Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parameter Learning, Sequential Model Selection, and Bond Return Predictability

The paper finds both statistically and economically significant out-of-sample evidence of bond return predictability for a Bayesian investor who learns about parameters, hidden states, and predictive models over time. We find that the factor extracted from a large panel of macroeconomic variables contains rich information on future excess bond returns and that introducing stochastic volatility can improve predictive performance. Interestingly, economic evidence is much more pronounced when we do not impose any investment weight constraints, and there seems to be a squeeze of intermediaries capital and a scarcity of arbitrage capital when investors require extreme long positions. We also document that model combinations work well in predicting excess bond returns.
Gate bias dependence of the substrate signal coupling effect in RF MOSFETs

Analytical expressions for the Y-parameters of RF MOSFETs including the substrate signal coupling effect were systematically derived. The expressions are physically correct and simple enough to be intuitive. With the expressions, how signal coupling occurs through the substrate network of parasitics could be clearly explained in physical terms, for the first time. In particular, we focused on how substrate signal coupling makes an influence on the output admittance of an RF MOSFET as the gate bias varies. The developed theory was verified with S-parameter measurement results.
STAT activation status differentiates leukemogenic from non-leukemogenic stem cells in AML and is suppressed by arsenic in t(6;9)-positive AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by an aberrant self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and a block in differentiation. The major therapeutic challenge is the characterization of the leukemic stem cell as a target for the eradication of the disease. Until now the biology of AML-associated fusion proteins (AAFPs), such as the t(15;17)-PML/RARα, t(8;21)-RUNX1/RUNX1T1 and t(6;9)-DEK/NUP214, all able to induce AML in mice, was investigated in different models and genetic backgrounds, not directly comparable to each other. To avoid the bias of different techniques and models we expressed these three AML-inducing oncogenes in an identical genetic background and compared their influence on the HSC compartment in vitro and in vivo. These AAFPs exerted differential effects on HSCs and PML/RARα, similar to DEK/NUP214, induced a leukemic phenotype from a small subpopulation of HSCs with a surface marker pattern of long-term HSC and characterized by activated STAT3 and 5. In contrast the established AML occurred from mature populations in the bone marrow. The activation of STAT5 by PML/RARα and DEK/NUP214 was confirmed in t(15;17)(PML/RARα) and t(6;9)(DEK/NUP214)-positive patients as compared to normal CD34+ cells. The activation of STAT5 was reduced upon the exposure to Arsenic which was accompanied by apoptosis in both PML/RARα- and DEK/NUP214-positive leukemic cells. These findings indicate that in AML the activation of STATs plays a decisive role in the biology of the leukemic stem cell. Furthermore we establish exposure to arsenic as a novel concept for the treatment of this high risk t(6;9)-positive AML.
Redox Regulation of Inflammatory Processes Is Enzymatically Controlled

Redox regulation depends on the enzymatically controlled production and decay of redox active molecules. NADPH oxidases, superoxide dismutases, nitric oxide synthases, and others produce the redox active molecules superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen sulfide. These react with target proteins inducing spatiotemporal modifications of cysteine residues within different signaling cascades. Thioredoxin family proteins are key regulators of the redox state of proteins. They regulate the formation and removal of oxidative modifications by specific thiol reduction and oxidation. All of these redox enzymes affect inflammatory processes and the innate and adaptive immune response. Interestingly, this regulation involves different mechanisms in different biological compartments and specialized cell types. The localization and activity of distinct proteins including, for instance, the transcription factor NFκB and the immune mediator HMGB1 are redox-regulated. The transmembrane protein ADAM17 releases proinflammatory mediators, such as TNFα, and is itself regulated by a thiol switch. Moreover, extracellular redox enzymes were shown to modulate the activity and migration behavior of various types of immune cells by acting as cytokines and/or chemokines. Within this review article, we will address the concept of redox signaling and the functions of both redox enzymes and redox active molecules in innate and adaptive immune responses.
Recommendations for the management of migraine in paediatric patients

Migraine is a common and disabling condition in children and adolescents. The complexity of migraine on a pathogenetic and clinical level results from the interaction between biological, psychological and environmental factors. Appropriate management requires an individually tailored strategy giving due consideration to both pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures. Ibuprofen (7.5 – 10.0 mg/kg) and acetaminophen (15 mg/kg) are safe and effective, and should be considered for symptomatic treatment. Sumatriptan nasal spray (5 and 20 mg) is also likely to be effective, but at the moment, should be considered for the treatment of adolescents only. With reference to prophylactic drug treatment, the available data suggest that flunarizine (5 mg/day) is likely to be effective and pizotifen and clonidine are likely to be ineffective. The efficacy data regarding propranolol, nimodipine and trazodone are conflicting. Insufficient evidence is available on cyproheptadine, amitriptyline, divalproex sodium, topiramate, levetiracetam, gabapentin or zonisamide. The management of migraine in children needs an individualised therapeutic approach, directed to the whole person of the child, taking into account the developmental perspective and the high rate of psychiatric comorbidities. It is the authors’ opinion that for the prophylaxis of migraine, interventions such as identification and avoidance of trigger factors, regulation of lifestyle, relaxation, biofeedback, cognitive behavioural treatment and psychological or psychotherapeutic interventions (e.g., psychodynamics) could be much more effective than pharmacotherapy.
Hospital-based enhanced surveillance for West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease

SUMMARY Accurate data on the incidence of West Nile virus (WNV) disease are important for directing public health education and control activities. The objective of this project was to assess the underdiagnosis of WNV neuroinvasive disease through laboratory testing of patients with suspected viral meningitis or encephalitis at selected hospitals serving WNV-endemic regions in three states. Of the 279 patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens tested for WNV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, 258 (92%) were negative, 19 (7%) were positive, and two (1%) had equivocal results. Overall, 63% (12/19) of patients with WNV IgM-positive CSF had WNV IgM testing ordered by their attending physician. Seven (37%) cases would not have been identified as probable WNV infections without the further testing conducted through this project. These findings indicate that over a third of WNV infections in patients with clinically compatible neurological illness might be undiagnosed due to either lack of testing or inappropriate testing, leading to substantial underestimates of WNV neuroinvasive disease burden. Efforts should be made to educate healthcare providers and laboratorians about the local epidemiology of arboviral diseases and the optimal tests to be used in different clinical situations.
Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Operating Engineers

&NA; Workers in blue collar occupations have been shown to have higher rates of smokeless tobacco (ST) use compared to other occupational groups. Guided by the Health Promotion Model, the purpose of this study was to understand various factors that predict ST use in Operating Engineers. A cross‐sectional design was used to determine variables related to ST use among Operating Engineers. Engineers (N = 498) were recruited during their 3‐day apprentice certification course to participate in the study. Logistic regression was used to assess the associations between personal, psychological and behavioral characteristics associated with ST use. Past month ST use was reported among 13% of operating engineers surveyed. Multivariate analysis showed that younger age and lower rates of past month cigarette use were significantly associated with ST use, while higher rates of problem drinking were marginally associated with ST use. Operating Engineers are at high risk for using ST products with rates in this sample well over the national average. Work site interventions, which have shown promise in other studies, may be useful in decreasing ST use among this population.
Decreased fibrinolytic potential in patients with idiopathic avascular necrosis and transient osteoporosis of the hip

A thrombotic etiology has been suggested as the cause of idiopathic avascular necrosis of the hip, although the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are unknown. Transient osteoporosis of the hip has also been suggested to represent bone marrow edema that may be related to ischemia. We evaluated four patients with idiopathic avascular necrosis and one patient with transient osteoporosis of the hip for thrombotic potential placing a special emphasis on the fibrinolytic system. All five patients had identifiable abnormalities of fibrinolysis. Four patients had elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI‐1) and one patient had an inadequate increase in tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) post venous occlusion. Serum triglycerides were increased in three of the patients. These findings suggest an association between decreased fibrinolytic potential and the subsequent development of avascular necrosis and transient osteoporosis of the hip. These patients should have an evaluation of the fibrinolytic system with tPA and PAI‐1 levels as well as a lipid profile. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Moderate exercise with a dietary vitamin C and E combination protects against streptozotocin-induced oxidative damage to the blood and improves fetal outcomes in pregnant rats

Abstract A considerable amount of clinical and experimental evidence now exists suggesting that many biochemical pathways strictly associated with diabetes increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, daily moderate exercise and vitamins C and E(VCE ) supplementation can be beneficial to diabetes due to reducing blood glucose and free radical production. In the present study, we investigated the effect of VCE and moderate exercise on lipid peroxidation (MDA) and scavenging enzyme activity in the blood of STZ-induced diabetic pregnant rats. Fifty female Wistar rats were used and were randomly divided into five groups. The first and second were used as the control and pregnant control groups, respectively. The third group was the pregnant diabetic group. The fourth group was the diabetic-pregnant-exercise group. VCE-supplemented feed was given to pregnant-diabetic-exercise rats constituting the fifth group. Animals in the exercised groups were moderately exercised daily on a treadmill (16.1 m/min, 45 min/d) for three weeks (five days a week). Diabetes was induced on day zero of the study. Body weights in the five groups were recorded weekly. Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) samples were taken from all animals on day 20. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in plasma and RBCs, glucose, vitamins A, E and β-carotene in plasma, the number of fetuses, and body weight were lower in pregnant diabetic rats than in control animals, whereas there was a significant increase in platelet counts and plasma and RBC MDA levels. The decreased antioxidant enzymes did not improve through exercise only. However, the decreased vitamins, and increased MDA, glucose levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts were improved either by exercise or exercise plus VCE supplementation. There were no significant changes in the RBC counts and hemoglobin values in the five groups. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that there is an increase in MDA in the blood of diabetic pregnant animals, whereas there is a decrease in the number of fetuses, antioxidant vitamins and enzymes. However, dietary VCE with moderate exercise may strengthen the antioxidant defense system due to reducing ROS. They may play a role in preventing diabetes-related diseases of pregnant subjects.
Stable Fabry-Perot Oscillator of High Combining Efficiency with Multiple Device Inserted in a Dielectric

