Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On a timescale for the past million years of human history in central South Africa : research article

Located between Danielskuil and Kuruman in the Northern Cape province of South Africa is Wonderwerk Cave, where excavations from 1978 to 1996 revealed a ~6-m depth of deposits made up of nine Major Units (MUs), of which some have been dated by radiocarbon, the U-series method and palaeomagnetism. The lithic succession in those sediments was found to be Later Stone Age in MU1 at 1.0-12.5 kyr ago, Middle Stone Age in MU2 at ~70 to >220 kyr ago, Fauresmith in MUs 3-4 at ~270-c. 500 kyr ago, and very sparse biface assemblages before then to >0.78 Myr BP. Associated behaviours are represented by collected exotic river pebbles and quartz crystals in MUs 2-4, incised lines on portable stones in MUs 1-4, a grass bedding area in MU4, red pigment pieces in MUs 1-7, and traces of the use of fire in MUs 1-9. These findings, as a whole, are taken to support a scenario that sees the upland savannas at the southern end of Africa as a focal region of biocultural evolution over a period extending back to before the onset of the Middle Pleistocene.
MnnFast: A Fast and Scalable System Architecture for Memory-Augmented Neural Networks

Memory-augmented neural networks are getting more attention from many researchers as they can make an inference with the previous history stored in memory. Especially, among these memory-augmented neural networks, memory networks are known for their huge reasoning power and capability to learn from a large number of inputs rather than other networks. As the size of input datasets rapidly grows, the necessity of large-scale memory networks continuously arises. Such large-scale memory networks provide excellent reasoning power; however, the current computer infrastructure cannot achieve scalable performance due to its limited system architecture. In this paper, we propose MnnFast, a novel system architecture for large-scale memory networks to achieve fast and scalable reasoning performance. We identify the performance problems of the current architecture by conducting extensive performance bottleneck analysis. Our in-depth analysis indicates that the current architecture suffers from three major performance problems: high memory bandwidth consumption, heavy computation, and cache contention. To overcome these performance problems, we propose three novel optimizations. First, to reduce the memory bandwidth consumption, we propose a new column-based algorithm with streaming which minimizes the size of data spills and hides most of the off-chip memory accessing overhead. Second, to decrease the high computational overhead, we propose a zero-skipping optimization to bypass a large amount of output computation. Lastly, to eliminate the cache contention, we propose an embedding cache dedicated to efficiently cache the embedding matrix. Our evaluations show that MnnFast is significantly effective in various types of hardware: CPU, GPU, and FPGA. MnnFast improves the overall throughput by up to 5.38×, 4.34×, and 2.01× on CPU, GPU, and FPGA respectively. Also, compared to CPU-based MnnFast, our FPGA-based MnnFast achieves 6.54× higher energy efficiency.
Changes in Rainfall Extremes in Ontario

There is a general consensus that climate change has impact on the intensity and frequency of rainfall events. However, very little research is available about the changes in short term rainfall extremes. The focus of this paper has been on the change in annual and monthly rainfall extremes in Ontario. The results indicate a greater variability (increase and decrease) among stations for shorter durations (15-min, 30-min, and 60-min). There is no obvious regional pattern with possible exception of increasing trends at north-western locations. The monthly rainfall extremes for the months of April and May in the Northwest region are decreasing, for May and October extremes in the southwest region and for April and May extremes in the southeast region are increasing. The August extremes for the southwest and southeast regions are decreasing, and the magnitude of decrease in the southwest region is almost double the magnitude in the southeast region. The decrease in August extremes seems to have a significant impact on the annual extremes in the southwest and southeast regions.
The Impact of Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Support Services on Poverty: The Case of Agrarian Reform Communities in the Philippines

Rural poverty remains one of the biggest challenges in development. It is generally recognized that land reform, in combination with complementary support services and infrastructure development, is effective in reducing rural poverty; however, empirical evidence on the extent of the impacts is limited as are the pathways by which the impacts reach the beneficiaries. This study assesses the impacts of rural infrastructure and supported services provided by the Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP) and financed jointly by the Government of the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Using data from the same 2,290 agrarian reform beneficiaries’ households from two periods, 2001 and 2003, the study found that average annual income increased by 12%. Ownership of both household and production assets increased significantly. Among the project interventions, farm-to-market roads appeared to have the most significant impact on the communities. The benefits of the project interventions, however, were disproportionately captured by the wealthier households, resulting in worsened income distribution in the communities. In the transformation from labor use to more mechanized modes of production and transportation, the poor, i.e., the wage laborers, generally lose out, at least temporarily. Future interventions in rural infrastructure provisions should include measures to assist the poor to increase their capacity to capture the new employment opportunities generated by development interventions. JEL Classification: I32, Q15, R41 ADBI Discussion Paper 110 Sununtar Setboonsarng
New biologics and small molecules in inflammatory bowel disease: an update

