Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN HUMAN BONE MARROW RECIPIENTS EARLY REAPPEARANCE OF PERIPHERAL NATURAL KILLER ACTIVITY IN GRAFT‐VERSUS-HOST DISEASE

Natural killer (NK) cell activity toward K562 target cells and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) toward L1210 cells sensitized with anti-L1210 antisera were sequentially tested in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from 24 human bone marrow (BM) recipients. Although consistently decreased before the transplant, NK cell activity was restored in all of the patients tested that argues for a bone marrow origin of NK progenitors in humans. In patients without graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), peripheral NK cell activity remained low during the 1st month after the transplant, then rapidly increased and reached normal values usually between days 30 and 50. By contrast, peripheral ADCC appeared earlier restored (since day 13), suggesting that NK and ADCC are two distinct effector mechanisms. When restored, peripheral NK cell activity remained within normal range, except in seven cases with a drastic fall in NK cell values contemporary with a severe viral infection, mainly with cytomegalovirus (CMV). NK cells are thus suggested to play an important role in the control of viral infections in these deeply immunodepressed patients. In patients with acute GVHD, strikingly high NK values were observed early after the transplant, and during the 1st month a strong correlation did exist between high NK values and acute GVHD occurrence. These results suggest that cells involved in GVHD mechanism are able to exert NK cell activity at some stages of their maturation. The assessment of NK cell activity could be an attractive routine procedure for monitoring the prophylaxis of GVHD in human BM recipients.
Proper Inferences or a Market for Excuses? The Capital-Market Effects of Mandatory IFRS Adoption

Barth and Israeli (2013) raise five serious concerns regarding the research design and interpretation of Christensen, Hail, and Leuz (2013). They claim: (i) the evidence stands in stark contrast to Daske, Hail, Leuz, and Verdi (2008) and fails to replicate its prior findings; (ii) the research design using fixed effects leaves out main effects and two-way interactions which likely biases the estimated liquidity effects around IFRS adoption and changes in enforcement; (iii) the vast majority of sample observations do not contribute to the identification which is misleading in terms of the scope and the conclusions that can be drawn from the study; (iv) the timing of IFRS adoption and enforcement changes is measured imprecisely leading to low power tests; and (v) the evidence from Japan is irrelevant to the study. In this note, we show that all five claims are incorrect or misleading. Our discussion also more broadly describes how to properly interpret the fixed-effect specifications in Christensen, Hail, and Leuz (2013). Since studies in accounting, finance, and economics make extensive use of fixed-effect models, a correct understanding of this research design is important to avoid interpretational mistakes. More generally, we discuss that proper empirical identification and inferences are important to international accounting and IFRS studies so that this area of research does not become a market for excuses.
The Transcriptional Coactivator SAYP Is a Trithorax Group Signature Subunit of the PBAP Chromatin Remodeling Complex

ABSTRACT SWI/SNF ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes (remodelers) perform critical functions in eukaryotic gene expression control. BAP and PBAP are the fly representatives of the two evolutionarily conserved major subclasses of SWI/SNF remodelers. Both complexes share seven core subunits, including the Brahma ATPase, but differ in a few signature subunits; POLYBROMO and BAP170 specify PBAP, whereas OSA defines BAP. Here, we show that the transcriptional coactivator and PHD finger protein SAYP is a novel PBAP subunit. Biochemical analysis established that SAYP is tightly associated with PBAP but absent from BAP. SAYP, POLYBROMO, and BAP170 display an intimately overlapping distribution on larval salivary gland polytene chromosomes. Genome-wide expression analysis revealed that SAYP is critical for PBAP-dependent transcription. SAYP is required for normal development and interacts genetically with core- and PBAP-selective subunits. Genetic analysis suggested that, like BAP, PBAP also counteracts Polycomb silencing. SAYP appears to be a key architectural component required for the integrity and association of the PBAP-specific module. We conclude that SAYP is a signature subunit that plays a major role in the functional specificity of the PBAP holoenzyme.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Perfusion Computed Tomography in Cerebral Glioma Grading.

OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic accuracy of perfusion computed tomography (PCT) in the grading of cerebral glioma. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Radiology, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, from January to June 2014. METHODOLOGY All the patients with untreated glioma had an initial non-contrast head CT and then PCT using 128 multidetector CTscanner. Perfusion maps of permeability surface (PS) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) were generated and measured. As control, a second volume of interest was placed in the contralateral healthy cortex. PCT parameters were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) glioma grades. RESULTS Fifty patients of 30 - 70 years of age of both genders (mean 45.13 ±5.54), 31 (62%) males and 19 (38%) females were studied. These patients were classified as low-grade glioma group (22 patients) and high-grade glioma group (28 patients). PS showed the sensitivity of 95.45%, specificity of 92.86% and diagnostic accuracy of 94% in differentiating the low-grade and high-grade glioma by using a cut-off value of 3.6 ml/100 g/minute. By using a cut-off value of CBV of 2.08 (ml/100 g) among low-grade and high-grade glioma group, CBV showed the sensitivity of 77.3%, specificity of 89.3%, and diagnostic accuracy of 84%. CONCLUSION The derived parameters (PS and CBV) correlate well with tumor histopathology, differentiating low-grade from high-grade gliomas. PS showed better accuracy for glioma grading.
Outcomes after identical and compatible orthotopic liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure: a single center experience in UK

To analyze the outcomes between identical and compatible liver transplantation (OLT) for fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) from September 1984 to November 2005. The patients were divided in three groups; group 1 (identical), group 2 (compatible) and group 3 (incompatible), according to the donor‐recipient blood type matching. We analyzed several outcomes regarding mortality, patient and graft survival, incidence of acute graft rejection during the first postoperative month (30 days), incidence of biliary complications and indications of re‐transplantation. We also analyzed the relationship of Coomb's positive test with postoperative hemolysis to all the above mentioned factors. During the study period, 168 males and 112 females underwent their first OLT for FHF, with 37.1% overall mortality and 42.1% overall graft failure rate. The results between group 1 (203 patients) and group 2 (73 patients) were comparable. A statistically significant difference was recorded in 1 year and overall graft survival between group 1 and group 2 (P = 0.049 and log‐rank = 0.035 respectively). Coomb's positive test did not influence the outcomes. OLT in FHF can be safely carried out whether the donor organs are identical or compatible. Hemolysis (Coomb's positive test) after identical or compatible OLT does not influence the outcomes.
An empirical analysis of stochastic behavior of Sri Lanka exchange rate changes.

The main purpose of this study was to explore the main characteristics of stochastic behaviour of Sri Lankan exchange rate aginst to US dollar,(LKR/US$). This study used daily spot exchange rate time series collected from Central Bank, Sri Lanka web site. The study covers the time period from 2008 to 2010, which represents 722 trading days. The sample period was divided into two. One period was from January 1, 2008 to May 19, 2009 and the other period from May 30, 2009 to December 31, 2010. Graphical techniques, Kernel density function, autocorrelation function, and GARCH models were used to analyse the behaviour of the exchange rate in this study. The results show that basic statistical properties of Sri Lankan exchange rate series was a nonlinear, asymetric shape ,nonstationary series with stochastic trend, I(1). The change in the logarithm of the daily exchange rate (Exchange rate return) series has fatter tails, serial dependence, volatility clustering and ARCH effects in both sample periods. During the period I, the exchange rate was depreciating, distribution was positively skewed , larger volatility (SD=3.4) , non normal and nonstationary. During the period II, exchange rate was appreciating, high persistent and skewed negatively. The changes of log exchange rate behave as normal with an autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity process for innovations. The characteristics of the exchange rate changes indicates the presence of heterogeneity among market participants as well as changing parameters over time. Standard deviation of this distribution dominates the mean value. Variance was also time varying. The results of this study has important implications for exchange rate determination, balance of payments, risk modeling and management, forecasting, market efficiency, statistical inference in empirical work and for the economy, as whole.
Serial Electrodiagnostic Studies in West Nile Virus–Associated Acute Flaccid Paralysis

