Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐17 positive cells accumulate in renal allografts during acute rejection and are independent predictors of worse graft outcome

Interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) plays an important role in the regulation of cellular and humoral immune responses. Recent studies suggest a role for IL‐17 in transplantation. Our study investigated whether quantifying IL‐17+ cells in renal transplant biopsies during acute rejection could have additional prognostic value for better stratifying patients at risk for nonresponsiveness to anti‐rejection therapy and future graft dysfunction. Forty‐nine renal biopsies with acute rejection were double immunostained and quantitatively analyzed for IL‐17 and CD3 (IL‐17+ T‐lymphocytes), tryptase (IL‐17+ mast cells) or CD15 (IL‐17+ neutrophils). Total IL‐17+ cell count correlated with total percentage of inflamed biopsy and estimated GFR during rejection. Most IL‐17+ cells were mast cells and neutrophils. We could hardly find any IL‐17+ T‐lymphocytes. IL‐17+ mast cells correlated with interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA). None of the IL‐17+ cell counts had an additional prognostic value for response to anti‐rejection treatment. Multivariate analysis correcting for C4d positivity and time from transplantation to biopsy showed that total IL‐17+ cell count independently predicts graft dysfunction at the last follow‐up, which was validated in an independent cohort of 48 renal biopsies with acute rejection. We conclude that intragraft IL‐17+ cell count during acute allograft rejection could have an additional value for predicting late graft dysfunction.
Laminar Mixed Convection of Water-Based Alumina Nanofluid in a Cylindrical Enclosure with a Rotating End Wall: A Numerical Investigation

Abstract Steady-state laminar mixed convection of water-based alumina nanofluids in cylindrical enclosures with a rotating top cover has been numerically analyzed for different Reynolds numbers (500–3000), Richardson numbers (0–1) and nanoparticle volume fractions (1–5%) for an aspect ratio of unity. Two different configurations have been considered for this analysis in order to obtain physical insights into the fluid flow and heat transfer in cylindrical enclosures with a rotating end cover. In one configuration (i.e. C1 configuration), the rotating top wall is kept at a higher temperature than the bottom wall, whereas the bottom wall is heated in the second configuration (i.e. C2 configuration). The mean Nusselt number in the case of mixed convection has been found to assume higher values in the C2 configuration than in the C1 configuration for a given set of values of Reynolds number, Richardson number and nanoparticle volume fraction. It has also been found that mean Nusselt number monotonically decreases with increasing nanoparticle volume fraction regardless of Richardson number values in the C2 configuration, whereas the mean Nusselt number decreases (increases) with increasing nanoparticle volume fraction for fully forced convection (mixed convection) in the C1 configuration. The simulation data has been used to propose a correlation for the mean Nusselt number for both C1 and C2 configurations.
A preliminary determination of the age of some uranium ores of the Colorado Plateaus by the lead-uranium method

1 Calculated ages Continued Introduction. 1 P^ZOT^JZSS ages o{ 41 uranium ores of Samples. 2 the Colorado Plateaus. 9 Physical constants and formulas. 2 Pb 206/U ages and Pb 207 /Pb 206 ratios of Age calculations. 4 samples grouped by grade . 9 Corrections. 4 Pb 206 /U ages and Pb 2(r7 /Pb 206 ratios of Analytical errors. 4 samples grouped by type. 11 Common lead. 4 Pb 206 /U ages and Pb 20 /Pb 206 ratios of Additions of old radiogenic lead. 8 samples groupedby stratigraphicposition. 13 Loss of daughter products . 8 Pb 206 /U ages andPb 207 /Pb 206 ratios of Loss of uranium. 8 samples groupedby mineralogic Calculated ages. 8 composition. 13 Pb 206 /U ages of 41 uranium ores of the Summary and conclusions. 13 Colorado Plateaus. 8 Literature cited. 16 Unpublished reports. 16
Plasmodium vivax Invasion of Human Erythrocytes Inhibited by Antibodies Directed against the Duffy Binding Protein

