Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning: An Applied Econometric Approach

Machines are increasingly doing “intelligent” things. Face recognition algorithms use a large dataset of photos labeled as having a face or not to estimate a function that predicts the presence y of a face from pixels x. This similarity to econometrics raises questions: How do these new empirical tools fit with what we know? As empirical economists, how can we use them? We present a way of thinking about machine learning that gives it its own place in the econometric toolbox. Machine learning not only provides new tools, it solves a different problem. Specifically, machine learning revolves around the problem of prediction, while many economic applications revolve around parameter estimation. So applying machine learning to economics requires finding relevant tasks. Machine learning algorithms are now technically easy to use: you can download convenient packages in R or Python. This also raises the risk that the algorithms are applied naively or their output is misinterpreted. We hope to make them conceptually easier to use by providing a crisper understanding of how these algorithms work, where they excel, and where they can stumble—and thus where they can be most usefully applied.
Evaluation of minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma patients by fluorescent‐polymerase chain reaction: the prognostic impact of achieving molecular response

This study aimed to standardize a simple molecular method for evaluating the response to treatment in multiple myeloma (MM) patients after high dose chemotherapy. Fifty three patients enrolled in the GEM2000 protocol were studied for minimal residual disease (MRD) using both fluorescent‐polymerase chain reaction (F‐PCR) and flow cytometry. Most patients had achieved complete remission or very good response after autologous stem cell transplantation. The molecular analysis of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements at diagnosis and during the follow‐up was carried out by F‐PCR according to the Biomed‐2 protocols. F‐PCR could be used in 91% of the patients and the results were similar to flow cytometry. F‐PCR was able to identify a group of patients with a better prognosis [progression‐free survival (PFS) 67·86% in patients with negative F‐PCR vs. 28%; P = 0·001], even amongst patients who achieved a complete response with negative immunofixation (PFS 75% vs. 25%; P = 0·002). Multivariate analysis identified the F‐PCR result as the only variable to show a prognostic value when PFS was analysed. F‐PCR of DHJ and light chain rearrangements of immunoglobulin genes is a feasible method for evaluating MRD in MM patients after intensive therapy. Achieving molecular response by F‐PCR shows prognostic value.
Increased apoptosis in the syncytiotrophoblast in human term placentas complicated by either preeclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to determine whether preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation are associated with an increase in placental apoptosis. STUDY DESIGN Tissue specimens from 7 normal term placentas and each of 7 term placentas complicated by severe preeclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation were analyzed. Fas antigen and Bcl-2 protein expression were examined by the avidin/biotin immunoperoxidase method, whereas apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxy-UTP-nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Fas antigen was immunolocalized in syncytiotrophoblasts in all placentas examined. No changes in the intensity of Fas antigen immunostaining in syncytiotrophoblasts were apparent among those placentas. Bcl-2 protein was abundantly immunolocalized in syncytiotrophoblasts in normal term placentas, but least abundant in term placentas complicated by severe preeclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation. Apoptosis was apparent in the nuclei of both cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts. The apoptosis positive rate of syncytiotrophoblast nuclei in severe preeclamptic and intrauterine growth retardation term placentas was significantly higher than that in normal term placentas (severe preeclampsia, P <.001; intrauterine growth retardation, P <.01). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the appearance of apoptotic nuclei in trophoblasts in severe preeclamptic term placenta. CONCLUSION Decreased expression of Bcl-2 protein in syncytiotrophoblasts in severe preeclamptic and intrauterine growth retardation placentas may result in the increase in apoptosis in syncytiotrophoblasts in those placentas.
Reliability evaluation of generation system incorporating renewable generators in a spot power market

Power system restructuring and renewable energy resources are the cause of many problems regarding system reliability management. Because of intermittent behavior of renewable resources and segregation of generation system into different Generation Companies (Gencos), conventional techniques cannot be directly used in the reliability evaluation of restructured power systems. In the new environment, customers' rights come into the center of attention. In this paper, the effect of generation system on the load point reliability is considered, so it is supposed that transmission system is fully reliable. This paper proposes a New Equivalent Multistate Generation Provider (EMGPN) to include the effect of wind generating units besides conventional generators in the reliability evaluation. A novel technique is proposed in this paper to determine the maximum generation capacity delivered to each load point. In a spot power market, deliverable capacity is influenced by generation capacity, offer and bid price of Gencos and customers, and also transmission line thermal limits. The proposed technique uses the maximum deliverable capacity to determine load point reliability indices. In this progress, it is supposed that customers behave as dispatchable loads. This technique is based on Optimal Power Flow (OPF) approach. Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) method is employed to solve the nonlinear programming problems. The proposed techniques are illustrated using deregulated Roy Billinton Test system (RBTS).
Quinolinic acid upregulates chemokine production and chemokine receptor expression in astrocytes

