Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘Getting Out and Getting Away’: Women's Narratives of Class Mobility

This article is concerned with the ways in which women narrate a move from a ‘working-class’ position to a position marked (in however fragmentary and complex a way) as ‘middle class’. While such a move might be seen in terms of a straightforward escape from a disadvantaged social position, I argue here that what has to be analysed is the pain and the sense of estrangement associated with this class movement.Drawing on the class narratives of a group of seven white British women, the article uses Bourdieu's concepts of symbolic capital and habitus to explore the cultural and symbolic configurations of class. These configurations may be inscribed into the self, so that the self, itself, is class marked. Since working-class selves are frequently marked in pathological terms, this raises particular difficulties for the idea of an ‘escape’ from such a position. Class in this sense is embedded in people's history and so cannot be so easily ‘escaped’. The usual conventions of life-narratives – in which the self remains the same entity from birth to death and later events are a culmination of earlier ones – are also disrupted in this case.But if a working-class position is marked as pathological, so too is taking on the markers of middle-class existence. To do so is not only to risk ‘getting it wrong’, but it is also to risk the scorn attached to ‘pretentiousness’. There is a particular jeopardy here for women, since it is women who have been especially associated with desires for artefacts associated with bourgeois existence. The article argues for a focus for classed desires and class envy, not in pathological terms, but in terms of a coherent response to political and social exclusions.
Immunological Synapse Formation Licenses CD40-CD40L Accumulations at T-APC Contact Sites1

The maintenance of tolerance is likely to rely on the ability of a T cell to polarize surface molecules providing “help” to only specific APCs. The formation of a mature immunological synapse leads to concentration of the TCR at the APC interface. In this study, we show that the CD40-CD154 receptor-ligand pair is also highly concentrated into a central region of the synapse on mouse lymphocytes only after the formation of the TCR/CD3 c-SMAC. Concentration of this ligand was strictly dependent on TCR recognition, the binding of ICAM-1 to T cell integrins and the presence of an intact cytoskeleton in the T cells. This may provide a novel explanation for the specificity of T cell help directing the help signal to the site of Ag receptor signal. It may also serve as a site for these molecular aggregates to coassociate and/or internalize alongside other signaling receptors.
AC Drive Systems Using Five-Leg Converter and Series-Connected Machines

This article presents three machine drive systems with a five-leg converter and two machines connected in series. All the configurations use ten power switches and does not have any connection to the mid-point of the capacitor bank. The pulse-width modulation techniques and the control laws are investigated. The main characteristics and some selected experimental results of the machine drive systems are presented
Carrots and Sticks: Prizes and Punishments in Contests

We study optimal contest design in situations where the designer can reward high performance agents with positive prizes and punish low performance agents with negative prizes. We link the optimal prize structure to the curvature of distribution of abilities in the population. In particular, we identify conditions under which, even if punishment is costly, punishing the bottom is more effective than rewarding the top in eliciting effort input. If punishment is costless, we study the optimal number of punishments in the contest.
Helicobacter pylori CagL Y58/E59 Mutation Turns-Off Type IV Secretion-Dependent Delivery of CagA into Host Cells

The type IV secretion system (T4SS) is a major virulence determinant of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. The CagL protein is a specialized adhesin of the corresponding T4SS pilus, which establishes initial contact with the integrin β1 receptor on host target cells. Recent studies proposed that Y58 and E59 amino acid polymorphisms in CagL increase the virulence of H. pylori strains by enhanced translocation and phosphorylation of the CagA effector protein. These polymorphisms were therefore correlated with an increased risk of gastric cancer development. Here we show that the Y58/E59 motif, which is located in a loop connecting two α-helices, and corresponding polymorphisms could influence the function of CagL. However, expression of isogenic CagL Y58/E59 variants in H. pylori strain 26695 significantly blocked the translocation and phosphorylation of CagA as compared to complemented wild-type CagL. These results suggest that the function of the T4SS for delivery of CagA is turned-off by the Y58/E59 mutation in CagL. This activity appears to be similar to the one recently described for another T4SS pilus protein, CagY, which is also sufficient to cause gain or loss of T4SS function. These data support the hypothesis that certain mutations in CagL or recombination events in CagY may serve as a sort of molecular switch or perhaps rheostat in the T4SS, which could alter the function of the pilus and "tunes" injection of CagA and host pro-inflammatory responses, respectively.
The Respiratory Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract Volatile organic compounds (VOGs) have been implicated as causative agents in asthma and building-related illness. To determine whether a mixture of VOGs could impair lung function or cause airway inflammation among subjects without bronchial hyper responsiveness, the authors conducted a randomized, crossover-design trial of controlled human exposures to filtered air for four hours, VOCs at 25 mg/m3 for four hours, and VOGs at 50 mg/ m3 for four hours, using a VOG mixture based on sampling of indoor environments. VOG exposures caused dose-related increases in lower respiratory, upper respiratory, and non-respiratory symptoms, with no significant change in lung function (FEV1, FVC, or FEF25–75), nasal lavage cellularity or differential cell counts, induced sputum cellularity or differential cell counts, or biomarkers of airway inflammation, including IL-8, LTB4, or albumin in nasal lavage or induced sputum samples. Atopic individuals had significantly reduced FEE25–75 following exposure to VOCs at 50 mg/m3, suggesting that these individuals may be more sensitive to the health effects of VOCs. The authors conclude that reductions in levels of VOCs to substantially less than 25 mg/m3 are required if a “non-irritating” work environment is desired.
Factoring out the parallelism effect in VP-ellipsis: English vs. Dutch contrasts