Background Plasmodium vivax invasion requires interaction between the human Duffy antigen on the surface of erythrocytes and the P. vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP) expressed by the parasite. Given that Duffy-negative individuals are resistant and that Duffy-negative heterozygotes show reduced susceptibility to blood-stage infection, we hypothesized that antibodies directed against region two of P. vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBPII) would inhibit P. vivax invasion of human erythrocytes. Methods and Findings Using a recombinant region two of the P. vivax Duffy binding protein (rPvDBPII), polyclonal antibodies were generated from immunized rabbits and affinity purified from the pooled sera of 14 P. vivax–exposed Papua New Guineans. It was determined by ELISA and by flow cytometry, respectively, that both rabbit and human antibodies inhibited binding of rPvDBPII to the Duffy antigen N-terminal region and to Duffy-positive human erythrocytes. Additionally, using immunofluorescent microscopy, the antibodies were shown to attach to native PvDBP on the apical end of the P. vivax merozoite. In vitro invasion assays, using blood isolates from individuals in the Mae Sot district of Thailand, showed that addition of rabbit anti-PvDBPII Ab or serum (antibodies against, or serum containing antibodies against, region two of the Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein) (1:100) reduced the number of parasite invasions by up to 64%, while pooled PvDBPII antisera from P. vivax–exposed people reduced P. vivax invasion by up to 54%. Conclusions These results show, for what we believe to be the first time, that both rabbit and human antibodies directed against PvDBPII reduce invasion efficiency of wild P. vivax isolated from infected patients, and suggest that a PvDBP-based vaccine may reduce human blood-stage P. vivax infection.
Corruption and Management Practices, Firm Level Evidence

We argue that corruption can decrease aggregate productivity by deteriorating firm management practices. We investigate the impact of regional corruption on the management quality of firms within the manufacturing sector in Central and Eastern Europe. The empirical challenge is that bureaucrats’ bribing practices may evolve in response to firm behaviors, and that regional corruption is measured with error. To identify causal effects, our preferred specifications use a difference-in-differences methodology. We measure the manufacturing industries’ exposure to corruption using their level of dependence to contract institutions. Controlling for regional and manufacturing industry – country fixed effects, we find that firms in more contract dependent industries, located in more corrupt regions, tend to have lower management quality, a more centralized decision-making process, and a lower level of education among administrative staff. In more corrupt regions, contract dependent firms are also characterized by lower investment in R&D, and smaller product markets. We show that our findings are not likely to be driven by omitted variables, outliers, or reverse causality.
Physical biotopes in representative river channels :identification, hydraulic characterisation and application

There is a need to predict the river flow conditions necessary to support instream (and river corridor) biota. Many rivers have their flow regulated in some way and the field of 'habitat hydraulics' (or 'ecohydraulics') has grown up to encourage classification and characterisation of lotic physical environments. This thesis, based on field measurements at eleven sites in Northeast England (which are nationally representative), presents the data nonnally collected for the calibration of the PHABSIM model in alternative ways, to identify and characterise 'physical biotopcs'. These are segregated on the basis of subjectively (visually)-defined flow types. Statistical validation of biotopes as hydraulically discrete units shows them to be defined by a characteristic range of hydraulic variables, especially the Froude number. An investigation of the spatial and temporal variability of biotopes in different channel types and at different flows was carried out (1993-1995), which included the most extreme floods and droughts on record at some sites. The 'biotope approach' is shown to have potential as a reconnaissance approach to the assessment of habitat quality. Despite the success of the biotope approach e.g. in River Habitat Surveys, methodological improvement is still required, notably in the area of hydraulic characterisation by velocity measurements. Hydraulically rough channels and those with substantial macrophyte growth present problems; a logarithmic velocity profile cannot be assumed. A relationship between biotope diversity and stream ecosystem health is suggested; biological surveys are required to determine the direct relationship. This thesis represents a shift from the geomorphological riffle-pool theory to a broader classification of instream hydraulic units. It provides a framework for testing the debate in ecological theory regarding the role of patch dynamics within the continuum of the river environment. The study indicates that an 'environmentally acceptable flow regime' is one which creates a range of biotopes and maintains 'critical biotopes' at periods coinciding with key lifestage events. Flood events are beneficial for their role in 'resetting' the system.
Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre Quantitative Research in Taxation – Discussion Papers

