Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic analysis of Lavandula dentata L. and Lavandula stoechas L. extracts by LC-QTOF/MS experiments and multivariate analysis techniques as a chemotaxonomical tool

Abstract Lavandula stoechas L. and Lavandula dentata L. have been widely used as popular herbal medicines in the Mediterranean region to treat digestive disorders and kidney diseases. Both species have quite a similar morphology, which makes them too frequently share the same popular name and be often used indistinctly in traditional medicine although they have different properties. The aim of this study was to use metabolomics approaches, followed by multivariate analyses to facilitate the taxonomical classifications. A non-targeted metabolomic strategy based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS) has been applied to two hydroalcoholic extracts from Lavandula species (L. dentata L. and L. stoechas L.) with the aim of elucidating the major discriminatory metabolites. The principal component analysis of the LC-QTOF/MS data showed a clear discrimination between both species, using the first two principal components. The key compounds responsible for the discrimination were tentatively identified as sucrose and glycosylated flavonoids by comparison with spectral data bases and previous studies. These results clearly show that both plant species have a different expression pattern for these marker metabolites that might be potentially used as a novel chemotaxonomical tool, in addition to classical approaches.
Partisan Politics in Corporate Tax Competition

This paper studies the effects of political factors, mainly partisanship, on corporate taxes in the past 30 years - a period of intensifying competitive pressure in Europe. Extending the Zodrow-Mieszkowski model by decision-makers who have ideological preferences yields the hypothesis that left-wing leaders set higher corporate tax rates. In the empirical analysis, we introduce a sophisticated measure of ideology derived from content analysis of party manifestos into the literature dealing with partisan effects on tax policy. We can confirm our main hypothesis, but we also find evidence that this partisan effect declines in the course of time. Moreover, we are able to reveal that this effect is mainly driven by the legislatures' stance on welfare policies. Finally, we show that a higher degree of government fragmentation, as well as the leadership of a head of state with an educational background in law counteracts the general tendency to lower tax rates.
Energy efficient data communication over fading channels

We develop a control algorithm or transmission scheme for wireless data communication over time-varying channels with memory which determines when to attempt a transmission so as to achieve a suitable balance between throughput and energy consumption; and we study the effect of channel memory on the performance, design, and structure of this scheme. The channel state is not directly observable, and thus the transmission decisions must be based on ACK/NAK information provided over a feedback channel. We cast the problem as a partially observable Markov decision process, and derive the optimal transmission scheme. Numerical results are also provided comparing performance of the optimal scheme with some other existing mechanisms.
The HER-2/neu Oncogene in Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract

The HER-2/neu oncogene is localized to chromosome 17q and shares significant homology with the epidermal growth factor receptor. As a result of its potential role in the selection of therapy, HER-2/neu testing has reached near-standard-ofpractice status in breast cancer. There is considerable interest in HER-2/neu as a prognostic factor and target of therapy in tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. In this review of HER-2/neu expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus, stomach, and colon, a wide range of expression of HER-2/neu from 0 to 83% likely reflects both differences in methods and reagents, as well as study bias associated with patient selection (i.e., early versus advanced disease). For esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, little information exists as to the prognostic significance of HER-2/neu expression. In adenocarcinoma associated with Barrett's esophagus there is contradictory data. However, most of the information available indicates that this marker has significant prognostic value. In gastric adenocarcinoma, the wide expression range may truly reflect patient selection because HER-2/neu positivity appears linked to advanced rather than early disease with limited invasion. The majority of studies favor a significant prognostic value of HER-2/neu status for this tumor. Finally, in colorectal cancer HER-2/neu overexpression also appears to be a significant adverse outcome indicator as judged by the current published literature. In conclusion, given that either HER-2/neu protein overexpression or gene amplification is associated with approximately one-fourth of all gastrointestinal tract malignancies, strategies designed to employ the marker in therapy selection appear warranted. During the next several years it will not be surprising to see these tumors treated with antiHER-2/neu modalities such as HerceptinTM, likely in combination with other agents initially for patients with advanced disease, and possibly for individuals with high-risk lesions in an adjuvant setting.
A novel deletion in the FTL gene causes hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome (HHCS) by alteration of the transcription start site

Hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome (HHCS) is characterized by distinctive cataracts and high serum ferritin in the absence of iron overload. It is caused by mutations in the iron response element (IRE) of the Ferritin Light Chain (FTL) gene. Here we investigate the genetics of HHCS in a three generation Australian kindred with typical HHCS ocular lens morphology and high ferritin levels. Initial sequencing of the IRE failed to detect any mutations. Sequencing of the entire gene including the promoter region revealed a novel 25 bp deletion upstream of the IRE abolishing the transcription start site. In lymphoblastoid cells, the deletion allele was transcribed from an alternate start site within the lower stem of the IRE and mutation carriers had high cellular L‐ferritin levels. This novel deletion in the promoter encompassing the transcription start site of the FTL gene is responsible for HHCS in this kindred. The initial primers for amplifying the IRE similar to those used by other researchers failed to detect this mutation. Therefore the genomic region assessed in HHCS cases for diagnosis should be expanded to include mutations of this type. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp of the Cecum can be Treated by Endoscopic Resection

Sir, An inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) is a rare benign, nonneoplastic, polypoid lesion of the gastrointestinal tract. A 66-year-old hypertensive and diabetic woman was referred to us for the evaluation of severe iron deficiency anemia. Clinically she was obese, pale, with stable vital signs, and physical examination revealed no abnormalities. Laboratory data were unremarkable except for a hemoglobin level of 62 g/L; upper endoscopy was normal. Colonoscopy revealed a 3-cm sessile, polypoid lesion in the cecum, and biopsy was performed [Figure 1]. A CT scan of the abdomen was normal except for small pericecal lymph nodes. Histology of the polypoidal lesion showed features of an inflammatory fibroid polyp. The patient underwent a second colonoscopy and the polyp was removed using the snare-and-cautery technique without any complications, in small pieces. But at the end the whole polyp was removed leaving only its base. Figure 1 Histological section of the superficial part of the polyp, where the submucosa and part of lamina propria (LP) are replaced by a fibroinflammatory and vascular tissue rich in eosinophils. Many vessels are thick-walled. Inset: high magnification of a vessel . Microscopically, the lesion was a polypoidal mass of fibromuscular and inflammatory tissue covered by colonic mucosa. The latter was continuous with the underlying tissue and had focal ulceration and granulation tissue formation. The lesion was composed of a highly vascular tissue with bland fibroblast-like cells and an inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells. In some areas, the inflammation was dense with the formation of reactive lymphoid follicles [Figure 1]. Colonic IFP is rare and there have only been a total of 44 cases, including our case, reported in the literature. [1–3] Out of 26 cases of colonic IFP reported by Sakamoto et al., 17 have been treated surgically. Different techniques have been described for the endoscopic removal of the polyp including the one using the clip-and-cut technique. [4] In our case, a large polypoid lesion was found in the cecum during colonoscopy done as a part of the diagnostic work-up for iron deficiency anemia. IFPs originate primarily in the mucosa and submucosa, but they can, in rare instances, extend to the muscular layer. In this patient, the IFP was predominantly in the mucosa without any extension to the muscular layer, and hence, we decided to remove this by colonoscopy and the snare polypectomy technique. Follow-up colonoscopies done three months and a year later showed no residual lesions or recurrence. As the IFP is a benign polyp and its recurrence is very rare, we believe that its endoscopic removal is an appropriate treatment modality. With wide use of colonoscopy, more such cases of IFP will probably be identified, and awareness of such condition among physicians will help to avoid surgery and resection.
Fault Detection and Design Complextity in C-Testable VLSI Arrays

