Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The False Promise of Consumer Choice

Faced with mounting costs of health insurance for its employees, the state of Missouri hired a consultant from PriceWaterhouseCoopers to help it figure out what to do. The consultant concluded that there were no answers to be found in other states, nor would it help to shop the state’s business around to different insurance carriers. Instead, the consultant suggested that Missouri offer “two plan choices” to its employees, in order to, as a Wall Street Journal reporter put it, “try to soften the rising cost for employees. ” 3 One plan had low monthly premiums but high co-payments. The other had high monthly premiums but lower co-payments. The idea, of course, was that healthier employees would choose the plan with lower monthly premiums, and sicker employees would choose the one with the lower co-pays. Both plans, however, increased employee cost-sharing compared to the previous year’s plan. The Missouri story encapsulates the thrust of American health policy over the last thirty years: substitute free markets, market competition, and consumer sovereignty for the system of professional authority, non-profit and voluntary agencies, and bureaucratic regulation that once governed the medical sector. In these times, the new buzzwords for market reform are “consumer choice,” “consumer direction,” “consumer empowerment,” and “ownership. ”
A 0.0054-mm2 Frequency-to-Current Conversion-Based Fractional Frequency Synthesizer in 32 nm Utilizing Deep Trench Capacitor

In this brief, a frequency-to-current conversion-based fractional frequency synthesizer is implemented in 32-nm technology utilizing a high-density deep trench capacitor. The technique proposed here can replace the use of multiple crystal oscillators or a phase-locked loop for medium accuracy clock generation with very low chip area and power consumption. In addition to exploiting the inherently low variation of capacitors as compared to that of transistors, the proposed circuit generates an output frequency proportional to the capacitor ratio, canceling out any small process-voltage-temperature (PVT) dependences of the capacitor. The performance of the fractional synthesizer is verified from chip measurement results. An output frequency range of 16-156 MHz is covered with a frequency resolution of 0.8 MHz using a 4-MHz reference clock. The total area of the frequency synthesizer core is only 0.0054 mm2, and it consumes 116 μW of power from a 0.9-V supply while generating an output frequency of 48 MHz. The output frequency variation is ±0.14% at 48 MHz for a temperature sweep from -40°C to 90°C. Periodic jitter measured from an on-chip high-resolution jitter measurement circuit is 115ps (rms) at 76 MHz.
Syntaxin clusters assemble reversibly at sites of secretory granules in live cells

Syntaxin resides in the plasma membrane, where it helps to catalyze membrane fusion during exocytosis. The protein also forms clusters in cell-free and granule-free plasma-membrane sheets. We imaged the interaction between syntaxin and single secretory granules by two-color total internal reflection microscopy in PC12 cells. Syntaxin-GFP assembled in clusters at sites where single granules had docked at the plasma membrane. Clusters were intermittently present at granule sites, as syntaxin molecules assembled and disassembled in a coordinated fashion. Recruitment to granules required the N-terminal domain of syntaxin, but not the entry of syntaxin into SNARE complexes. Clusters facilitated exocytosis and disassembled once exocytosis was complete. Syntaxin cluster formation defines an intermediate step in exocytosis.
Hearing loss and pigmentary disturbances in Waardenburg syndrome with reference to WS Type II

