Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of de novo belatacept‐based immunosuppression administered to renal transplant recipients

Kidney transplant recipients administered belatacept‐based maintenance immunosuppression present with a more favorable metabolic profile, reduced incidence of de novo donor‐specific antibodies (DSAs), and improved renal function and long‐term patient/graft survival relative to individuals receiving calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)‐based immunosuppression. However, the rates and severity of acute rejection (AR) are greater with the approved belatacept‐based regimen than with CNI‐based immunosuppression. Although these early co‐stimulation blockade‐resistant rejections are typically steroid sensitive, the higher rate of cellular AR has led many transplant centers to adopt immunosuppressive regimens that differ from the approved label. This article summarizes the available data on these alternative de novo belatacept‐based maintenance regimens. Steroid‐sparing, belatacept‐based immunosuppression (following T cell–depleting induction therapy) has been shown to yield AR rates comparable to those seen with CNI‐based regimens. Concomitant treatment with belatacept plus a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi; sirolimus or everolimus) has yielded AR rates ranging from 0 to 4%. Because the optimal induction agent and number of induction doses; blood levels of mTORi; and dose, duration, and use of corticosteroids have yet to be determined, larger prospective clinical trials are needed to establish the optimal alternative belatacept‐based regimen for minimizing early cellular AR occurrence.
Quantitative measurement of the degradation of EMI shielding and mating flange materials after environmental exposure

A test program that demonstrated that the electrical degradation of a conductive elastomer-aluminum flange joint could be determined using shielding effectiveness measurements is described. Two tests were developed. One measures the degradation of shielding effectiveness of a simulated gasketed enclosure seam (test set). Shielding effectiveness measurements are made at frequencies up to 10 GHz. The second test method yields a quantitative scale of conductive elastomer corrosivity (galvanic compatibility) and a quantitative measure of DC electrical degradation of the conductive elastomer. The tests demonstrated that a Ag-Al gasket/aluminum flange joint was more stable than a nickel-coated graphite gasket/aluminum flange joint after 192 h of sulfur dioxide salt fog exposure. This result reflects the greater stability of the Ag-Al gasket and the better galvanic compatibility of the Ag-Al gasket with the aluminum flange. <<ETX>>
A unique urinary metabolomic signature for the detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Our study aimed to identify a urinary metabolite panel for the detection/diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC continues to have poor survival outcomes. One of the major reasons for poor prognosis is the advanced stage of the disease at diagnosis. Hence, identification of a novel and cost‐effective biomarker signature for early detection/diagnosis of PDAC could lead to better survival outcomes. Untargeted metabolomics was employed to identify a novel metabolite‐based biomarker signature for PDAC diagnosis. Urinary metabolites from 92 PDAC patients (56 discovery cohort and 36 validation cohort) were compared with 56 healthy volunteers using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multivariate (partial‐least squares discriminate analysis) and univariate (Mann‐Whitney's U‐test) analyses were performed to identify a metabolite panel which can be used to detect PDAC. The selected metabolites were further validated for their diagnostic potential using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. Statistical analysis identified a six‐metabolite panel (trigonelline, glycolate, hippurate, creatine, myoinositol and hydroxyacetone), which demonstrated high potential to diagnose PDAC, with AUROC of 0.933 and 0.864 in the discovery and validation cohort, respectively. Notably, the identified panel also demonstrated very high potential to diagnose early‐stage (I and II) PDAC patients with AUROC of 0.897. These results demonstrate that the selected metabolite signature could be used to detect PDAC and will pave the way for the development of a urinary test for detection/diagnosis of PDAC.
BIOGEOMORPHIC EFFECTS OF TREES ON ROCK-MANTLED SLOPES: SEARCHING FOR DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

