Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and characterization of magnetic porous microrobots

This study presents the design and fabrication of micro-scaled robots with a 3D, complex, porous structure produced by utilizing 3D laser lithography. The microrobots are coated with a 150 nm nickel surface for magnetic actuation in deionized water. When aligned in the vertical direction, the samples could be manipulated by applying an external magnetic field gradient in the horizontal direction. The average translational velocity of each microrobot can reach approximately 20 μm/s under a magnetic gradient of 1000 mT/m, which can be generated by a home-designed electromagnetic system with six individual orthogonal DT4E-core (a soft magnetic material) electromagnetic coils. Such magnetic driven micro-scaled robots can be used for target drug delivery or precise bio-particle transportation in in vivo environments such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor.
A Longitudinal Investigation of the Concordance between Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury and Family or Friend Ratings on the Katz Adjustment Scale

Changes in the level of agreement (concordance) between self and family or friend reporting on the Katz Adjustment Scale (KAS) from 6 to 12 months postinjury were assessed in 55 individuals with traumatic brain injury (IwTBI). Although the concordance between self and family/friend reports significantly increased over the course of recovery, possibly reflecting improvements in awareness, the concordance showed limited relationship to measures of injury severity and neuropsychological functioning. Concordance did not significantly relate to clinicians' ratings of inaccurate insight and self-appraisal on the awareness item from the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale (NBRS). Clinicians' ratings of awareness demonstrated only limited relationship to measures of injury severity and neuropsychological functioning, as well. Although similar results in the literature have been interpreted as demonstrating that awareness, defined as concordance, is possibly a unique construct separate from injury severity and neuropsychological functioning, an alternative hypothesis is presented concerning other, noninjury factors that may affect the level of agreement in problem reporting between IwTBI and family/friend informants.
Challenges to Strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems: Where Do We Go From Here?

This paper was prepared to present at the Farmer First Revisited: 20 Years On conference at IDS, University of Sussex, UK, December 2007. Its focus is the challenge of strengthening agricultural innovation systems. The paper prefaces this discussion by reflecting on an apparent paradox. While agricultural innovation has never been better studied and understood, many of our ideas about innovation have failed to fundamentally change the institutional and policy setting of public and private investment intended to promote innovation for development. The paper asks "students of innovation" why a virtual spiral of innovation practice and policy learning hasn't emerged. The paper then locates the current interest in innovation systems in the evolving and contested approaches to agricultural development, noting that this is characterised by a long history of false dichotomies. The contingencies of the emerging agricultural scenario will demand the more networked modes of collective intelligence and innovation that are embodied in the innovation systems concept. The paper argues, however, that the innovation systems idea should be view as a metaphor for innovation diversity, rather than another competing innovation narrative. The way forward, it is suggested, is to create a united front of different collective intelligence-based innovation narratives to kick-start the virtuous spiral of innovation practice and policy learning. This is needed to strengthen agricultural innovation systems and so achieve developmental goals. The paper argues that it is the responsibly of all us "students of innovation" to argue for this space for diversity to flourish and to help consolidate and promote what is known about agricultural innovation. If we aren't more successful in stimulating institutional and policy change we will still be debating these issues 20 years hence.
Precoder Designs for MIMO Gaussian Multiple Access Wiretap Channels

This paper studies multiple-input multiple-output multiple access wiretap channels (MAC-WT) where an eavesdropper tries to tap the communication between multiple legitimate transmitters and a legitimate receiver. In this system, we propose precoder optimization methods at the transmitters in order to maximize the sum secrecy rate performance. Although this problem can be solved by the well-known difference of convex (DC) programming, we present a more efficient algorithm whose computational complexity is much lower than that of the conventional DC approach. By investigating the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions, it is confirmed that the proposed low-complexity algorithm achieves the same performance as the conventional DC method. Our analysis also reveals that the proposed algorithm ensures global optimality for multiple-input single-output MAC-WT cases, while binary power control is optimal for single-input multiple-output scenarios. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed precoding methods.
Social Security, Self-Control Problems and Unknown Preference Parameters

We develop a general equilibrium model with overlapping generations to show that Social Security may increase welfare in dynamically efficient economies where agents are affected by self-control problems a la Gul and Pesendorfer (2001, Econometrica 69, 1403). In calibrating the model to the US economy, we make no assumption on agents' preference parameters and set them to match target levels of capital-output and consumption-output ratios. Our simulations inform that Social Security improves welfare with degrees of temptation not below 11%. We also find support for a program with a tax rate similar to the one in the real US economy.
Regime de metas inflacionárias: os impactos sobre o desempenho econômico dos países

