Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inter-municipal cooperation, economies of scale and cost efficiency: an application of stochastic frontier analysis to Dutch municipal tax departments

ABSTRACT Inter-municipal cooperation is increasingly popular in European countries. Saving cost is a key motivation. This paper analyses the relation between inter-municipal cooperation and cost efficiency among Dutch municipal tax departments between 2005 and 2012. Motivated by the notion that cost savings are ascribed to scale economies, the relation between cooperation and cost is modelled explicitly through scale. The size of the cooperation is incorporated as a determinant of cost efficiency. The results indicate that inter-municipal cooperation can contribute to reducing cost and that the relation can be explained by scale. Municipalities or cooperations sized around 10,000 inhabitants are estimated up to 30% inefficient. At 60,000 inhabitants, the benefits of scaling are largely exhausted. Other than through scale, municipalities that cooperate are not estimated to operate significantly more or less efficient.
Índice de cor e sua correlação com parâmetros físicos e físico-químicos de goiaba, manga e mamão

Usou-se um colorimetro de baixo custo para determinacao da cor em produtos agricolas. Foram feitas analises colorimetricas nas cascas e polpas de mamao, goiaba e manga. Dos valores de cor L*a*b* encontrados, calculou-se os indices de cor, que foram relacionados com o teor de solidos soluveis totais, pH e consistencia das frutas durante o amadurecimento. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que e possivel estimar a maturacao do mamao pela cor da casca, tendo-se encontrado uma relacao precisa entre o indice de cor da casca e os solidos soluveis totais, expressa em termos de uma equacao de terceiro grau. Para goiaba e manga nao ha correlacao entre os indices de cor da casca e os solidos soluveis totais. Nao ha correlacao entre os indices de cor das polpas e os solidos soluveis totais, bem como entre os indices de cor da casca ou polpa e o pH.
Estimation of class membership functions for grey-level based image fusion

In this paper we propose a new unsupervised method for estimating class membership functions from statistical data. It combines in an original way information derived from the histogram as well as prior knowledge of the requirements that the functions must satisfy and that cannot be derived from the histogram. The method has been tested successfully on MR brain images, and applications to image fusion are illustrated.
Topological Variations of Large-Scale Brain Functional Networks Based on Mutual Information

Recent resting-state fMRI studies have suggested that inter-regional functional connectivity shows a small-world topology combined with a high level of global connectivity, which indicates an organization of brain in highly clustered sub-networks. However, little is known about the visual-activating functional connectivity in the human brain. In this study, we derive the brain functional networks under resting and visual-activation state out of all cortical regions of interest based on mutual information. The connections among regions reflect inter-region functional connectivity. Specifically, we investigate dynamical evolution of topology of brain functional networks realized by moving window technique. Robust small-world property with higher clustering coefficient and shorter mean distance is found in the brain functional networks under both resting and visual-activation state. More importantly, our results show that the topological structures of brain functional networks display obvious difference during the transition from visual-activation state to resting state. The diversity of topology of brain functional networks under visual-activation state may provide some insights to deeper understanding the mechanism of interaction between the bran functional configuration and cognitive activation.
Assessing the incidence of butt rot in Norway spruce in southern Finland

The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of butt rot damage to Norway spruce in different parts of southern Finland and to quantify the associated loss of quality. The data used in the study are from the 9th National Forest Inventory and consist of 5998 sample plots and 8007 spruce sample trees of saw-timber size. To predict the probability of damage to stands and trees, logistic regression models were constructed. Separate models were made for the whole study area, for the area where the general risk of Heterobasidion root and butt rot damage is high and for the area where the damage frequency is relatively low. In the highrisk area, the probability of damage decreased with increasing elevation and increased with increasing temperature sum. In addition, damage was more common on fertile sites and less common on peatlands; and thick peat layer decreased the risk of damage. The probability of damage was also higher in stands where special or selective cuttings had been carried out. In the sample tree data, the probability of damage increased slightly with increasing diameter and age of the tree. In the low-risk areas, elevation was the only variable that explained the probability of damage to a spruce tree. Site fertility and previous cuttings (more than ten years ago) explained the probability of damage to stands only weakly. For spruce damaged by butt rot, the saw-timber volume was reduced, on average, by 60% both in the high-risk area and in the low-risk area.
Relationship of HLA and platelet‐reactive antibodies in alloimmunized patients refractory to platelet therapy