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a spectrum of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders with a complex multifactorial pathogenesis, where different pathways may predominate in different individuals. This complexity will most likely require a panoply of drugs targeting different pathways if one wants to treat to steroid-free sustained remission and mucosal healing. Presently, the mainstay of medical management of IBD is based on 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, thiopurines, methotrexate, antitumor necrosis factor, anti-alpha4 beta7 (α4β7) integrin and anti-interleukin (IL)-12/IL-23 therapies. The discovery of new pathways involved in the pathogenesis of IBD resulted in new drugs targeting Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription, IL-6, spingosine-1-phosphate, and phosphodiesterase 4, among others. These new therapies might result in more advantageous safety profiles. Several of these new drugs have already been successfully tested in other inflammatory disorders, such as psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. In this review, evidence from phase II and phase III randomized controlled clinical trials in patients with IBD involving new biologicals and small molecules are summarized.
Structure and constitution of the lower oceanic crust

Vp from 6.g to 6.5 km/s within gO m.y. ; both the mantle and layer 3 are statistically anisotropic. Dredge lithologies consist predominantly of serpentinized ultramafics and mafic igneous rocks ranging from basalt to gabbro, the gabbro often showing evidence of fractionation. Metamorphism of mafic rocks from zeolite to amphibolite facies grade is common. Velocities in oceanic serpentinites and basalts are generally lower than layer 3 refraction velocities. Unaltered gabbros have compressional wave velocities of approximately 7.0 km/s, which is high for layer 3, together with shear wave velocities V, of 3.g km/s and values of Poisson's ratio Uof 0.30. Metabasites containing hornblende and plagioclase have values of Vp = 6.g km/s, V, = 3.g km/s, and u = 0.2g, in good agreement with those of layer 3. On the basis of petrology and velocity it is suggested that layer 3 is composed of hornblende metagabbro underlain by normal gabbro. In a model consistent with geophysical observations of heat flow, seismicity, gravity, and seismic structure at the ridge it is proposed that layer 2 and the upper levels of layer 3 form near the median valley but that deeper levels of layer 3 thicken for 40 m.y. by intermittent offridge intrusion fed from the underlying anomalous mantle. Ophiolites in such a model represent segments of thin immature ridge crest obducted onto continental margins during subduction of a spreading ridge.
Modification of transient state analytical model under different saline groundwater depths, irrigation water salinities and deficit irrigation for quinoa

Salinization of soil is primarily caused by capillary rise from saline shallow groundwater or application of saline irrigation water. In this investigation, the transient state analytical model was modified to predict water uptake from saline shallow groundwater, actual crop evapotranspiration, soil water content, dry matter, seed yield and soil salinity under different saline groundwater depths, irrigation water salinities and deficit irrigation for quinoa. Considering the effect of salinity on soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and maximum root depth in presence of shallow saline groundwater, the model resulted in good agreement between the measured and predicted saline groundwater uptake, soil salinity increase at different groundwater depths (300-800 mm) and water salinity (10-40 dS m -1 ). Therefore, the modified model is applicable for quinoa yield and soil salinity prediction and it could be a valuable tool for soil salinity management in presence of shallow saline groundwater. Furthermore, prediction of quinoa yield by the modified model can be used for better irrigation water salinity management under different saline groundwater depths, irrigation water salinities and deficit irrigation.
Income from Work Among Immigrants in Sweden

This paper uses a two-step Heckman approach to investigate to what extent there are differences in income from work between immigrants and natives in Sweden. Contrary to previous studies this study takes the selection effect, i.e. the probability of having an income from work, into account when calculating the effect on income from work of a change in any of the explanatory variables. Our study shows that when the selection effect is taken into account, the differences in income from work between immigrants and natives are smaller than when the selection effect is not considered. We find that immigrants have a lower income from work than the native population when we control for variables such as schooling, experience, civil status and region of residence. Furthermore, immigrant cohorts with a recent year of immigration have a considerably lower income from work than earlier immigrant cohorts. Copyright 2003 by the International Association for Research in Income and Wealth.
Interleukin-35 as an Emerging Player in Tumor Microenvironment