Within the brain, quinolinic acid (QUIN) is an important neurotoxin, especially in AIDS dementia complex (ADC). Its production by monocytic lineage cells is increased in the context of inflammation. However, it is not known whether QUIN promotes inflammation. Astrocytes are important in immunoregulation within the brain and so we chose to examine the effects of QUIN on the astrocyte. Using purified primary human fetal astrocyte cultures, we determined chemokine production using ELISA assays and RT‐PCR and chemokine receptor expression using immunocytochemistry and RT‐PCR with QUIN in comparison to TNFα, IL‐1β, and IFNγ. We found that QUIN induces astrocytes to produce large quantities of MCP‐1 (CCL2) and lesser amounts of RANTES (CCL5) and IL‐8 (CXCL8). QUIN also increases SDF‐1α (CXCL12), HuMIG (CXCL9), and fractalkine (CX3CL1) mRNA expression. Moreover, QUIN leads to upregulation of the chemokine receptor expression of CXCR4, CCR5, and CCR3 in human fetal astrocytes. Most of these effects were comparable to those induced by TNFα, IL‐1β, and IFNγ. The present work represents the first evidence that QUIN induces chemokine and chemokine receptor expression in astrocytes and is at least as potent as classical mediators such as inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that QUIN may be critical in the amplification of brain inflammation, particularly in ADC. GLIA 41:371–381, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A preliminary investigation into the effect of coffee on hypolagesia associated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non‐invasive, inexpensive analgesic technique used to relieve pain. It has been suggested that caffeine, an adenosine antagonist, may interfere with TENS action. This double‐blind controlled pilot study investigated the effect of coffee on response to TENS in healthy human participants experiencing experimentally induced pain. Twelve participants (7 female, age range = 20–41 years) took part in two experiments separated by 24 h. Each experiment lasted 80 min and consisted of 3 × 15 min cycles: pre‐TENS, during TENS predrink and during TENS postdrink [coffee (100 mg caffeine) or decaffeinated coffee randomized across experiments]. During each cycle, thresholds for electrical (EPT), mechanical (MPT) and cold pressor (CPT) pain were recorded. The statistical analysis modelled the responses for the coffee and decaffeinated coffee conditions during TENS (i.e. as a standard crossover) and detected no statistically significant effects between coffee and decaffeinated drinks for the natural logarithm (ln) transformed values of electrical pain threshold [ln EPT Coffee−ln EPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·0147 (0·2159)], mechanical pain threshold [ln MPT Coffee−ln MPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·1296 (0·0816)] and cold pain threshold [ln CPT Coffee−ln CPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·0793 (0·1139)]. We conclude that a single cup of coffee (100 mg caffeine) had no detectable effect on TENS outcome. Reasons why coffee did not produce a detectable effect on pain threshold are discussed.
ANALISIS PARTISIPASI MASYARAKAT DALAM PEMBANGUNAN DESA (STUDI DI DESA WAWOLESEA KECAMATAN LASOLO KABUPATEN KONAWE UTARA)

This study aims to determine the level of public participation of development in Wawolesea Village Lasolo District of North Konawe; and the factors that affect the level of public participation in the Wawolesea Village. The data obtained by questionnaires. Participation is measured by likert scale from respondent self assessment . Respondent of this study are 20 person consist: village administrative apparatus , communities, and institute for village empowerment (LPM). Data analyzed used descriptive. The results showed that the level of community participation of development in the Wawolesea Village is in very high category. The community have about 80.67 percent level participation in the planning or in very high category, 77.8 percent for imlementation or in high category, and about 84.25 percent in utilization or in very high category. While for evaluation the community have about 79 percent or in high category. Determinant of public participation in Wawolesea Village are awareness, education, income , village administrative apparatus and the facilities of village.
Leadership Skills for Success of Home Health Care Agencies

Leadership Skills for Success of Home Health Care Agencies by Andrina Yankah MBA, University of Maryland, 2010 MS, University of Maryland, 2009 BS, University of Maryland, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
A MEASUREMENT OF ECONOMIC FACTORS OF THE CITY ON SATISFACTION AND RESIDENTIAL DISPLACEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD (CASE STUDY: NARMAK NEIGHBORHOOD-TEHRAN)

