Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
West Nile virus-specific immunoglobulin isotype responses in vaccinated and infected horses.

OBJECTIVE To compare antibody responses of horses naturally infected with West Nile virus (WNV) and those vaccinated against WNV, to identify whether vaccination interferes with the ability to diagnose WNV infection, and to determine the duration of antibody responses after vaccination. SAMPLE Sera from horses naturally infected with WNV (n = 10) and adult WNV-naïve horses before and after vaccination with a live canarypox virus-vectored vaccine (7) or a killed virus vaccine (8). PROCEDURES An established WNV IgM capture ELISA was used to measure IgM responses. Newly developed capture ELISAs were used to measure responses of 8 other WNV-specific immunoglobulin isotypes. A serum neutralization assay was used to determine anti-WNV antibody titers. RESULTS WNV-specific IgM responses were typically detected in the sera of WNV-infected horses but not in sera of horses vaccinated against WNV. Natural infection with and vaccination against WNV induced an immunoglobulin response that was primarily composed of IgG1. West Nile virus-specific IgG1 was detected in the sera of most horses 14 days after vaccination. Serum anti-WNV IgG1 and neutralizing antibody responses induced by the killed-virus vaccines were higher and lasted longer than did those induced by the live canarypox virus-vectored vaccine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE On the basis of these findings, we recommend that horses be vaccinated against WNV annually near the beginning of mosquito season, that both IgM and IgG1 responses against WNV be measured to distinguish between natural infection and vaccination, and that a WNV IgG1 ELISA be used to monitor anti-WNV antibodies titers in vaccinated horses.
The German generation internship and the minimum wage introduction: evidence from big data

ABSTRACT The new German minimum wage applies a specific exemption clause for internships, where internships that last up to three months are exempted while internships that exceed three months are due to the minimum wage. Negative minimum wage effects on internships are heavily debated as internships are mostly non-productive. Difference-in-difference analyses that exploit establishment and regional variation in the bite of the minimum wage do not show a reduction in the number of internships. In addition, we pursue an innovative approach by using Google search data to analyse how the search intensity for internships changed in course of the minimum wage introduction. Difference-in-difference comparisons with other countries in Europe do not reveal an effect on the search for internship positions in general, but we observe a significant reduction in Google search for ‘generation internship’. This suggests that the underlying societal phenomenon of a generation entering internships without a perspective for regular jobs has lost in relevance.
Hedge Funds as Liquidity Providers: Evidence from the Lehman Bankruptcy

Hedge funds using Lehman as prime broker faced a decline in funding liquidity after the September 15, 2008 bankruptcy. We find that stocks held by these Lehman-connected funds experienced greater declines in market liquidity following the bankruptcy than other stocks; the effect was larger for ex ante illiquid stocks and persisted into the beginning of 2009. We find no similar effects surrounding the Bear Stearns failure, suggesting that disruptions surrounding bankruptcy explain the liquidity effects. We conclude that shocks to traders' funding liquidity reduce the market liquidity of the assets that they trade.
Effects of interleukin 4 on production of IgE monoclonal antibodies directed against glucose oxidase.

Interleukin 4 is a cytokine that promotes the growth of B cells and the synthesis of IgE subclass antibody. Here we report the results of our study that was designed to determine if recombinant murine interleukin 4 (rmIL-4) can increase the yield of hybridomas secreting IgE subclass monoclonal antibodies directed against glucose oxidase. Three BALB/c mice (test group) were primed i.p. with 50 micrograms of glucose oxidase and then boosted i.v. 2 weeks later with 5 micrograms of glucose oxidase plus 200 ng of rmIL-4. A standard hybridoma fusion was performed 3 days later, and the fusion products were then cultured in the presence of 20 ng of rmIL-4 per milliliter. Another group of three mice underwent an identical immunization and fusion procedure, except that the rmIL-4 was omitted (control group). At 21 days after fusion, the test group had a significantly greater frequency of wells with hybridomas (average frequency = 191 per 1000 wells in test group versus 58 in control group; chi 2 = 1803; p = 0.0001) and wells containing IgG anti-glucose oxidase (mean of 23 per 1000 wells in test group versus 3 in control group; chi 2 = 506, p = 0.0001). Moreover, the IL-4-treated group had a significantly higher frequency of wells containing IgE antibodies (mean of 44 versus 11 in control group; chi 2 = 288, p = 0.0001) and IgE antibodies directed against glucose oxidase (mean of 5 per 1000 wells versus 2 in control group; chi 2 = 21, p = 0.0001). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
On portfolio choice by maximising the outperformance probability

