Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Economics of Privacy : Theoretical and Empirical Aspects

This chapter considers the growing body of theoretical and empirical research on the economics and behavioral economics of privacy, and how those streams of research can be applied to the investigation of the economic implications of business analytics and consumer data mining. The chapter begins by highlighting why privacy-sensitive scenarios and outcomes can be often interpreted through economic lenses. It then summarizes micro economic approaches to privacy. It continues by describing the current markets for privacy and personal data, consumers’ privacy valuations and behaviors, and the potential trade-offs associated with those behaviors. It concludes by discussing the role of privacy enhancing technologies and market forces in balancing the value of data and the value of privacy. ∗Carnegie Mellon University, acquisti@andrew.cmu. edu
Analytical characterization of SPM impact on XPM-induced degradation in dispersion-compensated WDM systems

This paper proposes the definition of a cross-phase modulation (XPM)-induced power penalty for intensity modulation/direct detection (IM-DD) systems as a function of the normalized variance of the XPM-induced IM. This allows the definition of 1-dB power penalty reference values. New expressions of the equivalent linear model transfer functions for the XPM-induced IM and phase modulation (PM) that include the influence of self-phase modulation (SPM) as well as group-velocity dispersion are derived. The new expressions allow a significant extension for higher powers and dispersion parameters of expressions derived in previous papers for single-segment and multisegment fiber systems with dispersion compensation. Good agreement between analytical results and numerical simulations is obtained. Consistency with work performed numerically and experimentally by other authors is shown, validating the proposed model. Using the proposed model, the influence of residual dispersion and SPM on the limitations imposed by XPM on the performance of dispersion-compensated systems is assessed. It is shown that inline residual dispersion may lead to performance improvement for a properly tuned total residual dispersion. The influence of SPM is shown to degrade the system performance when nonzero-dispersion-shifted fiber is used. However, systems using standard single-mode fiber may benefit from the presence of SPM.
High prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) in Slovenia

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalences of FIV and FeLV infections in domestic cats by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 42 cats examined by the ELISA test, 14 (33.3 %) were seropositive for FIV antibody, 10 (23.8 %) for FeLV antigen, 1 (2.4 %) was positive for both viruses and 17 were negative for infection with either virus. In the PCR assay, 17 cats (40.5 %) were positive for FeLV, 11 (26.2%) for FIV, 9 (21.4%) for both viruses and 5 cats (11.9%) were negative for the presence of viral DNA. The average age of FIV positive cats was 6 and of FeLV 7 years. Infections were more common in outdoor cats (65% FIV, 61.1% FeLV positive) and in male cats (71.4% FIV, 80% FeLV). The results of both tests used in this study have shown high prevalence of both infections among cats in Slovenia. The ELISA method was found useful as a screening test for fast detection of FIV and FeLV infections, but additional testing with PCR was shown to be more effective in the characterization and progression of both infections.
Morchella australiana sp. nov., an apparent Australian endemic from New South Wales and Victoria

An abundant fruiting of a black morel was encountered in temperate northwestern New South Wales (NSW), Australia, during a mycological survey in Sep 2010. The site was west of the Great Dividing Range in a young, dry sclerophyll forest dominated by Eucalyptus and Callitris north of Coonabarabran in an area known as the Pilliga Scrub. Although the Pilliga Scrub is characterized by frequent and often large, intense wildfires, the site showed no sign of recent fire, which suggests this species is not a postfire morel. Caps of the Morchella elata-like morel were brown with blackish ridges supported by a pubescent stipe that became brown at maturity. Because no morel has been described as native to Australia, the collections were subjected to multilocus molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses to assess its identity. Results of these analyses indicated that our collection, together with collections from NSW and Victoria, represented a novel, genealogically exclusive lineage, which is described and illustrated here as Morchella australiana T. F. Elliott, Bougher, O’Donnell & Trappe, sp. nov.
High-performance liquid chromatographic measurement of tryptophan in blood, tissues, urine, and foodstuffs with electrochemical and fluorometric detections.