Empirische Untersuchungen zur Relevanz der Zinsschranke betrachten in der Regel lediglich Kapitalgesellschaften und bilden somit nur einen Bruchteil der potentiell betroffenen Unternehmen ab. Auf Basis eines umfangreichen balancierten Panels analysiere ich anhand von handelsrechtlichen Jahresabschlussdaten den Einfluss der Zinsschranke auf Personenunternehmen. In Abhängigkeit vom jeweiligen Jahr sind im Zeitraum von 2008 bis 2012 zwischen 64 (2,9%) und 73 (3,3%) Personenunternehmen in der Stichprobe potentiell von der Zinsschranke betroffen. Die balancierte Panelstruktur liefert zudem Hinweise darauf, dass ein erheblicher Teil der Personenunternehmen, die zumindest in einem Jahr betroffen sind, dieses auch über einen langen Zeitraum bleiben (49,53%). Die Zinsund EBITDA-Vorträge steigen im Zeitablauf nahezu linear pro betroffenem Personenunternehmen an, führen jedoch nicht, wie politisch beabsichtigt, zu einer langfristigen Reduzierung der Anzahl der betroffenen Unternehmen. Zudem weisen von der Zinsschranke betroffene Personenunternehmen signifikant höhere Fremdkapitalquoten auf, sind weniger rentabel und größer als die nicht betroffenen Personenunternehmen. Ebenso ist zu erkennen, dass die betroffenen Gesellschaften eine höhere Sicherheitenquote, ein höheres Insolvenzrisiko, eine niedrigere Liquidität und ein niedrigeres Innenfinanzierungsvolumen sowie ein höheres operatives Risiko aufweisen. Darüber hinaus deutet ein Vergleich der betroffenen Personenunternehmen mit den betroffenen Kapitalgesellschaften darauf hin, dass die Kapitalgesellschaften sich in einer wirtschaftlich schlechteren Situation als die entsprechenden Personenunternehmen befinden. Unter Verwendung eines Propensity Score Matchings kann für Personenunternehmen der vermutete Zusammenhang, dass betroffene Personenunternehmen ihre Fremdkapitalquote stärker reduzieren als nicht betroffene Personenunternehmen und ebenso der Einfluss von Liquiditätsproblemen, nicht auf einem statistisch signifikanten Niveau gezeigt werden. JEL Klassifikation: F34, H21, H24 Schlüsselwörter: Finanzierungsentscheidungen, deutsche Steuerreform, Zinsschranke, Fremdkapitalquote, Besteuerung, Unterfinanzierungsregelungen Acknowledgements: Ich danke den Teilnehmern des CETAR Young Researcher Seminars der Universität Paderborn für wertvolle und hilfreiche Hinweise. Besonderer Dank gilt Laura Emmighausen, Thomas Hoppe, Jens Müller, Regina Ortmann, Julia Rauch, Sönke Sievers, Caren Sureth-Sloane und André Uhde für zahlreiche Anmerkungen, Anregungen und konstruktive Kritik. a Universität Paderborn, Fakultät für Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany. Tel. : +49-5251-60-1784, Fax: +49-5251-60-3520, Email: stephan.alberternst@upb.de, www.upb.de/taxation.
Hygroscopicity of secondary organic aerosols formed by oxidation of cycloalkenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and related compounds

A series of experiments has been conducted in the Caltech indoor smog chamber facility to investigate the water uptake properties of aerosol formed by oxidation of various organic precursors. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from simple and substituted cycloalkenes (C5-C8) is produced in dark ozonolysis experiments in a dry chamber (RH 5%). Biogenic SOA from monoterpenes, sesquiter- penes, and oxygenated terpenes is formed by photooxidation in a humid chamber ( 50% RH). Using the hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA), we mea- sure the diameter-based hygroscopic growth factor (GF) of the SOA as a function of time and relative humidity. All SOA studied is found to be slightly hygroscopic, with smaller wa- ter uptake than that of typical inorganic aerosol substances. The aerosol water uptake increases with time early in the experiments for the cycloalkene SOA, but decreases with time for the sesquiterpene SOA. This behavior could indicate competing effects between the formation of more highly oxi- dized polar compounds (more hygroscopic), and formation of longer-chained oligomers (less hygroscopic). All SOA also exhibit a smooth water uptake with RH with no del- iquescence or efflorescence. The water uptake curves are found to be fitted well with an empirical three-parameter functional form. The measured pure organic GF values at 85% RH are between 1.09-1.16 for SOA from ozonolysis of cycloalkenes, 1.01-1.04 for sesquiterpene photooxidation SOA, and 1.06-1.10 for the monoterpene and oxygenated terpene SOA. The GF of pure SOA (GForg) in experiments in which inorganic seed aerosol is used is determined by as- suming volume-weighted water uptake (Zdanovskii-Stokes- Robinson or "ZSR" approach) and using the size-resolved
Ambient heat exposure and COPD hospitalisations in England: a nationwide case-crossover study during 2007–2018

