Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Burden of disease studies in the WHO European Region—a mapping exercise

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) have produced numerous global burden of disease (GBD) estimates since the 1990s, using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Here we attempt to identify studies that have either independent DALY estimates or build on the work of WHO and IHME, for the WHO European Region, categorize them by scope of disease analysis and geographic coverage, and briefly compare their methodology (age weighting, discounting and disability weights). Methods Google and Google Scholar were used with the search terms ‘DALY’, ‘national burden of disease’, Member State names and researcher’s names, covering all years. Studies were categorized as: ‘specific’ (fewer than five disease categories or just risk factors for a single country), ‘specific, multicountry’ (fewer than five disease categories or just risk factors for more than one country), ‘extensive’ (covering five or more but not all disease categories for one country), ‘full, sub country’ (covering all relevant disease categories for part of one country) and ‘full, country’ (covering all relevant disease categories for one country). Results A total of 198 studies were identified: 143 ‘specific’, 26 ‘specific, multicountry’, 7 ‘extensive’, 10 ‘full, sub country’ and 12 ‘full, country’ [England (1), Estonia (2), France (1), Romania (1), Serbia (1), Spain (3), Sweden (2) and Turkey (1)]. About 5 (20%) of the 25 examinable ‘extensive’, ‘full, sub country’ and ‘full, country’ studies calculated DALYs using GBD 2010 methodology. Conclusions Independent burden of diseases studies in Europe have been located, and categorized by scope of disease analysis and geographic coverage. Methodological choices varied between independent ‘full, country’ studies.
Superpriming of synaptic vesicles as a common basis for intersynapse variability and modulation of synaptic strength

Significance Short-term plasticity (STP) of synaptic connections underlies many basic signal processing capabilities of the brain, such as gain control, temporal filtering, and adaptation. Glutamatergic synapses, the predominant excitatory synapses in the brain, display large variability both in basal synaptic strength and in STP. We show that a small fraction of release-ready vesicles are released with much higher probability than other vesicles. The number of these “superprimed” vesicles is variable among synapses, but increases strongly after application of phorbol ester, an analogue of the second messenger diacylglycerol, and after inducing posttetanic potentiation. Thus, modulatory transmitter systems, acting through the phospholipase-C–diacylglycerol pathway, will be able to upregulate superprimed vesicles and thereby boost synaptic strength at the onset of burst-like activity. Glutamatergic synapses show large variations in strength and short-term plasticity (STP). We show here that synapses displaying an increased strength either after posttetanic potentiation (PTP) or through activation of the phospholipase-C–diacylglycerol pathway share characteristic properties with intrinsically strong synapses, such as (i) pronounced short-term depression (STD) during high-frequency stimulation; (ii) a conversion of that STD into a sequence of facilitation followed by STD after a few conditioning stimuli at low frequency; (iii) an equalizing effect of such conditioning stimulation, which reduces differences among synapses and abolishes potentiation; and (iv) a requirement of long periods of rest for reconstitution of the original STP pattern. These phenomena are quantitatively described by assuming that a small fraction of “superprimed” synaptic vesicles are in a state of elevated release probability (p ∼ 0.5). This fraction is variable in size among synapses (typically about 30%), but increases after application of phorbol ester or during PTP. The majority of vesicles, released during repetitive stimulation, have low release probability (p ∼ 0.1), are relatively uniform in number across synapses, and are rapidly recruited. In contrast, superprimed vesicles need several seconds to be regenerated. They mediate enhanced synaptic strength at the onset of burst-like activity, the impact of which is subject to modulation by slow modulatory transmitter systems.
Characterization of the Catalytic Domain ofClostridium novyi Alpha-Toxin