Biogeomorphic effects of trees on rock-mantled slopes: searching for dynamic equilibrium. Slope development remains one of the central points of geomorphological research, which results in a continuing discussion about concepts proposed by classics of geomorphology (Davis, Penck, King, etc.) on the one hand, as well as in new methodical approaches applied to the study of slopes in concrete environments on the other. The research presented applies the biogeomorphological methods and concept of non-linearity in the assessment of short-term dynamics of the middle segment of rock-mantled slopes in the protective forests. In contrast to general concepts, it is shown that even in the mid-slope, where the permanent prevalence of denudation is usually assumed, the bioprotective and bioerosive effects of trees (trunks) may cause significant variations in the balance between accumulation and denudation.
Identification and Goodness of Fit Tests for SVAR Models with Application to the Effects of the Quantitative Easing Policy by the Bank of Japan

Although there are some methods for constructing structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) models, there are fewer statistical methods for identifying and diagnosing the structural form of the model. This means that there is no way to confirm contemporaneous causal order even if the model seems satisfactorily estimated. We therefore propose some tests for identifying and make diagnoses of the structural form of an SVAR model. The proposed tests use the (inverse) covariance matrix of the error of the reduced form of the VAR models, where the errors are possibly uncorrelated but non-independent. Monte Carlo experiments illustrate the finite sample performance for the proposed test. The proposed tests apply to the effects of the quantitative easing policy by the Bank of Japan for the period January 2009 to December 2014.
A Multi-Type Collagen-Based Drink Supplement Significantly Improved Markers of Aging, both in vitro and in a Human Clinical Study

Introduction: Collagen is a ubiquitous structural protein found in skin, bone, muscle and connective tissue in humans and animals. Several studies have found significant positive impacts on skin health when collagen-containing dietary supplements are routinely ingested. A newly developed collagen product (4Life Transfer Factor Collagen (TF Collagen)) containing multiple types of collagen, transfer factors from colostrum, and other ingredients, was tested in vitro in a telomere model, and in vivo in a human skin health clinical study. Objective: The purpose of these studies was to determine if TF Collagen supplementation could significantly improve measures of aging and the overall skin health of the participants. Methods: The in vitro telomere study measured telomerase activity of lung tissue cells over 15 passages by optical density (OD). The telomerase activity was then compared between a control group and a TF Collagen-treated group at corresponding passages. For the human study, 26 subjects (aged 35-55) consumed one packet (eight grams) of TF Collagen daily for 84 days. Skin hydration, skin firmness, skin elasticity, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles were measured at day 42 and day 84. Results: The in vitro study found a significant increase in telomerase activity in cells treated with TF Collagen compared to the control. In the human clinical study, TF Collagen significantly improved skin hydration, skin firmness, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as subjective measures of skin health. Conclusion: A multi-type collagen supplement with other ingredients activated telomerase in vitro and significantly improved overall skin health in healthy men and women.
Decay dynamics of high Rydberg states in atoms and molecules

Decay dynamics of high Rydberg states above the first ionization limit have been studied. The decay rate to the ionization continuum, due to spin orbit coupling for atoms (Ar), or coupling to the dense manifold of available rovibronic states in polyatomic molecules, was measured. This decay is non-exponential and can be influenced by external fields. The stabilization of very high (ZEKE) states is demonstrated and possible mechanisms accounting for these very long lived stated are discussed.
Geodetic Reconciliation of Tide Gauge Network in Estonia

A network of automatic tide gauges (TG) is managed by the Estonian Environmental Agency. During the recent reconstruction of Estonian high-precision levelling network the local TG ties were remeasured. Estonia adopted EVRS (European Vertical Reference System) based height system in 2018. This datum change caused the previous heights (belonging to the obsolete 1977 Baltic Height System, BHS77) to increase from 14 cm to 25 cm in a north-westerly direction. Accordingly, the tide gauge records had to be corrected. This study also analyses corrected time series of 14 TG-s along the Estonian shoreline of a four years (2014–17) period. Statistical analysis reveals improvements in the consistency of the TG time-series. The standard deviation has decreased from 4.4 cm (BHS77) to 2.7 cm (EH2000), the improvements due to new adjustment in EVRS system and taking into account effects from glacial isostatic adjustment. Records of some Finnish tide gauges (located at the northern shores of Gulf of Finland) are used for verifying the study results. New, corrected data can be used for various regional and interdisciplinary studies, e.g., confirming the land uplift values along shorelines.
Devonian Radiolarian Faunas of Conodont-Dated Localities in the Frankenwald (Northern Bavaria, Germany)