The main goal of this paper is to analyze empirically the effect of the adoption of the inflation targeting to both the inflation rate and the economic growth, allowing for different impacts for developed and developing countries. We collected data on inflation and economic growth rates for 51 countries between 1995 and 2004, classifying the countries adopting inflation targeting as the treatment group and the remaining set of countries as the control group. The methodology adopted was a panel data model. The results we get indicate that for developing countries those adopting inflation targeting present inflation rate 3.8% below the average of those not adopting the regime, and economic growth rate 0.8% below the average of the control group. For the developed countries, the results are the opposite but in lower magnitude (1.2% and 0.1%, respectively). One possible explanation is that for the PED the decrease in the output growth may be related to the difficulty they face in building their credibility, since they have to commit to more restrictive policies and a strict design for the regime.
Understanding the Macroeconomic Effects of Working Capital in the United Kingdom

The most recent recession has been associated with a financial crisis that led to a large widening of spreads and quantitative restrictions on lending. As well as affecting investment, such a credit contraction is likely to have had a large effect on the working capital positions of UK firms and this, in turn, is likely to have affected the United Kingdom’s supply potential, at least temporarily. However, the role of such disruptions in the business cycle is not well understood. In this paper we first document the behaviour of working capital in the United Kingdom. In order to understand the effects of working capital on macroeconomic variables, we then solve and calibrate a DSGE model that introduces an explicit role for the components of working capital (net cash, inventories, and trade credit). We find that this model produces the standard responses of macroeconomic variables to productivity shocks, but we also find that financial intermediation shocks, similar to those experienced in the United Kingdom post-2007, have persistent negative effects on economic activity; these effects are reinforced by reductions in trade credit. Our model also documents a crucial role for monetary policy to offset such shocks.
MERCOSUR'S CHANGE IN TRADE PATTERNS

This paper examines the changes in Mercosur's trade patterns based on descriptive statistics, comparing the pre-integration period with the post-integration phase. The changes in imports and exports intra and extra-regionally at SITC three-digit level are analysed, in order to assess whether they are in tune with the bloc 'expected' comparative advantage. It also assesses the intra-bloc and extra-bloc trade intensities and propensities in quest of signs of either trade diversion or export diversion. The signs of export diversion are much more vivid than the traditional trade diversion, comprising approximately a third of the value exported to the rest of the world in the post-integration period.
Protein Kinase C-θ Is Required for NK Cell Activation and In Vivo Control of Tumor Progression1

Protein kinase C-θ (PKCθ) was initially isolated as an important PKC isoform expressed in T cells, although its expression is not restricted to these cells. Despite the central function of PKCθ in several immune responses, its role in the antitumor response against MHC class I (MHC-I)-negative cells has not been investigated. This is an important issue because most tumor cells growing in vivo down-regulate MHC-I expression to escape the CTL-mediated response. In the present work, we show that in vivo development of a MHC-I-deficient tumor (RMA-S) is much favored in PKCθ−/− mice compared with wild-type mice. This is associated with a reduced recruitment of NK cells to the site of tumor development and a reduced activation status of recruited NK cells. This correlates with a reduced ex vivo and in vivo cytotoxic potential of NK cells isolated from PKCθ−/− mice treated with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid. Consistently, polinosinic:cytidilic acid treatment induces PKCθ expression and activation of its enzymatic activity in NK cells in an indirect manner. These observations underline the relevance of PKCθ as a key molecule in NK cell-mediated antitumor immune surveillance.
First-order mean spherical approximation for attractive, repulsive, and multi-Yukawa potentials.

The first-order mean spherical approximation (FMSA) theory proposed by Tang et al. [Fluid Phase Equilib. , 134, 21(1997)] is applied for studying several typical Yukawa fluids, including attractive, repulsive, and multi-Yukawa cases. The FMSA study is particularly advantageous in providing thermodynamics and structure information in a simple, analytical, and consistent manner. Comparisons with the latest reported computer simulation data for compressibility factor, internal energy, and radial distribution function show that FMSA performs very well and the performance is very close to the full MSA and to several other theories, developed individually for the above-mentioned cases or properties. The present study provides solid evidence to support FMSA applications to more complex fluids.
Noggin versus basic fibroblast growth factor on the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

