Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vaccination to modulate atherosclerosis

Abstract Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the artery wall. Adaptive immunity plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recently, modulation of the immune response against atherosclerotic plaque antigen(s) has attracted attention as a potentially preventive and therapeutic approach. Here, we review a series of studies on immunization with various antigens targeting treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis-related antigens include oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB-100) and heat shock protein (HSP) 60/65. Accumulating evidence supports the idea that immunization with these antigenic proteins or peptides may reduce atherosclerosis. In this review, we discuss the current status of immunization studies and possible associated mechanisms of atheroprotection.
Telaah Kritis Otonomi Daerah di Indonesia

The regional autonomy policy based on Law No. 22/1999 and Law No. 25/1999 is intended to cope with problems of national disintegration of Indonesia. However, during the implementation of this policy, several constraints appear. The first is economic constraint, and the second is political constraint. Economic constraints relates to the shift of local government paradigm from effectiveness and efficiency oriented policy to economic oriented policy, implying also to natural resources exploitation and to decrease of public services. Political constraint is due to excessive political powers of legislatives that are not supported by adequate human resources quality. This will lead to legislative authoritarianism, Therefore, the success of regional autonomy policy depends on the democratic central government that support law enforcement.
Inner CALM: Concurrency control protocols through the looking glass

The CALM theorem—which states that monotonic programs produce consistent distributed outcomes without coordination [2, 4]—originated with the (mirror image) observation that mechanisms for ensuring consistency (e.g., concurrency control and other coordination protocols) cannot be implemented with purely monotonic logic [5]. Since that time, CALM has been a useful guiding principle for deciding whether costly protocols are necessary to ensure correct program outcomes [1,3,10]. Recalling CALM’s roots in protocol implementation, we might be tempted to ask if we can apply a ﬁner-grained monotonicity analysis to study the implementations of coordination mechanisms themselves. For example, do certain concurrency control protocols fundamentally require more coordination or synchronization than others? In 2011 and again in 2012, Joe Hellerstein and I taught a class at Berkeley that presented fundamental distributed systems concepts and mechanisms through the lens of software development in the Bloom language. Students began with a simple key/value store implemented in Bloom; class projects continually enriched the store with additional mechanisms, including reliable and causal delivery, quorum replication, multi-key transactions supported by 2PL and MVCC, and commit protocols. Along the way, the students turned the CALM static analysis machinery inwards, using it to study the coordination protocol implementations themselves. Some interesting results emerged that we will share in this talk. Monotonicity analysis allowed us isolate and study the fundamental cost of concurrency control protocols—namely, when (and for what) processes are forced to wait, hence losing the opportunity to do useful local work. The results of such analyses are invariant to the scale (ranging from processor cache to planetary) of the systems that use them, as well as to underlying (but rapidly changing) system assumptions about capacity, random I/O latency and network reliability.
Osteopontin Is Not Required for the Development of Th1 Responses and Viral Immunity1

