Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dendritic Cells Route Human Immunodeficiency Virus to Lymph Nodes after Vaginal or Intravenous Administration to Mice

ABSTRACT We have developed a murine model to study the involvement of dendritic cells (DC) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) routing from an inoculation site to the lymph nodes (LN). Murine bone marrow-derived DC migrate to the draining LN within 24 h after subcutaneous injection. After incubation of these cells with heat-inactivated (Hi) HIV type 1 (HIV-1), HIV RNA sequences were detected in the draining LN only. Upon injection of DC pulsed with infectious HIV, the virus recovered in the draining LN was still able to productively infect human T cells. After a vaginal challenge with Hi HIV-1, the virus could be detected in the iliac and sacral draining LN at 24 h after injection. After an intravenous challenge, the virus could be detected in peripheral LN as soon as 30 min after injection. The specific depletion of a myeloid-related LN DC population, previously shown to take up blood macromolecules and to translocate them into the LN, prevented HIV transport to LN. Together, our data demonstrate the critical role of DC for HIV routing to LN after either a vaginal or an intravenous challenge, which does not require their infection. Therefore, despite the fact that the mouse is not infectable by HIV, this small animal model might be useful to test preventive strategies against HIV.
Assessing Classification Using Word-alignment Distribution for Automatic Evaluation of Machine Translation

Automatic evaluation is known as a consistent and relatively inexpensive method of evaluating machine translation. Thus, it is useful in developing machine translation (MT) systems. Automatic MT evaluation methods basically require reference (human) translation. There are two types of automatic machine translation evaluation methods: one assesses machine translation by comparing it with reference translation, e.g., BLEU, NIST, METEOR, and the other method evaluates machine translation by classifying it as "good" (human translation-like) or "bad" (machine translation-like) translation based on properties of the translation. Due to the cost of the preparation of reference translation, the former method is more expensive. By contrast, the latter is inexpensive, because it requires reference translation only for training a classifier using machine learning algorithms. Previous studies of classification-based evaluation assessed the validity of their evaluation methods based on classification accuracy for overall machine translation. Since fluency (naturalness) of machine translation varies, classification results should reflect the fluency of translation. More fluent machine translation should involve less machine translation-like translation than poor machine translation. Therefore, this study assesses classification-based evaluation based on the percentage of MT-like translations in more fluent translation. This study further investigates the validity of classification-based evaluation by comparing classification-based evaluation with reference translation-based evaluation and manual evaluation results by human evaluators. The experimental results show that our classification-based method can accurately evaluate fluency of machine translation.
Network Migration of Ethnic Germans

"This study has argued that network migration is central to actual migratory movements, which suggests that its determinants should be carefully investigated. The analysis demonstrates that the network behavior of ethnic Germans can be explained, to a large degree, by observable characteristics. Two crucial variables were investigated, namely the connections to friends from the country of origin and the settlement close to relatives and friends. East Europeans, especially from Rumania, are significantly more connected to friends from the same country of origin than are East Germans. These connections strongly decline with duration of residence and presence in rural areas. Older people are more likely to settle close to friends or relatives at the time of immigration. Population density increases, education, length of stay in a reception camp, and per capita government expenditures decrease the likelihood of such a settlement. "
Quality of Information and Volatility Around Earnings Announcements

On the basis of theoretical work of Kim and Verrecchia (1991a, 1997), this paper investigates the association between volatility around earnings and dividend announcements and the amount of pre-announcement information and the precision of the announced news for a sample of 212 firms drawn from the London Stock Exchange for the period January 1990 to December 1998. The aforementioned theory suggest that the variance of price change around announcement periods is decreasing in the amount of pre-announcement information but increasing in the precision of the disclosed news. The volatility of stock returns in the event window, natural logarithm of the average market value of a firm over the sample period, and the surrogate of precision derived from analytical work of KV (1991a) are assumed to be the operational measures for the variance of price change around announcement periods, the amount of pre-announcement information, and the precision of the announced news respectively. Tests are conducted using both GJR-GARCH (1,1) and the absolute return measure of volatility. After controlling for the magnitude of the average change of earnings per share, the net change in the degree of leverage, and the level of stock market volatility around firm specific news, the following conclusions emerge. First, it is documented that the volatility of stock returns around announcement periods is negatively related to the amount of pre-announcement information. Consistent with Grant (1980), this finding suggests that (small) firms with relatively less pre-announcement information experience high levels of uncertainty before announcement. This high pre-release uncertainty causes analysts and market participants to disagree about the implications of the forthcoming earnings and dividends announcements. When the announcement becomes imminent it tends to contain a lot of surprises that are translated into higher announcement period volatility. Second, it is found that the precision of the disclosed news plays a significant and important role in explaining shifts in volatility around event windows. In more specific terms, the volatility of stock returns around announcement periods is found to be directly proportional to the precision of the information released. Thus, the precision of an announcement is likely to influence investors' trading decisions around future earnings and dividends announcement dates. The primary conclusions of this paper are robust to the announcement of good or bad news, and remain qualitatively unchanged under a number of alternative assumptions about the way we estimate announcement period volatility. To the extent that the surrogates used for the quality of the predisclosure information and the precision of the news disclosed are appropriate operational measures of the unobservable theoretical constructs of precision implied by Kim and Verrecchia (1991a, 1997) analytical work, the evidence presented here is consistent with their theoretical predictions.
Comparison of the Efficacy between Gemcitabine-Cisplatin and Capecitabine-Cisplatin Combination Chemotherapy for Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer

