Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smaller outer diameter of atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery associated with RNF213 c.14576G>A Variant (rs112735431)

Background: Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) involves diverse histologies and several remodeling patterns. Ring finger protein 213 (RNF213) c.14576G>A variant (rs112735431), recently reported to be associated with ICAS, may be linked with negative remodeling (outer diameter – reducing morphological alteration) of intracranial arteries. This study investigated the outer diameter of atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery (MCA). Methods: Patients with unilateral atherosclerotic MCA stenosis/occlusion were enrolled in this single-hospital-based case-control study at The University of Tokyo Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups by the presence of RNF213 c.14576G>A (variant group and wild-type group) and the outer diameter of the MCA was measured with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Twenty-eight patients with the wild type and 19 patients with the variant type were included. The outer diameter of the stenotic side MCA was smaller in the variant group than in the wild-type group (P = 8.3 × 10-6). The outer diameter of the normal side MCA was also smaller in the variant group than in the wild-type group (P = 5.2 × 10-3). The ratio of stenotic side to normal side was also smaller in the variant group than in the wild-type group (P = 1.5 × 10-5). Conclusions: This study indicates that RNF213 c.14576G>A is associated with negative remodeling of ICAS.
Techniques for topic detection based processing in spoken dialog systems

In this paper we explore various techniques for topic detection in the context of conversational spoken dialog systems and also propose variants over known techniques to address the constraints of memory, accuracy and scalability associated with their practical implementation of spoken dialog systems. Tests were carried out on a multiple-topic spoken dialog system to compare and analyze these techniques. Results show beneﬁts and compromises with each approach suggesting that the best choice of technique for topic detection would be dependent on the speciﬁc deployment requirements.
Temporal arteritis: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.

BACKGROUND Giant cell arteritis of surgical significance includes two clinical entities, temporal arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis, and they are pathologically indistinguishable from one another. This study summarizes our experience in 21 cases of temporal arteritis during a recent 5-year period. Patient Population and Results: This study includes patients who were discharged with a clinical diagnosis of temporal arteritis. There were 12 women and 9 men, with a mean age of 69 years. Six patients were admitted with an initial diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica, nine with severe headache and/or nonspecific symptoms, three with ischemic symptoms of the limbs, one with a cerebrovascular accident, one with syncope, and one with osteomyelitis of the limb. The sedimentation rate ranged from 26 to 110, with a mean of 41. Eight patients had a preoperative duplex ultrasound of their temporal arteries; six of these had a peak systolic velocity of 2 > or = 200 cm/s, and five had a positive temporal artery biopsy. Nineteen patients had temporal artery biopsies, 15 were positive for giant cell arteritis, and the diagnosis was not conclusive in 4. All patients were treated with prednisone with a satisfactory outcome, except for two who had ischemic symptoms of the upper extremity requiring a carotid-axillary artery bypass in one and a carotid-brachial artery bypass in the other. Both patients had satisfactory outcomes after surgery. CONCLUSIONS The primary treatment of temporal arteritis is medical, and surgery should be reserved for severe specific disabling symptoms that have failed medical therapy. Duplex ultrasound might be helpful in predicting the side and location for temporal artery biopsy.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of transillumination tomographic images of human breast phantoms by red and infrared lasers

A laser transillumination tomographic system, using red and near infrared lasers, to obtain cross-sectional images of human breast phantoms and human hand is proposed. The scanning assembly is considering of upward, downward, rotational and pitch movements. The phantoms, made of paraffin wax, agar gel, and milk placed in a glass model are embedded with abnormalities like blood, water, solid objects, and tissues. By illuminating the phantoms at various heights by either red or infrared laser the projection data are collected. Based on 64 projections the tomogram of each section is constructed. By volume visualization procedure applied to the tomograms the objects of varying composition embedded within the phantoms are detected and their size, shape, and location depth are determined. The cross-sectional image of a human hand obtained by this procedure further shows the possibility of application of this technique for imaging of organs.
Job‐to‐job turnover and job‐to‐non‐employment movement

This paper analyses an establishment‐based data set of voluntary quits. Exit interview data identifies two discrete types of quitters, viz. those who quit to accept alternative jobs offering superior terms and conditions of employment and those who quit for other reasons and without having alternative jobs to go to. A binomial logit model is estimated to identify the probability of quitting for reasons of having been offered and having accepted alternative employment. This probability is seen to be both gender and grade related. Females are less likely to quit for this reason. Individuals occupying the financially better rewarded grades are more likely to quit for this reason. Policy recommendations are forwarded based on the analysis.
Challenges of Democratic Oversight of EU Security Policies