The difference between Noggin and basic fibroblast growth factor for the neural precursor differentiation from human embryonic stem cells has not been studied. In this study, 100 μg/L Noggin or 20 μg/L basic fibroblast growth factor in serum-free neural induction medium was used to differentiate human embryonic stem cells H14 into neural precursors using monolayer differentiation. Two weeks after induction, significantly higher numbers of neural rosettes formed in the Noggin-induced group than the basic fibroblast growth factor-induced group, as detected by phase contrast microscope. Immunofluorescence staining revealed expression levels of Nestin, β-III Tubulin and Sox-1 were higher in the induced cells and reverse-transcription PCR showed induced cells expressed Nestin, Sox-1 and Neurofilament mRNA. Protein and mRNA expression in the Noggin-induced group was increased compared with the basic fibroblast growth factor-induced group. Noggin has a greater effect than basic fibroblast growth factor on the induction of human embryonic stem cell differentiation into neural precursors by monolayer differentiation, as Noggin accelerates and increases the differentiation of neural precursors.
Antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes: beyond aspirin and clopidogrel

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. ” Senator D Moynihan Modern management of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the UK is informed by a rapidly expanding envelope of clinical trial data. Thus, we have witnessed rapid evolution in the assessment and treatment of this patient group over the last decade, with routine and universal application of troponin measurement, early angiography and revascularisation in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and immediate primary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) being the key examples. Interventional cardiologists are inevitably at the centre of care pathways that are dominated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Although there is evidence for the benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) as a medical treatment in its own right in ACS, the requirement for DAPT is much stronger following coronary stent placement during PCI.1 Specifically, the spectre of stent thrombosis and other ischaemic complications following PCI in patients with ACS demands appropriate and effective DAPT. Traditionally, the platform upon which DAPT is delivered in patients with ACS is based upon suppression of thromboxane A2 production by aspirin, to which a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, which blocks ADP-mediated platelet activation, is added. Standard doses of both drugs are then prescribed to all patients without any assessment of individual response. Since clopidogrel took over the role as the default P2Y12 inhibitor from ticlopidine in the 1990s, it has held this position unchallenged until recently. However, in the last couple of years there has been a meteoric uptake of newer P2Y12 inhibitors (prasugrel and ticagrelor) to displace clopidogrel as the default P2Y12 inhibitor in ACS, particularly for primary PCI. But how well does this radical change in clinical practice bear forensic scrutiny? Specifically, we should ask the following questions. Is the switch to prasugrel/ticagrelor clinically appropriate? Is …
Effects of Disclosure Quality on Market Mispricing: Evidence from Derivative‐Related Loss Announcements

Although previous research has suggested that the level of disclosure is positively related to stock market efficiency, it remains unclear whether an increase in the level of disclosure can facilitate price discovery regardless of the quality of information provided in the disclosure. We examine stock returns around 131 derivative-related loss announcements in the Korean stock market from March 2008 to June 2009 to study how disclosure quality might affect the manner in which newly disclosed information is incorporated into stock prices. To properly price derivative-related losses, investors need to differentiate “over-hedged” firms from “non-over-hedged” firms, because only those losses in excess of offsetting gains from underlying assets denominated in a foreign currency adversely affect overall profitability. We find that investors are likely to misprice derivative-related losses in non-over-hedged firms when information on the underlying foreign currency position is unavailable around the announcement of such losses. This implies that mechanically increasing the quantity of disclosures does not necessarily facilitate a more rational equity valuation, and thus suggests that policymakers should also consider the quality of information being provided when attempting to improve capital market efficiency by mandating more disclosures.
Childhood Attachment and Loss Experiences Affect Adult Cardiovascular and Cortisol Function

Objective This study proposes to test the hypothesis that early loss of a parent, coupled with poor quality family relationships, would result in long-term increased cardiovascular and cortisol reactivity to stress. Methods Subjects included 30 university students who lost one parent before age 16, and 31 control subjects. Blood pressure (BP) was measured continuously during 5-minute baseline and recovery periods, and during each of 2 tasks-viewing a 7-minute video clip depicting the death of a parent, and giving a 3-minute impromptu speech (1-hour rest between tasks). Salivary cortisol samples were collected immediately before each task, and at 5 and 20 minutes posttask. Quality of family relationships (FR) was measured using the Moos Family Environment Scale. Results Repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed significant main effects on BP of both parental loss and FR for both tasks (all p values < .05) such that subjects who lost a parent or reported poor quality FR showed higher BP across all periods. The loss by FR by period interaction was not significant. An FR by period interaction was found for cortisol during the movie, in which poor quality FR subjects showed increased cortisol, whereas all others showed decreases. A loss by period interaction was found for cortisol during the speech, in which cortisol increased in loss subjects and decreased in non-loss subjects. Conclusions These findings indicate that both childhood loss of a parent and poor quality of caretaking are associated with long-term increases in BP and altered neurohormonal responses to stress.
Understanding Judicial Power