A rapid and convenient measurement of tryptophan in whole blood, serum, liver, brain, urine, and alkaline hydrolysates of proteins and foodstuff was done by high-performance liquid chromatography. The sample preparation was simply homogenized or mixed in a 5% trichloroacetic acid solution and a sample of the supernatant was injected onto a column after filtration with a 0.45-micron filter. The method used a Chemcosorb 5-ODS-H column (particle size, 5 microns, 150 x 4.6 mm i.d.) eluted with 20 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH adjusted to 3.7 by the addition of phosphoric acid) containing 1 g/l of sodium heptane sulfonate and 3 mg/l EDTA.2Na-acetonitrile (93:7, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. The tryptophan contents in whole blood, serum, liver, and brain were electrochemically estimated at +1000 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, the detection limit being 0.2 pmol (40.84 pg) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5:1. The tryptophan contents in urine, proteins, and foodstuff were fluorometrically estimated with an excitation wavelength of 280 nm and with an emission wavelength of 340 nm, the detection limit being 20 pmol (4.08 ng) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5:1. Tryptophan was eluted at about 10.5 min. The total analysis time was about 12 min.
Community Attitudes toward Breastfeeding in Public Places among Western Australia Adults, 1995-2009

Background: Community attitudes toward breastfeeding in public influence how comfortable women feel about continuing breastfeeding. Knowledge of the social context helps target breastfeeding-promoting interventions. Objective: To examine trends in Western Australian adult attitudes toward breastfeeding in public places. Methods: As part of 5 cross-sectional surveys from the Western Australian Nutrition Monitor Survey Series conducted between 1995 and 2009, 5496 adults aged 18 to 64 years were asked whether it was acceptable for mothers to breastfeed their babies in public places, including shopping centers, workplaces, and restaurants, and on public transport. Descriptive statistics and multinomial regressions were used to describe factors associated with attitudes toward publicly breastfeeding. Results: There was no change in the acceptance of breastfeeding in shopping centers, restaurants, and workplaces and on public transport over time, but in 2009, significantly fewer people said that it was unacceptable to breastfeed in public compared with 1995. Women, people older than 44 years, those born outside Australia, and the less educated were those most likely to say that breastfeeding in public was unacceptable. In the years that the question was asked, more than 97% of respondents said that breastfeeding was acceptable if a separate room was provided. Conclusions: Making breastfeeding acceptable and pleasant for mothers in public spaces is a key policy recommendation. Women, people older than 44 years, and those born outside Australia were most likely to respond that breastfeeding in public was unacceptable unless a room was provided. Given that, on average, 70% of the population said that breastfeeding in public was acceptable, investigation into why some women do not think so is warranted.
Demographic profile of ocular morbidity in school children in India

The aim of the presented study was to find out the prevalence of ocular morbidity in school children in Pune city. It was a cross sectional study. The present study was planned to know the prevalence of ocular morbidity in school children in Pune city, and their correlation with socio demographic profile if any. The study was conducted in urban field practice area of a Medical College in Pune. School children of age 6-16 years of selected urban schools in the field practice area were the study population. The sample size calculated was 866 but 1157 were covered in this study. In present study prevalence of ocular morbidity in students were found 11.58%. So to conclude present study highlights important problem of ocular morbidity in school children. Refractory error was commonest form of ocular morbidity amongst them but most of it was undetected previously.
Novel and recurrent mutations in the C‐terminal domain of COMP cluster in two distinct regions and result in a spectrum of phenotypes within the pseudoachondroplasia – multiple epiphyseal dysplasia disease group

