Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Frequencies of Th22 Cells as well as Th17 Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background T-helper (Th) 22 is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. The roles of Th22 cells in the pathophysiological of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain unsettled. So we examined the frequencies of Th22 cells, Th17 cells and Th1 cells in peripheral blood (PB) from patients with AS and patients with RA compared with both healthy controls as well as patients with osteoarthritis. Design and Methods We studied 32 AS patients, 20 RA patients, 10 OA patients and 20 healthy controls. The expression of IL-22, IL-17 and IFN-γ were examined in AS, RA, OA patients and healthy controls by flow cytometry. Plasma IL-22 and IL-17 levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Th22 cells, Th17 cells and interleukin-22 were significantly elevated in AS and RA patients compared with OA patients and healthy controls. Moreover, Th22 cells showed positive correlation with Th17 cells as well as interleukin-22 in AS and RA patients. However, positive correlation between IL-22 and Th17 cells was only found in AS patients not in RA patients. In addition, the percentages of both Th22 cells and Th17 cells correlated positively with disease activity only in RA patients not in AS patients. Conclusions The frequencies of both Th22 cells and Th17 cells were elevated in PB from patients with AS and patients with RA. These findings suggest that Th22 cells and Th17 cells may be implicated in the pathogenesis of AS and RA, and Th22 cells and Th17 cells may be reasonable cellular targets for therapeutic intervention.
Diagnostic miss rate for colorectal cancer: an audit

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer worldwide. While screening improves survival, avoiding delayed diagnosis in symptomatic patients is crucial. Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) or colonoscopy is recommended as first-line investigation and most societies recommend counseling patients undergoing colonoscopy about a miss rate of 5%. This audit evaluates “miss rate” of colorectal investigations, which have led to diagnostic delay in symptomatic cases in a district general hospital in the United Kingdom. Methods This is a retrospective review of 150 consecutive CRC cases presenting between August 2010 and July 2011. Evidence of bowel investigations done in the 3 years prior to diagnosis was obtained from computerized health records. Data regarding previous bowel investigations such as colonoscopy, CTC, double contrast barium enema (DCBE), and CT abdomen/pelvis were collected. Results 6.7% cases were identified via screening pathway while 93% were identified through symptomatic pathway. 17% (26/150) of newly diagnosed CRC had been investigated in the preceding 3 years. Of these, 8% (12/150) had false negative results. The false negative rate for CRC diagnosis was 3.5% for colonoscopy (3/85), 6.7% for CTC (1/17), 9.4% for CT (5/53), and 26.7% for DCBE (4/15). Some patients had a missed diagnosis despite more than one diagnostic test. Time delay to diagnosis ranged from 21-456 days. Conclusions 17% of patients diagnosed with CRC had been investigated in the previous 3 years. Higher miss rate of barium enema should preclude its use as a first-line modality to investigate CRC.
Evaluation of Pain Regression in Patients with Temporomandibular Dysfunction Treated by Intra-Articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections: A Preliminary Report

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the regression of temporomandibular pain as a result of intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction previously subjected to prosthetic treatment. Materials and Methods. The baseline study material consisted of 10 patients, both males and females, aged 28 to 53 years, previously treated due to painful temporomandibular joint dysfunction using occlusal splints. All patients were carried out to a specialist functional assessment of the dysfunction using the Polish version of the RDC/TMD questionnaire axis I and II. Intra-articular injections were preceded by a preparation of PRP. The injection sites were determined by the method used during arthroscopic surgical procedures. Following aspiration, 0.5 mL of plasma was injected into each temporomandibular joint. Results. The comparison of the intensity of pain during all examinations suggests a beneficial effect of the procedure being performed as the mean VAS score was 6.5 at examination I, 2.8 at examination II, and 0.6 at examination III. Conclusion. Application of the intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma into the temporomandibular joints has a positive impact on the reduction of the intensity of pain experienced by patients treated for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Physics and Chemistry of the Purcell's Alignment

Paramagnetic alignment of suprathermally rotating grains is discussed in view of recent progress in understanding subtle processes taking place over grain surface. It is shown that in typical ISM conditions, grains with surfaces of amorphous H 2 O ice, defected sili-cate or polymeric carbonaceous material are likely to exhibit enhanced alignment, while those of aromatic carbonaceous material or graphite are not. The critical grain sizes and temperature for the Purcell's alignment are obtained and preferential alignment of large grains is established.
Metal transport in cells: cadmium uptake by rat hepatocytes and renal cortical epithelial cells.

