Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Personal Responsibility and the Human Right to Healthcare

Does a human right to healthcare imply individual obligations to healthy behavior? Or put another way: Is a self-induced condition a relevant criterion for some sort of restriction of this right—like withholding or modifying treatment in circumstances where choices have to be made? For instance, should a drunk driver bear the costs of medical care that he needs after a car accident he has caused? Should there be a difference in healthcare entitlements between the smoker with a heart attack who is seriously overweight and the 60-year old man who has always taken excellent care of himself and is suddenly stricken by leukemia? And how should we think about the risk-taking behavior of all the persons going on a skiing holiday or an exotic hiking trip? I am grateful to Claire Dawson, Kurt Devooght, Bart Engelen, Doris Schroeder, Ronald Tinnevelt, Toon Vandevelde, and two anonymous reviewers for their editorial assistance and helpful comments on a previous draft.
Predictive torque control and linear control with SV-PWM for electric drives with NPC inverters: An experimental comparison

Two control strategies, a finite-state predictive torque control and a linear control with space-vector PWM, are developed and experimentally assessed in this paper. Both strategies are used to control a permanent magnet synchronous motor supplied by a three-level neutral-point-clamped inverter. The high complexity of the drive system and the different nature of the control objectives make the development and implementation of the two strategies a challenge. In addition to the high computation resources that are required, the large number of the inverter voltage vectors further increases the computation load on the processor. This hinders the implementation into conventional hardware means and necessitates the use of advanced controller boards. Therefore, when controlling drives with multilevel inverters, the development of both control techniques requires special care. In this study, the operation of the two controllers is experimentally investigated, and their performances are assessed by considering several parameters under steady state and transient conditions.
Development of enhancer-trapping and -detection vectors mediated by the Tol2 transposon in zebrafish

Enhancers are key transcriptional drivers of gene expression. The identification of enhancers in the genome is central for understanding gene-expression programs. Although transposon-mediated enhancer trapping (ET) is a powerful approach to the identification of enhancers in zebrafish, its efficiency varies considerably. To improve the ET efficiency, we constructed Tol2-mediated ET vectors with a reporter gene (mCherry) expression box driven by four minimal promoters (Gata, Myc, Krt4 and Oct4), respectively. The ET efficiency and expression background were compared among the four promoters by zebrafish embryo injection at the one-cell stage. The results showed that the Gata minimal promoter yielded the lowest basic expression and the second-highest trapping efficiency (44.6% at 12 hpf (hour post-fertilization) and 23.1% at 72 hpf, n = 305 and n = 307). The Krt4 promoter had the highest trapping efficiency (64% at 12 hpf and 67.1% at 72 hpf, n = 302 and n = 301) and the strongest basic expression. To detect enhancer activity, chicken 5′HS4 double insulators were cloned into the two ET vectors with the Gata or Krt4 minimal promoter, flanking the mCherry expression box. The resulting detection vectors were injected into zebrafish embryos. mCherry expression driven by the Gata promoter (about 5%, n = 301) was decreased significantly compared with that observed for embryos injected with the ET vectors (23% at 72 hpf, n = 308). These results suggest that the insulators block the genome-position effects and that this vector is fit for enhancer-activity evaluation. To assess the compatibility between the enhancers and the minimal promoters, four enhancers (CNS1, Z48, Hand2 and Hs769) were cloned upstream of the Gata or Beta-globin minimal promoter in the enhancer-activity-detection vectors. The resulting recombinant vectors were assayed by zebrafish embryo injection. We found that Z48 and CNS1 responded to the Gata minimal promoter, and that Hand2 only responded to the Beta-globin minimal promoter. In contrast, Hs769 did not respond to either the Gata or Beta-globin minimal promoters. These results suggest the existence of compatibility between enhancers and minimal promoters. This study represents a systematic approach to the discovery of optional ET and enhancer-detection vectors. We are eager to provide a superior tool for understanding functional genomics.
Experimental Designs and the ‘Emotion Stimulus Critique': Hidden Problems and Potential Solutions in the Study of Emotion

