Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonparametric Cointegrating Regression Functions with Endogeneity and Semi-Long Memory

This article develops nonparametric cointegrating regression models with endogeneity and semi-long memory. We assume semi-long memory is produced in the regressor process by tempering of random shock coefficients. The fundamental properties of long memory processes are thus retained in the regressor process. Nonparametric nonlinear cointegrating regressions with serially dependent errors and endogenous regressors that are driven by long memory innovations have been considered in Wang and Phillips (2016). That work also implemented a statistical specification test for testing whether the regression function follows a parametric form. The convergence rate of the proposed test is parameter dependent, and its limit theory involves the local time of fractional Brownian motion. The present paper modifies the test statistic proposed for the long memory case by Wang and Phillips (2016) to be suitable for the semi-long memory case. With this modification, the limit theory for the test involves the local time of standard Brownian motion. Through simulation studies, we investigate properties of nonparametric regression function estimation with semi-long memory regressors as well as long memory regressors.
The risk of postoperative respiratory complications following adenotonsillar surgery in children with or without obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) appears in 2%–5% of children, with first‐line treatment being adenotonsillar (AT) surgery. Our aim was to examine the risk of postoperative respiratory complications (PoRCs) in non‐OSA and the different OSA severity (mild, moderate, severe) groups.
Ionic signalling mechanisms involved in neurokinin‐3 receptor‐mediated augmentation of fear‐potentiated startle response in the basolateral amygdala

The tachykinin peptides include substance P (SP), neurokinin A and neurokinin B, which interact with three G‐protein‐coupled neurokinin receptors, NK1Rs, NK2Rs and NK3Rs, respectively. Whereas high densities of NK3Rs have been detected in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), the functions of NK3Rs in this brain region have not been determined. We found that activation of NK3Rs by application of the selective agonist, senktide, persistently excited BLA principal neurons. NK3R‐elicited excitation of BLA neurons was mediated by activation of a non‐selective cation channel and depression of the inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channels. With selective channel blockers and knockout mice, we further showed that NK3R activation excited BLA neurons by depressing the G protein‐activated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels and activating TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels. The effects of NK3Rs required the functions of phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ), but were independent of intracellular Ca2+ release and protein kinase C. PLCβ‐mediated depletion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate was involved in NK3R‐induced excitation of BLA neurons. Microinjection of senktide into the BLA of rats augmented fear‐potentiated startle (FPS) and this effect was blocked by prior injection of the selective NK3R antagonist SB 218795, suggesting that activation of NK3Rs in the BLA increased FPS. We further showed that TRPC4/5 and GIRK channels were involved in NK3R‐elicited facilitation of FPS. Our results provide a cellular and molecular mechanism whereby NK3R activation excites BLA neurons and enhances FPS.
Fibre type‐ and localisation‐specific muscle glycogen utilisation during repeated high‐intensity intermittent exercise

Glycogen particles are situated in key areas of the muscle cell in the vicinity of the main energy‐consumption sites and may be utilised heterogeneously dependent on the nature of the metabolic demands. The present study aimed to investigate the time course of fibre type‐specific utilisation of muscle glycogen in three distinct subcellular fractions (intermyofibrillar, IMF; intramyofibrillar, Intra; and subsarcolemmal, SS) during repeated high‐intensity intermittent exercise. Eighteen moderately to well‐trained male participants performed three periods of 10 × 45 s cycling at ∼105% watt max (EX1–EX3) coupled with 5 × 6 s maximal sprints at baseline and after each period. Muscle biopsies were sampled at baseline and after EX1 and EX3. A higher glycogen breakdown rate in type 2 compared to type 1 fibres was found during EX1 for the Intra (−72 vs. −45%) and IMF (−59 vs. −35%) glycogen fractions (P < 0.001) but with no differences for SS glycogen (−52 vs. −40%). In contrast, no fibre type differences were observed during EX2–EX3, where the utilisation of Intra and IMF glycogen in type 2 fibres was reduced, resulting in depletion of all three subcellular fractions to very low levels post‐exercise within both fibre types. Importantly, large heterogeneity in single‐fibre glycogen utilisation was present with an early depletion of especially Intra glycogen in individual type 2 fibres. In conclusion, there is a clear fibre type‐ and localisation‐specific glycogen utilisation during high‐intensity intermittent exercise, which varies with time course of exercise and is characterised by exacerbated pool‐specific glycogen depletion at the single‐fibre level.
Simple and accurate transcriptional start site identification using Smar2C2 and examination of conserved promoter features

