Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of U.S. Unconventional Monetary Policy and Implications for QE3

On August 20, 2012, the Federal Reserve announced a third round of quantitative easing (QE3), and interest is mounting as to the significance and influence of this policy. This study analyzes the effects of US unconventional monetary policies implemented during the global financial crisis, such as quantitative easing, Operation Twist, and the Federal Reserve’s policy commitment regarding the course of short-term interest rates. Moreover, it discusses the significance and implications for the QE3. Up to now, unconventional US monetary policy actions have improved the condition of US financial markets and lowered long-term Treasury yields, mortgage-backed security (MBS) rates, and corporate bond yields. The effects of the first round of quantitative easing (QE1) were the most influential, while the effects of the second round (QE2) were only about a third as potent as QE1. The effects of Operation Twist were minor compared to QE2. QE1 resulted in lowering yields on 10-year Treasury securities by 128.6 basis points (bp) and MBS yields by 136bp. QE2 caused 10-year Treasury yields to drop by 42.93bp and MBS yields by 37.25bp. The effects of the quantitative easing policy on the stock market and foreign exchange market are not statistically significant. The effects of QE3 are expected to be less than the previous two QE programs. Up to now, QE3 has lowered 10-year Treasury yields by 8bp and MBS yields by 32.3bp. The implementation of the QE policy in major advanced economies may cause so-called excess global liquidity problems. Global liquidity expansion may result in instability in foreign exchange and international commodity markets.
Effect of row ratio and phosphorus level on performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)-Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) intercropping

A field experiment was conducted during winter seasons (rab~] of 2000-01 and 2001-02 at Agricultural Re- search Farm to find out the effect of row ratios (4:2, 6:2 and 8:2) and phosphorus levels (30, 60 and 90 kg P,O,/ ha) on chickpea or gram (Cicer arietinum L.) + Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] intercrop- ping on growth, yield attributes, yield, yield assessment and monetary returns as well as P uptake under dryland conditions in semi-arid region of central Uttar Pradesh. The highest land-equivalent ratio (LER), area x time equivalency ratio (ATER), effective yield total (EYT), net return and benefit : cost ratio were obtained at 6:2 row- ratio. Among the phosphorus levels tried, 60 kg P20$ha was found most economic. P uptake was significantly higher at 60 kg P,OJha in comparison with 30 kg P20,/ha. Net return was also highest, i.e. Rs 22,042.90 and 20,182.041ha at 6:2 row ratio and 60 kg P20$ha respectively.
Sites of Superoxide and Hydrogen Peroxide Production by Muscle Mitochondria Assessed ex Vivo under Conditions Mimicking Rest and Exercise*

Background: Ten mitochondrial sites of superoxide/H2O2 generation are known, but their contributions in vivo are undefined. Results: We assessed their rates ex vivo in conditions mimicking rest and exercise. Conclusion: Sites IQ and IIF generated half the signal at rest. During exercise, rates were lower, and site IF dominated. Significance: Contributing sites ex vivo probably reflect those in vivo. The sites and rates of mitochondrial production of superoxide and H2O2 in vivo are not yet defined. At least 10 different mitochondrial sites can generate these species. Each site has a different maximum capacity (e.g. the outer quinol site in complex III (site IIIQo) has a very high capacity in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria, whereas the flavin site in complex I (site IF) has a very low capacity). The maximum capacities can greatly exceed the actual rates observed in the absence of electron transport chain inhibitors, so maximum capacities are a poor guide to actual rates. Here, we use new approaches to measure the rates at which different mitochondrial sites produce superoxide/H2O2 using isolated muscle mitochondria incubated in media mimicking the cytoplasmic substrate and effector mix of skeletal muscle during rest and exercise. We find that four or five sites dominate during rest in this ex vivo system. Remarkably, the quinol site in complex I (site IQ) and the flavin site in complex II (site IIF) each account for about a quarter of the total measured rate of H2O2 production. Site IF, site IIIQo, and perhaps site EF in the β-oxidation pathway account for most of the remainder. Under conditions mimicking mild and intense aerobic exercise, total production is much less, and the low capacity site IF dominates. These results give novel insights into which mitochondrial sites may produce superoxide/H2O2 in vivo.
Work–Family Policy Trade-Offs for Mothers? Unpacking the Cross-National Variation in Motherhood Earnings Penalties