The toxic metals appear to use the transport pathways that exist for biologically essential metals. In this regard interactions between the toxic and essential metals are possible. This report summarizes recent findings on the transport of cadmium in rat hepatocytes and renal cortical epithelial cells in the presence or absence of certain essential metals. The transport of cadmium in hepatocytes does not require energy and, therefore, is not an active process. It occurs primarily (80%) by temperature-sensitive processes, i.e., ion channels and carriers, that involve interaction with sulfhydryl groups. These processes apparently exist for the transport of essential metals like copper, zinc and calcium. The remaining 20% of the cadmium in hepatocytes is transported via a temperature-insensitive process, possibly by diffusion. In comparison with the hepatocytes, a smaller fraction (30%) of the cadmium transport through the basolateral membrane and none from the apical membrane of the renal cortical epithelial cells is temperature-sensitive. Total accumulation through the basolateral membrane is about twice that through the apical membrane. A majority of the cadmium transport in the renal cells is by diffusion. As in hepatocytes, copper, zinc and mercury antagonize cadmium transport through the apical membranes of the renal cells. The relative antagonism by copper is the same (25%); however, the antagonism by zinc (16%) and mercury (10%) is 4- to 6-fold lower than in hepatocytes. It appears that the relative contribution of various transport pathways available for cadmium uptake is different in each cell type and apparently depends on the morphological and functional differences between the cell membranes.
Comparability of Results from Pair and Classical Model Formulations for Different Sexually Transmitted Infections

The “classical model” for sexually transmitted infections treats partnerships as instantaneous events summarized by partner change rates, while individual-based and pair models explicitly account for time within partnerships and gaps between partnerships. We compared predictions from the classical and pair models over a range of partnership and gap combinations. While the former predicted similar or marginally higher prevalence at the shortest partnership lengths, the latter predicted self-sustaining transmission for gonorrhoea (GC) and Chlamydia (CT) over much broader partnership and gap combinations. Predictions on the critical level of condom use (Cc) required to prevent transmission also differed substantially when using the same parameters. When calibrated to give the same disease prevalence as the pair model by adjusting the infectious duration for GC and CT, and by adjusting transmission probabilities for HIV, the classical model then predicted much higher Cc values for GC and CT, while Cc predictions for HIV were fairly close. In conclusion, the two approaches give different predictions over potentially important combinations of partnership and gap lengths. Assuming that it is more correct to explicitly model partnerships and gaps, then pair or individual-based models may be needed for GC and CT since model calibration does not resolve the differences.
Time Series Analysis of the Impact of Real Interest Rates on Stock Market Activity and Liquidity in Egypt: Co-Integration and Error Correction Model Approach

Since 1991 Egypt has witnessed major and radical changes in its economic climate as a result of the government's adoption of a program of economic reform aimed at increasing the growth rate of the economy. Arguably, this objective can be assisted through creating a strong stock market. This paper focuses on examining the impact of real interest rates as a key factor in the program on the performance of the Egyptian stock market, both in terms of market activity and liquidity. By applying Engle and Granger's two-stage procedure, results from co-integration analysis through error correction mechanisms (ECM) indicate significant long-run and short-run relationships between the variables, implying that real interest rates have an impact upon stock market performance.
Journalism Meets Management

The development of news production over the last decade has accentuated the negotiation between two forces of change: professional discourse and managerial discourse. The first characterizes journalistic identity by normative ideals and serves to legitimize journalists as an autonomous and self-regulating group. Managerial discourse, on the other hand, expresses the globalization of values and economy in the labour market, as well as in the area of communication, streamlining organizational models, and suggesting a business thinking common to several industries, in addition to an evolving view of the individual as an entrepreneur. Managerialism has implications for all levels of news work and, above all, emphasizes audience orientation, as the will of the audience becomes imperative. It promotes a form of leadership rather new to Scandinavian news organizations by strongly bringing the key values of profit and efficiency to the negotiating table. This article focuses on the constant negotiation between discourses by drawing empirical support from three survey studies of editors-in-chief and journalists in Sweden. It describes how editors-in-chief perceive their own role to be changing and why, and attempts to relate the new forms of leadership to current professional developments in journalism.
A Soluble Activin Receptor Type IIB Does Not Improve Blood Glucose in Streptozotocin-Treated Mice