Marciniak C, Rosenfeld EL: Serial electrodiagnostic studies in West Nile virus–associated acute flaccid paralysis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2005;84:904–910. A man in his 70s presented for acute rehabilitation with severe acute flaccid asymmetric weakness in both lower limbs. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum immunoglobulin M titers were positive for West Nile virus. Electrodiagnostic studies demonstrated severe diffuse motor axonopathy consistent with an anterior myelitis. Electrodiagnostic and clinical improvements were monitored. Electrodiagnostic testing at 6 and 18 mos demonstrated continuing reinnervation; nascent voluntary motor unit action potentials were first noted proximally and, at 18 mos, distally in the left lower limb, including muscles in which motor unit potentials were not initially noted. Corresponding clinical improvements, though slow, were demonstrated even at 1½ yrs after onset. Thus, motoric changes after West Nile virus–associated anterior myelitis need to be monitored over a prolonged time period to allow accurate assessment of prognosis for recovery in rehabilitation programs.
Exome sequencing reveals NAA15 and PUF60 as candidate genes associated with intellectual disability

Intellectual Disability (ID) is a clinically heterogeneous condition that affects 2–3% of population worldwide. In recent years, exome sequencing has been a successful strategy for studies of genetic causes of ID, providing a growing list of both candidate and validated ID genes. In this study, exome sequencing was performed on 28 ID patients in 27 patient‐parent trios with the aim to identify de novo variants (DNVs) in known and novel ID associated genes. We report the identification of 25 DNVs out of which five were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Among these, a two base pair deletion was identified in the PUF60 gene, which is one of three genes in the critical region of the 8q24.3 microdeletion syndrome (Verheij syndrome). Our result adds to the growing evidence that PUF60 is responsible for the majority of the symptoms reported for carriers of a microdeletion across this region. We also report variants in several genes previously not associated with ID, including a de novo missense variant in NAA15. We highlight NAA15 as a novel candidate ID gene based on the vital role of NAA15 in the generation and differentiation of neurons in neonatal brain, the fact that the gene is highly intolerant to loss of function and coding variation, and previously reported DNVs in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Price Responsiveness of Demand for Cigarettes: Does Rationality Matter?

Meta-analysis is applied to aggregate-level studies that model the demand for cigarettes using static, myopic, or rational addiction frameworks in an attempt to synthesize key findings in the literature and to identify determinants of the variation in reported price elasticity estimates across studies. The results suggest that the rational addiction framework produces statistically similar estimates to the static framework but that studies that use the myopic framework tend to report more elastic price effects. Studies that applied panel data techniques or controlled for cross-border smuggling reported more elastic price elasticity estimates, whereas the use of instrumental variable techniques and time trends or time dummy variables produced less elastic estimates. The finding that myopic models produce different estimates than either of the other two model frameworks underscores that careful attention must be given to time series properties of the data.
Experiences of experts about the instances of plagiarism

Introduction: Plagiarism is defined as intentional deceiving or lack of honesty, which deprives others from both material and spiritual possessions. Ethics is considered as one of the most important aspects of evaluating the quality of higher education. Moreover, scientific ethics should be reflected from university values, as a specialized institution, rather than being a reflection of the others cares. Therefore, the main aim of the present study is explore of expert experiences about plagiarism in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This study employed qualitative method with using in-deep interview. The research participants consisted of 21, who tend to this work. Semi structure interview were conducted and recorded. The method of analyzing data was ‘thematic analysis’. The data were transcribed and saved on computer after each interview. Themes and sub-themes were extracted. Finally, relevant sub-themes were arranged in a category and suggested were presented. Result: Analyzing data showed 600 primary codes, 40 sub-themes and 6 themes. The main themes included repeated works, non-normative adoption, non-normative adaptation, shares distribution, forging, and profit-seeking, each of which consisted of one or several subgroups. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that since, there are numerous ways of cheating, the universities’ research committees must create institutions in order to educate the individuals how to avoid plagiarism. In addition, providing information about different types of scientific violations, as well as their following punishments might lead to the decrease of such misbehaviors.
An Implantable 455-Active-Electrode 52-Channel CMOS Neural Probe

