Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microvascular disease in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a role for pulmonary veins and systemic vasculature

Limited numbers of operated patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are refractory to pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and experience persistent pulmonary hypertension (PH). We retrospectively assessed lung histology available from nine patients with persistent PH (ineffective PEA (inPEA) group) and from eight patients transplanted for distal CTEPH inaccessible by PEA (noPEA group). Microscopically observed peculiarities were compared with the histology of a recently developed CTEPH model in piglets. Pre-interventional clinical/haemodynamic data and medical history of patients from the inPEA and noPEA groups were collected and analysed. Conspicuous remodelling of small pulmonary arteries/arterioles, septal veins and pre-septal venules, including focal capillary haemangiomatosis, as well as pronounced hypertrophy and enlargement of bronchial systemic vessels, were the predominant pattern in histology from both groups. Most findings were reproduced in our porcine CTEPH model. Ink injection experiments unmasked abundant venular involvement in so-called small vessel or microvascular disease, as well as post-capillary bronchopulmonary shunting in human and experimental CTEPH. Microvascular disease is partly due to post-capillary remodelling in human and experimental CTEPH and appears to be related to bronchial-to-pulmonary venous shunting. Further studies are needed to clinically assess the functional importance of this finding. Pulmonary veins and systemic vasculature contribute to microvascular disease in CTEPH http://ow.ly/yGK4U
Shift in the velocity of a front due to a cutoff

We consider the effect of a small cutoff $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$ on the velocity of a traveling wave in one dimension. Simulations done over more than ten orders of magnitude as well as a simple theoretical argument indicate that the effect of the cutoff $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$ is to select a single velocity that converges when $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ to the one predicted by the marginal stability argument. For small $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$, the shift in velocity has the form $K(\mathrm{ln}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}{)}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ and our prediction for the constant $K$ agrees very well with the results of our simulations. A very similar logarithmic shift appears in more complicated situations, in particular in finite-size effects of some microscopic stochastic systems. Our theoretical approach can also be extended to give a simple way of deriving the shift in position due to initial conditions in the Fisher-Kolmogorov or similar equations.
Student financial support. An inventory in 24 European countries. Background report for the project on portability of student financial support

This report provides a description of the current national systems of student financial support in 24 European countries. It provides information on tuition fees, grants, scholarships, student loans, and indirect student support through students families (family allowances and tax benefits) and support in kind in the form of subsidies for travel, accommodation, student restaurants etc. It forms a background report for the study on the extent to which student financial support can be used for study abroad.
Challenges in costing health care services

Recent developments in performance measurement and reporting systems in the UK National Health Service (NHS) have created new challenges in costing health care services. In particular, the introduction of the “National Reference Costing Exercise” (NRCE) has substantively changed the way in which health care cost information is reported and used. While the outputs of the NRCE are intended to support hospital management and control by facilitating cost benchmarking, the usefulness of NRCE data depends on the comparability of cost information across hospitals. This paper draws on questionnaire results to explore the challenges in standardising health care cost information, as perceived by those closest to the costing exercise. The results reveal several problems in costing practice, all of which contribute to high variability in the costs reported by hospitals. Until these problems are recognised and addressed, they present a barrier to the effective use of comparative cost data for the management of English hospitals.
Comprehensive mapping of O‐glycosylation in flagellin from Campylobacter jejuni 11168: A multienzyme differential ion mobility mass spectrometry approach

Glycosylation of flagellin is essential for the virulence of Campylobacter jejuni, a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. Here, we demonstrate comprehensive mapping of the O‐glycosylation of flagellin from Campylobacter jejuni 11168 by use of a bottom‐up proteomics approach that incorporates differential ion mobility spectrometry (also known as high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry or FAIMS) together with proteolysis with proteinase K. Proteinase K provides complementary sequence coverage to that achieved following trypsin proteolysis. The use of FAIMS increased the number of glycopeptides identified. Novel glycans for this strain were identified (pseudaminic acid and either acetamidino pseudaminic acid or legionaminic acid), as were novel glycosylation sites: Thr208, Ser343, Ser348, Ser349, Ser395, Ser398, Ser423, Ser433, Ser436, Ser445, Ser448, Ser451, Ser452, Ser454, Ser457 and Thr465. Multiply glycosylated peptides were observed, as well as variation at individual residues in the nature of the glycan and its presence or absence. Such extreme heterogeneity in the pattern of glycosylation has not been reported previously, and suggests a novel dimension in molecular variation within a bacterial population that may be significant in persistence of the organism in its natural environment. These results demonstrate the usefulness of differential ion mobility in proteomics investigations of PTMs.
Beneficial Effects of Quercetin on Obesity and Diabetes

