Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dose-Dependent Contribution of CD34-Positive Cell Transplantation to Concurrent Vasculogenesis and Cardiomyogenesis for Functional Regenerative Recovery After Myocardial Infarction

Background— Multilineage developmental capacity of the CD34+ cells, especially into cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), is still controversial. In the present study we performed a series of experiments to prove our hypothesis that vasculogenesis and cardiomyogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) may be dose-dependently enhanced after CD34+ cell transplantation. Methods and Results— Peripheral blood CD34+ cells were isolated from total mononuclear cells of patients with limb ischemia by apheresis after 5-day administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. PBS and 1×103 (low), 1×105 (mid), or 5×105 (high) CD34+ cells were intramyocardially transplanted after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery of nude rats. Functional assessments with the use of echocardiography and a microtip conductance catheter at day 28 revealed dose-dependent preservation of left ventricular function by CD34+ cell transplantation. Necropsy examination disclosed dose-dependent augmentation of capillary density and dose-dependent inhibition of left ventricular fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry for human-specific brain natriuretic peptide demonstrated that human cardiomyocytes were dose-dependently observed in ischemic myocardium at day 28 (high, 2480±149; mid, 1860±141; low, 423±9; PBS, 0±0/mm2; P<0.05 for high versus mid and mid versus low). Immunostaining for smooth muscle actin and human leukocyte antigen or Ulex europaeus lectin type 1 also revealed dose-dependent vasculogenesis by endothelial cell and SMC development after CD34+ cell transplantation. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction indicated that human-specific gene expression of cardiomyocyte (brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin-I, myosin heavy chain, and Nkx 2.5), SMC (smooth muscle actin and sm22&agr;), and endothelial cell (CD31 and KDR) markers were dose-dependently augmented in MI tissue. Conclusions— Human CD34+ cell transplantation may have significant and dose-dependent potential for vasculogenesis and cardiomyogenesis with functional recovery from MI.
The plumbing of Old Faithful Geyser revealed by hydrothermal tremor

Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park (USA) has attracted numerous scientific investigations for over two centuries to better understand its geological structure, the physics of its eruptions, and the controls of its intermittency. Using data acquired with a seismic array in 1992, we track the sources of hydrothermal tremor produced by boiling and cavitation inside the geyser. The location of seismic sources identifies a previously unknown lateral cavity at 15 m below the surface, on the SW side of the vent, and connected to the conduit. This reservoir is activated at the beginning of each geyser eruption cycle and plays a major role in the oscillatory behavior of the water level in the conduit before each eruption.
Delay analysis of the selective-repeat ARQ with the per flow resequencing

An SR (selective-repeat) ARQ (automatic repeat request) protocol is used for effective packet error recovery on a satellite channel. This SR ARQ has a problem of large delay due to the resequencing of received packets. To mitigate this problem, the PFRS (per flow resequencing) scheme was proposed, where resequencing is performed independently for each upper layer flow, while the detection of lost packets and associated retransmissions are performed based on the whole flows multiplexed over the SR ARQ. The paper models the SR ARQ protocol, where the maximum number of retransmissions is limited, by a collection of simple stop-and-wait protocols; it shows calculation results on the delay distribution of retransmission and resequencing and proves the effectiveness of the PFRS scheme.
Strategic Implications of Uncertainty over One's Own Private Value in Auctions

A rational bidder in a private-value auction should be reluctant to incur the cost of perfectly estimating his value if it might not matter to the success of his bidding strategy. This can explain sniping---flurries of bids at the end of auctions---as the result of other bidders trying to avoid stimulating the victim into learning more about his value. The idea of value discovery also explains why a bidder might increase his bid ceiling in the course of an auction and why he would like to know the private values of other bidders.
Chemokine Receptor-Specific Antibodies in Cancer Immunotherapy: Achievements and Challenges

The 1990s brought a burst of information regarding the structure, expression pattern, and role in leukocyte migration and adhesion of chemokines and their receptors. At that time, the FDA approved the first therapeutic antibodies for cancer treatment. A few years later, it was reported that the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CCR7 were involved on directing metastases to liver, lung, bone marrow, or lymph nodes, and the over-expression of CCR4, CCR6, and CCR9 by certain tumors. The possibility of inhibiting the interaction of chemokine receptors present on the surface of tumor cells with their ligands emerged as a new therapeutic approach. Therefore, many research groups and companies began to develop small molecule antagonists and specific antibodies, aiming to neutralize signaling from these receptors. Despite great expectations, so far, only one anti-chemokine receptor antibody has been approved for its clinical use, mogamulizumab, an anti-CCR4 antibody, granted in Japan to treat refractory adult T-cell leukemia and lymphoma. Here, we review the main achievements obtained with anti-chemokine receptor antibodies for cancer immunotherapy, including discovery and clinical studies, proposed mechanisms of action, and therapeutic applications.
Michael Macy and Yoshimichi Sato ( 2010 ) The Surprising Success of a Replication That Failed