Recent scholarship suggests welfare state interventions, as measured by policy indices, create gendered trade-offs wherein reduced work–family conflict corresponds to greater gender wage inequality. The authors reconsider these trade-offs by unpacking these indices and examining specific policy relationships with motherhood-based wage inequality to consider how different policies have different effects. Using original policy data and Luxembourg Income Study microdata, multilevel models across 22 countries examine the relationships among country-level family policies, tax policies, and the motherhood wage penalty. The authors find policies that maintain maternal labor market attachment through moderate-length leaves, publicly funded childcare, lower marginal tax rates on second earners, and paternity leave are correlated with smaller motherhood wage penalties.
Intracellular calcium transients underlying the short‐term force‐interval relationship in ferret ventricular myocardium.

The influence of short‐term changes in stimulation pattern, both on the strength of contraction and on the amplitude of intracellular free‐Ca2+ transients, was investigated in ferret papillary muscles. Intracellular free‐Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) was assessed from the luminescence emitted from muscles microinjected with the Ca2+‐sensitive photoprotein aequorin. The relationships between the strength of contraction and changes in stimulation pattern lasting 1‐2 beats could be described by monoexponential functions, all with very similar time constants (approximately 750 ms at 30 degrees C). Over the entire range that could be obtained, the strength of contraction, quantified by either peak tension or peak rate of tension development, was found to be linearly correlated with peak estimated [Ca2+]. Potential errors in the estimation of [Ca2+] from aequorin luminescence were analysed. To assess the influence of spatial non‐homogeneities of [Ca2+] on the estimate of [Ca2+], a model of Ca2+ diffusion in heart muscle was developed. The possible effect of using an inaccurate calibration curve was also examined. The results of these analyses indicate that [Ca2+] estimated from aequorin luminescence should be proportional to, if not equal to, true spatial average [Ca2+] (errors less than 7%). Given the conclusion of the analysis described above, it is inferred from points 2 and 3 that the relationships between peak spatial average [Ca2+] and short‐term changes in stimulation pattern are also represented by monoexponential functions, with time constants closely similar to those for the mechanical measurements. Exposure to ryanodine, a substance believed to inhibit the release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum, produced striking alterations in the pattern of variations in [Ca2+] mentioned above. These alterations are consistent with the hypothesis that the functions described above depend essentially upon properties of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Hypovitaminosis D Is Associated with Systemic Inflammation and Concentric Myocardial Geometric Pattern in Hemodialysis Patients with Low iPTH Levels

Background: Vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency is a cardiovascular risk factor in the hemodialysis (HD) population. The aim of this study was to identify hypovitaminosis D in HD patients without signs of hyperparathyroidism and to analyze its association to inflammation and echocardiographic alterations. Methods: Patients on HD with iPTH <300 pg/ml not receiving vitamin D therapy were recruited. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as 25(OH)D <30 ng/ml. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and serum albumin were used as inflammation markers. Echocardiograms were performed in an interdialytic mid-week day. Results: Sixty-one patients (mean age of 56 ± 15 years, 52% males, 93% Caucasians, 31% diabetic) were included, and 75% presented hypovitaminosis D. Inflammation was more prevalent among those with hypovitaminosis D, and these patients presented higher relative wall thickness (0.48 ± 0.11 vs. 0.42 ± 0.10 mm; p = 0.05) and lower left ventricular diastolic (49.8 ± 6.2 vs. 54.7 ± 5.8 mm; p = 0.013) and systolic (31.9 ± 5.7 vs. 36.8 ± 7.2 mm; p = 0.012) diameters. Conclusions: Hypovitaminosis D is associated with inflammation and concentric geometric pattern of the left ventricle, even in the absence of high iPTH levels. Vitamin D repletion (aiming to reduce cardiovascular complications) should also be considered in HD patients with normal or low iPTH levels.
Relationships between Serum and Colon Concentrations of Carotenoids and Fatty Acids in Randomized Dietary Intervention Trial