We consider the problem of optimal portfolio selection for a multidimensional geometric Brownian motion model. We look for portfolios that maximise the probability of outperforming a stochastic benchmark. More specifically, we seek to maximise the decay rate of the shortfall probability and (or) to minimise the decay rate of the outperformance probability in the long run. A simple heuristic enables us to find an asymptotically optimal investment policy. The results provide interesting insights.
Association Between Television Viewing and Self-Esteem in Children

Objective: Few studies have examined the effect of excess television (TV) viewing on specific mental health outcomes, such as self-esteem. We explored the cross-sectional association between TV viewing hours and self-esteem in young children. Methods: A total of 70,210 primary 4 (US grade 4) participants of the Department of Health Student Health Service, Hong Kong, in 1998–2000 reported TV viewing hours in a standardized questionnaire. Self-esteem was assessed using the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventories for Children (SEI) with 4 subscales. Multivariate linear regression yielded beta coefficients (&bgr;) for SEI subscale scores by TV hours, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, lifestyle characteristics, and highest parental education and occupational status. Results: Only 10.9% of children watched >4 hours per day, while 45.3% watched TV for 1 to ⩽2 hours per day. Compared with children who watched <1 hour of TV per day, those who watched a moderate amount (1 to ⩽2 hours/day) had higher (more favorable) SEI scores in the General (&bgr; = 0.09; 95% confidence interval = 0.02–0.16), Social (0.05; 0.01–0.09), and Parent-Related (0.04; 0.00–0.08) subscales but lower scores in the Academic subscale (−0.06; −0.09 to −0.02). Children who watched >2 hours of TV per day had lower SEI scores than those who watched <1 hour per day in all 4 subscales. Conclusions: An inverted J-shaped relation was observed between TV viewing hours and self-esteem among young children. The development of self-esteem among children who report little or excessive TV viewing should be further studied.
Efficacy of local polymer-based and systemic delivery of the anti-glutamatergic agents riluzole and memantine in rat glioma models.

OBJECT The poor outcome of malignant gliomas is largely due to local invasiveness. Previous studies suggest that gliomas secrete excess glutamate and destroy surrounding normal peritumoral brain by means of excitotoxic mechanisms. In this study the authors assessed the effect on survival of 2 glutamate modulators (riluzole and memantine) in rodent glioma models. METHODS In an in vitro growth inhibition assay, F98 and 9L cells were exposed to riluzole and memantine. Mouse cerebellar organotypic cultures were implanted with F98 glioma cells and treated with radiation, radiation + riluzole, or vehicle and assessed for tumor growth. Safety and tolerability of intracranially implanted riluzole and memantine CPP:SA polymers were tested in F344 rats. The efficacy of these drugs was tested against the 9L model and riluzole was further tested with and without radiation therapy (RT). RESULTS In vitro assays showed effective growth inhibition of both drugs on F98 and 9L cell lines. F98 organotypic cultures showed reduced growth of tumors treated with radiation and riluzole in comparison with untreated cultures or cultures treated with radiation or riluzole alone. Three separate efficacy experiments all showed that localized delivery of riluzole or memantine is efficacious against the 9L gliosarcoma tumor in vivo. Systemic riluzole monotherapy was ineffective; however, riluzole given with RT resulted in improved survival. CONCLUSIONS Riluzole and memantine can be safely and effectively delivered intracranially via polymer in rat glioma models. Both drugs demonstrate efficacy against the 9L gliosarcoma and F98 glioma in vitro and in vivo. Although systemic riluzole proved ineffective in increasing survival, riluzole acted synergistically with radiation and increased survival compared with RT or riluzole alone.
Dialogue

