Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma levels of OLFM4 in normals and patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) is a secreted glycoprotein predominantly expressed in bone marrow and gastrointestinal tissues. Aberrant expression of OLFM4 has been shown in several cancers. However, the clinical significance hereof is currently controversial. OLFM4 has been proposed as a candidate biomarker of gastrointestinal cancers. To address this, we developed monoclonal antibodies against synthetic peptides representing various segments of OLFM4. We examined expression of OLFM4 in epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry and found that OLFM4 is highly expressed in proliferating benign epithelial cells and in some carcinoma cells. We developed an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for OLFM4 and investigated whether plasma levels of OLFM4 reflect colorectal malignancies, but were unable to see any such association. Instead, we observed two populations of individuals with respect to OLFM4 levels in plasma, the majority with OLFM4 in plasma between 0 and 0.1 μg/ml, mean 0.028 μg/ml while 10% of both normals and patients with cancers had OLFM4 between 4 and 60 μg/ml, mean 15 μg/ml. The levels were constant over time. The background for this high plasma level is not known, but must be taken into account if OLFM4 is used as biomarker for GI cancers.
Corporate Cash Holdings: An Empirical Investigation of UK Companies

This paper investigates the empirical determinants of corporate cash holdings for a sample of UK firms over the period 1984-1999. We present evidence of the significant relation between managerial ownership and cash holdings. The results also suggest that the way in which managerial ownership exerts influence on cash holding decisions differs between firms with ultimate controllers and those that are widely-held. The results reveal that growth options of firms, cash flows, liquid assets, leverage and bank debt are important in determining cash holdings. In contrast, there is much less evidence that larger firms hold less cash. Our analysis also suggests that unobserved firm heterogeneity and endogeneity are crucial in analysing the cash structure of firms.
Analytical Dynamics of Neuron Pulse Propagation

The four-dimensional Hodgkin–Huxley equations describe the propagation in space and time of the action potential v(z) along a neural axon with z = x + ct and c being the pulse speed. The potential v(z), which is parameterized by the temperature, is driven by three gating functions, m(z), n(z) and h(z), each of which obeys formal first order kinetics with rate constants that are represented as nonlinear functions of the potential v. It is shown that this system can be analytically simplified (i) in the number of gating functions and (ii) in the form of associated rate functions while retaining to close approximation quantitative fidelity to computer solutions of the exact equations over the complete temperature range for which stable pulses exist. At a given temperature we record two solutions (T Tmax). The pulse is considered as composed of two contiguous parts: (i) a pulse front extending from v(0) = 0 to a pulse maximum v = Vmax, and (ii) a pulse back extending from Vmax through a pulse minimum Vmin to a final regression back to v(z → ∞) = 0. An approximate analytic solution is derived for the pulse front, which is predicted to propagate at a speed c(T) = 1203 Θ⅜ (T°C) cm/sec, in close agreement with computer solution of the exact Hodgkin–Huxley equations for the entire pulse. These results provide the basis for a derivation of two-dimensional differential equation systems for the pulse front and pulse back, which predict the pulse maximum and minimum over the operational temperature range 0 ≤ T ≤ 25°C, in close agreement with the exact equations. Most neuron dynamics studies have been based on voltage clamp experiments featuring external current injection in place of self-generating pulse propagation. Since the behaviors of the gating functions are similar, it is suggested that the present approximations might be applicable to such situations as well as to the dynamics of myelinated fibers.
EvaluaTiNg faCES ON TruSTwOrThiNESS afTEr miNimal TimE ExpOSurE

Previous studies have shown that trustworthiness judgments from facial appearance approximate general valence evaluation of faces (Oosterhof & Todorov, 2008) and are made after as little as 100 ms exposure to novel faces (Willis & Todorov, 2006). In Experiment 1, using better masking procedures and shorter exposures, we replicate the latter findings. In Experiment 2, we systematically manipulate the exposure to faces and show that a sigmoid function almost perfectly describes how judgments change as a function of time exposure. The agreement of these judgments with time-unconstrained judgments is above chance after 33 ms, improves with additional exposure, and does not improve with exposures longer than 167 ms. In Experiment 3, using a priming paradigm, we show that effects of face trustworthiness are detectable even when the faces are presented below the threshold of objective awareness as measured by a forced choice recognition test of the primes. The findings suggest that people automatically make vale.
Expressive Planning and Explicit Knowledge