IL-35 is the newest member of IL-12 family. A dimeric protein consisting of two separate subunits has manifested suppressive actions on immune system, which is counterproductive in the context of cancers. Various reports have confirmed its inhibitory role on immune system which is carried out via formation of IL-35-producing regulatory T cells (iTr35), increased Treg development and suppressive Th17 cells growth. Although last decade has seen a great deal of scientific interest on this subject, the exact role, precise signal transduction and elaborative functions of IL-35 in tumor microenvironment (TME) remained elusive. Search for anti-IL-35 therapies have exhibited limited success in animal models. Contrarily, few studies have denied the idea that IL-35 plays a role in cancer. The purpose of this review is to analyze the reported scientific data on continuous symphony of IL-35 in cancers since the inception of former.
AMPK Inhibition Suppresses the Malignant Phenotype of Pancreatic Cancer Cells in Part by Attenuating Aerobic Glycolysis

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive tumor characterized by enhanced aerobic glycolysis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is identified as a well-known regulator of glycolysis, plays an essential role in tumorigenesis. In the present study, we aim to explore the function of AMPK in pancreatic cancer cells and attempt to clarify the possible underlying mechanism. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data showed that elevated AMPK expression highly correlated with lower median survival time. In an in vitro study, inhibition of AMPK blocked the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of four cell lines under normoxia and hypoxia. Additionally, AMPK suppression led to cell cycle arrest and remarkably induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the lactic acid content, ATP content, and the glucose consumption rate were significantly reduced in all four cell lines under different conditions, accompanied by down-regulation of glycolytic biomarkers including phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR)/total mTOR (t-mTOR), Pyruvate kinase M2 (Pkm2), and Hexokinase 2 (Hk2). Collectively, our data showed that AMPK activation is highly involved in pancreatic cancer progression and exerts its pro-tumorigenic functions partly by sustaining glycolytic activity. Hence, AMPK is expected to be a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
STOCK PRICE FLUCTUATIONS IN PERIODS OF CORPORATE ACQUISITION AND CONTROL: A NEW OUTLOOK FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

How to cite this paper: Ngwakwe, C. C. (2017). Stock price fluctuations in periods of corporate acquisition and control: A new outlook for the board of directors. Corporate Board: role, duties and composition, 13(3), 28-32. http://doi.org/10.22495/cbv13i3art3 Copyright © 2017 The Authors This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b
Numerically investigating the emergent cyclic inflation scenario

We provide a comprehensive numerical study of the emergent cyclic inflation scenario. This is a scenario where instead of traditional monotonic slow roll inflation, the universe expands over numerous short asymmetric cycles due to the production of entropy via interactions among different species. This is one of the very few scenarios of inflation that provides a non-singular geodesically complete space-time and does not require any ‘reheating’ mechanism.
Environmental Specification of Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Endothelial Cells Toward Arterial and Venous Subtypes

Endothelial cells (ECs) are required for a multitude of cardiovascular clinical applications, such as revascularization of ischemic tissues or endothelialization of tissue engineered grafts. Patient derived primary ECs are limited in number, have donor variabilities and their in vitro phenotypes and functions can deteriorate over time. This necessitates the exploration of alternative EC sources. Although there has been a recent surge in the use of pluripotent stem cell derived endothelial cells (PSC-ECs) for various cardiovascular clinical applications, current differentiation protocols yield a heterogeneous EC population, where their specification into arterial or venous subtypes is undefined. Since arterial and venous ECs are phenotypically and functionally different, inappropriate matching of exogenous ECs to host sites can potentially affect clinical efficacy, as exemplified by venous graft mismatch when placed into an arterial environment. Therefore, there is a need to design and employ environmental cues that can effectively modulate PSC-ECs into a more homogeneous arterial or venous phenotype for better adaptation to the host environment, which will in turn contribute to better application efficacy. In this review, we will first give an overview of the developmental and functional differences between arterial and venous ECs. This provides the foundation for our subsequent discussion on the different bioengineering strategies that have been investigated to varying extent in providing biochemical and biophysical environmental cues to mature PSC-ECs into arterial or venous subtypes. The ability to efficiently leverage on a combination of biochemical and biophysical environmental cues to modulate intrinsic arterio-venous specification programs in ECs will greatly facilitate future translational applications of PSC-ECs. Since the development and maintenance of arterial and venous ECs in vivo occur in disparate physio-chemical microenvironments, it is conceivable that the application of these environmental factors in customized combinations or magnitudes can be used to selectively mature PSC-ECs into an arterial or venous subtype.
The School District Superintendent in the United States of America

