Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant status of type 2 diabetic patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

CONTEXT Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications. AIMS This study was conducted to determine and compare total antioxidant status (TAS), vitamin C and E levels in T2DM patients and healthy control subjects. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Fifty-five previously diagnosed DM patients aged between 34 years and 70 years and 50 control subjects aged between 35 years and 69 years were consecutively recruited into this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood pressure (mmHg), body mass index (kg/m 2 ), concentrations of plasma glucose (mmol/l), lipid profile (mmol/l), TAS (mmol/l), vitamins C (μmol/l), and E (μmol/l) were determined in all participants. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS The mean plasma TAS (1.18 ± 0.27 mmol/l), vitamin C (26.59 ± 7.39 μmol/L) and vitamin E (15.33 ± 4.05 μmol/l) of T2DM patients were significantly lower (P=0.0001 for all) than those of controls (1.58 ± 0.28 mmol/l, 43.56 ± 6.86 μmol/l, 31.22 ± 6.20 μmol/l respectively). TAS had a positive correlation with vitamin E (r=0.588; P=0.013) but no correlation with vitamin C (r=-0.387; P=0.139) among diabetics. CONCLUSIONS TAS, vitamin C and E levels are reduced in T2DM patients compared with those of controls.
Current methods for cervical spine movement evaluation: a review.

Cervical spine mobility is difficult to investigate accurately because of its anatomic structure and the compensatory movements. Different methods have been conceived in order to obtain a reliable measurement of cervical range of movement (ROM). We reviewed different instruments described in the literature: x-rays, CT and MRI, goniometer, inclinometer, cybex and related devices, and opto-electronic scanners. Cybex and 3D kinematic analysis by means of opto-electronic scanners (Elite system) seemed to be the most reliable and reproducible methods. Cybex equipment is relatively inexpensive and easy to use in a clinical setting, while the Elite system is expensive and requires special training of the personnel. However, the choice of method depends primarily on whether the physician's goal is a clinical screening or a thorough investigation of neck function (e.g., post-traumatic cervical spine disorders). For the first purpose, certain types of goniometers (gravity goniometer, ad modum Myrin), as well as the cybex, show good reproducibility and reliability in evaluating maximal cervical ROM (flexion-extension, rotation, lateral bending), while x-rays and, above all, 3D kinematic analysis (using opto-electronic scanners) are more suitable for diagnostic and follow-up evaluation of neck disorders.
Working Paper Series Monetary policy and bank equity values in a time of low interest rates

This paper examines the effects of monetary policy on the equity values of European banks. We identify monetary policy shocks by looking at changes in the EONIA onemonth and two-year swap contract rates during narrow windows around the press statements and press conferences announcing monetary policy actions taken by the ECB. We find that an unexpected decrease of 25 basis points on the short-term policy rate increases banks’ stock prices by about 1% on average. These effects vary substantially over time; in particular, they were stronger during the crisis period and reversed during the recent period with low and even negative interest rates. That is, with rates close to or below zero, further interest rate cuts became detrimental for banks’ equity values. The composition of banks’ balance sheets is important in order to understand these effects. In particular, the change in sensitivity to interest rate surprises as rates drop to low and negative levels is much more pronounced for banks with a high reliance on deposit funding, compared to other banks. We argue that this pattern can be explained by a reluctance of banks to pay negative interest rates on retail deposits. JEL-codes: E52, E58, G21
DNA analysis by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry

The last decade has seen an increased demand for high‐throughput DNA analysis. This is mainly due to the human genome sequencing project that is now completed. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry was pinpointed early on as a technology that could be of great use for sequence variation analysis in the post‐genome sequencing era. Applications developed first on this platform were for SNP genotyping. Several strategies for allele‐discrimination (hybridization, cleavage, ligation, and primer extension) were combined with MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometric detection. Nowadays, in practice, only primer extension methods are applied for large‐scale SNP genotyping studies with MALDI‐TOF detection. Problems surrounding the integration of SNP genotyping by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry at high throughput are largely mastered now. Mass spectrometry geared presentations at the HUGO Mutation Detection Meeting in Palm Cove, Australia almost exclusively focused on novel applications that go beyond standard SNP genotyping. These applications are more demanding in terms of chemistry and molecular biology. Molecular haplotyping, expression profiling, DNA methylation analysis, and mutation detection are now being demonstrated. Hum Mutat 23:437–441, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characteristics of Hospice Patients Utilizing Hospice Inpatient/Residential Facilities

Given the increasing popularity of a hospice inpatient/residential facility (HIRF) among hospice patients and their family members, examining who uses HIRFs has been of increasing importance. Using the 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey (NHHCS), we found that about 14% of the hospice patients received care in an HIRF in 2007. Characteristics of patients associated with HIRF use largely match the industry norm for a general inpatient level of care and include having no caregiver or having an incapable caregiver; having imminent death; and being directly admitted to a hospice after discharge from a hospital. Given a recent stricter enforcement of reimbursement rules, however, we call for close monitoring of any change in the number of HIRF beds—particularly in rural and low-income urban areas.
Does the market care about investor protection practices in China?

ABSTRACT This study develops a scorecard with which to measure the investor protection practices of major listed firms in China during 2007–2010. We use time-series data to examine the relationship between the change in firm investor protection practices and market performance. Our results show that firms exhibiting improvements in investor protection practices manifest a subsequent increase in buy-and-hold abnormal returns. The results further indicate that the changes in the sub-index have different effects on a firm’s future performance. Shareholder rights to be rewarded seem to have the most significant and positive effect on a firm’s future performance for both local and international investors. Moreover, international investors pay attention to their rights to information. Our results provide evidence in support of the notion that the market does care about firm’s investor protection practices. The findings are robust to other measures of firm performance.
Liposomal amphotericin-B in the control of experimental aspergillosis in mice: Part I--Relative therapeutic efficacy of free and liposomal amphotericin-B.

An animal model system for aspergillosis in BALB/c mice has been developed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of liposomal Amphotericin-B (Amp-B) and commercial Amp-B (Fungizone). Amp-B was intercalated into liposomes composed of egg phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and cholesterol in a molar ratio of 6:1:3. A single dose (0.5 mg/kg body wt) of Amp-B both alone as well as in liposomal preparation was injected (i.v.) into animals infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. An increase in survival rate of animals and decrease in fungal count in lung, the most affected organ, were observed with liposomal formulation. Inclusion of Amp-B into liposomes also reduced the toxicity of the drug. Tissue distribution analysis of Amp-B by HPLC showed an increase in concentration of the drug in lung for both free and liposomal Amp-B in infected animals as compared to normal. Use of liposomal Amp-B increased the concentration of the drug in the disease affected organs such as lung, spleen. A longer persistence of the drug in the infected organs was also observed. The results suggest that inclusion of Amp-B in liposomes decreases its toxicity and improves therapeutic efficacy which at least in part could be due to more deposition and longer persistence of the drug in infected tissues.
Trading Bull- and Bear-Markets with a Hidden Markov Model.

I have developed in the previous working paper a Hidden-Markov-Model for tail-risk-protection of the SPY with VIX-Futures. This working paper is a follow-up. It applies the model to different equity-market indexes and for switching between equity- and treasuries ETFs. It considers additionally the effect of leveraged ETFs. The analysis extends the rather promising results of the original paper.
Regions of Russia in Comparative Perspective: Introducing a New Dataset