ABSTRACT Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin belongs to the family of large clostridial cytotoxins which act on cells through the modification of small GTP-binding proteins. We present here an analysis of the catalytic domain of alpha-toxin. A NH2-terminal 551-amino-acid fragment, α551, was found to contain the full enzyme activity of the holotoxin, whereas a slightly shortened fragment encompassing 509 amino acids showed no detectable enzyme activity. Further characterization of the enzymatically active fragment α551 revealed a substrate specificity for both UDP–N-acetylglucosamine and UDP-glucose. A Michaelis-Menten constant of 17 μM was determined for the substrate UDP–N-acetylglucosamine, while that for UDP-glucose was about 20 times higher, indicating a weaker affinity of the toxin for the latter substrate. Mutation of the aspartic acids of a conserved motif DXD within α551 reduced enzyme activity >700-fold and inhibited cytotoxicity after microinjection in cells. Inhibition of enzyme activity of the DXD mutant could be partially overcome by increased concentrations of manganese ions, suggesting the involvement of these aspartic acids in Mn2+ binding. By construction of chimeras of enzymatically active fragments of C. sordelliilethal toxin and C. novyi alpha-toxin, we located the region involved in nucleotide-sugar specificity to amino acids 133 through 517.
Pricing Automobile Insurance under Multivariate Classification of Risks: Additive versus Multiplicative

For most auto insurance coverages, insureds are cross-classified by at least two variables: driver class and territory. Traditional classification ratemaking has employed a multiplicative technique equivalent to the assumption of a completely interactive model. In this paper, the traditional method and the closely associated log-linear model are found, for recent Massachusetts experience, to lead to biased pricing for drivers in high-rate class-territory combinations. An additive model eliminates this bias and has slightly superior overall accuracy. Constraints are selected so that model parameters describe natural actuarial quantities. The different effects of dependency in exposure distributions and interaction between variables are brought into focus. Introduction For most major types of automobile insurance coverages, insureds are classified by at least two variables: (1) the place where the auto is principally garaged (territory), and (2) the driver characteristics (driver class). The price for a particular combination (cell) of territory and driver class has been traditionally determined as the product of the statewide average price, the territorial relativity, and the driver-class relativity. The relativities are determined separately by the territorial claims experience and the driver-class claims experience. This technique does not examine nor employ the actual claim experience for any particular driver class-territory cell. Instead, it assumes that the ratios of claim amounts between corresponding driver classes are the same in all territories and the ratios of claim amounts between corresponding territories are the same in all driver classes. Using the traditional multiplicative method, the insurance cost in 1977 for a young man under 25 whose 1974 Chevrolet was garaged in Boston would be When this paper was written, Lena Chang and William B. Fairley were members of the professional staff of the State Rating Bureau of the Division of Insurance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Chang is now a consultant with Chang and Cummings of Boston, and Fairley is president of King's Arrow Associates, Inc., in Cambridge. This paper was presented at the annual meetings of the American Risk and Insurance Association in Arlington, Texas, August 1978, and the American Statistical Association in San Diego, California, August 1978. An earlier discussion of the additive proposal as presented in auto rate hearings in the Massachusetts Division of Insurance appears in Massachusetts Division of Insurance (1978). The authors gratefully acknowledge comments by Arthur P. Dempster, Stefan Peters, and James M. Stone on an earlier version of this paper.
Is Institutional Ownership Associated with Earnings Management and the Extent to Which Stock Prices Reflect Future Earnings?

Articles in the financial press suggest that institutional investors are overly focused on short-term profitability leading mangers to manipulate earnings fearing that a short-term profit disappointment will lead institutions to liquidate their holdings. This paper shows, however, that the absolute value of discretionary accruals declines with institutional ownership. The result is consistent with managers recognizing that institutional owners are better informed than individual investors, which reduces the perceived benefit of managing accruals. We also find that as institutional ownership increases, stock prices tend to reflect a greater proportion of the information in future earnings relative to current earnings. This result is consistent with institutional investors looking beyond current earnings compared to individual investors. Collectively, the results offer strong evidence that managers do not manipulate earnings due to pressure from institutional investors who are overly focused on short-term profitability.
Urine testing schedules in methadone maintenance treatment of heroin addiction.