Previous studies, including Duffield and Matsuo (2001; 2002; 2009), have demonstrated second language learners’ overall sensitivity to a parallelism constraint governing English VP-ellipsis constructions: like native speakers (NS), advanced Dutch, Spanish and Japanese learners of English reliably prefer ellipsis clauses with structurally parallel antecedents over those with non-parallel antecedents. However, these studies also suggest that, in contrast to English native speakers, L2 learners’ sensitivity to parallelism is strongly influenced by other non-syntactic formal factors, such that the constraint applies in a comparatively restricted range of construction-specific contexts. This article reports a set of follow-up experiments — from both computer-based as well as more traditional acceptability judgement tasks — that systematically manipulates these other factors. Convergent results from these tasks confirm a qualitative difference in the judgement patterns of the two groups, as well as important differences between theoreticians’ judgements and those of typical native speakers. We consider the implications of these findings for theories of ultimate attainment in second language acquisition (SLA), as well as for current theoretical accounts of ellipsis.
Update on triple-negative breast cancer: prognosis and management strategies

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease comprehending different orphan breast cancers simply defined by the absence of ER/PR/HER-2. Approximately 15%–20% of all breast cancers belong to this phenotype that has distinct risk factors, distinct molecular features, and a particular clinical presentation and outcome. All these features will be discussed in this review. The risk of developing TNBC varies with age, race, genetics, breastfeeding patterns, and parity. Some TNBC are very chemo-sensitive and the majority of patients confronted with and treated for TNBC will never relapse. Some (histological) subgroups of TNBC may have good prognosis even in the absence of chemotherapy. Distinct molecular subgroups within TNBC have been defined now as well. In case metastatic relapse occurs, this is usually within 5 years following surgery, and survival following metastatic relapse is shorter compared to other breast cancer subtypes; treatment options are few and responses lack durability. Novel drug targets and new biomarkers are needed to improve breast cancer care for patients presenting with TNBC. Further molecular/biological unraveling of TNBC is needed.
Finite element numerical analysis of blood flow and temperature distribution in three‐dimensional image‐based finger model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the blood flow and temperature distribution in human extremities.Design/methodology/approach – The simulation is carried out from three aspects. Firstly, the hemodynamics in the human upper limb is analyzed by one‐dimensional model for pulsalite flow in an elastic tube. Secondly, the blood flow and heat transfer through living tissues are described basing on porous media theory, and the tissue model is coupled with the one‐dimensional blood flow model. With respect to geometric modeling, MR‐image‐based modeling method is employed to construct a realistic model of the human finger.Findings – It is found that the temperature variation is closely related to the blood flow variation in the fingertip and the blood flow distribution in the tissue is dependent on the locations of large arteries and veins.Originality/value – Blood flow and temperature distribution in a 3D realistic human finger are firstly obtained by coupling the blood circulation and porous .
Multiuser MIMO Downlink with Limited Feedback Using Transmit-Beam Matching

The multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channel uses multiple antennas at the transmitter to simultaneously deliver information to multiple users. Despite the theoretical capacity gains, the actual throughput of the system with limited feedback of channel state information suffers due to interspatial stream interference caused by quantization errors. This paper introduces a new method to mitigate the interference: transmit-beam matching. Using multiple receive antennas, transmit-beam matching minimizes the inter-spatial stream interference by each user's effective channel to the transmit-beam. It is evaluated based on a recent MIMO broadcast channel technique with limited feedback, per-user unitary rate control (PU2RC) and shown to effectively mitigate the interference.
Brands of Economics and the Trojan Horse of Pluralism

