Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Multiethnic Study of &Dgr;32ccr5 and ccr2b-V64I Allele Distribution in Four Los Angeles Populations

Mutant alleles of the chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR2 affect the susceptibility to HIV infection as well as the rate of disease progression. In this article the authors report the results of a survey for presence of the common &Dgr;32ccr5 and ccr2b-V64I mutant alleles in 472 individuals of a multiethnic cohort. Hispanic Americans had the highest observed frequency of the &Dgr;32ccr5 allele (3.57%), whereas African Americans had a lower frequency (1.55%). The mutant allele was absent in Asian Americans and Native Americans. Thus, the &Dgr;32ccr5 allele segregates in populations with a significant white admixture and is rare in genetically distant non-European groups. Native Americans had the highest occurrence of the ccr2b-V64I allele (31.13%), whereas African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans had much lower frequencies (14.36%, 11.94%, and 14.37% respectively). This mutation is probably an ancient one, occurring before the migration of the ancestors of Native Americans across the Bering Straits to the Americas. The twofold greater frequency of ccr2b-V64I in modern Native Americans probably reflects a founder effect. The observed population differences in &Dgr;32ccr5 and ccr2b-V64I frequencies, considered together with their documented effects on sensitivity to HIV infection and rate of disease progression, have implications for HIV transmission patterns in the United States, as well as for AIDS prediction, monitoring, and treatment.
First-principle calculations of electronic and elastic properties of LiInTe2 chalcopyrite under different hydrostatic pressures

Electronic band structure, density of state and lattice constants of LiInTe2 semiconductor have been calculated using first-principle density functional theory (DFT). Elastics stiffness constants, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Poisson's ratio and B/G ratio have been determined under 0 GPa, 2 GPa, 4 GPa, 5 GPa and 6 GPa pressures and found to be stable upto 5 GPa. Computed results are in reasonable agreement with the available results.
A Research on the Relationship between Urban Households’ Income and Expenditure in Hainan

APC (Average Propensity to Consume) refers to the ratio of dividing consumption by income during the same period, which reflects the percentage of consumption in current residents’ income. This paper analyses the APC and builds up models about the dynamic relationships between urban residents’ income and consumption expenditure in Hainan, with panel data model, choosing per capita annual disposable income as explanatory variable, per capita living annual ex-penditure as response variable, and data from the year of 2004 to 2010. The research shows that different income levels bring different impacts on consumption, and provides theories of adjusting the consumption structure, expanding do-mestic demand and promoting the economy development.
Biotechnology for cocoa pod borer resistance in cocoa

The cocoa tree ( Theobroma cacao L.) produces the beans that are the source of cacao, the basis for chocolate production, and an important commodity crop in South America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB, ( Conopomorpha cramerella) has been the single most important limiting factor for cacao production in Southeast Asia. So far, there has been no single cost effective and environmentally safe way to control this pest. This thesis describes the first steps in a biotechnological approach to the control of CPB through the production of transgenic cocoa trees, which produce an insecticidal toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in their pod wall, making them resistant to CPB . Selection of a CPB-active toxin, optimization of its expression, making the expression tissue-specific and optimization of cocoa transformation and regeneration are described. Moreover, the isolation of two transcription factor genes involved in flower timing and architecture is described.
Epidemiological studies of acute childhood leukemia. A survey of Cuyahoga county, Ohio.

VARIOUS epidemiological studies of childhood leukemia have been carried out in an attempt to determine whether certain host and environmental factors play a role in the pathogenesis of leukemia. 1-4 The relationship between incidence and socioeconomic background, peak incidence, age at onset, and seasonal variations have been examined, and the results of these studies have shown certain suggestive patterns. The relationship of certain genetic factors has been investigated, and in this regard it is known that the prevalence of leukemia among children with Down's syndrome is many times that expected; but whether other genetic factors play a role is much less obvious. Time and space relationships have also been examined, but statistical interpretations because of arbitrary designations have been inconclusive. 3,5 Most of the studies have focused on one or several of these points but were not part of a more comprehensive survey. In this study an attempt has been
Critical review: Effects of complex interactions on structure and dynamics of supported metal catalysts

