Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urban network analysis. A new toolbox for ArcGIS

This paper introduces an open-source Urban Network Analysis (UNA) toolbox for ArcGIS. The toolbox can be used to compute five types of network centrality measures on spatial networks: Reach; Gravity Index; Betweenness; Closeness; and Straightness. Though primarily developed for the analysis of urban street- and building-networks, the tools are equally suited for other spatial networks, such as railway networks, highway networks, or utility networks. Unlike previous network centrality tools that operate with two network elements (nodes and edges), the UNA tools include a third network element – buildings – that can be used as the spatial units of analysis for all measures. Two neighboring buildings on the same street segment can therefore obtain different accessibility results. The UNA tools also allow buildings to be weighted according to their particular characteristics – more voluminous, more populated, or otherwise more important buildings can be specified to have a proportionately stronger effect on the analysis outcomes, yielding more accurate and reliable results to any of the specified measures. The toolbox is built for easy scaling – it can operate on small-scale and detailed networks of dense urban areas, as well as large-scale regional networks. The toolbox requires ArcGIS 10 software with an ArcGIS Network Analyst Extension.
Tunable polarization oscillations in resonantly pumped spin-VCSELs

Spin-polarized vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (spin-VCSELs) offer the opportunity to generate high frequency polarization modulation dynamics, potentially enabling ultrafast optical communications. We use pulsed circular polarized optical pumping, leading to a transient spin imbalance in the carrier-spin-photon system via the optical selection rules. This results in an oscillation in the circular polarization degree. We employ a single-mode oxide-confined 850 nm VCSEL. In earlier work [1] we showed that the resonance frequency of the polarization oscillations is determined by the birefringence-induced mode splitting of the two linearly polarized VCSEL cavity modes. The polarization oscillation frequency was tunable up to 44 GHz by applying external strain. Furthermore, the polarization oscillation can be switched on and off by multiple pulses, leading to short polarization bursts [2].
Health-care associated infection in the newly-opened intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND Health-care associated infections (HAI) are common complications in ICU patients as an effect of high invasive device utilization rate. The aim of the study was to analyze the epidemiology of ventilator - associated pneumonia (VAP), blood stream infections (BSI), urinary tract infections (UTI) and surgical site infections (SSI) in newly opened medical-surgical intensive care unit. METHODS VAP, BSI, UTI and SSI were detected and registered by hospital Infection Control Team according to CDC criteria during first 12 months following opening of new ICU. RESULTS During 12-month period HAI was diagnosed in 44 out of 168 patients (26%). The ventilator utilization rate was 72%. The incidence density of VAP was 15.5/1000 ventilator days. The central line utilization was 100%. The BSI rate was 5/1000 catheter days. The urinary catheter utilization was 95%. The UTI rate was 1.9/1000 catheterization days. In 8 out of 60 surgical patients SSI occurred (13%). The most common isolates were Gram negative bacteria. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of VAP was higher than the mean values reported for USA, western Europe and similar to the mean value reported for developing countries. BSI and UTI rate was comparable to those given in NNIS and HELICS reports. Effective prevention strategies should be introduced in order to reduce high VAP rates
NKG2D blockade attenuated cardiac allograft vasculopathy in a mouse model of cardiac transplantation

A previous paper has reported that blockade of NKG2D was effective in protecting allograft in murine models of cardiac transplantation, but the mechanism of NKG2D blockade on attenuated cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) was still unknown. In our current study, we found that wild‐type recipients treated with anti‐NKG2D monoclonal antibody (mAb) plus cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)‐4‐immunoglobulin (I)g showed prolonged allograft survivals (>90 days, P < 0·001) significantly and attenuated CAV. These in‐vivo results correlated with reduced alloantibody production, low expression of interleukin (IL)‐17 and IL‐6, while infiltration of regulatory T cells increased. IL‐6 administration induced shorter allograft survival and higher CAV grade in CTLA‐4–Ig plus anti‐NKG2D mAb‐treated recipients, whereas IL‐17 had no significant effect on allograft survival and CAV grade in CTLA‐4–Ig plus anti‐NKG2D mAb‐treated recipients. Furthermore, the prolonged allograft survival induced by NKG2D blockade was abrogated partially with depletion of regulatory T cells. In conclusion, blockade of NKG2D combined with CTLA‐4–Ig attenuated CAV and this effect was associated with lower alloantibody production, inhibited IL‐6 expression and enhanced expansion of regulatory T cells.
Summary Of: Tariff Reduction and Employment in Canadian Manufacturing, 1988-1994

