Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome

Purpose: To report the findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the corneas of patients with recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES). Methods: Ten normal subjects and 25 patients with RCES were recruited for the study. Ten patients with RCES suffered from an acute episode of pain and 15 patients complained of typical chronic symptoms of RCES. All eyes were scanned with the anterior segment 5 line raster acquisition protocol of the Cirrus HD-OCT platform (Zeiss). The etiology of RCES was investigated and treatment was provided following a standard clinical protocol. Scans were obtained at different stages of the pathology and each patient was followed-up after treatment. Results: Tear film, epithelium, basement membrane, Bowman layer, stroma, and Descemet–endothelium complex were identified by OCT in all normal corneas. The same structures were identified in nonaffected areas of RCES corneas. The findings on OCT from patients suffering from acute RCES were as follows: anterior stromal hyper-reflectivity (100%), epithelial edema (100%), and irregular breaks in the epithelium (90%). Undetected epithelial basement membrane (100%), intraepithelial basement membrane (60%), intraepithelial inclusions (60%), and anterior stromal hyper-reflectivity (40%) were seen in patients with chronic RCES. These findings correlated well with the clinical symptoms and with previously described histological reports of RCES. Conclusions: Corneal OCT can be useful to study and manage RCES. Specific OCT findings may clarify etiology, confirm a suspected diagnosis, and give advice on the decision to treat patients.
Economic Effects of Apportionment Formula Changes

Empirical studies of the economic effects of changes in state corporate income tax apportionment policies generally have used highly aggregated state-level data. This study uses individual firm-level data, from 1992 to 2002 State of Georgia corporate income tax returns, to evaluate economic development and revenue aspects of increasing the sales factor weight (and uniformly lowering weights on payroll and property) in state corporate income tax apportionment formulae. The authors find elasticities indicative of a substantial impact on local sales (-6.5 percent), payroll (2.0 percent), and property (2.1 percent) following a move to double-weighted sales. For the average firm, increases in Georgia payroll and property were $37,110 and $190,829, respectively, while the decrease in Georgia sales was $634,367. Using 1994 figures (the year prior to double-weighting), this amounts to statewide payroll and property increases of $0.6 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively, and a gross receipts decrease of approximately $10.4 billion.
Factors influencing the use of e-learning in public Universities in Kenya

Purpose : The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing the use of e-learning in Public Universities in Kenya. Methodology : A descriptive survey design was used in finding out the factors influencing the use of e-learning in Public universities in Kenya. The Population of this study will be the 19,205 employees (Academic and non-Academic staff) in all public universities. The sample size was 96 employees. A questionnaire was the preferred data collection instrument for this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: Results revealed perceived usefulness was important in explaining the use of e-learning. This is supported by a p value 0.000 which means that perceived usefulness is a statistically significant predictor of the use of e-learning. Results further revealed that such perceived ease of use is important in determining use of e-learning as demonstrated by a p value of 0.000. Analysis showed that supporting infrastructure is a key determinant in use of e-learning in Kenyan universities and this was supported by a correlation coefficient of 0.398 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy : The universities should ensure that e-learning saves time compared to face to face learning. They should also be in such a position that ensures that e-Learning saves money compared to face to face learning for the students.
PENGUKURAN KINERJA UNIT KERJA PEMERINTAH DAERAH DALAM PERSPEKTIF VALUE FOR MONEY (Studi Pada Dinas Koperasi dan UMKM Kota Surabaya)

This research is meant to measure, to analyze and to find out the performance at Cooperation Department and Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises in Surabaya city which is measured by using value for money concept. The research method has been carried out by using qualitative. The data collection technique has been conducted by using interview and documentation. Meanwhile, the analysis of performance appraisal has been done on the basis of economic, efficient, effectiveness performance which refers to input, output, and outcome. The result of the discussion and the analysis about performance appraisal at work unit of Local Government in the perspective of value for money in the Cooperation Department and Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises in Surabaya city in 2014-2015 periods shows that in determining economic performance it is done by considering the budget (input) and budget realization. The efficient performance is considered from the amount of the realization f output which has been generated to the input. The effective performance is considered from the output or the outcome which has been succeeded in running the objective of the institution in achieving the expected program. Even though the performance report of Cooperation Department and Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises in Surabaya city shows the achievement of the performance of economic, efficient, and effectiveness is in accordance with the expectation. Nevertheless, the improvement of relevant performance appraisal model is required, by considering the relevancy of the purpose of the activity and the program. Keywords : Value for money, economic, efficient, effectiveness
Effect of low oxygen storage conditions on volatile emissions and anaerobic metabolite concentrations in two plum fruit cultivars.