An extension of a previous approach to fault detection and C-testability of orthogonal iterative arrays is presented. The state transition table of a basic cell is analyzed. Five new states are added to it. It is proved that even though the number of additional states in the proposed approach is greater than previous approaches, (five states compared to four), the required number of test vectors is considerably reduced (by a factor of approximately 4/9). An approach to implement the proposed C-testability approach into logic design is also presented. Complexity of this implementation is analyzed. >
Morphine Induces Defects in Early Response of Alveolar Macrophages to Streptococcus pneumoniae by Modulating TLR9-NF-κB Signaling1

Resident alveolar macrophages and respiratory epithelium constitutes the first line of defense against invading lung pneumococci. Results from our study showed that increased mortality and bacterial outgrowth and dissemination seen in morphine-treated mice were further exaggerated following depletion of alveolar macrophages with liposomal clodronate. Using an in vitro alveolar macrophages and lung epithelial cells infection model, we show significant release of MIP-2 from alveolar macrophages, but not from lung epithelial cells, following 4 h of exposure of cells to pneumococci infection. Morphine treatment reduced MIP-2 release in pneumococci stimulated alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, morphine treatment inhibited Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced NF-κB-dependent gene transcription in alveolar macrophages following 2 h of in vitro infection. S. pneumoniae infection resulted in a significant induction of NF-κB activity only in TLR9 stably transfected HEK 293 cells, but not in TLR2 and TLR4 transfected HEK 293 cells, and morphine treatment inhibited S. pneumoniae-induced NF-κB activity in these cells. Moreover, morphine treatment also decreased bacterial uptake and killing in alveolar macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that morphine treatment impairs TLR9-NF-κB signaling and diminishes bacterial clearance following S. pneumoniae infection in resident macrophages during the early stages of infection, leading to a compromised innate immune response.
The effect of crushed ice ingestion on endurance performance and decision-making in hot and humid conditions

ABSTRACT This study examined endurance performance and choice reaction time (CRT) in the heat following precooling via crushed ice ingestion. Prior to an 800 kJ cycle time trial (CTT) in hot and humid conditions (34.2 ± 0.9°C, 52.9 ± 8.1% Relative Humidity), nine male endurance athletes consumed either 7 g⋅kg−1 of water (CON) or crushed ice (ICE) in 30 min. A 4-CRT task was completed before, during and post the CTT. Core temperature (Tcore) was significantly lower after precooling with ICE (−0.6 ± 0.4°C, p = 0.002) but not CON (−0.2 ± 0.2°C; p = 0.083). Mean power output improved by 7.8% following ICE compared to CON (p = 0.011). Throughout the CTT, CRT significantly improved in both conditions (p = 0.036), and although no significant differences occurred between conditions (p = 0.421), a moderate effect at 800 kJ suggests that ICE was becoming faster (d = 0.56, 0.25–1.32 90% CI). Thermal sensation was lower with ICE (p ≤ 0.05); however, heart rate and perceived exertion were similar between conditions (p > 0.05). Ice ingestion significantly reduced Tcore coinciding with improved CTT performance. However, it remains equivocal whether ice ingestion is beneficial for decision-making during exercise in the heat. Abbreviations: Tbrain: Brain temperature; CRT: Choice reaction time; CI: Confidence interval; Tcore: Core temperature; CTT: Cycle time trial; MPO: Mean power output; RPE: Rating of perceived exertion; RPTS: Rating of perceived thermal sensation; RH: Relative humidity; USG: Urine specific gravity
The impacts of AIDS movements on the policy responses to HIV/AIDS in Brazil and South Africa: A comparative analysis