Emotional experience is increasingly being measured using experimental tasks, but the stimuli used are often only proxies for the emotion being studied. Stimuli are intended to evoke a distinct emotional experience, but certain designs fail to adequately control for the actual experience in question. In this methodological paper, we review designs used in clinical psychology aimed at measuring emotion and develop the argument of the ‘emotion stimulus critique'. Designs of neuroimaging studies on emotion in this context are given preference. We argue that studies often concentrate on standardization of the stimulus material (i.e. words, images, and movies) for eliciting an emotional experience, whereas standardization of the actual participant's experience is seldom performed. Our proposal discusses the use of standardized stimuli in experimental designs and contrasts this with the necessity of controlling for a participant's unique emotional response. We highlight the importance of each participant's ‘inner metric', i.e. the individual's experiential anchor, which needs to be taken into account when examining the emotional correlates of psychiatric disorders or psychotherapeutic change. Implications of the emotion stimulus critique for research are discussed within the context of psychology, particularly clinical psychology and psychotherapy.
Rising China, pivotal middle power South Korea, and alliance transition theory

The alliance transition theory is developed by incorporating the pivotal middle power’s role into Organski’s power transition theoretical framework. The theory posits that the situation of parity of alliance power between the dominant power’s alliance camp and the rising dissatisfied challenger’s camp is likely to lead to major war; and, further, that the pivotal middle power is able not only to help reinforce the dominant state’s power preponderance over its potential challenger but also to play a mediating role of persuading the rising potential challenger to be more satisfied with the status quo. Applying the alliance transition arguments to the East Asian region, the theory suggests that a pivotal middle power such as South Korea can be a crucial addition to the United States’ capabilities to maintain its preponderance of power over the potential challenger, the People’s Republic of China. Together with other like-minded middle powers, the Republic of Korea, as a key regional ally of the United States, can also play the constructive role of persuading China to be a responsible member of the status quo system, by engaging substantially with China.
Persistent variations in average height between countries and between socio-economic groups: an overview of 10 European countries

Primary objectives: This paper aims to provide an overview of variations in average height between 10 European countries, and between socio-economic groups within these countries. Data and methods: Data on self-reported height of men and women aged 20-74 years were obtained from national health, level of living or multipurpose surveys for 1987-1994. Regression analyses were used to estimate height differences between educational groups and to evaluate whether the differences in average height between countries and between educational groups were smaller among younger than among older birth cohorts. Results: Men and women were on average tallest in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands and shortest in France, Italy and Spain (range for men: 170-179 cm; range for women: 160-167 cm). The differences in average height between northern and southern European countries were not smaller among younger than among older birth cohorts. In most countries average height increased linearly with increasing birth-year (≈0.7-0.8cm/5 years for men and ≈0.4cm/5 years for women). In all countries, lower educated men and women on average were shorter than higher educated men (range of differences: 1.6-3.0 cm) and women (range of differences: 1.2-2.2 cm). In most countries, education-related height differences were not smaller among younger than among older birth cohorts. Conclusions: The persistence of international differences in average height into the youngest birth cohorts indicates a high degree of continuity of differences between countries in childhood living conditions. Similarly, the persistence of education-related height differences indicates continuity of socio-economic differences in childhood living conditions, and also suggests that socio-economic differences in childhood living conditions will continue to contribute to socio-economic differences in health at adult ages.
A new targeted blue light phototherapy for the treatment of acne

Background: The effects of blue light phototherapy on inflammatory acne lesions were recently investigated. Many reports have used high‐intensity, narrow‐band 420 nm UV‐free blue light delivery systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new blue light system (MultiClear™) for targeted blue light phototherapy.
Limbic-Striatal Memory Systems and Drug Addiction