This paper examines the current status and prospects of heterodox approaches to economics in relation to the problem of marketing ideas to groups of potential users who see the world in very different ways. It draws lessons from the changing status of behavioural economics and highlights the marketing problems that arise between heterodox economists whose perspectives overlap only partially. Its principal message is that the best hope for heterodox economics may lie in taking a less openly combative approach than hitherto when trying to win over mainstream economists and instead using strategies of stealth based on the empirical advantages of pluralistic applied research methods.
Correlations Among Certain Factors and the Written Expression of third Grade Children

PLACEMENT procedures in elementary schools often group children in classes using certain standard factors such as reading ability, language test scores, intelligence test results, socioeconomic status, and sex. In addition to this official grouping, a more subtle grouping may take place in the mind of the individual teacher; an expectancy that a child who achieves well in one academic area will achieve
The Number of Loci That Affect Milk Production Traits in Dairy Cattle

We have used the results of an experiment mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting milk yield and composition to estimate the total number of QTL affecting these traits. We did this by estimating the number of segregating QTL within a half-sib daughter design using logic similar to that used to estimate the “false discovery rate” (FDR). In a half-sib daughter design with six sire families we estimate that the average sire was heterozygous for ∼5 QTL per trait. Also, in most cases only one sire was heterozygous for any one QTL; therefore at least 30 QTL were likely to be segregating for these milk production traits in this Holstein population.
An Msp I PCR-RFLP detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism at alpha-lactalbumin gene in goat

Alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA, LALBA) was strongly correlated with the nutritional value and the functional properties of whey and whey products. However, there are not many studies of goat LALBA gene and its polymorphisms in literary sources. In this paper, on the basis of PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing, one M63868:g.1897T>C mutation in exon 3 at LALBA locus identified a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP): p.L100P of the LALBA protein, which could be detected by MspI endonuclease. Hence, we described a method based on MspI PCR-RFLP for SNP detection at the LALBA locus in 801 goats of China. Frequencies of goat LALBA-A2 allele varied from 0.000 to 0.024 in Chinese populations. Gene heterozygosity, effective allele numbers and PIC (Polymorphism Information Content) of goat LALBA locus in Chinese populations varied from 0.000 to 0.0472, 1.000 to 1.0496, 0.000 to 0.0461, respectively, which were lower values than in Italian populations. Therefore, we considered that the low frequency of LALBA-A2 allele at goat LALBA gene possibly characterized Chinese native breeds. Moreover, Chinese native populations demonstrated poorer polymorphism at goat LALBA locus than Italian populations.
My life as a clinician-scientist: trying to bridge the perceived gap between medicine and science.

Sometimes, I think that trying to be an authentic clinician-scientist who straddles successfully the majestic fields of scientific research and clinical medicine is well-nigh impossible. The inherent danger of such an endeavor is that by trying to be good at both laboratory research and managing sick patients, one ends up by failing to do either well so that basic scientists are skeptical about your scientific knowledge and ability while your clinical colleagues do not regard you as a top-notch clinician, with both groups viewing you with not a little suspicion. No one can guarantee success in such a combined role but for sure I can think of three things that help a lot, indeed are critical: obtaining a first class training in both research work and clinical medicine, genuine enthusiasm, indeed passion, for both finding things out through research and looking after patients, and, crucially, good mentorship. While I am innately very self-critical (and with good reason! ), overall I consider myself as having been quite fortunate in having experienced all three of these, and, of course, the last, indeed essential, ingredient to becoming a successful clinician-scientist is a smattering of good luck, which no-one can guarantee. But at least it is possible I believe to create a career background and attitude that is conducive to good choices, the avoidance of potential disasters (which unfortunately I have seen on occasion first hand) and consistent with the often quoted notion that “chance favors the prepared mind. ” Avoidance of bad luck, if at all possible, may be just as, if not more, important as experiencing good luck. And it goes without saying that you really have to enjoy being this kind of person in such a dual role.
CAST: A page-level FTL with compact address mapping and parallel data blocks