Osteopontin (OPN) has been defined as a key cytokine promoting the release of IL-12 and hence inducing the development of protective cell-mediated immunity to viruses and intracellular pathogens. To further characterize the role of OPN in antiviral immunity, OPN-deficient (OPN−/−) mice were analyzed after infection with influenza virus and vaccinia virus. Surprisingly, we found that viral clearance, lung inflammation, and recruitment of effector T cells to the lung were unaffected in OPN−/− mice after influenza infection. Furthermore, effector status of T cells was normal as demonstrated by normal IFN-γ production and CTL lytic activity. Moreover, activation and Th1 differentiation of naive TCR transgenic CD4+ T cells by dendritic cells and cognate Ag was normal in the absence of OPN in vitro. Contrary to a previous report, we found that OPN−/− mice mounted a normal immune response to Listeria monocytogenes. In conclusion, OPN is dispensable for antiviral immune responses against influenza virus and vaccinia virus.
68Ga-DOTATOC Versus 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in Functional Imaging of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs represent valuable tools for both in vivo diagnosis and therapy of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) because of the frequent tumoral overexpression of somatostatin receptors (sst). The 2 compounds most often used in functional imaging with PET are 68Ga-DOTATATE and 68Ga-DOTATOC. Both ligands share a quite similar sst binding profile. However, the in vitro affinity of 68Ga-DOTATATE in binding the sst subtype 2 (sst2) is approximately 10-fold higher than that of 68Ga-DOTATOC. This difference may affect their efficiency in the detection of NET lesions because it is the sst2 that is predominantly overexpressed in NET. We thus compared the diagnostic value of PET/CT with both radiolabeled somatostatin analogs (68Ga-DOTATATE and 68Ga-DOTATOC) in the same NET patients. Methods: Forty patients with metastatic NETs underwent 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT as part of the work-up before prospective peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. The performance of both imaging methods was analyzed and compared for the detection of individual lesions per patient and for 8 defined body regions. A region was regarded positive if at least 1 lesion was detected in that region. In addition, radiopeptide uptake in terms of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was compared for concordant lesions and renal parenchyma. Results: Seventy-eight regions were found positive with 68Ga-DOTATATE versus 79 regions with 68Ga-DOTATOC (not significant). Overall, however, significantly fewer lesions were detected with 68Ga-DOTATATE than with 68Ga-DOTATOC (254 vs. 262, P < 0.05). Mean 68Ga-DOTATATE SUVmax across all lesions was significantly lower than 68Ga-DOTATOC (16.0 ± 10.8 vs. 20.4 ± 14.7, P < 0.01). Mean SUVmax for renal parenchyma was not significantly different between 68Ga-DOTATATE and 68Ga-DOTATOC (12.7 ± 3.0 vs. 13.2 ± 3.3). Conclusion: 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE possess a comparable diagnostic accuracy for the detection of NET lesions, with 68Ga-DOTATOC having a potential advantage. The approximately 10-fold higher affinity for the sst2 of 68Ga-DOTATATE does not prove to be clinically relevant. Quite unexpectedly, SUVmax of 68Ga-DOTATOC scans tended to be higher than their 68Ga-DOTATATE counterparts.
Everyday Empathic Accuracy in Younger and Older Couples

On average, older adults are less accurate than younger adults at recognizing emotions from faces or voices. We challenge the view that such differences in emotion-recognition tasks reflect differences in empathic accuracy (the ability to infer other people’s feelings): Empathic accuracy relies not only on sensory cues (e.g., emotional expressions) but also on knowledge about the target person. Using smartphone-based measures, we assessed empathic accuracy in younger and older couples’ daily lives and found that younger adults’ empathic accuracy was higher than older adults’ empathic accuracy when their partners were visibly present. During the partners’ absence, however, when judgments relied exclusively on knowledge of those partners, no age differences emerged, and performance in both age groups was still more accurate than chance. We conclude that across adulthood, sensory information and knowledge differentially support empathic accuracy. Laboratory emotion-recognition tasks may therefore underestimate older adults’ empathic competencies.
News Processing during Speculative Bubbles: Evidence from the Oil Market

Speculative bubbles are commonly referred to situations where stock prices considerably deviate from their fundamentals until the bubbles bust. Bursting of bubbles such as the dot-com or U.S. housing bubble is very costly, so there is a need for mechanisms to detect them. In this paper, we attempt to predict when bubbles may bust using the sentiment of news announcements. Accordingly, we first try to understand how news reception evolves depending on the market phase (boom or bust). The probability of bubble bursts are calculated on the basis of a Markov-regime switching model. The approach is applied and validated using the oil market which appears to be one of the most important markets in the globalized world. Our methodology can be similarly extended to other markets such as gold or wheat.
Lysine N(zeta)-decarboxylation in the BlaR1 protein from Staphylococcus aureus at the root of its function as an antibiotic sensor.