SUMMARY The precise and accurate identification and quantification of transcriptional start sites (TSSs) is key to understanding the control of transcription. The core promoter consists of the TSS and proximal non‐coding sequences, which are critical in transcriptional regulation. Therefore, the accurate identification of TSSs is important for understanding the molecular regulation of transcription. Existing protocols for TSS identification are challenging and expensive, leaving high‐quality data available for a small subset of organisms. This sparsity of data impairs study of TSS usage across tissues or in an evolutionary context. To address these shortcomings, we developed Smart‐Seq2 Rolling Circle to Concatemeric Consensus (Smar2C2), which identifies and quantifies TSSs and transcription termination sites. Smar2C2 incorporates unique molecular identifiers that allowed for the identification of as many as 70 million sites, with no known upper limit. We have also generated TSS data sets from as little as 40 pg of total RNA, which was the smallest input tested. In this study, we used Smar2C2 to identify TSSs in Glycine max (soybean), Oryza sativa (rice), Sorghum bicolor (sorghum), Triticum aestivum (wheat) and Zea mays (maize) across multiple tissues. This wide panel of plant TSSs facilitated the identification of evolutionarily conserved features, such as novel patterns in the dinucleotides that compose the initiator element (Inr), that correlated with promoter expression levels across all species examined. We also discovered sequence variations in known promoter motifs that are positioned reliably close to the TSS, such as differences in the TATA box and in the Inr that may prove significant to our understanding and control of transcription initiation. Smar2C2 allows for the easy study of these critical sequences, providing a tool to facilitate discovery.
Epileptiform activity predicts epileptogenesis in cerebral hemorrhage

This retrospective case–controlled study was performed to evaluate whether Epileptiform Activity, suspected clinical seizures, and/or 2HELPS2B/S after nontraumatic Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage or Subarachnoid Hemorrhage can predict Epilepsy. Hundred and thirty‐two patients were included—29 (Epilepsy), 103 (Control Group). After matching, the average effect for all three risk factors was significant as follows: (1) Epileptiform Activity (p = 0.012, odds ratio 3.14), (2) suspected seizures (p = 0.021, odds ratio 3.78), and (3) 2HELPS2B/S score (p < 0.001, odds ratio 4.94). This study shows that Epileptiform Activity, suspected seizures, and particularly, the 2HELPS2B/S score in the acute phase are risk factors for the development of epilepsy after nontraumatic intraparenchymal and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic cardiac inflammation: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is typically defined by left ventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction in the absence of a clear precipitant. Idiopathic disease is common; up to 50% of patients with DCM have no cause found despite imaging, genetic and biopsy assessments. Treatment remains focused on managing symptoms, reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death and ameliorating the structural and electrical complications of disease progression. In the absence of aetiology‐specific treatments, the condition remains associated with a poor prognosis; mortality is approximately 40% at 10 years. The role of immune‐mediated inflammatory injury in the development and progression of DCM was first proposed over 30 years ago. Despite the subsequent failures of three large clinical trials of immunosuppressive treatment (ATTACH, RENEWAL and the Myocarditis Treatment Trial), evidence for an abnormal adaptive immune response in DCM remains significant. In this review, we summarise and discuss available evidence supporting immune dysfunction in DCM, with a specific focus on cellular immunity. We also highlight current clinical and experimental treatments. We propose that the success of future immunosuppressive treatment trials in DCM will be dependent on the deep immunophenotyping of patients, to identify those with active inflammation and/or an abnormal immune response who are most likely to respond to therapy.
Chest computed tomography (CT) features in children with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-conﬁrmed COVID-19: A systematic review

