Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum modulates mast cell responses to IgE antigen stimulation

Serum induces the expression of the fos and jun gene families, which encode the transcription factor AP‐1. Since we previously found that activation of mast cells by IgE‐antigen (Ag) induces the mRNA accumulation of c‐fos, c‐jun, junB and junD proto‐oncogenes, we were prompted to investigate whether serum could affect such accumulation in these cells. In addition, we investigated whether serum could modulate inhibition of DNA synthesis in immunologically stimulated mast cells.
Essays on the political economy of sovereign debt and default

OF THE DISSERTATION Essays on the Political Economy of Sovereign Debt and Default by Antonio Cusato Novelli Dissertation Director: Roberto Chang This dissertation studies the relation between political factors (political instability, political fragmentation, policy gridlock and the political color of parties) and fiscal policy outcomes (tax rates, debt levels, default episodes). The second chapter studies the empirical aspects of the aforementioned relation. The third chapter studies how policy gridlock affects tax policy and sovereign default. The last chapter studies the relation between political instability and fragmentation and sovereign debt and default. Some Empirical Evidence on the Political Economy of Sovereign Debt and Default The most well-known political economy theory of debt accumulation is the common pool problem of debt (Weingast et al., 1981; Velasco, 2000). This theory has been tested for advanced economies, mainly in parliamentary systems, and there is empirical evidence that supports its conclusions. However, when data on political parties for emerging economies has been used, there is no support for the predictions of the theory (Stein et al., 1998; Elgie and McMenamin, 2008; Eslava and Nupia, 2010). This should not be surprising, because emerging markets are characterized by presidential systems, where the number of parties in the current government coalition does not play a crucial role in terms of the budget (the most common measure of political fragmentation). In this chapter presents alternative measures for political instability and fragmentation. The effective number of the political parties in power (or in the executive) is the proxy
Migraine Genetics: Part II

Migraine clusters in families and is considered to be a strongly heritable disorder. Hemiplegic migraine is a rare subtype of migraine with aura that may occur as a familial or a sporadic condition. Three genes have been identified studying families with familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM). The first FHM gene that was identified is CACNA1A. A second gene, FHM2, has been mapped to chromosome 1 q 21‐23. The defect is a new mutation in the α2 subunit of the Na/K pump (ATP1A2). A third gene (FHM3) has been linked to chromosome 2q24. It is due to a missense mutation in gene SCN1A (Gln1489Lys), which encodes an α1 subunit of a neuronal voltage‐gated Na+ channel. Genome‐wide association studies have identified many non‐coding variants associated with common diseases and traits, like migraine. These variants are concentrated in regulatory DNA marked by deoxyribonuclease I hypersensitive sites. A role has been suggested for the two‐pore domain potassium channel, TWIK‐related spinal cord potassium channel. TWIK‐related spinal cord potassium channel is involved in migraine by screening the KCNK18 gene in subjects diagnosed with migraine.
Curved Reflection Symmetric Axes on Free-Form Surfaces and Their Extraction

Feature detection on smooth free-form surfaces is much more difficult than that on shapes with sharp features. In this paper, we extract the curved reflection axes (CRAs) of an arbitrary free-form surface as features if they exist. The extraction result is robust to boundary noises and strongly sensitive to extrinsic properties of the surface such as projected normals and curvatures. Compared with the general reflection symmetry, curved reflection symmetry is defined to be a reflection symmetry along a smooth 3D embedded curve instead of a plane, where any point on the curve is a local reflection center for some surface points. The properties of the curved reflection symmetric axis are analyzed, and a novel computational model for detecting and extracting CRAs on free-form surfaces is presented. The experimental results are then compared with both the medial axis and the intrinsic symmetric axis, which are two popular feature representations of 3D shapes, and the advantages and uniqueness of the proposed method are convincingly demonstrated. An application of the proposed method in sweep scanning is also presented. Other applications of the proposed method include feature extraction, shape symmetrization, segmentation, and registration.Note to Practitioners—This paper was originally motivated by the stylus path planning problem in sweep scanning on curved surfaces (which is a new surface inspection technology), though it is also applicable to shape registration and matching. Traditional coordinate measuring machine inspection of curved surfaces depends heavily on manual intervention, resulting in a very slow and tedious process and the acquired data are prone to inconsistency due to the discontinuous nature of the operation. In contrast, sweep scanning adopts a configuration of a deflectable stylus mounted on a motorized articulating head with two rotary axes inside, which enables the stylus tip to follow a continuous path without having to leave the surface. The head itself is mounted on an xyz table. During a sweep scanning, the head slowly moves on the xyz table (which is heavy and has stringent dynamic constraints due to its large mass) along a nominal path, while the stylus (which is extremely light) quickly oscillates in a direction transverse to the path of the head. The proposed curved reflection axis offers to be a powerful algebraic model for generating a nominal head path for sweep scanning. The reported work is preliminary though, especially in terms of covering the entire surface and also considering the specific length of the stylus, which will be our future work.
Novel sensor system for leakage current detection on insulator strings of overhead transmission lines

