactic role into a nominal position. The original verb is often replaced by a semantically emptied support verb (e.g., make a proposal). The choice of a support verb for a given nominalization is unpredictable, causing a problem for language learners as well as for natural language processing systems. We present here a method of discovering support verbs from an untagged corpus via low-level syntactic processing and comparison of arguments attached to verbal forms and potential nominalized forms. The result of the process is a list of potential support verbs for the nominalized form of a given predicate.
The Kamenjača olivine gabbro from Moslavačka Gora (South Tisia, Croatia)

The Kamenjaca olivine gabbro, in detail described by Kispatic (1887), has been (re)found as blocks of as yet not defined primary geological position in the southern part of Moslavacka Gora crystalline complex (MGC). Based on petrology and the microfabrics these rocks exhibit three distinct mineral assemblages. The magmatic assemblage is well preserved and consists of olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene and minor orthopyroxene. Magmatic minerals yielded a Sm-Nd isochrone age of 109 p 8 Ma. The high initial epsilon value (e Nd=+5.50), the low initial Sr isotopic ratio (0.70359), together with the high Mg number of the rock (Mg' = 0.76) and the mafic minerals (Mg' ol = 0.75 ; Mg' opx = 0.77 ; Mg' cpx = 0.85) point to upper mantle related melt. After formation the olivine gabbro underwent subsolidus and metamorphic changes, which caused the development of reaction margins along the grain boundaries, especially on contact between plagioclase and olivine. Margin mineral paragenesis comprises orthopyroxene II, amphibole I p phlogopite and p opaque phases. The second event is indicated by formation of the symplectite paragenesis extending from plagioclase margins inwards. It consists of plagioclase II, amphibole II and p orthopyroxene III. Thermometric calculations on clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene pairs and barometry based on clinopyroxene crystal-structure modeling yielded a magmatic temperature of 920 o C and a pressure of 8.7p 1.8 kbar. According to hornblende and hornblende-plagioclase pairs thermobarometric calculations the first reaction paragenesis was formed at 610-670 o C and 4-6 kbar and the second one at 590-670 o C and 2-5.5 kbar.
HIV and syphilis prevalence and associated risk factors among fishing communities of Lake Victoria, Uganda

Objectives Recent publications suggest that fishing populations may be highly affected by the HIV epidemic. However, accurate data are scarce. The authors determined HIV and syphilis prevalence and associated risk factors in a fishing population of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Methods 10 188 volunteers aged ≥13 years from a census carried out in five fishing communities between February and August 2009 were invited to attend central study clinics established in each community. After informed consent, 2005 randomly selected volunteers responded to socio-demographic and risk assessment questions, provided blood for HIV testing and 1618 volunteers were also tested for syphilis. Risk factors were analysed using logistic regression. Results HIV and active syphilis (rapid plasma reagin titre ≥1:8) prevalences were 28.8% (95% CI 26.8 to 30.8) and 4.3% (95% CI 3.3 to 5.4), respectively, and high risk sexual behaviour was frequently reported. HIV prevalence was independently associated with female sex, increasing age, occupation (highest in fishermen), relationship to household head, self-reported genital sores and knowledge of an HIV infected partner. Alcohol consumption, syphilis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported by health workers were associated with HIV in women, and genital discharge and inconsistent condom use in men. Syphilis prevalence was independently associated with age and alcohol consumption in women, and recent genital sores and sex under the influence of drugs in men. Conclusion This fishing population characterised by a very high HIV prevalence, high syphilis prevalence and frequently reported sexual risk behaviours, urgently needs improved STI services and targeted behavioural interventions.
Bioinformatic Indications That COPI- and Clathrin-Based Transport Systems Are Not Present in Chloroplasts: An Arabidopsis Model

Coated vesicle transport occurs in the cytosol of yeast, mammals and plants. It consists of three different transport systems, the COPI, COPII and clathrin coated vesicles (CCV), all of which participate in the transfer of proteins and lipids between different cytosolic compartments. There are also indications that chloroplasts have a vesicle transport system. Several putative chloroplast-localized proteins, including CPSAR1 and CPRabA5e with similarities to cytosolic COPII transport-related proteins, were detected in previous experimental and bioinformatics studies. These indications raised the hypothesis that a COPI- and/or CCV-related system may be present in chloroplasts, in addition to a COPII-related system. To test this hypothesis we bioinformatically searched for chloroplast proteins that may have similar functions to known cytosolic COPI and CCV components in the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa (subsp. japonica) (rice). We found 29 such proteins, based on domain similarity, in Arabidopsis, and 14 in rice. However, many components could not be identified and among the identified most have assigned roles that are not related to either COPI or CCV transport. We conclude that COPII is probably the only active vesicle system in chloroplasts, at least in the model plants. The evolutionary implications of the findings are discussed.