In a recent paper, Oliver Will (2009) contends that the effect of mobility on trust that we originally reported (Macy and Sato 2002) depends on 'an assumption that is most probably an unwilling, unintended, and unwanted implication of the code. ' When we experimented with Will's revised model, we came to the opposite conclusion: his version provides stronger support for our theory than does our original. The explanation is that Will left the learning rate at the upper limit of 1.0, the level we assumed in our original paper. When we lowered the learning rate to compensate for the removal of the contested assumption, the results showed how mobility can lead to an increase in trust, which is consistent with our explanation for higher trust in the US compared to Japan. Moreover, the model also shows that it is possible for there to be too much mobility.
Hidden association of Cowden syndrome, PTEN mutation and meningioma frequency

Cowden syndrome (CS) is clinically presented by multiple hamartomas, often with mucocutaneous lesions, goiter, breast cancer and gastrointestinal polyps. CS is a genetic disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance and is one distinct syndrome of the phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome 10 (PTEN) hamartoma tumor spectrum. Noteworthy, PTEN germline mutations are related to a wide range of brain tumors. We performed a systematic analysis and review of the medical literature for Cowden syndrome and meningioma and additionally present the case of a 29-year- old CS patient diagnosed with multiple meningiomas. We found strong evidence for high incidence of brain tumors in CS patients. In particular meningiomas and gangliocytomas/Lhermitte-Duclos disease were often associated with 8% and 9% respectively in CS patients. Since aberrations in chromosome 10q are associated with meningiomas, it is likely that the underlying mutations in CS drive to a certain extent neoplastic meningioma growth. We propose to include meningiomas and brain tumors in the major criteria spectrum of CS-related disorders. This could warrant early diagnosis of brain lesions and close therapy, as well as better monitoring of patients with CS.
Particle Size-Selective Assessment of Protection of European Standard FFP Respirators and Surgical Masks against Particles-Tested with Human Subjects

This study was conducted to investigate the protection of disposable filtering half-facepiece respirators of different grades against particles between 0.093 and 1.61 μm. A personal sampling system was used to particle size-selectively assess the protection of respirators. The results show that about 10.9% of FFP2 respirators and 28.2% of FFP3 respirators demonstrate assigned protection factors (APFs) below 10 and 20, which are the levels assigned for these respirators by the British Standard. On average, the protection factors of FFP respirators were 11.5 to 15.9 times greater than those of surgical masks. The minimum protection factors (PFs) were observed for particles between 0.263 and 0.384 μm. No significant difference in PF results was found among FFP respirator categories and particle size. A strong association between fit factors and protection factors was found. The study indicates that FFP respirators may not achieve the expected protection level and the APFs may need to be revised for these classes of respirators.
Optimal Partial Unemployment Insurance: Evidence from Bunching in the U.S

In this paper, I use kinks in the U.S. partial unemployment insurance schedule to study the response of claimants to the program. Partial unemployment insurance enables claimants to keep part of their unemployment benefits when they work in low-earnings jobs. When U.S. claimants earn over a state-specific threshold, termed the “disregard”, their benefits are reduced at a 100% marginal tax rate above that amount. This reduction in current benefits leads to an increase in future benefits, with the result that forward-looking claimants are taxed according to a lower dynamic marginal tax rate. To account for these mechanisms, I develop a dynamic model of claimants, who work in part-time/temporary jobs while searching for permanent jobs. Using administrative data on weekly claims, I document substantial bunching of unemployment insurance claimants at the disregard level. I estimate that the earnings elasticity to the net-of-tax-rate (at the intensive margin) lies between 0.1 and 0.2. Using this estimate, simulations show that setting the benefit reduction rate at 80% is Pareto improving, as the current schedule induces claimants to inefficiently reduce their earnings.
An FPGA Implementation of an Elliptic Curve Processor over GF ( 2 m )

This paper describes a hardware implementation of an arithmetic processor which is efficient for elliptic curve (EC) cryptosystems, which are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative for public key cryptosystems based on factoring. The modular multiplication is implemented using a Montgomery modular multiplication in a systolic array architecture, which has the advantage that the clock frequency becomes independent of the bit length m.
Applying the theory of planned behavior: Examining how communication, attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control relate to healthy lifestyle intention in Singapore