We report the development of a measurement system capable of monitoring and characterizing the main features of the leakage current flowing on a polluted insulator string of a high-voltage transmission line. The system comprises a fiber-optic sensor, directly connected to one insulator of the string, that emits a sample of the leakage current waveform to a processing module via an optical link. A capacitive sensor connected to the processing module allows recording the relative humidity of the outer environment. At the present stage, six measurement units have been deployed on CHESF's electrical transmission system in the Northeast of Brazil, and studies are underway to further correlate the degree of environmental pollution with humidity and leakage current activities on high-voltage insulator strings
Local principal differential analysis: Graphical methods for functional data with covariates

ABSTRACT We focus on principal differential analysis (PDA) of functional data for obtaining a low-dimensional representation of a collection of curves. PDA assumes there exists a linear differential operator that results in the zero-function when it is applied to each of the data curves, or equivalently, that the curves belong to a low-dimensional subspace of a normed linear space. PDA sets out to estimate this linear differential operator from the data and proceeds from there. Our contribution is to explain how subject covariates can be incorporated into a PDA analysis for graphical exploration of patterns in the data.
A Comparison of the Immunochemical Methods, PETINIA and EMIT, With That of HPLC-UV for the Routine Monitoring of Mycophenolic Acid in Heart Transplant Patients

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate particle enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (PETINIA) recently developed for mycophenolic acid (MPA) determination in plasma and to compare it with a reference high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, using samples from heart transplant recipients. The results are presented in the context of PETINIA being compared with enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT). Methods: PETINIA evaluation was performed using 194 routine trough plasma samples at steady state. EMIT was evaluated using 677 samples from 61 steady-state 12-hour profiles obtained from 35 heart transplant patients. Evaluation was undertaken on a Dimension EXL 200 analyzer (PETINIA) and on a Viva-E analyzer (EMIT). Results: The mean MPA concentration measured by PETINIA was significantly higher than that measured by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with UV detector (2.36 ± 1.30 mcg/mL versus 1.82 ± 1.23 mcg/mL, respectively, P < 0.0001). Bland–Altman analysis revealed a mean bias of 0.54 mcg/mL [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.49–0.59] comprising 33.48% (95% CI, 30.34–36.61). Passing–Bablok regression was: y = 1.100x + 0.38 (95% CI for slope: 1.044–1.154 and for intercept: 0.30–0.47). Regardless of a significant observed correlation (r2 = 0.9230, P < 0.0001), the statistical analyses showed a significant difference between PETINIA and the reference chromatographic method. The mean MPA concentration measured by EMIT was significantly higher than that measured by HPLC (7.48 ± 8.34 mcg/mL versus 5.57 ± 6.61 mcg/mL, respectively, P < 0.0001) with a mean bias of 1.91 mcg/mL (95% CI, 1.75–2.07) comprising 35.91% (95% CI, 34.37–37.45). The significant difference between EMIT and HPLC was confirmed by Passing–Bablok regression: y = 1.300x + 0.24 (95% CI for slope: 1.279–1.324 and for intercept: 0.18–0.29). The analysis of the determinations, grouped by sampling time, revealed positive bias between EMIT and HPLC ranging from 24.54% to 42.77% and inversely proportional to MPA concentrations with r2 = 0.9122 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The new immunochemical PETINIA method was associated with significantly higher MPA concentrations in routine therapeutic drug monitoring samples from heart transplant patients. The magnitude of the MPA overestimation was similar to that observed by use of the EMIT method.
Health‐Related Quality of Life in Children with Craniofacial Anomalies

&NA; The purpose of this study was to examine parents' perceptions of the health and health‐related quality of life in a series of children and adolescents with cleft and other craniofacial anomalies. The subjects for this prospective study were a consecutive series of 54 children and adolescents presenting to an outpatient craniofacial anomalies surgery clinic, ages 5 to 18 years (mean, 8.9 ± 4.2 years), 50 percent with cleft lip and/or palate, 9 percent synostotic (two coronal, two bicoronal, and one sagittal), 17 percent syndromic (two Apert, one Crouzon, one Noonan, two Goldenhar, two Smith‐Lemli‐Opitz, and one brachio‐oto‐renal), and 24 percent with other diagnoses. Subjects were divided into two groups, those with primary cleft lip and/or palate and those with other craniofacial anomalies. Health and health‐related quality of life were assessed with the Child Health Questionnaire version PF28, a reliable and valid 28‐Likert‐item questionnaire completed by parents and yielding physical and psychosocial status scale scores. Physical and psychosocial scale scores largely fell within normal limits for the subset of children with cleft lip and/or palate. There were significant group differences in parents’ ratings of global health status, with greater health concerns noted in the noncleft lip and/or palate group. There were no significant associations between either age or sex and physical or psychosocial health. Physical health, behavior, and psychological status were highly correlated. Using a health status and quality‐of‐life assessment instrument, findings indicate perceived health differences between groups with and without primary cleft lip and/or palate. In contrast to normative data with the Child Health Questionnaire, findings suggest that there is a significant association between perceived physical health and psychosocial adjustment in the population of children with craniofacial anomalies. The significant perceived health needs of the non‐cleft lip and/or palate group and the association between physical health and psychological adjustment highlight the importance of the interdisciplinary nature of craniofacial teams. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 110: 409, 2002.)
Ultrastructural Changes and Corneal Wound Healing After SMILE and PRK Procedures

