Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myeloid derived suppressor cells are numerically, functionally and phenotypically different in patients with multiple myeloma

Abstract Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells that have been implicated as inhibitors of lymphopoiesis in patients with malignancies. They have a consensus phenotype of CD33+/CD11b+/HLA-DRlo/− and can be further divided into CD15 + granulocytic (G-MDSC) and CD14 + monocytic (M-MDSC) subsets. We characterized MDSCs in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and found a significant increase in G-MDSCs in the blood of patients with progressive MM. Flow-sorted MDSCs from patients with MM induced the generation of regulatory T cells (Treg). MDSCs from both patients with MM and aged-matched controls demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation in carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-tracking experiments. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) administered to induce stem cell mobilization caused an increase in the number of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of patients with MM and a concentration of these immune-suppressive cells in peripheral blood stem cell collections. MDSCs are likely to cause immune dysfunction in patients with MM.
Serum omentin-1 is a novel biomarker for predicting the functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients

Abstract Background: Recent studies have suggested that omentin-1 plays a critical role in the development of cardiovascular disease. However, reported findings are inconsistent, and no study has evaluated the association between omentin-1 levels and a poor functional outcome after ischemic stroke onset. Methods: A total of 266 acute ischemic stroke patients were included in this study. All patients were prospectively followed up for 3 months after acute ischemic stroke onset and a poor functional outcome was defined as a major disability or death occurring during the follow-up period. A multivariable logistic model was used to evaluate the association between serum omentin-1 levels and the functional outcome of ischemic stroke patients at 3 months. Results: Ischemic stroke patients with poor functional outcome had significantly lower levels of serum omentin-1 than patients without poor functional outcome at the 3-month follow-up (50.2 [40.2–59.8] vs. 58.3 [44.9–69.6] ng/mL, p<0.01). Subjects in the highest tertile of serum omentin-1 levels had a 0.38-fold risk of having poor functional outcome, compared with those in the lowest tertile (p<0.05). A negative association between omentin-1 levels and poor functional outcome was found (p for trend=0.02). The net reclassification index was significantly improved in predicting poor functional outcome when omentin-1 data was added to the multivariable logistic regression model. Conclusions: Higher omentin-1 levels at baseline were negatively associated with poor functional outcome among ischemic stroke patients. Omentin-1 may represent a biomarker for predicting poor functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients.
Design considerations/insights for memristor-based memory arrays

To achieve high data density with low power consumption, technology migration into nano and molecular scales have been proposed. Discovery of the memristor has enabled the realization of denser nano-scale logic and memory systems. This is due to the memristor distinctive characteristics such as storing the historic state of the current passing through it, nano-scale device, and low power consumption. This work describes the design considerations of using a memristor in realization of a memory cell. Based on this analysis, a new read/write circuit is proposed and verified using a simulation tool.
Modeling stability of trapped ferromagnetic nanoparticle chains

This work deals with the stability of chains of single domain ferromagnetic particles (FP) inside pores that can be partially filled with material assumed to be a permanent magnet. The main motivation of this work is to understand the possibility of controlling self-assembly of ferromagnetic nanoparticles into nanopores by controlling external uniform magnetic field.
Cell cycle-related changes in repopulating capacity of human mobilized peripheral blood CD34(+) cells in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immune-deficient mice.

Most primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells reside in vivo within the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. By simultaneous DNA/RNA staining it is possible to distinguish G0 and G1 states and to isolate cells in defined phases of the cell cycle. We report here the use of cell cycle fractionation to separate human mobilized peripheral blood (MPB) CD34(+) cells capable of repopulating the bone marrow (BM) of non-obese diabetic/severe combined immune-deficient (NOD/SCID) mice. In freshly isolated MPB, repopulating cells were predominant within the G0 phase, because transplantation of CD34(+) cells residing in G0 (G0CD34(+)) resulted on average in a 16.6- +/- 3.2-fold higher BM chimerism than infusion of equal numbers of CD34(+) cells isolated in G1. We then investigated the effect of ex vivo cell cycle progression, in the absence of cell division, on engraftment capacity. Freshly isolated G0CD34(+) cells were activated by interleukin-3 (IL-3), stem cell factor (SCF), and flt3-ligand (FL) for a 36-hour incubation period during which a fraction of cells progressed from G0 into G1 but did not complete a cell cycle. The repopulating capacity of stimulated cells was markedly diminished compared with that of unmanipulated G0CD34(+) cells. Cells that remained in G0 during the 36-hour incubation period and those that traversed into G1 were sorted and assayed separately in NOD/SCID recipients. The repopulating ability of cells remaining in G0 was insignificantly reduced compared with that of unstimulated G0CD34(+) cells. On the contrary, CD34(+) cells traversing from G0 into G1 were largely depleted of repopulating capacity. Similar results were obtained when G0CD34(+) cells were activated by the combination of thrombopoietin-SCF-FL. These studies provide direct evidence of the quiescent nature of cells capable of repopulating the BM of NOD/SCID mice. Furthermore, these data also demonstrate that G0-G1 progression in vitro is associated with a decrease in engraftment capacity.
Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure.