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and some forms of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) result from mutations in the gene encoding cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). COMP is a large pentameric glycoprotein found predominantly in the extracellular matrix of cartilage, tendon, and ligament. As a modular protein, it is composed of a coiled‐coil domain, four type II (T2) repeats, eight type III (T3) repeats, and a large globular C‐terminal domain (CTD). The majority (>85%) of COMP mutations causing PSACH or MED are found in the exons encoding the T3 repeats, and the disease mechanism has been characterised in detail. Much less is known about disease‐causing mutations in the CTD; in 10 years only seven mutations have been identified. In this study, we describe eight novel and two recurrent mutations that we have recently identified in patients with PSACH or MED. Interestingly, these mutations result in a spectrum of disease, ranging from mild MED to severe PSACH. Mapping of all known COMP CTD mutations on a three‐dimensional model of the C‐terminal domain shows that the CTD mutations cluster in two distinct regions. These regions are probably important in stabilising the T3‐CTD structure and mediating intra‐ or intermolecular interactions. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Anatomical Study of Triangle of Brocq & Mouchet in Human Cadaveric Heart & Its Clinical Relevance

Arteriovenous triangle of Brocq & Mouchet is formed by Great cardiac vein (GCV), Circumflex artery (CA) and Anterior Interventricular artery (AIA). The latter two are branches of left coronary artery which lies on left side of anterior surface of the heart. According to the pattern of disposition of vessels forming the triangle, the triangle is classified as closed, completely opened, inferiorly opened and superiorly opened. The triangle may also be absent. Thirty human cadaveric hearts were studied by dissection method in the Department of Anatomy, RRMCH and BMC&RI in Bangalore. The triangle of Brocq & Mouchet was identified and photographed. During the study, the triangle of Brocq and Mouchet was present in twenty-six hearts (86.7%) and was absent in four (13.3%). In our study the most common was Closed type as seen in 15(50%) and least common was Superiorly opened seen in 3(10%) specimens. There are several strategies in interventional cardiology tailored to the patients with Ischaemic heart disease. The anatomical knowledge of relations of these vessels provides a basis for newer cardiac interventional surgeries.
The tobacco epidemic in Syria

Background: The Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies (SCTS) was established in response to the smoking epidemic in Syria and lack of local knowledge and expertise to confront it. Objectives: To (1) study tobacco use and local smoking practices using both qualitative and quantitative research methods; (2) develop and test an effective smoking cessation intervention for the Syrian environment; and (3) train Syrian researchers. Methods and results: The Aleppo Household Survey involved a representative sample of adults in Aleppo (2038 subjects, 45.2% men, mean age 35.3 years, response rate 86%). The prevalence of cigarette smoking was 56.9% among men and 17.0% among women, while the prevalence of waterpipe smoking was 20.2% among men and 4.8% among women. Daily use predominated for cigarettes (29.0%), while the opposite was seen in waterpipe use with 10.6% smoking occasionally. Interest in quitting was greater for cigarette than waterpipe smokers (74.0% v 48.6%), while quit rates were higher for waterpipe compared to cigarettes (28.2% v 16.5%). In-depth ethnographic interviews with smokers show that smoking waterpipe is often viewed as an aesthetic enjoyable experience, while smoking cigarettes is viewed as a mundane anxiety-relieving addiction. Clinical laboratory studies reveal that both waterpipe and cigarette smokers in Syria are exposed to smoke toxicants and exhibit dependence symptoms. Conclusions: All these data have been used iteratively to adapt smoking cessation interventions from developed countries to suit the local Syrian environment. Research conducted in the SCTS to date has provided a fertile training ground for Syrian researchers, as well as for the building of regional collaborations.
A phase II, multicenter, open-label study evaluating dosing and preliminary safety and efficacy of canakinumab in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis with active systemic features.