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), or insulin dependent DM, is accompanied by decreased muscle mass. The growth factor myostatin (MSTN) is a negative regulator of muscle growth, and a loss of MSTN signaling has been shown to increase muscle mass and prevent the development of obesity, insulin resistance and lipodystrophic diabetes in mice. The effects of MSTN inhibition in a T1DM model on muscle mass and blood glucose are unknown. We asked whether MSTN inhibition would increase muscle mass and decrease hyperglycemia in mice treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to destroy pancreatic beta cells. After diabetes developed, mice were treated with a soluble MSTN/activin receptor fused to Fc (ACVR2B:Fc). ACVR2B:Fc increased body weight and muscle mass compared to vehicle treated mice. Unexpectedly, ACVR2B:Fc reproducibly exacerbated hyperglycemia within approximately one week of administration. ACVR2B:Fc treatment also elevated serum levels of the glucocorticoid corticosterone. These results suggest that although MSTN/activin inhibitors increased muscle mass, they may be counterproductive in improving health in patients with T1DM.
Giving thanks: the relational context of gratitude in postgraduate supervision

Successful postgraduate supervision is often dependent upon the quality of the relationship between postgraduates and their supervisors. This article reports on two studies that focus on grateful affect and grateful expression within low‐ and high‐trust postgraduate–supervisor working relationships. In Study 1, a sample of Canadian postgraduates and supervisors was interviewed to explore the consequences of expressed gratitude and identify supervisory behaviors for which postgraduates are grateful. In Study 2, a sample of Australian postgraduates was surveyed. Results showed that perceptions of supervisors’ altruism and the perceived value of supervisors’ behaviors were positively related to the grateful affect felt by postgraduates in low‐trust working relationships. In contrast, perceptions of supervisors’ altruism and the perceived value of supervisors’ behaviors were not related to grateful affect in high‐trust working relationships. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
The Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis Response to Endotoxin is Attenuated During Lactation

Pregnancy and lactation are times of prolonged physiological changes affecting the neuroendocrine and immunological systems. One well‐characterized change is the neuroendocrine hyporesponsiveness to acute stressful stimuli. We have now designed studies to see whether there is an alteration in the response of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis to an immunological inflammatory challenge and to ascertain whether lactating animals show altered neural and endocrine responses to inflammatory stimuli. Lactating (day 9–12 postpartum) or virgin control Sprague‐Dawley female rats were injected with either 200 μg of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS ) or sterile saline given i.p. Trunk blood or jugular blood was collected from the animals at 2 h or hourly over 6 h after injection. Both plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone concentrations were significantly higher in saline treated lactating animals compared with the virgin group. LPS significantly elevated circulating levels of plasma ACTH and corticosterone in both virgin and lactating animals compared with saline controls, however, hormone responses to LPS were significantly reduced in lactating animals relative to virgin controls. Corticosterone‐binding globulin concentrations were lower in lactating animals compared to virgin animals and LPS decreased concentrations in virgin, but not lactating rats. Analysis of cfos mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus revealed that 2 h following injection there was a increase in cfos expression only in the virgin animals treated with LPS, compared to all other treatment conditions. Corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA expression was overall greater in virgin animals, but was increased to similar extent in both virgin and lactating animals treated with LPS. Primary arginine vasopressin (AVP) mRNA transcripts were increased 2 h following LPS injection, but a greater increase in expression was seen in virgin animals. These data demonstrate that there is a lower level of free circulating glucocorticoid in response to inflammatory stimuli and suggests that communication between the immune and endocrine systems may be altered during lactation.
The role of human capital in the Iberian countries' growth and convergence

This thesis examines the role of human capital in the growth and convergence of the Iberian countries. Using a newly computed series for human capital at the NUTS III level for the Portuguese regions, the comparison between Portugal and Spain suggests a positive role for human capital proxied by the average years of schooling in both Iberian countries regional growth, which supports the hypothesis that higher levels of education improved the regions‟ ability to adopt new technology; although the levels of education indicate that secondary schooling is important for technology adoption in Portugal, but not in Spain, and its effect is higher than that of tertiary education. Using Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), two convergence clubs are identified within the Iberia Peninsula (Core and Periphery), but convergence occurs mainly in the Periphery group and education plays a positive and significant role only in the Core club.
Reconsidering the Trade-Creating Effects of a Currency Union

