Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistics and Chemometrics for Analytical Chemistry

A recent visit to one of BP’s European technology centers produced a request to develop statistics training for the people in the analytical lab. Of course, I first searched to see what books were available. I have always liked the book by Caulcott and Boddy (1983), but it is rather dated. The most recent review in Technometrics of a similar book was that for Meloun et al. (1992) (see LaLonde 1995). There also was a review of the book by Meier and Zünd (1993) (see Hillyer 1995). A second edition of that book was published in 2000. It is a large book, nearly 500 pages, with a hefty price, $126.00 from Amazon.com. This more modest-sized and lower-priced book actually would be a reasonable starter book for a typical analytical chemist. This book was first published in 1984, but it has had suitable updating. This edition uses Excel and MINITAB for statistical computing. It also is the first of the editions to incorporate chemometrics topics. The book now has had a new final chapter added to introduce the multivariate methods of chemometrics. The 11 different tools that are presented run the gamut from principal components and cluster analyses to partial least squares regression and neural networks. The topics are all discussed without any use of matrix algebra and little use of equations. As for the other seven chapters, they start with the basics of “Statistics for Repeated Measurements” in Chapter 2 and progress through significance tests, measurement quality, calibrations using regression methods, nonparametric methods, robust methods, experimental design, and optimization. There are excellent discussions of a number of important indigenous topics relevant to the analytical laboratory, including lognormal distributions, propagation of errors, components of variability, collaborative trials, limits of detection, comparisons from calibration curves, standard additions, and cusum charts. The authors, apparently a husband and wife pairing of an analytical chemist and a statistician, have an excellent understanding of the technical level appropriate for the people in the lab. There are relatively few equations but a considerable number of plots and displays of results. Hopefully there will soon be a report for the second edition of the text of Meier and Zünd (1993), but it is hard to imagine a much better book than this one for use as the first course with a group of analytical chemists. There are excellent sets of references, both from the statistics and analytical chemistry literature, that provide sources for further study by anyone so inclined.
Cuffless Estimation of Systolic Blood Pressure for Short Effort Bicycle Tests: The Prominent Role of the Pre-Ejection Period

This paper investigates the specific contributions of the pre-ejection period (PEP) and pulse transit time (PTT) for blood pressure estimation based on the pulse wave methodology. We show that in short-term physical stress tests, PEP dominates PTT variations raising the question of a suitable blood pressure calibration. A model using a generalized pulse wave velocity achieves acceptable accuracy for systolic blood pressure estimation, given our experimental conditions
Prostanoids Play a Major Role in the Primary Tumor-Induced Inhibition of Dendritic Cell Differentiation

Production of immunosuppressive factors is one of the mechanisms by which tumors evade immunosurveillance. Soluble factors hampering dendritic cell (DC) development have recently been identified in culture supernatants derived from tumor cell lines. In this study, we investigated the presence of such factors in 24-h culture supernatants from freshly excised solid human tumors (colon, breast, renal cell carcinoma, and melanoma). While primary tumor-derived supernatant (TDSN) profoundly hampered the in vitro DC differentiation from CD14+ plastic-adherent monocytes or CD34+ precursors (based on morphology and CD1a/CD14 phenotype), the effects of tested tumor cell line-derived supernatants were minor. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-1- and COX-2-regulated prostanoids present in the primary TDSN were found to be solely responsible for the observed hampered differentiation of monocyte-derived DC (MoDC). In contrast, both prostanoids and IL-6 were found to contribute to the TDSN-induced inhibition of DC differentiation from CD34+ precursor cells. While the addition of TDSN during differentiation interfered with the ability of CD34-derived DC to stimulate a primary allogeneic T cell response, it actually increased this ability of MoDC. These opposite effects were correlated to different effects of the TDSN on the expression levels of CD86 and HLA-DR on the DC from the different precursor origins. Although TDSN increased the T cell-stimulatory capacity of MoDC, TDSN inhibited the IL-12 production and increased the IL-10 production of MoDC, thus skewing them to a type-2 T cell-inducing phenotype. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that primary tumors negatively impact DC development and function through COX-1 and -2 regulated factors, whereas tumor-derived cell lines may lose this ability upon in vitro propagation.
POST-ACQUISITION STRATEGIES , INTEGRATION CAPABILITY , AND THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF CORPORATE ACQUISITIONS By