Purpose Gemcitabine-cisplatin combination chemotherapy has been regarded as standard regimen for advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC), based on the ABC-02 trial. To date, however, no studies have compared the efficacies of gemcitabine-platinum and fluoropyrimidine- platinum combination chemotherapy, even though fluoropyrimidine has been widely used as a backbone agent for gastrointestinal cancer. This study compared the efficacy and toxicities of gemcitabine-cisplatin (GP) and capecitabine-cisplatin (XP) combination chemotherapy for treatment of advanced BTC. Materials and Methods We examined 49 patients treated with GP and 44 patients treated with XP from October 2009 to July 2012. All patients had unresectable BTC. The GP regimen comprised gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2, intravenously [IV], days 1 and 8) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2, IV, day 1). The XP regimen comprised capecitabine (1,250 mg/m2 twice a day, peroral, days 1-14) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2, IV, day 1, every three weeks). We analyzed the response rate (RR), time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. Results The RRs were 27.3% and 6.1% in the XP and GP arms, respectively. XP resulted in longer TTP (5.2 months vs. 3.6 months, p=0.016), but OS was not statistically different (10.7 months vs. 8.6 months, p=0.365). Both regimens resulted in grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities, but febrile neutropenia was not noted. Grade 3-4 asthenia, stomatitis, and hand-foot syndrome occurred more frequently in the XP arm. Conclusion XP resulted in a superior TTP and RR compared to GP for treatment of advanced BTC, with comparable toxicity. Conduct of prospective large, randomized trials to evaluate the possibility of XP as another standard therapy is warranted.
Do Firms Learn from Alliance Terminations? An Empirical Examination

In this paper, drawing from the learning from failure perspective, we argue that firms that have experienced prior terminations are less likely to have their future alliance terminated. Our key argument is that prior terminations will enable firms to design better alliances and adopt more appropriate alliance management strategies to avoid future terminations. We also suggest a more nuanced view of learning by hypothesizing that termination experience will mediate the relationship between alliance formation experience and likelihood of termination. We used the case–control methodology to select a sample of 198 alliances (consisting of 99 terminations and an equal number of surviving alliances) from the global biotechnology industry, and deployed logistic regression analysis to test the hypotheses in a multivariate setting. Our analysis strongly supports both hypotheses.
Rescue of type I collagen-deficient phenotype by retroviral-vector-mediated transfer of human pro alpha 1(I) collagen gene into Mov-13 cells

A full-length cDNA clone corresponding to the human pro alpha 1(I) collagen gene was isolated and inserted into a retrovirus vector. Cell lines were obtained which produced recombinant viruses transducing the collagen cDNA (HUC virus). To test whether the transduced cDNA was functional, Mov-13 mouse cells were infected with the virus. These cells do not produce any type I collagen due to an insertional mutation of the pro alpha 1(I) gene which blocks transcription. While normal amounts of pro alpha 2(I) RNA were synthesized, no alpha 2(I) collagen chains were detectable in the mutant Mov-13 cells. Infection with HUC virus, however, resulted in the production of stable type I collagen, which was secreted into the medium. Analysis of pepsin-resistant proteins indicated that interspecies heterotrimers consisting of human alpha 1(I) and mouse alpha 2(I) collagen chains were secreted by the infected Mov-13 cells. Our results show that pro alpha (I) collagen chains from species as distant as human and mouse can associate to form stable type I collagen. The availability of a retrovirus vector transducing a functional pro alpha 1(I) collagen gene combined with the Mov-13 mutant system should enable us to study the effect of specific mutations on the synthesis, assembly, and function of type I collagen, not only in tissue culture but also in the animal.
Country Size and Economic Fluctuations