Satisfaction achievement in residential areas is formed by different factors; one of them is economic factor of city. Economic indicators are effective along with physical, cultural, social, cultural and other components on the amount of maintenance and absorption of population in urban context, in the assessment of residents from their home environments. It is raised as one of the effective factor on family’s motivation for residential displacement. The goal of this article is assessing economic factors on residential satisfaction and its impact on family’s displacement in Narmak neighborhood according to its background in Tehran. Descriptive-analytic method has been used for data collection in this paper, and 375 questionnaires have been prepared, due to the sample size. Data analysis has been done by SPSS method and CSM indicator. The results of this research show consent of access, transport and security in that area and low discontent of residents from residential unit, services and facilities. These issues caused 59.2% willingness to movement and 40.8% unwillingness to residential displacement despite current problems.
Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules in a former iodine-deficient area commonly harbor gain-of-function mutations in the thyrotropin signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND Somatic activating mutations of the thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)) receptor (TSHR) and G(alphas) protein have been detected in solitary toxic adenomas and toxic multinodular goiters, but their role in the pathogenesis of autonomous nodules is debated. The frequency of mutations is highly variable among populations and is inversely proportional to iodine intake. DESIGN AND PATIENTS We screened 28 clinically and histologically heterogeneous autonomous nodules from 24 Greek patients for the presence of TSHR and G(alphas) mutations. RESULTS By direct sequencing of genomic DNA, we detected 11 somatic heterozygous gain-of-function mutations in TSHR and one in G(alphas). Forty-three percent (12 of 28) of all nodules and 57% (four of seven) of solitary toxic adenomas harbored an activating mutation. Typical adenomas and hyperplastic nodules did not differ in mutation frequency. Substitutions I568T and T632I were detected in both histological types of nodules. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that activating somatic mutations in the TSH signaling pathway are frequent in autonomous nodules in Greece. This may be due to earlier exposure of the population to iodine deficiency, which was corrected in Greece only over the past two decades. Gain-of-function mutations are shared by nodules with varying histological and clinical presentations. Thus, they may represent a common molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of non-autoimmune thyroid autonomy.
Regional grey matter atrophy in clinically isolated syndromes at presentation

Background: The presence and degree of neuronal degeneration already existing in patients at their initial presentation with a clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis (CIS) is unclear, and whole brain or whole normalised grey matter analyses have not demonstrated significant atrophy in CIS cohorts at clinical presentation. Voxel-based analyses allow detection of regional atrophy throughout the brain and, therefore, may be sensitive to regional atrophy in CIS patients, and these changes may correspond with clinical disability. Methods: This study used a modified voxel-based morphometry (VBM) method to correct for lesion effects to analyse regional atrophy and perform voxel-wise correlations between volume and clinical metrics in 41 untreated CIS patients at presentation compared with 49 healthy controls. Results: The results confirmed that there was no significant difference in whole normalised grey matter volume between CIS and controls, whereas VBM showed significant areas of bilateral thalamic, hypothalamic, putamen and caudate atrophy. Voxel-wise correlations with clinical measures showed that cerebellar volumes correlated with clinical cerebellar function, nine-hole peg test scores and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) score, and that the MSFC score was also correlated with putamen volume. Lastly, T1 lesion volumes were found to correlate with thalamic and hippocampal atrophy, suggesting a link between white matter lesions and grey matter degeneration at the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis. Conclusions: Atrophy is present in CIS patients at presentations, particularly in the thalamus, and other deep grey matter structures. Furthermore, the correlations with clinical metrics suggest the importance of this atrophy to clinical status and the correlation with T1 lesion load suggests a possible role of Wallerian degeneration.
A Three-dimensional Analysis of Zygomatic Symmetry in Normal, Uninjured Faces

AbstractCurrent approaches to facial reconstruction are based on the assumption of facial symmetry, though this has yet to be established in the literature. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, symmetry of normal, male faces is examined here using the zygomatic complex as a bellwether for the rest of the facial skeleton. Three-dimensional models reconstructed from the computed tomography scans of 30 adult male patients displaying normal facial skeletal anatomy were analyzed. Seven zygomatic landmarks were identified on all craniofacial models, and asymmetry scores were calculated based on the average deviation distance upon reflection of 1 hemiface across the midfacial plane. Deviation maps were then generated for each zygomatic pair to enable visualization of the asymmetry. All landmarks displayed a slight (<3 mm) deviation from perfect symmetry, and analysis of zygomatic form asymmetry revealed an average of 0.4 mm of surface deviation between hemifaces. The presence of such slight asymmetries in the zygoma warrants further investigation as to the clinical relevance of such skeletal asymmetries from both an esthetic and biomechanical consideration to provide insight as to the proper approach to zygomatic restoration in cases of zygomatic fracture.
Chinese C allele carriers of the ERCC5 rs1047768 polymorphism are more sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy: a meta-analysis

