Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adipocytokine Profile, Cytokine Levels and Foxp3 Expression in Multiple Sclerosis: a Possible Link to Susceptibility and Clinical Course of Disease

Background Adipocytokines may be involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as other autoimmune and inflammatory-related diseases. This study aims to compare levels of resistin, visfatin and leptin in three subgroups of MS patients with healthy subjects and also to study their relationship with Foxp3 expression and levels of several pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukine-1 β(IL-1 β),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and human sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Methods A total of 391 subjects including 200 healthy controls and 191 MS patients were recruited for this case-control study. Circulating adipocytokines and inflammatory mediators were measured using immunoassay methods. Foxp3 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Fat tissue mass was evaluated by using dual energy X-ray absorptiometery (DEXA). Results A significant difference was observed in levels of inflammatory mediators, adipocytokines, Foxp3 gene expression and adipose tissue mass between MS patients and healthy controls. All adipocytokines were positively correlated with levels of inflammatory mediators and negatively correlated with Foxp3 expression in MS patients. In controls, there were positive correlations between circulating leptin and resistin with TNF-α and IL-1β in subgroup analysis, the highest levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, hs-CRP, resistin and leptin were observed in primary progressive-MS (PP-MS) patients. Also, expression of Foxp3 and levels of visfatin in relapsing remitting-MS(RR-MS) patients were higher compared with the other subgroups. Conclusions Our findings suggest the potential role of adipocytokines in pathogenesis and severity of MS. Notably, the relationship of adipocytokines levels with inflammatory cytokines as well as clinical features of MS could be considerable in translational medicine and biomarker studies.
Why are Banks Holding so Many Excess Reserves?

The buildup of reserves in the U.S. banking system during the financial crisis has fueled concerns that the Federal Reserve's policies may have failed to stimulate the flow of credit in the economy: banks, it appears, are amassing funds rather than lending them out. However, a careful examination of the balance sheet effects of central bank actions shows that the high level of reserves is simply a by-product of the Fed's new lending facilities and asset purchase programs. The total quantity of reserves in the banking system reflects the scale of the Fed's policy initiatives, but conveys no information about the initiatives' effects on bank lending or on the economy more broadly.
Social responsibilities of MNCs in downsizing operations: A Finnish forest sector case analysed from the stakeholder, social contract and legitimacy theory point of view

Purpose - This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the social aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by studying a case of organizational downsizing. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses a theoretical framework consisting of stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory together with the concept of social contract. Textual analysis methods are used to analyse and interpret the empirical data, which consist of mass media articles. Findings - The main finding is that key stakeholders, especially employees and their representatives and the multinational corporation (MNC) itself perceive social aspects of CSR differently. The economic dimension dominates the social aspect in the corporate representatives' argumentation. Accounting information is used as a rhetorical tool to legitimise the downsizing actions rather than for purposes of accountability and transparent informative content. Research limitations/implications - The research is based on a detailed analysis of a specific context. This may limit the wider applicability of the findings. Even so, it adds insights to the academic literature on the varying conceptions of the social responsibilities of corporations, perceived not only by the firm itself, but also by different stakeholders. Originality/value - The paper contributes to the literature on CSR by investigating understandings of corporate social responsibility in a case where the economic and social responsibilities of a firm are publicly debated. The study also links the theoretical debate on corporate social responsibility to a context with a complex range of political and social factors affecting the construction of the social and economic responsibilities of a firm.
Metabolomic Profiles Are Gender, Disease and Time Specific in the Interleukin-10 Gene-Deficient Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Metabolomic profiling can be used to study disease-induced changes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the metabolomic profile of males and females as they developed IBD. Using the IL-10 gene-deficient mouse model of IBD and wild-type mice, urine at age 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks was collected and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Multivariate data analysis was employed to assess differences in metabolomic profiles that occurred as a consequence of IBD development and severity (at week 20). These changes were contrasted to those that occurred as a consequence of gender. Our results demonstrate that both IL-10 gene-deficient and wild-type mice exhibit gender-related changes in urinary metabolomic profile over time. Some male-female separating metabolites are common to both IL-10 gene-deficient and control wild-type mice and, therefore, appear to be related predominantly to gender maturation. In addition, we were able to identify gender-separating metabolites that are unique for IL-10 gene-deficient and wild-type mice and, therefore, may be indicative of a gender-specific involvement in the development and severity of the intestinal inflammation. The comparison of the gender-separating metabolomic profile from IL-10 gene-deficient mice and wild-type mice during the development of IBD allowed us to identify changes in profile patterns that appear to be imperative in the development of intestinal inflammation, but yet central to gender-related differences in IBD development. The knowledge of metabolomic profile differences by gender and by disease severity has potential clinical implications in the design of both biomarkers of disease as well as the development of optimal therapies.
Transplancental Carcinogen in Syrian Golden Hamsters 4-( Methylnitrosamino )-1-( 3-pyridyl )-1-butanone Is an Active The Tobacco-specific Nitrosamine Updated

The tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)1-butanone (NNK) is a potent carcinogen in adult laboratory rodents. Our previous studies have shown that NNK crosses the placenta in pregnant hamsters and is metabolized into DNA-methylating and clastogenic intermediates by fetal respiratory tract tissues. Based on these findings, we have tested the transplacental carcinogenicity of NNK in this species. Groups of pregnant hamsters were given s.c. injections of single or multiple doses of NNK (cumulative dose range, 50-300 mg/kg) on day 15 (last day of gestation) or on days 13, 14, and 15 of gestation. Within 1 year after treatment, up to 70% of the offspring developed tumors in various organs, including respiratory tract, nasal cavity, adrenal glands, pancreas, and liver. No tumors were found in the control hamsters treated with the vehicle (trioctanoin) alone. The overall tumor incidence was proportional to the cumulative dose. Females had a generally higher tumor incidence than males.
Technical Note: Large overestimation of pCO2 calculated from pH and alkalinity in acidic, organic-rich freshwaters

Inland waters have been recognized as a signifi- cant source of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere at the global scale. Fluxes of CO2 between aquatic systems and the atmosphere are calculated from the gas transfer velocity and the water-air gradient of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2). Currently, direct measurements of waterpCO2 remain scarce in freshwaters, and most published pCO2 data are calculated from temperature, pH and total alkalinity (TA). Here, we compare calculated (pH and TA) and measured (equilibra- tor and headspace) water pCO2 in a large array of temperate and tropical freshwaters. The 761 data points cover a wide range of values for TA (0 to 14 200 µmol L 1 ), pH (3.94 to 9.17), measured pCO2 (36 to 23 000 ppmv), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (29 to 3970 µmol L 1 ). Calculated pCO2 were > 10 % higher than measured pCO2 in 60 % of the samples (with a median overestimation of calculated pCO2 compared to measured pCO2 of 2560 ppmv) and were > 100 % higher in the 25 % most organic-rich and acidic samples (with a median overestimation of 9080 ppmv). We suggest these large overestimations of calculated pCO2 with respect to measured pCO2 are due to the combination of two cumulative effects: (1) a more significant contribution of or- ganic acids anions to TA in waters with low carbonate alka- linity and high DOC concentrations; (2) a lower buffering ca- pacity of the carbonate system at low pH, which increases the sensitivity of calculated pCO2 to TA in acidic and organic- rich waters. No empirical relationship could be derived from our data set in order to correct calculated pCO2 for this bias. Owing to the widespread distribution of acidic, organic-rich freshwaters, we conclude that regional and global estimates of CO2 outgassing from freshwaters based on pH and TA data only are most likely overestimated, although the magni- tude of the overestimation needs further quantitative analysis. Direct measurements of pCO2 are recommended in inland waters in general, and in particular in acidic, poorly buffered freshwaters.
Evolving Drug Delivery Strategies to Overcome the Blood Brain Barrier

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a unique challenge for drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). The BBB consists of a continuous layer of specialized endothelial cells linked together by tight junctions, pericytes, nonfenestrated basal lamina, and astrocytic foot processes. This complex barrier controls and limits the systemic delivery of therapeutics to the CNS. Several innovative strategies have been explored to enhance the transport of therapeutics across the BBB, each with individual advantages and disadvantages. Ongoing advances in delivery approaches that overcome the BBB are enabling more effective therapies for CNS diseases. In this review, we discuss: (1) the physiological properties of the BBB, (2) conventional strategies to enhance paracellular and transcellular transport through the BBB, (3) emerging concepts to overcome the BBB, and (4) alternative CNS drug delivery strategies that bypass the BBB entirely. Based on these exciting advances, we anticipate that in the near future, drug delivery research efforts will lead to more effective therapeutic interventions for diseases of the CNS.
General Equilibrium Foundations of Finance: Structure of Incomplete Markets Models