An axially symmetrical Fabry-Perot oscillator with active devices inserted in a dielectric is investigated in order to combine output powers of many more devices in the microwave and millimeter wave frequency range. The mount structure of the active devices was designed by a numerical calculation using the boundary element method. In the experiments at X-band, the oscillator operated stably when the resonator length of the Fabry-Perot resonator was varied, and almost perfect power combining of sixteen Gunn diodes was achieved.
[Correlation of the anatomo-pathological staging of radical prostatectomy specimens with the amount of cancer in the preoperative sextant biopsy].

OBJECTIVE We assess the value of the percent of cancer in needle cores of sextant biopsy for predicting the risk of extraprostatic extension at radical retropublic prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed prostate needle biopsy findings in 97 patients with prostate cancer T1c-T2, who subsequently underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. In each needle biopsy were assessed, number of cores positive, percent of cores positive, percent cancer in all cores, Gleason score, intraepithelial neoplasia, perineural invasion and vascular invasion. Initial PSA and preoperative clinical stage were incorporated with biopsy results into a univariate and multivariate model to determine the parameters most predictive of pathological stage. RESULTS Of the 97 patients, 72 (74%) had organ confined cancer and 25 (26%) had extraprostatic extension. The average of cores positive for organ confined cancer was 4.2 (median 4) vs. 6.9 (median 6) for extraprostatic extension (p = 0.001), the percent of cores positive for organ confined cancer was 34.9% (median 28) vs. 53.8% (median 46) for extraprostatic extension (p = 0.013). The average of cancer in all cores in organ confined cancer was 13.6% (median 6) vs. 30.5% (median 30) for extraprostatic extension (p = 0.002). The mean Gleason score in needle cores was 5.9 (median 6) in organ confined cancer vs. 6.6 (median 7) in extraprostatic extension (p = 0.007). The average of intraepithelial neoplasia in needle cores was 3 (4%) in organ confined cancer vs. 1 (4%) in extraprostatic extension (p = 0.972). The perineural invasion of needle cores was 6 (8.3%) in confined cancer vs. 4 (16%) in extraprostatic extension (p = 0.355). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the risk of extraprostatic extension is predicted by the number of cores positive (p = 0.003), the percent of cores positive (p = 0.006), the percent of cancer in all cores (p = 0.001), the Gleason score (p = 0.002), the clinical stage (p = 0.019) and initial PSA (p = 0.032). Extraprostatic extension is not predicted by the intraepithelial neoplasia (p = 0.971), vascular invasion and perineural invasion (p = 0.285). Multivariate analysis showed that the percent of cancer in all cores is the strongest predictor of extraprostatic extension (p = 0.035). With a percent of cancer less than 3% in the biopsy specimen, the risk of extraprostatic extension is 11.5%. CONCLUSIONS The amount of cancer on preoperative needle sextant biopsy is the strongest predictor of prostate stage, but it is slightly practical at the moment of admitting or to reject a patient for radical prostatectomy.
Clinical decision making in the treatment of mixed states

Abstract Objectives. We reviewed the treatment of bipolar mixed states using efficacy data of licensed and non-licensed physical or pharmacological treatments. Methods. We conducted a literature search to identify published studies reporting data on mixed states. Grading was done using an in-house level of evidence and we compared the efficacy with treatment recommendations of mixed states in current bipolar disorder guidelines. Results. A total of 133 studies reported data on mixed states, and seven guidelines differentiate the acute treatment of mixed states from pure states. The strongest evidence in treating co-occurring manic and depressive symptoms was for monotherapy with aripiprazole, asenapine, extended release carbamazepine, valproate, olanzapine, and ziprasidone. Aripiprazole was recommended in three guidelines, asenapine in one, and carbamazepine and ziprasidone in two. As adjunctive treatment, the strongest evidence of efficacy was for olanzapine plus lithium or valproate. For maintenance, there is evidence for the efficacy of monotherapy with valproate, olanzapine, and quetiapine. In the six guidelines valproate or olanzapine are first line monotherapy options; one recommends quetiapine. Recommended add-on treatments are lithium or valproate plus quetiapine. Conclusions. There is a lack of studies designed to address the efficacy of medications in mixed affective symptoms. Guidelines do not fully reflect the current evidences.
Readability assessment of internet‐based patient education materials related to endoscopic sinus surgery