Eight horizons of Early, Middle and Late Devonian cherts (Helle Kieselschieferserie) within the Bavarian Facies of the Frankenwald (North-East Bavaria) contained diverse and well-preserved radiolarian faunas. The exact stratigraphical position within the zone or even the subzone level of conodont biozonation was determined by conodonts obtained from interbedded shaly layers. The first occurrence of certainly Early Devonian (lower Emsian) radiolarians provided clear arguments against theories of a severe faunal change at the Early-Middle Devonian boundary. Well-preserved faunas of Late Devonian (Nehden to Dasberg stage, Famennian) age allowed existing zonations (Wo/oec/scus-assemblage zones) to be checked and calibrated within conodont stratigraphy. The systematic analysis led to the determination of 86 morphotypes; 35 of them are described in open nomenclature. Description of new taxa was limited to four clearly defined species (Archocyrtium effingi n.sp.; Cyrtisphaeractenium(? ) fluegeli n.sp. ; Holoeciscus elongatus n.sp. ; Tetrentactinia spinulosa n.sp. ).
FORTY YEARS OF DEBRIS-FLOW MONITORING AT KAMIKAMIHORIZAWA CREEK, MOUNT YAKEDAKE, JAPAN

okuda s. , suwa H. , okunisHi k. , yokoyama k. , & nakano m. (1980) Observation of the motion of debris flow and its geomorphological effects. Zeitschrift fur Geomorphology, Suppl.-Bd.35, 142–163. PieRson t.C. (1980) Erosion and deposition by debris flows at Mt. Thomas, North Canterbury, New Zealand. Earth Surface Processes, 5(3): 227 247. PieRson t.C. (1986) Flow behavior of channelized debris flows, Mount St. Helens, Washington, in “Hillslope Processes”, Abraham, A.D., ed., Boston, Allen & Unwin, 269–296. saito R. (1973) Records of rainstorm. In: Rainstorms: New Hazards and Mitigation, saito R. , okuda s. & saito R. , Japan Broadcast Publishing Co. Ltd., 16–71 (in Japanese). suwa H. , okuda s, & yokoyama k. (1973) Observation system on rocky mudflow, Bull. Disas. Prev. Res. Inst. , Kyoto Univ.,
Microbial Quality of Commercially Packed Fruit Juices in South-East Nigeria

The microbiological quality of commercially packed fruit juices sold in South-East Nigeria were assessed. A total of forty (40) juice samples consisting of orange, apple, pineapple, lemon, and guava flavoured varieties were collected. Samples were screened for total viable count, total coliform count, faecal coliform count, total staphylococcal count and total fungal count using standard microbiological methods. The highest total bacteria load of 4.4×10 cfu/ml was observed in sample A (Orange) while the lowest was observed in sample D of Apple variety (1.95×10 cfu/ml). The total coliform count ranged from no count in samples A, B, C and D to 9.8×10 cfu/ml in sample I (Guava juice). In all the samples, there was no faecal coliform found. The staphylococcal count ranged from no count in samples E, F, I and J to 8.4×10 cfu/ml in sample G (lemon juice). The highest total fungal count of 1.6×10 cfu/ml was observed in sample I (Guava) and the lowest count was observed to be 1.2×10 cfu/ml in an apple juice (sample D). The microorganisms isolated from the samples included Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus species, Enterobacter species, Acetobacter species, Lactobacillus species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus species, Rhizopus species and Penicillium species. Bacillus species was the most common (70%), followed by S. aureus (60%), Enterobacter spp. , Lactobacillus spp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae had the same rate of 50% respectively, and Acetobacter spp. and Penicillium spp. had the same rate of 40% while the least occurrence was seen in Aspergillus spp. and Rhizopus spp. with the rate of 30% respectively. The result showed that different bacterial and fungal species occurred within the fruits juices. The materials used for the production of the juice, poor sanitation, extraction, raw material contamination, lack of both proper heat sterilization and adequate quality control during processing of fruit juice could be a contributory factor to the presence of these organisms in the fruit juices. Some of the fungal isolates especially Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. could result in the production of mycotoxins, which could lead to health hazards for the consumer and their presence in the fruit juices is of public health significance. Therefore, regular monitoring of the quality of commercially available fruit juices for human consumption is recommended to avoid outbreak of food borne illness resulting from the organisms encountered in this study. Received: 11-4-2016 Revised: 17-5-2016 Published: 20-5-2016
ELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF A POLYSTYRENE OPEN-CELL FOAM