Little is known about the effect of preventive diets on colonic nutrient concentrations. This study randomized 120 persons at increased risk of colon cancer to a Mediterranean versus a Healthy Eating diet for six months. The former targeted increases in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, monounsaturated, and n3 fats. The Healthy Eating diet was based on Healthy People 2010 recommendations. At baseline, dietary fat and carotenoid intakes were poorly associated (Spearman ρ < 0.4) with serum and colon concentrations. Strong associations were observed between serum and colon measurements of β-cryptoxanthin (ρ = 0.58; P < 0.001), α-carotene (ρ = 0.48; P < 0.001), and β-carotene (ρ = 0.45; P < 0.001). After six months, the Healthy Eating intervention increased serum lutein, β-, and α-carotene significantly (P < 0.05). In the Mediterranean arm, the significant increases were in serum lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, monounsaturated, and n3 fats. A significant group-by-time interaction (P = 0.03) was obtained for monounsaturated fats. Colonic increases in carotenoids and n3 fats were significant only in Healthy Eating arm, whereas the group-by-time interaction was significant for β-carotene (P = 0.02) and α-carotene (P = 0.03). Changes in colon concentrations were not significantly associated with reported dietary changes. Changes in colon and serum concentrations were strongly associated for β-cryptoxanthin (ρ = 0.56; P < 0.001) and α-carotene (ρ = 0.40; P < 0.001). The associations between colonic and serum concentrations suggest the potential use of using serum concentration as a target in dietary interventions aimed at reducing colon cancer risk. Cancer Prev Res; 6(6); 558–65. ©2013 AACR.
Intercultural challenges in offshore software development outsourcing relationships: an exploratory study using a systematic literature review

Offshore software development outsourcing (OSDO) is an emerging business paradigm implemented by many software development organisations. OSDO faces a variety of challenges including temporal, geographical and intercultural differences. The objective of this research is to identify the intercultural challenges faced by vendors in OSDO relationships. A systematic literature review process for the identification of these challenges from vendors' perspective has been used. The findings reveal `language and language proficiency', `national culture' and `organisational culture' as the critical intercultural challenges for vendors in OSDO relationships. These challenges based on study strategy have been further analysed.
Low education as a possible risk factor for cognitive abnormalities in HIV-1: findings from the multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

The present study reports new and unexpected results of cognitive abnormalities among human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) asymptomatic subjects in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. The major purpose of our analyses is to estimate the separate and combined effects of serostatus and education level on the prevalence of cognitive abnormality. Cognitive "abnormality" was defined as performance that deviated > or = 2 SDs below the mean of the total seronegative group on at least one of the five neuropsychological screening tests (Grooved Pegboard, Verbal Fluency, Digit Span, Symbol Digit Modalities, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning). The predicted prevalence of cognitive abnormality was 38% in seropositive individuals with no more than 12 years of education, compared with < 17% in the other education-serostatus groups. This interaction between education level and serostatus remained after controlling for the possible confounding effects of age, ethnicity, CD4 level, depression, prior drug history, and learning disability using logistic regression. To account for these findings, we suggest that low education might reflect an indirect index of lower reserve capacity (i.e., a risk factor) that lowers the threshold for neuropsychological abnormalities in cases of early HIV-1 infection.
Data-Pattern-Aware Error Prevention Technique to Improve System Reliability

Program disturb, read disturb, and retention time noise are identified as three major contributors to multilevel cell (MLC) NAND flash memory bit errors. With program/erase cycling and technology scaling, bit error rate (BER) of MLC NAND flash memory rapidly increases. Previous works revealed that BER is heavily dependent on data patterns. Based on this observation, we propose data-pattern-aware (DPA) error protection technique to extend the lifespan of NAND flash-based storage systems. DPA manipulates the ratios of 0’s and 1’s in the stored data to reduce the probability of the data patterns, which are susceptible to device noises. By minimizing the vulnerable data patterns, our scheme can effectively reduce the BER and improves the system endurance. Our DPA scheme also incorporates a data management scheme to minimize the redundancy-induced performance overhead. Simulation results show that our scheme can increase flash system life expectancy by up to $4\times $ .
Characterization of architectural distortion in mammograms

