Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of 6‐Month Mortality in Survivors of Myocardial Infarction After Thrombolysis Results of the GISSI‐2 Data Base

BackgroundCurrent knowledge of risk assessment in survivors of myocardial infarction is largely based on data gathered before the advent of thrombolysis. It must be determined whether and to what extent available information and proposed criteria of prognostication are applicable in the thrombolytic era. Methods and ResultsWe reassessed risk prediction in the 10 219 survivors of myocardial infarction with follow-up data available (ie, 98% of the total) who had been enrolled in the GISSI-2 trial, relying on a set of prespecified variables. The 3.5% 6-month all-cause mortality rate of these patients compared with the higher value of 4.6% found in the corresponding GISSI-1 cohort, originally allocated to streptokinase therapy, indicates a 24% reduction in postdischarge 6-month mortality. On multivariate analysis (Cox model), the following variables were predictors of 6-month all-cause mortality: ineligibility for exercise test for both cardiac (relative risk [RR], 3.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.36-4.62) and noncardiac reasons (RR, 3.28; 95% CI, 2.23-4.72), early left ventricular failure (RR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.87-3.09), echocardiographic evidence of recovery phase left ventricular dysfunction (RR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.78-2.98), advanced (more than 70 years) age (RR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.43 -2.30), electrical instability (ie, frequent and/or complex ventricular arrhythmias) (RR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.32-2.19), late left ventricular failure (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.17-2.03), previous myocardial infarction (RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.14-1.89), and a history of treated hypertension (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.05-1.65). Early post-myocardial infarction angina, a positive exercise test, female sex, history of angina, history of insulin-dependent diabetes, and anterior site of myocardial infarction were not risk predictors. On further multivariate analysis, performed on 8315 patients with the echocardiographic indicator of left ventricular dysfunction available, only previous myocardial infarction was not retained as an independent risk predictor. ConclusionA decline in 6-month mortality of myocardial infarction survivors, seen within 6 hours of symptom onset, has been observed in recent years. Ineligibility for exercise test, early left ventricular failure, and recovery-phase left ventricular dysfunction are the most powerful (RR, >2) predictors of 6-month mortality among patients recovering from myocardial infarction after thrombolysis. Qualitative variables reflecting residual myocardial ischemia do not appear to be risk predictors. The lack of an independent adverse influence of early post-myocardial infarction angina on 6-month survival represents a major difference between this study and those of the prethrombolytic era.
Determinants of Economic Growth: A Cross-Country Empirical Investigation

This article analyses the main determinants of income per capita based on a sample of 50 countries for the period 2005 to 2009, using multivariate statistics. The results show that institutional indicators (heterodox) have a greater impact on the welfare of the population than the traditional macroeconomic variables (orthodox). These results show that the process of improving the quality of life of the population is mainly the result from the interaction between institutions, firms and technological progress that shapes historical standards, social and institutional peculiar to each country.
Somatic alterations in the melanoma genome: A high‐resolution array‐based comparative genomic hybridization study

We performed DNA microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization to identify somatic alterations specific to melanoma genome in 60 human cell lines from metastasized melanoma and from 44 corresponding peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our data showed gross but nonrandom somatic changes specific to the tumor genome. Although the CDKN2A (78%) and PTEN (70%) loci were the major targets of mono‐allelic and bi‐allelic deletions, amplifications affected loci with BRAF (53%) and NRAS (12%) as well as EGFR (52%), MITF (40%), NOTCH2 (35%), CCND1 (18%), MDM2 (18%), CCNE1 (10%), and CDK4 (8%). The amplified loci carried additional genes, many of which could potentially play a role in melanoma. Distinct patterns of copy number changes showed that alterations in CDKN2A tended to be more clustered in cell lines with mutations in the BRAF and NRAS genes; the PTEN locus was targeted mainly in conjunction with BRAF mutations. Amplification of CCND1, CDK4, and other loci was significantly increased in cell lines without BRAF‐NRAS mutations and so was the loss of chromosome arms 13q and 16q. Our data suggest involvement of distinct genetic pathways that are driven either through oncogenic BRAF and NRAS mutations complemented by aberrations in the CDKN2A and PTEN genes or involve amplification of oncogenic genomic loci and loss of 13q and 16q. It also emerges that each tumor besides being affected by major and most common somatic genetic alterations also acquires additional genetic alterations that could be crucial in determining response to small molecular inhibitors that are being currently pursued. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Active Control of Slow Light in a Gain-Assisted Plasmon-Induced Transparency Structure

Plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) in a compact plasmonic resonator structure, which consists of a metal– dielectric–metal waveguide with an aperture-coupled square cavity and a slot resonator, is investigated theoretically and numerically. We find the transparency window and the delay of slow light in this structure can be controlled at a fixed wavelength by carefully adjusting the geometrical parameters of the aperture-coupled square cavity. By introducing gain medium into the slot resonator, the transmittance and the group index in transparency window both are dramatically enhanced with optically pumping the medium, and the group delay time can reach to 0.93 ps. In addition, triple PIT effects are also achieved by adding another aperture-coupled cavity and slot cavity, and corresponding slow light also can be dynamically tuned. This study paves a new route toward the realization of highly integrated all-optical circuits and networks, especially for ultrafast switches, optical buffers, lasers, and nanosensors.
Productivity and R and D at the Firm Level

This paper analyzes the relationship between output, employment, and physical and R&D capital, for a sample of 133 large U.S. firms covering the years 1966 through 197. In the cross sectional dimension, there is a strong relationship between firm productivity and the level of its R&D invespments. In the time dimension, using deviations from fire means as obserrations and unconstrained estimation, this relationship bomes closa to vanishing. This may be due, in part, to the increase in collinearity between trend, physical capital, and R&D cap)tal in the within dimension, leaving little ildependent variability there. When the coefficients of the first two variables are constrained to reasonable values, the R&D coefficient is both sizeable and significant. The possibility of simultaneity between output and employment decisions in the short run is also investigated. Allowing for this via the use of a semi-reduced form equations system yields rather high estimates of the importance of R&D capital relative to physical capital. Our data do not allow us, however, to answer any detailed questions about the lag structure of the effects of R&D on productivity. These effects are apparently highly variable, both in timing and magnitude.
Economic integration among ASEAN countries: evidence from gravity model

This study aims at investigating whether intra-ASEAN trade is trade creating (higher trade with efficient members) or trade diverting (higher trade with inefficient members) for both inter-industry and intra-industry trade. Since integration efforts within ASEAN had to be geared toward “open regionalism”, factors that affect trade, both inter-industry as well as intra-industry trade at the sectoral level are also identified. The study adopts the extended gravity model at the total as well as the disaggregated level using the one-digit Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Revision 2. Trade creation is found to be present for total exports, for beverages & tobacco (SITC 1), chemicals & materials (SITC 5),machinery & transport equipment (SITC 7),and miscellaneous manufactures (SITC 8). Income levels, transportation costs as well as level of development have significant effects on total trade as well as most sectors. Relative development affects only food & live animals (SITC 0), crude materials (SITC 2), chemicals & materials (SITC 5), and manufactured goods (SITC 6). Factor endowments are important determinants of total trade as well as trade in animal & vegetable fat (SITC 4), chemicals & materials SITC 5), machinery & transport equipment (SITC7), and miscellaneous manufactures (SITC 8). Tariffs do not seem to have any effect on trade except for the animal & vegetable fat sector (SITC 4), while exchange rate risk affects only beverages & tobacco (SITC 1), minerals & fuels (SITC 3), machinery & transport equipment (SITC 7), and miscellaneous manufactures (SITC 8). Based on the findings, in general, policies that promote growth and development in the region should be maintained. In addition, measures need to be undertaken to ensure low transportation costs that include improving both the physical infrastructure and the efficiency of transportation systems. Since tariffs are no longer much of an issue to promote trade, emphasis should be placed on other factors that may affect export demand such as product development to improve the quality of exports and to meet the preferences of importing countries.
Implementing Metropolitan Strategies: Lessons from Melbourne