Spirituality is a topic of increasing interest to clinicians and researchers interested in addiction because its perceived role in the promotion of meaningfulness in the recovery from addiction. Our review of the literature evaluates different domains relative to the relation between addiction, religion, and psychiatric treatment. Spirituality as a protective or precipitating factor for substance use and as a key component of recovery will be debated. Illustrations of its potential and limitations as a component of treatment will be presented. Types of investigation and integration of this dimension in an eventual therapeutic process strictly respecting the needs and specificities of each one will be discussed.
A T Cell Clone’s Avidity Is a Function of Its Activation State1

At present it is unclear how Ag dose-dependent T cell functions, such as cytokine production, reflect TCR affinity and how the signal strength afforded by the Ag dose affects the kinetics of cytokine production by the individual T cell. We used a computer-assisted ELISPOT approach to address these issues. IFN-γ release by a clonal population of CD4 T cells was monitored on a clonal population of APC while titrating the nominal peptide. The frequency of cytokine-producing cells, the net per-cell output of cytokine, and the onset of cytokine production were each found to be functions of the signal strength. Sigmoidal dose-response curves were seen at the clonal population level, but the activation thresholds for the individual T cells followed a Gaussian distribution. Moreover, the overall dose-response curve of the T cell clone revealed cyclic changes, becoming increasingly shifted toward lower Ag concentrations with the duration of time that elapsed since the last restimulation with Ag. Therefore, responsiveness to Ag (“functional avidity”) is not a constant parameter of a T cell clone but a function of the T cell’s history of last Ag encounter. The implications of such shifting activation thresholds are discussed for autoimmune disease.
Stimulation of 3′→5′ Exonuclease and 3′-Phosphodiesterase Activities of Yeast Apn2 by Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen

ABSTRACT The Apn2 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains 3′→5′ exonuclease and 3′-phosphodiesterase activities, and these activities function in the repair of DNA strand breaks that have 3′-damaged termini and which are formed in DNA by the action of oxygen-free radicals. Apn2 also has an AP endonuclease activity and functions in the removal of abasic sites from DNA. Here, we provide evidence for the physical and functional interaction of Apn2 with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). As indicated by gel filtration and two-hybrid studies, Apn2 interacts with PCNA both in vitro and in vivo and mutations in the consensus PCNA-binding motif of Apn2 abolish this interaction. Importantly, PCNA stimulates the 3′→5′ exonuclease and 3′-phosphodiesterase activities of Apn2. We have examined the involvement of the interdomain connector loop (IDCL) and of the carboxy-terminal domain of PCNA in Apn2 binding and found that Apn2 binds PCNA via distinct domains dependent upon whether the binding is in the absence or presence of DNA. In the absence of DNA, Apn2 binds PCNA through its IDCL domain, whereas in the presence of DNA, when PCNA has been loaded onto the template-primer junction by replication factor C, the C-terminal domain of PCNA mediates the binding.
Low-Profile Antenna With Elevated Toroid-Shaped Radiation for On-Road Reader of RFID-Enabled Vehicle Registration Plate

A low-profile antenna installed on the road surface for RFID-enabled vehicle communication is presented. The antenna in this application operates as on-road sensor for vehicles identification. To that end, the antenna is required to have an elevated toroid-shaped radiation, so that the reader can easily interrogate an RFID-enabled vehicle license. The antenna is designed using a capacitive-loaded inverted-F radiator, which has an omnidirectional radiation in the azimuth plane. To adjust the radiation pattern to the required elevation above the road surface, and isolate the radiation from the effects of variable road conditions, a corrugated ground plane with perturbed surface impedance is used underneath the radiator. The antenna's configuration is verified by full-wave finite difference time domain simulations with various road surface conditions. A prototype antenna is then developed and tested in realistic field scenarios as on-road sensor for vehicles identification. The results show that the antenna possess more than 15 dB return loss, more than 1.5 dBi gain, vertical polarization, and desirable radiation pattern from 880 to 960 MHz, which is the standard band licensed for RFID-enabled plates. The antenna also successfully communicates with an RFID-enabled vehicle registration plate.
Multivariate Time Series Forecasting of Crude Palm Oil Price Using Machine Learning Techniques

