Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the Sovereign Debt Crisis on Bank Lending Rates in the Euro Area

Since the early part of 2010 tensions in the sovereign debt markets of some euro-area countries have progressively distorted monetary and credit conditions, hindering the ECB monetary policy transmission mechanism and raising the cost of loans to non-financial corporations and households. This paper makes an empirical assessment of the impact of the tensions on bank lending rates in the main euro-area countries, concluding that they have had a significant impact on the cost of credit in the peripheral countries. A counterfactual exercise indicates that if the spreads had remained constant at the average levels recorded in April 2010, the interest rates on new loans to non-financial corporations and on residential mortgage loans to households in the peripheral countries would have been, on average, lower by 130 and 60 basis points, respectively, at the end of 2011. These results are robust to alternative measures of the cost of credit and econometric techniques.
Protecting asplenic individuals from fulminant pneumococcal disease

Rapid communications Case report: Fulminant pneumococcal sepsis in an unvaccinated asplenic patient in Italy 4 by M Chironna, A Sallustio, A De Robertis, M Quarto, C Germinario Syndromic surveillance to assess the potential public health impact of the Icelandic volcanic ash plume across the United Kingdom, April 2010 6 by AJ Elliot, N Singh, P Loveridge, S Harcourt, S Smith, R Pnaiser, K Kavanagh, C Robertson, CN Ramsay, J McMenamin, A Kibble, V Murray, S Ibbotson, M Catchpole, B McCloskey, GE Smith Upsurge of infections caused by Salmonella Concord among Ethiopian adoptees in Denmark, 2009 10 by R Sjøgren Hendriksen, C Kjelsø, M Torpdahl, S Ethelberg, K Mølbak, FM Aarestrup
Balancing orbital effects and on-site Coulomb repulsion through Na modulations in 
NaxVO2

Vanadium oxides have been highly attractive for over half a century since the discovery of the metal insulator transition near room temperatures. Here NaxVO2 is studied through a systematic comparison with other layered sodium metal oxides with early 3d transition metals, first disclosing a unified evolution pattern of Na density waves through in situ XRD analysis. Combining ab-initio simulations and theoretical modelings, a sodium-modulated Peierls-like transition mechanism is then proposed for the bonding formation of metal ion dimers. More importantly, the unique trimer structure in NaxVO2 is shown to be very sensitive to the onsite Coulomb repulsion value, suggesting a delicate balance between strong electronic correlations and orbital effects that can be precisely modulated by both Na compositions and atomic stackings. This unveils a unique opportunity to design strongly correlated materials with tailored electronic transitions through electrochemical modulations and crystallographic designs, to elegantly balance various competition effects. We think the understanding will also help further elucidate complicated electronic behaviors in other vanadium oxide systems.
An automatic system for controlling snow on roofs

In Honshu Island, Japan, tremendous amounts of snow falls over a vast area facing the Sea of Japan. The depth of deposited snow sometimes exceeds 2 m, even in urban areas. The weight of snow on roofs can damage conventional wooden houses. It is of great importance, therefore, to monitor and control roof snow loads. A model system has been developed for controlling snow on roofs. A precipitation detector capable of differentiating between solid and liquid precipitation and a water gauge for detecting the meltwater from a roof are combined to estimate the roof snow load. When the calculated load exceeds a critical value, an electric heater on the roof is energized to melt a portion of the snow. The whole system is controlled by a personal computer. The system was tested for about a month in 1990 with satisfactory results.
BIOPHYSICAL CORTICAL COLUMN MODEL FOR OPTICAL SIGNAL ANALYSIS

We propose a biological cortical column model, at a mesoscopic scale, in order to better understand and interpret biological sources of voltage-sensitive dye imaging signal (VSD signal). This scale corresponds to one pixel of optical imaging: about 50 μm. Simulations are done with the NEURON software and visualization with the NEUROCONSTRUCT software. This model confirms and quantifies the fact that the VSD signal is the result of an average from multiple components but shows surprisingly that inhibitory cells, spiking activity and deep layers likely participate more to the signal than initially though.
Akathisia: an updated review focusing on second-generation antipsychotics.