Numerous professional societies, clinical practices, and hospitals provide Internet‐based patient education materials (PEMs) to the general public, but not all of this information is written at a reading level appropriate for the average patient. The National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Health and Human Services recommend that PEMs be written at or below the sixth‐grade level. Our purpose was to assess the readability of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS)‐related PEMs available on the Internet and compare readability levels of PEMs provided by three sources: professional societies, clinical practices, and hospitals.
The use of a photoprotective agent to increase the color stability of a tinted extraoral prosthetic silicone.

PURPOSE This study investigated the use of ultraviolet-absorbing or photoprotective agents as a method of decreasing the color changes caused by ultraviolet radiation on an intrinsically tinted facial prosthetic material. MATERIALS AND METHODS Silastic MDX 4-4210 (Dow Corning Corp, Midland, MI) was the facial prosthetic material studied. It was intrinsically tinted with talc and nylon flock to approximate the color of skin. Three brands of commercially available sunscreens with sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 were placed on the surface of the cured silicone samples. The samples were rotated in an ultraviolet radiation chamber for 300 hours. A control group was placed in the dark for 300 hours. The second phase of the experiment had para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) added to the tinted silicone. All samples were measured with a spectrophotometer at the beginning and at the end of 300 hours, and a delta E was obtained. RESULTS None of the sunscreens provided any ultraviolet radiation protection to the silicone. The addition of PABA caused a significant color degradation of the silicone. CONCLUSIONS No photoprotective agent tested provided any significant level of ultraviolet radiation protection for silastic MDX 4-4210.
Institutional Characteristics and Student Retention: What Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Reveals about Online Learning.

Online course delivery continues to grow as a viable means of providing increased educational access to more students, but low student retention rates remain a major challenge. In this study, key institutional characteristics that influence student retention in postsecondary education are analyzed. These are student-faculty ratio, graduation rate, acceptance rate, enrollment rate, institutional aid rate, default rate, and institution type. Using multivariable regression analysis, our findings show that graduation rate, default rate, and college type were significantly associated with retention rate among online degreegranting institutions. Furthermore, graduation rate was found to be strongly positively linearly related with retention rate, while default rate was strongly negatively linearly related with retention rate. Overall these findings have direct implications on the planning and management of online instruction.
Exploring Freeform Deformation Capabilities in Aerodynamic Shape Parameterization

Efficient shape parameterization is a key issue in the design optimization of aerodynamic shapes. Freeform deformation technique (FFD), receives a growing interest in the field of aerodynamic shape parameterization. In this work an experimental study is performed, in order to explore the capabilities of FFD in the aerodynamic shape parameterization field. FFD technique is compared to the classical parameterization technique with B-splines, by performing airfoil recovery tests, with a differential evolution algorithm to serve as the optimizer
A new device for the treatment of coloproctostomic stricture after double stapling anastomoses.

OBJECTIVE A new device of staple cutter was developed to evaluate the clinical effect for the treatment of rectal stricture after the double stapling anastomosis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA The double stapling technique has become an established reconstruction method for patients with low anterior resection. The major complication of anastomotic stricture associated with circular stapling has been reported to be harmful and distressing. Because underlying mechanisms of stricture are not well understood, no prophylactic means have been developed and this results in postoperative dilation still being the only treatment available. Although various dilation methods are used for the treatment of stricture, none is fully satisfactory. METHODS Low anterior resection was performed in 30 patients with rectal carcinoma using a double stapling technique. First, the incidence of the anastomotic stricture and the clinical factors that contribute to the stricture formation were studied. Second, the clinical effects and advantages of the treatment of coloproctostomic stricture using the newly developed device (staple cutter) were evaluated. RESULTS Nine (30%) of 30 patients had anastomotic stricture with the symptom of distressing frequent bowel movement. There was no significant relation between the clinical factors and the stricture when compared with that of nonstricture patients. Excellent dilation was performed in all of the nine strictures using the staple cutter, and the symptom of stricture disappeared dramatically in eight patients (89%) within 1 week. The recurrence of stricture occurred in two patients; however, it has not been observed after one further use of this treatment. The staple cutter is safe and easy to use even at the bedside, and except for a conventional anoscope, no special equipment, including fluoroscope, was needed. CONCLUSIONS From the significant effects and advantages, the procedure using staple cutter is recommended highly for the treatment of circular stapling anastomotic stricture of the rectum.