Drug addiction can be understood as a pathological subversion of normal brain learning and memory processes strengthened by the motivational impact of drug-associated stimuli, leading to the establishment of compulsive drug-seeking habits. Such habits evolve through a cascade of complex associative processes with Pavlovian and instrumental components that may depend on the integration and coordination of output from several somewhat independent neural systems of learning and memory, each contributing to behavioral performance. Data are reviewed that help to define the influences of conditioned Pavlovian stimuli on goal-directed behavior via sign-tracking, motivational arousal, and conditioned reinforcement. Such influences are mediated via defined corticolimbic-striatal systems converging on the ventral striatum and driving habit-based learning that may depend on the dorsal striatum. These systems include separate and overlapping influences from the amygdala, hippocampus, and cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex on drug-seeking as well as drug-taking behavior, including the propensity to relapse.
Mechanisms of Ca2+ store depletion in single endothelial cells in a Ca(2+)-free environment.

Depletion of agonist-sensitive Ca2+ stores results in activation of capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) in endothelial cells. The proportion of Ca2+ stores contributing to the regulation of CCE is unknown. In fura-2/am loaded single endothelial cells freshly isolated from bovine left circumflex coronary arteries, we investigated whether a resting period in a Ca(2+)-free environment results in emptying of bradykinin-sensitive Ca2+ stores (BsS) and activation of CCE. In a Ca(2+)-free environment, depletion of BsS occurred in a time-dependent manner (59% after 10 min in Ca(2+)-free solution). This effect was prevented by inhibition of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange but not by a blockade of ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release (RsCR). In contrast to BsS, mitochondrial Ca2+ content remained unchanged in the Ca(2+)-free environment. Remarkably, activity of CCE (monitored as Mn2+ influx) did not increase after depletion of BsS in the Ca(2+)-free environment. In contrast to Mn2+ influx, the effect of re-addition of Ca2+ to elevate bulk Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]b) decreased with the time the cells rested in Ca(2+)-free buffer. This decrease was prevented by an inhibition of RsCR. In low Na+ conditions the effect of Ca2+ on [Ca2+]b was reduced while it did not change the time the cells rested in Ca(2+)-free solution. After a 2 min period in low Na+ conditions, ryanodine-induced Ca2+ extrusion was markedly diminished. Inhibition of RsCR re-established the effect of Ca2+ on [Ca2+]b in low Na+ conditions. Collapsing subplasmalemmal Ca2+ stores with nocodazole, increased the effect of Ca2+ on [Ca2+]b. In nocodazole-treated cells, the effect of Ca2+ on [Ca2+]b was not reduced in Ca(2+)-free environment. These data indicate that activation of CCE is not associated with the agonist-sensitive Ca2+ pools that deplete rapidly in a Ca(2+)-free environment. Subplasmalemmal ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores (RsS) are emptied in Ca(2+)-free/low Na+ solution and re-sequester Ca2+ which enters the cells prior an increase in [Ca2+]b occurs. Thus, in endothelial cells there are differences in the functions of various subplasmalemmal Ca2+ stores (i.e. BsS and RsS), which include either activation of CCE or regulation of subplasmalemmal Ca2+.
Statistical inference of long-term causal effects in multiagent systems under the Neyman-Rubin model

Estimation of causal effects of interventions in dynamical systems of interacting agents is under-developed. In this paper, we explore the intricacies of this problem through standard approaches, and demonstrate the need for more appropriate methods. Working under the Neyman-Rubin causal model, we proceed to develop a causal inference method and we explicate the stability assumptions that are necessary for valid causal inference. Our method consists of a temporal component that models the evolution of behaviors that agents adopt over time, and a behavioral component that models the distribution of agent actions conditional on adopted behaviors. This allows the imputation of long-term estimates of quantities of interest, and thus the estimation of long-term causal effects of interventions. We demonstrate our method on a dataset from behavioral game theory, and discuss open problems to stimulate future research.
Circular-polarized dielectric resonator antenna excited by dual conformal strips