Abstract Brazil and South Africa were among the first countries profoundly impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and had similar rates of HIV infection in the early 1990s. Today, Brazil has less than 1% adult HIV prevalence, implemented treatment and prevention programmes early in the epidemic, and now has exemplary HIV/AIDS programmes. South Africa, by contrast, has HIV prevalence of 18% and was, until recently, infamous for its delayed and inappropriate response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This article explores how differing relationships between AIDS movements and governments have impacted the evolving policy responses to the AIDS epidemic in both countries, including through AIDS programme finance, leadership and industrial policy related to production of generic medicines.
Children’s attitudes toward interaction with an unfamiliar peer with complex communication needs: comparing high- and low-technology devices

Abstract This study examined the attitudes of children with typical development towards an unfamiliar peer with complex communication needs using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Specifically, the study aimed to compare attitudes when the peer used mobile technology (i.e., iPad©1) with an AAC-specific application (Proloquo2Go™2) versus a low-technology communication board. A within-group crossover design was utilized involving 78 children. Half of the participants (i.e., Group 1) viewed Video 1 of an unfamiliar peer with complex communication needs in a scripted communication interaction using an iPad with Proloquo2Go followed by Video 2 of the same interaction using a communication board. The other half of the participants (Group 2) viewed these videos in the reverse sequence. The Communication Aid/Device Attitudinal Questionnaire (CADAQ) was completed after watching each video. Results indicated that both groups were more positive towards Video 1 (iPad with Prologuo2Go) on certain dimensions of the CADAQ. The results are discussed and recommendations for future research provided.
Three Essays in African Political Economy

Le travail de these s’articule autour de trois chapitres.Le premier chapitre « Electoral Institutions and Political Polarization: An Experiment on Approval Voting in Benin » s’interesse au role des institutions politiques dans la division des societes africaines. L’idee principale etant que les institutions politiques pourraient influencer la formation des groupes a l’interieur des societes. Certains systemes de vote (pluralite, systeme majoritaire) par leur regle tendent a forcer les electeurs a choisir un camp et pourraient potentiellement conduire a des divisions sociales, ethniques ou religieuses. Les autres regles de vote qui permettent aux electeurs de voter plusieurs candidats a la fois, devraient en theorie eviter ces inconvenients, et ainsi aboutir a une moins grande polarisation politique. Ce chapitre fournit des preuves experimentales de cette theorie. Nos donnees proviennent d'une experience sur le vote d'approbation qui a eu lieu lors de l'election presidentielle de 2011 au Benin, un pays democratique d’Afrique occidentale, multi-ethnique avec un paysage politique caracterise par une forte fracture nord-sud au niveau sociale et politique. En parallele au vote officiel (scrutin majoritaire), nous avons propose le vote par approbation aux electeurs, dont regle leur permet de voter pour plusieurs candidats a la fois. Les resultats montrent que ce systeme de vote augmente le score de plusieurs candidats consensuels. Nous avons egalement trouve que le vote ethnique ne disparait pas et pourrait meme augmenter. Dans le chapitre 2 « L’impact du clientelisme electoral: Analyse d’une experience de laboratoire », nous nous interessons au clientelisme, son lien avec la modernisation et son impact sur les resultats des elections. Nous avons effectues des experiences de laboratoires dans deux endroits differents (France et Burkina Faso). Les resultats obtenus montrent un effet significatif des campagnes d’achat de vote et de promesses electorales sur le score des candidats dans les deux pays. Mais les campagnes clientelistes sont plus efficaces en Afrique car ils permettent l’election du candidat clienteliste. Le troisieme et dernier chapitre « Quels sont les facteurs qui influencent le consentement a l’impot en Afrique du Sud Sahara : Une analyse empirique avec des donnees d’enquetes d’opinion», fournit une analyse des facteurs determinant le consentement a payer la taxe des citoyens en Afrique du sud Sahara. En utilisant les donnees de 29 pays, nous avons montre que la qualite des services publiques, le milieu de residence, le niveau d’education, la confiance aux institutions, la transparence du systeme fiscal sont des facteurs important dans les decisions des citoyens de consentir a payer la taxe. Nous avions egalement montre que la presence de ressources naturelle dans un pays, ainsi que le nombre d’habitant dans un pays jouent un role dans le consentement a payer la taxes des citoyens. Aussi l’importance accorde aux facteurs determinant est different selon la particularite des pays (peuple ou pas, possedant ou pas des ressources naturelles).
Temporal masking effect on dropped frames at video scene cuts