Neural probes have become the most important tool for enabling neuroscientists to place microelectrode sensors close to individual neurons and to monitor their activity in vivo. With such devices, it is possible to perform acute or chronic extracellular recordings of electrical activity from a single neuron or from groups of neurons. After the many developments in neural implants, it has become clear that large arrays of electrodes are desirable to further investigate the activity performed by complex neural networks. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a CMOS neural probe containing 455 active electrodes in the probe shank (100 μm wide, 10 mm long, and 50 μm thick) and 52 simultaneous readout channels in the probe body (2.9 × 3.3 mm2). In situ amplification under each electrode enables low-impedance interconnection lines, regardless of the electrode impedance, with a residual crosstalk of -44.8 dB. This design has been implemented in a 0.18-μm standard CMOS technology, with additional CMOS-compatible post-processing performed at wafer level to define the electrodes and the probe outline. In this architecture, the analog front-end achieves an input-referred noise of 3.2 μVrms and an NEF of 3.08. The power consumption of the core circuit is 949.8 μW, while the total power consumption is 1.45 mW. The high-density active-electrode array in this neural probe allows for the massive recording of neural activity. In vivo measurements demonstrate successful simultaneous recordings from many individual cells.
Expanded Numbers of Circulating Myeloid Dendritic Cells in Patent Human Filarial Infection Reflect Lower CCR1 Expression

APC dysfunction has been postulated to mediate some of the parasite-specific T cell unresponsiveness seen in patent filarial infec-tion. We have shown that live microfilariae of Brugia malayi induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. This study addresses whether apoptosis observed in vitro extends to patent filarial infections in humans and is reflected in the number of circulating myeloid DCs (mDCs; CD11c−CD123lo) in peripheral blood of infected microfilaremic individuals. Utilizing flow cytometry to identify DC subpopulations (mDCs and plasmacytoid DCs [pDCs]) based on expression of CD11c and CD123, we found a significant increase in numbers of circulating mDCs (CD11c+CD123lo) in filaria-infected individuals compared with uninfected controls from the same filaria-endemic region of Mali. Total numbers of pDCs, monocytes, and lymphocytes did not differ between the two groups. To investigate potential causes of differences in mDC numbers between the two groups, we assessed chemokine receptor expression on mDCs. Our data indicate that filaria-infected individuals had a lower percentage of circulating CCR1+ mDCs and a higher percentage of circulating CCR5+ mDCs and pDCs. Finally, live microfilariae of B. malayi were able to downregulate cell-surface expression of CCR1 on monocyte-derived DCs and diminish their calcium flux in response to stimulation by a CCR1 ligand. These findings suggest that microfilaria are capable of altering mDC migration through downregulation of expression of some chemokine receptors and their signaling functions. These observations have major implications for regulation of immune responses to these long-lived parasites.
Time-ordered spatial-temporal interest points for human action classification

Human action classification, which is vital for content-based video retrieval and human-machine interaction, finds problem in distinguishing similar actions. Previous works typically detect spatial-temporal interest points (STIPs) from action sequences and then adopt bag-of-visual words (BoVW) model to describe actions as numerical statistics of STIPs. Despite the robustness of BoVW, this model ignores the spatial-temporal layout of STIPs, leading to misclassification among different types of actions with similar numerical statistics of STIPs. Motivated by this, a time-ordered feature is designed to describe the temporal distribution of STIPs, which contains complementary structural information to traditional BoVW model. Moreover, a temporal refinement method is used to eliminate intra-variations among time-ordered features caused by performers' habits. Then a time-ordered BoVW model is built to represent actions, which encodes both numerical statistics and temporal distribution of STIPs. Extensive experiments on three challenging datasets, i.e., KTH, Rochster and UT-Interaction, validate the effectiveness of our method in distinguishing similar actions.
Selective Targeting of Topoisomerase IV and DNA Gyrase in Staphylococcus aureus: Different Patterns of Quinolone- Induced Inhibition of DNA Synthesis