We are concerned with the implications and interactions of three common expressive extensions to classical planning: conditional plans, context-dependent actions, and nondeterministic action outcomes. All of these extensions have appeared in recent work, sometimes in conjunction, but the semantics of the combination has not been fully explored. As we have argued in previous work, providing a coherent semantics for conditional planning with context-dependent actions requires that the planner's information state be modelled separately from the world state. In this paper, we present a new planning language, WCPL, encompassing these extensions. The semantics of WCPL includes an explicit treatment of the planner's information state as knowledge, as opposed to some form of context labelling. In addition to clarifying and unifying a disparate set of results from earlier work, we extend that work: WCPL handles both conditional and fail-safe plans for an action representation including both context-dependent and nondeterministic actions.
A neuro-cognitive system and its application in robotics

This paper presents a brain inspired neural architecture with spatial cognition and navigation capability. The brain inspired system is mainly composed of two parts: a bio-inspired hierarchical vision architecture (HMAX) and a hippocampal-like circuitry. The HMAX encodes vision inputs as neural activities and maps to hippocampal-like circuitry which stores this information. Sensing a similar neural activity pattern this information can be recalled. The system is tested on a mobile robot which is placed in a spatial memory task. Among the regions in hippocampus, CA1 has place dependance response. With this property, the hippocampal-like circuitry stores the goal location according to the vision pattern, and recalls it when a similar vision pattern is seen again. The place dependent pattern of CA1 guides the motor neuronal area which then dictates the robot move to the goal location. The result of our current study indicates a possible way of connection between hippocampus and vision system, which will help robots perform a rodent-like behavior in the end.
Outbreak of Avian Malaria Associated to Multiple Species of Plasmodium in Magellanic Penguins Undergoing Rehabilitation in Southern Brazil

Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium spp. Avian plasmodia are recognized conservation-threatening pathogens due to their potential to cause severe epizootics when introduced to bird populations with which they did not co-evolve. Penguins are considered particularly susceptible, as outbreaks in captive populations will often lead to high morbidity and rapid mortality. We used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate an outbreak of avian malaria in 28 Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at a rehabilitation center during summer 2009 in Florianópolis, Brazil. Hemosporidian infections were identified by microscopic and molecular characterization in 64% (18/28) of the penguins, including Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) tejerai, Plasmodium (Huffia) elongatum, a Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) sp. lineage closely related to Plasmodium cathemerium, and a Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) sp. lineage closely related to Haemoproteus syrnii. P. tejerai played a predominant role in the studied outbreak and was identified in 72% (13/18) of the hemosporidian-infected penguins, and in 89% (8/9) of the penguins that died, suggesting that this is a highly pathogenic parasite for penguins; a detailed description of tissue meronts and lesions is provided. Mixed infections were identified in three penguins, and involved P. elongatum and either P. tejerai or P. (Haemamoeba) sp. that were compatible with P. tejerai but could not be confirmed. In total, 32% (9/28) penguins died over the course of 16 days despite oral treatment with chloroquine followed by sulfadiazine-trimethoprim. Hemosporidian infections were considered likely to have occurred during rehabilitation, probably from mosquitoes infected while feeding on local native birds, whereas penguin-mosquito-penguin transmission may have played a role in later stages of the outbreak. Considering the seasonality of the infection, rehabilitation centers would benefit from narrowing their efforts to prevent avian malaria outbreaks to the penguins that are maintained throughout summer.
On soft error rate analysis of scaled CMOS designs — A statistical perspective

This paper re-examines the soft error effect caused by cosmic radiation in sub 90nm technologies. Considering the impact of process variation, a number of statistical natures of transient faults are found more sophisticated than their static ones. We apply the state-of-the-art statistical learning algorithm to tackle the complexity of these natures and build compact yet accurate generation and propagation models for transient fault distributions. A statistical analysis framework for soft error rate (SER) is also proposed on the basis of these models. Experimental results show that the proposed framework can obtain improved SER estimation compared to the static approaches.
Trends in the Incidence of In Situ and Invasive Cervical Cancer by Age Group and Histological Type in Korea from 1993 to 2009

Objective Our study aims to describe changes in carcinoma in situ (CIS) and invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC) in Korean women diagnosed between 1993 and 2009. Methods All cases of CIS and invasive cervical carcinoma diagnosed from 1993 to 2009 in the Korean National Cancer Incidence database were analyzed. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) and annual percent changes (APCs) in incidence rates were compared according to age and histological type. Additionally, we used Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to know the association between screening rate for cervical cancer and incidence rate of cervical cancer. Results Between 1993 and 2009, 72,240 cases of ICC were reported in Korea. Total incidence rate of ICC was 14.7 per 100,000 females. ASRs of ICC declined 3.8% per year, from 19.3 per 100,000 in 1993 to 10.5 per 100,000 in 2009. Although the overall incidence rate of adenocarcinoma remained stable, invasive squamous cell carcinoma showed a decreasing trend (APC −4.2%). For women aged 60–79 years, ASRs for squamous cell carcinoma increased from 1993 to 2001, and decreased from 2001 to 2009 (APC: −4.6%). Total 62,300 cases of CIS were diagnosed from 1993 to 2009. Total incidence rate of CIS was 12.2 per 100,000 females. ASRs of CIS increased 5.7% per year, from 7.5 per 100,000 in 1993 to 19.0 per 100,000 in 2009. Adenocarcinoma in situ increased 13.2% per year. There was a strong positive correlation between screening rate for cervical cancer and incidence rate for CIS (p-value = 0.03) whereas screening rate showed a strong negative correlation with incidence rate for squamous ICC (p-value = 0.04). Conclusions The increasing trend in CIS, coupled with a decreasing trend in ICC, suggests the important role of cervix cancer screening. The incidence of adenocarcinoma showed a plateau, but the incidence of adenocarcinoma in situ showed an increasing trend.
THE DETERMINANTS OF SHIPPER PERCEPTIONS OF MODES