This paper introduces a knowledge-based view of corporate acquisitions, and tests the post-acquisition performance consequences of two capability-building mechanisms: experience accumulation and knowledge codification. In the model, the acquiring firm makes decisions about the level of integration and the degree of replacement of the target’s top management team, and can develop a capability to manage the post-acquisition integration process by tacitly accumulating acquisition experience and explicitly codifying it in manuals, systems and other acquisition-specific tools. In a sample of 228 acquisitions in the US banking industry, we find that experience accumulation fails to significantly impact performance, but that knowledge codification has a strong and positive influence. The impact of codification is also strengthened with increasing levels of post-acquisition integration, i.e. when the organizational challenge becomes increasingly complex. Finally, the level of integration between the two firms involved in the acquisition significantly enhances performance, while the replacement of top managers in the acquired firm impacts performance in a negative fashion. Implications are drawn for organizational learning theory and for a knowledge-based approach to corporate strategy research.
[Antiproliferation of cardamonin associated with mRNA expression of mTOR, Raptor and Rictor].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the antiproliferation effect of cardamonin (CAR) and its possible mechanisms on human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs) cultured in the mimicking insulin resistance (IR) medium. METHOD Proliferation of HUASMCs was assayed by MTT method. The mRNA expression of mTOR, Raptor and Rictor was detected by a real-time PCR. The expression content was calculated by Livak method using internal control of beta-actin. RESULT The proliferation of HUASMCs cultured in the mimicking IR medium was significantly increased. Both in normal and mimic IR culture medium, cells proliferation was inhibited by CAR (1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1)). Pretreated with PD98059 and LY294002, cell proliferation induced by phosphatidic acid (PA) was inhibited, and the mRNA expression of mTOR, Raptor and Rictor was significantly decreased by CAR in the mimic IR medium. CONCLUSION It is implicated that antiproliferation of CAR is involved in mRNA expression decrease of mTOR and its relative protein Raptor and Rictor.
Cryptococcosis in the era of AIDS--100 years after the discovery of Cryptococcus neoformans

Although Cryptococcus neoformans and cryptococcosis have existed for several millennia, a century has passed since the discovery of this encapsulated yeast and its devastating disease. With the advent of the AIDS pandemic, cryptococcal meningitis has emerged as a leading cause of infectious morbidity and mortality and a frequently life-threatening opportunistic mycosis among patients with AIDS. Both basic and clinical research have accelerated in the 1990s, and this review attempts to highlight some of these advances. The discussion covers recent findings, current concepts, controversies, and unresolved issues related to the ecology and genetics of C. neoformans; the surface structure of the yeast; and the mechanisms of host defense. Regarding cell-mediated immunity, CD4+ T cells are crucial for successful resistance, but CD8+ T cells may also participate significantly in the cytokine-mediated activation of anticryptococcal effector cells. In addition to cell-mediated immunity, monoclonal antibodies to the major capsular polysaccharide, the glucuronoxylomannan, offer some protection in murine models of cryptococcosis. Clinical concepts are presented that relate to the distinctive features of cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS and the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cryptococcosis in AIDS patients.
Judgmental biases resulting from differing availabilities of arguments.

