Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Urate-Lowering Therapy on All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in Hyperuricemic Patients without Gout: A Case-Matched Cohort Study

Objectives An increased risk of mortality in patients with hyperuricemia has been reported. We examined (1) the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in untreated hyperuricemic patients who did not receive urate-lowering therapy (ULT), and (2) the impact of ULT on mortality risk in patients with hyperuricemia. Methods In this retrospective case-matched cohort study during a mean follow-up of 6.4 years, 40,118 Taiwanese individuals aged ≥17 years who had never used ULT and who had never had gout were examined. The mortality rate was compared between 3,088 hyperuricemic patients who did not receive ULT and reference subjects (no hyperuricemia, no gout, no ULT) matched for age and sex (1:3 hyperuricemic patients/reference subjects), and between 1,024 hyperuricemic patients who received ULT and 1,024 hyperuricemic patients who did not receive ULT (matched 1:1 based on their propensity score and the index date of ULT prescription). Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to estimate the respective risk of all-cause and CVD (ICD-9 code 390–459) mortality. Results After adjustment, hyperuricemic patients who did not receive ULT had increased risks of all-cause (hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.97–1.59) and CVD (2.13; 1.34–3.39) mortality relative to the matched reference subjects. Hyperuricemic patients treated with ULT had a lower risk of all-cause death (0.60; 0.41–0.88) relative to hyperuricemic patients who did not receive ULT. Conclusion Under-treatment of hyperuricemia has serious negative consequences. Hyperuricemic patients who received ULT had potentially better survival than patients who did not.
Reversible data hiding by using modified difference expansion

In this paper, we propose a reversible data hiding method with low time complexity and high embedding capacity for gray-scale images. This method presents a block-based lossless data hiding schema to utilize the similarity between neighborhood pixels in the block to improve the marked-image quality. The experimental results show that our method has increased the hiding capacity with keeping acceptable marked-image quality.
Sunyaev-Zel'dovich power spectrum produced by primordial magnetic fields

Primordial magnetic fields generated in the very early universe are one of the candidates for the origin of magnetic fields observed in galaxy clusters. After recombination, the Lorentz force acts on the residual ions and electrons to generate density fluctuations of baryons. Accordingly these fluctuations induce the early formation of dark haloes which cause the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (S-Z) effect in cosmic microwave background radiation. This additional S-Z effect due to primordial magnetic fields amplifies the angular power spectrum of cosmic microwave temperature anisotropies on small scales. This amplification depends on the comoving amplitude and the power-law index of the primordial magnetic fields spectrum. Comparing with the small scale CMB observations, we obtained the constraints on the primordial magnetic fields, i.e. B≲ 2.0nG for n=-2.9 or B≲ 1.0 nG for n=-2.6 where B is the comoving amplitude of magnetic fields at h - 1 Mpc and n is the power-law index. Future S-Z measurements have the potential to give constraints tighter than those from temperature anisotropies and polarization of cosmic microwave background induced by the magnetic fields at the recombination epoch. © 2010 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2010 RAS.
Tissue‐Engineered Peripheral Nerve

Peripheral nerves can be injured by a variety of mechanisms but can regenerate on their own if the injury is not extensive. Nerve grafts, the current standard of surgical care for repairing large nerve gaps, are successful, but they can be associated with several major drawbacks. To overcome these disadvantages, researchers are designing “off-the-shelf” nerve guide implants; thus, a multidisciplinary effort is underway to engineer nerve repair through a deeper understanding of the dynamic cell–cell and cell–environment interactions that occur during regeneration. This entry, which focuses on literature published in the last 5 years, first emphasizes new nerve guide designs that have been demonstrated to improve functional regeneration in vivo. The second section reviews studies that have deepened our understanding of in vitro and in vivo neural regenerative responses via new biomaterials technologies and imaging techniques. These critical advancements in peripheral nerve tissue engineering provide templates for future mechanistic studies and improved strategies to aid functional regeneration in vivo. Keywords: nerve injury; repair and regeneration; nerve grafts; nerve guides; biomaterials; three-dimensional in vitro models; micropatterning
Underwater image de-noising algorithm based on Nonsubsampled Contourlet Transform and Total Variation

