Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between Atherosclerotic Diseases and Carboxyhaemoglobin Levels in Tobacco Smokers

In a cross-sectional study carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels in tobacco smokers were found to provide a better indication of a person's risk of having developed certain atherosclerotic diseases, including ischaemic heart disease, than the smoking history. In the age group 30-69 years a person with a COHb level of 5% or more was found to be 21 times (lower 95% confidence limit 3·3 times) as likely to be affected by these diseases as another person of the same age and sex with similar smoking history and current smoking habits but with a COHb level of less than 3%.
Functional and Morphological Development of Lymphoid Tissues and Immune Regulatory and Effector Function in Rhesus Monkeys: Cytokine-Secreting Cells, Immunoglobulin-Secreting Cells, and CD5+ B-1 Cells Appear Early in Fetal Development

ABSTRACT Little is known regarding the timing of immune ontogeny and effector function in fetal humans and nonhuman primates. We studied the organization of lymphocyte and antigen-presenting cell populations in developing lymphoid tissues of rhesus monkey fetuses during the second and third trimesters (65 to 145 days of gestation; term = 165 days). Immunoglobulin-secreting and cytokine-secreting cells were detected at day 80. The thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and intestinal mucosa were examined for cells expressing CD3, CD5, CD20, CD68, p55, and HLA-DR. In the spleens of 65-day-old fetuses (early second trimester), the overwhelming majority of total lymphocytes were CD5+ CD20+ B-1 cells. The remaining lymphocytes were CD3+ T cells. By day 80, splenic B and T cells were equal in number. Intraepithelial CD3+ CD5− T cells and lamina propria CD20+ CD5+ B cells were present in the intestines of 65-day-old fetuses. By day 80, numerous CD20+ CD5+ B cells were present in the jejunums and colons and early lymphocyte aggregate formation was evident. The spleens of 80- to 145-day-old fetuses contained immunoglobulin M (IgM)-secreting cells, while IgA-, IgG-, interleukin-6-, and gamma interferon-secreting cells were numerous in the spleens and colons. Thus, by the second trimester, the lymphoid tissues of the rhesus monkey fetus have a complete repertoire of properly organized antigen-presenting cells, T cells, and B cells.
The regional pricing of risk: An empirical investigation of the MENA Region

Using a sample of five-MENA emerging countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, and Turkey) during the period 1996-2013, this study highlights the main factors that might influence regional integration of stock markets. We propose an advantageous econometric approach based on a conditional version of the International Capital Asset Pricing Model (ICAPM) to explore major sources of time-varying risks. We specifically apply the multivariate BEKK-GARCH process to simultaneously estimate the ICAPM for each country. The study puts in evidence that inflation, volatility of exchange rates, yield spread, current account deficit, dividend yield and economic growth are among the key determinants of regional integration in the MENA context whatever is the measure of exchange rate risk.
Dramatic events in ciliate evolution: alteration of UAA and UAG termination codons to glutamine codons due to anticodon mutations in two Tetrahymena tRNAsGln

The three major glutamine tRNAs of Tetrahymena thermophila were isolated and their nucleotide sequences determined by post‐labeling techniques. Two of these tRNAsGln show unusual codon recognition: a previously isolated tRNAGlnUmUA and a second species with CUA in the anticodon (tRNAGlnCUA). These two tRNAs recognize two of the three termination codons on natural mRNAs in a reticulocyte system. tRNAGlnUmUA reads the UAA codon of α‐globin mRNA and the UAG codon of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA, whereas tRNAGlnCUA recognizes only UAG. This indicates that Tetrahymena uses UAA and UAG as glutamine codons and that UGA may be the only functional termination codon. A notable feature of these two tRNAsGln is their unusually strong readthrough efficiency, e.g. purified tRNAGlnCUA achieves complete readthrough over the UAG stop codon of TMV RNA. The third major tRNAGln of Tetrahymena has a UmUG anticodon and presumably reads the two normal glutamine codons CAA and CAG. The sequence homology between tRNAGlnUmUG and tRNAGlnUmUA is 81%, whereas that between tRNAGlnCUA and tRNAGlnUmUA is 95%, indicating that the two unusual tRNAsGln evolved from the normal tRNAGln early in ciliate evolution. Possible events leading to an altered genetic code in ciliates are discussed.
Immune reconstitution of B‐cell lymphoma patients receiving CHOP‐based chemotherapy containing rituximab

