Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous IL-13 Plays a Crucial Role in Liver Granuloma Maturation During Leishmania donovani Infection, Independent of IL-4Rα–Responsive Macrophages and Neutrophils

Previous studies comparing interleukin 4 receptor α (IL-4Rα)-/- and interleukin 4 (IL-4)-/- BALB/c mice have indicated that interleukin 13 (IL-13), whose receptor shares the IL-4Rα subunit with IL-4, plays a protective role during visceral leishmaniasis. We demonstrate that IL-13-/- BALB/c mice were less able to control hepatic growth of Leishmania donovani compared with wild-type mice. This correlated with significantly retarded granuloma maturation in IL-13-/- mice, defective interferon γ (IFN-γ) production, and elevated IL-4 and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels. L. donovani–infected IL-13-/- mice also responded poorly to sodium stibogluconate-mediated chemotherapy compared with wild-type BALB/c mice. Because murine lymphocytes do not have IL-13 receptors, we examined the ability of macrophage/neutrophil-specific IL-4Rα-/- mice to control primary infection with L. donovani and to respond to chemotherapy. Macrophage/neutrophil-specific IL-4Rα-/- mice were as resistant to leishmaniasis as wild-type mice, and chemotherapy retained its efficacy. Consequently, in L. donovani infected BALB/c mice, IL-13 promotes hepatic granuloma formation and controls parasite burdens independently of direct effects on macrophages/neutrophils.
Energy Optimization In Wireless Sensor Network Using Different Compression And Encrytion Techniques

Wireless sensor networks(WSN) has been increased day by day to measure and monitor physical characteristics. It can implemented in the area where human cannot be reached. Each sensor node depends on power to do their activities. As the WSN has limited battery life time it’s important to optimize power. There are many methods to optimize power in WSN. Here compression and encryption techniques are used for optimizing power in WSN. Here optimization means reducing the amount of energy consumption. If the input data is large then automatically the transmitters and receivers will take more amount of energy. So here by reducing the data size by compression and by sending an encrypted version of the compressed data, we are making the antennas to transmit and receive less amount of data than the actual data and also it will be more secured. At the receiving end by applying the decryption and reconstruction of the compressed data , we are able to recover the complete data. Then we will compare how much energy is optimized by different compression and encryption techniques.
The Model-Free Implied Volatility and Its Information Content

Britten-Jones and Neuberger (2000) derived a model-free implied volatility under the diffusion assumption. In this article, we extend their model-free implied volatility to asset price processes with jumps and develop a simple method for implementing it using observed option prices. In addition, we perform a direct test of the informational efficiency of the option market using the model-free implied volatility. Our results from the Standard & Poor's 500 index (SPX) options suggest that the model-free implied volatility subsumes all information contained in the Black--Scholes (B--S) implied volatility and past realized volatility and is a more efficient forecast for future realized volatility. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
Competing Oscillators in Cardiac Pacemaking: Historical Background

Interaction between a membrane oscillator generated by voltage-dependent ion channels and an intracellular calcium signal oscillator was present in the earliest models (1984 to 1985) using representations of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Oscillatory release of calcium is inherent in the calcium-induced calcium release process. Those historical results fully support the synthesis proposed in the articles in this review series. The oscillator mechanisms do not primarily compete with each; they entrain each other. However, there is some asymmetry: the membrane oscillator can continue indefinitely in the absence of the calcium oscillator. The reverse seems to be true only in pathological conditions. Studies from tissue-level work and on the development of the heart also provide valuable insights into the integrative action of the cardiac pacemaker.
Kim and diffusion of innovation approaches gratificationamong college students in South Korea : Integrating uses and Exploring factors affecting the adoption and continuance of online games

This study approached online games as an innovation and new medium with both Uses and Gratifications Perspective and Diffusion of Innovation Theory as theoretical frames. Based on a survey sample of Korean college students, this study investigated the differences in game adoption (1) between adopters (including continuers and discontinuers) and nonadopters (including potentials and resistors), (2) between continuers and discontinuers, and (3) between potentials and resistors of online games. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that demographic profiles and innovativeness were strong predictive constructs for predicting online game adoption. new media & society Copyright © 2006 SAGE Publications London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi Vol8(2):295–319 [DOI: 10.1177/1461444806059888] .
Growth and anisotropy of ionization fronts near high-redshift quasars in the MassiveBlack simulation