OBJECTIVE To assess dosing, preliminary safety, and efficacy of canakinumab, a fully human anti-interleukin-1β (anti-IL-1β) antibody, in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and active systemic features. METHODS In this phase II, multicenter, open-label, dosage-escalation study, children with systemic JIA who were ≥4 years of age, had fever, and were receiving ≤0.4 mg/kg/day of corticosteroids were administered a single subcutaneous dose of canakinumab, 0.5-9 mg/kg of body weight, and were redosed upon relapse. Response to treatment was assessed according to an adaptation of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) pediatric criteria for improvement. RESULTS A total of 23 children ages 4-19 years with active disease were enrolled. Of these, 1 patient was excluded from analysis, and 3 of the reenrolled patients were included twice in the efficacy analysis. By day 15 of the first treatment cycle, 15 of 25 patients (60%) had achieved an adapted ACR Pediatric 50 response, with 4 of them achieving inactive disease status. Response was sustained over time, with 11 of 13 patients able to maintain their response throughout the study. In 8 of the 11 responders who had been receiving steroids at baseline, the steroid dosage was decreased from a mean of 0.38 mg/kg/day to 0.13 mg/kg/day over the first 5 months, and 4 of them were able to discontinue steroids. At a dose of 4 mg/kg of canakinumab given subcutaneously every 4 weeks, the median percentage of patients predicted to relapse within 4 weeks was estimated to be 6% (95% confidence interval 1-21). Therapy was generally well tolerated and few patients experienced injection-site reactions. CONCLUSION Canakinumab has a promising preliminary safety and efficacy profile in this limited cohort. Based on the findings of this trial, further studies in a larger population of children with systemic JIA are warranted.
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION, VIRAL DNA, AND IMMEDIATE EARLY-1 GENE EXPRESSION IN REJECTING RAT LIVER ALLOGRAFTS1

Background. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been linked to acute and chronic rejection. We have previously shown that concomitant rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) infection increases portal inflammation and bile duct destruction in rejecting rat liver allografts. Many of the pro-inflammatory effects of CMV have been attributed to the immediate early (IE) proteins of CMV. We wanted to investigate whether RCMV and IE-1 gene expression persist in the liver graft in our model. Methods. Liver transplantations were performed from PVG (RT1c) into BN (RT1n) rats. One day after transplantation, the rats were infected with RCMV. No immunosuppression was given. The graft infection was studied by viral culture, immunofluorescence, DNA in situ hybridization and RT-PCR for the detection of IE-1 mRNA at various time points. Results. RCMV caused an active infection from 5 days to 2 weeks after transplantation, during which infectious virus was found in the graft. Thereafter the cultures were negative. RCMV antigens and DNA were found in hepatocytes, endothelial, inflammatory, and bile duct cells during the active infection. At 4 weeks, RCMV DNA positive hepatocytes, endothelial, inflammatory, and bile duct cells could still be found, but in much smaller quantities. IE-1 mRNA expression was, however, only detected during the active infection, not at 4 weeks postinfection. Conclusions. RCMV IE-1 expression does not persist in the graft after the active infection, although some viral DNA can be detected in the graft up to 4 weeks. In our model, the CMV-induced increase in graft damage does not seem to require the continued expression of IE-1.
Cytogenetics of Triticum × Dasypyrum hybrids and derived lines