To describe the chest CT features reported in children with con ﬁ rmed COVID-19 infection, published in English literature. A systematic review was completed on PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases on the 1st of June 2020 using the PICO strategy. The NIH Quality Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of the selected articles. The systematic review was evaluated by Case Series Studies and the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (PRISMA). The extracted data were assessed and compared with those reported in the adult population. Seventy-two articles were retrieved from the database search and screened by the title, abstract and keywords. Eleven articles were deemed eligible for full-text assessment. Nine articles were included for the data extraction and in the ﬁ nal analysis. Chest CT features in children with COVID-19 differ from those in adults. ‘ Ground-grass opacities ’ (GGOs) are the most commonly described abnormalities, but closely followed by a combination of GGO and consolidation, not usual in adults. Children tend to have a more variable involvement than the subpleural and posterior and basal topography described in adults. Interlobular thickening and air bronchogram found in adults with COVID-19 are not fre-quent in children. Pulmonary embolism reported in up to 30% of adults has not been yet reported in children. Original articles describing chest CT features in children with COVID-19 in the English literature are limited to small populations of Chinese children. Chest CT imaging features are very diverse across the selected studies and globally different from those reported in adults. Data from children of different countries would provide a more comprehensive description of chest CT features in children with COVID-19.
Modeling the Stress-Strain Properties of Synthetic Fiber Mooring Lines under Cyclic Loading

The nonlinear stress-strain relationship of synthetic fiber ropes under cyclic loading is a property of vital importance which directly influences the dynamic tension response of mooring lines. How to capture the load-elongation relationship of the synthetic fiber mooring lines under cyclic loading and obtain the quantitative description is a key problem which would be of interest to mooring system designers, platform operators and researchers. The former studies were insufficient to take into account the true loading history, creep behavior and the evolution of the dynamic stiffness. A viscoelastic and viscoplastic model is developed herein to describe the stress-strain properties of synthetic fiber mooring lines. The total strain is decomposed into a recoverable viscoelastic strain and an irrecoverable plastic strain. The time-dependent property and the evolution of the dynamic stiffness can be fully incorporated in the developed model. The model is examined by comparing with the experimental results of polyester ropes under both creep-recovery and sinusoidal loadings. Through a detailed parametric analysis, further knowledge of the hysteresis loop and the dynamic stiffness evolution is clearly obtained. The present work is beneficial to improving the understanding of the performance of synthetic fiber ropes, and also provides a better basis for the further research on the mechanical problems of synthetic fiber mooring lines under complicated loading conditions. Copyright © 2014 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).
The Nuclear Factor k B Family Member RelB Facilitates Apoptosis of Renal Epithelial Cells Caused by Cisplatin/Tumor Necrosis Factor a Synergy by Suppressing an Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition – Like Phenotypic Switch s

Cis -diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) – induced renal proximal tubular apoptosis is known to be preceded by actin cy- toskeleton reorganization, in conjunction with disruption of cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion. In the present study, we show that the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor a (TNF- a ) aggravated these cisplatin-induced F-actin and cell adhesion changes, which was associated with enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis of immortalized proximal tubular epithelial cells. TNF- a – induced RelB expression and lentiviral small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of RelB, but not other nuclear factor k B members, abrogated the synergistic apoptosis observed with cisplatin/TNF- a treatment to the level of cisplatin- induced apoptosis. This protective effect was associated with increased stress fiber formation, cell-matrix, and cell-cell adhe- sion in the shRNARelB (shRelB) cells during cisplatin/TNF- a treatment, mimicking an epithelial-to-mesenchymal phenotypic switch. Indeed, gene array analysis revealed that knockdown of RelB was associated with upregulation of several actin regulatory genes, including Snai2 and the Rho GTPase proteins Rhophilin and Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 (ARHGEF3). Pharmacological inhibition of Rho kinase signaling re-established the synergistic apoptosis induced by combined cisplatin/TNF- a treatment of shRelB cells. In conclusion, our study shows for the first time that RelB is required for the cisplatin/TNF- a – induced cytoskeletal reorganization and apoptosis in renal cells by con- trolling a Rho kinase – dependent signaling network.
Population Dynamics and Agglomeration Factors: A Non-Linear Threshold Estimation of Density E ﬀ ects