The paper presents a new dataset of macroeconomic, social, and political indicators in the 82 regions of Russia over the period from 1990 up through 2015. The dataset covers over 2000 indicators on economy, society, and political institutions in within Russia. It contributes to the field of comparative studies and allows expanding the scope of existing research. Covering the whole period from the country’s independence also allows using the data for investigating reforms or changes specific to the countries in transition. As a part of a broader project, the dataset is created to advance research in Russian and East-European studies, investigating history, attitudes and behavior of individuals, groups or organizations in transition countries. The new dataset could also be used to advance the development of research methods and teaching — providing a unique source of data for courses in regional and urban studies, comparative research methods, Russian studies, economics, sociology, or political science.
A Clustering and SVM Regression Learning-Based Spatiotemporal Fuzzy Logic Controller with Interpretable Structure for Spatially Distributed Systems

Many industrial processes and physical systems are spatially distributed systems. Recently, a novel 3-D FLC was developed for such systems. The previous study on the 3-D FLC was concentrated on an expert knowledge-based approach. However, in most of situations, we may lack the expert knowledge, while input-output data sets hidden with effective control laws are usually available. Under such circumstance, a data-driven approach could be a very effective way to design the 3-D FLC. In this study, we aim at developing a new 3-D FLC design methodology based on clustering and support vector machine (SVM) regression. The design consists of three parts: initial rule generation, rule-base simplification, and parameter learning. Firstly, the initial rules are extracted by a nearest neighborhood clustering algorithm with Frobenius norm as a distance. Secondly, the initial rule-base is simplified by merging similar 3-D fuzzy sets and similar 3-D fuzzy rules based on similarity measure technique. Thirdly, the consequent parameters are learned by a linear SVM regression algorithm. Additionally, the universal approximation capability of the proposed 3-D fuzzy system is discussed. Finally, the control of a catalytic packed-bed reactor is taken as an application to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed 3-D FLC design.
LOCALIZED ADAPTATION OF CLONES OF THE SEA ANEMONE ACTINIA TENEBROSA

Adult Actinia tenebrosa were reciprocally transplanted within and between colonies separated by 2 or 4 km. These experiments revealed powerful genetic and environmental effects on adult size and asexual fecundity and demonstrate that clones may be highly locally adapted. Local adults displayed significantly greater asexual fecundity than do adults transplanted from other colonies, although all groups showed similar survivorships. This provides the first demonstration of fine scale adaptation, in either terrestrial or marine environments, for a clonal species with large, panmictic sexually breeding populations. These findings, together with the results of earlier studies of this species, strongly support the assumptions and predictions of the Strawberry‐Coral Model (Williams, 1975).
Energy efficiency of non-collaborative and collaborative Hybrid-ARQ protocols

In this paper, we consider the energy efficiency of truncated hybrid-ARQ (HARQ) protocols in a single-user link (i.e., non-collaborative HARQ), or with the inclusion of a relay station (i.e., collaborative HARQ). The total energy consumption accounts for both the transmission energy and the energy consumed by the transmitting and receiving electronic circuitry of all involved terminals (source, destination and, possibly, the relay). Using the transmission time and transmission energy of each packet as optimization variables, the overall energy is minimized under an outage probability constraint for HARQ Type I, HARQ chase combining and HARQ incremental redundancy protocols (in the latter case, a tight lower bound is considered). Numerical optimization provides insight into the optimal design choices that enhance energy efficiency with HARQ protocols. It is shown, for instance, that, if the circuitry energy consumption is not negligible, selection of the transmission energy is not only dictated by the outage constraint, but is also significantly affected by the need to reduce the number of retransmissions. Our results also demonstrate the performance limitations of collaborative HARQ protocols in terms of energy efficiency, when circuitry consumption is properly accounted for.
How Can the Public Monitor Monetary Policy