Scientific research is constantly looking for new molecules that could be used as dietary functional ingredients in the fight against obesity and diabetes, two pathologies highly prevalent in Western societies. In this context, flavonoids represent a group of molecules of increasing interest. The major flavonoid is Quercetin, which belongs to the class called flavonols and is mainly found in apples, tea, onions, nuts, berries, cauliflower, cabbage and many other foods. It exhibits a wide range of biological functions including anticarcenogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral; it also inhibits lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation and capillary permeability. This review focuses on the main effects of Quercetin on obesity and diabetes. The mechanisms of action explaining the effects of Quercetin on these two metabolic disturbances are also considered. Good perspectives have been opened for Quercetin, according to the results obtained either in cell cultures or in animal models. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to better characterize the mechanisms of action underlying the beneficial effects of this flavonoid on these pathologies. Moreover, the body fat-lowering effect and the improvement of glucose homeostasis need to be confirmed in humans. Animal studies have consistently failed to demonstrate adverse effects caused by Quercetin. In contrast, due to inhibitory effect of Quercetin in cytochrome P450, interactions with drugs can be taken into account when they are administered at the same time than Quercetin.
Calcium Antagonists: Effects on Cardio-Renal Risk in Hypertensive Patients

Calcium antagonists comprise 2 main subclasses, dihydropyridines and nondihydropyridines, and have been studied extensively in hypertensive patients. Early meta-analyses suggested that short-acting calcium antagonists were associated with higher mortality rates resulting from cardiovascular events and other etiologies. Recent meta-analyses failed to show any substantive difference between long acting calcium antagonists and other antihypertensive drug classes with regard to cardiovascular outcomes in those with low to moderate cardiovascular risk or kidney disease progression among those with stage 2 or 3 nonproteinuric kidney diseases. The data from calcium antagonist trials are consistent in that they decrease stroke incidence but fail to protect against new-onset heart failure. In people with proteinuric kidney disease, that is >300 mg protein/gram creatinine, use of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists to lower blood pressure without the use of agents that block the renin angiotensin aldosterone system does not provide optimal slowing of nephropathy progression. This relates directly to lack of antiproteinuric effects with this subclass and not seen with nondihydropyridine agents that reduce proteinuria to a greater degree than dihydropyridines. Thus, calcium antagonists are safe and as efficacious as other antihypertensive agents to reduce cardiovascular risk. They should be avoided in people with systolic dysfunction but may be used for blood pressure lowering in people with preserved systolic function. Dihydropyridine calcium antagonists should only be used in conjunction with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers in proteinuric kidney disease because they will not optimally slow kidney function loss in their absence.
Efficient Pairwise Statistical Significance Estimation using FPGAs

In this paper, we present a fast pairwise statistical significance estimator using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) coprocessor. The running time of the pairwise statistical significance estimation routine is dominated by the hundreds of local alignments it must compute. By offloading the alignment task to an accelerator designed to concurrently process multiple independent alignments, we are able to increase the end-to-end performance of the algorithm by more than 200x over a baseline software implementation. Our proposed accelerator outperforms optimized, multicore software implementations and other FPGA implementations for pairwise statistical significance estimations.
WHY ) ARE ECONOMISTS DIFFERENT ?

After presenting some casual evidence about the difference between economists and the rest of the population, first the survey and experimental evidence which has been presented on this topic during the last 20 years is discussed. But can these results really be transferred to real world situations? To show this, examples of referenda results in Switzerland are presented where the citizens decided against recommendations of most economists. But what is so particular in economic theory that causes these different convictions? Some explanations are given with respect to positive economic theory and with respect to the normative convictions of economists. The paper concludes with possible consequences which economists might draw. JEL Code: B40.
The Gut as Reservoir of Antibiotic Resistance: Microbial Diversity of Tetracycline Resistance in Mother and Infant