NAND flash memory based Solid State Drive (SSD) is increasingly popular as one of the major non-volatile storage devices. Due to the superior performance and energy efficiency properties, it becomes an important complimentary device between the main memory and the traditional mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD). It is also anticipated to substitute HDD as the mainstream secondary storage. Today, flash memory is widely used in embedded systems, hand-held devices, personal computers and even enterprise computer systems. To access the data on the flash, a software component called Flash Translation Layer (FTL) has to be applied to convert the file system logical address into the corresponding physical address. FTL has great impacts on the system overall performance. Numerous FTL algorithms have been proposed in the past decade. DFTL is one of the most popular page-level address mapping FTL algorithms. It has been considered to have the best flexibility. However, it has extra mapping information I/O overhead and cannot always achieve the optimal performance. In this paper, we propose CAST, a novel and efficient pagelevel FTL algorithm to relieve this issue. CAST reserves a small portion of embedded SRAM to cache most recently accessed logical-physical address mapping information. Unlike DFTL, we use a compact packing methodology. Consecutive logical-physical page mapping information is represented with only a single entry. Thus, more address mapping information can be maintained in the caching table, and the cache hit rates can be increased. To improve the garbage collection efficiency, CAST maintains multiple current data blocks simultaneously. When a new data write request comes, the system can select an appropriate one to conduct the process based on the request issuer and/or logical address information. Our simulation results show that CAST outperforms DFTL under various workloads and it can reduce the number of erase operations and decrease the I/O response time significantly.
Sparse Feature Fidelity for Perceptual Image Quality Assessment

The prediction of an image quality metric (IQM) should be consistent with subjective human evaluation. As the human visual system (HVS) is critical to visual perception, modeling of the HVS is regarded as the most suitable way to achieve perceptual quality predictions. Sparse coding that is equivalent to independent component analysis (ICA) can provide a very good description of the receptive fields of simple cells in the primary visual cortex, which is the most important part of the HVS. With this inspiration, a quality metric called sparse feature fidelity (SFF) is proposed for full-reference image quality assessment (IQA) on the basis of transformation of images into sparse representations in the primary visual cortex. The proposed method is based on the sparse features that are acquired by a feature detector, which is trained on samples of natural images by an ICA algorithm. In addition, two strategies are designed to simulate the properties of the visual perception: 1) visual attention and 2) visual threshold. The computation of SFF has two stages: training and fidelity computation, in addition, the fidelity computation consists of two components: feature similarity and luminance correlation. The feature similarity measures the structure differences between the two images, whereas the luminance correlation evaluates brightness distortions. SFF also reflects the chromatic properties of the HVS, and it is very effective for color IQA. The experimental results on five image databases show that SFF has a better performance in matching subjective ratings compared with the leading IQMs.
An Internet-Based Stated Choices Household Survey for Alternative Fuelled Vehicles:

The development of alternative fuelled vehicle technology is a key strategy towards environmental sustainability and improved air quality in cities. Analysis of the role of vehicle technology in fulfilling sustainability targets requires estimates of future vehicle demand. The inability to observe actual car-type preferences for cleaner vehicles has led researchers to the development of stated choice methods. This paper reports on the design and descriptive analysis of a stated choices survey on the demand for alternative fuelled vehicles in the Census Metropolitan Area of Hamilton, conducted through the Internet. Respondents were asked to select the vehicle they would most likely buy out of a set of conventional, hybrid and alternative-fuel options over a time horizon of five years. Characteristics such as vehicle purchase price, fuel and maintenance cost, acceleration, alternative fuel incentives, fuel availability and pollution levels were used to describe each vehicle presented. To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind that focuses at the urban level and the Canadian context and also, it is the first to demonstrate the time- and cost-efficiency of the Internet in designing and collecting Stated Choices data for automobile demand.
Who Has No Regrets?

50 older adults were interviewed with respect to identifying past regrets. Subjects resided in nursing homes and in the community. 21 subjects reported not having any regrets, and 83% of these resided in nursing homes. The findings are discussed in terms of processes of disengagement, life review, and coming to terms with life.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of ferric carboxymaltose in iron-deficient patients with chronic heart failure in Sweden

Abstract Objective: Iron deficiency is a common but treatable comorbidity in chronic heart failure (CHF) that is associated with impaired health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the intravenous iron preparation ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) for the treatment of iron deficiency in CHF from a Swedish healthcare perspective. Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis with a time horizon of 24 weeks was performed to compare FCM treatment with placebo. Data on health outcomes and medical resource use were mainly taken from the FAIR-HF trial and combined with Swedish cost data. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated as well as the change in per-patient costs for primary care and hospital care. Results: In the FCM group compared with placebo, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) are higher (difference = 0.037 QALYs), but so are per-patient costs [(difference = SEK 2789 (€303)]. Primary care and hospital care equally share the additional costs, but within hospitals there is a major shift of costs from inpatient care to outpatient care. The ICER is SEK 75,389 (€8194) per QALY. The robustness of the result is supported by sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Treatment of iron deficiency in CHF with FCM compared with placebo is estimated to be cost-effective. The ICER in the base case scenario is twice as high as previously thought, but noticeably below SEK 500,000 (€54,300) per QALY, an informal average reference value used by the Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency. Increased HRQoL and fewer hospitalizations are the key drivers of this result.