OBJECTIVE To provide a brief description of the pathophysiology of akathisia, the challenges of diagnosing and treating this condition, and potential associated clinical issues. Also, to provide a review of the literature on the incidence of drug-induced akathisia associated with the use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) and first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs). DATA SOURCES English-language literature with no date restrictions cited in PubMed was searched for the keywords akathisia, placebo, neuroleptic, or haloperidol, and the generic names of SGAs (clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, or aripiprazole). STUDY SELECTION Limits were set to search clinical trials, meta-analyses, or randomized controlled trials reviewing data from adult schizophrenia or bipolar disorder clinical trials. Studies including SGA comparisons with placebo and with FGAs, and also between SGAs themselves, were selected. Studies that specifically assessed akathisia (either subjectively or objectively or both) were included. Studies reporting generalized results pertaining to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION The incidence of akathisia, EPS rating scores, and required medications for the management of movement disorders were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS Seventy-seven trials were included in the comparative review. Akathisia was observed with the use of all the SGAs. The akathisia incidence reported in bipolar disorder trials was generally higher compared with schizophrenia trials. The incidence reported for FGAs was consistently higher than that reported for SGAs, regardless of the patient population studied. CONCLUSION Akathisia remains a concern with the use of SGAs. More accurate and standardized evaluations are required for a better understanding of the nature and incidence of akathisia.
Swarm- The Earth's Magnetic Field and Environment Explorers

c/o ESTEC, PO Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands Tel. (31) 71 565 3400 Fax (31) 71 565 5433 EarthCARE Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer SPECTRA Surface Processes and Ecosystem Changes Through Response Analysis WALES Water Vapour Lidar Experiment in Space ACE+ Atmosphere and Climate Explorer EGPM European Contribution to Global Precipitation Measurement Swarm The Earth’s Magnetic Field and Environment Explorers
Dexamethasone-Induced FKBP51 Expression in CD4+ T-Lymphocytes Is Uniquely Associated With Worse Asthma Control in Obese Children With Asthma

Introduction There is evidence that obesity, a risk factor for asthma severity and morbidity, has a unique asthma phenotype which is less atopic and less responsive to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are important to the immunologic pathways of obese asthma and steroid resistance. However, the cellular source associated with steroid resistance has remained elusive. We compared the lymphocyte landscape among obese children with asthma to matched normal weight children with asthma and assessed relationship to asthma control. Methods High-dimensional flow cytometry of PBMC at baseline and after dexamethasone stimulation was performed to characterize lymphocyte subpopulations, T-lymphocyte polarization, proliferation (Ki-67+), and expression of the steroid-responsive protein FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51). T-lymphocyte populations were compared between obese and normal-weight participants, and an unbiased, unsupervised clustering analysis was performed. Differentially expressed clusters were compared with asthma control, adjusted for ICS and exhaled nitric oxide. Results In the obese population, there was an increased cluster of CD4+ T-lymphocytes expressing Ki-67 and FKBP51 at baseline and CD4+ T-lymphocytes expressing FKBP51 after dexamethasone stimulation. CD4+ Ki-67 and FKBP51 expression at baseline showed no association with asthma control. Dexamethasone-induced CD4+ FKBP51 expression was associated with worse asthma control in obese participants with asthma. FKBP51 expression in CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells did not differ among groups, nor did polarization profiles for Th1, Th2, Th9, or Th17 percentage. Discussion Dexamethasone-induced CD4+ FKBP51 expression is uniquely associated with worse asthma control in obese children with asthma and may underlie the corticosteroid resistance observed in this population.
Evaluated kinetic and photochemical data for atmospheric chemistry

Atmospheric chemistry is the study of the complex network of thermal and photochemical processes occurring in the gas and condensed (cloud droplets, aerosol particles, ice crystals) phase as well as in multiphase processes. Chemical kinetic modeling is required to interpret observations in the field. This necessitates the availability of a robust, reliable, and regularly updated database of elementary reactions for use in chemical-radiative-transport models. Combustion chemistry and plasma processing for semiconductor applications require the same type of database.
Genetic Diversity and Differentiation of the Orange-Spotted Grouper (Epinephelus coioides) Between and Within Cultured Stocks and Wild Populations Inferred from Microsatellite DNA Analysis

In the present study, we employed microsatellite DNA markers to analyze the genetic diversity and differentiation between and within cultured stocks and wild populations of the orange-spotted grouper originating from the South China Sea and Southeast Asia. Compared to wild populations, genetic changes including reduced genetic diversity and significant differentiation have taken place in cultured grouper stocks, as shown by allele richness and heterozygosity studies, pairwise Fst, structure, molecular variance analysis, as well as multidimensional scaling analysis. Although two geographically adjacent orange-spotted grouper populations in China showed negligible genetic divergence, significant population differentiation was observed in wild grouper populations distributed in a wide geographical area from China, through Malaysia to Indonesia. However, the Mantel test rejected the isolation-by-distance model of genetic structure, which indicated the genetic differentiation among the populations could result from the co-effects of various factors, such as historical dispersal, local environment, ocean currents, river flows and island blocks. Our results demonstrated that microsatellite markers could be suitable not only for genetic monitoring cultured stocks but also for revealing the population structuring of wild orange-spotted grouper populations. Meanwhile, our study provided important information for breeding programs, management of cultured stocks and conservation of wild populations of the orange-spotted grouper.
Heavy metal contamination in fruits and vegetables in two districts of West Bengal, India.