Methodology These Guidelines are based on the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Guidelines published in 1995 and 1997, respectively, and have now been combined into one paper. Where new information is available an update has been performed while other parts are unchanged or adjusted to a limited extent. The aim of this report is to provide practical guidelines for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of heart failure for use in clinical practice and in addition for epidemiological surveys and clinical trials. They are intended as a support for practising physicians and other health care professionals concerned with the management of heart failure patients and provide advice on how to manage these patients including recommendations for referral. The recommendations in these guidelines should always be considered in the light of local regulatory requirements for the administration of any chosen drug or device. This report was drafted by a Task Force (see Appendix 1) appointed by the Committee for Practice Guidelines and Policy Conferences of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). It was circulat d among the Nucleus of the Working Group on Heart Failure, other Working Groups, and several experts in the field of heart failure. It was updated based on comments received. It was then sent to the Committee and after their input the document was approved for publication.    Recommendations regarding treatments have been based on the degree of available evidence.
A meta-analysis of remote patient monitoring for chronic heart failure patients

Summary We carried out a meta analysis of remote patient monitoring (RPM) for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. A literature search was used to identify randomised controlled trials with more than 40 patients, published between February 2003 and February 2013. The primary outcome (mortality) was analysed using a random effect model. Thirteen studies were included (3337 patients). RPM resulted in a significantly lower mortality (risk ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.93) compared to usual care. The test for heterogeneity showed that articles had been extracted homogeneously (I2=0%, P=0.67). In order to determine which RPM model was most effective, subgroup analyses were conducted by age, severity of illness, measurement frequency, medication management and speed of intervention. The group with rapid intervention had the lowest mortality (rapid group risk ratio=0.59, non-rapid group risk ratio=0.88, P=0.05). The group with high measurement frequency had lower mortality (high frequency group risk ratio=0.62, low frequency group risk ratio=0.89, P=0.07). The group with medication management had lower mortality (medication group risk ratio=0.65, non medication group risk ratio=0.85, P=0.19). RPM is effective in chronic heart failure and rapid intervention was the most important factor in the RPM model.
Intelligent control of high-speed sensorless brushless DC motor for intelligent automobiles

For the last decade, the need for electric driven vehicle has risen rapidly due to the global warming problem. A high efficient motor need to be developed to replace traditional engine. In this paper, the authors present a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for sensorless brushless dc (BLDC) motor. The proposed FLC is based on the terminal voltage measurement as the sensorless method for BLDC motor control. There are two modules designed in the speed control of BLDC motor, i.e. command and regulating modules. Command module is to find and issue commutation period and PWM duty cycle to the BLDC motor for desired speed. The regulating module is designed by applying a FLC with sensorless technology and is used to regulate the speed of BLDC motor under various disturbances, such as loading effect. Two resistances are adopted to detect the zero-crossing point (ZCP) of back-EMF signal on the unexcited phase instead of using the expensive Hall sensors. The regulating module can regulate accurately and quickly the PWM duty cycle by fuzzy reasoning which makes the BLDC motor rotate smoothly at desired rotation speed even there exists an external disturbance. In order to reduce the computational load of real-time FLC for the microcontroller C8051F330, we can perform the FLC computation off-line to cover nearly all cases. These data will be recorded and organized as a Look-Up Table (LUT). This paper shows that a regulating module designed by FLC is better than a none regulation module or a regulating module with a P controller.
Particle Swarm Optimisation with genetic operators for feature selection

Feature selection is an important task in machine learning, which aims to reduce the dataset dimensionality while at least maintaining the classification performance. Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) has been widely applied to feature selection because of its effectiveness and efficiency. However, since feature selection is a challenging task with a complex search space, PSO easily gets stuck at local optima. This paper aims to improve the PSO's searching ability by applying genetic operators such as crossover and mutation to assist the swarm to explore the search space better. The proposed genetic operators are specifically designed for feature selection, which not only improve the quality of current feature subsets but also make the search smoother. The proposed algorithm, called CMPSO, is tested and compared with three recent PSO based feature selection algorithms. Experimental results on eight datasets show that CMPSO can adapt with different numbers of features to evolve small feature subsets, which achieve similar or better classification performance than using all features and the three PSO based algorithms. The analysis on evolutionary processes shows that genetic operators assist CMPSO to evolve better solutions than the original PSO.
No Interaction between tDCS Current Strength and Baseline Performance: A Conceptual Replication