In 2002, the state government of Victoria, Australia, introduced a new 30-year metropolitan planning strategy for Melbourne. However, its implementation was problematic, at times ineffectual and at others the cause of community conflict. When a new government was elected in 2010 it announced the strategy's abandonment. This article evaluates the Melbourne strategy to examine its shortcomings. It concludes that it lacked the critical components of a clear purpose and vision, ownership, or at least acceptance, by all metropolitan stakeholders, including opposing politicians; and clear guidelines, actions (including expenditure) and regulation for implementation. These findings have relevance for metropolitan strategic planning in cities beyond Australia, as some of the underlying reasons, such as the neoliberal influence on policy, also exist in other city regions around the world.
Dynamics of Chromophore Binding to Lhc Proteins in Vivo and in Vitro during Operation of the Xanthophyll Cycle*

Three plant xanthophylls are components of the xanthophyll cycle in which, upon exposure of leaves to high light, the enzyme violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE) transforms violaxanthin into zeaxanthin via the intermediate antheraxanthin. Previous work (1) showed that xanthophylls are bound to Lhc proteins and that substitution of violaxanthin with zeaxanthin induces conformational changes and fluorescence quenching by thermal dissipation. We have analyzed the efficiency of different Lhc proteins to exchange violaxanthin with zeaxanthin both in vivo and in vitro. Light stress of Zea mays leaves activates VDE, and the newly formed zeaxanthin is found primarily in CP26 and CP24, whereas other Lhc proteins show a lower exchange capacity. The de-epoxidation system has been reconstituted in vitro by using recombinant Lhc proteins, recombinant VDE, and monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) to determine the intrinsic capacity for violaxanthin-to-zeaxanthin exchange of individual Lhc gene products. Again, CP26 was the most efficient in xanthophyll exchange. Biochemical and spectroscopic analysis of individual Lhc proteins after de-epoxidation in vitro showed that xanthophyll exchange occurs at the L2-binding site. Xanthophyll exchange depends on low pH, implying that access to the binding site is controlled by a conformational change via lumenal pH. These findings suggest that the xanthophyll cycle participates in a signal transduction system acting in the modulation of light harvestingversus thermal dissipation in the antenna system of higher plants.
Quantitative Image Analysis of MIB‐1 Reactivity in Inflammatory, Hyperplastic, and Neoplastic Endocervical Lesions

SummaryThe diagnosis of endocervical neoplasia can be difficult as it is sometimes mimicked by proliferative or reactive glands. MIB-1 is a proliferation marker that can aid in the diagnosis of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the cervix and vulva, but its potential value in the diagnosis of endocervical lesions has not been fully explored. Ten formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cases of each of the following were obtained: morphologically normal endocervical glands from patients with cervical SIL, endocervicitis. microglandular hyperplasia (MGH), and endocervical adenocarcinomas (eight in situ, two invasive). Microwave unmasking of antigens was performed prior to immunohistochemical staining for MIB-1 using the avidin/biotin peroxidase method. Labeling indexes were calculated for 34 specimens (10 adenocarcinoma, 8 each of the other diagnoses) using image analysis (Samba 4000). There was diffuse MIB-1 reactivity in adenocarcinoma (labeling index 57–96%, mean 80%), minimal focal reactivity in normal glands underlying SIL (labeling index 0.8–4.3%. mean 2.4%). moderate spotty reactivity in MGH (labeling index 2.9–18.4%, mean 8.5%). and minimal to focally diffuse reactivity in endocervicitis (labeling index 1.0–13.3%. mean 5.7%). These data indicate that the percentage and distribution of MIB-1-reactive endocervical cells can be of diagnostic utility in distinguishing neoplastic glands from those of endocervicitis and MGH.
Benjamin Franklin and the neurosciences.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), who is better known in other fields, especially colonial politics and international diplomacy, was an early, major contributor to the neurosciences from the New World. Among his accomplishments are: experiments on medical electricity as a possible cure for the palsies and hysteria; the first descriptions of how electricity affecting the brain can cause a specific type of amnesia; supporting the idea that cranial shocks might provide a cure for melancholia; showing that the cures performed by the Mesmerists to remove obstructions, including nerve blockages, rest on gullibility and suggestion, and recognizing the dangers, including those to the nerves, posed by exposure to lead. Franklin? s neuroscience was firmly based on experiments, careful observations, and hard data ? and finding clinical relevance for new discoveries was always on his mind.
Employing Virtual Advisors in Preventive Care for Underserved Communities: Results From the COMPASS Study