Abstract Thirty families in which there were 149 individuals affected by the Waardenburg syndrome (WS) were investigated for penetrance of hearing loss and pigmentary abnormalities. Twenty two families contained 89 individuals affected by WS Type II and eight families with 60 individuals affected by Type I. A bilateral symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss was found to be the most common type of hearing loss. The most frequent degree of hearing loss category was a hearing loss of > 100dB HL with no difference between syndrome types. Although there was no significant difference in the frequency of pigmentation disorders between Type I and II, considering these abnormalities as a whole, heterochromia irides was more common in Type II than Type I and other pigmentation disorders were more frequent in Type I: 62 per cent of Type I patients had more than one pigmentary defect, but only 28 per cent of Type II. Pigmentary disturbances were not significantly more frequent in the hearing impaired group than in the normally hearing group in either Type I or II when taking into account the occurrence of only one pigmentation disorder. There was a significantly higher proportion of pigmentary defects in the hearing impaired group with Type I when only those having more than one pigmentary abnormality were compared: 93.3 per cent of Type I patients and 88.5 per cent of Type II patients with a profound hearing loss had pigmentary defects. The frequency of pigmentation disorders was not greater when the hearing loss was more severe in either type. Penetrance for hearing loss and pigmentary abnormalities showed marked intrafamilial and interfamilial variation.
Management strategies in the aerospace industry. Particular case: The Boeing Company

The present paper aims to provide an overview of the aviation industry in the United States (US). The study focuses on Boeing Company analyzing the organizational architecture and management strategies applied throughout its evolution. The paper is structured in three parts: the first part presents the scientific references; part two focuses on the structure, management strategies and performances of the company; the last part is devoted to conclusions.
Structure-Aware Bayesian Compressive Sensing for Near-Field Source Localization Based on Sensor-Angle Distributions

A novel technique for localization of narrowband near-field sources is presented. The technique utilizes the sensor-angle distribution (SAD) that treats the source range and direction-of-arrival (DOA) information as sensor-dependent phase progression. The SAD draws parallel to quadratic time-frequency distributions and, as such, is able to reveal the changes in the spatial frequency over sensor positions. For a moderate source range, the SAD signature is of a polynomial shape, thus simplifying the parameter estimation. Both uniform and sparse linear arrays are considered in this work. To exploit the sparsity and continuity of the SAD signature in the joint space and spatial frequency domain, a modified Bayesian compressive sensing algorithm is exploited to estimate the SAD signature. In this method, a spike-and-slab prior is used to statistically encourage sparsity of the SAD across each segmented SAD region, and a patterned prior is imposed to enforce the continuous structure of the SAD. The results are then mapped back to source range and DOA estimation for source localization. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is verified using simulation results with uniform and sparse linear arrays where the array sensors are located on a grid but with consecutive and missing positions.
New insights into sequence variation in the IGS region of 21 cyathostomin species and the implication for molecular identification

SUMMARY Cyathostomins comprise a group of 50 species of parasitic nematodes that infect equids. Ribosomal DNA sequences, in particular the intergenic spacer (IGS) region, have been utilized via several methodologies to identify pre-parasitic stages of the commonest species that affect horses. These methods rely on the availability of accurate sequence information for each species, as well as detailed knowledge of the levels of intra- and inter-specific variation. Here, the IGS DNA region was amplified and sequenced from 10 cyathostomin species for which sequence was not previously available. Also, additional IGS DNA sequences were generated from individual worms of 8 species already studied. Comparative analysis of these sequences revealed a greater range of intra-specific variation than previously reported (up to 23%); whilst the level of inter-specific variation (3–62%) was similar to that identified in earlier studies. The reverse line blot (RLB) method has been used to exploit the cyathostomin IGS DNA region for species identification. Here, we report validation of novel and existing DNA probes for identification of cyathostomins using this method and highlight their application in differentiating life-cycle stages such as third-stage larvae that cannot be identified to species by morphological means†.
There is more to IXPs than meets the eye