This paper reconsiders recent empirical evidence found by Andrew Rose that countries adopting a common currency will triple their bilateral trade. The authors find that this large estimated effect is due to estimation bias arising from missing and/or misspecified time-variant factors rather than to the adoption of a common currency. The results of this study, obtained with a general specification of time-variant factors, indicate that a common currency actually leads to a small reduction in trade over a 5-year period, although this result is not statistically different from zero. The authors also find that over 10- and 20-year periods, trade volumes are more than halved by the adoption of a common currency.
Deep architectures for modulation recognition

We survey the latest advances in machine learning with deep neural networks by applying them to the task of radio modulation recognition. Results show that ratio modulation recognition is not limited by network depth and further work should focus on improving learned synchronization and equalization. Advances in these areas will likely come from novel architectures designed for these tasks or through novel training methods.
Genetic Matching : An Efficient Algorithm to Adjust Covariate Imbalance for Data Analysis and Modeling

In causal-effect relationship research, similarity of groups being compared in terms of covariates or patient/disease characteristics is critical to ensure fairness of the comparison and unbiasedness of the findings. When dissimilarity is suspected, one can either adjust for imbalance or match the groups according to certain important covariates or characteristics. Regression analysis is commonly used to adjust the imbalance and matching techniques are usually used to match subjects between groups. Diamond and Sekhon [2] proposed a genetic matching algorithm to maximize the covariate balance. We describe the theory and conduct a simulation study to compare the relative performance of propensity score matching, Mahalanobis matching, and Genetic matching. Generally, Genetic matching achieves better covariate balance and produces more stable and unbiased treatment effect estimates. We also apply Genetic matching to a clinical study to investigate the treatment effects on rheumatoid arthritis.
The Administrator as Action Researcher: A Case Study of Five Principals and Their Engagement in Systematic, Intentional Study of Their Own Practice

The purpose of this case study was to understand engagement in action research as a form of professional development for practicing principals and the subsequent knowledge constructed as a result. The research team followed five principals through 1 year of professional development, which focused on supporting each principal in the design and implementation of an action research project on one's own leadership practice. Data sources included artifacts, field notes, video- and audiotaped transcriptions of meetings, and interview transcripts. Two assertions with supporting evidence are reported First, the high-stakes testing environment and era of accountability dramatically shaped the topics of principals’ inquiries and the ways that they understood the inquiry process. Second, collaboration with other principals, regardless of felt time constraints, played a critical role in the ways that principals made sense of the action research process as well as their own practice as administrators, and it precipitated deeper thinking about school and administrative practice. This study revealed that action research provides administrators with opportunities to engage in meaningful professional development that affects their own practices, the practices of other principals, and those within their school communities, thus making the act of reflection systematic and intentional.
Applying graph coloring in resour ce coordination for a high-density wireless environment

In a high density wireless environment, channel interference among users of many overlapped Basic Service Sets (OBSSs) is a serious problem. Our solution for the problem relies on a resource coordination scheme that utilizes the spatial distribution of the transceivers for channel reuse and time-slot division multiplexing for downlink transmission sharing among all participating BSSs. In this paper we show that an OBSS environment can be modeled by a planar graph and the OBSS group coordination assignment problem can be considered as a vertex coloring problem whose solution involves at most four colors. The graph coloring solution algorithm for the OBSS group coordination assignment is presented. The actual coloring is demonstrated, using a heuristics of Maximum Degree First. Performance simulation results of the coordination algorithm are also presented.
Group Problem-Solving Processes: Social Interactions and Individual Actions

To help consider why some groups solve problems successfully but others do not, this article introduces a framework for analyzing sequences of group members' actions. The dimensions of evaluation of the previous action (supportive, critical, unresponsive), knowledge content (contribution, repetition, null), and invitational form (command, question, statement) organize twenty-seven individual actions, each with specific functions and conditions of use. Evaluations, repetitions and invitational forms link actions together to create coherent social interactions, and thereby serve as possible quantitative measures of collaboration quality. Specific individual action also helps constitute specific social interactions. Six types of social interactions that occur during group problem-solving are organized by problem knowledge distribution (no one knows a problem approach, some know, or everyone knows) and degree of cooperation (independent or cooperative), This framework's mutually exclusive categories and multi-function individual actions allow statistical analyses of many group interactions both in their entirety and in fine detail.