List of Figures. Preface. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part I: The General Equilibrium Model with Incomplete Markets. 1. The Model and Some Fundamentals. 2. Existence of Equilibria. 3. Structure of GEI-Excess Demand. 4. The Index-Theorem. 5. Uniqueness in the Arrow Debreu Model. 6. Uniqueness in the Finance GEI-Model. Part II: The Capital Asset Pricing Model. 7. The Model and Some Fundamentals. 8. Existence of Equilibria. 9. Market Demand Functions in the CAPM. 10. Uniqueness of Equilibria in the CAPM. Appendices: Mathematics. Assumptions. Main Results. Index.
PKA regulatory IIα subunit is essential for PGD2-mediated resolution of inflammation

Activation of DP1 by PGD2 in macrophages induces the binding of PRKAR2A to the IFN-γR2 transmembrane region, inhibits JAK2/STAT1 signaling, and triggers the expression of antiinflammatory and reparative genes in myocardial infarction and sepsis.
Perceptions of Sustainability and Functional Aspects on Liquid Carton Board Packaging Materials versus Competing Materials for Juice Applications in Sweden

This research explores the downstream perceptions of liquid carton board versus competing materials in packaging applications for juice. The methodology used is focus groups. The context is sustainability and functional performance, and related potential implications for the beverage industry value chain. The purpose is to get a deeper insight and understanding of functionality in relation to juice beverage packaging. The results confirm that there is no optimal packaging for every juice product, but a multitude, depending on the distribution channel, retail outlet, customer preferences, and context of consumption. There are some general packaging preferences, but the main deciding criteria for purchase seem to be the product characteristics in terms of quality, taste, brand, price and shelf life. For marketing reasons, packaging has to be adopted to the product and its positioning, liquid carton board packaging seem to have some functional advantages in distribution and is considered as sustainable and functional among many consumers. Major drawbacks seem to be shape limitations, lack of transparency, and lack of a “premium look”. To improve packaging performance and avoid sub-optimization, actors in the beverage industry value chain need to be integrated in development processes.
An Improved Adaptive Background Mixture Model for Real-time Tracking with Shadow Detection

Real-time segmentation of moving regions in image sequences is a fundamental step in many vision systems including automated visual surveillance, human-machine interface, and very low-bandwidth telecommunications. A typical method is background subtraction. Many background models have been introduced to deal with different problems. One of the successful solutions to these problems is to use a multi-colour background model per pixel proposed by Grimson et al [1,2,3]. However, the method suffers from slow learning at the beginning, especially in busy environments. In addition, it can not distinguish between moving shadows and moving objects. This paper presents a method which improves this adaptive background mixture model. By reinvestigating the update equations, we utilise different equations at different phases. This allows our system learn faster and more accurately as well as adapt effectively to changing environments. A shadow detection scheme is also introduced in this paper. It is based on a computational colour space that makes use of our background model. A comparison has been made between the two algorithms. The results show the speed of learning and the accuracy of the model using our update algorithm over the Grimson et al’s tracker. When incorporate with the shadow detection, our method results in far better segmentation than that of Grimson et al.
The Binational City Eurode: The Social Legitimacy of a Border-crossing Town

The integration in border regions and towns is often considered to be a test-case in European integration. Although the social and democratic legitimacy of the European Union is a much discussed topic, the aspect of how legitimate such cross-border regional and local constructs are, has received far less scientific attention. This dissertation aims to give a first onset for quantitative investigations regarding the social legitimacy of local cross-border cooperation. It describes a project conducted in two neighbouring municipalities, Kerkrade and Herzogenrath, both situated on the Dutch-German border. The project's goal was to become a single border-crossing municipality which was to be called Eurode. The study consists of an analysis of the measures taken by the local authorities of both towns to construct Eurode and to strengthen its public support. In addition, the results of a survey will be presented, which show the actual support lent by the inhabitants of both towns. This detailed focus, on both the construction and the reconstruction of a border-crossing municipality, adds a new dimension to the current research on neighbouring border towns. Furthermore, the results of the survey do not only give evidence of the public support for Eurode today, but it also provides a perspective for future prospects
Determinants of Industrial Innovation in China and the Role of University Research