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare keratocyte activation, cellular morphologic changes and wound healing after SMILE and PRK procedures using transmission electron microscope (TEM). Methods: In this study, 22 New Zealand white rabbits (10- to 15-week old) were used. The right eyes of all animals underwent SMILE procedure and the left eyes underwent PRK procedure. Cornea samples taken 1 day and 1 week postoperatively were examined using TEM.Results: Using TEM 1 day after SMILE procedure, the organization of collagen ﬁbers seemed to have been preserved without thermal alterations. Keratocyte activation was observed in the anterior stroma. Disrupted collagen arrangement and debris of cells are visible in the area of damage, and some phagocytic cells and a large number of secondary lysosomes are visible in those cells. At the perimeter zone of the interface, many coenocytes and collagen fragments could be found within the phagocytic cell. One week after SMILE procedure, potential lacuna could be discerned. A large part of the interface of the lenticule extracted had an appearance of clearly being adhered to some mucus secretions. One day after PRK procedure, an irregular epithelial surface was visible using TEM. Keratocytes had been activated and the rough endoplasmic reticulum in those cells had expanded. One week after PRK procedure, the epithelial surface still was irregular and keratinization of the epithelium was still visible in some areas. Corneal endothelium cells were mildly damaged and some vacuoles within the cytoplasm could be discerned. In the anterior stroma, some unhealthy activated keratocytes could still be observed. New collagen fibrils were found present near the activated keratocytes.Conclusion: Using TEM, keratocyte activation could still be observed after SMILE compared to after PRK procedure. Fewer cellular ultrastructural changes were seen after SMILE procedure. Unlike in PRK procedure, no damaged epithelium and endothelium were found after SMILE.
Skin reflectance of children and young adults of Aymara ancestry

The skin reflectance of 556 Andean Indians of Aymara ancestry (305 males, 251 females; 10.0–29.9 yr) residing in La Paz, Bolivia (average altitude of about 3,600 m) is described. Reflectances were measured at three wavelengths (425 nm, 545 nm, and 685 nm) on two different sites, the medial surface of the upper arm and forehead. Males tended to be significantly darker than females on both the upper arm and forehead (P < .05). Female Aymara tended to lighten significantly in skin color with age on both the upper arm and forehead, while males tended to lighten significantly with age only on the upper arm (P < .05). The results of comparisons between three categories based on paternal and maternal surnames (two Aymara surnames, one Aymara and one Spanish surname, and two Spanish surnames) were consistent with the hypothesis that the possession of Spanish surnames is positively related to the degree of European admixture in urban Aymara. However, the extent of admixture within each surname category may differ between rural and urban Aymara, making classification by surnames problematic for rural‐urban comparisons.
THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S IMPLICIT INFLATION TARGET AND MACROECONOMIC DYNAMICS. A SVAR ANALYSIS

This paper identifies shocks to the Federal Reserve's inflation target as VAR innovations that make the largest contribution to future movements in long-horizon inflation expectations. The effectiveness of this scheme is documented via Monte-Carlo experiments. The estimated impulse responses indicate that a positive shock to the target is associated with a large increase in inflation, GDP growth and long-term interest rates. Target shocks are estimated to be a vital factor behind the increase in inflation during the pre-1980 period and are an important driver of the decline in long-term interest rates over the last two decades.
PENGARUH KAPASITAS FISKAL DAERAH DAN PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI DAERAH PADA INDEKS PEMBANGUNAN MANUSIA