In the treatment of heroin addiction by methadone hydrochloride maintenance, it is customary to test urine specimens regularly, in order to monitor each patient's illicit use of drugs and to assess the general success of the program. Principles and graphs are presented here to aid the physician in choosing an economical testing frequency, and in interpreting the results quantitatively on a correct statistical basis. For most purposes, a random testing schedule at an average frequency of once in five days will suffice.
A 0.5-V Ultra-Low-Power Low-Pass Filter with a Bulk-Feedback Technique

In wearable biomedical applications, a constant dc common-mode (CM) voltage of low-pass filters (LPFs) is needed to boost the dynamic range when low supply voltage is used for high power efficiency. Traditional source-follower based LPFs consume very low power but introduce a CM voltage difference between input and output. This paper presents an ultra-low-power LPF, which features a source-follower based topology with a bulk-feedback technique. The bulk-feedback technique is proposed to keep a constant dc CM voltage, which is robust to process and temperature variations. In order to validate the proposed concept, a fourth-order LPF has been designed as a prototype. Implemented in a TSMC 180 nm CMOS process, the filter occupies an active area of only 0.048 mm2. Simulation results show that the filter consumes 9.0-nW static power from a 0.5-V voltage supply when the cutoff frequency is set to about 200 Hz. The filter achieves an input-referred noise in −3 dB bandwidth of 41.21 µVrms and an in-band IIP3 of 4.0 dBV, which corresponds to a spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) of 61.1 dB. The proposed LPF achieves a competitive FOM among the reported works.
Signaling mechanism of extracellular RNA in endothelial cells

Extracellular RNA has been shown to induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐dependent hyperpermeability in vivo as well as in vitro. Studies were performed to investigate the mechanism of these effects. For permeability studies primary cultures of porcine brain‐derived microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and for all other analytical studies the human brain endothelial cell line HCMEC/D3 or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used. RNA, but not DNA, initiated signaling events by binding of VEGF to neuropilin‐1, followed by VEGF‐R2 phosphorylation, activation of phospholipase C (PLC), and intracellular release of Ca2+. Activation of these pathways by RNA also resulted in the release of von Willebrand Factor from Weibel‐Palade bodies. Pretreat‐ment of cells with heparinase totally abrogated the RNA‐induced permeability changes, whereas RNA together with VEGF completely restored VEGF‐R2‐mediated hyperpermeability. Although poly:IC increased the interleukin‐6 release via activation of toll‐like receptor‐3 (TLR‐3), permeability changes mediated by poly:IC or RNA remained unchanged after blocking TLR‐3 or NF‐kB activation. These results indicate that extracellular RNA serves an important cofactor function to engage VEGF for VEGF‐R2‐dependent signal transduction, reminiscent of the coreceptor mechanism mediated by proteoglycans, which might be of relevance for the mobilization and cellular activities of RNA‐binding cytokines in general. —Fischer, S. ,Nishio, M. , Peters, S. C. , Tschernatsch, M. , Walberer, M. , Weidemann, S. , Heidenreich, R. , Couraud, P. O. , Weksler, B. B. , Romero, I. A. , Gerriets, T. , Preissner, K. T. Signaling mechanism of extracellular RNA in endothelial cells. FASEBJ. 23, 2100–2109 (2007)
Modeling Attributes of Human Body Organization Using ISM and AHP

This article is an attempt to model the attributes of human body organization using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. The parameters used for modeling are derived from the comparisons between principles and processes followed in a human and a corporate body by Agarwal and Vrat (2014). It is presumed that human body is the nature’s best creation and is a perfectly designed and managed system. Based on this model, few managerial insights are also proposed. These insights can be referred by managers during policy formulation to significantly improve the structure and operating procedures of organizations, which in turn will enhance the performance of individuals as well as organization as a whole.
Early squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus: the Japanese viewpoint