This study is concerned with shipper perceptions of transportation service. As evidenced by the industry example presented above, it is especially important to carriers under consideration that accurate perceptions of transportation offerings be used as input in the carrier selection process. Note that this study is concerned with the selection process that shippers undertake when determining the modes and carriers to use.
The nucleosome landscape of Plasmodium falciparum reveals chromatin architecture and dynamics of regulatory sequences

In eukaryotes, the chromatin architecture has a pivotal role in regulating all DNA-associated processes and it is central to the control of gene expression. For Plasmodium falciparum, a causative agent of human malaria, the nucleosome positioning profile of regulatory regions deserves particular attention because of their extreme AT-content. With the aid of a highly controlled MNase-seq procedure we reveal how positioning of nucleosomes provides a structural and regulatory framework to the transcriptional unit by demarcating landmark sites (transcription/translation start and end sites). In addition, our analysis provides strong indications for the function of positioned nucleosomes in splice site recognition. Transcription start sites (TSSs) are bordered by a small nucleosome-depleted region, but lack the stereotypic downstream nucleosome arrays, highlighting a key difference in chromatin organization compared to model organisms. Furthermore, we observe transcription-coupled eviction of nucleosomes on strong TSSs during intraerythrocytic development and demonstrate that nucleosome positioning and dynamics can be predictive for the functionality of regulatory DNA elements. Collectively, the strong nucleosome positioning over splice sites and surrounding putative transcription factor binding sites highlights the regulatory capacity of the nucleosome landscape in this deadly human pathogen.
Vector-aware register allocation for GPU shader processors

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are now widely used in embedded systems for manipulating computer graphics and even for general-purpose computation. However, many embedded systems have to manage highly restricted hardware resources in order to achieve high performance or energy efficiency. The number of registers is one of the common limiting factors in an embedded GPU design. Programs that run with a low number of registers may suffer from high register pressure if register allocation is not properly designed, especially on a GPU in which a register is divided into four elements and each element can be accessed separately, because allocating a register for a vector-type variable that does not contain values in all elements wastes register spaces. In this paper we present a vector-aware register allocation framework to improve register utilization on shader architectures. The framework involves two major components: (1) element-based register allocation that allocates registers based on the element requirement of variables and (2) register packing that rearranges elements of registers in order to increase the number of contiguous free elements, thereby keeping more live variables in registers. Experimental results on a cycle-approximate simulator showed that the proposed framework decreased 92% of register spills in total and made 91.7% of 14 common shader programs spill-free. These results indicate an opportunity for energy management of the space that is used for storing spilled variables, with the framework improving the performance by a geometric mean of 8.3%, 16.3%, and 29.2% for general shader processors in which variables are spilled to memory with 5-, 10-, and 20-cycle access latencies, respectively. Furthermore, the reduction in the register requirement of programs enabled another 11 programs with high register pressure to be runnable on a lightweight GPU.
Determinants of Crop Income in Rural Mozambique, 2002-2005

Crop income is the predominant source of income for most rural Mozambican households, accounting for 73% of rural household income on average in 2002, and greater than 80% of the total income of the poorest 40% of rural households. While the Government of Mozambique recognizes the need to improve agricultural productivity, there is little empirical evidence to date suggesting what mix of public and private assets would best foster improved agricultural productivity in rural Mozambique. This paper aims to better understand the determinants of household crop income in rural Mozambique, by using the TIA panel household survey of 2002-2005 to measure the impact of various private and public assets on crop income. We build upon Walker et al.’s (2004) analysis of TIA02 crop income by utilizing the econometric advantages of panel econometrics to obtain improved estimates of the impact of various private and public assets on crop income. Our principal focus is to measure the effect on total household net crop income of factors which are assumed to have a positive effect on crop productivity and profitability, including: private assets such as landholding; household use of improved inputs (fertilizer, animal traction) and diversification into tobacco or cotton; and access to public goods such as extension advice, market price information, and farm association membership.
Cosmological particle creation in states of low energy