The mechanical properties of cellular materials are still the object of theoretical and experimental investigations [1, 2]. In particular, due to a lack of experimental techniques to produce foams of independently controlled size and relative density in the micrometric range, the variation of their elastic response as a function of the cell size has not made the object of systematic studies, except in [3, 4]. In this work, the elastic behavior of open-cell foams was studied as a function of the relative density and the size of the spherical interconnected porosities.
Effect of magnesium on monohydrocalcite formation and unit-cell parameters

Abstract Monohydrocalcite (MHC) is hydrated calcium carbonate, which plays an active role in many geological processes, carbonate biomineralization, and can be used for fundamental science (as a paleoenvironmental indicator) and industry (for removal of hazardous anions). Despite a great num‑ ber of works, the conditions preferable for MHC formation/stabilization and MHC crystal chemical patterns in relation to Mg and H2O are not clarified yet. In the course of current work, we conducted 38 syntheses to obtain information on MHC formation at different Mg/Ca ratios (0–12), pH (~9–12), and temperature (23 and 3 °C). Newly formed carbonate precipitates were studied by means of X‑ray powder difraction, optical, and scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X‑ray spectroscopy, Raman, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. The phase diagram for MHC, calcite, aragonite, and dypingite as a function of pH and Mg concentration in solution at T = 23 °C and Ca/CO3 = 0.5 was obtained. We demonstrated that MHC could be stable in dry conditions for up to two years and that the time of crystallization is important for the transformation of amorphous calcium carbonate to MHC. Our results on synthetic MHC stability show that the widespread idea that MHC is a short-lived intermediate phase is wrong. For the first time, on the basis of a regular changes in the unit-cell parameters the possibility of significant incorporation of magnesium in MHC has been demonstrated. According to FTIR data, it is shown to be accompanied by an increase in the water content, which leads to multidirectional change in a and c MHC parameters.
Influence of repeated trace mineral injections during gestation on beef heifer and subsequent calf performance

Abstract Commercial Angus heifers (n = 190; body weight (BW) = 315 ± 49.3 kg) were used to determine the effects of trace mineral injections during gestation on heifer and subsequent calf performance. Heifers received three previous subcutaneous trace mineral (Multimin 90 [MM]; n = 93) or sterilized physiological saline (CON; n = 97) injections approximately 90 d apart. These treatments were maintained and subsequent injections were given 205, 114, and 44 ± 26 d prepartum. Heifers were provided free-choice inorganic minerals. Heifer BW and body condition scores (BCS) were collected at trial initiation (296 ± 26 d prepartum) and 5- to 10-week intervals thereafter. Liver samples were collected at trial initiation, 5 and 176 ± 3 d postpartum from a subset of cows to determine trace mineral status. Milk production was assessed on 80 cow–calf pairs (40/treatment) at 71 ± 15 d postpartum. Cows were artificially inseminated (AI) 82 d postpartum and then exposed to bulls for 38 d. Data were reported from 174 calves (n = 87 calves/treatment). Calf liver samples were collected 5 and 147 ± 3 d postpartum to determine trace mineral status. Calf weaning BW was collected at 159 ± 26 d postpartum. Calf performance including calving date, birth BW, weaning BW, average daily gain (ADG), and health data were collected. Heifer BW and BCS did not differ (P ≥ 0.72) throughout the experiment. Multimin heifers tended (P = 0.08) to have greater initial liver Se and tended to have decreased (P = 0.08) initial liver Zn compared with CON. At calving, MM cows had increased (P ≤ 0.01) liver Cu and Se. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.47) in Julian calving date, calving percent, or unassisted births. Calf birth BW was lesser (P = 0.02) for MM than CON calves, and MM calves had greater (P = 0.03) liver Cu concentrations at birth than CON calves. Despite MM cows having increased (P < 0.01) milk production, calf weaning BW and ADG were not different (P ≥ 0.87). In addition, calf morbidity and mortality were not different (P ≥ 0.43) between treatments. Calf mineral status was not different (P ≥ 0.57) at the time of weaning regardless of treatment; however, MM cows had decreased (P = 0.03) liver Zn. Multimin cows had decreased (P = 0.05) AI pregnancy rates, yet there was no difference (P = 0.34) in overall pregnancy rate. Supplementing an injectable trace mineral during heifer development and gestation increased cow milk production and resulted in decreased AI pregnancy rates; however, there was no effect on overall pregnancy rates or preweaning calf health or performance.
An uphill battle? The elevational distribution of alien plant species along rivers and roads in the Austrian Alps