ABSTRACT This study investigates the extent to which communication variables, namely, interpersonal communication and attention to mass media, as well as the key components in the theory of planned behavior (TPB), including, attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control, are associated with healthy lifestyle intention in Singapore. Healthy lifestyle intention was conceptualized and operationalized in terms of individuals’ proclivity for physical activity and healthy diet. Data came from a nationally representative computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) of 1055 Singaporeans aged 21 years and above. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. Results show that both communication and planned behavior variables were positively related to behavioral intention. The study is important for both theory and practice. Theoretically, it demonstrates the possibility to extend the TPB with two more variables: interpersonal communication and attention to mass media. On the practical front, the results inform health authorities and marketers on ways to promote public adoption of healthy lifestyle in Singapore.
In Vivo Dynamical Interactions between CD4 Tregs, CD8 Tregs and CD4+CD25− Cells in Mice

Background Regulatory T cells (Tregs) were shown to be central in maintaining immunological homeostasis and preventing the development of autoimmune diseases. Several subsets of Tregs have been identified to date; however, the dynamics of the interactions between these subsets, and their implications on their regulatory functions are yet to be elucidated. Methodology/Principal Findings We employed a combination of mathematical modeling and frequent in vivo measurements of several T cell subsets. Healthy BALB/c mice received a single injection of either hCDR1 - a tolerogenic peptide previously shown to induce Tregs, a control peptide or vehicle alone, and were monitored for 16 days. During this period, splenocytes from the treated mice were analyzed for the levels of CD4, CD25, CD8, CD28 and Foxp3. The collected data were then fitted to mathematical models, in order to test competing hypotheses regarding the interactions between the followed T cell subsets. In all 3 treatment groups, a significant, lasting, non-random perturbation of the immune system could be observed. Our analysis predicted the emergence of functional CD4 Tregs based on inverse oscillations of the latter and CD4+CD25− cells. Furthermore, CD4 Tregs seemed to require a sufficiently high level of CD8 Tregs in order to become functional, while conversion was unlikely to be their major source. Our results indicated in addition that Foxp3 is not a sufficient marker for regulatory activity. Conclusions/Significance In this work, we unraveled the dynamics of the interplay between CD4, CD8 Tregs and effector T cells, using, for the first time, a mathematical-mechanistic perspective in the analysis of Treg kinetics. Furthermore, the results obtained from this interdisciplinary approach supported the notion that CD4 Tregs need to interact with CD8 Tregs in order to become functional. Finally, we generated predictions regarding the time-dependent function of Tregs, which can be further tested empirically in future work.
Sex Difference in Risk of Second but Not of First Venous Thrombosis: Paradox Explained

Background— The risk of recurrent venous thrombosis is 2-fold higher in men than in women. In contrast, no such sex difference in the risk of first venous thrombosis has been reported. We hypothesized that, for a first event, a risk difference between the sexes is masked by female exposure to reproductive factors (oral contraception, pregnancy/puerperium, and postmenopausal hormone therapy). Methods and Results— From the Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment of Risk Factors for Venous Thrombosis (MEGA) study, a population-based case-control study on risk factors for venous thrombosis, 2915 patients with a first venous thrombosis and their partners as control subjects were included. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for first venous thrombosis were assessed in men compared with women without reproductive risk factors by use of conditional logistic regression. Analyses were stratified in 10-year age categories to account for the variation in exposure to reproductive risk factors over different age groups and adjusted for body mass index and smoking. Overall, men had a 2.1-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.9–2.4) increased risk of first venous thrombosis compared with women without reproductive risk factors. Similar results were found when 10-year age categories were viewed separately. Adjustment for body mass index and smoking and exclusion of cancer patients did not materially affect the results. Conclusions— When female reproductive risk factors are taken into account, the risk of a first venous thrombosis is twice as high in men as in women. These findings are in line with previous studies on recurrent venous thrombosis and may have implications for future treatment and prevention strategies.
Selective Blockade of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor Impairs Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis Expression of Habituation