The aim of this paper was to study the correlation between crude palm oil (CPO) price, selected vegetable oil prices (such as soybean oil, coconut oil, and olive oil, rapeseed oil and sunflower oil), crude oil and the monthly exchange rate. Comparative analysis was then performed on CPO price forecasting results using the machine learning techniques. Monthly CPO prices, selected vegetable oil prices, crude oil prices and monthly exchange rate data from January 1987 to February 2017 were utilized. Preliminary analysis showed a positive and high correlation between the CPO price and soy bean oil price and also between CPO price and crude oil price. Experiments were conducted using multi-layer perception, support vector regression and Holt Winter exponential smoothing techniques. The results were assessed by using criteria of root mean square error (RMSE), means absolute error (MAE), means absolute percentage error (MAPE) and Direction of accuracy (DA). Among these three techniques, support vector regression(SVR) with Sequential minimal optimization (SMO) algorithm showed relatively better results compared to multi-layer perceptron and Holt Winters exponential smoothing method.
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes: A Predictive and Prognostic Biomarker in Neoadjuvant-Treated HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Purpose: We elucidated the value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) as an independent predictor for pathologic complete response (pCR) rate and as a prognostic marker for disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer in the neoadjuvant setting. Experimental Design: We evaluated stromal TILs in 498 HER2-positive breast cancer samples of the neoadjuvant GeparQuattro (G4) and GeparQuinto (G5) trials. Levels of TILs were determined as a continuous parameter per 10% increase and as lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer (LPBC; ≥ 60% TILs), and correlated with pCR rate and DFS. Results: In the complete cohort, HER2-positive LPBC cases had a significantly increased pCR rates compared with non-LPBC types. They were significant predictors for pCR in univariate (10% TILs: OR 1.12, P = 0.002; LPBC: OR 2.02, P = 0.002) and multivariate analyses (10% TILs: OR 1.1, P = 0.014; LPBC: OR 1.87, P = 0.009). This effect was also detectable in the trastuzumab-treated (10% TILs: OR 1.12, P = 0.018; LPBC: OR 2.08, P = 0.013) but not in the lapatinib-treated subgroup. We identified a low-risk (pCR/LPBC) and a high-risk group (no pCR/no LPBC) regarding DFS. In triple-positive breast cancer, TILs are of more prognostic relevance than pCR. Conclusions: We could demonstrate the predictive and prognostic impact of TILs in HER2-positive breast cancer in the neoadjuvant setting. In combination with pCR rate, TILs may help to stratify prognostic subgroups, thereby guiding future therapy decisions. Clin Cancer Res; 22(23); 5747–54. ©2016 AACR.
The Epidemiology of Chronic Critical Illness in the United States*