This article summarizes findings from the research paper entitled: Tariff Reduction and Employment in Canadian Manufacturing, 1988-1994. At the end of the 1980s, Canada and the United States reached an agreement to phase out import tariffs over a 10-year period beginning January 1st, 1989. This tariff reduction scheme was a major centre-piece of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The implementation of the FTA was followed by a recession, characterized by massive job cuts in manufacturing industries, which led to suggestions that employment losses were related to the reduction of trade barriers. Research on firm output and survival (Gu, Sawchuk and Whewell, 2003; Baggs, 2004) suggests the impact of tariff changes was different across industries and across firms within industries. Using firm-level data, this study investigates the impact of reduced Canadian and U.S. tariffs on Canadian manufacturing employment. The study also asks whether the impact was heterogeneous across firms with various productivity and leverage characteristics.
Consensus and Controversy in the Management of Pediatric Crohn Disease: An International Survey

ObjectivesTreatment options for patients with Crohn disease (CD) have expanded, but the use of some of these options in pediatric patients remains controversial. The authors evaluate current trends in treatment and areas of consensus or controversy. MethodsAn international survey of certified pediatric gastroenterologists was conducted using an e-mail questionnaire in an attempt to evaluate management of active Crohn disease, attitudes toward four types of therapy, and prevalence of testing for osteopenia and 6-thioguanine levels. ResultsOne hundred sixty-seven physicians from the United States, Canada, Western Europe, and Israel were included. The majority of North American physicians (71%) prefer to use conventional steroids and azathioprine (AZA) before nutritional therapy or budesonide for patients with mild to moderately active disease, versus 21% of Western Europeans (P < 0.001). Western Europeans prefer nutritional therapy followed by budesonide or steroids for those with mild or moderate disease. Only 4% of North American gastroenterologists use nutritional therapy frequently versus 62% of their Western European colleagues (P < 0.001). Infliximab was thought to be effective for steroid-unresponsive disease by almost all physicians surveyed, although its efficacy as a maintenance therapy was rated higher by North American physicians than by their Western European and Israeli colleagues (P < 0.01). Bone mineral density is routinely evaluated by about 45% of physicians in Western Europe and North America. ConclusionsAttitudes toward current therapies vary significantly by region, with North Americans strongly favoring corticosteroids followed by immunomodulatory therapy, and Western Europeans favoring nutritional therapy or budesonide and the avoidance of conventional corticosteroids.
Uncertainty Monitoring in Sprague-Dawley Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

ii DEDICATION iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv TABLE OF CONTENTS v LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES vi GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 What is Metacognition? 1 Evolutionary Roots of Metacognition 3 Comparative Research in Uncertainty Monitoring 4 METHOD 18 Subjects 18 Apparatus 18 Procedure 19 Pilot Study 20 Testing 28 RESULTS 29 DISCUSSION 34 REFERENCES 42
Isolation and biochemical characterization of underwater adhesives from diatoms