According to the characteristics of underwater image, this paper proposed a underwater image de-noising algorithm based on Nonsubsampled Contourlet Transform (NSCT) and Adaptive Total Variation (ATV) de-noising model. In our method, the underwater image is decomposed into low frequency part and high frequency part. ATV de-noising model is applied to high frequency part. Experimental results show that the method can not only eliminate the noise, but also retain edge and texture of the target very well.
Aqueous phase processing of secondary organic aerosol from isoprene photooxidation

Abstract. Transport of reactive air masses into humid and wet areas is highly frequent in the atmosphere, making the study of aqueous phase processing of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) very relevant. We have investigated the aqueous phase processing of SOA generated from gas-phase photooxidation of isoprene using a smog chamber. The SOA collected on filters was extracted by water and subsequently oxidized in the aqueous phase either by H2O2 under dark conditions or by OH radicals in the presence of light, using a photochemical reactor. Online and offline analytical techniques including SMPS, HR-AMS, H-TDMA, TD-API-AMS, were employed for physical and chemical characterization of the chamber SOA and nebulized filter extracts. After aqueous phase processing, the particles were significantly more hygroscopic, and HR-AMS data showed higher signal intensity at m/z 44 and a lower signal intensity at m/z 43, thus showing the impact of aqueous phase processing on SOA aging, in good agreement with a few previous studies. Additional offline measurement techniques (IC-MS, APCI-MS2 and HPLC-APCI-MS) permitted the identification and quantification of sixteen individual chemical compounds before and after aqueous phase processing. Among these compounds, small organic acids (including formic, glyoxylic, glycolic, butyric, oxalic and 2,3-dihydroxymethacrylic acid (i.e. 2-methylglyceric acid)) were detected, and their concentrations significantly increased after aqueous phase processing. In particular, the aqueous phase formation of 2-methylglyceric acid and trihydroxy-3-methylbutanal was correlated with the consumption of 2,3-dihydroxy-2-methyl-propanal, and 2-methylbutane-1,2,3,4-tetrol, respectively, and an aqueous phase mechanism was proposed accordingly. Overall, the aging effect observed here was rather small compared to previous studies, and this limited effect could possibly be explained by the lower liquid phase OH concentrations employed here, and/or the development of oligomers observed during aqueous phase processing.
Will the Area Spectral Efficiency Monotonically Grow as Small Cells Go Dense?

In this paper, we introduce a sophisticated path loss model into the stochastic geometry analysis incorporating both line-of-sight (LoS) and non- line-of-sight (NLoS) transmissions to study their performance impact in small cell networks (SCNs). Analytical results are obtained on the coverage probability and the area spectral efficiency (ASE) assuming both a general path loss model and a special case of path loss model recommended by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards. The performance impact of LoS and NLoS transmissions in SCNs in terms of the coverage probability and the ASE is shown to be significant both quantitatively and qualitatively, compared with previous work that does not differentiate LoS and NLoS transmissions. From the investigated set of parameters, our analysis demonstrates that when the density of small cells is larger than a threshold, the network coverage probability will decrease as small cells become denser, which in turn makes the ASE suffer from a slow growth or even a notable decrease. For practical regime of small cell density, the performance results derived from our analysis are distinctively different from previous results, and shed new insights on the design and deployment of future dense/ultra-dense SCNs. It is of significant interest to further study the generality of our conclusion in other network models and with other parameter sets.
Measurement of D[superscript 0]-D̅[superscript 0] mixing and CP violation in two-body D[superscript 0] decays