The analysis of mammograms is a difficult task due to the subtle appearance of some lesions. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) have been shown to improve the sensitivity of detection of masses and calcifications; however, there is a need for dedicated methods to detect architectural distortion in the absence of a central mass. Improvement in the detection of architectural distortion may be expected to result in better prognosis for patients with early stages of breast cancer. By employing the concept of phase portraits, a method to characterize architectural distortion in mammograms using texture orientation fields is presented. The results obtained show that the proposed technique can achieve good discrimination between architectural distortion and other parenchymal patterns. Such a technique would be applicable, in a CAD system, to images that have cleared the stages of detection of calcifications and masses with no positive findings.
Modulation of affective symptoms and resting state activity by brain stimulation in a treatment-resistant case of obsessive–compulsive disorder

The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on psychopathological symptoms and resting state brain activity was assessed in a patient with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). tDCS and rTMS had no effect on OC symptoms. tDCS, however, improved depression and anxiety. Functional magnetic resonance imaging at baseline showed an interhemispheric asymmetry with hyperactivation of the left and hypoactivation of the right anterior neural circuits. A reduction of interhemispheric imbalance was detected after tDCS but not after rTMS. tDCS seems to be more effective than rTMS in restoring interhemispheric imbalance and improving anxiety and depression in OCD.
Capsule Impedes Adhesion to and Invasion of Epithelial Cells by Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT The adhesion of K21a, K26, K36, and K50 capsulatedKlebsiella strains to ileocecal (HCT-8) and bladder (T24) epithelial cell lines was significantly lower than that of their corresponding spontaneous noncapsulated variants K21a/3, K26/1, K36/3, and K50/3, respectively. Internalization of the bacteria by both epithelial cell lines was also significantly reduced. Similarly, a capsule-switched derivative, K2(K36), that exhibited a morphologically larger K36 capsule and formed more capsular material invaded the ileocecal epithelial cell line poorly compared to the corresponding K2 parent strain. None of the capsulated strains exhibited significant mannose-sensitive type 1 fimbriae, whereas two of the noncapsulated variants K21a/3 and K50/3 exhibited potent mannose-sensitive hemagglutinating activity. Although hemagglutinating activity that could be attributed to mannose-resistantKlebsiella type 3 fimbriae was weak in all strains, in several cases the encapsulated parent strains exhibited lower titers than their corresponding noncapsulated variants. Although the level of adhesion to the ileocecal cells is not different from adhesion to bladder cells, bacterial internalization by bladder cells was significantly lower than internalization by ileocecal cells, suggesting that bladder cells lack components required for the internalization ofKlebsiella.
A Maternal System Initiating the Zygotic Developmental Program through Combinatorial Repression in the Ascidian Embryo

Maternal factors initiate the zygotic developmental program in animal embryos. In embryos of the chordate, Ciona intestinalis, three maternal factors—Gata.a, β-catenin, and Zic-r.a—are required to establish three domains of gene expression at the 16-cell stage; the animal hemisphere, vegetal hemisphere, and posterior vegetal domains. Here, we show how the maternal factors establish these domains. First, only β-catenin and its effector transcription factor, Tcf7, are required to establish the vegetal hemisphere domain. Second, genes specifically expressed in the posterior vegetal domain have additional repressive cis-elements that antagonize the activity of β-catenin/Tcf7. This antagonizing activity is suppressed by Zic-r.a, which is specifically localized in the posterior vegetal domain and binds to DNA indirectly through the interaction with Tcf7. Third, Gata.a directs specific gene expression in the animal hemisphere domain, because β-catenin/Tcf7 weakens the Gata.a-binding activity for target sites through a physical interaction in the vegetal cells. Thus, repressive regulation through protein-protein interactions among the maternal transcription factors is essential to establish the first distinct domains of gene expression in the chordate embryo.
Ins2 Deficiency Augments Spontaneous HLA-A*0201–Restricted T Cell Responses to Insulin

