Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung function and indicators of exposure to indoor and outdoor particulate matter among asthma and COPD patients

Objectives: Misclassification of exposure related to the use of central sites may be larger for ultrafine particles than for particulate matter ⩽2.5 μm and ⩽10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10) and may result in underestimation of health effects. This paper describes the relative strength of the association between outdoor and indoor exposure to ultrafine particles, PM2.5 and PM10 and lung function. Methods: In four European cities (Helsinki, Athens, Amsterdam and Birmingham), lung function (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF)) was measured three times a day for 1 week in 135 patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), covering study periods of >1 year. Daily concentrations of particle number, PM2.5 and PM10 were measured at a central site in each city and both inside and outside the subjects’ homes. Results: Daily average particle number concentrations ranged between 2100 and 66 100 particles/cm3. We found no association between 24 h average particle number or particle mass concentrations and FVC, FEV1 and PEF. Substituting home outdoor or home indoor concentrations of particulate air pollution instead of the central site measurements did not change the observed associations. Analyses restricted to asthmatics also showed no associations. Conclusions: No consistent associations between lung function and 24 h average particle number or particle mass concentrations were found in panels of patients with mild to moderate COPD or asthma. More detailed exposure assessment did not change the observed associations. The lack of association could be due to the high prevalence of medication use, limited ability to assess lagged effects over several days or absence of an effect.
Discounting for Public Cost-Benefit Analysis

Standard U.S. practice for public cost-benefit analysis is to bound the discount rate with the interest rate paid by capital investment and rate received by consumers. These bounding cases arise when future benefits accrue to consumers in either a two-period model or as a perpetuity. We generalize to consider benefits paid in any future period. We find that the appropriate discount rate converges to the consumption rate for benefits in the distant future. More generally, the range of rates depends on the temporal pattern. Applied to CO2 damages, we estimate the appropriate discount rates of between 2.6 and 3.4 percent.
Evaluation of the Protected Brush Catheter and Bronchoalveolar Lavage in the Diagnosis of Nosocomial Pneumonia

We assess the sensitivity and specificity of the protected brush catheter (PBC) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in diagnosing nosocomial pneumonia in nonimmuno-compromised critically ill patients. Computerized bibliographic literature searches of MEDLINE were performed, and the reference list of each article selected was reviewed. Of 496 citations, there were 19 articles (describing 18 studies) that proved relevant. Study quality was assessed, and descriptive information concerning study populations, interventions, and clinically relevant outcome measurements was extracted. The sensitivity and specificity of PBC were high (pooled estimates, 89.9 and 94.5%, respectively). Criteria for a positive BAL have varied between studies, and sensitivity ranged from 53.3 to 100%, whereas specificity was 98.6%. Most studies did not report whether antibiotics were withheld on the basis of negative test results. In those that did, the incidence of adverse outcomes consequent on withholding antibiotics was low. BAL and PBC, combined with the use of quantitative cultures, appear to increase accuracy in diagnosing pneumonia. The strength of inference is hampered, however, by the absence of a “gold standard” for the diagnosis of pneumonia. Moreover, the generalizability of these findings is limited by the fact that there are so few methodologically sound studies from so few centers. A randomized trial of PBC is needed.
Product Space, Potential Comparative Advantages and Export Technological Complexity

To investigate the evolution process of comparative advantage and the factors affect this process is an important topic, and for developing exporting countries, it is even more important to see what factors will promote them to export more technological complex products. In this paper, we utilise the theory of product space raised by Hausmann and others and modify the indicators of product proximity, product path and product density in this theory. We also utilise the method raised by Rodrick to calculate the product and country‐level export technological complexity. Based on a multinational panel data set, we show that if a country's exported products with higher product density or higher product path also have higher technological complexity, then in the short term, the country's overall export technological complexity tend to be increased, and in the long term, the effect of distribution of the path of technological complexity of exports is more significant.
Transplantation of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells attenuates dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis in mice

Ulcerative colitis is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease and increases the risk of the development of colorectal carcinoma. The anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) make them promising tools for treating immune‐mediated and inflammatory diseases. However, the lack of robust technique for harvesting and expanding of MSC has hampered the use of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood derived MSC in clinical applications. In the present study, we investigated the intestinal protective effects of Wharton's jelly‐derived umbilical MSC (UMSC) on dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis in mice. The severity of colitis in mice was assessed using bodyweight loss, stool consistency, rectal bleeding, colon shortening and haematological parameters. Colonic myeloperoxidase and pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels were also measured. Furthermore, the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the colon were detected. In addition, intestinal permeability and tight junction proteins expressions in the colon were examined as well. The results showed that Wharton's jelly‐derived UMSC significantly diminished the severity of colitis, reduced histolopathological score, and decreased myeloperoxidase activity and cytokines levels. Furthermore, the UMSC markedly decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase 2and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the colon. In addition, transplantation of UMSC reduced intestinal permeability and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins. These results show that the anti‐inflammation and regulation of tight junction proteins by Wharton's jelly‐derived UMSC ameliorates colitis.
Cognitive inspired learning based on the compressive sensing postulates