Abstract EU security policies have four key characteristics that distinguish them from other EU policies. First, there is a contradiction between their legal and political form that has been accentuated by the ‘widening of the security’ agenda; second, they are not regional but rather global in nature; third, they are characterised by extensive use of flexibility mechanisms and finally there is a very restricted role for parliaments, citizens and for judicial review. In this policy domain there are acute challenges of democratic accountability, which are described through the concepts of vertical (national parliaments and citizens vis-à-vis EU institutions) and horizontal (through the separation of powers of EU institutions) accountability. The democratic challenges are made acute by the extensive use of ‘flexibility mechanisms’, by the use of secrecy and urgency procedures, by the ambiguous nature of laws and norms that govern this domain and by the lack of international oversight over EU involvement in new ‘state-building’ practices.
A masked NES in INI1/hSNF5 mediates hCRM1‐dependent nuclear export: implications for tumorigenesis

INI1 (integrase interactor 1)/hSNF5 is a component of the mammalian SWI/SNF complex and a tumor suppressor mutated in malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT). We have identified a nuclear export signal (NES) in the highly conserved repeat 2 domain of INI1 that is unmasked upon deletion of a downstream sequence. Mutation of conserved hydrophobic residues within the NES, as well as leptomycin B treatment abrogated the nuclear export. Full‐length INI1 specifically associated with hCRM1/exportin1 in vivo and in vitro. A mutant INI1 [INI1(1–319) delG950] found in MRT lacking the 66 C‐terminal amino acids mislocalized to the cytoplasm. Full‐length INI1 but not the INI1(1–319 delG950) mutant caused flat cell formation and cell cycle arrest in cell lines derived from MRT. Disruption of the NES in the delG950 mutant caused nuclear localization of the protein and restored its ability to cause cell cycle arrest. These observations demonstrate that INI1 has a masked NES that mediates regulated hCRM1/exportin1‐dependent nuclear export and we propose that mutations that cause deregulated nuclear export of the protein could lead to tumorigenesis.
Secondary Syphilitic Lesions

SUMMARY An important theme that emerges from all early historical accounts is that in addition to the decreased virulence of Treponema pallidum, the incidence of secondary syphilis has decreased drastically over the past three centuries. Even in the early 20th century, most syphilologists were of the opinion that the disease had undergone changes in its manifestations and that they were dealing with an attenuated form of the spirochete. Such opinions were based primarily on the observations that violent cutaneous reactions and fatalities associated with the secondary stage had become extremely rare. The rate of primary and secondary syphilis in the United States increased in 2002 for the second consecutive year. After a decade-long decline that led to an all-time low in 2000, the recent trend is attributable, to a large extent, by a increase in reported syphilis cases among men, particularly homosexual and bisexual men having sex with men. The present review addresses the clinical and diagnostic criteria for the recognition of secondary syphilis, the clinical course and manifestations of the disease if allowed to proceed past the primary stage of disease in untreated individuals, and the treatment for this stage of the disease.
Installation and monitoring experiences of the first synchronized measurement system in the brazilian national grid

This paper describes recent results of the MedFasee-Eletrosul project aiming at the development and performance testing of a Wide Area Measurement System (WAMS) prototype and its applications for monitoring of power system operation. The prototype consists of a Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC) and four Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) installed in the Eletrosul transmission system. The PMU, the PDC and the communication system are described as well as the main requirements and operational capability. The installation characteristics and the prototype performance are described. Applications for power flow and transmission line parameters calculations, frequency, phase angle and voltage monitoring and identification of eletromechanical oscillation modes, are presented.
Cardiovascular afferents involved in regulation of peripheral vessels.

This chapter deals with mechanosensitive and chemosensitive nerve endings in the cardiovascular system that are involved in the reflex control of peripheral vessels. The central connections and the reflex effects that result from engagement of these afferent mechanisms are dealt with in other chapters of this volume, and we refer to them only in passing. Our concern is with the endings themselves, and with the way in which new knowledge of their properties may shed light on their reflex function. For reasons of space we have had to exclude certain recent advances. We say nothing about carotid and aortic chemoreceptors, choosing instead to deal with chemosen­ sitive endings in the heart; similarly, we say nothing about pulmonary stretch receptors even though they provide an afferent input capable of evoking appreciable changes in peripheral vascular resistance. We deal first with arterial baroreceptors with myelinated fibers, including recent studies of the ionic events leading to baroreceptor excitation, the response of aortic baroreceptors to static and dynamic pressure changes, and the phenomenon of baroreceptor resetting. Mechanoreceptor input is not confined to A fibers, for it is becoming increasingly clear that much of the vagal input from mechanoreceptors in the atria and aorta, and the major part of that from mechanoreceptors in the ventricles, is carried by C fibers. Recent comparisons of the properties of these C fiber mechanoreceptors
Founding a Business Inspired by Close Entrepreneurial Ties: Does it Matter for Survival?