People often draw social inferences and render social judgments on the basis of relevant information they can recall from memory. Having known John for many years, we may unexpectedly be asked by an adoption agency whether he would make a good father. To decide, we may search our historical knowledge of John for evidence both consistent and inconsistent with our conception of a good father. Does John like children? Does he interact well with them? In answering such questions, we recall a sample of facts from the population of potentially recallable facts relevant to assessing John's fatherhood potential. Having recalled a sample of relevant facts, we use these, perhaps in some Bayesian weighting scheme, to decide whether or not John would be a good father.
Unconditional quantile regression with high‐dimensional data

This paper considers estimation and inference for heterogeneous counterfactual effects with high‐dimensional data. We propose a novel robust score for debiased estimation of the unconditional quantile regression (Firpo, Fortin, and Lemieux (2009)) as a measure of heterogeneous counterfactual marginal effects. We propose a multiplier bootstrap inference and develop asymptotic theories to guarantee the size control in large sample. Simulation studies support our theories. Applying the proposed method to Job Corps survey data, we find that a policy, which counterfactually extends the duration of exposures to the Job Corps training program, will be effective especially for the targeted subpopulations of lower potential wage earners.
Line shapes of atomic hydrogen in a plane-cathode abnormal glow discharge.

Hydrogen Balmer lines were observed in the plasma of a plane-cathode abnormal glow discharge in mixtures of argon or neon with hydrogen and in pure hydrogen. Intense spectral-line wing development was detected whenever argon was present in the plasma. This effect is related to the formation of H{sub 2}{sup +} ions in a charge-transfer reaction between metastable Ar{sup +} and H{sub 2} molecules.
Diversity of Epitope and Cytokine Profiles for Primary and Secondary Influenza A Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cell Responses1

Screening with the flow cytometric IFN-γ assay has led to the identification of a new immunogenic peptide (SSYRRVPGI) from the influenza PB1 polymerase (PB1703–711) and a mimotope (ISPLMVAYM) from the PB2 polymerase (PB2198–206). CD8+ T cells specific for KbPB1703 make both IFN-γ and TNF-α following stimulation with both peptides. The CD8+ KbPB1703+ population kills PB2198-pulsed targets, but cell lines stimulated with PB2198 neither bind the KbPB1703 tetramer nor become CTL. This CD8+KbPB1703+ population is prominent in the primary response to an H3N2 virus, although it is much less obvious following secondary challenge of H1N1-primed mice. Even so, we can now account for >40% of the CD8+ T cells in a primary influenza pneumonia and >85% of those present after H3N2 → H1N1 challenge. Profiles of IFN-γ and TNF-α staining following in vitro stimulation have been traced for the four most prominent influenza peptides through primary and secondary responses into long-term memory. The DbNP366 epitope that is immunodominant after the H3N2 → H1N1 challenge shows the lowest frequencies of CD8+ IFN-γ+TNF-α+ cells for >6 wk, and the intensity of IFN-γ staining is also low for the first 3 wk. By 11 wk, however, the IFN-γ/TNF-α profiles look to be similar for all four epitopes. At least by the criterion of cytokine production, there is considerable epitope-related functional diversity in the influenza virus-specific CD8+ T cell response. The results for the KbPB1703 epitope and the PB2198 mimotope also provide a cautionary tale for those using the cytokine staining approach to identity antigenic peptides.
Delayed sleep phase disorder in an Australian school-based sample of adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To establish the extent to which the developmental changes in sleep timing experienced by Australian adolescents meet the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-2) diagnostic criteria for delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD), and whether adolescents with DSPD engage in poorer lifestyle choices, and are more impaired compared to good sleeping adolescents. METHODS Three-hundred seventy-four Australian adolescents (mean age 15.6 years, SD 1.0) participants completed a 7-day sleep diary, wore wrist actigraphy, and completed a battery of questionnaires to assess DSPD criteria. RESULTS The ICSD-2 criteria for DSPD were met by 1.1% (N = 4) of the adolescents sampled. The majority of adolescents (51.9%, N = 194) met one criterion, 14% (N = 52) of the adolescents met 2 criteria, while 33.2% (N = 124) did not fulfill any DSPD criteria. Despite having significantly delayed sleep timing, adolescents who met all criteria for DSPD reported similar lifestyle habits and daytime functioning. However, there were trends for greater alcohol and caffeine consumption, less sport participation, yet more time spent on extracurricular activities (i.e., learning to play a musical instruments for adolescents with DSPD. CONCLUSIONS Despite the majority of adolescents reporting DSPD symptoms, only a small minority met full diagnostic criteria. Adolescents with DSPD reported similar lifestyle habits and daytime functioning to those with some or no symptoms. Future investigations of non-school-attending DSPD adolescents are needed to confirm the trends for lifestyle behaviors found in the present study.
Growth arrest in G1 protects against oxygen‐induced DNA damage and cell death