In video sequences, scene cuts produce a temporal masking effect on several kinds of artifacts. This temporal sensitivity reduction of the human visual system could be present before (backward masking) and after (forward masking) scene cuts. Related studies reported a significant forward masking in the first 30 to 100 ms following a scene change depending on the impairment nature and the picture content. Backward masking at scene cuts seems to be less significant. In this paper we present the results of a psychovisual experiment performed to characterize the temporal masking effect on discontinuities caused by dropped frames in the vicinity of scene cuts. The forward and backward masking was estimated in relation to a single burst of discarded frames of different durations. The four alternatives forced choice psychophysical method was employed to evaluate the detection thresholds. The test was carried out using natural video contents. Our results from the forward masking test are consistent with those reported in the state of the art even if the test conditions were quite different. However, the back masking effect on frame dropping perception is more significant than with forward masking.
The Influence of Central Arterial Compliance on 4 Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics : Insights from Endurance 5 Training Intervention 6 7

7 Tsubasa Tomoto, Jun Sugawara, Yoshie Nogami, Kazutaka Aonuma, and Seiji Maeda 8 9 1. Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan 10 2. Human Technology Research Institute, National Institute of Advance Industrial Science 11 and Technology, Japan 12 3. Faculty of Engineering, Shonan Institute of Technology, Japan 13 4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan 14 5. Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan. 15 16 Running title: Central arterial compliance and cerebral hemodynamics 17 18 19 20 Correspondence: 21 Jun Sugawara, PhD 22 Human Technology Research Institute 23 National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 24 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566 JAPAN 25 Tel: 81-29-861-7138 26 Fax: 81-29-861-6663 27 E-mail: jun.sugawara@aist.go. jp 28 29 30 Word count: 3,255 31 Number of tables: 2 32 Number of figure: 6 33 34 DISCLOSURES 35 None. 36 37 FUNDING INFORMATION 38 This study was supported, in part, by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the 39 Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture (Grant: 26670116). 40 Articles in PresS. J Appl Physiol (July 2, 2015). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00129. 2015
Impact of and Satisfaction with a New eConsult Service: A Mixed Methods Study of Primary Care Providers

Objectives: We have improved access to specialist care and decreased wait times in our region through the development and implementation of the Champlain BASE (Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation) service. This secure, web-based tool allows primary care providers (PCPs) quick access to specialist advice for their patients and often helps to avoid the need for a face-to-face referral. Our successful implementation of eConsult in our region provides a unique opportunity to examine PCPs' satisfaction and overall perspective on using the service. Methods: Following the closure of each case, PCPs completed a short survey with multiple-choice and open-ended questions regarding the eConsult. All eConsults submitted between April 15, 2011, and December 31, 2013, were analyzed. We calculated satisfaction scores from the survey and conducted a constant-comparison thematic analysis on those cases where the PCP elected to leave a text response. Results: We analyzed 2,052 eConsults completed during the study period. In 91% and 93% of eConsults, PCPs reported a high value for their patients and themselves, respectively. In 554 eConsults, PCPs elected to leave a written response. Three major themes emerged: PCP appreciation of the eConsult service, perceived benefits for the quality of patient care, and attitudes towards using a new health technology. High satisfaction was expressed with quick response times, helpfulness of responses, and reassurance reported. Most PCPs felt eConsult had a positive impact on patient care by also providing reassurance to patients, reducing burden of time and travel, and offering educational opportunities to PCPs applicable to future cases. Conclusion: PCPs showed a high level of satisfaction with eConsult's quick turnaround time and quality of specialist advice. Our results illustrate the advantages of using asynchronous virtual platforms to increase access to specialty care from a PCP perspective.