: Although Southern Europe is relatively homogeneous in terms of settlement characteristics and urban dynamics, spatial heterogeneity in its population distribution is still high, and di ﬀ erences across regions outline speciﬁc demographic patterns that require in-depth investigation. In such contexts, density-dependent mechanisms of population growth are a key factor regulating socio-demographic dynamics at various spatial levels. Results of a spatio-temporal analysis of the distribution of the resident population in Greece contributes to identifying latent (density-dependent) processes of metropolitan growth over a su ﬃ ciently long time interval (1961-2011). Identiﬁcation of density-dependent patterns of population growth contributes to the analysis of socioeconomic factors underlying demographic divides, possibly distinguishing between the e ﬀ ects of population concentration and dispersion. Population growth rates were non-linearly correlated with population density, highlighting a positive (or negative) impact of urban concentration on demographic growth when population is lower (or higher) than a ﬁxed threshold (2800 and 1300 inhabitants / km 2 in 1961 and 2011, respectively). In a context of low population density (less than 20 inhabitants / km 2 ), the relationship between density and growth was again negative, contrasting with the positive and linear relationship observed in denser contexts. This result evidences a sort of ‘depopulation’ trap that leads to accelerated population decline under a deﬁned density threshold. An improved understanding of density-dependent mechanisms of population growth and decline contributes to rethinking strategies of sustainable development and social policies more adapted to heterogeneous regional contexts.
of Two Isolates from

Two isolates of Fusarium oxysporum , ISS-F3 and ISS-F4, were cultured from the dining table on the International Space Station (ISS). Genomic analyses using EF-1 ! sequences, presence/absence of effector proteins, k-mer comparisons, and single nucleotide polymorphisms indicate that these two strains are genomically different from 65 known sequenced strains. Functional analysis revealed that ISS-F3/F4 had higher relative abundances of polyketide synthase domains than a non-plant-pathogenic soil isolate, used for biocontrol properties (Fo47), and a clinical isolate (FOSC-3a). Putative secondary metabolite analysis indicates that ISS-F3/F4 may produce yet-unreported polyketides and nonribosomal peptides. While genomic analysis showed that these ISS strains are unlikely to be plant pathogens, a virulence assay using an immunocompromised Caenorhabditis elegans model of fusariosis revealed that they were virulent and may represent opportunistic pathogens in animals, including humans. However, its effects on the health of immunocompromised humans warrant further study. industries as well as for the health of the crew who coinhabit the ISS with these strains. fungus ubiquitous and infamous for causing vascular wilt and root rot disease in important plants and crops (1). While the number of hosts this species can infect is extensive (tomatoes, bananas, cotton, strawberries, eggplants, tulips, soybean, beets, and chrysanthemum, to name only a few) (2), individual isolates show a high degree of host speciﬁcity and are assigned to formae speciales (f. sp.) based on the host it can infect (3). For fungal in , and considered other F. oxysporum isolates. SNP identiﬁcation using which uses Nucmer for pairwise of Evolutionary analyses and phylogenetic as part the in
SYNAPTIC INHIBITION IN AN ISOLATED NERVE CELL* BY STEPHEN W. KUFFLER A~D CARLOS EYZAGUIRRE$