Many aquatic organisms are able to colonize surfaces through the secretion of underwater adhesives. Diatoms are unicellular algae that have the capability to colonize any natural and man-made submerged surfaces. There is great technological interest in both mimicking and preventing diatom adhesion, yet the biomolecules responsible have so far remained unidentified. A new method for the isolation of diatom adhesive material is described and its amino acid and carbohydrate composition determined. The adhesive materials from two model diatoms show differences in their amino acid and carbohydrate compositions, but also share characteristic features including a high content of uronic acids, the predominance of hydrophilic amino acid residues, and the presence of 3,4-dihydroxyproline, an extremely rare amino acid. Proteins containing dihydroxyphenylalanine, which mediate underwater adhesion of mussels, are absent. The data on the composition of diatom adhesives are consistent with an adhesion mechanism based on complex coacervation of polyelectrolyte-like biomolecules.
Protective salivary immunoglobulin A responses against Streptococcus mutans infection after intranasal immunization with S. mutans antigen I/II coupled to the B subunit of cholera toxin

The B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) has been shown to augment mucosal responses to microbial virulence antigens, including those of Streptococcus mutans, which is the principal etiologic agent of dental caries. In the present study, the surface fibrillar protein antigen of S. mutans, antigen I/II (Ag I/II), was chemically coupled to CTB (Ag I/II-CTB), and the conjugate was examined for its effectiveness in inducing salivary immune responses protective against S. mutans infection. Weanling Fischer rats were given Ag I/II-CTB (50 micrograms) by the intranasal route and then orally infected with a virulent strain of S. mutans. Gnotobiotic or conventional rats were given two or three additional immunizations, respectively, at about 2-week intervals. One week after each immunization, individual serum, saliva, and fecal samples were collected and stored frozen until assayed for antibody activity to Ag I/II and cholera toxin (CT) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The rats were sacrificed 1 week after the last immunization, when mandibles were also collected from individual rats for assessment of S. mutans levels in plaque and caries activity. Rats immunized only or both immunized and infected showed a salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-Ag I/II response which reached significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels than those seen in nonimmunized, infected controls. A salivary IgA anti-Ag I/II response was also seen in rats infected only with S. mutans. Essentially no salivary antibody activity to CT was detected. Some serum anti-Ag I/II and anti-CT responses were seen in immunized animals. Serum IgG anti-Ag I/II responses were seen in immunized, infected rats and also in infected-only rats, suggesting that the responses were a result of infection with S. mutans. The immunized and infected rats had significantly (P < 0.05) lower levels of S. mutans in plaque and lower caries activity than nonimmunized, infected rats. These results indicated that intranasal immunization of rats with Ag I/II-CTB induced a protective salivary immune response which was associated with a reduction in S. mutans colonization and S. mutans-induced dental caries.
The Effect of Circumcision Status on Periurethral and Glanular Bacterial Flora

Introduction: Circumcision is a historical operation which is still performed for different purposes. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in periurethral and glanular sulcus flora due to circumcision to determine the role of circumcision on urinary tract infections (UTIs). Patients and Methods: Fifty patients who were circumcised for social-religious reasons between January 2000 and January 2001 were evaluated in this prospective study. Two swabs were taken from the periurethral and glanular sulcus regions both just before circumcision and 4 weeks after, and the bacteria cultured were recorded. Results: We isolated pathogenic bacteria in the periurethral region of 32 (64%) patients (enterococci in 14 cases; Escherichia coli in 12 cases) before circumcision, and this number decreased to 5 (10%) after circumcision. Similarly, pathogenic bacteria were cultured from the glanular sulcus swabs of 33 (68%) patients (enterococci in 14 cases; E. coli in 10 cases), as well as coagulase-negative staphylococci in another 15 patients before circumcision. Following circumcision, we detected pathogenic bacteria in the glanular cultures of only 4 cases, whereas 40 children had non-pathogenic skin flora. Only 1 of 5 children with history of UTIs (n = 1) and retractable phimosis (n = 4) had periurethral pathogenic bacteria (Proteus spp.) in the post-circumcision period. The differences between pre- and post-circumcision values of the pathogenic bacterial colonizations were statistically significant in both groups sampled (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Non-circumcised patients have similar pathogenic bacterial colonizations in the periurethral and the inner preputial regions, although they have no phimosis. The origin of periurethral flora should be the deeper preputial regions. The flora greatly changed with skin commensals after circumcision. Circumcision might be beneficial from this point of view.
ACTIVITY OF LDH ISOENZYMES IN DIARRHOEIC CALVES