Platelet crossmatching assays have been used to predict the outcome of platelet transfusions in alloimmunized patients by detecting antibodies against platelets. The transfusion failure of HLA‐matched platelets predicted by platelet crossmatching may be related to HLA antibodies undetected by lymphocytotoxicity but detected by platelet immunoglobulin‐binding assays or platelet‐specific antibodies (both antibodies defined here as platelet‐reactive antibodies). To differentiate platelet‐reactive antibodies from lymphocytotoxic HLA antibodies, we used HLA characterized lymphocytes in parallel with platelets from individuals to form separate frozen panels. Sera from 10 allosensitized patients were studied in the lymphocyte panel by lymphocytotoxicity and in the platelet panel by enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA). By comparing pattern and percent wells reacting in each panel, lymphocytotoxic HLA antibodies and antibodies reactive with platelets in ELISA were detected separately. In all 10 allosensitized patients, platelet‐associated antibodies were present and 7 had additional lymphocytotoxic HLA antibodies. Using this double parallel panel technique, we found platelet‐reactive antibodies important in platelet alloimmunization, unrecognized by lymphocytotoxicity. These data indicate platelet‐crossmatching be solely used in the selection of platelets for allosensitized patients.
Does a Higher Positive End Expiratory Pressure Decrease Mortality in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background:Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is an important component of therapy in patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome. The independent effect of PEEP on mortality is currently unknown. Methods:A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials comparing the use of higher and lower levels of PEEP. Results:Six trials with a total of 2,484 patients from 102 intensive care units and 9 countries met the eligibility criteria. In three trials, the effect of different levels of PEEP was compared in groups receiving comparable tidal volumes. Three trials accounted for more than 85% of total weighting in the meta-analyses. The pooled relative risk obtained from these three trials showed a trend towards improved mortality with high PEEP, even though the difference did not reach statistical significance: Pooled cumulative risk of 0.90 (95% CI 0.72–1.02, P = 0.077). The reduction in absolute risk of death was approximately 4%. There was no evidence of a significant increase in baro-trauma in patients receiving high PEEP, with a pooled risk of 0.95 (95% CI 0.62–1.45, P = 0.81). Conclusion:High PEEP strategy may have a clinically relevant independent mortality benefit. Despite a possible increase in baro-trauma, the benefits far outweigh potential risks. Current evidence therefore favors the use of high PEEP as the preferred option when ventilating patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. As the reduction in absolute risk of death is less than 5%, a future clinical trial aimed at demonstrating statistical significance is likely to pose considerable financial and ethical burdens.
Análisis relacional entre los factores de protección, resiliencia, autorregulación y consumo de drogas

Este trabajo se centra en la relacion existente entre los factores de proteccion y resiliencia, la autorregulacion y el consumo de sustancias legales e ilegales en un grupo de 215 adolescentes de Ensenanza Secundaria de Felgueiras (Portugal). Los resultados obtenidos permiten verificar la relacion existente entre el consumo de drogas y algunos factores de proteccion y resiliencia, pero no se encuentra una relacion significativa con la autorregulacion en la mayoria de los casos de consumo, a excepcion del "control de impulsos", que es mayor y estadisticamente significativo en los alumnos que no consumen cocaina, crack u otros tipos de drogas. A pesar de la falta de relacion significativa entre la autorregulacion y el consumo de drogas, algunos indicadores permiten inferir la importancia de este concepto, que fue reforzada por la correlacion encontrada entre la autorregulacion y los factores de resiliencia. Podemos afirmar, por lo tanto, que la relacion entre la autorregulacion y el consumo estan mediadas por otras variables, dada su importancia en la explicacion de la resiliencia.
Resilience and depression: perspectives from primary care

Resilience refers to the capacity for successful adaptation or change in the face of adversity. This concept has rarely been applied to the study of distress and depression. We propose two key elements of resilience — ordinary magic and personal medicine — which enable people to survive and flourish despite current experience of emotional distress. We investigate the extent to which these elements are considered important by a sample of 100 people, drawn from a longitudinal study of the management of depression in primary care in Victoria, Australia. We also assess how respondents rate personal resilience in comparison with help received from professional sources. Our data are obtained from semi-structured telephone interviews, and analysed inductively through refinement of our theoretical framework. We find substantial evidence of resilience both in terms of ordinary magic — drawing on existing social support and affectional bonds; and in terms of personal medicine — building on personal strengths and expanding positive emotions. There is a strong preference for personal over professional approaches to dealing with mental health problems. We conclude that personal resilience is important in the minds of our respondents, and that these elements should be actively considered in future research involving people with experience of mental health problems.
Electricity Markets: Designing Auctions Where Suppliers Have Uncertain Costs