This paper introduces a new generalized concept of cognitive inspired learning motivated by the basic principles used in the compressive sensing theory. The aim is to introduce a new perspective on the learning process which uses sparsity as a main premise. Cognitive inspired learning is observed as one of the possible learning modes, where the subject learns about the unknown phenomenon by identifying a sparse set of features belonging to different known basis. Rather than offering an algorithm for gaining the knowledge, we would like to draw attention to the new learning model which could potentially be used in the areas of learning applications.
Short-Term Synaptic Enhancement Modulates Ingestion Motor Programs of Aplysia

Activity-dependent synaptic plasticity regulates the flow of information in neuronal networks and has important implications for the expression of behavior. We find a functional role for short-term synaptic enhancement (STE) such as facilitation, augmentation, and post-tetanic potentiation at central synapses in the sea slug Aplysia californica. Consummatory feeding in Aplysia such as rhythmic biting is controlled by command-like cerebral-buccal interneurons (CBIs) that drive rhythmic motor output in the buccal ganglia. CBI interneuron-2 (CBI-2) makes monosynaptic connections onto buccal neurons, including premotor neurons B31/32 and B34 and motor neurons B61/62. Stimulating CBI-2 at a physiological firing frequency of 10 Hz for 30 sec causes these synapses to increase their EPSP amplitude by approximately 200%. This STE persists for nearly 2 min, during which time there is an increased cycle frequency of rhythmic ingestion buccal motor programs (iBMPs) elicited by CBI-2. This increase does not occur if the contralateral CBI-2 is trained and the test is performed with the ipsilateral CBI-2; therefore, the effect on motor programs only occurs in CBI-2 pathways in which STE is elicited. Furthermore, we find that STE elicited at CBI-2 buccal synapses permits iBMPs to be initiated at lower firing frequencies. Thus, STE of CBI-2 synapses appears to contribute to the initiation or modulation, or both, of buccal motor programs for rhythmic ingestion in Aplysia.
Organization of contents in intended junior secondary science curriculum of Bangladesh: An explorative study

This study explored the organization of contents in the junior secondary science curriculum of Bangladesh. The research questions of this study focus on how science content is sequenced and integrated in the intended curriculum. Document analysis within a qualitative approach has been followed to conduct this study. Both the junior secondary science curriculum and textbooks have been analyzed to address the research questions. This study finds that the current Science curriculum at the junior secondary level is not well-organized in terms of sequencing and integration. No principle of sequencing content is followed in most cases. It is noted that in the case of intergrades vertical sequencing, â€˜Spiral sequencingâ€™ is partially followed in a few cases. This study also finds that the current Science curriculum does not integrate the content adequately. Intra-disciplinary integration, i.e. integrating different sub-disciplines of Science, has been tried but the level of integration is not adequate rather it is very low. This study recommends that curriculum developers make efforts to make the content better organized in both the curriculum and textbooks by following the principles of sequencing and integration.
First and second-level agenda-setting in the 2014 Indian general election: a time-series analysis of party-media relation

ABSTRACT The role of the press as a political watchdog is crucial to the functioning of democracy. Especially in the run-up to elections, voters depend on the media's presentation of parties and candidates to make informed, responsible choices at the ballot box. But who, then, influences the news media? Empirical evidence in the United States and Europe suggests that political party campaigns and election coverage in the news media are interconnected and influence each other. This study tests whether such agenda-setting effects between party campaigns and the media also take place in the general elections in the world's largest democracy, India. India's western-type political system has a distinct media system characterized by high competition, diversification, non-consolidation and formal and informal ties between the media, commercial interests and political actors. Content analysis and Granger's causality test of newspaper coverage (N = 716) and party campaign messages (N = 458) found that agenda-setting effects do occur in India, but are largely bi-directional. We also found an overwhelming focus of both newspapers’ election coverage and of all major party campaigns on one single candidate, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Narendra Modi. This, we argue, is a result of the broader trends that have shaped Indian politics in recent years. The significant correlations and non-significant causal effects between party campaign and media coverage also indicate a trade-off situation between political power negotiation and political balance in the press.
More than toys ? A first assessment of voting advice applications in Switzerland