On August 11, 2000, the Bank of Japan made one of the most controversial decisions in the history of monetary policy when it ended its zero-interest-rate policy and increased the overnight rate to 0.25%. This paper aims to examine whether or not this decision to terminate the zero-interest-rate policy was premature. In this study, I argue that this decision by the Bank of Japan to tighten monetary policy in 2000 was unreasonable as there still remained a great deal of slack in the economy and inflation was not far from its target. On reading the minutes of the Monetary Policy Meeting of August 11, 2000, I observe that some arguments for tightening monetary policy seem to confuse rates of change and levels.
Depression and Short REM Latency in Subjects With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Objective The hypothesized polysomnographic marker for depression, Rapid Eye Movement Latency (REML), was used to investigate two groups of subjects; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)-not depressed and CFS-depressed. Method CFS subjects were classified into depressed and not depressed groups, using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), and subsequently were studied in a sleep laboratory to ascertain REML. Results Short REML showed a statistically significant correlation with the depressed state in CFS subjects. Conclusion Short REM latency is associated with depression in the CFS population.
Enumeration and Generation of PSL Equivalence Classes for Quad-Phase Codes of Even Length

Quad-phase codes of a given length can be grouped into equivalence classes based on operations preserving autocorrelation peak sidelobe level, or “<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\rm PSL}$</tex-math> </inline-formula>-preserving operators. ” The task of enumerating these equivalence classes is facilitated by establishing a relationship with the problem of enumerating equivalence classes of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\times N$</tex-math></inline-formula> binary grids with respect to a pair of binary grid symmetries. We show this connection by a one-to-one mapping between even-length quad-phase codes and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\times N$</tex-math></inline-formula> binary grids. When <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$</tex-math></inline-formula> is even, this mapping allows the known enumeration of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\times N$</tex-math></inline-formula> binary grids to be applied to the enumeration of even-length quad-phase code PSL equivalence classes. Furthermore, this equivalence instructs the development of a simpler algorithm for visiting single representatives of quad-phase-code equivalence classes relative to the operations that preserve PSL. Lastly, we conduct exhaustive searches to determine the optimal <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\rm PSL}$</tex-math></inline-formula> for quad-phase codes of lengths 25 and 26 (for the smaller of these lengths, the search space contains <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4^{25}=2^{50}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, or roughly 1 quadrillion codes). One of the devices used to narrow the search space while achieving an exhaustive search is to seed the search with the equivalence class representatives of length <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N=6$</tex-math></inline-formula>. The optimal <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\rm PSL}$</tex-math></inline-formula> for length-25 quad-phase codes is determined to be 2, achieved by the codes in a single size-32 equivalence class. For length 26, the optimal <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\rm PSL}$</tex-math></inline-formula> is found to be <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sqrt{5}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, achieved by <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$604\,480$</tex-math></inline-formula> codes belonging to 9445 equivalence classes of size 64.
A general strategy for isolation of endothelial cells from murine tissues. Characterization of two endothelial cell lines from the murine lung and subcutaneous sponge implants.

A rapid, reproducible method for the isolation of murine endothelial cells (ECs) has been developed. Murine ECs were highly enriched by collagenase digestion of mechanically minced lung and subcutaneous sponge implants followed by specific selection with rat anti-mouse CD31 (i.e., PECAM-1) monoclonal antibody-coated magnetic beads (Dynabeads). Pure EC populations were isolated from primary cultures by a second cycle of immunomagnetic selection. The cells from the lung were then cloned by a limiting-dilution method to exclude the possibility of nonendothelial cell contamination. Of the 300 cells plated, 29 clones (approximately 10%) were obtained. The clones were positive for CD31 as measured by flow cytometry, and one clone from the lungs (1G11) and the cells from sponge implants (designated as SIECs) were then subjected to subsequent culture in vitro for 40 and 30 passages (up to 5 months), respectively. Characterization was performed on cells between passage 3 and 10. Both cell types formed contact-inhibited monolayers on gelatin and capillary-like "tubes" on Matrigel. However, 1G11 cells exhibited a "cobblestone" morphology, whereas SIECs had a fibroblast-like appearance at confluence. By flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, these cells constitutively expressed CD31, VE-cadherin (cadherin-5), CD34, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and P-selectin. After stimulation with 30 ng/mL of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, the cells became positive for E-selectin (at 4 hours poststimulation) and the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and P-selectin was upregulated (after 24 hours of stimulation). The presence of VE-cadherin in 1G11 cells and SIECs was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and Northern blot analysis. The phenotype and morphology of both cell types were stable during 5 months of culture, and there was no evidence of overgrowth by contaminating cells. Taken together, the approach outlined herein may provide a general strategy for the isolation and culture of ECs from a variety of murine tissues. The general strategy outlined here is simple, effective, and flexible, allowing the inclusion of further positive or negative selection steps.
Differential regulation of NHE isoforms by sodium depletion in proximal and distal segments of rat colon