Although oxygen is required for normal aerobic respiration, hyperoxia (95% O2/5% CO2) damages DNA, inhibits proliferation in G1, S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, and induces necrosis. The current study examines whether growth arrest in G1 protects pulmonary epithelial cells from oxidative DNA damage and cell death. Mv1Lu pulmonary adenocarcinoma cells were chosen for studies because hyperoxia inhibits their proliferation in S and G2 phase, while they can be induced to arrest in G1 by altering culture conditions. Hyperoxia inhibited proliferation, increased intracellular redox, and rapidly reduced clonogenic survival. In contrast, Mv1Lu cells treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, deprived of serum or grown to confluency, arrested and remained predominantly in G1 even during exposure. Growth arrest in G1 significantly enhanced clonogenic survival by 10–50‐fold. Enhanced survival was not due to reduction in the intracellular redox‐state of the cells, but instead was associated with reduced DNA strand breaks and p53 expression. Our findings suggest that the protective effects of G1 is mediated not simply by a reduction in intracellular ROS, but rather through an enhanced ability to limit or rapidly recognize and repair damaged DNA. J. Cell. Physiol. 193: 26–36, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Joint Worst Case Secrecy Rate and UAV Propulsion Energy Optimization via Robust Resource Allocation in Uncertain Adversarial Networks

The mobile relaying technique is a critical enhancing technology in wireless communications due to a higher chance of supporting the remote user from the base station (BS) with better quality of service. This paper investigates energy-efficient (EE) mobile relaying networks, mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), while the unknown adversaries try to intercept the legitimate link. We aim to optimize robust transmit power both UAV and BS along, relay hovering path, speed, and acceleration. The BS sends legitimate information, which is forwarded to the user by the relay. This procedure is defined as information-causality-constraint (ICC). We jointly optimize the worst case secrecy rate (WCSR) and UAV propulsion energy consumption (PEC) for a finite time horizon. We construct the BS-UAV, the UAV-user, and the UAV-adversary channel models. We apply the UAV PEC considering UAV speed and acceleration. At last, we derive EE UAV relay-user maximization problem in the adversarial wireless networks. While the problem is non-convex, we propose an iterative and sub-optimal algorithm to optimize EE UAV relay with constraints, such as ICC, trajectory, speed, acceleration, and transmit power. First, we optimize both BS and UAV transmit power, and hovering speed for known UAV path planning and acceleration. Using the optimal transmit power and speed, we obtain the optimal trajectory and acceleration. We compare our algorithm with existing algorithms and demonstrate the improved EE UAV relaying communication for our model.
Dialog without Dialog Data: Learning Visual Dialog Agents from VQA Data

Can we develop visually grounded dialog agents that can efficiently adapt to new tasks without forgetting how to talk to people? Such agents could leverage a larger variety of existing data to generalize to new tasks, minimizing expensive data collection and annotation. In this work, we study a setting we call "Dialog without Dialog", which requires agents to develop visually grounded dialog models that can adapt to new tasks without language level supervision. By factorizing intention and language, our model minimizes linguistic drift after fine-tuning for new tasks. We present qualitative results, automated metrics, and human studies that all show our model can adapt to new tasks and maintain language quality. Baselines either fail to perform well at new tasks or experience language drift, becoming unintelligible to humans. Code has been made available at this https URL
Universal Fluctuations in Very Short ECG Episodes