To what extent are Voting Advice Applications (VAAs) more than toys and should political scientists be held accountable for the VAAs they produce? A toy is basically an object to play with, but toys are also important tools for learning about the real world and promoting the process of socialisation. If VAAs are toys they are meant to playfully attract people to politics, provide them with information, increase their interest in politics and motivate them to participate in elections. If they are more than toys they additionally have a direct impact on the votes of their users and therefore on the outcome of elections. In this sense it is no longer the aspect of ‘learning by playing’ but much more the aspect of being an important element in the course of elections which has to be addressed. And: If we have to admit that VAAs have an impact on the outcome of elections then the second question becomes important. If VAAs are to be taken seriously to what extent can their providers be held accountable? Should they only be accountable for the quality of the tool itself or also for a possible influence on the outcome of elections? Can a clear distinction be made between offering a new form of sup-
The potential contribution of social impact assessment to megaproject developments

Megaprojects have considerable potential to generate social impacts as well as environmental impacts. These social impacts occur at all phases in project development. Megaprojects tend to cause the displacement and resettlement of people, as well as induce inmigration and local inflation. They stimulate speculative behaviour which often has detrimental outcomes. They produce anxiety, distress, uncertainty and sometimes fear. Megaprojects are often wicked problems in that: they are often outside the normal experience of impacted communities; the issues and people’s perceptions of the issues change over time; and it is impossible to reach solutions acceptable to all stakeholders because the issues are seen and framed in different ways by the various stakeholders. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is now understood as being the ongoing process of managing the social impacts of projects. This chapter discusses the essential contribution SIA should play in the implementation of megaprojects. A key position of SIA and this chapter is that projects should engage with communities in a respectful way and should obtain broad-based support and a social licence to operate before proceeding.
A Human Homologue of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe rad1 + Checkpoint Gene Encodes an Exonuclease*

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe the rad1 + gene is required for both the DNA damage-dependent and the DNA replication-dependent cell cycle checkpoints. We have identified a human homologue of the S. pombe rad1 + gene, designated Hrad1, as well as a mouse homologue: Mrad1. Two Hrad1alternative splice variants with different open reading frames have been identified; one codes for a long form, Hrad1A, and the other encodes a short form because of N-terminal truncation, Hrad1B. Hrad1A has 60% identity to the S. pombe rad1 +sequence at the DNA level and 49% identity and 72% similarity at the amino acid level. Northern blot analysis indicates elevated levels of expression in testis and cancer cell lines. Chromosomal localization by fluorescence in situ hybridization indicates thatHrad1 is located on chromosome 5p13.2–13.3. This region is subject to loss of heterozygosity in several human cancers. Hrad1 also shares homology with the Saccharomyces cerevisiaeRAD17 and Ustilago maydis REC1 proteins. REC1 has previously been characterized as a 3′ → 5′ exonuclease with a C-terminal domain essential for cell cycle checkpoint function. We have expressed and purified polyhistidine-tagged fusions of Hrad1A and Hrad1B and show that HisHrad1A has 3′ → 5′ exonuclease activity, whereas HisHrad1B lacks such activity. The biological functions of the two proteins remain to be determined.
Transendothelial migration drives dissociation of plateletmonocyte complexes

Summary Monocytes and platelets are both crucially involved in atherogenesis. Importantly, activated platelets bound to circulating monocytes increase adhesion of the monocytes and thus mediate colocalization of both cell types at the vessel wall. We examined the fate of the platelets upon migration of these potentially pro-atherogenic platelet-monocyte complexes (PMC) across activated endothelium. Platelet-monocyte complex migration was studied both quantitatively by means of Transwell filters coated with endothelial cells, as well as qualitatively with different imaging techniques, and in the absence or presence of flow. Upon PMC transendothelial migration, platelets relocate with monocytic P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) to the rear of the monocyte, detach,and remain at the endothelial surface. Platelet dissociation appeared not to be due to reduced PSGL-1 expression or reduced platelet-binding capacity of the migrated monocytes. In addition, different endothelial matrix proteins with different platelet-binding capacities coated on the Transwell filter, instead of endothelial cells, did not affect PMC dissociation. In contrast, lowering the mechanical stress that PMC experience during transmigration prevented dissociation of platelets. In conclusion, PMC dissociate during transendothelial migration as a result of monocytic PSGL-1 redistribution and mechanical stress. PMC-mediated deposition of activated platelets at sites of vascular inflammation is likely relevant for cardiovascular disease progression or vascular regeneration.
Social Structure and the Paradox of the Contented Female Worker: How Occupational Gender Segregation Biases Justice Perceptions of Wages