We analyse how the market design influences the bidding behaviour in multi-unit auctions, such as wholesale electricity markets. It is shown that competition improves for increased market transparency and we identify circumstances where the auctioneer prefers uniform to discriminatory pricing. We note that political risks could significantly worsen competition in hydro-dominated markets. It would be beneficial for such markets to have clearly defined contingency plans for extreme market situations.
HEMATOPOIESIS AND STEM CELLS Perturbed hematopoiesis in mice lacking ATMIN

Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields Laboratory, London, United Kingdom; Haematopoietic Signalling Group, European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Mammalian Genetics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields Laboratory, London, United Kingdom; Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Translational Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Flow Cytometry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields Laboratory, London, United Kingdom; and Diabetes & Nutritional Sciences Division, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Review of ventilation systems in operating rooms in view of infection control

The Postoperative Infection Rate (PIR) generally depends on factors such as the type of surgery, the cleanliness of equipment, medical procedures, and the level of microorganisms in the immediate and surrounding environments. Another major factor to consider is the quality of the air in the operating room (OR). The aim of this paper is review different ventilation systems in order to evaluate the of infection control (IC). This review consists of a literature review and observations in OR. The objective is to assist design engineers in developing more efficient ventilation systems, and to help stakeholders in choosing the "best" system for the particular type of surgery they need to perform. The practical result will be that security aspects of IC will be strengthened, which should lead to lower PIR.
Proteinase‐activated Receptor‐1 is an Anti‐Inflammatory Signal for Colitis Mediated by a Type 2 Immune Response

Background: Activation of colonic proteinase activated receptor‐1 (PAR1) provokes colonic inflammation and increases mucosal permeability in mice. The mechanism of inflammation is not neurogenic like in the paw of rats but depends on PAR1‐mediated activation monocytic cells. PAR1 activation in the colon increases the release of lymphocyte T helper‐1 (TH1) cytokines. Moreover, PAR1 expression is increased in biopsies from patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and its activation during TH1‐mediated colitis in mice increases all of the hallmarks of inflammation. Methods: This study aimed to characterize the effects of PAR1 activation in oxazolone‐mediated colitis, involving a TH2 cytokine profile. Results: Intracolonic administration of oxazolone increased myeloperoxidase activity, damage score, and interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10, tumor necrosis factor &agr;, and IL‐1&bgr; mRNA expression but lowered interferon‐&ggr; mRNA expression, indicating colonic inflammation of a TH2 profile. The concurrent intracolonic administration of a PAR1 agonist in oxazolone‐treated mice inhibited colitis, resulting in a reduction of myeloperoxidase activity, damage score, and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression. Using PAR1‐deficient mice, we confirmed that the anti‐inflammatory effects of PAR1 agonists were mediated by PAR1. Moreover, in PAR1‐deficient mice or in mice treated with a PAR1 antagonist, oxazolone‐induced colitis was exacerbated, showing an endogenous modulatory role for PAR1 in this TH2 cytokine profile of colitis. Conclusions: Thus, as opposed to a previously shown proinflammatory role for PAR1 in a TH1 cytokine‐mediated colitis, our new data show anti‐inflammatory role for PAR1 activation in the setting of TH2 cytokine colitis model.
Ultra-Thin Polarization Beam Splitter Using 2-D Transmissive Phase Gradient Metasurface