The aim of the study was to determine the level of homeostatic disturbances during the course of diarrhoea in calves. In the study there were examined 20 H-F calves divided into two groups: 10 clinically healthy and 10 with symptoms of diarrhoea. Acid-base balance parameters, electrolyte concentration, and AST, ALP and LDH activity were measured in the blood of all calves. LDH was also separated into its isoenzymatic fractions. Decompensated metabolic acidosis was found in all calves having diarrhoea as well as decreased level of Na + and Cl - and an increased concentration of K + . There was also an increase in the activity of AST and ALP. An increase in LDH1 activity together with a decrease in LDH5 activity was found during separation of LDH isoenzymes.
Does Information Asymmetry Matter in Emerging Markets? Evidence from Six Latin American Stock Markets

Does informed trading affect emerging stock markets? Market microstructure literature establishes that information asymmetry reduces liquidity and moves prices in the direction of the trade. We test for this theoretical implication by running the dynamic PIN model of Easley, Engle, O’Hara y Wu (2008), for stocks of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. We use panel data models to test for the relation between PIN, as a measure of information asymmetry, bid-ask spreads, as a measure of liquidity, and returns. The reported results confirm the mentioned theoretical implications, the empirical validity dynamic PIN model, and contribute to a better understanding of price formation in emerging markets.
Hydroxylation of C–H bonds at carboxylate-bridged diiron centres

Nature uses carboxylate-bridged diiron centres at the active sites of enzymes that catalyse the selective hydroxylation of hydrocarbons to alcohols. The resting diiron(III) state of the hydroxylase component of soluble methane monooxygenase enzyme is converted by two-electron transfer from an NADH-requiring reductase into the active diiron(II) form, which subsequently reacts with O2 to generate a high-valent diiron(IV) oxo species (Q) that converts CH4 into CH3OH. In this step, C–H bond activation is achieved through a transition state having a linear C⋯H⋯O unit involving a bound methyl radical. Kinetic studies of the reaction of Q with substrates CH3X, where X=H, D, CH3, NO2, CN or OH, reveal two classes of reactivity depending upon whether binding to the enzyme or C–H bond activation is rate-limiting. Access of substrates to the carboxylate-bridged diiron active site in the hydroxylase (MMOH) occurs through a series of hydrophobic pockets. In the hydroxylase component of the closely related enzyme toluene/o-xylene monooxygenase (ToMOH), substrates enter through a wide channel in the α-subunit of the protein that tracks a course identical to that found in the structurally homologous MMOH. Synthetic models for the carboxylate-bridged diiron centres in MMOH and ToMOH have been prepared that reproduce the stoichiometry and key geometric and physical properties of the reduced and oxidized forms of the proteins. Reactions of the diiron(II) model complexes with dioxygen similarly generate reactive intermediates, including high-valent species capable not only of hydroxylating pendant C–H bonds but also of oxidizing phosphine and sulphide groups.
The global childhood obesity epidemic and the association between socio-economic status and childhood obesity

Abstract This paper describes the current prevalence and time trends of childhood obesity worldwide, and the association between childhood obesity and socio-economic status (SES). Childhood obesity has become a global public health crisis. The prevalence is highest in western and industrialized countries, but still low in some developing countries. The prevalence also varies by age and gender. The WHO Americas and eastern Mediterranean regions had higher prevalence of overweight and obesity (30–40%) than the European (20–30%), south-east Asian, western Pacific, and African regions (10–20% in the latter three). A total of 43 million children (35 million in developing countries) were estimated to be overweight or obese; 92 million were at risk of overweight in 2010. The global overweight and obesity prevalence has increased dramatically since 1990, for example in preschool-age children, from approximately 4% in 1990 to 7% in 2010. If this trend continues, the prevalence may reach 9% or 60 million people in 2020. The obesity–SES association varies by gender, age, and country. In general, SES groups with greater access to energy-dense diets (low-SES in industrialized countries and high-SES in developing countries) are at increased risk of being obese than their counterparts.
Noncoherent Detection in Massive MIMO Systems