This paper describes the extent of heavy metal contamination in fruits and vegetables grown in two districts Kolkata and South Twenty Four Parganas in West Bengal, India. Samples (fruits, vegetables and soils) from six sites across fruit and vegetable growing regions were collected and tested for heavy metal content. The mean concentration of copper in all the samples (washed) collected from different areas is within the safe value recommended by FAO/WHO. The concentration of lead in almost all the collected samples, cadmium and chromium in some of the samples exceed the allowable limit. The study investigates the magnitude of heavy metal contamination in fruits and vegetables and highlights the increased danger of taking fresh fruits and vegetables. No soil sample was found to contain heavy metals above allowable concentration, which shows that contamination was mainly due to automobile exhaust, pesticides and industrial exhaust.
Hydraulic Design of Flood Control Channels

Technical Engineering and Design Guides, as adapted from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, No. 10. This guide presents procedures for the design analysis and criteria of design for improved channels that carry rapid and/or tranquil flows. It presents theories and procedures in the hydraulic design of flood control channels, levees, and floodwalls. Typical calculations are presented to illustrate the principles of design for channels under various conditions of flow. The appendixes provide additional information regarding the standardization of riprap gradations, calculation of stone size, and combination of flow at open channel junctions.
Top Management Team Power Distribution and its Effect

The intensifying competition in the market leads innovation to become a new weapon for enterprises to improve their market competitiveness. As an important decision-maker and executor of corporate strategy, the top management team (TMT) is the core group to decide on organizational outcomes, such as strategic choices and performances, etc. Power is one of the most crucial parts of TMT. Researchers in the field of strategic management have reported that TMT power disparity has significant impacts on top managers’ cognition, emotion, decision processes and firm performance. This paper reviews related literature, which provides deep insights on the influence of power of TMT. Some argued that TMT with unequal power distribution would promote the development of the firm, while others found that equal power distribution would make a positive impact on the team. Accordingly, this paper conducts a literature review focusing on the definitions, influencing factors and effects of top management team power distribution. Finally, it points out the existing drawbacks and some future research directions.
Unplanned reoperations in neurosurgery: a single center experience

Objective: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively analyze the unplanned reoperations in neurosurgery within our center and to explore potential factors associated with unplanned reoperations. Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the patients who underwent unplanned reoperations in the Department of Neurosurgery of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from May 2015 to October 2016. The patients’ basic characteristics, perioperative data of the initial surgeries and reoperations, outcomes, length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization expenses were collected for analysis. Factors associated with unplanned reoperations were identified using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression modeling. Results: A total of 115 patients and 129 unplanned reoperations were included. The overall incidence of unplanned reoperations was 1.37%. The principal diseases were tumors (50.4%), aneurysms (18.3%) and vascular malformations (11.3%). The most common causes of unplanned reoperations were postoperative hemorrhage (42.6%) and postoperative hydrocephalus (25.6%). Higher age and supratentorial location were risk factors for postoperative hemorrhage. Risk factors for postoperative hydrocephalus included younger age, infratentorial location, leukocytosis and rotation of first-line doctors. Patients who underwent unplanned reoperations had poorer outcomes, longer LOS and higher hospitalization expenses. Conclusions: Identifying patients at a higher risk for unplanned reoperations may improve the quality of surgical care. More studies are warranted to explore the risk factors for unplanned reoperations. We recommended standard report and regular discussion on the reoperated cases. Besides, it is urgent to perform systematic root-cause analyses and to establish perioperative protocols through multidisciplinary work to reduce the frequency of unplanned reoperations.
Partisan Social Happiness

We use a new approach to study questions in political economy that relies on data on the subjective well-being of a large sample of people living in the OECD over the period 1975-1992. Controlling for the personal characteristics of the respondents, year and country fixed effects and country-specific time trends, we find that the data describe social happiness functions for left-wing and right-wing individuals where inflation and unemployment enter negatively. We use these functions to test the root assumption of partisan business cycle models. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that left-wing individuals care more about unemployment relative to inflation than right-wingers. Interestingly, we find that individuals declare themselves to be happier when the party they support is in power, even after controlling for macroeconomic variables. The effect of politics is large. Finally, we find that these partisan differences cannot be traced back to income differences. That is, it is misleading to assume—as it is done in the previous literature—that the poor (rich) behave similarly to the left (right). For example, inflation and unemployment do not have differential effects across rich and poor and the happiness levels of these two groups are unaffected by the identity of the party in power. Our findings are hard to explain using median voter models but are to be expected in a partisan world. Copyright 2005, Wiley-Blackwell.
On Tape-Bounded Complexity Classes and Multi-Head Finite Automata