Golias J., Hic P., Kaňova J., 2010. Effect of low oxygen storage conditions on volatile emissions and anaerobic metabolite concentrations in two plum fruit cultivars . Hort. Sci. (Prague), 37: 145-154. By harvest time, small amounts of acetaldehyde were accumulated in the flesh of plums, such as 0.31 mg/l for the cv. Stanley and 1.03 mg/l for the cv. Valjevka. This relative difference in concentrations remained constant throughout the whole period of storage in a regular atmosphere. The long-term effects of higher concentrations of CO 2 are the same as for very low oxygen concentrations; and significant amounts of ethanol accumulate in the tissue. Out of a total number of 42 different odour compounds identified in the juice, there were 11 alcohols, 6 aldehydes, 17 esters, 2 ter - penes, 3 organic acids, and 1 lactone. Very low oxygen atmospheres slow down the production of esters and aldehydes, but have little effect on the production of lactones and terpenes. It was shown that a very low oxygen concentration, without much CO 2 (Fluctuating anaerobiosis treatment), does not encourage the production of significant amounts of ethanol and acetaldehyde in the fruit flesh, but does significantly slow the biosynthesis of aromatic volatiles.
Methylammonium uptake by Rhizobium sp. strain 32H1

We present evidence that methylammonium is transported into cowpea Rhizobium sp. strain 32H1 cells by a membrane carrier whose natural substrate is ammonium. After growth in low (0.2%) oxygen, which is necessary for nitrogen fixation by these cells, respiring rhizobial cells took up [14C]methylammonium to high intracellular levels. Cells grown in atmospheric (21%) oxygen did not take up methylammonium. Uptake (transport plus metabolism) was maximal in cells harvested in the early stationary phase of batch culture and had a distinct pH optimum of 6.5 to 7.0. Uptake was inhibited by metabolic poisons that dissipate the proton motive force or inhibit ATP synthesis. Inhibition of uptake by ammonium and the counterflow phenomenon indicated that ammonium and methylammonium share a transport carrier. Of the methylammonium taken up, about 15% was accumulated to intracellular levels 20 times higher than those in the medium; most of the methylammonium was metabolized to gamma-N-methylglutamine.
Who Contributes to Individual Retirement Accounts

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) now hold nearly half of total private retirement assets. Although almost all of the growth in IRA assets is driven by rollovers from employer-sponsored retirement plans, individuals’ contributions represent 13 percent of the new money flowing into IRAs each year. This brief uses data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation to examine the characteristics of those who contribute to an IRA. The discussion proceeds as follows. The first section provides a brief history of IRAs and discusses the difference between traditional and Roth IRAs. The second section describes the enormous importance of IRAs among private sector retirement plans and the relative unimportance of contributions to the buildup of assets in IRAs. The third section, using latent class analysis, shows that IRA contributors fall into three distinct groups: 1) higher-income individuals in two-earner couples who often currently contribute to a 401(k); 2) individuals in middle-income, one-earner households who also tend to contribute to a 401(k); and 3) higher earners who are self-employed. The final section concludes that only a tiny fraction of all households use IRAs to gain access to tax-preferred retirement saving – the original intent behind the introduction of IRAs. Automatically enrolling those without an employer plan into IRAs would be an effective use of a retirement savings vehicle that today serves primarily as a passive receptacle for rollovers.
HLA class I transgenic mice: development, utilisation and improvement

Classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens are trimeric molecules found on the surface of nucleated cells in all jawed vertebrates. MHC I are recognised by two families of receptors: clonotypic T cell receptors expressed on the surface of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and monomorphic receptors expressed by both natural killer cells and CTLs. The production of MHC I molecules within the cells is a sequential process performed with the help of interacting proteins: proteases, chaperones, transporters and so on. Although largely homologous in their structure, organisation and function, the human and mouse MHC I antigen processing and presentation machineries show fine differences. Transgenesis and ‘knockout’ or ‘knock-in’ technologies permit the addition of relevant human genes or the replacement of mouse genes by their human orthologues in order to produce immunologically humanised mice. Such experimental animals are especially relevant for the comparative evaluation of immunotherapies and for the characterisation of MHC I peptide epitopes. This review presents the similarities and differences between mouse and human MHC I antigen processing machinery, and describes the development and utilisation of improving mouse models of human cytotoxic T cell immunity.
Insights into carsharing demand dynamics: Outputs of an agent-based model application to Lisbon, Portugal