The preceding two papers gave an account of some of the mechanisms which lead to the excitation of sensory neurons. These cells, described by Alexandrowicz (1, 2), are linked to stretch receptors in lobster and crayfish and consist of a nerve cell body which is situated in the periphery and sends dendritic processes into a nearby muscle strand and also gives rise to a sensory axon running centrally. Experiments have shown that stretch deformation causes a depolarization of the dendrites, the site of the generator potential, which in turn spreads to the adjoining cell portions and leads to a conducted sensory nerve impulse. I t was also found that changes impressed on the dendrites can alter the resting potential of the nerve cell soma for long periods, depending on the magnitude of stretch. Thereby a sensitive mechanism is provided which controls the excitability of the sensory neuron. In contrast, but complementing this dendrite--cell body-axon excitation cycle, the present paper describes in the same cell an opposite mechanism by which the generator potential is controlled by an inhibitory axon which makes synaptic contacts with the dendrites. While the study of inhibition in the central nervous system has been vigorously pursued by many, the mechanisms, especially in the periphery, have not aroused as much interest. At the neuromuscular junction Biedermann's classic demonstration of inhibition (3) was expanded by Hoffmann (22) and by Marmont and Wiersma (29) (cf. also (30)). Since then neuromuscular inhibition mechanisms were analyzed by Kuflter and Katz (26), and Fat t and Katz (15). Lately synaptic inhibition was successfully explored in spinal motoneurons of the cat by Eccles and his colleagues (4, 6). In short, at present evidence exists that inhibitory impulses may produce no change in the membrane potential of a cell, or they may produce "hyperpolarization" or even depolarization, depending on experimental conditions. I t appears that synaptic inhibitory effects depend largely on the state of activation within the receptor cell. In the present preparation the "state" of the nerve cell can be adjusted
Interrupting the Propaganda Supply Chain

In this early-stage research, a multidisciplinary approach is presented for the detection of propaganda in the media, and for modeling the spread of propaganda and disinformation using semantic web and graph theory. An ontology will be designed which has the theoretical underpinnings from multiple disciplines including the social sciences and epidemiology. An additional objective of this work is to automate triple extraction from unstructured text which surpasses the state-of-the-art performance.
University of Birmingham Service workers’ job performance

Purpose: Organizational identification refers to employees’ perceived oneness and belongingness to their work organization, and has been argued to be associated with higher employee performance. This research aims to advance the literature by testing the boundary of this relationship with reference to a key construct in employee performance in the service domain: employee customer orientation. Design/methodology/approach: We collected data based on a sample of call center service workers. Employees rated their organizational identification, customer orientation, and personality traits. Supervisors independently rated their subordinates’ performance. Variables statistic tools were employed to analyse the data and test a series of hypotheses. Findings: We found that customer orientation strengthens the relationship between organizational identification and service workers’ job performance, and enhances the mediating effect of organizational identification on the relationship between service workers’ personality trait (i.e., agreeableness) and their performance. Originality/value: This research advances an argument that employee customer orientation moderates the relationship between employee organizational identification and employee job performance in the call center service provision domain. In addition, this is a pioneering study examining the roles of personality traits on employee organizational identification.
Identifying Mixture Copula Components Using Outlier Detection Methods and Goodness-of-Fit Tests

This paper proposes the use of outlier detection methods from robust statistics and copula goodness-of-fit tests to identify components of mixture copulas. We first consider simulated data samples in which the true dependence structure is given by a mixture of two parametric copulas: one copula that is presumed to represent the true dependence structure and one disturbing copula. The Monte Carlo simulations show that the goodness-of-fit tests we consider lose significantly in power when applied to mixtures of copulas with different tail dependence. Several goodness-of-fit tests are shown to hold their nominal level when multivariate outliers are excluded, although this improvement comes at the price of a further loss in the tests' power. The usefulness of excluding outliers in copula goodness-of-fit testing is exemplified in an empirical risk management application.