Sixty‐six B‐cell lymphoma patients were treated with a CHOP‐based chemotherapy containing rituximab (R‐CHOP‐like regimen). Immune reconstitution was assessed by measuring lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulins. Fifty‐five patients (83.3%) underwent six cycles of the R‐CHOP‐like regimen. CD19+ and CD20+ cells were completely eliminated from the peripheral blood after one cycle of the R‐CHOP‐like regimen; they were detected again 6 months after the therapy. One year after the therapy, B‐cell numbers recovered to their level at diagnosis and almost doubled 2 years after the therapy. The lowest numbers of CD3+, CD8+ and CD56+ cells were seen after three cycles of the regimen, but continued to increase until 1 year after the therapy, remaining stable thereafter. CD4+ T‐cells were at their lowest after six cycles of the regimen and recovered slowly for 2 years after the therapy; however, their numbers were still lower than that at diagnosis. Immunoglobulins decreased over six cycles of the R‐CHOP‐like regimen and then recovered gradually for 2 years after the therapy. The percentage of IgG, IgA and IgM 2 years after the therapy compared with those at diagnosis was 93.9%, 90.1%, 76.3%, respectively. Twelve infectious complications occurred which consisted of three febrile neutropenia, three Herpes Zoster, two tympanitis, two Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and two hepatitis B virus reactivation. B‐cells required 1 year and CD4+ T‐cells and immunoglobulins needed 2 years to recover after the therapy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic analysis of 2-[11C]thymidine PET imaging studies: validation studies.

UNLABELLED 2-[11C]thymidine has been tested as a PET tracer of cellular proliferation. We have previously described a model of thymidine and labeled metabolite kinetics for use in quantifying the flux of thymidine into DNA as a measure of tumor proliferation. We describe here the results of studies to validate some of the model's assumptions and to test the model's ability to predict the time course of tracer incorporation into DNA in tumors. METHODS Three sets of studies were conducted: (a) The uptake of tracers in proliferative tissues of normal mice was measured early after injection to assess the relative delivery of thymidine and metabolites of thymidine catabolism (thymine and CO2) and calculate relative blood-tissue transfer rates (relative K1s). (b) By using sequential injections of [11C]thymidine and [11C]thymine in normal human volunteers, the kinetics of the first labeled metabolite were measured to determine whether it was trapped in proliferating tissue such as the bone marrow. (c) In a multitumor rat model, 2-[14C]thymidine injection, tumor sampling and quantitative DNA extraction were performed to measure the time course of label uptake into DNA for comparison with model predictions. RESULTS Studies in mice showed consistent relative delivery of thymidine and metabolites in somatic tissue but, as expected, showed reduced delivery of thymidine and thymine in the normal brain compared to CO2. Thymine studies in volunteers showed only minimal trapping of label in bone marrow in comparison to thymidine. This quantity of trapping could be explained by a small amount of fixation of labeled CO2 in tissue, a process that is included as part of the model. Uptake experiments in rats showed early incorporation of label into DNA, and the model was able to fit the time course of uptake. CONCLUSION These initial studies support the assumptions of the compartmental model and demonstrate its ability to quantify thymidine flux into DNA by using 2-[11C]thymidine and PET. Results suggest that further work will be necessary to investigate the effects of tumor heterogeneity and to compare PET measures of tumor proliferation to in vitro measures of proliferation and to clinical tumor behavior in patients undergoing therapy.
Broadband arbitrary waveform generation based on microwave frequency upshifting in optical fibers