We present a measurement of D 0 - (cid:1) D 0 mixing and CP violation using the ratio of lifetimes simultaneously extracted from a sample of D 0 mesons produced through the ﬂavor-tagged process D (cid:1)þ ! D 0 (cid:1) þ , where D 0 decays to K (cid:2) (cid:1) (cid:3) , K (cid:4) K þ , or (cid:1) (cid:4) (cid:1) þ , along with the untagged decays D 0 ! K (cid:2) (cid:1) (cid:3) and D 0 ! K (cid:4) K þ . The lifetimesof the CP -even, Cabibbo-suppressed modes K (cid:4) K þ and (cid:1) (cid:4) (cid:1) þ arecompared to thatof the CP -mixed mode K (cid:2) (cid:1) (cid:3) in order to measure y CP and (cid:2) Y . We obtain y CP ¼ ½ 0 : 72 (cid:3) 0 : 18 ð stat Þ (cid:3) 0 : 12 ð syst Þ(cid:5) % and (cid:2) Y ¼ ½ 0 : 09 (cid:3) 0 : 26 ð stat Þ (cid:3) 0 : 06 ð syst Þ(cid:5) % , where (cid:2) Y constrains possible CP violation. The y CP result excludes the null mixing hypothesis at 3 : 3 (cid:2) signiﬁcance. This analysis is based on an integrated luminosity of 468 fb (cid:4) 1 collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e þ e (cid:4) collider.
Nutritive Value of Grasses in Semi-arid Rangelands of Ethiopia: Local Experience Based Herbage Preference Evaluation versus Laboratory Analysis

We examined the nutritive value of common grass species in the semi-arid rangelands of Borana in southern Ethiopia using local experience based herbage preference (LEBHP) perception and laboratory techniques. Local pastoralists in the study area were asked to identify common grass species and rank them according to the species’ preferences and palatability to cattle. The pastoralists listed a total of 15 common grass species which were then sampled during the main rain and cold dry seasons and analyzed for crude protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and ash content to verify pastoralists’ claim regarding the quality of individual species. The relative feed value (RFV) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were also calculated using NDF and ADF contents. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to examine possible relationships between laboratory results and pastoralists’ experience on grass quality. Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri, Digitaria milanjiana, Eragrostis papposa and Panicum maximum were the top five species based on LEBHP perception. There were indications of inconsistency in terms of LEBHP perception among the different pastoral communities. The chemical composition of all grass species showed significant (p<0.05) variation between sites, seasons and species. The results showed that the CP values for the Borana rangelands were in the range of 8.7% in the main rain season to 5.1% for the cold dry season. The fiber constituents were relatively low in the main rain season compared to the cold dry season. Overall, Digitaria milanjiana had the highest CP (16.5%) content, while the least was recorded with Heteropogon contortus (10.8) and Aristida adoensis (9.8%) during the main rain season. It seems that the spatial variability of landscapes within the wider geographical regions, soil properties and texture, and land-use patterns probably contributed to site differences in species quality. Generally, the RFV of individual grass species was significantly (p<0.05) varied between and within sites. The ranking of species by pastoralists according to their preferences by cattle was highly correlated with the chemical composition of laboratory results of individual grass species with ‘r’ values for CP (0.94), ash (0.95), NDF (−0.98), ADF (−0.93) and ADL (−0.93). We suggest the complimentary use of LEBHP and laboratory techniques in evaluating the nutritive quality of rangeland forage species for sustainable animal production.
HMGA1 Protein Overexpression in Human Breast Carcinomas

We measured, by immunohistochemistry, HMGA1 protein expression in 212 breast tissue specimens: 6 normal samples, 28 hyperplastic lesions (13 with cellular atypia), 11 fibroadenomas, 10 in situ ductal carcinomas, 144 ductal carcinomas, and 13 lobular carcinomas. HMGA1 was not expressed in normal breast tissue; HMGA1 staining was intense in 40% of hyperplastic lesions with cellular atypia and in 60% of ductal carcinomas and weak in fibroadenomas and in hyperplastic lesions without cellular atypia. Because HMGA1 expression was similar among ductal breast carcinomas with different histologic grading, we evaluated the association between HMGA1 expression and that of other markers of breast carcinoma invasion (estrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki-67 antigen, and ErbB2) in 21 cases of grade 3 breast ductal carcinomas and 7 cases of breast lobular carcinomas. We found that HMGA1 expression tended to be associated only with c-erbB-2 expression (Spearman rho: 0.36; P = 0.065). Taken together, these results suggest that HMGA1 expression might be a novel indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of human breast cancer.
Taking a Stab at Cancer; Oncolytic Virus-Mediated Anti-Cancer Vaccination Strategies