Follow this and additional works at: http://ecommons.udayton. edu/eda_fac_pub Part of the Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Education Economics Commons, Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons, Higher Education Administration Commons, Other Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, Special Education Administration Commons, and the Urban Education Commons
Anti-complement Treatment for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: Time for Proximal Complement Inhibition? A Position Paper From the SAAWP of the EBMT

The treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria has been revolutionized by the introduction of the anti-C5 agent eculizumab; however, eculizumab is not the cure for Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and room for improvement remains. Indeed, the hematological benefit during eculizumab treatment for PNH is very heterogeneous among patients, and different response categories can be identified. Complete normalization of hemoglobin (complete and major hematological response), is seen in no more than one third of patients, while the remaining continue to experience some degree of anemia (good and partial hematological responses), in some cases requiring regular red blood cell transfusions (minor hematological response). Different factors contribute to residual anemia during eculizumab treatment: underlying bone marrow dysfunction, residual intravascular hemolysis and the emergence of C3-mediated extravascular hemolysis. These two latter pathogenic mechanisms are the target of novel strategies of anti-complement treatments, which can be split into terminal and proximal complement inhibitors. Many novel terminal complement inhibitors are now in clinical development: they all target C5 (as eculizumab), potentially paralleling the efficacy and safety profile of eculizumab. Possible advantages over eculizumab are long-lasting activity and subcutaneous self-administration. However, novel anti-C5 agents do not improve hematological response to eculizumab, even if some seem associated with a lower risk of breakthrough hemolysis caused by pharmacokinetic reasons (it remains unclear whether more effective inhibition of C5 is possible and clinically beneficial). Indeed, proximal inhibitors are designed to interfere with early phases of complement activation, eventually preventing C3-mediated extravascular hemolysis in addition to intravascular hemolysis. At the moment there are three strategies of proximal complement inhibition: anti-C3 agents, anti-factor D agents and anti-factor B agents. These agents are available either subcutaneously or orally, and have been investigated in monotherapy or in association with eculizumab in PNH patients. Preliminary data clearly demonstrate that proximal complement inhibition is pharmacologically feasible and apparently safe, and may drastically improve the hematological response to complement inhibition in PNH. Indeed, we envision a new scenario of therapeutic complement inhibition, where proximal inhibitors (either anti-C3, anti-FD or anti-FB) may prove effective for the treatment of PNH, either in monotherapy or in combination with anti-C5 agents, eventually leading to drastic improvement of hematological response.
Dissecting Allo-Sensitization After Local Administration of Human Allogeneic Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Perianal Fistulas of Crohn's Disease Patients

Adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) are considered minimally immunogenic. This is due to the low expression of human leukocyte antigens I (HLA-I), lack of HLA-II expression and low expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as CD40 and CD80. The low rate of observed immunological rejection as well as the immunomodulatory qualities, position ASC as a promising cell-based therapy for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory indications. Yet, few studies have addressed relevant aspects of immunogenicity such as ASC donor-to-patient HLA histocompatibility or assessment of immune response triggered by ASC administration, particularly in the cases of presensitization. The present study aims to assess allo-immune responses in a cohort of Crohn's disease patients administered with allogeneic ASC (darvadstrocel formerly Cx601) for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas. We identified donor-specific antibodies (DSA) generation in a proportion of patients and observed that patients showing preexisting immunity were prone to generating DSA after allogeneic therapy. Noteworthy, naïve patients generating DSA at week 12 (W12) showed a significant reduction in DSA titer at week 52 (W52), whereas DSA titer was reduced in pre-sensitized patients only with no specificities against the donor administered. Remarkably, we did not observe any correlation of DSA generation with ASC therapeutic efficacy. In vitro complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) studies have revealed limited cytotoxic levels based upon HLA-I expression and binding capacity even in pro-inflammatory conditions. We sought to identify CDC coping mechanisms contributing to the limited cytotoxic killing observed in ASC in vitro. We found that ASC express membrane-bound complement regulatory proteins (mCRPs) CD55, CD46, and CD59 at basal levels, with CD46 more actively expressed in pro-inflammatory conditions. We demonstrated that CD46 is a main driver of CDC signaling; its depletion significantly enhances sensitivity of ASC to CDC. In summary, despite relatively high clearance, DSA generation may represent a major challenge for allogeneic cell therapy management. Sensitization may be a significant concern when evaluating re-treatment or multi-donor trials. It is still unknown whether DSA generation could potentially be the consequence of donor-to-patient interaction and, therefore, subsequently link to efficacy or biological activity. Lastly, we propose that CDC modulators such as CD46 could be used to ultimately link CDC specificity with allogeneic cell therapy efficacy.