Internet eXchange Points (IXPs) are generally considered to be the successors of the four Network Access Points (NAPs) that were mandated as part of the decommissioning of the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET) in 1994/95 to facilitate the transition from the NSFNET to the "public Internet" as we know it today. While this popular view does not tell the whole story behind the early beginnings of IXPs, what is true is that since around 1994, the number of operational IXPs worldwide has grown to more than 300 (as of May 2013), with the largest IXPs handling daily traffic volumes comparable to those carried by the largest Tier-1 ISPs. However, IXPs have never really attracted much attention from the networking research community. At first glance, this lack of interest seems understandable as IXPs have apparently little to do with current "hot" topic areas such as data centers and cloud services or Software Defined Networking (SDN) and mobile communication. However, we argue in this article that, in fact, IXPs are all about data centers and cloud services and even SDN and mobile communication and should be of great interest to networking researchers interested in understanding the current and future Internet ecosystem. To this end, we survey the existing but largely fragmented sources of publicly available information about IXPs to describe their basic technical and operational aspects and highlight the critical differences among the various IXPs in the different regions of the world, especially in Europe and North America. More importantly, we illustrate the important role that IXPs play in today's Internet ecosystem and discuss how IXP-driven innovation in Europe is shaping and redefining the Internet marketplace, not only in Europe but increasingly so around the world.
Penalized contrast estimator for adaptive density deconvolution

The authors consider the problem of estimating the density g of independent and identically distributed variables XI, from a sample Z1,… Zn such that ZI = XI + σϵ for i = 1,…, n, and E is noise independent of X, with σϵ having a known distribution. They present a model selection procedure allowing one to construct an adaptive estimator of g and to find nonasymptotic risk bounds. The estimator achieves the minimax rate of convergence, in most cases where lower bounds are available. A simulation study gives an illustration of the good practical performance of the method.
Polarization independent frequency conversion by fiber four-wave mixing with a polarization diversity technique

Polarization-independent frequency conversion over a 1-THz range by fiber four-wave mixing is demonstrated using a polarization diversity technique. The power of the converted light varies less than 0.2 dB. Bit-error-rate (BER) performance of frequency-shift-keying (FSK) direct detection at 622 Mb/s confirms the feasibility of the technique. <<ETX>>
FOCUSED PRIVACY PRESERVING OF DATA USING DECISION TREE INDUCTION CLASSIFIER

Data mining is a recent advance technology with great potential to help companies focus on the crucial information in the data they have collected about the behavior of their customers. In this paper we are trying to use Data mining as a strong tool for security purposes. This paper covers collection of information within the data that queries and reports can't effectively reveal. Privacy-preserving data publishing addresses the problem of disclosing sensitive data when mining for useful information. In already existing privacy models, differential privacy provides one of the strongest privacy guarantees. In this paper, we have resolved issues like Experimental determination and optimization of the way of sharing information without leaking personal data. Continuous monitoring was being done and with the help of DTI (Decision tree induction classifier) we have classified the upcoming events and made data sharing more reliable. More over the location based identification is also included to ensure the overall security in the future also by resolving this chronic problem.
Negative symptoms: diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

The concept of negative symptoms is derived from Kraeplin's description of the dissolution of the personality in patients with schizophrenia. Negative symptoms may be either primary, or secondary to positive symptoms, antipsychotic side effects, dysphoric affect and environmental deprivation. Primary negative symptoms represent core features of the illness, and have been termed deficit symptoms. The differentiation of primary from secondary negative symptoms has important treatment implications, as treatment approaches vary greatly for the different types of negative symptoms. Specific pharamacological and psychosocial treatments are available for secondary negative symptoms. However, to date, there are no known effective treatments for primary negative symptoms. The importance of developing effective treatments for primary negative symptoms is underscored by the relationship of these symptoms to poor social, occupational, and global outcome.
Nitroglycerin Attenuates Human Endothelial Progenitor Cell Differentiation, Function, and Survival