Background There is emerging evidence suggesting a link between ambient heat exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospitalisations. Individual and contextual characteristics can affect population vulnerabilities to COPD hospitalisation due to heat exposure. This study quantifies the effect of ambient heat on COPD hospitalisations and examines population vulnerabilities by age, sex and contextual characteristics. Methods Individual data on COPD hospitalisation at high geographical resolution (postcodes) during 2007–2018 in England was retrieved from the small area health statistics unit. Maximum temperature at 1 km ×1 km resolution was available from the UK Met Office. We employed a case-crossover study design and fitted Bayesian conditional Poisson regression models. We adjusted for relative humidity and national holidays, and examined effect modification by age, sex, green space, average temperature, deprivation and urbanicity. Results After accounting for confounding, we found 1.47% (95% Credible Interval (CrI) 1.19% to 1.73%) increase in the hospitalisation risk for every 1°C increase in temperatures above 23.2°C (lags 0–2 days). We reported weak evidence of an effect modification by sex and age. We found a strong spatial determinant of the COPD hospitalisation risk due to heat exposure, which was alleviated when we accounted for contextual characteristics. 1851 (95% CrI 1 576 to 2 079) COPD hospitalisations were associated with temperatures above 23.2°C annually. Conclusion Our study suggests that resources should be allocated to support the public health systems, for instance, through developing or expanding heat-health alerts, to challenge the increasing future heat-related COPD hospitalisation burden.
New Venture Creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century

Part I The Opportunity Chapter 1. The Entrepreneurial Revolution Chapter 2. The Entrepreneurial Process Chapter 3. The Opportunity: Creating, Shaping, Recognizing, and Seizing Chapter 4. Screening Venture Opportunities Chapter 5. Entrepreneurs and the Continuing Internet Revolution: The Expanding Frontier Chapter 6. Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The Franchise Alternative Part II The Founders Chapter 7. The Entrepreneurial Mind in Thought and Action Chapter 8. The Entrepreneurial Manager Chapter 9. The New Venture Team Chapter 10. Personal Ethics and the Entrepreneur Part III Resource Requirements Chapter 11. Resource Requirements Chapter 12. The Business Plan Part IV Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures Chapter 13. Entrepreneurial Finance Chapter 14. Obtaining Venture and Growth Capital Chapter 15. The Deal: Valuations, Structure and Negotiation Chapter 16. Obtaining Debt Capital Part V Startup and After Chapter 17. Managing Rapid Growth Chapter 18. The Entrepreneur and the Troubled Company Chapter 19. The Harvest and Beyond Crafting a Personal Entrepreneurial Strategy
On the Mass Accretion Rates of Herbig Ae/Be Stars. Magnetospheric Accretion or Boundary Layer?

Understanding how young stars gain their masses through disk-to-star accretion is of paramount importance in astrophysics. It affects our knowledge about the early stellar evolution, the disk lifetime and dissipation processes, the way the planets form on the smallest scales, or the connection to macroscopic parameters characterizing star-forming regions on the largest ones, among others. In turn, mass accretion rate estimates depend on the accretion paradigm assumed. For low-mass T Tauri stars with strong magnetic fields there is consensus that magnetospheric accretion (MA) is the driving mechanism, but the transfer of mass in massive young stellar objects with weak or negligible magnetic fields probably occurs directly from the disk to the star through a hot boundary layer (BL). The intermediate-mass Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) stars bridge the gap between both previous regimes and are still optically visible during the pre-main sequence phase, thus constituting a unique opportunity to test a possible change of accretion mode from MA to BL. This review deals with our estimates of accretion rates in HAeBes, critically discussing the different accretion paradigms. It shows that although mounting evidence supports that MA may extend to late-type HAes but not to early-type HBes, there is not yet a consensus on the validity of this scenario versus the BL one. Based on MA and BL shock modeling, it is argued that the ultraviolet regime could significantly contribute in the future to discriminating between these competing accretion scenarios.
Tracking Insulin to the Mind

CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCEAlthough insulin is not supposed to play a role in the brain, recent evidence in both lab animals and humans suggests that the hormone may be needed for normal brain functions, including learning and memory; if so, defects in the brain's ability to use insulin could lead to anything from mild memory loss to Alzheimer's disease. The idea is still controversial, however, partly because no one yet knows exactly how insulin might affect brain neurons. Some researchers suggest that the hormone chaperones glucose to brain neurons and thereby helps them maintain their energy production, in which case, memory loss might result when brain cells lack insulin and become glucose starved. Others hypothesize that insulin has other beneficial roles, such as spurring neuronal growth and inhibiting the formation of brain lesions called neurofibrillary tangles that characterize Alzheimer's. If insulin's role in cognition can be pinned down, though, the work might one day point the way to drugs that could reduce memory loss in both Alzheimer's and normal aging.
EFFECT OF LEGUME MULCHES AND COVER CROPS ON EARTHWORMS AND SNAILS (EFECTO DE MANTILLOS Y CULTIVOS DE COBERTERA DE LEGUMINOSAS EN LOMBRICES DE TIERRA Y CARACOLES)

SUMMARY We evaluated the effect of leguminous mulches and cover crops on earthworms and snails in Leptosol within a tropical dry climate. Treatments were: 1) Leucaena, - fresh mulch of Leucaena leucocephala ; 2) Lysiloma - fresh mulch of Lysiloma latisiliquum ; 3) Mucuna - cover crop of Mucuna deerengianum; 4) Canavalia - cover crop of Canavalia ensiformis ; and 5) Control with only maize ( Zea mays ) as a crop. Samples were collected 14, 70 and 84 days after crop planting. Additionally, the decomposition of mulch, biomass production of the two cover crops, leaf quality and changes in microclimate were examined. Earthworm biomass increased in the first sample of Mucuna (29.39 g m -2 ), Leucaena (36.85 g m) and Lysiloma (12.94 g m -2 ) treatments, due to the application of mulch of L. latisiliquum and L. leucocephala and to accumulated M. deerengianum mulch before crop planting. Control and Canavalia treatments had 3.64 g m -2 and 7.5 g m -2 of earthworm biomass, respectively. Seventy days after crop planting, foliage quality positively affected the density and biomass of earthworms. Cover crops increased the density and biomass of snails under adverse climatic conditions and mulch of
Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA titres and coronary heart disease; prospective study and meta-analysis.

AIMS To examine associations between Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA titres and incident coronary heart disease, and to compare them with associations previously reported between C. pneumoniae IgG titres and coronary heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS We measured serum concentrations of C. pneumoniae IgA antibodies in 502 coronary heart disease cases and in 1005 age- and town-matched controls 'nested' in a community-based prospective study of 5661 British men (mean follow-up in controls, 16 years), and conducted a meta-analysis of published prospective studies to place our findings in context. Two hundred and twenty-one (44%) of the cases were in the top third of C. pneumoniae IgA titres compared with 336 (33%) of the controls, yielding an odds ratio for coronary heart disease of 1.84 (95% confidence interval 1.40-2.43) which was largely unchanged after adjustment. In aggregate, the present study and nine previously reported prospective studies of C. pneumoniae IgA titres involved 2283 cases, yielding a combined odds ratio for coronary heart disease of 1.25 (1.03-1.53), with no significant heterogeneity among the ten studies (chi(2)9=7.8; P>0.1). This combined odds ratio is compatible with that previously reported for C. pneumoniae IgG titres and coronary heart disease (1.15, 0.97-1.36). CONCLUSION Neither C. pneumoniae IgA titres nor IgG titres are strongly predictive of coronary heart disease in the general population.