We propose a new algorithm for the detection of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in very short surface electrocardiogram (ECG) episodes. Ventricular fibrillation is the most commonly identified arrhythmia in cardiac arrest patients and can lead to syncope, within seconds. The fast detection of ventricular fibrillation is necessary for prompt defibrillation either with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator or an automated external defibrillator. Ventricular fibrillation generates stochastic waveforms and recently it has been shown that it exhibits characteristics similar to a non-chaotic signal and contains determinism Probability Density Function (PDF), for the different physical fluctuations was described previously. Accordingly, we describe scaling properties of very short shockable, VF and non-shockable ECG episodes and show that a universal PDF exists for the fluctuations of shockable ECG episodes. We compared the proposed algorithm with nine standard VF detection algorithms. The comparison indicated that our algorithm consistently produced more accurate detection results, then with standard algorithm. We conclude that the proposed method, based on fluctuation analysis, provides new information on the dynamics underlying VF, and allows a better detection compared to other algorithms.
Another test of the normative theory of citing

The normative theory of citing holds that scientists “reward” colleagues whose work they use by citing that work, that is, scientists give credit where credit is due [l-3]. It follows that “the research that scientists cite in their own papers represents a roughly valid indicator of influence on their work” [4, p. 2201. Citations therefore can be used to measure or indicate the quality or impact of work, to establish cognitive pedigrees, and to map scientific networks and specialities [5, 61. In a previous article, we tested one prediction of the normative theory [7]. We read articles and noted whether or not influences were cited. We found that only thirty percent were. The normative theory also predicts that authors should not cite preferentially, that is, while it is clear that authors do not cite all of their influences, it is possible that in the aggregate they cite proportional to use. Consequently, the data would give a broadly correct picture of use and could still provide a measure of quality or impact.
APC mutation and the crypt cycle in murine and human intestine.

Dysplastic colon adenomas are thought to arise from growth of clones of APC -/- colonic epithelial cells. Isolated clusters of dysplastic crypts are often observed in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. These patients have genotype APC +/-, and the clusters of dysplastic crypts (called microadenoma or aberrant crypt foci) are thought to represent an early stage in the expansion of a mutant clone of APC -/- cells. It is thought that the growth of these clusters of mutant crypts results from crypt replication through a process similar to what occurs in the normal crypt cycle. We measured the relative replication rate of mutant crypts by analyzing the size of clusters of mutant crypts in APC +/- individuals and found that mutant APC -/- crypts replicate more rapidly than do normal APC +/- (i.e., nonneoplastic) crypts. In contrast, the replication rate of mutant crypts in Apc +/- mice is not significantly different from that of normal crypts, thus supporting previous findings that aberrant crypt foci do not contribute significantly to the colon adenoma population in adult Apc +/- mice. Intriguingly, we found an effect of Apc heterozygosity on the frequency of branching crypts in young mice.
Exon sequencing of PAX3 and T (brachyury) in cases with spina bifida.

BACKGROUND Based on studies in animals and humans, PAX3 and T (brachyury) are candidate genes for spina bifida. However, neither gene has been definitively identified as a risk factor for this condition. METHODS Sanger sequencing was used to identify variants in all PAX3 and T exons and promoter regions in 114 spina bifida cases. For known variants, allele frequencies in cases were compared with those from public databases using unadjusted odds ratios. Novel variants were genotyped in parents and assessed for predicted functional impact. RESULTS We identified common variants in PAX3 (n = 2) and T (n = 3) for which the allele frequencies in cases were significantly different from those reported in at least one public database. We also identified novel variants in both PAX3 (n = 11) and T (n = 1) in spina bifida cases. Several of the novel PAX3 variants are predicted to be highly conserved and/or impact gene function or expression. CONCLUSION These studies provide some evidence that common variants of PAX3 and T are associated with spina bifida. Rare and novel variants in these genes were also identified in affected individuals. However, additional studies will be required to determine whether these variants influence the risk of spina bifida.