Several recent studies have reported non-linear effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which has been attributed to an interaction between the stimulation parameters (e.g., current strength, duration) and the neural state of the cortex being stimulated (e.g., indexed by baseline performance ability, age) (see Fertonani and Miniussi, 2016). We have recently described one such non-linear interaction between current strength and baseline performance on a visuospatial attention (landmark) task (Benwell et al., 2015). In this previous study, we induced a small overall rightward shift of spatial attention across 38 participants using bi-hemispheric tDCS applied for 20 min (concurrent left posterior parietal (P5) anode and right posterior parietal (P6) cathode) relative to a sham protocol. Importantly, this shift in bias was driven by a state-dependent interaction between current intensity and the discrimination sensitivity of the participant at baseline (pre-stimulation) for the landmark task. Individuals with high discrimination sensitivity (HDS) shifted rightward in response to low- (1 mA) but not high-intensity (2 mA) tDCS, whereas individuals with low discrimination sensitivity (LDS) shifted rightward with high- but not low-intensity stimulation. However, in Benwell et al. (2015) current strength was applied as a between-groups factor, where half of the participants received 1 mA and half received 2 mA tDCS, thus we were unable to compare high and low-intensity tDCS directly within each individual. Here we aimed to replicate these findings using a within-group design. Thirty young adults received 15 min of 1 and 2 mA tDCS, and a sham protocol, each on different days, to test the concept of an interaction between baseline performance and current strength. We found no overall rightward shift of spatial attention with either current strength, and no interaction between performance and current strength. These results provide further evidence of low replicability of non-invasive brain stimulation protocols, and the need for further attempts to replicate the key experimental findings within this field.
Emerging vs. Advanced Countries firms’ investing in Italy: an empirical analysis on the effect of institutional distance on the entry strategy

This article is about Emerging Market Firms (EMFs) acquiring firms in advanced economies. We claim that EMFs adopt a different entry behavior from that of Advanced Market Firms (AMFs). Namely, as a first hypothesis we claim that, AMFs undertake a partial (rather than a complete) acquisition when they wish to avoid the dispersion of the bundle of information and knowledge residing in the target company, while EMFs are more likely to prefer a greater degree of ownership and control as they lack the needed experience to deal with the relevant complexity and to manage partnerships. Furthermore, we claim that EMFs experience a higher propensity to control the local partner the higher the institutional distance with the host country, since they enjoy a better institutional environment when they invest in advanced countries and, hence, they are less likely to need a local partner. To test our hypothesis, we developed an econometric analysis applied to foreign acquisitions in Italy along the decade 2001-2010 and we study the entry mode of AMFs and EMFs. Our result confirm the first hypothesis and shows that distances in property rights and investment freedom effectively increase the probability to undertake full acquisition for EMFs.
The prosodizer - automatic prosodic annotations of speech synthesis databases

Prosodic annotations are used for locating and characterizing prominent parts in utterances as well as identifying and describing boundaries of coherent stretches of speech. In speech synthesis prosodic annotations can be used to improve the unit selection process and subsequently yield more natural sounding synthesis. A method for automatic prosodic annotations of speech is described in this paper. This method is implemented in a computer program called Prosodizer that integrates acoustic features of F0 and RMS as well as syntactic and segmental information like POS tags and syllable boundaries. Design and preliminary performance results are described.
Making Sense of e-HRM: Transformation, Technology and Power Relations

Several organisations have adopted e-HRM technology as a platform for achieving transformational change, improving HR operational processes, allowing distributed access to employees / managers and providing better decision support. However, as a consultant working in this field, the author regularly encounters organisations that fail to take advantage of the transformational potential of eHRM, particularly those in the United Kingdom public sector. This chapter argues that the concepts of sense-making and technological frames may explain the inertia experienced in some organisations. It contends that the analysis of technological frame domains provides a valuable lens for understanding and interpreting e-HRM, where high levels of frame incongruence may act as a barrier to transformational change. Research suggests that power relations between key groups of stakeholders, in particular HR Managers and line managers, may influence these frames and shape attitudes to technology. This approach may also provide the basis for strategies to manage e-HRM related change more effectively. Using a grounded theory approach, the research, currently work in progress in support of a professional doctorate (DBA), investigates how United Kingdom public sector organisations make sense of, plan for and implement HR technology. tHe trAnsFormAtIve eFFect oF e-Hrm A wide range of Human Resources (HR) processes and information can now be managed and devolved to line managers and employees through web-based technologies using e-HRM (‘electronic DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-304-3.ch001
A broad band orthomode transducer