The principal result described in this paper is the equivalence of the following statements: (1) Every set accepted by a nondeterministic one-way two-head finite automaton can be accepted by a deterministic two-way k-head finite automaton, for some k. (2) The context-free language LPΣ (described in the paper) is recognized by a (log n)-tape bounded deterministic Turing machine. (3) Every set accepted by a L(n)-tape bounded nondeterministic Turing machine is recognized by a L(n)-tape bounded deterministic Turing machine, provided L(n) ≥ log n. This work extends results reported earlier by Hartmanis [2], Savitch [9,10], and Lewis, Stearns, and Hartmanis [6].
Mineral Resources: Reserves, Peak Production and the Future

The adequacy of mineral resources in light of population growth and rising standards of living has been a concern since the time of Malthus (1798), but many studies erroneously forecast impending peak production or exhaustion because they confuse reserves with “all there is”. Reserves are formally defined as a subset of resources, and even current and potential resources are only a small subset of “all there is”. Peak production or exhaustion cannot be modeled accurately from reserves. Using copper as an example, identified resources are twice as large as the amount projected to be needed through 2050. Estimates of yet-to-be discovered copper resources are up to 40-times more than currently-identified resources, amounts that could last for many centuries. Thus, forecasts of imminent peak production due to resource exhaustion in the next 20–30 years are not valid. Short-term supply problems may arise, however, and supply-chain disruptions are possible at any time due to natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes) or political complications. Needed to resolve these problems are education and exploration technology development, access to prospective terrain, better recycling and better accounting of externalities associated with production (pollution, loss of ecosystem services and water and energy use).
The Role of Incretins in Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes Treatment

Incretins are gut hormones that are secreted from enteroendocrine cells into the blood within minutes after eating. One of their many physiological roles is to regulate the amount of insulin that is secreted after eating. In this manner, as well as others to be described in this review, their final common raison d'être is to aid in disposal of the products of digestion. There are two incretins, known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), that share many common actions in the pancreas but have distinct actions outside of the pancreas. Both incretins are rapidly deactivated by an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). A lack of secretion of incretins or an increase in their clearance are not pathogenic factors in diabetes. However, in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), GIP no longer modulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, even at supraphysiological (pharmacological) plasma levels, and therefore GIP incompetence is detrimental to β-cell function, especially after eating. GLP-1, on the other hand, is still insulinotropic in T2DM, and this has led to the development of compounds that activate the GLP-1 receptor with a view to improving insulin secretion. Since 2005, two new classes of drugs based on incretin action have been approved for lowering blood glucose levels in T2DM: an incretin mimetic (exenatide, which is a potent long-acting agonist of the GLP-1 receptor) and an incretin enhancer (sitagliptin, which is a DPP4 inhibitor). Exenatide is injected subcutaneously twice daily and its use leads to lower blood glucose and higher insulin levels, especially in the fed state. There is glucose-dependency to its insulin secretory capacity, making it unlikely to cause low blood sugars (hypoglycemia). DPP4 inhibitors are orally active and they increase endogenous blood levels of active incretins, thus leading to prolonged incretin action. The elevated levels of GLP-1 are thought to be the mechanism underlying their blood glucose-lowering effects.
The impact of severity of hypertension on auditory brainstem responses.

Background: Auditory brainstem response is an objective electrophysiological method for assessing the auditory pathways from the auditory nerve to the brainstem. The aim of this study was to correlate and to assess the degree of involvement of peripheral and central regions of brainstem auditory pathways with increasing severity of hypertension, among the patients of essential hypertension. Method: This study was conducted on 50 healthy age and sex matched controls (Group I) and 50 hypertensive patients (Group II). Later group was further sub-divided into - Group IIa (Grade 1 hypertension), Group IIb (Grade 2 hypertension), and Group IIc (Grade 3 hypertension), as per WHO guidelines. These responses/potentials were recorded by using electroencephalogram electrodes on a root-mean-square electromyography, EP MARC II (PC-based) machine and data were statistically compared between the various groups by way of one-way ANOVA. The parameters used for analysis were the absolute latencies of Waves I through V, interpeak latencies (IPLs) and amplitude ratio of Wave V/I. Result: The absolute latency of Wave I was observed to be significantly increased in Group IIa and IIb hypertensives, while Wave V absolute latency was highly significantly prolonged among Group IIb and IIc, as compared to that of normal control group. All the hypertensives, that is, Group IIa, IIb, and IIc patients were found to have highly significant prolonged III-V IPL as compared to that of normal healthy controls. Further, intergroup comparison among hypertensive patients revealed a significant prolongation of Wave V absolute latency and III-V IPL in Group IIb and IIc patients as compared to Group IIa patients. These findings suggest a sensory deficit along with synaptic delays, across the auditory pathways in all the hypertensives, the deficit being more markedly affecting the auditory processing time at pons to midbrain (IPL III-V) region of auditory pathways among Grade 2 and 3 hypertensives. Conclusion: Hence, we conclude there has been greater involvement of pontomesenchymal region with the increasing severity of the disease.