Objectives:The epidemiology of chronic critical illness is not well characterized. We sought to determine the prevalence, outcomes, and associated costs of chronic critical illness in the United States. Design:Population-based cohort study using data from the United States Healthcare Costs and Utilization Project from 2004 to 2009. Setting:Acute care hospitals in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, and Washington. Patients:Adult and pediatric patients meeting a consensus-derived definition for chronic critical illness, which included one of six eligible clinical conditions (prolonged acute mechanical ventilation, tracheotomy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, sepsis, or severe wounds) plus at least 8 days in an ICU. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Out of 3,235,741 admissions to an ICU during the study period, 246,151 (7.6%) met the consensus definition for chronic critical illness. The most common eligibility conditions were prolonged acute mechanical ventilation (72.0% of eligible admissions) and sepsis (63.7% of eligible admissions). Among patients meeting chronic critical illness criteria through sepsis, the infections were community acquired in 48.5% and hospital acquired in 51.5%. In-hospital mortality was 30.9% with little change over the study period. The overall population-based prevalence was 34.4 per 100,000. The prevalence varied substantially with age, peaking at 82.1 per 100,000 individuals 75–79 years old but then declining coincident with a rise in mortality before day 8 in otherwise eligible patients. Extrapolating to the entire United States, for 2009, we estimated a total of 380,001 cases; 107,880 in-hospital deaths and $26 billion in hospital-related costs. Conclusions:Using a consensus-based definition, the prevalence, hospital mortality, and costs of chronic critical illness are substantial. Chronic critical illness is particularly common in the elderly although in very old patients the prevalence declines, in part because of an increase in early mortality among potentially eligible patients.
Sex for You, But Not for Me: Discontinuity in Undergraduate Emerging Adults' Definitions of “Having Sex”

The purpose of this study was to determine if undergraduates (N = 839) apply the same standard to themselves when labeling a behavior “having sex” as they apply to their significant others if those persons engage in the same behaviors outside the relationship. Using a between-participants design, one form asked participants if each of 11 behaviors constituted having sex if they engaged in the activity; the other form asked participants if each of the same behaviors constituted having sex if their significant other engaged in the activity outside their relationship. Participants answering for themselves were less likely to indicate a behavior was having sex for all behaviors except penile–anal and penile–vaginal intercourse. Men were also more likely than women to indicate most behaviors were having sex. The authors discuss what they define as a definitional discontinuity in undergraduate emerging adults' definitions of having sex. Fundamental attribution error (FAE) and emerging adulthood literature are used to explain the findings. Health and relationship implications are identified.
Double Tube Stent-Grafts for Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm: A New Concept

Purpose: To present the concept of double tube stent-grafts and examine the indications for and results achieved with these devices. Methods: From January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2005, 759 patients who underwent endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms at 2 centers. Of these, 45 (5.9%) patients received a double tube stent-graft; complete operative and follow-up data were available for retrospective analysis in 41 patients (33 men; mean age 73.1±8.9 years). Diameters measured before stent-graft implantation and at follow-up (12, 24, 36, and 48 months) with clinical examination, 2-phase computed tomographic angiography, duplex sonography, and biplanar abdominal radiography were tested for significant changes using ANOVA with the Bonferroni-Dunn correction. Late outcomes (clinical success and endoleak) were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The postoperative complication rate was 12.2%, with 2.4% systemic complications (1 patient with angina pectoris); the early mortality rate was 0%. Mean follow-up was 21.9±12.8 months (range 12–61) for the 41 patients. Four (9.8%) patients died during follow-up of cardiac causes (n=2), lung cancer (n=1), and bowel ischemia (n=1). Four (9.8%) endoleaks were observed during follow-up: 1 distal type I, 2 type II, and 1 type III. Maximum aneurysm diameters shrank from 52.0±9.5 mm preoperatively to 44.0±10.8 mm (p<0.0001) postoperatively at the latest available follow-up. Conclusion: Our study supports the use of this double tube technique for repair of appropriate saccular infrarenal aortic aneurysms. The double tube stent-graft method appears safe in terms of endoleaks and migration, so we recommend that it be considered an option of endovascular aortic aneurysm therapy.
Ion channels in rat microglia and their different sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide and interferon‐γ

In order to study the voltage‐dependent ion channels in microglia, and their possible modulation by proinflammatory substances like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) we employed the patch‐clamp technique on purified rat microglial cell subcultures grown for 1–5 days in control condition or after a 24 hour treatment with those agents. Regardless of the culture condition, almost 100% of the cells presented inward‐rectifying (IR) K+ currents identified by the following features: (a) extracellular K+ ‐dependence of Vrev and whole‐cell conductance; (b) inward‐rectifying property; (c) channel blocking mechanism by Cs+; and (d) single channel conductance of 27 pS.