The recently proposed states of low energy provide a well-motivated class of reference states for the quantized linear scalar field on cosmological Friedmann-Robertson-Walker spacetimes. The low energy property of a state is localized close to some value of the cosmological time coordinate. We present calculations of the relative cosmological particle production between a state of low energy at early time and another such state at later time. In an exponentially expanding Universe, we find that the particle production shows oscillations in the spatial frequency modes. The basis of the method for calculating the relative particle production is completely rigorous. Approximations are only used at the level of numerical calculation.
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MICE INFECTED WITH CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP

Experimental infection was established in immunosupreesed and non-immunosupressed BALB/c mice using 100 oocyst /0.2 ml of two different Cryptosporidium spp. isolates : fecal origin and water origin, the histopathological changes were noticed in these groups of mice, results indicated that these two isolates were able to induce experimental infection in both immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed mice as well as the histopathological changes were varied from mild in nonimmunosupressed to severe in immunosupressed mice when it's compared with the control group, the most important histopathological changes were inflammatory infiltration and blunting of the villus, the villi were also observed to be shorter and wider than normal, finally the villus height / cryptic depth ratio was less in immunosuppressive mice than the ratio in the control group of mice.
Disabled people and subjugated knowledges: new understandings and strategies developed by people living with chronic conditions

Abstract This article provides a contribution to our understanding of the knowledges and strategies developed by people living with chronic illnesses, based on an empirical study with this population in England and Portugal. The article begins by mapping out the debates in disability studies which have focused on embodiment. It continues by arguing that disabled people constantly have to negotiate codes about the body based on normative notions of the body, which I term normative corporality. The main themes arising from participants’ accounts are then identified and discussed. The article ends by arguing that the knowledges and strategies developed by disabled people are often not noticed or are devalued as we tend to value knowledges of the body that come from established systems of knowledge, or from bodies our society deem normative. Thus, disabled people’s knowledges can be conceptualized as subjugated knowledges.
The Effects of Standards-Based Assessment on Classroom Practices: Results of the 1996-97 RAND Survey of Kentucky Teachers of Mathematics and Writing

This report is part of a multi-year project to examine the effects of standards-based assessment reform on schools and classrooms. During the past year, the project investigated school and classroom effects of assessment reforms in the state of Kentucky, a state that has been at the forefront of the standards-based assessment movement. This report presents the results of a series of surveys of the impact of the Kentucky Instructional Results Information System (KIRIS) on curriculum and instruction in mathematics in grades 5 and 8 and in writing in grades 4 and 7. TeachersO self-reports indicated substantial changes in classroom practices in response to KERA and KIRIS. KIRIS, in particular, has had a major influence on instructional behavior according to teachers. However, there were no consistent associations between reports of specific teaching practices or changes in practice during the past three years and biennial KIRIS gains. 1 This project would not have been possible without encouragement and assistance from the staff from the Kentucky Department of Education and cooperation from teachers across the state. In particular, we want to acknowledge the support of Edward Reidy, Deputy Commissioner, and staff from the Kentucky Department of Education, including Brian Gong, Sue Rigney, Starr Lewis, Joanne Mosier, and Jonathan Dings. In addition, we received helpful suggestions from a number of Kentucky regional resource teachers, who were promised anonymity, and from hundreds of Kentucky classroom teachers, who took the time to complete our surveys. Our RAND colleagues Kathy Rosenblatt, Suzanne Perry, and Linda Daly deserve credit for coordinating the statewide survey effort, including production, distribution, monitoring, review, and data editing.
In vivo Ca 2 + imaging of dorsal horn neuronal populations in mouse spinal cord

Two-photon Ca2+ imaging allows functional studies of neuronal populations in the intact brain, but its application to the spinal cord in vivo has been limited. Here we present experimental procedures to label superficial dorsal horn populations with Ca2+ indicator and to stabilize the spinal cord sufficiently to permit functional imaging in anaesthetized mice. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients occurred in a small subpopulation of dorsal horn cells. Larger numbers of cells were activated by increasing electrical stimulation of primary afferent fibres. Notably, in a subset of cells we resolved Ca2+ transients evoked by mechanical stimulation of the paw. These advances open new opportunities to study both physiology and pathology of spinal cord neural circuits in vivo.
Cross sections for the reactions

Citation Lees, J.P. et al. “Cross Sections for the Reactions E[superscript +]E[superscript -] K [superscript 0][subscript S]K[superscript 0][subscript L][superscript 0], K[superscript 0][subscript S]K[superscript 0][subscript L], and K[superscript 0][subscript S]K[superscript 0][subscript L][superscript 0][superscript 0] from Events with Initial-State Radiation. ” Physical Review D 95.5 (2017): n. pag. © 2017 American Physical Society