This review article takes a new look at the problem of characterization of structural properties and reaction dynamics of supported metal catalysts. Such catalysts exhibit an inherent complexity, particularly due to interactions with the support and the adsorbate molecules, which can be highly sensitive to environmental conditions such as pressure and temperature. Recent reports demonstrate that finite size effects such as negative thermal expansion and large bond length disorder are directly caused by these complex interactions. To uncover the atomistic features underlying the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of metal catalysts, experimental characterization must accommodate the challenging operation conditions of catalytic processes and provide insights into system attributes. The combined application of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for this type of investigations will be examined, and the individual strengths and limitations of these methods will be discussed. Furthermore, spatial and temporal heterogeneities that describe real catalytic systems and can hinder their investigation by either averaging (such as XAS) or local (such as TEM) techniques alone will be addressed by conjoined, multiscale, ab initio density functional theory/molecular dynamics modeling of metal catalysts that can both support and guide experimental studies. When taken together, a new analysis scheme emerges, in which different forms of structure and dynamics can be fully characterized by combining information obtained experimentally by in situ XAS and electron microscopy as well as theoretically via modeling.
Time-Aware Subscription Prediction Model for User Acquisition in Digital News Media

User acquisition is one of the most challenging problems for online news providers. In fact, due to availability of different news media, users have a lot of choices in selecting the news source. To date, most of digital news portals have tried to approach the solution indirectly by targeting the user satisfaction through the recommendation systems. In contrast, we address the problem directly by identifying valuable visitors who are likely potential subscribers in the future. First, we suggest that the decision for subscription is not a sudden, instantaneous action, but is the informed decision based on positive experience with digital medium. As such, we propose effective engagement measures and show that they are effective in building the predictive model for subscription. We design a model that not only predicts the potential subscribers but also answers queries about the subscription occurrence time. The proposed model can be used to predict the subscription time and recommend accurately the “potential users” to the current marketing campaign. We evaluate the proposed model using a real dataset from The Globe and Mail which is a major newspaper in Canada. The experimental results show that the proposed model outperforms the traditional state-of-theart approaches significantly.
The active bridge: An alternative to the Wheatstone bridge for efficient conditioning of resistive MEMS sensors

This paper presents an innovative conditioning and read-out interface for resistive MEMS sensor named “active-bridge”. Different implementations of the proposed structure were evaluated by electrical simulations, using a 0. 35µm AMS technology. The results demonstrate a significant power consumption reduction for a given SNR or a greater SNR for a given current consumption.
A Study of the Relationship Between Hotel Informative Service Setting Items and Customer Satisfaction

In recent decades, significant growth in the hospitality industry has been fueled by increases in disposable income, leisure time, and political stability. Consequently, the hospitality industry has grown both larger and more competitive; and organizations in the hospitality industry face increasing competitive pressures. The purpose of this study were to identify the impact of Informative Service Setting Item (ISSI) attributes on the customer satisfaction, examine the impact of ISSI when a potential guest selects a hotel, and determine how ISSI influences a customers' recommendation of the hotel to others. The target population for this study was hospitality educators and hotel customers who had stayed in U.S. lodging properties. An online survey was conducted and factor analysis and multiple regression were used to address the research hypotheses. The results of the study indicated a significant positive relationship between perceived Information Service Setting Items performance and the overall satisfaction level of the respondents with their hotel visit, their hotel selection decision, and the likelihood of making a recommendation of the hotel to others. In this study, though underlying factors were found among 39 ISSI attributes and those factors appeared statistically significant to the dependent variables, a successful hotel should continuously improve its services/products that relate to better performance to meet customers' special needs and expectations. The dilemma is that customer expectations are constantly changing, which creates a “moving target” for hotel managers.
Pivotal role of angiotensin II receptor subtype 1A in the development of two-kidney, one-clip hypertension: study in angiotensin II receptor subtype 1A knockout mice

Objective The present study was performed to examine in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) Goldblatt hypertensive mice: first, the relative contribution of angiotensin II receptor subtypes 1A (AT1A) and 1B (AT1B); second, the role of angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptors in the development of hypertension in wild-type (AT1A+/+) and AT1A receptor knockout (AT1A−/−) mice; and third, the role of increased nitric oxide synthase activity in counteracting the hypertensinogenic action of angiotensin II in this model. Methods AT1A+/+ and AT1A−/− mice underwent clipping of one renal artery and were infused with either saline vehicle or selective AT2 receptor agonist CGP-42112A (CGP). Blood pressure was monitored by radiotelemetry. Blood pressure responses to the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester were evaluated. Results AT1A+/+ mice responded to clipping by a rise in blood pressure that was not modified by CGP infusion. Clip placement caused a slight increase in blood pressure in AT1A−/− mice that remained significantly lower than in AT1A+/+ mice. Acute nitric oxide synthase inhibition caused greater increase in blood pressure in 2K1C/AT1A+/+ than in AT1A+/+ mice. Conclusion The present data support the critical role of AT1A receptors in the development of 2K1C hypertension, whereas AT1B receptors play only a minor role in blood pressure regulation in this model of angiotensin II-dependent hypertension. Activation of AT2 receptors does not play an antagonistic role in the AT1 receptor-mediated hypertensinogenic actions of angiotensin II in this model. Finally, enhanced nitric oxide synthase activity plays a protective role by counteracting the vasoconstrictor influences of angiotensin II in 2K1C hypertensive mice.
Privatisation and Local Trade Unionism