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) participate in angiogenesis and the response to chronic ischemia. Risk factors and cardiovascular disease attenuate EPC number, function, and survival. Continuous therapy with nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate; GTN) is associated with increased vascular oxidative stress, leading to nitrate tolerance and endothelial dysfunction. Thus, GTN therapy may also affect EPCs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether continuous exposure to GTN in vivo or during ex vivo expansion affects the circulating number and functional characteristics of human EPCs. To determine the effects of continuous in vivo GTN exposure, EPCs isolated from 28 healthy males before and after receiving 0.6 mg/h GTN (n = 17) or no treatment (n = 11) for 1 week were expanded for 6 days and compared. To determine the effects of continuous ex vivo GTN exposure, EPCs isolated before randomization were expanded for 6 days in medium supplemented with 100 nM, 300 nM, or 1 μM GTN. EPCs expanded without GTN served as controls (n = 10). In vivo, GTN exposure significantly increased the percentage of circulating cells expressing the EPC marker CD34 and increased the susceptibility of expanded EPCs to apoptosis but had no impact on the phenotypic differentiation or migration of EPCs. Ex vivo, GTN exposure increased apoptosis while decreasing phenotypic differentiation, migration, and mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity of EPCs, compared with EPCs expanded in the absence of GTN. Taken together, these results suggest that continuous GTN therapy might impair EPC-mediated processes, an effect that could be detrimental in the setting of ischemic cardiovascular disease.
Efficient Real-Time Support for Hybrid Tasks in a Sensor Node Platform

In this paper, we present a novel technique that makes it possible to guarantee the real-time scheduling of periodic tasks and minimize the average response time of aperiodic tasks through a task decomposition technique for low-end WSN system platforms. This paper considers the following two perspectives. First, WSN platforms available in literature have not addressed the concept of scheduling for hybrid task sets where both types of periodic and aperiodic tasks exist. Second, each system service in WSN platforms needs to be assigned to either a periodic or an aperiodic task in order to provide fully optimal real-time scheduling for given real-time requirements of WSN applications. A case study based on experiments is conducted to illustrate the application and efficiency of the proposed technique in WSN motes equipped with a low-power 8-bit microcontroller.
A Practical Neuro-fuzzy Mapping and Control for a 2 DOF Robotic Arm System

Relating an arm Cartesian space to joint space and arm dynamics, is an essential issue in arm control that has been given a substantial attention by number of researches. Arm inverse kinematic, is a nonlinear relation, and a closed form solution is not a straight forward, or does not even always exist. This research is presenting a practical use of Neuro-Fuzzy system to solve inverse kinematics problem that used for a two links robotic arm. The concept here is to learn kinematics relations for a robotic arm system. This is to learn and map its environment and remembers what it learnt. For learning the inverse kinematics, Neuro-fuzzy needs information about coordinates, joint angles and actuator position. Information flow needed for the training for a Neuro-fuzzy network is slow and difficult to get by measuring the real structure. Desired Cartesian coordinates are given as input to a Neuro-fuzzy that returns actuator positions. Hence to express them as linguistics fuzzy rules. Neuro-fuzzy system is to generalize and produce an appropriate output. The assembled system has been equipped with C ++ interface routines, as being executed from a MATLAB
Drug metabolism and disposition diversity of Ranunculales phytometabolites: a systems perspective

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although investigations in metabolism and pharmacokinetics of Ranunculales phytometabolites are booming, data obtained from human and animal studies have not been summarized as a whole to outline current trends and to predict future development. Areas covered: Here, we highlight the current knowledge, as well as the challenges around the DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics) associated concerns in streamlining drug research and therapeutic use of Ranunculales phytometabolites. Data from various in vivo and in vitro models are classified and discussed. DMPK characteristics of Ranunculales phytometabolites are summarized and presented according to the phylogenetic relationship of families and genera. This review also presents an overview of the complex interaction between drug metabolizing enzymes/transporters and phytochemicals, as well as of the most advanced approaches in the relevant field. Expert opinion: Since species-specific differences in DMPK exist, data obtained from animal studies may not be sufficient to predict drug metabolism reactions in humans. Omics-based methodologies (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, microbiomics, and metabolomics) should be used to enhance the reliability of DMPK prediction. The fluorescent probes may bridge the gap between conventional models and in vivo clinical studies in humans and provide a consistent basis for DMPK assay development.
Lysophosphatidic Acid‐Induced Neurite Retraction in PC12 Cells: Control by Phosphoinositide‐Ca2+ Signaling and Rho