Vaccines have classically been used for disease prevention. Modern clinical vaccines are continuously being developed for both traditional use as well as for new applications. Typically thought of in terms of infectious disease control, vaccination approaches can alternatively be adapted as a cancer therapy. Vaccines targeting cancer antigens can be used to induce anti-tumour immunity and have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy both pre-clinically and clinically. Various approaches now exist and further establish the tremendous potential and adaptability of anti-cancer vaccination. Classical strategies include ex vivo-loaded immune cells, RNA- or DNA-based vaccines and tumour cell lysates. Recent oncolytic virus development has resulted in a surge of novel viruses engineered to induce powerful tumour-specific immune responses. In addition to their use as cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses have the added benefit of being directly cytolytic to cancer cells and thus promote antigen recognition within a highly immune-stimulating tumour microenvironment. While oncolytic viruses are perfectly equipped for efficient immunization, this complicates their use upon previous exposure. Indeed, the host’s anti-viral counter-attacks often impair multiple-dosing regimens. In this review we will focus on the use of oncolytic viruses for anti-tumour vaccination. We will explore different strategies as well as ways to circumvent some of their limitations.
MILLIMETER-WAVE OBSERVATIONS OF CN AND HNC AND THEIR 15N ISOTOPOLOGUES: A NEW EVALUATION OF THE 14N/15N RATIO ACROSS THE GALAXY

The N = 1 → 0 transitions of CN and C15N (X2Σ+), as well as the J = 1 → 0 lines of HN13C and H15NC, have been observed toward 11 molecular clouds using the new 3 mm ALMA-type receiver of the 12 m telescope of the Arizona Radio Observatory. These sources span a wide range of distances from the Galactic center and are all regions of star formation. From these observations, 14N/15N ratios have been determined using two independent methods. First, the measurements of C14N and C15N were directly compared to establish this ratio, correcting for high opacities when needed, as indicated by the nitrogen hyperfine intensities. Second, the ratio was calculated from the quantity [HN13C]/[H15NC], determined from the HNC data, and then scaled by 12C/13C ratios previously established, i.e., the so-called double isotope method. Values from both methods are in reasonable agreement, and fall in the range ∼120–400, somewhat lower than previous 14N/15N ratios derived from HCN. The ratios exhibit a distinct positive gradient with distance from the Galactic center, following the relationship14N/15N = 21.1 (5.2) kpc−1 DGC + 123.8 (37.1). This gradient is consistent with predictions of Galactic chemical evolution models in which 15N has a secondary origin in novae, while primary and secondary sources exist for 14N. The local interstellar medium value was found to be 4N/15N = 290 ± 40, in agreement with the ratio found in nearby diffuse clouds and close to the value of 272 found in Earth's atmosphere.
Impact of Perceived Organizational Support on Job Satisfaction with Mediating Role of Employee Motivation: Evidence from Pharmaceutical Sector of Lahore, Pakistan