We use radiative transfer to study the growth of ionized regions around the brightest, z=8 quasars in a large cosmological hydrodynamic simulation that includes black hole growth and feedback (the MassiveBlack simulation). We find that in the presence of the quasar s the comoving HII bubble radii reach 10 Mpc/h after 20 My while with the stellar component alone the HII bubbles are smaller by at least an order of magnitude. Our calculations show that several features are not captured within an analytical growth model of Stromgren spheres. The X-ray photons from hard quasar spectra drive a smooth transition from fully neutral to partially neutral in the ionization front. However the transition from partially neutral to fully ionized is significantly more complex. We measure the distance to the edge of bubbles as a function of angle and use the standard deviation of these distances as a diagnostic of the isotropy of ionized regions. We find that the overlapping of nearby ionized regions from clustered halos not only increases the anisotropy, but also is the main mechanism which allows the outer radius to grow. We therefore predict that quasar ionized bubbles at this early stage in the reionization process should be both significantly larger and more irregularly shaped than bubbles around star forming galaxies. Before the star formation rate increases and the Universe fully reionizes, quasar bubbles will form the most striking and recognizable features in 21cm maps.
Ephrin-B2–Activated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells From Diabetic Patients Restore Diabetes-Induced Impairment of Postischemic Neovascularization

We hypothesized that in vitro treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNCs) from diabetic patients with ephrin-B2/Fc (EFNB2) improves their proangiogenic therapeutic potential in diabetic ischemic experimental models. Diabetes was induced in nude athymic mice by streptozotocin injections. At 9 weeks after hyperglycemia, 105 PB-MNCs from diabetic patients, pretreated by EFNB2, were intravenously injected in diabetic mice with hindlimb ischemia. Two weeks later, the postischemic neovascularization was evaluated. The mechanisms involved were investigated by flow cytometry analysis and in vitro cell biological assays. Paw skin blood flow, angiographic score, and capillary density were significantly increased in ischemic leg of diabetic mice receiving EFNB2-activated diabetic PB-MNCs versus those receiving nontreated diabetic PB-MNCs. EFNB2 bound to PB-MNCs and increased the adhesion and transmigration of PB-MNCs. Finally, EFNB2-activated PB-MNCs raised the number of circulating vascular progenitor cells in diabetic nude mice and increased the ability of endogenous bone marrow MNCs to differentiate into cells with endothelial phenotype and enhanced their proangiogenic potential. Therefore, EFNB2 treatment of PB-MNCs abrogates the diabetes-induced stem/progenitor cell dysfunction and opens a new avenue for the clinical development of an innovative and accessible strategy in diabetic patients with critical ischemic diseases.
Dynamical Systems in Cosmology

Dynamical systems theory is especially well-suited for determining the possible asymptotic states (at both early and late times) of cosmological models, particularly when the governing equations are a finite system of autonomous ordinary differential equations. We begin with a brief review of dynamical systems theory. We then discuss cosmological models as dynamical systems and point out the important role of self-similar models. We review the asymptotic properties of spatially homogeneous perfect fluid models in general relativity. We then discuss some results concerning scalar field models with an exponential potential (both with and without barotropic matter). Finally, we discuss some isotropic cosmological models derived from the string effective action.
Trade Policy and Market Access Issues for Developing Countries: Implications for the Millennium Round

An analysis of developing countries' current trade policies and market access problems is used as a basis for recommending positions for these countries in the new round of multilateral negotiations under the World Trade Organization. Michalopoulos analyzes 61 trade policy reviews prepared for the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its predecessor, GATT - reviews that document the progress developing countries have made in integration with the world trading system over the past decade. Based on an analysis of post-Uruguay Round tariff and nontariff barriers worldwide, he then recommends developing country positions on major issues in the new round of WTO trade negotiations. His key conclusions and recommendations: · Agriculture. Developing countries should support the Cairns Group in its push for greater liberalization of industrial countries' agricultural trade policies; the revised Food Aid Convention is not a substitute for but a complement to worldwide liberalization of agriculture. · Manufactures. The existence of tariff peaks and escalation in industrial country markets and the limited bindings at relatively high levels of developing country tariffs on manufactures present opportunities for negotiations with good prospects for shared and balanced benefits. The remaining nontariff barriers in industrial countries that affect manufactures are concentrated in textiles and clothing. Developing countries should ensure that industrial countries implement their commitments to liberalize this sector and impose no new nontariff barriers in this or other sectors under the guise of other rules or arrangements. The remaining nontariff barriers in developing countries should be converted into tariffs and reduced over time as part of the negotiations. · Antidumping. The increased use of antidumping measures by high- and middle-income developing countries in recent periods offers an opportunity for balanced negotiations to restrict their use. Reduced use of antidumping measures would increase efficiency and benefit consumers in all countries. But it is unclear whether a supportive climate for such negotiations exists in either industrial or developing countries. This paper - a product of Trade, Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the group to identify opportunities for developing countries in the WTO 2000 negotiations. The author may be contacted at cmichalopoulos@worldbank.org.
A STRONG OPTICAL FLARE BEFORE THE RISING AFTERGLOW OF GRB 080129