Massive MIMO, where base stations are equipped with a very large number of receive antennas, is a promising approach to increase the spectral efficiency in non-cooperative multi-user MIMO systems. In this context, the biggest challenge is to perform accurate channel estimation in order to implement coherent detection. On the one hand, the required pilot signaling overhead significantly limits the number of served users. On the other hand, the complexity of channel estimation dramatically increases as the number of receive antennas and/or users increase. Exploiting the similarity of massive MIMO systems to impulse-radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) communications, we present noncoherent detection schemes for massive MIMO systems, which avoid explicit channel estimation. In particular, autocorrelation-based (sorted) decision-feedback differential detection is adopted to the system at hand.
Designing TRL standards for accurate measurements of 120° accesses CPW devices

CPW devices with orthogonal or bended accesses (120° in our case) measurements after VNA calibration with conventional (straight) set of standards may generate additional errors. The design and the characterization of first calibration standards with 120° accesses are proposed. These standards will be used for 2-ports vector network analyzer TRL calibration. This work concerns S-parameters measurements of bended accesses planar devices in the range 20 GHz to 67 GHz.
Ethnic differences in the expression of neurodegenerative disease: Machado‐Joseph disease in Africans and Caucasians

We describe several families of African origin with SCA3/Machado‐Joseph disease gene expansions. In these cases, the phenotype ranges from ataxia with parkinsonian signs to a syndrome clinically almost indistinguishable from idiopathic, L‐dopa–responsive Parkinson's disease. In contrast, these parkinsonian phenotypes are rare in those of European descent. Haplotype analysis shows that these African families do not share a common founder, thus a cis‐acting element in the promoter is unlikely to be responsible these unusual presentations. We suggest that trans‐acting factors are responsible for the variable phenotype and discuss the implications of diseases showing racially different expressivities. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Street Effective Tax Rates : Informative or Opportunistic ?

This study examines the extent to which Street effective tax rates (ETRs) provide information about future cash tax payments, and whether the informational role is reduced in settings where analysts are more likely to provide opportunistic Street ETRs. We find higher Street ETRs are associated with greater future cash tax payments after controlling for GAAP ETR, suggesting that Street ETRs provide incremental information about future cash tax payments. Importantly, we provide evidence that the informativeness of Street ETRs is not reduced in cases where analysts have strong incentives to provide opportunistic Street ETRs or provide incomeincreasing Street ETRs. In cross-sectional analyses we find that Street ETRs are incrementally more informative and GAAP ETRs are incrementally less informative in settings where GAAP accounting for income taxes is more complex. Overall, our results suggest that Street ETRs are informative and that, on average, analysts do not make opportunistic adjustments in reaching Street ETRs.
Effects of cannabidiol in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease: An exploratory double-blind trial

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) has a progressive course and is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Although no neuroprotective treatments for PD have been found to date, the endocannabinoid system has emerged as a promising target. Methods: From a sample of 119 patients consecutively evaluated in a specialized movement disorders outpatient clinic, we selected 21 PD patients without dementia or comorbid psychiatric conditions. Participants were assigned to three groups of seven subjects each who were treated with placebo, cannabidiol (CBD) 75 mg/day or CBD 300 mg/day. One week before the trial and in the last week of treatment participants were assessed in respect to (i) motor and general symptoms score (UPDRS); (ii) well-being and quality of life (PDQ-39); and (iii) possible neuroprotective effects (BDNF and H1-MRS). Results: We found no statistically significant differences in UPDRS scores, plasma BDNF levels or H1-MRS measures. However, the groups treated with placebo and CBD 300 mg/day had significantly different mean total scores in the PDQ-39 (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings point to a possible effect of CBD in improving quality of life measures in PD patients with no psychiatric comorbidities; however, studies with larger samples and specific objectives are required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.