The microbiota in the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is highly exposed to antibiotics, and may be an important reservoir of resistant strains and transferable resistance genes. Maternal GIT strains can be transmitted to the offspring, and resistances could be acquired from birth. This is a case study using a metagenomic approach to determine the diversity of microorganisms conferring tetracycline resistance (Tcr) in the guts of a healthy mother-infant pair one month after childbirth, and to investigate the potential for horizontal transfer and maternal transmission of Tcr genes. Fecal fosmid libraries were functionally screened for Tcr, and further PCR-screened for specific Tcr genes. Tcr fosmid inserts were sequenced at both ends to establish bacterial diversity. Mother and infant libraries contained Tcr, although encoded by different genes and organisms. Tcr organisms in the mother consisted mainly of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, and the main gene detected was tet(O), although tet(W) and tet(X) were also found. Identical Tcr gene sequences were present in different bacterial families and even phyla, which may indicate horizontal transfer within the maternal GIT. In the infant library, Tcr was present exclusively in streptococci carrying tet(M), tet(L) and erm(T) within a novel composite transposon, Tn6079. This transposon belongs to a family of broad host range conjugative elements, implying a potential for the joint spread of tetracycline and erythromycin resistance within the infant's gut. In addition, although not found in the infant metagenomic library, tet(O) and tet(W) could be detected in the uncloned DNA purified from the infant fecal sample. This is the first study to reveal the diversity of Tcr bacteria in the human gut, to detect a likely transmission of antibiotic resistance from mother to infant GITs and to indicate the possible occurrence of gene transfers among distantly related bacteria coinhabiting the GIT of the same individual.
Recent N-Atom Containing Compounds from Indo-Pacific Invertebrates

A large variety of unique N-atom containing compounds (alkaloids) without terrestrial counterparts, have been isolated from marine invertebrates, mainly sponges and ascidians. Many of these compounds display interesting biological activities. In this report we present studies on nitrogenous compounds, isolated by our group during the last few years, from Indo-Pacific sponges, one ascidian and one gorgonian. The major part of the review deals with metabolites from the Madagascar sponge Fascaplysinopsis sp. , namely, four groups of secondary metabolites, the salarins, tulearins, taumycins and tausalarins.
Feedback for Smooth Pursuit Gaze Tracking Based Control

Smart glasses, like Google Glass or Microsoft HoloLens, can be used as interfaces that expand human perceptual, cognitive, and actuation capabilities in many everyday situations. Conventional manual interaction techniques, however, are not convenient with smart glasses whereas eye trackers can be built into the frames. This makes gaze tracking a natural input technology for smart glasses. Not much is known about interaction techniques for gaze-aware smart glasses. This paper adds to this knowledge, by comparing feedback modalities (visual, auditory, haptic, none) in a continuous adjustment technique for smooth pursuit gaze tracking. Smooth pursuit based gaze tracking has been shown to enable flexible and calibration free method for spontaneous interaction situations. Continuous adjustment, on the other hand, is a technique that is needed in many everyday situations such as adjusting the volume of a sound system or the intensity of a light source. We measured user performance and preference in a task where participants matched the shades of two gray rectangles. The results showed no statistically significant differences in performance, but clear user preference and acceptability for haptic and audio feedback.
Delayed Photoionization Feedback in a Super Star Cluster in SBS 0335–052E

SBS 0335-052 is a well-studied blue compact dwarf galaxy with one of the lowest metallicities of any known galaxy. It also contains six previously identified super star clusters. We combine archival HST NICMOS images in the Paα line and the 1.6 μm continuum of the eastern component, SBS 0335-052E, with other space- and ground-based data to perform a multiwavelength analysis of the super star clusters. We concentrate on the southernmost clusters, designated S1 and S2, which appear to be the youngest clusters and are the strongest emitters of Paα, radio, and X-ray flux. Our analysis leads to a possible model for S1 and perhaps S2 as a cluster of very young, massive stars with strong stellar winds. The wind density can be high enough to absorb the majority of ionizing photons within less than 1000 AU of the stars, creating very compact H II regions that emit optically thick radiation at radio wavelengths. These winds would then effectively quench the photoionizing flux very close to the stars. This can delay the onset of negative feedback by photoionization and photodissociation on star formation in the clusters. This is significant since SBS 0335-052E resembles the conditions that were probably common for high-redshift star formation in galaxies near the epoch of reionization.
EBPG guideline on nutrition.

Guideline 1. Prevalence of malnutrition and outcomeGuideline 2. Diagnosis and monitoring of malnutrition2.1. Diagnosis of malnutrition2.2. Monitoring and follow-up of nutritionalstatusGuideline 3. Recommendations for protein and energyintake3.1. Recommended protein intake3.2. Recommended energy intakeRecommendation 4. Recommendations for vitamins,minerals and trace elementsadministration in maintenancehaemodialysis patients.4. 1. Vitamins4.2. Minerals4.3. Trace elementsGuideline 5. Treatment of malnutrition5.1. Dietary intervention5.2. Oral supplements and enteral feeding5.3. Intradialytic parenteral nutrition5.4. Anabolic agents5.5. Other interventions: daily dialysisGuideline 6. Metabolic acidosisAppendices
Freeze-fracture analysis of the membrane lesion of human complement