In Japan, more than 90% of oesophageal malignancies are squamous cell carcinomas, and superficial and early carcinomas now account for about 40% and 20%, respectively, of all oesophageal carcinomas. Definition of early carcinoma has changed on the basis of new data. As of 2007, early carcinoma is defined as intramucosal carcinoma with or without metastasis. In the subclassification based on depth of cancer invasion, m1 and m2 carcinomas have no metastasis and are considered curable by endoscopic mucosal resection alone, whereas < 10% of m3 carcinomas and about 20% of sm1 carcinomas have lymph node metastasis. The relationship between various pathological findings and the incidence of lymph node metastasis has been reviewed. High‐grade squamous dysplasia (squamous cell carcinoma in situ in Japan) requires surgical or endoscopic removal. Very minute carcinomas have recently been detected by magnifying endoscopy and/or narrowband imaging. Endocytoscopy could replace biopsy histopathological examination for diagnosis of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and endocytoscopic diagnosis and endoscopic therapy may be performed simultaneously. As a result of advances in the development of endoscopes, pathologists are now expected to diagnose very minute lesions, < 1 mm in size, in the oesophagus.
Productive capabilities: An empirical analysis of their drivers

Recent contributions to the growth and trade literature have argued that the structure of an economy, as measured by its productive capabilities, is a key determinant for inter-country differences in development. Productive capabilities have been shown to be highly predictive of future economic growth, yet the country-level variables associated with them remain relatively unknown. In this paper, we empirically explore what variables are systematically associated with productive capabilities using a model averaging framework that can handle a very large number of potential explanatory variables without the need for arbitrary model selection. In order to estimate our dynamic panel specification, we propose a novel Bayesian averaging of classical estimates procedure based on the simple and efficient bias-corrected least squares dummy variable estimator. Our baseline and robustness analysis consider a large number of variables, sample periods and model priors. We find that there is persistence (as measured by the lagged dependent variable) and that variables, such as commodity terms of trade, energy availability, government consumption, capital per worker, arable land and capital inflows show a strong and robust association with capabilities.
DAMSEL—Dynamic and Applicative Measurement of Single Events in Logic

This paper describes a circuit called dynamic and applicative measurement of single events in logic (DAMSEL), which can individually measure the impact of single event upsets and single-event transients (SETs) in realistic, synchronous digital circuits. Heavy-ion and pulsed laser test results are presented. Both a simple digital and an analog simulation methodology are demonstrated to provide similar cross sections to those observed during the tests. Overall, the DAMSEL structure has many advantages over current circuits used for measuring SETs, including the ease with which test results can be extrapolated to real designs.
Coexistence of both gyroid chiralities in individual butterfly wing scales of Callophrys rubi