The article aims at investigating the mediating role of employee motivation between perceived organizational support and job satisfaction. To fulfill the objective of the research data was collected from pharmaceutical sector of Lahore, Pakistan through questionnaire. Cronbach alpha was used to measure the reliability of the questionnaire by using SPSS-20. Regression analysis and soble test was used to measure the mediation between perceived organizational support and job satisfaction. The results indicate employees' motivation fully mediates the relationship between perceived organizational support and job satisfaction. This study is helpful for the concerned authorities for future policy making in order to motivate and satisfy the employees. Furthermore, perceived organizational support is the major factor to be focused by the organizations to motivate or increase the level of satisfaction of the employees. The article aims at investigating the mediating role of employee motivation between perceived organizational support and job satisfaction. To fulfill the objective of the research data was collected from pharmaceutical sector of Lahore, Pakistan through questionnaire. Cronbach alpha was used to measure the reliability of the questionnaire by using SPSS-20. Regression analysis and soble test was used to measure the mediation between perceived organizational support and job satisfaction. The results indicate employees' motivation fully mediates the relationship between perceived organizational support and job satisfaction. This study is helpful for the concerned authorities for future policy making in order to motivate and satisfy the employees. Furthermore, perceived organizational support is the major factor to be focused by the organizations to motivate or increase the level of satisfaction of the employees.
Department of Economics Working Paper Three New Empirical Tests of the Pollution Haven Hypothesis When Environmental Regulation Is Endogenous

The validity of existing empirical tests of the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH) is constantly under scrutiny due to two shortcomings. First, the issues of unobserved heterogeneity and measurement error in environmental regulation are typically ignored due to the lack of a credible, traditional instrumental variable. Second, while the recent literature has emphasized the importance of geographic spillovers in determining the location choice of foreign investment, such spatial eeects have yet to be adequately incorporated into empirical tests of the PHH. As a result, the impact of environmental regulations on trade patterns and the location decisions of multinational enterprises remains unclear. In this paper, we circumvent the lack of a traditional instrument within a model incorporating geographic spillovers utilizing three novel identiication strategies. Using state-level panel data on inbound U.S. FDI, relative abatement costs, and other determinants of FDI, we consistently nd (i) evidence of environmental regulation being endogenous, (ii) a negative impact of own environmental regulation on inbound FDI in pollution-intensive sectors, particularly when measured by employment, and (iii) larger eeects of environmental regulation once endogeneity is addressed. Neighboring environmental regulation is not found to be an important determinant of FDI.
Employing a Participatory Research Approach to Explore Physical Activity among Older African American Women

Introduction. Older African American women are particularly vulnerable to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as physical inactivity and the resultant chronic diseases and conditions. This study explored older African American women's perception of physical activity as well as facilitators of and barriers to being physically active in their local environment. Methods. Using a participatory research approach, a total of 7 women aged 65 years and over had their PA level assessed objectively through accelerometry. In addition, physical activity was discussed through the photo-elicitation procedure, which was supplemented by semistructured interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and themes emerging from participants' interview. Results. Participants exhibited low levels of physical activity and viewed “physical activity” to be a broadly defined, nonspecific construct. Interviews revealed that many participants lack important knowledge about physical activity. A variety of personal, social, and environmental facilitators and barriers were reported by the participants. Conclusion. Efforts should be made towards clarifying information on physical activity in this population in order to help them incorporate physical activity into their routines, overcome barriers, and make use of opportunities to be active.
Definition of Structural Prerequisites for Lipoteichoic Acid-Inducible Cytokine Induction by Synthetic Derivatives1

The controversy about the immune stimulatory properties of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Staphylococcus aureus was solved recently by showing decomposition and inactivation of LTA obtained by conventional purification strategies, as well as pronounced LPS contamination of commercial preparations. By introducing a novel preparation method, the structure of bioactive LTA was elucidated. This structure was confirmed by chemical synthesis. In this work, synthetic LTA derivatives were employed to study the structure-function relationship of cytokine induction in human monocytes. Synthetic LTA induced the same cytokine pattern as highly purified natural LTA. The gentiobiose core could be omitted without affecting bioactivity. The polyglycerophosphate backbone amplified the response to the lipid anchor (∼100-fold) only when substituted with d-alanine, whereas α-d-N-acetylglucosamine substituents could be omitted. Replacing d-alanine substituents with l-alanine reduced the activity of the molecule at least 10-fold, indicating stereoselectivity. These results define for the first time the crucial patterns required for the immune recognition of LTA.