The structure of the surface domain of the BlaR1 protein of Staphylococcus aureus, a β-lactam antibiotic sensor/signal transducer, is essentially identical to that of the class D β-lactamases, which are antibiotic resistance enzymes. Both proteins have an unusual N-carboxylated lysine within their active sites, which promotes a serine for acylation by the antibiotic. N-Carboxylated lysine also catalyzes hydrolytic deacylation of the acyl-enzyme species in the β-lactamase. The situation with the BlaR1 protein is different in that on acylation of serine N-carboxylated lysine experiences decarboxylation, whereby the process is arrested in the acyl-protein stage. As such, BlaR1 experience acylation by the antibiotic that it senses, an event that enjoys longevity for at least the duration of one bacterial generation. We report herein the production of S-(4-butanoate)-cysteine, as a surrogate of N-carboxylated lysine at position 392 of the BlaR1 protein. This unnatural amino acid cannot experience N-decarboxyla.
Discussion of Methodological Issues Related to the Estimation of Financial Distress Prediction Models

The discussion of "Methodological Issues Related to the Estimation of Financial Distress Prediction Models" focused on three areas: (1) the rationale for estimating financial distress prediction models, (2) statistical techniques employed in prediction models, and (3) sample selection procedures. Although the discussion concentrated on bankruptcy prediction models, participants noted similarities between bankruptcy models and other research topics that consider dichotomous alternatives. For example, topics such as choice of accounting methods and lobbying activity related to accounting standard setting were mentioned by participants during the discussion.
Optimization of Urban Water Supply Schemes based on Grey System Theory

Urban water supply schemes are studied with multi-attribute characteristics taken into consideration. This paper proposes an optimized urban water supply scheme based on grey system theory. In the model, optimized indicators are given and their weights are acquired through optimized grey related analysis. These indicators are subject to standardization and are calculated to get grey incidence degree. The optimal water supply scheme is determined by the grey incidence degree. Finally, empirical test on the water supply scheme of a city is conducted to prove its objectivity, feasibility and reliability.
Proteomics Analysis of Rat Brain Postsynaptic Density

The postsynaptic density contains multiple protein complexes that together relay the presynaptic neurotransmitter input to the activation of the postsynaptic neuron. In the present study we took two independent proteome approaches for the characterization of the protein complement of the postsynaptic density, namely 1) two-dimensional gel electrophoresis separation of proteins in conjunction with mass spectrometry to identify the tryptic peptides of the protein spots and 2) isolation of the trypsin-digested sample that was labeled with isotope-coded affinity tag, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the partial separation and identification of the peptides, respectively. Functional grouping of the identified proteins indicates that the postsynaptic density is a structurally and functionally complex organelle that may be involved in a broad range of synaptic activities. These proteins include the receptors and ion channels for glutamate neurotransmission, proteins for maintenance and modulation of synaptic architecture, sorting and trafficking of membrane proteins, generation of anaerobic energy, scaffolding and signaling, local protein synthesis, and correct protein folding and breakdown of synaptic proteins. Together, these results imply that the postsynaptic density may have the ability to function (semi-) autonomously and may direct various cellular functions in order to integrate synaptic physiology.
Impact of NBTI Aging on the Single-Event Upset of SRAM Cells