This study aims to identify, analyze and obtain empirical evidence about the influence of local fiscal capacity (with the PAD parameter, DAU, DBH) and local economic growth in the HDI in the district / city of Bali province. The research covers eight counties and one city in the province of Bali within the period of observation 2008-2013. The sample used in this study is saturated samples (whole population is used as a sample). This study used secondary data obtained from the Finance Bureau and Badap Bali Provincial Bureau of Statistics. Data analysis techniques used include: classical assumption test, test the coefficient of determination, the F test and t test. The test results indicate that the PAD and DAU and no significant negative effect on the HDI, whereas DBH is positive but not significant effect on the HDI, and the Regional Economic Growth positive and significant impact on the HDI District / City of Bali Province.
Passive Transfer of Immunoglobulin Y Antibody toStreptococcus mutans Glucan Binding Protein B Can Confer Protection against Experimental Dental Caries

ABSTRACT Active immunization with Streptococcus mutans glucan binding protein B (GBP-B) has been shown to induce protection against experimental dental caries. This protection presumably results from continuous secretion of salivary antibody to GBP-B, which inhibits accumulation of S. mutans within the oral biofilm. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of short-term (9- or 24-day) passive oral administration of antibody to S. mutans GBP-B on the longer-term accumulation and cariogenicity ofS. mutans in a rat model of dental caries. Preimmune chicken egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) or IgY antibody to S. mutans GBP-B was supplied in lower (experiment 1) and higher (experiment 2) concentrations in the diet and drinking water of rats for 9 (experiment 1) or 24 (experiment 2) days. During the first 3 days of IgY feeding, all animals were challenged with 5 × 106 streptomycin-resistant S. mutans strain SJ-r organisms. Rats remained infected with S. mutans for 78 days, during which rat molars were sampled for the accumulation ofS. mutans SJ-r bacteria and total streptococci. Geometric mean levels of S. mutans SJ-r accumulation on molar surfaces were significantly lower in antibody-treated rats on days 16 and 78 of experiment 2 and were lower on all but the initial (day 5) swabbing occasions in both experiments. Relative to controls, the extent of molar dental caries measured on day 78 was also significantly decreased. The decrease in molar caries correlated with the amount and duration of antibody administration. This is the first demonstration that passive antibody to S. mutans GBP-B can have a protective effect against cariogenic S. mutans infection and disease. Furthermore, this decrease in infection and disease did not require continuous antibody administration for the duration of the infection period. This study also indicates that antibody to components putatively involved only in cellular aggregation can have a significant effect on the incorporation of mutans streptococci in dental biofilm.
Breaking difficult news in a newborn setting: Down syndrome as a paradigm

Breaking the difficult news of an unexpected diagnosis to parents in the newborn setting is a common occurrence in genetic counseling. Many clinical geneticists and genetic counselors have had the challenge of delivering a postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome to parents of newborns. Down syndrome is a common chromosome condition occurring in approximately 1 in 800 live births. Presenting the diagnosis to families must be accomplished in a supportive, positive, caring, and honest manner. However, there are few scientific data and little instruction in training programs on how best to convey this news in an appropriate manner. Several articles in the literature over the last three decades have proposed various guidelines for the so‐called informing interview. Discussions of parents' preferences and experiences in receiving this news have also been documented. Few reports, however, have focused on breaking difficult news of the diagnosis of a genetic condition to parents in a newborn setting in the genetics literature. In this paper, we will review the medical literature on delivering difficult news, specifically focused on that regarding the diagnosis of Down syndrome in the newborn setting. We propose a theoretical framework from which the informing interview can be planned and future outcome data can be measured. In this way, researchers of this theme can investigate the process, including the healthcare professionals' delivery of difficult news and make recommendations for continued improvement of the process. Our model can be generalized to breaking difficult news for a variety of other congenital conditions. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Blood Pressure Measurements and Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Hemodialysis Patients

In hemodialysis (HD) patients, routine dialysis center blood pressure (BP) measurements may be a poor indicator of BP control. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) improves the predictability of BP as a risk factor for target organ damage. Carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) is an important indicator of asymptomatic atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular events. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the possible association between different BP measurements and carotid IMT in HD patients. Eighty‐five HD patients were included in our study. BP was measured with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer before and after each HD session. The average one‐monthly values of routine BP measurements were also analyzed. 24‐ and 48‐h ABPM was performed after the end of each HD session using non‐invasive ABPM. The average values of systolic and diastolic BP were analyzed separately for the first (HD) and second (interdialytic) days ABPM, and for both days together. Using B‐mode ultrasonography, carotid IMT was measured and plaque occurrence investigated. We found a statistically significant correlation between carotid IMT and the average one‐monthly pre‐HD diastolic BP (P < 0.05), diastolic BP on the HD‐day ABPM, the interdialytic‐day ABPM, and during 48‐h ABPM (P < 0.05). By multiple regression analysis, we found a statistically significant correlation only between carotid IMT and diastolic BP on the HD‐day ABPM, the interdialytic‐day ABPM, and during 48‐h ABPM (P < 0.05). Only longer BP measurements (24‐ and 48‐h ABPM) were associated with carotid IMT in HD patients.