ABSTRACT Two important claims for carsharing systems are their increased flexibility and potential contribution to reducing transport externalities such as pollution. Carsharing typically involves a fleet of vehicles in stations around a city that clients may use on an hourly-payment basis. Classical round-trip systems address a niche market of shopping and errand trips. However, a growing market is now arising providing one-way trips to clients. Great uncertainty remains on the economic viability of this type of carsharing given the complex relation between supply and demand, and how this may influence the level of service provided. Realistic modeling tools that include both supply and demand characterization and allow testing several carsharing operational parameters are scarce. In this sense, a detailed agent-based model was developed to simulate one-way carsharing systems. The simulation incorporates a stochastic demand model discretized in time and space and a detailed environment characterization with realistic travel times. The operation includes maintenance operations, relocations and reservations. The model was applied to the case-study city of Lisbon. Our results show that comparing to other modes, carsharing performs worse than private cars both in terms of time and cost. Nevertheless, it clearly outperforms taxis in terms of cost, and outperforms buses, metro and walking in terms of travel time. The competitiveness of carsharing is highly determined by trip length, becoming more competitive than other modes (travel-time wise) as trips become longer. The operational policies as car-fleet relocation and car reservation showed significant effects in enhancing profit while preserving good customers' satisfaction.
Novel thromboxane A2 analog-induced IUGR mouse model

Rodents, particularly rats, are used in the majority of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) research. An important tool that is lacking in this field is the ability to impose IUGR on transgenic mice. We therefore developed a novel mouse model of chronic IUGR using U-46619, a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) analog, infusion. TXA2 overproduction is prevalent in human pregnancies complicated by cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. In this model, U-46619 micro-osmotic pump infusion in the last week of C57BL/6J mouse gestation caused maternal hypertension. IUGR pups weighed 15% less, had lighter brain, lung, liver and kidney weights, but had similar nose-to-anus lengths compared with sham pups at birth. Metabolically, IUGR pups showed increased essential branched-chain amino acids. They were normoglycemic yet hypoinsulinemic. They showed decreased hepatic mRNA levels of total insulin-like growth factor-1 and its variants, but increased level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha. IUGR offspring were growth restricted from birth (P1) through postnatal day 21 (P21). IUGR males caught up with sham males in weight by P28, whereas IUGR females caught up with sham females by P77. IUGR males surpassed sham males in weight by P238. In summary, we have a non-brain sparing IUGR mouse model that has a relative ease of surgical IUGR induction and exhibits features similar to the chronic IUGR offspring of humans and other animal models. As transgenic technology predominates in mice, this model now permits the imposition of IUGR on transgenic mice to interrogate mechanisms of fetal origins of adult disease.
Optimal Filtering for  ${\rm It}{\mathhat{o}}$-Stochastic Continuous-Time Systems With Multiple Delayed Measurements

This technical note focuses on optimal filtering for Itô stochastic continuous-time systems with multiple delayed measurements. Stochastic analysis and calculus of stochastic variables are the main tools employed for the analysis and design. For an Itô-stochastic system, its stochastic differential and integral have a significant place and are different from that for other stochastic systems owing to the Wiener or the Brownian process. In this technical note, an Itô stochastic continuous-time system with multiple delayed measurements is first reduced to an equivalent system with delay free measurements by solving stochastic equation via the non-singularity of the transition matrix instead of reorganizing the innovation. Then, based on the delay-free measurements the optimal filter is derived through calculation of the conditional expectation. It is should be stressed that the optimal filter follows directly from the manipulation of the performance. Finally, a short interest rate model in mathematical finance is chosen to demonstrate the design of the optimal filter via the approach proposed in the technical note.
Performance evaluation of a fast chemical structure matching method using distributed neural relaxation

This paper presents an initial investigation of the performance of relaxation by elimination (RBE) using neural networks for matching three dimensional representations of chemical structures (small molecules). The approach differs from traditional schemes in that it uses a binary representation for information, allowing the use of correlation matrix memories (CMMs) for data processing. Furthermore, the use of CMMs allows an inherently parallel system, allowing high-performance processing.
People tracking using integrated sensors for human robot interaction

In human-human interaction, position and orientation of participants' bodies and faces play an important role. Thus, robots need to be able to detect and track human bodies and faces, and obtain human positions and orientations to achieve effective human-robot interaction. It is difficult, however, to robustly obtain such information from video cameras alone in complex environments. Hence, we propose to use integrated sensors that are composed of a laser range sensor and an omni-directional camera. A Rao-Blackwellized particle filter framework is employed to track the position and orientation of both bodies and heads of people based on the distance data and panorama images captured from the laser range sensor and the omni-directional camera. In addition to the tracking techniques, we present two applications of our integrated sensor system. One is a robotic wheelchair moving with a caregiver; the sensor system detects and tracks the caregiver and the wheelchair moves with the caregiver based on the tracking results. The other is a museum guide robot that explains exhibits to multiple visitors; the position and orientation data of visitors' bodies and faces enable the robot to distribute its gaze to each of multiple visitors to keep their attention while talking.
Data mining reconsidered: encompassing and the general-to-specific approach to specification search