It is suspected that ERCC5 rs1047768 and rs17655 polymorphisms influence the response to platinum-based chemotherapy. This meta-analysis was performed to summarize the scattered evidence regarding the association between these two polymorphisms and sensitivity to platinum-based treatment. Thirteen studies were included after a comprehensive literature search. The pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals suggested that the C allele of the ERCC5 rs1047768 polymorphism is associated with elevated sensitivity to platinating agents, especially for Chinese patients. However, no difference among rs17655 genotypes could be detected.
Toxoplasmic encephalitis associated with meningitis in a heart transplant recipient

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogen that causes neurologic and extraneurologic manifestations in immunosuppressed patients. Encephalitis and intracranial mass lesions are easily recognized as typical manifestations of toxoplasmosis. However, meningitis caused by T. gondii is a rare condition with very few cases described in the literature. We present the case of a heart transplant recipient who developed toxoplasmic encephalitis associated with meningitis. After an extensive review of the medical literature, we found only 1 case of meningitis in solid organ transplant recipients and <25 cases in immunosuppressed patients, such as patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus or those with Hodgkin's disease. In this report, we consider toxoplasmosis in the differential diagnosis of meningitis in immunocompromised individuals.
Monetary Policy and Its Impact on the Economy

The recent financial crisis and recession have revived debates about the role of monetary policy. Understanding of how monetary policy works is crucial for successful policy-making in terms of whether monetary policy has the potential to stimulate and/or stabilize the economy. This thesis examines rationales behind different economic schools on monetary policy and their policy application in a systematic way. Chapter Two, “Literature Review”, summarizes what we have known about monetary policy and particularly, highlights problems faced by researchers in estimating the effects of monetary policy. Chapter Three, “Nominal Rigidity and the Output-Inflation Tradeoff”, takes a deep look at the rationales for two different schools – the new classical economics and the Keynesian economics. Chapter Four, “Does Monetary Policy Matter in China? A Narrative Approach”, continues with the Chinese case and tests whether the prediction of the Keynesian non-neutrality of monetary policy holds there as well. Chapter Five, “Monetary Policy and European Unemployment”, checks policy implications of the monetarist school. We evaluate the impact of monetary policy in line with the monetarist doctrines on European unemployment.
Gene Expression Profiles of HeLa Cells Impacted by Hepatitis C Virus Non-structural Protein NS 4 B

By a cDNA array representing 2308 signal transductionrelated genes, we studied the expression profiles of HeLa cells stably transfected by Hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 4B (HCV-NS4B). The alterations of the expression of four genes were confirmed by real-time quantitative RTPCR; and the aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1 (AKR1C1) enzyme activity was detected in HCV-NS4B transiently transfected HeLa cells and Huh-7, a human hepatoma cell line. Of the 2,308 genes we examined, 34 were up-regulated and 56 were down-regulated. These 90 genes involved oncogenes, tumor suppressors, cell receptors, complements, adhesions, transcription and translation, cytoskeletion and cellular stress. The expression profiling suggested that multiple regulatory pathways were affected by HCV-NS4B directly or indirectly. And since these genes are related to carcinogenesis, host defense system and cell homeostatic mechanism, we can conclude that HCV-NS4B could play some important roles in the pathogenesis mechanism of HCV.
Spatial resolution decision in scalable bitstream extraction for network and receiver aware adaptation

Reliable transmission of video over heterogeneous networks requires efficient coding, as well as scalability to different client capabilities, system resources and network conditions. Scalable video coding can provide a full scalability comprising temporal scalability, spatial scalability and quality scalability to increase its adaptability to network and client conditions. It encodes the original video at a full resolution, but enables extracting partial streams to reconstruct the video depending on the specific rate and resolution required by a certain application. This paper addresses the problem of scalable bitstream extraction. Given the bandwidth constraint and the display resolution of the end user, the proposed algorithm will decide the spatial resolution of the sub-stream to be extracted based on the analysis of the content information to maximize the perceptual video quality. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
To What Extent Does the Existing Safety Net Protect the Poor

The objective of social protection policies is to help families, individuals and communities with the prevention and mitigation of social and economic risks. Social protection policies are a range of public interventions to support the poor and vulnerable, and assist families, individuals and communities to better manage social and economic risks. The objective of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the Kyrgyz social safety net in protecting the poor using data from the 2008 Kyrgyz Integrated Household Survey (KIHS). The analysis focuses on non-contributory social benefits targeted to poor and vulnerable households. The next section provides an overview of the current system of social benefits and recent reforms. Section three presents the results of the empirical analysis, focusing on coverage, distribution, adequacy and impact of the current non-contributory social transfers. Section four discusses the potential impact of the reform and further challenges.