Genomic in situ hybridization was used to study Triticum × Dasypyrum wide hybrids and derived lines. A cytogenetic investigation was carried out in progenies of (i) amphiploids derived from T. turgidum var. durum (T. durum; 2n = 14; genomes AABB) × D. villosum (2n = 14; genome VV), (ii) three-parental hybrids (T. durum × D. villosum) × T. aestivum (2n = 42, genomes A′A′B′B′D′D′), and (iii) T. aestivum aneuploid lines carrying D. villosum chromosomes or chromatin. The amphiploids derived from T. durum × D. villosum showed a stable chromosomal constitution, made up of 14 V chromosomes, 14 chromosomes carrying the wheat A genome and 14 chromosomes carrying the B genome. High karyological instability was observed in the progenies of three-parental hybrids ([T. durum × D. villosum] × T. aestivum). Plants having the expected 14 A chromosomes, 14 B chromosomes, 7 D chromosomes, and 7 V chromosomes were rather rare (4.5%). Many progeny plants (45.5%) had the hexaploid wheat genome with 42 chromosomes and lacked any detectable D. villosum chromatin. Other plants (50%) had 14 A chromosomes and 14 B chromosomes, plus variable numbers of D and V chromosomes, the former being better retained than the latter in most cases. Some T. aestivum lines carrying D. villosum chromosomes or chromatin, as the result of addition, substitution, or recombination events or even a combination of these karyological events, were found to be stable. Other lines were unstable, and these lines carried 1V, 3V, or 5V chromosomes or their portions. Substitution or recombination events where 1V chromosomes were involved could concern the homeologous counterparts in both the A and B and D genomes of wheat. No line could be recovered where the shorter arm of 3V chromosomes was present. Changes in the morphology and banding pattern of V chromosomes were observed in hybrids that did not carry the entire D. villosum complement. By comparing the results of our cytogenetic analyses with certain phenotypic characteristics of the lines studied, genes for discrete traits could be assigned to specific V chromosomes or V chromosome arms. From the frequency of V chromosomes that were involved in chromatin exchanges with or substituted for one of their homeologous counterparts in the A, B, and D wheat genomes, it was inferred that D. villosum belongs to the same phyletic lineage as T. urartu (donor of the A genome of wheat) and Aegilops speltoides (B genome), and that Ae. squarrosa (D genome) diverged earlier from D. villosum.
Rapid evolution of human immunodeficiency virus strains with increased replicative capacity during the seronegative window of primary infection

The relationship between host and virus was examined during the initial stages of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection in a volunteer from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). The individual was asymptomatic and unaware of his infection during an initial donation of blood and inguinal lymphoid tissue. Proviral DNA, however, was present in cells from both sources, HIV RNA was detected in the plasma, and CD4+ cell levels were reduced by approximately 50% compared with previous donations in the MACS. In a second blood donation 12 days later, plasma HIV RNA increased 200-fold in tandem with viral isolates with an increased growth phenotype in vitro. HIV burden was ultimately suppressed upon seroconversion and the emergence of HIV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. These observations provide further evidence that the potential benefits of early treatment may be maximized during the early stages of infection, when viral fitness may be low but is unopposed by immune responses.
A Novel Human Nicotinic Receptor Subunit, α10, That Confers Functionality to the α9-Subunit

We present herein the cloning of the human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α9-ortholog and the identification of a new α-like subunit (α10) that shares 58% identity with α9. Whereas α10 fails to produce functional receptors alone, it promoted robust acetylcholine-evoked currents when coinjected with α9. The presence of α10 modifies the physiological and pharmacological properties of the α9 receptor indicating that the two subunits coassemble in a single functional receptor. Fusing the N-terminal domain of α9 with the rest of the α10-cDNA yielded a functional α9:α10-chimera that displays the acetylcholine binding properties of α9 and ionic pore characteristics of α10-containing receptors. In addition, α9- and α10-subunit mRNAs show limited similar tissue distribution patterns and are expressed in cochlea, pituitary gland, and keratinocytes. These data suggest that, in vivo, α9-containing receptors coassemble with α10-subunit.
Planet-Induced Emission Enhancements in HD 179949: Results from McDonald Observations

Abstract We monitored the Ca ii H and K lines of HD 179949, a notable star in the southern hemisphere, to observe and confirm previously identified planet induced emission (PIE) as an effect of star–planet interaction. We obtained high resolution spectra (R ∼ 53 000) with a signal-to-noise ratio S/N ≳ 50 in the Ca ii H and K cores during 10 nights of observation at the McDonald Observatory. Wide-band echelle spectra were taken using the 2.7-m telescope. Detailed statistical analysis of Ca ii K revealed fluctuations in the Ca II K core attributable to planet induced chromospheric emission. This result is consistent with previous studies by Shkolnik et al. (2003). Additionally, we were able to confirm the reality and temporal evolution of the phase shift of the maximum of star–planet interaction previously found. However, no identifiable fluctuations were detected in the Ca ii H core. The Al i λ3944 Å line was also monitored to gauge if the expected activity enhancements are confined to the chromospheric layer. Our observations revealed some variability, which is apparently unassociated with planet-induced activity.