The present study investigated the role of mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in the expression of habituation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress. Male rats were restrained for 1 h per day for six consecutive days. On day 6, 1 h prior to restraint stress, both restraint‐naive and repeatedly restrained rats were injected s.c. with either vehicle (propylene glycol) or one of three corticosteroid receptor antagonist treatments: selective MR antagonist (RU28318 or spironolactone), selective GR antagonist (RU40555), or both MR and GR antagonists combined (RU28318 + RU40555). Blood samples were collected for corticosterone measurement at the beginning of stress, during stress, and 1 h after stress termination. Repeated restraint stress produced significant habituation of corticosterone responses. Acute treatment with the combined MR and GR antagonists prevented the expression of habituation. When tested alone, the MR antagonist also blocked the expression of corticosterone‐response habituation, whereas the GR antagonist had no effect. Neither the MR, nor the GR antagonists alone, significantly altered the corticosterone response to restraint in rats exposed to restraint for the first time. The final experiment examined the corticosterone response to a corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH, 3 µg/kg i.p.) challenge. Neither previous exposure to restraint or acute pretreatment with the combined MR and GR antagonists (RU28318 + RU40555) altered the corticosterone response to CRH challenge. This result indicates that the expression of habituation and its blockade by corticosteroid receptor antagonists is not a result of altered pituitary‐adrenal response to CRH. Overall, this study suggests that MR plays an important role in constraining the HPA axis response to restraint stress in restraint‐habituated rats. The dependence of the HPA axis on MR‐mediated corticosteroid negative feedback during acute stress may be an important mechanism that helps maximize the expression of stress habituation and thereby minimize exposure of target tissues to corticosteroids in the context of repeated stress.
Physiological and Behavioral Responses of Dairy Cattle to the Introduction of Robot Scrapers

Autonomous mobile robot scrapers are increasingly used in order to clean the floors on dairy farms. Given the complexity of robot scraper operation, stress may occur in cows due to unpredictability of the situation. Experiencing stress can impair animal welfare and, in the long term, the health and milk production of the cows. Therefore, this study addressed potential stress responses of dairy cattle to the robot scraper after introducing the autonomous mobile machine. Thirty-six cows in total were studied on three different farms to explore possible modifications in cardiac function, behavior, and adrenocortical activity. The research protocol on each farm consisted of four experimental periods including one baseline measurement without robot scraper operation followed by three test measurements, in which cows interacted with the robotic cleaning system. Interbeat intervals were recorded in order to calculate the heart rate variability (HRV) parameter RMSSD; behavior was observed to determine time budgets; and fecal samples were collected for analysis of the cortisol metabolites concentration. A statistical analysis was carried out using linear mixed-effects models. HRV decline immediately after the introduction of the robot scraper and modified behavior in the subsequent experimental periods indicated a stress response. The cortisol metabolites concentration remained constant. It is hypothesized that after the initial phase of decrease, HRV stabilized through the behavioral adjustments of the cows in the second part of the study. Persistent alterations in behavior gave rise to the assumption that the animals’ habituation process to the robot scraper was not yet completed. In summary, the present study illustrated that the cows showed minor signs of disturbance toward the robotic cleaning system. Thus, our findings suggest that dairy cattle can largely adjust their behavior to avoid aversive effects on animal welfare. Additional research can provide further insight into the development of the animal–machine interaction beyond the initial phase of robot scraper operation considered in this study.
Electric Vehicle Charging in Smart Grid: Optimality and Valley-Filling Algorithms

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer an attractive long-term solution to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emission. At the same time, charging a large fleet of EVs distributed across the residential area poses a challenge for the distribution network. In this paper, we formulate this problem by building on the optimal power flow (OPF) framework to model the network constraints that arises from charging EVs at different locations. To overcome the computational challenge when the control horizon is long, we study a nested optimization approach to decompose the joint OPF and EV charging problem. We characterize the optimal EV charging schedule to be a valley-filling profile, which allows us to develop an efficient offline algorithm with significantly lower computational complexity compared to centralized interior point solvers. Furthermore, we propose a decentralized online algorithm that dynamically tracks the valley-filling profile. Our algorithms are evaluated on the IEEE 14 bus system with real residential load profiles, and the simulations show that our online algorithm performs almost optimally under different settings.
The Feminization of the Accounting Area: A Basic Qualitative Study

Studies support that, when the percentage of functions women occupy in a profession increases, the total remuneration and prestige of the profession drop. In Brazil, the feminization process of the professions has been largely investigated in education, but no Brazilian studies in the accounting area have been identified. This study uses the analytic proposal by Yannoulas (2011), who separates the process into quantitative feminization, numerical predominance of women and qualitative feminization, an association of activities as naturally feminine. Through an exploratory and descriptive research, this study aimed to understand, from the women’s perspective, how the qualitative and quantitative feminization process of the Accounting functions is related to gender stereotypes. The research was undertaken at an accounting firm where women were the largest group of employees (82.5%). Twenty-eight out of 33 women answered the structured interview. Using the content analysis proposed by Flores (1994), the interconnection of the quantitative and qualitative feminization processes was verified. The division of activities between operational (firm) and analytical (profession) permeates the power and opportunity distribution process between men and women. From the perspective of the gender relations, the existence of stereotypes was observed, permeating the understanding that women are better prepared for the operational activities in the area, as they are more detailed and gentle than men. Through the discursive naturalization of the gender roles and the segregation of the operational and analytic activities, despite the increasing number of women in the profession, the institutionalized inequality continues in Accounting.