Electronically delivered health promotion programs that are aimed primarily at educated, health-literate individuals have proliferated, raising concerns that such trends could exacerbate health disparities in the United States and elsewhere. The efficacy of a culturally and linguistically adapted virtual advisor that provides tailored physical activity advice and support was tested in low-income older adults. Forty inactive adults (92.5% Latino) 55 years of age and older were randomized to a 4-month virtual advisor walking intervention or a waitlist control. Four-month increases in reported minutes of walking/week were greater in the virtual advisor arm (mean increase = 253.5 ± 248.7 minutes/week) relative to the control (mean increase = 26.8 ± 67.0 minutes/week; p = .0008). Walking increases in the virtual advisor arm were substantiated via objectively measured daily steps (slope analysis p = .002). All but one intervention participant continued some interaction with the virtual advisor in the 20-week poststudy period (mean number of poststudy sessions = 14.0 ± 20.5). The results indicate that a virtual advisor delivering culturally and linguistically adapted physical activity advice led to meaningful 4-month increases in walking relative to control among underserved older adults. This interactive technology, which requires minimal language and computer literacy, may help reduce health disparities by ensuring that all groups benefit from e-health opportunities.
International trade and resource allocation

Introduction. Producer and Consumer Theory. The Production Sector. Comparative Statics of the Production Sector. Intermediate Inputs and Joint Outputs. Consumer Demand, Income Distribution and General Equilibrium. Free Trade Equilibrium and Trade Theories. Non-Traded Goods and Endogenous Factor Supplies. The Welfare Effects of International Trade. Transfers, Tariffs and Taxes. Trade Policy. Empirical Studies. Trade and Growth: A Static Approach. Trade and Growth: A Dynamic Approach. Trade and Growth: Dynamics of Technology and Investment. Further Topics in Trade Theory. Index.
Lymphotoxin Signals from Positively Selected Thymocytes Regulate the Terminal Differentiation of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells

The thymic medulla represents a key site for the induction of T cell tolerance. In particular, autoimmune regulator (Aire)-expressing medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) provide a spectrum of tissue-restricted Ags that, through both direct presentation and cross-presentation by dendritic cells, purge the developing T cell repertoire of autoimmune specificities. Despite this role, the mechanisms of Aire+ mTEC development remain unclear, particularly those stages that occur post-Aire expression and represent mTEC terminal differentiation. In this study, in mouse thymus, we analyze late-stage mTEC development in relation to the timing and requirements for Aire and involucrin expression, the latter a marker of terminally differentiated epithelium including Hassall’s corpuscles. We show that Aire expression and terminal differentiation within the mTEC lineage are temporally separable events that are controlled by distinct mechanisms. We find that whereas mature thymocytes are not essential for Aire+ mTEC development, use of an inducible ZAP70 transgenic mouse line—in which positive selection can be temporally controlled—demonstrates that the emergence of involucrin+ mTECs critically depends upon the presence of mature single positive thymocytes. Finally, although initial formation of Aire+ mTECs depends upon RANK signaling, continued mTEC development to the involucrin+ stage maps to activation of the LTα–LTβR axis by mature thymocytes. Collectively, our results reveal further complexity in the mechanisms regulating thymus medulla development and highlight the role of distinct TNFRs in initial and terminal differentiation stages in mTECs.
Fast Algorithm to solve a family of SIS problem with linfty norm