Founding a business may be inspired by close entrepreneurial ties, that is, business–owning relatives or friends. We analyze if and when such inspiration is associated with post–entry survival. Drawing on longitudinal data on 942 founders, we find a positive relationship only if founders start by taking over an existing business, or spend considerable time at start–up. Moreover, the impact of close tie inspiration is negative for founders with prior entrepreneurial experience, revealing a dark side to serial entrepreneurship. Our findings show that new firm survival can be better understood by modeling contingency variables.
The combined GnRH-agonist and intrauterine levonorgestrel-releasing system treatment of complicated atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer: a pilot study

In this article, we present the results of organ-preserving treatment applied in 24 patients of reproductive age with atypical endometrial hyperplasia or early-stage endometrial cancer. All of them would like to preserve their reproductive potential. Thirteen women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia were treated with the combination of six intramuscular injections of 3.75 mg gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) − leuproreline acetate depot every 4 weeks. After the third injection of 3.75 mg of leuproreline acetate, the levonorgestrel intrauterine hormonal system containing 52 mg levonorgestrel (Mirena®, Bayer, Germany) was inserted for at least 6 months. In 11 women with stage IA well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma, hormonal therapy included nine intramuscular injections of 3.75 mg of GnRHa every 4 weeks. After the third injection of 3.75 mg of GnRHa, we also inserted a GnRH-IUS (Mirena®) for at least 12 months. This type of therapy was effective for all these patients and may be offered to be used as an alternative to surgery in women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia or early stage 1A well-differentiated endometrial cancer in women of reproductive age. Three women with endometrial cancer became pregnant and two of them delivered at term and one has an ongoing pregnancy.
Cancer immunotherapies, their safety and toxicity

Introduction: Cancer immunotherapy encompasses a wide range of treatment modalities that harness the anti-tumor effects of the immune system. Some immunotherapies broadly activate the immune system while others precisely target distinct tumor antigens. Because of this heterogeneity, the side effects associated with immunotherapy can be mild and localized or more severe and systemic. Areas covered: Cytokines, adoptive cellular therapies and vaccines are the most commonly used immunotherapies for the treatment of a number of malignancies and have been used for many decades. Checkpoint blockade has recently emerged as a promising immunotherapy. The biggest benefits of immunotherapy have been demonstrated in melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and hematologic malignancies. Emerging data are highlighting the potential for broad applicability of immunotherapy in a number of solid and hematologic malignancies. Expert opinion: Immunotherapies are slowly becoming integrated into the standard of care in cancer treatment. Promising results using immunotherapy have been reported demonstrating complete remissions and cures in many patients with aggressive malignancies. The complexity and cost of engineering and administering of some forms of immunotherapy limit their use to distinct patient populations. High-throughput and cost-effective techniques are being used to broaden the applications of immunotherapy to treat cancer patients.
The new ATE: Protocol aware

Deep submicron shrinking IC geometries have enabled massive integration on an unprecedented level. Silicon companies with substantial IP libraries are able to manufacture a device that is a true "system " with diverse IP blocks in a single process on a single die. It is an ever increasing difficulty to adequately and cost effectively test a device at a "system level", let alone implement DFT for a "system " vs. a multitude of stand-alone IP blocks, each with their own test strategy. In the past 20 years, since the first mixed-signal or SOC ATE test systems appeared, there has not been any significant evolution in ATE architecture allowing for true system level test. This paper is a calling to automated test equipment suppliers (and silicon providers to help the call) to make a broad paradigm shift in ATE architecture that will enable true system level testing as part of the production test flow and methodology. ATE would be transformed from a simulation based environment to also include a real time protocol aware environment. Protocol aware ATE is possible, and it is drastically needed to achieve lowest possible defect rate, lowest cost, and fastest time to market for highly integrated semiconductors.
Systems of Innovation: Technologies, Institutions and Organizations