This paper investigates the character of business cycles across large and small economies. Empirically, G-7 countries have less volatile investment, consumption, and trade balance ratios, higher correlations between domestic saving and investment rates, and about the same correlation of the trade-balance ratio and investment ratio as 68 smaller countries. These observations are consistent with a standard one-sector two-country general equilibrium model in which the only source of heterogeneity is country size. Since many developing countries are small, these findings suggest that even absent differences in markets and institutions, economic fluctuations would be more severe in developing countries. Copyright 1997 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
The party system and change of regime: The structure of partisan choice in Tasmania and western Australia

tag=1 data=The Party system and change of regime: the structure of partisan choice in Tasmania and Western Australia. by Campbell Sharman, Graham Smith. tag=2 data=Sharman, Campbell%Smith, Graham%Moon, Jeremy tag=3 data=Australian Journal of Political Science, tag=4 data=26 tag=5 data=3 tag=6 data=1991 tag=7 data=409-428. tag=8 data=POLITICAL PARTIES tag=10 data=The theory of representative government espoused by liberal democracies rests in large part on the assumption that the elected component of government can make the whole machinery of the state responsive to the preferences of citizens, manifested at periodic elections. tag=11 data=1992/4/1 tag=12 data=92/0047 tag=13 data=CAB
Predictive Power Management for Internet of Battery-Less Things

Energy harvesting technology provides a promising solution to enable internet of battery-less things (IoBT), as the lifetime and size of batteries become major limiting factors in the design and effective operation of internet of things (IoT). However, with constrained energy buffer size, the variation of ambient energy availability and wireless communication cast adverse effect on the operation of IoBT. There is a pressing demand for developing IoBT-specialized power management. In this paper, we propose a novel predictive power management (PPM) framework combining optimal working point, deviation aware predictive energy allocation, and energy efficient transmission power control. The optimal working point guarantees minimum power loss of IoBT systems. By predictively budgeting the available energy and using the optimal working point as a set-point, PPM mitigates the prediction error so that both power failure time and system power loss is minimized. The transmission power control module of PPM improves energy efficiency by dynamically selecting optimal transmission power level with minimum energy consumption. Real-world harvesting profiles are tested to validate the effectiveness of PPM. The results indicate that compared with the previous predictive power managers, PPM incurs up to <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$17.49\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> reduction in system power loss and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$93.88\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> less power failure time while maintaining a high energy utilization rate. PPM also achieves <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$9.4\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> to <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$23.22\%$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of maximum improvement of transmission energy efficiency compared with the state-of-the-art transmission power control schemes.
Symptomatic osteochondromas: imaging features.

velopment of reactive bursa with large osteochondromas can lead to symptoms of bursitis with eventual bursal sac thickening and internal fluid accumulation. Mechanical impingement and soft-tissue irritation predispose to bursal formation with both subscapular and popliteal fossa osteochondromas. A, Osteochondroma (arrow) arises from anteromedial aspect of scapula. Large soft-tissue mass anteriorly has high signal intensity within it that likely represents hemorrhagic fluid within reactive bursa (b(. B, Contrast-enhanced image shows synovial enhancement peripherally and within bursa (b(. At surgery, hemorrhagic bursal collection was found anterior to scapular osteochondroma. (Courtesy of Schlessinger F, Princeton, NJ)
Financial liberalization, financial development and growth linkages in Sub‐Saharan African countries: An empirical investigation

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to use the recent development in unit root tests and cointegration as applied to panel data and dynamic time series, to estimate the relationship between financial liberalization, financial development and growth. Design/methodology/approach - The paper assesses the dynamics of the relationship between financial development, financial liberalization and growth using the latest dynamic panel data framework and time series analyses comprising up to 15 Sub-Saharan African countries with annual observations over the period of 1976-2005. The research uses various measures of, or proxies for, financial intermediary development, including ratio of private sector credit and share of domestic credit to income. Findings - The results obtained from a heterogenous panel investigation and time series methodology such as Granger causality, indicate a long-run equilibrium relationship between financial development and economic growth. This is consistent with the view that financial development can act as an “engine of growth” and plays a crucial role in the process of economic development. However, there is little evidence to support the hypothesis that financial liberalization directly “leads” growth. Originality/value - Group mean panel fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and country-by-country time series investigations show evidence of causality running from financial development to growth. The analysis yielded limited evidence of financial liberalization Granger-causing economic growth. However, this is not to say that financial liberalization does not promote growth, as it could do so indirectly through fostering financial development.
The Giving Type: Identifying Donors