In this paper, we present a new algorithm, such that, for the small integer solution (SIS) problem, if the solution is bounded ( by an integer β in l∞ norm, which we call a bounded SIS (BSIS) problem, and if the difference between the row dimension n and the column dimension m of the corresponding matrix is relatively small with respect the row dimension m, we can solve it easily with a complexity of polynomial in m.
Theoretical perspective on euro liquidity

I provide theoretical perspective on recent findings of increased transaction costs in the new dollar-euro market relative to the prior dollar-mark market, and assess the welfare significance of this drop in liquidity. In theory, transaction costs arise from information disadvantage costs, inventory management costs, and other market-making costs (e.g., order-processing costs). A review of theoretical reasons for the underlying costs to be rising can allow one to discriminate among hypotheses for the liquidity drop. New data on public trades support a customer liquidity hypothesis, based on the idea that the ultimate providers of liquidity in this market are customers rather than market-makers. However, the hypothesis is not consistent with the totality of the evidence, and I discuss how a combination of various mechanisms can influence transaction costs and the FX market's information efficiency. Copyright (c) CEPR, CES, MSH, 2002.
Intravenous diltiazem and CYP3A-mediated metabolism.

AIMS To study whether intravenous diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker commonly prescribed for hypertension and stable angina, is an inhibitor of the CYP3A enzymes by using oral lovastatin, an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, as a substrate. METHODS Ten healthy volunteers were studied in a randomized two-way crossover design. The two arms were 1) administration of a 20 mg dosage of lovastatin orally and 2) administration of a 20 mg dosage of lovastatin orally 1 h after an intravenous loading dosage and constant infusion of diltiazem. Blood samples were collected up to 25 h in order to quantify lovastatin and diltiazem concentrations in the separated serum. Lovastatin and diltiazem concentrations were quantified by GC-MS and h.p.l.c. , respectively. RESULTS Intravenous diltiazem did not significantly affect the oral AUC, Cmax, t(1/2), or tmax of lovastatin. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the interaction of lovastatin with diltiazem does not occur systemically and is primarily a first-pass effect. Thus, drug interactions with diltiazem may become evident when a patient is moved from intravenous to oral dosing.
Si IGBT phase-leg module packaging and cooling design for operation at 200 °C in hybrid electrical vehicle applications

A Si IGBT phase-leg module is designed and fabricated for operating at 200 °C in hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV) applications. First, a phase-leg package design is given including die selection, material selection, and layout design. Then the static and switching characterization of the fabricated module is conducted at various temperatures. The losses for a kW phase-leg in three-phase motor drive are calculated based on the characterization. Thermal performance of the proposed package and cooling is then evaluated with both (finite element analysis) FEA simulation and experiments. The simulation and experimental results agree well, which show that the proposed packaging design and cooling approach can maintain the Si IGBT junction temperature below 200 °C with 105 °C coolant. Finally, a buck converter composed of the phase-leg module is operated successfully with the device junction temperature heated up to 200 °C, which demonstrates the high temperature operation ability of the designed package module.
The art of choosing and the politics of social marketing

Social marketing is an increasingly popular method by which governments and public bodies deploy marketing principles and techniques in order to achieve ‘social goods’. This paper examines the close relationship between public sector social marketing, a policy mantra focused on ‘behaviour change’ and the political agenda of ‘libertarian paternalism’. Drawing on interview data with policy strategists, think tank professionals, social marketing advisors and civil servants, the paper argues that careful attention needs to be paid to the strategic governance issues raised by the use of social marketing tools in public policy, with a particular focus on the ethics of behavioural segmentation, context shaping and choice. We argue that there are serious ethical consequences to a public policy culture, which has become preoccupied with cultivating the arts of choosing within a methodological and theoretical framework dominated by the language, tools and techniques of behaviourism, marketisation and consumerism.