We report on GROND observations of a 40 s duration (rest-frame) optical flare from GRB 080129 at redshift 4.349. The rise and decay times follow a power law with indices +12 and −8, respectively, inconsistent with a reverse shock and a factor 105 faster than variability caused by interstellar material interaction. While optical flares have been seen in the past (e.g., GRB 990123, 041219B, 060111B, and 080319B), for the first time, our observations not only resolve the optical flare into subcomponents, but also provide a spectral energy distribution (SED) from the optical to the near-infrared once every minute. The delay of the flare relative to the gamma-ray burst (GRB), its SED as well as the ratio of pulse widths suggest it to arise from residual collisions in GRB outflows. If this interpretation is correct and can be supported by a more detailed modeling or observation in further GRBs, the delay measurement provides an independent determination of the Lorentz factor Γ of the outflow.
On the Perils of Stabilizing Prices when Agents are Learning

We show that price level stabilization is not optimal in an economy where agents have incomplete knowledge about the policy implemented and try to learn it. A systematically more accommodative policy than what agents expect generates short term gains without triggering an abrupt loss of confidence, since agents update expectations sluggishly. In the long run agents learn the policy implemented, and the economy converges to a rational expectations equilibrium in which policy does not stabilize prices, economic volatility is high, and agents suffer the corresponding welfare losses. However, these losses are outweighed by short term gains from the learning phase.
Dynamic modeling of DC nanogrid local branch using enhanced PV and third order battery models

Distributed generation via residential branches connected to DC buses are going increased considered an open energy system. These residential branches DC buses have a lot of different shapes forming several types. One of these types is using photovoltaic PV and battery storage system (BSS) connected to main DC bus or multi-terminal DC (MTDC) buses. Recently, this is named DC nanogrid interconnected together forming DC microgrid. In this regard, this paper presents a type of these nanogrid local branch systems (NG-LBS) for residential PV and BSS in detailed modeling and implementing a new assemblage by using enhanced photovoltaic diode model (EPVDM) array, coupled to DC-DC boost converter and maximum power point tracking (MPPT). A novel technique for MPPT is polynomial computational method (PCM) has been used. The BSS has been presented in detailed dynamic model through lead acid battery type by applying third order thevenin equivalent circuit connected in parallel with the single terminal DC (STDC) home load bus. The dynamic behavior for NG-LBS has been shown via dynamic PV with boost converter and PCM MPPT and integrated with the dynamical third order lead acid BSS for charging, discharging and constant charge cases at different radiations and loads.
Volatility and the Debt-Intolerance Paradox

A striking feature of sovereign lending is that many countries with moderate debtto-income ratios systematically face higher spreads and more stringent borrowing constraints than other countries with far higher debt ratios. Earlier research has rationalized the phenomenon in terms of sovereign reputation and countries' distinct credit histories. This paper provides theoretical and empirical evidence to show that differences in underlying macroeconomic volatility are key. While volatility increases the need for international borrowing to help smooth domestic consumption, the ability to borrow is constrained by the higher default risk that volatility engenders. Copyright 2006, International Monetary Fund
Interannual Variations of the Intraseasonal Oscillation in the South Asian Summer Monsoon Region

Abstract It is noted that the behavior of the intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) of the south Asian monsoon varies from year to year. An index representing seasonally averaged ISO activity is developed using outgoing longwave radiation data for the period 1975–97. Interannual variations in ISO activity are found to be related to year-to-year changes in the number of discrete events rather than to changes in the characteristic period. Summertime ISO activity exhibits a reasonably strong inverse relationship with Indian monsoon strength but not with total south Asian monsoon strength primarily because of a lack of correlation between ISO activity and the Bay of Bengal component of the south Asian monsoon. Over the 22-yr period examined here, the relationship between Indian monsoon strength and ISO activity is comparable to or even stronger than the well-documented relationship with El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, summertime ISO activity is found to be relatively uncorrelated with ENSO except for .
Accounting Information Systems Alignment and SMEs Performance: A Literature Review

This paper explored the empirical research investigating the relationship between Accounting Information Systems (AIS) alignment and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) performance. Literature shows that AIS alignment is influenced by organizational characteristics, individual characteristics and situational factors which affect SMEs performance. The associate between AIS alignment and firm performance is also discussed in this paper. This paper explores the motivation and contribution of previous researches to identify the gaps for the future studies.
Pseudo-Likelihood Analysis of Codon Substitution Models with Neighbor-Dependent Rates