One commonly used strategy in charitable fundraising is sharing names and contact information of donors between organizations, even those whose missions are unrelated. The efficacy of this practice hinges on the existence of “giving types,” that is, a positive correlation at the individual level between giving to one organization and to another. We run an experiment using a non-student sample (an artifactual field experiment) in which participants have the opportunity to donate to multiple charitable organizations. We examine the relationship between giving to one organization and giving to another. Our results support the existence of a giving type; a factor analysis demonstrates that giving decisions are driven by a single (unique) factor, and individuals who give to one organization, give significantly more to other organizations than do non-donors. Our results have important implications for the economics of charity and for fundraising practice.
Interleukin‐10 levels increase in cutaneous biopsies of patients undergoing wasp venom immunotherapy

We have studied the influence of wasp venom immunotherapy (VIT) on cellular recruitment and cytokine mRNA expression during allergen‐induced cutaneous late‐phase responses (LPR). Nine subjectswith a history of wasp sting anaphylaxis, and specific IgE in their sera underwent wasp VIT. Skin biopsies were taken 24 h after intradermal diluent and allergen before and after 3 months VIT. Pre‐immunotherapy, there were significant allergen‐induced increases in EG2+ eosinophils, elastase+ neutrophils, CD68+ macrophages and IL–10 protein+ cells, and increased expression of mRNA for IL–4, IL–13, IFN–γ, IL–12, IL–10, TGF‐β, RANTES and eotaxin. When these allergen‐induced changes in cytokine mRNA and cellular profiles were compared with those obtained after 3 months VIT there was a significant reduction in IL–4 mRNA (p=0.012) and increase in IL–10 protein+ cells (p=0.004) with a trend to an increase in IL–10 mRNA (p=0.054). There were also significant reductions in eosinophils (p<0.004) and the size of the cutaneous LPR (p<0.01) but no change in mRNA to IFN–γ, IL–13 or IL–12. Therefore, VIT is associated with a significant increase in cells positive for IL–10 protein but not IL–12 or IFN–γ. These results suggest that induction of IL–10 may be important in VIT and occur independently of the switch to a Th1 phenotype. IL–10 generation may down‐regulate IL–4 expression and eosinophil recruitment.
Evaluation of the body iron status of native Canadians.

The serum ferritin concentration was measured in 1417 Indians and 310 Inuit aged 1 to 89 years. The subjects were initially selected to produce a representative sample of the entire native population, but the rate of nonresponse was high, and the results reported in this paper are representative only of the people studied.In males the median serum ferritin values increased during early life and tended to plateau after the age of 30 years. In females the median values rose during childhood, tended to plateau during adolescence, increased slightly during the reproductive period, then gradually rose thereafter. Ranges of values were wide in all age groups, reflecting the variations in body iron stores. When compared with the Inuit, the Indians had a significantly higher prevalence of abnormal serum ferritin values.From an analysis of the serum ferritin values in Indians it is probable that iron stores were reduced in approximately 30% of children, 40% of adolescents, 34% of nonpregnant women of reproductive age, 11% of older women and 5% of adult males. The corresponding figures for the Inuit were 15%, 23%, 22%, 6% and 1%. In contrast, iron deficiency anemia was found in only 3% to 4% of native peoples. If "normality" requires more than small amounts of iron stores to meet physiologic needs, the results suggest a high probability of iron deficiency in 20% to 40% of native children, adolescents and nonpregnant women of reproductive age, and in 0% to 10% of other subjects; but if "normality" is defined as adequate iron stores for erythropoiesis the prevalence of iron deficiency was approximately 1% to 2% in children and adolescents, 3% to 5% in women and less than 1% in adult males.
The determinants of board meetings: evidence from categorical analysis

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of the frequency of board meetings as an index for board activity including their monitoring role. Design/methodology/approach - The research sample is composed of 120 UK firms based on their market capitalization for the period from 2003 to 2008. The study applies multinomial logistic modelling and conditional logistic modelling to investigate the frequency of board meetings. Findings - The study finds that board size and structure are positively related to the frequency of board meetings. In addition, a negative impact of audit committee diligence on the frequency board meetings is reported. The study finds no evidence that the frequency of board meetings are reduced when there is a CEO duality. Finally, the results show that firm size, leverage, free cash flows, and Tobin's Practical implications - This study shows the factors that affect the board effectiveness in the UK, namely that board meetings, board composition, and board size, are key indicators for good internal governance practices and, in turn, enhance board monitoring activities. Originality/value - The research offers the first major study to examine the determinants of the frequency of board meetings in UK non-financial firms. The paucity of the UK literature regarding board effectiveness in the UK reinforces the empirical importance of the results for researchers, managers, and UK policy makers.