Ikuma, Mutsuhiro, Michael Kashgarian, Henry J. Binder, and Vazhaikkurichi M. Rajendran. Differential regulation of NHE isoforms by sodium depletion in proximal and distal segments of rat colon. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 39): G539–G549, 1999. —Dietary sodium depletion has multiple diverse effects on ion transport in the rat colon, including both the induction and inhibition of electroneutral NaCl absorption in proximal and distal colon of rat, respectively. To establish the mechanism of the differential regulation of Na1 absorption by sodium depletion, this study utilized 1) HOE-694, a dose-dependent inhibitor of Na1/H1 exchanger (NHE) isoforms, in studies of proton gradient-driven 22Na uptake (i.e., Na1/H1 exchange) by apical membrane vesicles (AMV); 2) Northern blot analyses of NHE isoform-specific mRNA abundance; and 3) Western blot analyses of NHE isoform-specific protein expression. HOE694 inhibition studies establish that 25 μM HOE-694sensitive (NHE2) and 25 μM HOE-694-insensitive (NHE3) Na1/H1 exchange activities are present in AMV of both proximal and distal colon of normal rats. In proximal colon, dietary sodium depletion enhanced both NHE2 and NHE3 isoform-specific Na1/H1 exchange activities, protein expression, and mRNA abundance. In contrast, in distal colon both NHE2 and NHE3 isoform-specific Na1/H1 exchange activities, protein expression, and mRNA abundance were inhibited by sodium depletion. NHE1 isoform-specific mRNA abundance in proximal or distal colon was not altered by sodium depletion. Differential effects by sodium depletion on Na1/H1 exchange in rat colon are tissue specific and isoform specific; sodium depletion both induces and inhibits apical Na1/H1 exchange at a pretranslational level.
Survival Benefit After Liver Transplantation: A Single European Center Experience

Background. The evaluation of the survival achieved with liver transplantation (LT) compared with remaining on the waiting list, the transplant benefit, should be the underlying principle of organ allocation. Methods. During 2004 to 2007 with an allocation system based on Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score with exceptions, we prospectively evaluated the transplant benefit and its relation to the match between recipient and donor characteristics. Results. Among 575 patients listed for chronic liver disease, 218 (37.9%) underwent LT and 115 (20%) were removed from the list (76 deaths, 25 tumor progressions, and 14 sick conditions). The 1- and 3-year survival rates on the list were significantly related to MELD score more than or equal to 20 (57% and 33% vs. 88% and 66%, P<0.001) and to its progression during the waiting time, such as s-Na levels less than or equal to 135 mEq/L (73% and 48% vs. 86% and 69%, P<0.001). These two variables had no impact on survival after LT, except in hepatitis C virus positive recipients. The multivariate Cox model confirmed a positive transplant benefit for all cases with MELD score more than or equal to 20 and without hepatocellular carcinoma (HR 2.9; CI 1.3–6.2) independently of the type of donors. Only hepatocellular carcinoma patients with low MELD scores showed a positive transplant benefit (MELD <15; HR 2; CI 1.1–5.1). Conclusions. LT should be reserved for cirrhotic patients with MELD score more than or equal to 20 independently of other recipient and donor matches or for cases with lower MELD score but with hepatocellular carcinoma.