Innovation and technical change play significant roles in both firm and economic growth, resulting in the creation of knowledge and the formation of new products. Due to the competitive aspects of innovation, firms often interact with and share and/or exchange information with other organizations, including other firms and universities, to further their innovative pursuits. Additionally, other factors, such as laws, cultural norms, and social rules, impact a firm's innovative abilities and behaviors. Organizations and institutions, economic infrastructures, sectoral innovation systems, and national imaginations all have a role in innovation systems. This edited work is composed of 17 essays, providing differing perspectives. To better understand the systems of innovation approach to business, this book examines three significant issues: part one dissects conceptual problems related to the theory of the systems of innovation approach; part two discusses the relationship between the systems of innovation approach and other innovation theories; and part three promotes greater understanding of the dynamics of systems of innovation. The various systems of innovation approaches have nine common characteristics: innovations and learning at the center of focus; holistic and interdisciplinary; historical perspective; differences between regional systems (no optimal system); interdependence; encompasses both technological and organizational innovations; institutions are central; conceptual ambiguity; and conceptual frameworks rather than formal theories. The creation and distribution of technological knowledge, including interindustry differences, are also explored. Evolutionary theories of economics and the ways in which they influence the systems of innovation approach are examined. The influence of policy upon technological change is also discussed, as are Technological and institutional change as components in the creation and change of innovation systems. Challenges to the systems approach are examined, including policy-based challenges to firms, paradigmatic shifts in innovation systems, and differences among European systems of innovation. (AKP)
Four additional genes in the sigB operon of Bacillus subtilis that control activity of the general stress factor sigma B in response to environmental signals

sigma B of the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is an alternative transcription factor activated by a variety of environmental stresses, including the stress imposed upon entry into the stationary growth phase. Previous reports have shown that this stationary-phase activation is enhanced when cells are grown in rich medium containing glucose and glutamine. The sigma B structural gene, sigB, lies in an operon with three other genes whose products have been shown to control sigma B activity in response to environmental stress. However, none of these is sufficient to explain the enhanced stationary-phase activation of sigma B in response to glucose. We show here that the four genes previously identified in the sigB operon constitute the downstream half of an eight-gene operon. The complete sigB operon is preceded by a sigma A-like promoter (PA) and has the order PA-orfR-orfS-orfT-orfU-PB-rsbV-rsbW-sig B-rsbX, where rsb stands for regulator of sigma-B and the previously identified sigma B-dependent promoter (PB) is an internal promoter preceding the downstream four-gene cluster. Although the genes downstream of PB were also transcribed by polymerase activity originating at PA, this transcription into the downstream cluster was not essential for normal induction of a sigma B-dependent ctc-lacZ fusion. However, deletion of all four upstream open reading frames was found to interfere with induction of the ctc-lacZ fusion in response to glucose. Additional deletion analysis and complementation studies showed that orfU was required for full glucose induction of sigma B-dependent genes. orfU encodes a trans-acting, positive factor with significant sequence identity to the RsbX negative regulator of sigma B. On the basis of these results, we rename orfU as rsbU to symbolize the regulatory role of its product.
Devolution or (de)centralization of HRM function in European organizations

This article deals with the condition and changes of the HRM function in various European states. These changes have shown a shift of HRM tasks from HRM departments to managers themselves, and are according to the literature, this shift is known as devolution or decentralization. Our attention is focused on important factors in this process (from organizational ones, such as HRM strategies and policies, to more environmental ones, such as the sector or the state). Analysis shows that the country (as an institutional environment) sets the limits or encourages development towards devolution. HRM policy within the individual institutional context is of only secondary importance. Results show that country is a factor that fosters divergent tendencies and HRM policy accelerates convergence in HRM practice.
Asymmetric Dependence between Domestic Equity Indices and its Effect on Portfolio Construction

We demonstrate a means of incorporating asymmetric dependency structures during the portfolio construction process using copula functions. Specifically, we investigate how asymmetric return dependencies affect the efficient frontier and subsequent portfolio performance under a dynamic rebalancing framework assuming normally distributed marginal returns. By considering the problem of tactically allocating a small set of domestic equity indices, we demonstrate several findings. First, we show that a Mean-Variance efficient frontier differs from the efficient frontier constructed under asymmetric dependence. Constructing paper portfolios based upon these differences, we find that real economic value lies in correctly accounting for asymmetric correlation structures. The primary source of this economic value stems from the ability to better protect portfolio value and reduce the size of any erosion in return relative to the normal portfolio.
A measurement-based analysis of temperature variations introduced by power management on Commodity HardWare

Commodity HardWare (CHW) is currently used in the Internet to deploy large data centers or small computing nodes. Moreover, CHW will be also used to deploy future telecommunication networks, thanks to the adoption of the forthcoming network softwarization paradigm. In this context, CHW machines can be put in Active Mode (AM) or in Sleep Mode (SM) several times per day, based on the traffic requirements from users. However, the transitions between the power states may introduce fatigue effects, which may increase the CHW maintenance costs. In this paper, we perform a measurement campaign of a CHW machine subject to power state changes introduced by SM. Our results show that the temperature change due to power state transitions is not negligible, and that the abrupt stopping of the fans on hot components (such as the CPU) tends to spread the heat over the other components of the CHW machine. In addition, we also show that the CHW failure rate is reduced by a factor of 5 when the number of transitions between AM and SM states is more than 20 per day and the SM duration is around 800 [s].