A circular-polarized cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna excited by dual conformal strips is studied experimentally. The dual conformal strips were cut from a conducting adhesive tape, and excited in phase quadrature. Two degenerate DRA TM/sub 110/ modes in phase quadrature are presented. The configuration offers a wide axial ratio bandwidth of 20%.
CD4 counts as predictors of opportunistic pneumonias in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine if circulating CD4+ lymphocyte counts are predictive of specific infectious or neoplastic processes causing pulmonary dysfunction. DESIGN Retrospective, consecutive sample study. SETTING Referral-based clinic and wards. PATIENTS We studied 100 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who had had 119 episodes of pulmonary dysfunction within 60 days after CD4 lymphocyte determinations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Circulating CD4 counts were less than 0.200 X 10(9) cells/L (200 cells/mm3) before 46 of 49 episodes of pneumocystis pneumonia, 8 of 8 episodes of cytomegalovirus pneumonia, and 7 of 7 episodes and 19 of 21 episodes of infection with Cryptococcus neoformans and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, respectively. In contrast, circulating CD4 counts before episodes of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia were quite variable: Of 41 episodes, 11 occurred when CD4 counts were greater than 0.200 X 10(9) cells/L. The percent of circulating lymphocytes that were CD4+ had a predictive value equal to that of CD4 counts. Serum p24 antigen levels had no predictive value. CONCLUSIONS Pneumocystis pneumonia, cytomegalovirus pneumonia, and pulmonary infection caused by C. neoformans or M. avium-intracellulare are unlikely to occur in HIV-infected patients who have had a CD4 count above 0.200 to 0.250 X 10(9) cells/L (200 to 250 cells/mm3) or a CD4 percent above 20% to 25% in the 60 days before pulmonary evaluation. Patients infected with HIV who have a CD4 count below 0.200 X 10(9) cells/L (or less than 20% CD4 cells) are especially likely to benefit from antipneumocystis prophylaxis.
The cost–effectiveness of infliximab in Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It leads to severe symptoms and reduced quality of life. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody against TNF-α and is effective in treating moderate to severe CD. It is associated with high treatment costs, but subsequent reductions in hospitalisation and surgery have been reported. This review examines the evidence for the cost–effectiveness of infliximab for the treatment of CD. Studies have been found to be very heterogeneous depending on setting, costs assumed and clinical data. Within the UK setting infliximab has been found to be cost effective with increased costs of around £25,000 per quality adjusted life year gained.
Association Between Pain at Sites Outside the Knee and Knee Cartilage Volume Loss in Elderly People Without Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Study

Pain is common in the elderly. Knee pain may predict knee cartilage loss, but whether generalized pain is associated with knee cartilage loss is unclear. This study, therefore, aimed to determine whether pain at multiple sites predicts knee cartilage volume loss among community‐dwelling older adults, and, if so, to explore potential mechanisms.
Associations of cardiovascular risk factors with prehypertension and hypertension in women

Abstract The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships of cardiovascular risk factors with prehypertension and hypertension in women. Japanese women (35–54 years old, n = 9939) were divided by blood pressure into normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive groups. Odds ratios (ORs) for prehypertension and hypertension were calculated after adjustment for confounding factors such as age, smoking, alcohol intake, habitual exercise, body mass index (BMI), and/or therapy for dyslipidemia or diabetes. ORs of light drinkers and heavy drinkers vs non-drinkers for prehypertension and hypertension were significantly higher than a reference level of 1.00, whereas ORs for prehypertension and hypertension of smokers vs non-smokers were significantly lower than the reference level. ORs of the obese group (high BMI or waist-to-height ratio) vs the non-obese group for prehypertension and hypertension were significantly higher than the reference level. ORs for prehypertension and hypertension of the subject group with vs without high triglycerides or low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol were significantly higher than the reference level. Thus, obesity, alcohol drinking and dyslipidemias such as high triglycerides and high LDL-cholesterol are associated with prehypertension and hypertension in women. Interventional studies on whether correction of obesity and dyslipidemias and restriction of alcohol consumption are beneficial for prevention of prehypertension and hypertension in women need to be carried out.
Clinical Experiences with Radiation Induced Thyroid Cancer after Chernobyl