In this paper, a broadband orthomode transducer has been designed based on the Bøifot junction. The device is divided into individual parts, and each part is full-wave simulated by using CST simulator for improving the designing efficiency. After the design of individual parts of the orthomode transducer, the entire structure is designed. The results show that the relative bandwidth of the orthomode transducer is more than 46%, while the return loss is more than 15dB and higher isolation level is achieved over the whole operation band.
Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Quantitation of Substance P Receptor (NK-1R) mRNA

ABSTRACT The substance P (SP)-preferring receptor, neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R), has an important role in inflammation, immune regulation, and viral infection. We applied a newly developed real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay to quantify NK-1R mRNA in human neuronal cell line (NT-2N), a human B-cell line (IM9), monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), and human astroglioma cells (U87 MG). The NK-1R real-time RT-PCR assay has a sensitivity of 100 mRNA copies, with a dynamic range of detection between 102 and 107 copies of NK-1R gene transcripts per reaction. This assay is highly reproducible, with an intraassay coefficient variation of threshold cycle (Ct) of less than 1.9%. The NK-1R real-time RT-PCR is highly sensitive for quantitative determination of NK-1R mRNA in human immune cells (MDM and PBL) that express low levels of NK-1R mRNA. In addition, the assay has the ability to accurately quantitate the dynamic changes in NK-1R mRNA expression in interleukin-1β-stimulated U87 MG. These data indicate that the NK-1R real-time RT-PCR has potential for a wide application in investigation of NK-1R expression at the mRNA level under physiological and pathological conditions in both the central nervous system and the immune system.
Untangling the relationships between consumer characteristics, shopping values, and behavioral intention in online group buying

Abstract This study examines the link among consumer characteristics (price-sensitive behavior, variety-seeking behavior, and compulsive buying behavior), shopping values (utilitarian and hedonic shopping values), and behavioral intention in online group buying (OGB). This study tests usable responses collected by means of mall-intercept systematic sampling from consumers who previously participated in OGB. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data and test the hypothesized relationships. Findings suggest that price-sensitive and variety-seeking behaviors are significantly related to utilitarian shopping value, whereas price-sensitive, variety-seeking, and compulsive buying behaviors are significantly related to hedonic shopping value. Both utilitarian and hedonic shopping values significantly influence consumers’ OGB intentions. For a successful OGB strategy, Internet marketers and site operators should emphasize the utilitarian shopping value of price saving and selection and introduce the hedonic shopping values of promotions and sensory experiences. This study provides a link between two streams of prior research – that is, consumer characteristics and shopping values. Furthermore, it validates an empirical model whose results can help business practitioners make better-informed marketing management decisions for OGB and help academics and consumers better understand OGB behavior.
Comparison of dynamic multicast routing algorithms for wide-area packet switched (asynchronous transfer mode) networks

This paper compares three dynamic multipoint routing algorithms for wide-area packet switched networks like asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. The three algorithms compared are the greedy algorithm, the source rooted shortest path (SP) algorithm and the geographic spread dynamic multicast (GSDM) routing algorithm. We present simulation results over random graphs that demonstrate the performance of these algorithms. The algorithms are evaluated via a series of multiple simulations in terms of the number of packet copies per node and their (in)efficiency. A near optimal Steiner tree heuristic algorithm called the KMB algorithm is used as a measure of the (in)efficiency of the algorithms.
Prediction of Splice Site using Support Vector Machine with Feature Selection

Identification of splice site plays a key role for alternative splicing analysis. Many effective methods have been proposed over the past decades. However, there have still some limitations and need further improvement. In this paper, we collect splice site sequences from Homo Sapiens Splice Sites Dataset (HS3D), to transform these sequences, we use two kinds of methods to code them and then use support vector machines (SVM) as predictor. In order to reduce computational time, maximum relevance minimum redundancy (mRMR) is adopted to rank the features for finding optimal feature combination. On the donor splice site sequence data, our method achieves 92.85% accuracy, area under ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve (ROC_AUC) of 97.62%. On the acceptor splice site data, our method achieves 92.29% accuracy and 97.37% ROC_AUC. These results show that our method is effective and reliable for splice sites prediction.