This article provides a structural explanation for the paradox of the contented female worker. Although they are generally aware that they earn less than men, women usually perceive their wages as more just. This article argues that men and women do not differ in how they perceive their wages, yet the gendered segregation of the labor market will constrain the availability of preferred same-gender referent standards in some occupations. Random- and fixed-effects analyses of longitudinal data of the German Socio-Economic Panel covering the years 2009 to 2015 (N = 26,362) reveal that the paradox is only detectable in occupations with a considerable number of female referents. However, as soon as women move into a male-dominated occupation, the paradox vanishes. These results contradict the view that men and women generally differ in how they perceive their wages and indicate that gender differences in justice perceptions can be explained by the structural embeddedness of employees in certain occupations.
Quantitative Easing: A Postmortem

Abstract The unconventional monetary policy of the Federal Reserve (Fed) during the global financial crisis of 2007–2009 and its aftermath is often credited with averting another Great Depression. The Fed’s interventions unfolded over two periods, which can be distinguished with regards to the particular tools employed and goals pursued. Lowering risk and liquidity premiums by propping up the prices of private assets was deemed essential for restoring the flow of credit and the orderly function of financial markets during the first period and in the early months of the second period. Reducing interest-rate spreads for the purpose of lowering borrowing costs and boosting total spending in the economy became a major goal of monetary policy during the second period. The purpose of monetary policy changed over time, but the targeted channels of its effects remained largely unaltered. While conventional monetary policy targets interest rates, unconventional monetary policy targeted asset prices. Starting with an overview of the two periods in the conduct of monetary policy, this article explores the theoretical justifications and practical implications of unconventional monetary policy. It further interrogates the effects of the Fed’s policies on government bond yields and asset prices as well as their macroeconomic and distributional effects. A key observation is that the effects of quantitative easing have been most acutely felt not in a revival of domestic investment and employment but in the staggering distortions in asset prices domestically and globally. The macroeconomic effects of unconventional monetary policy pale in comparison with its distributional effects.
A New Quality Metric for III–V/High-k MOS Gate Stacks Based on the Frequency Dispersion of Accumulation Capacitance and the CET

This letter proposes a metric to assess the quality of high-k dielectrics on III–V substrates and a benchmarking methodology for the gate stack qualification in the region of MOS device operation above threshold voltage, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{t}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The metric is based on a capacitive equivalent thickness (CET) - normalized frequency dispersion (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{D}_{\mathrm {eff}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) evaluated in the accumulation region of capacitance–voltage <italic>(C–V)</italic> measurements of III–V MOS devices. <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${D} _{\mathrm {eff}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is found to be CET independent, which allows for a preliminary assessment of the dielectric quality by using relatively thick layers. Several gate stacks, single layer or bi-layer, including those with Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, and the recently reported ASM-imec interfacial layer (IL) with HfO<sub>2</sub> are evaluated and compared against Si MOS devices. Using the proposed technique, a clear difference between the various deposition processes is observed. The results indicate that the quality of a single layer Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> or a bi-layer stack of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/HfO<sub>2</sub> on InGaAs is significantly lower compared with Si gate stacks while the ASM-imec IL yields a gate-stack with good performance on the proposed quality metric. In addition, these results correlate well with the reliability performance of the studied gate stacks.
Septal complex of the telencephalon of lizards: III. Efferent connections and general discussion

The projections of the septum of the lizard Podarcis hispanica (Lacertidae) were studied by combining retrograde and anterograde neuroanatomical tracing. The results confirm the classification of septal nuclei into three main divisions. The nuclei composing the central septal division (anterior, lateral, medial, dorsolateral, and ventrolateral nuclei) displayed differential projections to the basal telencephalon, preoptic and anterior hypothalamus, lateral hypothalamic area, dorsal hypothalamus, mammillary complex, dorsomedial anterior thalamus, ventral tegmental area, interpeduncular nucleus, raphe nucleus, torus semicircularis pars laminaris, reptilian A8 nucleus/ substantia nigra and central gray. For instance, only the medial septal nucleus projected substantially to the thalamus whereas the anterior septum was the only nucleus projecting to the caudal midbrain including the central gray. The anterior and lateral septal nuclei also differ in the way in which their projection to the preoptic hypothalamus terminated. The midline septal division is composed of the dorsal septal nucleus, nucleus septalis impar and nucleus of the posterior pallial commissure. The latter two nuclei projected to the lateral habenula and, at least the nucleus of the posterior pallial commissure, to the mammillary complex. The dorsal septal nucleus projected to the preoptic and periventricular hypothalamus and the anterior thalamus, but its central part seemed to project to the caudal midbrain (up to the midbrain central gray). Finally, the ventromedial septal division (ventromedial septal nucleus) showed a massive projection to the anterior and the lateral tuberomammillary hypothalamus.