This dissertation investigates firms’ innovation activities in China, the role of universities in this regard and whether firms’ willingness to engage in academia-industry linkages can be positively affected through relevant policy. It applies a three-step approach for the investigation. Results of the three-step analysis are presented in Chapter 2 to 4. As the first step, Chapter 2 investigates the role of firms’ own R&D engagement and the relevance of knowledge transferred from different sources for their various innovation results. The investigation is based on a firm-level dataset collected by our own PRD (Pearl River Delta) Company Survey in late 2007 in China. Chapter 3 deepens the analysis in Chapter 2 by investigating the role of university research for industrial patenting results in more detail, focusing on the role of geographic proximity and university research quality in this regard. In doing so it extends the analysis of Chapter 2 in the following three aspects: regional and geographic aspect, sectoral aspect and the aspect of university research quality. Based on the concept of national innovation system we may expect that governments through adequate policy can remove (partially) institutional impediments to encourage firms to engage in academia-industry linkages more intensively so that firms’ innovation performance can better profit from the academic research results. Chapter 4 uses Hong Kong (HK) with its specific historical background as an example to investigate whether more active innovation policy may have certain potential to positively affect firms’ innovation intention in general and to encourage innovative firms to engage in academia-industry linkages more intensively in particular. The dissertation ends with a brief summary of findings and some policy implications.
The Egyptian mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, is a possible reservoir host of visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Sudan

Investigations were made on possible reservoir hosts of Leishmania donovani in 2 zoonotic foci of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Dinder National Park (DNP) and the peri-domestic habitats of adjacent villages of eastern Sudan. Animals were captured, in November 1997–1998 and April–May 1999 and examined for L. donovani infection using light microscopy and 2 sensitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) systems. Microscopy and PCR investigations were also used to determine the infection rates of L. donovani in Phlebotomus orientalis captured from the uninhabited site of DNP. Infections of L. donovani were detected in 2 out of 14 Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon), 1 out of 168 Arviconthus niloticus and 1 out of 8 Mastomys natalensis. Samples from 68 other animals captured from the study area were all negative for the infection. Active zoonotic transmission of L. donovani at the time of animal sampling in the uninhabited site of DNP was demonstrated by finding the parasite in 3.4% (7 out of 184) and 3.2% (5 out of 157) of flies collected in March 1998 and May 1999, respectively. We suggest that the Egyptian mongoose is a possible reservoir host of L. donovani. The importance of other animals in maintaining the infection is also discussed.
Body size , prey size and herbivory in the Galapagos lava lizard , lkopidurus

Body size and diet were studied in Tropidurus in relation to food supply, to evaluate the hypothesis that body size is adapted to efficient exploitation of available foods. The results suggest that size is adapted to a particular degree of herbivory (i.e. a mixture of plant and animal food) rather than arthropod prey size. Body size and prey size were only weakly associated in T. pacificus, and comparison with other studies suggests this results from a large mean adult body size relative to the most common prey sizes. Balanced-diet effects on prey choice were not detected. The total quantity of animal food in the diet was not related to body size. Tropidurus size on different islands was unrelated to mean prey size available. However, degree of herbivory usually increased with increasing body size in T. pacificus. Mean body size of this population is approximately the size expected for an iguanid exhibiting its degree of herbivory. Tropidurus body size on different Galapagos islands is inversely related to arthropod abundance, and some data suggest that degree of herbivory varies in correspondence. The results support the hypothesis that body size is adapted to food, though the possible importance of other factors needs to be investigated.
Steps toward knowledgeable neuroprostheses

Advanced neuroprosthetic devices demonstrate an impressive capacity for both actuation and sensation, providing numerous controllable degrees of freedom and reportable sensory percepts. When linked to the human body by way of invasive and non-invasive brain-body-machine interfaces, neuroprostheses promise to greatly improve life for users by extending their capacity to engage with and interpret the world around them. In this work, we demonstrate how a prosthetic device can build up diverse knowledge during its ongoing operation so as to better support its user. Specifically, we show that a device can learn and update more than 18k different temporally extended predictions per second about all aspects of a sensorimotor data stream, significantly extending past work on real-time knowledge acquisition during prosthetic control.
Evaluating host-based anomaly detection systems: Application of the one-class SVM algorithm to ADFA-LD

ADFA-LD is a recently released data set for evaluating host-based anomaly detection systems, aiming to substitute the existing benchmark data sets which have failed to reflect the characteristics of modern computer systems. In a previous work, we had attempted to evaluate ADFA-LD with a highly efficient frequency model but the performance is inferior. In this paper, we focus on the other typical technical category that detects anomalies with a short sequence model. In collaboration with the one-class SVM algorithm, a novel anomaly detection system is proposed for ADFA-LD. The numerical experiments demonstrate that it can not only achieve a satisfactory performance, but also reduce the computational cost largely.