Summary This paper examines the efficacy of the general-to-specific modeling approach associated with the LSE school of econometrics using a simulation framework. A mechanical algorithm is developed which mimics some aspects of the search procedures used by LSE practitioners. The algorithm is tested using 1000 replications of each of nine regression models and a data set patterned after Lovell’s (1983) study of data mining. The algorithm is assessed for its ability to recover the data-generating process. Monte Carlo estimates of the size and power of exclusion tests based on t-statistics for individual variables in the specification are also provided. The roles of alternative sizes for specification tests in the algorithm, the consequences of different signal-to-noise ratios, and strategies for reducing overparameterization are also investigated. The results are largely favorable to the general-tospecific approach. In particular, the size of exclusion tests remains close to the nominal size used in the algorithm despite extensive search.
An application of discriminative feature extraction to filter-bank-based speech recognition

A pattern recognizer is usually a modular system which consists of a feature extractor module and a classifier module. Traditionally, these two modules have been designed separately, which may not result in an optimal recognition accuracy. To alleviate this fundamental problem, the authors have developed a design method, named discriminative feature extraction (DFE), that enables one to design the overall recognizer, i.e., both the feature extractor and the classifier, in a manner consistent with the objective of minimizing recognition errors. This paper investigates the application of this method to designing a speech recognizer that consists of a filter-hank feature extractor and a multi-prototype distance classifier. Carefully investigated experiments demonstrate that DFE achieves the design of a better recognizer and provides an innovative recognition-oriented analysis of the filter-bank, as an alternative to conventional analysis based on psychoacoustic expertise or heuristics.
International Evidence on the Determinants of Private Saving

A broad set of possible determinants of private saving behavior is examined, using data for a large sample of industrial and developing countries. Both time-series and cross-section estimates are obtained. Results suggest that there is a partial offset on private saving of changes in public saving and (for developing countries) in foreign saving, that demographics and growth are important determinants of private saving rates, and that interest rates and terms of trade have positive, but less robust, effects. Increases in per capita GDP seem to increase saving at low income levels (relative to the United States) but decrease it at higher ones.
Determination of an Angiotensin II-regulated Proteome in Primary Human Kidney Cells by Stable Isotope Labeling of Amino Acids in Cell Culture (SILAC)

Background: Specific markers of kidney angiotensin-II (AngII) activity are needed. Results: Eighteen AngII-regulated proteins were discovered and confirmed by proteomics in human kidney cells, whereas heme oxygenase-1 was validated in a mouse. Conclusion: Heme oxygenase-1 and other AngII-regulated proteins represent novel markers of AngII activity. Significance: AngII-regulated proteins may represent kidney-specific AngII activity markers in patients and in experimental models. Angiotensin II (AngII), the major effector of the renin-angiotensin system, mediates kidney disease progression by signaling through the AT-1 receptor (AT-1R), but there are no specific measures of renal AngII activity. Accordingly, we sought to define an AngII-regulated proteome in primary human proximal tubular cells (PTEC) to identify potential AngII activity markers in the kidney. We utilized stable isotope labeling with amino acids (SILAC) in PTECs to compare proteomes of AngII-treated and control cells. Of the 4618 quantified proteins, 83 were differentially regulated. SILAC ratios for 18 candidates were confirmed by a different mass spectrometry technique called selected reaction monitoring. Both SILAC and selected reaction monitoring revealed heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as the most significantly up-regulated protein in response to AngII stimulation. AngII-dependent regulation of the HO-1 gene and protein was further verified in PTECs. To extend these in vitro observations, we overlaid a network of significantly enriched gene ontology terms from our AngII-regulated proteins with a dataset of differentially expressed kidney genes from AngII-treated wild type mice and AT-1R knock-out mice. Five gene ontology terms were enriched in both datasets and included HO-1. Furthermore, HO-1 kidney expression and urinary excretion were reduced in AngII-treated mice with PTEC-specific AT-1R deletion compared with AngII-treated wild-type mice, thus confirming AT-1R-mediated regulation of HO-1. Our in vitro approach identified novel molecular markers of AngII activity, and the animal studies demonstrated that these markers are relevant in vivo. These interesting proteins hold promise as specific markers of renal AngII activity in patients and in experimental models.
Long‐term response of juvenile idiopathic arthritis after conditioning with 8 Gy total body irradiation followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cells: Case report

Woolfrey A, Storek J, Bowyer S, Nelson R, Robertson M, Wallace C. Long‐term response of juvenile idiopathic arthritis after conditioning with 8 Gy total body irradiation followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cells: Case report. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:E65–E69. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.