Type 1 diabetes results from the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β cells by T cells specific for β cell Ags, including insulin. In humans, the non-MHC locus conferring the strongest disease susceptibility is the insulin gene, and alleles yielding lower thymic insulin expression are predisposing. We sought to incorporate this characteristic into an HLA-transgenic model of the disease and to determine the influence of reduced thymic insulin expression on CD8+ T cell responses to preproinsulin. We examined NOD.Ins2−/− mice, which do not express insulin in the thymus and show accelerated disease, to determine whether they exhibit quantitative or qualitative differences in CD8+ T cell responses to preproinsulin. We also generated NOD.Ins2−/− mice expressing type 1 diabetes-associated HLA-A*0201 (designated NOD.β2m−/−.HHD.Ins2−/−) in an effort to obtain an improved humanized disease model. We found that CD8+ T cell reactivity to certain insulin peptides was more readily detected in NOD.Ins2−/− mice than in NOD mice. Furthermore, the proportion of insulin-reactive CD8+ T cells infiltrating the islets of NOD.Ins2−/− mice was increased. NOD. β2m−/−. HHD.Ins2−/− mice exhibited rapid onset of disease and had an increased proportion of HLA-A*0201–restricted insulin-reactive T cells, including those targeting the clinically relevant epitope Ins B10-18. Our results suggest that insulin alleles that predispose to type 1 diabetes in humans do so, at least in part, by facilitating CD8+ T cell responses to the protein. We propose the NOD. β2m−/−. HHD.Ins2−/− strain as an improved humanized disease model, in particular for studies seeking to develop therapeutic strategies targeting insulin-specific T cells.
PEACE THROUGH HEALTH: A CASE STUDY OF PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS-ISRAEL

This thesis explores Peace through Health (PtH) in the context of an intractable conflict by examining the 10 PtH mechanisms within Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I). In using a single qualitative instrumental case study of PHR-I, my research sought to answer the questions: Is Peace through Health an appropriate peace-building response in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? How are the 10 mechanisms of Peace through Health reflected in the work of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel? And how can Peace through Health be evaluated in regions of intractability to provide evidence for this emerging field? Findings indicated that PtH is an appropriate response, if a) importance was placed on the political dimension and b) understood in the context of a multi-track approach. In terms of the 10 mechanisms of PtH, my research found that while some of the mechanisms were reflected in the work of PHR-I, the impact they could have on peace was limited by the political realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Finally, in terms of evaluation, my findings suggest that the contribution that health can make to peacebuilding, at present, is small and exceedingly difficult to measure as the question of ‘how’ continues to hinder the process of evaluation.
Noise reduction and lossless ECG encoding

This paper proposes an efficient technique to eliminate high frequency and power line interference noise from digitized Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal and compression of that enhanced signal in a lossless manner. ECG data of different diseases taken from PTB diagnostic ECG database (PTB-DB) is used to test the performance of the module. At first, contaminated ECG signal is passed through a Butterworth lowpass filter to remove high frequency noises whose order is chosen on experimental basis. To remove power line interference noise, an IIR notch filter is designed properly. Enhanced signal is compressed using a strict lossless technique. The proposed module can reduce noise as well as ECG data file size efficiently.
Curing the Mischiefs of Faction in the American Administrative State

The worries American citizens express about the distorting influence of minority factions, or special interests, on public governance are as old as the republic. I briefly recount the constitutional design flaws and developmental changes that have combined to make these worries more valid than ever in an age of administratively centered governance. I then review the evidence on the nature and extent of special interest influence on the administrative process from a broad swath of scholarship. After noting the limited efficacy of attempts to limit special interest influence via minor tinkering with the separation of powers, I argue for more fundamental structural change in the form of administration as a separate, constitutionally recognized element of the separation of powers. I outline basic structural features and offer hypothetical yet plausible consequences of such a design change. The latter, I contend, are amenable to confirmation or refutation through systematic analysis of evidence that is already available from past and current governing experience.