Significance Arthropod biophotonic nanostructures provide a plethora of complex geometries. Although the variety of geometric forms observed reflects those found in amphiphilic self-assembly, the biological formation principles are more complex. This paper addresses the chiral single gyroid in the Green Hairstreak butterfly Callophrys rubi, robustly showing that the formation process produces both the left- and right-handed enantiomers but with distinctly different likelihood. An interpretation excludes the molecular chirality of chitin as the determining feature of the enantiomeric type, emphasizing the need to identify other chirality-specific factors within the membrane-based biological formation model. These findings contribute to an understanding of nature’s ability to control secondary features of the structure formation, such as enantiomeric type and crystallographic texture, informing bioinspired self-assembly strategies. The wing scales of the Green Hairstreak butterfly Callophrys rubi consist of crystalline domains with sizes of a few micrometers, which exhibit a congenitally handed porous chitin microstructure identified as the chiral triply periodic single-gyroid structure. Here, the chirality and crystallographic texture of these domains are investigated by means of electron tomography. The tomograms unambiguously reveal the coexistence of the two enantiomeric forms of opposite handedness: the left- and right-handed gyroids. These two enantiomers appear with nonequal probabilities, implying that molecularly chiral constituents of the biological formation process presumably invoke a chiral symmetry break, resulting in a preferred enantiomeric form of the gyroid structure. Assuming validity of the formation model proposed by Ghiradella H (1989) J Morphol 202(1):69–88 and Saranathan V, et al. (2010) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107(26):11676–11681, where the two enantiomeric labyrinthine domains of the gyroid are connected to the extracellular and intra-SER spaces, our findings imply that the structural chirality of the single gyroid is, however, not caused by the molecular chirality of chitin. Furthermore, the wing scales are found to be highly textured, with a substantial fraction of domains exhibiting the <001> directions of the gyroid crystal aligned parallel to the scale surface normal. Both findings are needed to completely understand the photonic purpose of the single gyroid in gyroid-forming butterflies. More importantly, they show the level of control that morphogenesis exerts over secondary features of biological nanostructures, such as chirality or crystallographic texture, providing inspiration for biomimetic replication strategies for synthetic self-assembly mechanisms.
The “Have Nots” and “Have Lots” in the U.S. Venture Capital Industry

The Dodd–Frank Act has made it mandatory for all U.S. venture capital funds (VCs) with assets under management (AuM) exceeding $150 million to register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We ask what the optimal threshold size for registration is and find that the distribution of capital managed by VCs in the U.S. closely follows a Pareto distribution. We try to explain why. We demonstrate theoretically that this can happen only if the shape of the VCs’ return distribution is indistinguishable. We prove that heterogeneous return distributions among VCs would lead to a non-Pareto distribution. We do a cost-benefit analysis of regulations and arrive at an optimal threshold of $250 million, which means that a regulator could oversee 79% fewer VCs. The VCs with AuM between $150 million and $250 million are only 17% of total industry AuM. Supervising too large a number of VCs may spread regulatory resources too thin and dilute the effectiveness of supervision. Keeping the size threshold at $250 million would allow a regulator to optimize monitoring time and effort.
Molecular Dynamics simulations of thermal conductivity in composites consisting of aluminum oxide nanoparticles surrounded by polyethylene oxide

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of heat flow in the composite systems consisting of aluminum oxide nanostructures surrounded by polyethylene oxide were performed using known forcefields with consistent treatment of covalent (polymer) and ionic (nanoparticles) components. A reverse non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (RNEMD) method [implemented in open source MD Simulator LAMMPS was utilized to impose a temperature gradient and obtain the values of thermal conductivity. Several simulation boxes containing layers (4 nm and 20 nm width) and spheres (3 nm and 6 nm radii) of aluminum oxide surrounded by polyethylene oxide have been built, equilibrated and subjected to RNEMD. The sizes of the boxes varied from 10/15 nm × 10/15 nm × 45/200 nm. The boxes contained 0.6*106 to 3*106 atoms. An enhancement of effective thermal conductivity from 0.3 W/m·K (for pure polymer) up to 1.1 W/m·K was achieved for the composites containing multiple 20 nm layers of aluminum oxide. The value of interfacial thermal resistance at the aluminum oxide/polymer interface obtained from the simulations was approximately 5*10-9 m2K/W. Temperature profiles from RNEMD atomistic simulations were compared to known bulk models. Patterns of time averaged local heat flux in different components of the composite systems were calculated.
Research on Air Purification Efficiency by Nonthermal Plasma Along With the Application of Magnetic Field

Nonthermal plasma created by high-voltage dc power supply can be used to collect precharged suspended particulates, whereas nonthermal plasma generated by high-voltage pulsed power supply is used to remove harmful gases in the air, but how to increase the efficiency is not clear. In this paper, it is novel to apply magnetic field to air purification to increase the purification efficiency. Effect of magnetic field is analyzed. It can be concluded that purification efficiency can be improved significantly along with the application of magnetic field