Abstract: The endogenous phospholipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) caused growth cone collapse, neurite retraction, and cell flattening in differentiated PC12 cells. Neurite retraction was blocked by cytochalasin B and ADP‐ribosylation of the small‐molecular‐weight G protein Rho by the Clostridium botulinum C‐3 toxin. LPA induced a transient rise in the level of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate, and retraction was blocked by inhibitors of phospholipase β. Repeated application of LPA elicited homologous desensitization of the Ca2+ mobilization response. The activation of the phosphoinositide (PIP)‐Ca2+ second messenger system played a permissive role in the morphoregulatory response. Blockers of protein kinase C—chelerythrine, a myristoylated pseudosubstrate peptide, staurosporine, and depletion of protein kinase C from the cells by long‐term phorbol ester treatment—all diminished neurite retraction by interfering with LPA‐induced Ca2+ mobilization, which was required for the withdrawal of neurites. A brief 15‐min treatment with 4β‐phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate also blocked retraction and Ca2+ mobilization, by inactivating the LPA receptor. Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphorylation by herbimycin diminished retraction. Although activation of the PIP‐Ca2+ second messenger system appears necessary for the Rho‐mediated rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton, bradykinin, which activates similar signaling events, failed to cause retraction, indicating that a yet unidentified novel mechanism is also involved in the LPA‐induced morphoregulatory response.
Micro-RNA response to imatinib mesylate in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Background Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) control gene expression by destabilizing targeted transcripts and inhibiting their translation. Aberrant expression of miRNAs has been described in many human cancers, including chronic myeloid leukemia. Current first-line therapy for newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia is imatinib mesylate, which typically produces a rapid hematologic response. However the effect of imatinib on miRNA expression in vivo has not been thoroughly examined. Design and Methods Using a TaqMan Low-Density Array system, we analyzed miRNA expression in blood samples from newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia patients before and within the first two weeks of imatinib therapy. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate imatinib-modulated miRNAs in sequential primary chronic myeloid leukemia samples (n=11, plus 12 additional validation patients). Bioinformatic target gene prediction analysis was performed based on changes in miRNA expression. Results We observed increased expression of miR-150 and miR-146a, and reduced expression of miR-142-3p and miR-199b-5p (3-fold median change) after two weeks of imatinib therapy. A significant correlation (P<0.05) between the Sokal score and pre-treatment miR-142-3p levels was noted. Expression changes in the same miRNAs were consistently found in an additional cohort of chronic myeloid leukemia patients, as compared to healthy subjects. Peripheral blood cells from chronic phase and blast crisis patients displayed a 30-fold lower expression of miR-150 compared to normal samples, which is of particular interest since c-Myb, a known target of miR-150, was recently shown to be necessary for Bcr-Abl-mediated transformation. Conclusions We found that imatinib treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia patients rapidly normalizes the characteristic miRNA expression profile, suggesting that miRNAs may serve as a novel clinically useful biomarker in this disease.
Computer vision in roadway transportation systems: a survey

Abstract. There is a worldwide effort to apply 21st century intelligence to evolving our transportation networks. The goals of smart transportation networks are quite noble and manifold, including safety, efficiency, law enforcement, energy conservation, and emission reduction. Computer vision is playing a key role in this transportation evolution. Video imaging scientists are providing intelligent sensing and processing technologies for a wide variety of applications and services. There are many interesting technical challenges including imaging under a variety of environmental and illumination conditions, data overload, recognition and tracking of objects at high speed, distributed network sensing and processing, energy sources, as well as legal concerns. This paper presents a survey of computer vision techniques related to three key problems in the transportation domain: safety, efficiency, and security and law enforcement. A broad review of the literature is complemented by detailed treatment of a few selected algorithms and systems that the authors believe represent the state-of-the-art.