We analyzed the impact of negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) on the single-event upset rate of SRAM cells through experiments and SPICE simulations. We performed critical charge simulations introducing different degradation patterns in the cells, in three technology nodes, from 180 to 90 nm. The simulations results were checked with α-particle and heavy-ion irradiations on a 130-nm technology. Both simulations and experimental results show that NBTI degradation does not significantly affect the single-event upset SRAM cell rate as long as the parametric drift induced by aging is within 10%.
Longitudinal changes in mathematical abilities and white matter following paediatric mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract Primary objective: Paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been associated with acute and long-term mathematical difficulties. Little is known about the recovery of these impairments in children with mild TBI (mTBI) and their underlying pathophysiology, such as white matter abnormalities. Research design: A prospective longitudinal study followed the recovery of mathematical abilities and white matter in children with mTBI from the sub-acute (1 month post-injury) to chronic stage (6–8 months post-injury) of recovery. Methods and procedures: Twenty children with mTBI and 20 matched controls completed mathematics tests. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) metrics of white matter pathways corpus callosum (CC), superior and longitudinal fasciculi were examined with DTI-tractography. Main outcomes and results: Mathematical difficulties and white matter abnormalities in the CC observed shortly after the injury resolved after 6–8 months of recovery. Children with mTBI continued to show working memory deficits. Longitudinal DTI data suggest continued maturation of the CC in controls, but little maturation of the damaged CC in children with mTBI. Conclusions: Children with mTBI recovered in terms of mathematical abilities and white matter. These children continued to show working memory deficits, which might interfere with learning at school.
Influence of drug treatment on the irritable bowel syndrome and its interaction with psychoneurotic morbidity

Sixty per cent of the patients referred to two gastroenterological clinics and diagnosed as suffering from the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), were found to have significant psychoneurotic morbidity on the basis of the General Health Questionnaire. A double‐blind, completely randomised, placebo controlled comparison of treatment with a combined anxiolytic/antidepressant (Motipress) found a significantly better effect of Motipress than placebo on diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Detailed analysis of the results suggests that there is no direct relationship between psychoneurotic illness and IBS, but the presence of the former has an adverse effect on the shortterm outcome of the bowel disorder.
Business Ethics Searches: A Socio-Economic and Demographic Analysis of U.S. Google Trends Before and During the 2008 Crisis

We examine Google searches for terms related to business ethics in the U.S States, in and around the 2008 financial crisis. We find that these queries correlate with socio economic and demographic factors in a manner consistent with the predictions of Kohlberg's (1969) CMD and other approaches that emphasize the role of emotions in developing ethical sensitivity (Gaudine & Thorne, 2001; Haidt, 2001).
Controlling the Plasma Flow in the Miniaturized Cylindrical Hall Thruster

A substantial narrowing of the plume of the cylindrical Hall thruster (CHT) was observed upon the enhancement of the electron emission from the hollow-cathode discharge, which implies the possibility for the thruster efficiency increase due to the ion-beam focusing. It is demonstrated that the miniaturized CHT can be operated in the non-self-sustained regime, with the discharge current being controlled by the cathode electron emission. The thruster operation in this mode greatly expands the range of the plasma and discharge parameters normally accessible for the CHT. The observed variation of the plasma potential, electron temperature, and plasma density with the cathode current in the non-self-sustained regime points to the fact that the cathode discharge can affect the electron cross-field transport in the CHT plasma.
A method for compensating imbalance component of asymmetrical differential-paired lines due to turnoff point for SI and EMI performances

For differential-signaling system, the ideal balance or symmetrical topology cannot be established due to discontinuities at turnoff point (90-degree turn), so called bending, and hence, an imbalance component is excited. Therefore methodology and geometrical-structure for satisfying both SI and EMI performances are indispensable. In order to provide basic considerations for the realization of methods for compensating the imbalance component and suppressing the EM radiation from asymmetrical differential-paired lines, the imbalance component and EMI from the differential-paired lines with discontinuities at turnoff point were studied experimentally and with numerical modeling. The differential-paired lines with different layouts were prepared for the discussion as typical routing. In the method, the distance between the paired lines at turnoff point is narrow, and hence the difference of length between Line 1 and 2 is compensated. Therefore the suppression of imbalance component by compensating the difference of the length and suppression of EMI by narrower separation can be achieved. Firstly the mixed-mode scattering parameters are discussed, from view point of SI performance. Secondly, frequency responses of electric-field and magnetic-field near a PCB are discussed, from view point of EMI. It is demonstrated that the proposed method is suitable for improving the SI performance and suppressing the EMI. This study has successfully reported the basic characteristics of imbalance component of differential-paired lines with turnoff point.
Well-being in post-primary schools in Ireland: the assessment and contribution of character strengths