Recently, Markov processes for the evolution of coding DNA with neighbor dependence in the instantaneous substitution rates have been considered. The neighbor dependency makes the models analytically intractable, and previously Markov chain Monte Carlo methods have been used for statistical inference. Using a pseudo-likelihood idea, we introduce in this paper an approximative estimation method which is fast to compute. The pseudo-likelihood estimates are shown to be very accurate, and from analyzing 348 human-mouse coding sequences we conclude that the incorporation of a CpG effect improves the fit of the model considerably.
SOME ARGUMENTS THAT JUSTIFY THE AUDIT TRINITY’S APPROACH IN THE CONTEXT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The purpose of this paper is to develop a synthesis of the main arguments that could justify the necessity of audit trinity’s approach (internal audit, external audit, audit committee) in assuring good corporate governance. The aim of the paper is also to synthesize relevant theoretical and empirical latest literature that argues the significance of audit functions as an important mechanism in the effective functioning of corporate governance system. From methodological point of view, the construction of this paper has adopted a normative approach, the research being primarily, based on a examination of relevant literature, with a focus on developments that have more or less implications over the progress of corporate governance issues, especially in these difficult economic context that requires urgently the adopting of effective solutions. By presenting on overview over the latest literature ad discussing the shifting demands with respect to the audit’s contribution to ensuring good corporate governance, the author of this paper hopes to stimulate further research and constructive debates in the field.
etecting cognitive impairment by eye movement analysis using automatic lassification algorithms

The Visual Paired Comparison (VPC) task is a recognition memory test that has shown promise for the detection of memory impairments associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Because patients with MCI often progress to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the VPC may be useful in predicting the onset of AD. VPC uses noninvasive eye tracking to identify how subjects view novel and repeated visual stimuli. Healthy control subjects demonstrate memory for the repeated stimuli by spending more time looking at the novel images, i.e., novelty preference. Here, we report an application of machine learning methods from computer science to improve the accuracy of detecting MCI by modeling eye movement characteristics such as fixations, saccades, and re-fixations during the VPC task. These characteristics are represented as features provided to automatic classification algorithms such as Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Using the SVM classification algorithm, in tandem with modeling the patterns of fixations, saccade orientation, and regression patterns, our algorithm was able to automatically distinguish age-matched normal control subjects from MCI subjects with 87% accuracy, 97% sensitivity and 77% specificity, compared to the best available classification performance of 67% accuracy, 60% sensitivity, and 73% specificity when using only the novelty preference information. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of applying machinelearning techniques to the detection of MCI, and suggest a promising approach for detection of cognitive impairments associated with other disorders.
Real-time depth of field using multi-layer filtering

We present a novel technique for rendering depth of field that addresses difficult overlap cases, such as close, but out-of-focus, geometry in the near-field. Such scene configurations are not managed well by state-of-the-art post-processing approaches since essential information is missing due to occlusion. Our proposed algorithm renders the scene from a single camera position and computes a layered image using a single pass by constructing per-pixel lists. These lists can be filtered progressively to generate differently blurred representations of the scene. We show how this structure can be exploited to generate depth of field in real-time, even in complicated scene constellations.
Performance evaluation of X-MAC/BEB protocol for wireless sensor networks

This paper proposes an X-MAC/BEB protocol that runs a binary exponential backoff (BEB) algorithm on top of an X-MAC protocol to save more energy by reducing collision, especially in densely populated wireless sensor networks (WSNs). X-MAC, a lightweight asynchronous duty cycle medium access control (MAC) protocol, was introduced for spending less energy than its predecessor, B-MAC. One of X-MAC 's conspicuous technique is a mechanism to allow senders to promptly send their data when their receivers wake up. X-MAC, however, has no mechanism to deal with sudden traffic fluctuations that often occur whenever closely located nodes simultaneously diffuse their sense data. To precisely evaluate the impact of the BEB algorithm on X-MAC, this paper builds an analytical model of X-MAC/BEB that integrates the BEB model with the X-MAC model. The analytical and simulation results confirmed that X-MAC/BEB outperformed X-MAC in terms of throughput, delay, and energy consumption, especially in congested WSNs.
A Corpus of Scientific Biomedical Texts Spanning over 168 Years Annotated for Uncertainty

Uncertainty language permeates biomedical research and is fundamental for the computer interpretation of unstructured text. And yet, a coherent, cognitive-based theory to interpret Uncertainty language and guide Natural Language Processing is, to our knowledge, non-existing. The aim of our project was therefore to detect and annotate Uncertainty markers ― which play a significant role in building knowledge or beliefs in readers' minds ― in a biomedical research corpus. Our corpus includes 80 manually annotated articles from the British Medical Journal randomly sampled from a 168-year period. Uncertainty markers have been classified according to a theoretical framework based on a combined linguistic and cognitive theory. The corpus was manually annotated according to such principles. We performed preliminary experiments to assess the manually annotated corpus and establish a baseline for the automatic detection of Uncertainty markers. The results of the experiments show that most of the Uncertainty markers can be recognized with good accuracy.