Ever-increasing international trade and anthropogenic activity has led to the relocation of thousands of plant species worldwide. So far, the harsh climate of the European Alps historically has restricted the establishment of alien plants. However, new opportunities created by rising temperatures and increasing human activity might allow alien plants to spread further upwards. Here, the distribution of alien plants along an altitudinal gradient in two Austrian valleys is analyzed. Specifically, the distribution along two contrasting corridors (roads, rivers) and the spread of alien plants into adjacent habitats is examined. Following the MIREN sampling protocol, 20 transects composed of three plots along each river and main road, were established in each study region. Plant species cover and a range of site-specific factors were collected. In total, 641 plant species were recorded, of which 20 were alien. Alien species richness along roads was slightly higher compared to rivers, and the composition of the alien flora differed markedly between roads and rivers. Further, alien plant species richness decreases with distance to roads and rivers (indicating that adjacent habitats are less invaded), as well as with increasing elevation. Mowing along roadsides resulted in lower alien plant species cover, but higher alien plant species richness. Finally, compositional dissimilarity between sites showed that elevation, proximity of a plot to a river or road, and alien plant cover are important factors for higher dissimilarity. This study demonstrates that both natural (rivers) and manmade (roads) corridors play an essential role in the upward spread of different alien plants in mountains.
The Welfare Implications of Massive Money Injection: The Japanese Experience from 2013 to 2020

This paper derives a money demand function that explicitly takes the costs of storing money into account. This function is then used to examine the consequences of the large-scale money injection conducted by the Bank of Japan since April 2013. The main ﬁndings are as follows. First, the opportunity cost of holding money calculated using 1-year government bond yields has been negative since the fourth quarter of 2014, and most recently (2020:Q2) was -0.2%. Second, the marginal cost of storing money, which was 0.3% in the most recent quarter, exceeds the marginal utility of money, which was 0.1%. Third, the optimum quantity of money, measured by the ratio of M1 to nominal GDP, is 1.2. In contrast, the actual money-income ratio in the most recent quarter was 1.8. The welfare loss relative to the maximum welfare obtained under the optimum quantity of money in the most recent quarter was 0.2% of nominal GDP. The ﬁndings imply that the Bank of Japan needs to reduce M1 by more than 30%, for example through measures that impose a penalty on holding money. inﬂation for by the diﬀerence in inﬂation of the inﬂation expectations of the cohorts by diﬀerences across cohorts diﬀerences in inﬂation experience). when money storage costs are non-negligible. As for the functional form of money demand functions ， previous studies based on US data seem to suggest that the log-log form performs better than the semi-log form. Speciﬁcally, using US long-term annual data covering the period from 1900 to 1994, Lucas (2000) ﬁnds that the log-log form ﬁts better than the semi-log form. More recently, Watanabe and Yabu (2018), using recent US quarterly data that include observations from the period of near-zero interest rates following the global ﬁnancial crisis, showed that the log-log form performs better than the semi-log form. As for studies based on Japanese data, Nakashima and Saito (2012) and Miyao (2002) show that semi-log speciﬁcations ﬁt well. However, using recent data containing more observations with near-zero interest rates ， Watanabe and Yabu (2019) show that the log-log form also ﬁts better to Japanese data than the semi-log form.