Enhancing the well-being of primary and post-primary students is one of the priorities of the Department of Education and Skills in Ireland. Whilst interventions are being implemented across the board, little is known about the current levels of adolescents’ well-being. Drawing from research on positive education, in the current study well-being was assessed amongst 2822 adolescents, aged 12–19 in Ireland, using the PERMA profiler [Butler, J., and M. L. Kern. (2016). “The PERMA-Profiler: A Brief Multidimensional Measure of Flourishing. ” International Journal of Wellbeing 6 (3): 1–48. doi:10.5502/ijw.v6i3. 526] and “VIA-Youth Survey” [VIA Character (2014). http://www.viacharacter. org/www/Research-Old2/Psychometric-Data-VIA-Youth-Survey]. Mann–Whitney U-test and multiple regression analyses were conducted in the examination of age and sex differences in students’ well-being scores, and the prediction of the contribution of character-strength-development to well-being. The results showed that students’ well-being decreased steadily from the first year, through to the middle and senior years of post-primary school. Furthermore, in comparison to males, females reported lower levels of well-being across the board, and higher levels of negative emotions and loneliness. Finally, the underuse of character strengths predicted lower levels of well-being in Irish schools. Implications for practice include the importance of customising well-being programmes across different schools and age groups, as well as the potential for the incorporation of psychological tests to evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions.
Some Inequalities for Stop-Loss Premiums

In this paper any given risk S (a random variable) is assumed to have a (finite or infinite) mean. We enforce this by imposing E[S−] < ∞. Let then v(t) be a twice differentiate function with and let z be a constant with o ≤ z ≤ 1. We define the premium P as follows or equivalently Notation: v−(∞) = ∞. The definitions (1) and (equivalently) (2) are meaningful because of the Lemma: a) E[v(S − zQ)] exists for all Q∈(− ∞, + ∞). b) The set{Q∣ − ∞ < Q < + ∞, E[v(S−zQ)]>v((1−z)Q)} is not empty. Proof: a) b) Because of a) E[v(S−zQ)] is always finite or equal to + ∞ If v(− ∞) = − ∞ then E[v(S − zQ)] > v((1 − z)Q) is satisfied for sufficiently small Q. The left hand side of the inequality is a nonincreasing continuous function in P (strictly decreasing if z > 0), while the right hand side is a nondecreasing continuous function in Q (strictly increasing if z > 1). If v(− ∞) = c finite then E[v(S − zQ)] > c (otherwise S would need to be equal to − ∞ with probability 1) and again E[v(S − zQ)] > v((1 − z)Q) is satisfied for sufficiently small Q.
Is Globalization Driving Efficiency? A Threshold Stochastic Frontier Panel Data Modelling Approach

Recently, Mastromarco, Serlenga and Shin (2010) propose a two-step approach to examine dynamic transmission mechanism under which globalization factors fos- ter technology efficiency. In this paper, we extend the MSS model by combining panel threshold regression technique advanced by Hansen (1999). This threshold stochastic frontier panel data model enables us to analyze regime-specific stochas- tic frontiers and complex time-varying patterns of technical efficiencies in a robust manner. Using a dataset of 44 countries over 1970-2007, we find that income elas- ticities of labour and capital and time-varying common efficiencies are substantially different under superior and inferior frontiers. Capital and labour inputs are more productive under superior frontier. More importantly, common efficiencies have steadily increased under superior frontier, but technical efficiency has monotoni- cally decreased for low income countries, supporting the so-called club convergence hypothesis. Furthermore, the VAR-based impulse response analyses suggest that openness factors through FDI and trade help the countries improve production technology and efficiency position relative to the frontier only after the country has reached a certain level of development.