The argument in this paper is that, while privatization creates difficulties for traditional forms of unionism, it also opens up the possibility of union renewal. Drawing on detailed case study evidence from telecommunications, gas and water, three related issues are examined. Managerial decentralisation and devolution have created opportunities for managements to pursue policies aimed at achieving more direct forms of control over their workforces, specifically through the individualisation of work relations, thereby threatening the continued operation of unions in these industries. With these developments it has become clear that the traditional forms of unionism no longer suffice, precipitating debates within these unions as to how best to deal with these changes. In the face of these developments, local unions have attempted to either maintain past forms of organisation and activity to accommodate this process of restructuring or they have begun a process of union renewal, broadening their bases of union concern and activity. Thus, the paradox of privatization is that some unions may be able to take the opportunity provided by this restructuring to reorganise and lay the foundations for their renewal in more participative and active ways.
Human cytomegalovirus final envelopment on membranes containing both trans‐Golgi network and endosomal markers

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been shown to complete its final envelopment on cytoplasmic membranes prior to its secretion to the extracellular medium. However, the nature of these membranes has not been characterized. It is thought that HCMV acquires its final envelope from the trans‐Golgi network (TGN), though we and others have previously reported a role for endocytic membranes. Here we studied the localization of cellular markers in HCMV‐infected cells and in isolated viruses. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that HCMV induces the recruitment of TGN and endosomal markers to the virus factory. Immuno‐gold labelling of isolated viral particles and electron microscopy demonstrated the incorporation of TGN46, endosomal markers early endosomal antigen 1, annexin I, transferrin receptor and CD63, and the cation‐independent mannose 6‐phosphate receptor, which traffics between the TGN and endosomes into the viral envelope. Virus immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that virions containing TGN46 and CD63 were infectious. This study reconciles the apparent controversy regarding the nature of the HCMV assembly site and suggests that HCMV has the ability to generate a novel membrane compartment containing markers for both TGN and endosomes, or that the membranes that HCMV uses for its envelope may be vesicles in transit between the TGN and endosomes.
Serum Uric Acid Is Associated with Carotid Plaques: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study

Objective. To examine the association of serum uric acid (SUA) with a marker of preclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), carotid atherosclerotic plaques (PLQ), where early evidence of risk may be evident, focusing on individuals without CV risk factors. Methods. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study is a multicenter study designed to assess risk factors for heart disease. PLQ were assessed with carotid ultrasound. We conducted sex-specific logistic regression to assess the association of SUA with presence of PLQ, including analyses among persons without risk factors related to both CVD and hyperuricemia. Results In total, 4866 participants had both SUA and carotid ultrasound assessed (54% women, mean age 52 yrs, mean body mass index 27.6). The association of SUA with PLQ increased with increasing SUA levels, demonstrating a dose-response relation for men [OR 1.0, 1.29, 1.61, 1.75, for SUA categories < 5 (reference), 5 to < 6, 6 to < 6.8, ≥ 6.8 mg/dl, respectively; p = 0.002]. Similar associations were found in men without CV risk factors. We found no relation of SUA with PLQ in women. Conclusion. In this large study, SUA was associated with carotid atherosclerotic plaques in men. Results were similar in the absence of CV risk factors. These results suggest that SUA may have a pathophysiologic role in atherosclerosis in men.
Morphological Evidence of a Filamentous Cilia-associated Respiratory (CAR) Bacillus in Goats

A filamentous cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus was discovered in 12 3-4 month-old goats experimentally infected with two different strains of mycoplasmas belonging to the Mycoplasma mycoides type. The CAR bacilli were always arranged parallel to the cilia, and the morphology of these bacilli is very similar to that of other bacilli described previously in other species from various parts of the world.
On the Cost Structure of the Japanese Property-Casualty Insurance Industry

This article tests economies of scale and economies of scope for the property-casualty insurance companies in Japan. We fit a composite cost function to a set of Japanese firms over the period from 1980 to 1995 and employ an error components model. Our main findings are as follows. First, statistically significant economies of scale are observed in both Japanese firms and foreign firms operating in Japan. Second, economies of scope are also statistically significant for Japanese firms and most of the foreign insurers between the "third sector" products and the rest of the property-casualty insurance lines. Copyright The Journal of Risk and Insurance.
Funded and Unfunded Pension Schemes: Risk, Reutrn and Welfare