The risk of developing thyroid cancer increases considerably after exposure to external or internal radiation, especially in children below the age of 10. After the Chernobyl reactor accident, the yearly incidence of childhood thyroid cancer in Belarus increased to approximately 40 per 1.000. 000 in girls and to roughly 20 per 1.000. 000 in boys compared to approximately 0.5 cases per 1.000. 000 prior to the accident. Typically, young children with thyroid cancer after radiation exposure present in ≈95% of the cases as papillary cancers, in ≈50% as invasive tumors growing outside the thyroid capsule, in ≈65% with lymph node metastases and in ≈15% with distant metastases. A joint Belarusian-German project starting in April 1993 that combined treatment with surgery and radioiodine was organized in 237 selected children from Belarus who were exposed to the Chernobyl fallout and had advanced stages of thyroid cancer. The study group included 141 girls and 96 boys. Their median age at the time of the accident was 1.7 years; whereas the median age at the time of diagnosis was 12.4 years. With the exception of two cases with follicular histology, the majority of the patients had been diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancers. In 63%, the tumor had grown outside the thyroid capsule and invaded the tissue of the neck (pT4). Nearly all of the selected cases (96%) showed-up with lymph node metastases (pN1) and 43% of the patients with distant metastases mainly to the lungs (pM1). In 58% of the children, complete remissions of thyroid cancer could be achieved until December 31st 2010 and in 34% of the children, stable partial remissions; in the remaining 8% of the patients, partial remissions were observed. The risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer increased considerably in children and adolescents who were affected by the Chernobyl reactor accident. In spite of the fact, that thyroid cancers in young children seem to behave more aggressively than in older patients, the results of combined treatment with thyroidectomy, radioiodine therapy and thyroid hormone replacement are excellent.
A dual backside-illuminated 800-cell multi-channel digital SiPM with 100 TDCs in 130nm 3D IC technology

We report on the world's first backside-illuminated silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) implemented in 3D integrated circuit technology. The SiPM was fabricated in a two-tier 130nm CMOS process; the top tier houses 1600 single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), organized in a dual 4×200 linear array; the bottom tier houses 2×100 time-to-digital converters (TDCs). Every 8 SPADs there is one shared TDC whose digital output is routed to a 1.04Gps readout interface that enables a total count rate of 80Mcps. Preliminary results show a photon detection probability of 11% at a wavelength of 725nm and a dark count rate of 1kHz at room temperature and nominal excess bias, which reduces to 80Hz if cooled to -40°C at 2V excess bias; the breakdown voltage, Vbd, was measured at 12.3V. The sensor is intended for time-of-flight vision, wide-field near-infrared imaging, and lifetime fluorescence spectroscopy used in medical, particle detection, and material analysis applications.
China–Sri Lanka Economic Relations

This article fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the growing economic links between China and Sri Lanka. Starting from the 1952 Rubber-Rice Pact, the economic relations between the two countries have grown over the years with an unprecedented growth since 2005. Chinese military assistance helped overcome three decades of conflict in North/East Sri Lanka and Chinese financial assistance to other areas of the Sri Lankan economy, in particular, infrastructure development have also strengthened. Although Sri Lanka’s trade and investment links with China are not very strong, the increased Chinese financial assistance has had some spill over effects in strengthening these in recent years. Sri Lanka will sign a Free Trade Agreement with China most probably in 2014 but growing economic relations with China present both opportunities and challenges to Sri Lanka.