A new 2-D ultra-thin transmissive phase gradient metasurface (TPGM) with polarization-independent property is proposed based on the generalized Snell's law of refraction. The super unit cell of the tri-layer TPGM consists of $6 \times 6$ suitably selected elements with $- {60}^\circ $ phase gradient at $x $-direction and 60° phase gradient at $y $-direction, respectively. The characterizations and working mechanisms of the TPGM are investigated in depth through theoretical calculation, comparative analysis, and electromagnetic (EM) simulation. Four types of TPGMs with different functionalities are proposed based on the derived four-step design method. Numerical results show that the TPGMs are capable of manipulating the differently polarized wave independently. For demonstration and potential applications, an ultra-thin polarization beam splitter (PBS) working at X-band is implemented by a specially designed 2-D TPGM and is launched by a wideband horn antenna from the perspective of high integration, simple structure, and low cost. Numerical and experimental results coincide well, indicating that the PBS advances in many aspects such as separating and controlling the orthogonally polarized waves with a polarized splitting ratio better than 18 dB, obtaining a comparable bandwidth of more than 600 MHz, gaining a high transmission efficiency and also adopting a simple fabrication process based on the convenient print circuit board (PCB) technology.
Circadian Rhythm in Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Activity and Reduced Glutathione Content in Peripheral Blood of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is a rate‐limiting enzyme of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) catabolism. Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide involved in platinum complex detoxification. This study explored the circadian rhythms of DPD activity and GSH concentration in the peripheral blood of 16 patients with histologically proven nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in order to guide the establishment of chronotherapeutic schedules for this cancer. DPD activity and GSH concentration were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both variables displayed significant circadian rhythms (Cosinor analysis: p=0.009 and 0.012, respectively). Peak DPD activity occurred at about 02:30 h; whereas, peak GSH concentration occurred around 12:40 h. The differences between the peak and nadir mean values were 25.5% and 38.7%, respectively. The study showed that the circadian rhythms in DPD activity and GSH concentration in Chinese NPC are similar to those reported for western patients with colorectal cancer, despite the differences in race and kinds of cancer. These findings imply that the chronotherapeutic schedule of 5‐FU and platinum used to treat European colorectal cancer patients probably is applicable to Chinese NPC patients.
Evidence of selection bias in preterm survival studies: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE To determine by how much selection bias in preterm infant cohort studies results in an overestimate of survival. DESIGN Systematic review of studies reporting survival in infants less than 28 weeks of gestation published 1978–1998. Studies were graded according to cohort definition: A, stillbirths and live births; B, live births; C, neonatal unit admissions. Proportions of infants surviving to discharge were calculated for each week of gestation. RESULTS Sixty seven studies report data on 55 cohorts (16 grade A, 23 grade B, 16 grade C). Studies that are more selective report significantly higher survival between 23 and 26 weeks of gestation (grade C > grade B > grade A, p < 0.01), exaggerating survival by 100% and 56% at 23 and 24 weeks respectively. CONCLUSION To minimise the potential for overestimating survival around the limits of viability, future studies should endeavour to report the outcome of all pregnancies for each week of gestation (terminations, miscarriages, stillbirths, and all live births).
Plasminogen Activator Activity of Rat Lysosomes∗

Summary Rat tissues have been fractionated in order to assay their plasminogen activator activity. Mitochondria, microsomes, and the final supernate separated from rat liver were essentially equal in this activity suggesting that the soluble plasminogen activator in the cell homogenate had equilibrated among them. Lysosomes showed significantly greater plasminogen activator activity than the other fractions. The plasminogen activator release from lysosomes could be increased by sonification and freezing and thawing. When the lysosomes of a series of six tissues were compared, lung lysosomes were richest in plasminogen activator. The activator activity was approximately the same for lysosomes of rat spleen, kidney, liver, brain, and lymph node. Proteolytic activity of rat liver cell fractions was less than 1/4 that measured in the presence of plasminogen. Fibrinolytic activity of cell fractions measured with heated fibrin clots was negligible.
Default Tips

We examine the role of defaults in high-frequency, small-scale choices using unique data on over 13 million New York City taxi rides. Using a regression discontinuity design, we show that default tip suggestions have a large impact on tip amounts. These results are supported by a secondary analysis that uses the quasi-random assignment of customers to different cars to examine default effects on a wider range of fares. Finally, we highlight a potential cost of setting defaults too high, as a higher proportion of customers opt to leave no credit card tip when presented with the higher suggested amounts. (JEL D12, L92)
Paradoxical Reaction During Tuberculosis Treatment in Immunocompetent Children: Clinical Spectrum and Risk Factors

Background: Paradoxical reaction (PR) during antituberculosis (TB) therapy, defined as clinical or radiologic worsening of preexisting TB lesions or the development of new lesions, has not been widely studied in immunocompetent children. Methods: All children (<17 years) with the diagnosis of TB who sought care at our center between 1994 and 2007 were included in this retrospective study. Data on demographic characteristics, bacteriologic results, medical imaging, treatment regimens and outcomes were abstracted from medical records. Patients with and without PR were compared. Results: Of 115 TB cases, 12 (10.3%) developed PR. Children with PR were younger than those with TB without complication: median age at diagnosis was 26 months (range, 5–148) compared with 66 months (range, 6–205) for those without complications (P = 0.013). None of the children in the PR group had received Calmette-Guérin bacillus vaccination, compared with 34 of 103 (33%) children without PR (P = 0.017). Children with a diagnosis of PR were more frequently symptomatic at diagnosis of TB disease when compared with children without PR (P = 0.028). PR occurred at a median interval of 39 days (range, 15–75) after initiation of antituberculosis treatment. The most common PR was worsening of preexisting pulmonary lesions (75%). New lesions in anatomical sites other than those observed at initial presentation developed in 3 children. Conclusion: Paradoxical deterioration during treatment of TB disease is common in immunocompetent children. Young age and absence of Calmette-Guérin bacillus vaccination appeared to be associated with PR.