High courts are widely believed to influence the criminal justice system, yet judicial impact varies widely across political and institutional contexts. Here, we seek to identify the factors that constrain judicial influence on state incarceration rates. We find that the preferences of justices on state courts of last resort and the US Supreme Court influence incarceration; however, high-court impact is conditional on two factors. Judicial influence is stronger in states with divided partisan governments and occurs more quickly in states that lack intermediate appellate courts. Our findings suggest that legislative gridlock and institutional thickness significantly constrain judicial impact.
Clinical usefulness of BK virus plasma quantitative PCR to prevent BK virus associated nephropathy

The present study investigated the clinical usefulness of plasma real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (plasma‐PCR) in the prevention of BK virus‐associated nephropathy (BKVAN). First, we investigated the diagnostic value of plasma BK‐PCR, urine BK‐PCR, and urine cytology for the prediction of BKVAN retrospectively. Then we designed a prospective study of regular plasma‐PCR monitoring and pre‐emptive immunosuppression (IS) reduction based on the result. In the retrospective cohort, the prevalence of BKVAN was 3.7% (14/379) and the positive rate of decoy cells, urine‐PCR (>1 × 1010 copies/ml), and plasma‐PCR (>1 × 104 copies/ml) was 18.6%, 11.1%, and 5.5%, respectively. Plasma‐PCR was superior to urine‐PCR or urine cytology in specificity and positive predictive value for detection of BKVAN. In prospective study, regular monitoring of plasma‐PCR detected significant BKV viremia in 8.3% (12/145) and BKVAN in 1 patient (0.6%). After IS reduction, BKV viremia was eliminated in 91.6% (11/12) within 103 days (25–254). In patients with viremia, the frequency of acute rejection did not increase and allograft function did not differ significantly compared with those in patients without viremia during the first year post‐transplant (P > 0.05, in both). Plasma‐PCR is useful to predict an increased risk for BKVAN, and regular monitoring is effective to prevent the development of BKVAN.
Stock Price Reaction to Daily Limit Moves: Evidence From the Taiwan Stock Exchange

This paper tests the overreaction hypothesis by examining the price behavior following daily limit moves. The sample includes all listed firms on the Taiwan Stock Exchange for the period 1971—93. There are significant price reversals following the limit moves for both the up-limit and the down-limit cases. The price reversals cannot be attributed to the size effect. When the size effect is adjusted for, the price reversals remain significant.
CD20+ Lymphocytes in Renal Allografts Are Associated with Poor Graft Survival in Pediatric Patients

Background. The presence of CD20+ lymphocyte renal allograft infiltrates has been associated with steroid-resistant rejection and poor graft survival. We quantified the number of CD20+ lymphocytes in renal allograft biopsies and correlated the results with graft survival. We also determined the relationships between CD20+ lymphocytes and acute cellular rejection versus antibody-mediated rejection. Methods. We examined 45 biopsy samples from 31 pediatric patients biopsied for suspicion of rejection from November 2001 to November 2004. Immunohistochemical staining for CD20 and C4d was performed on all biopsies; CD20+ cell density per high-power field (hpf) was determined for each core. Patient graft status was followed postbiopsy and documented for graft survival or failure using the cutoff date of December 31, 2005. Results. Patients with 2–10 and 11–100 CD20+ cells/hpf had worse graft survival in Kaplan-Meier analysis with a hazard ratio 4.56 (CI 1.07–19.35) two years postbiopsy compared to those with 0–1 cells/hpf (P=0.02). The presence of CD20+ lymphocytes was significantly associated with acute cellular rejection (P=0.0001) and not associated with antibody-mediated rejection (P=0.16). Receiver-operating curve analysis confirmed ≥3 cells/hpf correlating with acute cellular rejection, yielding sensitivity 90% and specificity 76%. Conclusions. This study shows a significant 4.5-fold risk of graft failure at two years postbiopsy with presence of ≥2 CD20+ cells/hpf. Moreover, ≥3 CD20+ lymphocytes were highly associated with acute cellular rejection. They may be functioning as professional antigen-presenting cells in the graft. In steroid-refractory cellular rejections, therapies that target B cells may prolong graft survival.
Impact of ETF inception on the valuation and trading of component stocks

While exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are being created at a rapid rate, there is very limited research on how they affect the component stocks that they contain. We find that in response to the inception of ETFs, there are positive and significant valuation effects on the dominant component stocks (defined as the 10 largest stocks in each ETF). The variation in the valuation effects is associated with stock-specific characteristics, such as relatively low liquidity and the size of the ETF in which the component stock is contained. The characteristics of the component stocks that experience more favourable valuation effects at the inception of ETFs also lead to a more pronounced increase in their trading volume following their ETF's inception. The increase in trading volume is especially pronounced for those component stocks that are relatively small, have relatively low levels of liquidity, and are contained within relatively large ETFs.