This paper uses stochastic simulations on calibrated models to assess the optimal degree of reliance on fun ded pensions and on a particular type of unfunded (PAYG) pension. Surprisingly little is known about the optimal split between funded and unfunded systems when there are sources of uninsurable risk that are allocated in different ways by different types of pension system. This paper calculates the expected welfare of agents in different economies where in the steady state the importance of PAYG pensions differs. We estimate how the optimal level of unfunded, state pensions depends on rate of return and income risks and also upon the actuarial fairness of annuity contracts.
MS-EMC vs. NEGF: A comparative study accounting for transport quantum corrections

As electronic devices approach the nanometer scale, quantum transport theories have been recognized as the best option to reproduce their performance. Other possible trend, mainly focused on reducing the computational effort, is the inclusion of quantum effects in semi-classical simulators. This work presents a comparison between a NEGF simulator and a MS-EMC tool including S/D tunneling both applied on a DGSOI transistor.
Profitability determinants of Portuguese knowledge-intensive business services: empirical evidence using panel data models

This article studies the profitability determinants of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS). To do so, we consider a sample of 187 Portuguese KIBS for the period 2002 to 2009, using dynamic panel estimators as estimation method. The results indicate that size, age, liquidity, long-term debt and R&D expenditure are determinants stimulating the profitability of Portuguese KIBS, with risk being a restrictive determinant. In addition, profitability is found to be persistent over time. The empirical evidence lets us make important suggestions for political decision-makers and the owners/managers of Portuguese KIBS.
Circulating tumor DNA evaluated by Next-Generation Sequencing is predictive of tumor response and prolonged clinical benefit with nivolumab in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

ABSTRACT Nivolumab is an anti-PD1 antibody, given in second-line or later treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of this study was to describe the predictive value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) on the efficacy of nivolumab in advanced NSCLC. We prospectively included all consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC treated with nivolumab in our Department between June 2015 and October 2016. Plasma samples were obtained before the first injection of nivolumab and at the first tumor evaluation with nivolumab. ctDNA was analyzed by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and the predominant somatic mutation was followed for each patient and correlated with tumor response, clinical benefit (administration of nivolumab for more than 6 months), and progression-free survival (PFS). Of 23 patients, 15 had evaluable NGS results at both times of analysis. ctDNA concentration at the first tumor evaluation and ctDNA change correlated with tumor response, clinical benefit and PFS. ROC curve analyses showed good diagnostic performances for tumor response and clinical benefit, both for ctDNA concentration at the first tumor evaluation (tumor response: positive predictive value (PPV) at 100.0% and negative predictive value (NPV) at 71.0%; clinical benefit: PPV at 83.3% and NPV 77.8%) and the ctDNA change (tumor response: PPV 100.0% and NPV 62.5%; clinical benefit: PPV 100.0% and NPV 80.0%). Patients without ctDNA concentration increase >9% at 2 months had a long-term benefit of nivolumab. In conclusion, NGS analysis of ctDNA allows the early detection of tumor response and long-term clinical benefit with nivolumab in NSCLC.
Intelligent control of flexible loads for improving low voltage grids utilization

Denmark has a plan to increase the amount of renewable energy in the power system in the coming decades. The wind power penetration is scheduled to increase to more than 50% by 2020. To cope with the high amount of fluctuating production, large power system reinforcements would be desirable. In order to limit the need for reinforcements the smart grid concept is getting a lot of attention. As a part of the whole concept, an active demand response is expected from end-consumer's units like heat pumps and electric vehicles. This paper looks into the challenge of controlling these units in an intelligent manner. A centralized control strategy is developed at the secondary substation level in order to maximize the grid utilization thereby reducing the need for grid reinforcements. The simulation results show that the control strategy allows heat pumps and electric vehicles to charge in a time-effective manner while respecting the grid codes.
Quantitative and Functional Differences between Peripheral Blood Myeloid Dendritic Cells from Patients with Pleural and Parenchymal Lung Tuberculosis

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in generating protective host immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Few studies have addressed DC function in the context of active tuberculosis (TB), largely due to technical constraints in obtaining adequate numbers of DC from sick patients. We quantitated peripheral blood myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in the whole blood of patients with active TB and show that blood from patients with pleural TB was characterized by high circulating levels of mDCs. We also developed and optimized a novel whole-blood assay to study mDC production of the Th1-promoting cytokine interleukin 12 (IL-12) and upregulation of the maturation marker CCR7 after incubation with mycobacteria. We found that pleural TB was associated with increased IL-12 production and CCR7 expression compared to lung parenchymal disease. Our findings suggest important differences in innate immunity between patients with different forms of active TB, and this may contribute to the differences in natural history observed between the two groups.