ABSTRACT The effect of quinolones on the inhibition of DNA synthesis inStaphylococcus aureus was examined by using single resistance mutations in parC or gyrA to distinguish action against gyrase or topoisomerase IV, respectively. Norfloxacin preferentially attacked topoisomerase IV and blocked DNA synthesis slowly, while nalidixic acid targeted gyrase and inhibited replication rapidly. Ciprofloxacin exhibited an intermediate response, consistent with both enzymes being targeted. The absence of RecA had little influence on target choice by this assay, indicating that differences in rebound (repair) DNA synthesis were not responsible for the results. At saturating drug concentrations, norfloxacin and a gyrA mutant were used to show that topoisomerase IV-norfloxacin-cleaved DNA complexes are distributed on the S. aureus chromosome at intervals of about 30 kbp. If cleaved complexes block DNA replication, as indicated by previous work, such close spacing of topoisomerase-quinolone-DNA complexes should block replication rapidly (replication forks are likely to encounter a cleaved complex within a minute). Thus, the slow inhibition of DNA synthesis at growth-inhibitory concentrations suggests that a subset of more distantly distributed complexes is physiologically relevant for drug action and is unlikely to be located immediately in front of the DNA replication fork.
NMR Analysis Shows That a b-Type Variant of Hydrogenobacter thermophilus Cytochrome c552 Retains Its Native Structure*

Conversion of Hydrogenobacter thermophilus cytochrome c552 into a b-type cytochrome by mutagenesis of both heme-binding cysteines to alanines significantly reduces the stability of the protein (Tomlinson, E. J., and Ferguson, S. J. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 97, 5156–5160). To understand the effects of this change on the structure and dynamics of the protein, hetero-nuclear 15N-edited NMR techniques have been used to characterize this b-type variant. The backbone 15N, 1HN, and 1Hα, and 1Hβ resonances of the protein have been assigned. Analysis of 3JHNα coupling constants, nuclear Overhauser enhancement intensities, and chemical shift index data demonstrates that the four α-helices present in the wild-type protein are retained in the b-type variant. Comparison of the chemical shifts for the b-type and wild-type proteins indicates that the tertiary structures of the two proteins are closely similar. Some subtle differences are, however, observed for residues in the N-terminal region and in the vicinity of the heme-binding pocket. Hydrogen exchange studies show that there are 25 backbone amide protons that exchange very slowly in the b-type variant and confirm that the fluctuations within the b-type protein are of a similar extent to those in the wild-type protein. These data demonstrate the notable retention of the native secondary structure and tertiary fold despite the absence of covalent linkages between the heme group and the protein.
The Predictability of Alternative UCITS Fund Returns

The authors study the out-of-sample predictability of the returns of pan-European harmonized mutual funds that follow hedge fund–like investment strategies (“alternative UCITS”) and allow retail investors to gain access to nontraditional investment strategies. Given these funds’ higher liquidity compared with hedge funds, investors could exploit relevant information more easily and use it for their asset allocation and risk management decisions. Using a large set of fundamental and technical variables, the authors estimate single predictor models, combination forecasts, and multivariate regression models. Forming hypothetical funds-of-funds portfolios based on predicted returns generates economic gains for investors, especially during crisis times. Combination approaches and multivariate models reduce estimation uncertainty and lead to economic gains across different market environments. TOPICS: Mutual funds/passive investing/indexing, real assets/alternative investments/private equity, performance measurement, developed markets, statistical methods