The structure and membrane insertion of the human C5b-9(m) complex, generated by lysis of antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes with whole human serum under conditions where high numbers of classical ring- shaped lesions form, were studied in single and complementary freeze- fracture replicas prepared by unidirectional and rotary shadowing. The intramembrane portion of the C5b-9(m) cylinder was seen on EF-faces as an elevated, circular structure. In nonetched fractures it appeared as a solid stub; in etched fractures a central pit confirmed the existence of a central, water-filled pore in the molecule. Complementary replicas showed that each EF-face ring corresponded to a hole in the lipid plateau of the PF-face. Etched fractures of proteolytically stripped membranes revealed the extramembrane annulus of the C5b-9(m) cylinder on ES-faces and putative internal openings on PS-faces. Allowing for the measured thickness of deposited Pt/C, the dimensions of EF-face rings and ES-face annuli conformed to anticipations derived from negatively stained preparations. Our results support the concept that the hollow cylindrical C5b-9(m) complex penetrates into the inner leaflet of the target erythrocyte membrane bilayer, forming a stable transmembrane protein channel.
PUBLIC CAPITAL , PRODUCTIVITY AND INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT . THE CASE OF THE ITALIAN REGIONS

The recent debate on the enlargement of the European Union to the Eastern European countries has renewed the interest on the role that programs of public investments targeted to less developed areas can play in reducing the gap between rich and poor areas. On one hand, these policies are considered as the primary tool to enhance productivity in the less developed areas and, in this way, to promote growth. On the other hand, programs of public investments are seen as mere means to support the income of less developed areas and therefore only apt to create the conditions for a “dependent” growth process in these areas. This paper aims at contributing to this debate by analysing the impact of the investments in public capital on the economies of the 20 Italian administrative regions. In our opinion, this is an excellent case study, due to the wide differences existing among these economies. Our basic hypothesis is that public investments increase total factor productivity in the tradable sector, but also potentially create the conditions for the shrinking of this sector in the steady state. These hypotheses are analysed in this paper both theoretically and empirically. Theoretically we analyse a two-sector regional economy, experiencing a rise of the public capital stock, and assess the conditions for trade balance equilibrium. Empirically, we address three main questions: have investments in public capital really increased total factor productivity across Italian regions? More precisely, is there a long-run relationship between public capital and total factor productivity? Next, can public capital stocks contribute to explain the territorial dispersion of regional trade balance deficits (characterised by the dismal trade balance performance of the Mezzogiorno regions in the post-war period)? Finally, has the sectoral composition of employment effectively reacted to the accumulation of public capital? To answer these questions, we use data from the 20 Italian administrative regions over the period 1970-95. The results from the empirical analysis are consistent with our prior expectations. * Corresponding author. Address for correspondence: CSEF, Università di Salerno, Italy, 84084 Fisciano (SA); tel:+39-089-962204; fax: +39-089-962048; e-mail: destefanis@unisa.it. We want to thank Prometeia, Bologna, Raffaele Paci, and Lucio Picci from University of Bologna, for kindly providing their data on, respectively, regional accounting, the stock of private capital and the stock of public capital. We are grateful to Peter Pedroni for providing us with the RATS code to perform panel cointegration tests. A previous draft of this paper has been presented at the CEPR Conference on Dynamic Aspects of Public Expenditure, Copenhaghen 28-30 September 2001 and at the Istituto di Studi Economici, Universita’ Parthenope, Napoli, Italy. We therefore thanks all the participants and in particular Toke Aidt, Lars Bovenberg, Fabio Canova, Riccardo Marselli, Amedeo Spadaro and Salvatore Vinci for useful comments.
The impact of North-South and South-South trade agreements on bilateral trade

Free trade agreements (FTAs) lead to a rise in bilateral trade even if the signatories include developing countries. Furthermore, the percentage increase in bilateral trade is higher for South-South agreements than for North-South agreements. the results are robust across a number of gravity model specifications in which we contrl for the endogenity of FTAs (with bilateral fixed effects) and also take account of multilateral resistance in both estimation (with country-fixed effects) and compartive statics (analytically). Our analystical model shows that multilateral resitance dampens the imapct of FTAs on trade by less in South-South agreements than in North-South agreements, which accentuates the difference implied by our gravity model coefficients, and that this difference gets larger as the number of signatories rises. For example, allowing for lags and multilateral resistance, a four-country North-South agreement rasies bilateral trade by 53% while the analogous South-South impact is 107%