An interesting method for broadband arbitrary waveform generation is based on the frequency upshifting of a narrowband microwave signal. In this technique, the original microwave signal is imaged into a temporally compressed replica using a simple and practical fiber-based system. Recently, it has been shown that the conventional limitations of this approach (e.g., bandwidth limitations) can be overcome by exploiting a temporal self-imaging (Talbot) effect in fiber. This effect can be used whenever the signal to be imaged is a quasi-periodic waveform (e.g., microwave tones or any arbitrary periodic waveform). This paper provides a comprehensive study of the microwave frequency upshifting technique with special focus on the Talbot-based approach. Following a theoretical analysis of the design constraints of the conventional approach, the Talbot-based solution is theoretically investigated in detail. In particular, the design specifications of a Talbot-based microwave upshifting system are derived, and the practical capabilities and constraints of these systems (e.g., in terms of achievable bandwidth) are stated and examined. The theoretical findings are confirmed by means of numerical simulations. Moreover, a numerical study of the influence of higher-order (second-order) dispersion terms on system performance is presented, and some additional design rules to minimize the associated detrimental effects are given. The results show that microwave frequencies up to a few hundreds of gigahertz over nanosecond temporal windows can be easily obtained with the described technique using input optical bandwidths in the terahertz range. This has been experimentally confirmed.
Essays on unconventional monetary policy

Monetary policy since the global financial crisis of 2007/08 has contended with the 'unknown unknowns' associated with Knightian uncertainty rather than the 'known unknowns' associated with risk. We find that when a policymaker knows neither the parameters of his model nor the probability distribution from which those parameters are drawn, more fear of model misspecification calls for more aggressive use of both conventional and unconventional instruments. Moreover, the greater the policymaker's doubts about the effect of asset purchases relative to the effect of interest rate changes, the greater the relative zeal with which he should pursue the former. Critics of the U.S. Federal Reserve argue that "unwarranted pessimism" about the effectiveness of quantitative easing (QE) inhibited the postcrisis monetary policy response. We find that this relative passivism during QE2 may instead have been the optimal response to less fear of model misspecification following QE1. Rather than the FOMC's return to activism during QE3 implying that its passivism during QE2 was undue, it may be the latter that was warranted and the former that was undue.
Recent achievements of the ATLAS upgrade Planar Pixel Sensors R&D project

In the context of the HL-LHC upgrade of the ATLAS experiment, the introduction of a highly segmented radiation hard siliconized inner tracker is envisaged to cope with highly granularity. The Planar Pixel Sensors (PPS) collaboration, comprising of institutes from 16 countries, was established to investigate the transposability of already proven planar pixel technology to those harsh requirements. Introducing a comprehensive approach, state-of-the-art achievements in several scopes are presented: novice designs, including bias rail rerouting, active edge technologies and enlarged pixel implementations, 3D TCAD doping profile simulations in conjunction with secondary ion mass spectroscopy measurements, slim sensor productions eliminating support wafers as well as large area devices, Ni-Au under-bump metallisation effects as well as hybridization efforts, data acquisition systems developments and irradiation results from recent test beams. Presented results form a synthetic approach, providing insight in contemporary developments and open subjects with respect to silicon particle detectors.
The Impact of Social Capital on FDI in Georgia

FDI brings capital, innovation exchanges and new employments and administration aptitude. In numerous nations, FDI inflow is lower than anticipated. In spite of the inclination for more extensive large scale level examinations of the particular social developments inside which financial exercises happen, a considerable measure of national-level investigations of the determinants of outside contributed firms have given careful consideration to the parts played by social capital and its unexpected incentive in influencing remote direct venture inflows. Drawing on the rationale of social capital and institutional hypothesis, this article looks to offer a correlative clarification of FDI by inspecting experimentally the national-level effects of social capital (trust and affiliated action) on FDI and the directing part of administrative quality in its connections. FDI is the essential part for an open and fruitful global monetary framework and a noteworthy instrument for improvement. In this condition, the paper looks at the advantages of FDI as a key segment for fruitful and feasible financial development and as a piece of a strategy to social change. The point is to feature the most vital channels through which FDI makes a huge and uncommon effect on the monetary advancement of the host nations.
Inter-strand circulating current analysis of end-region transposed coil of power generator using 3D multi-layer FEM

Stator coils of large rotating machines are divided into strands which are transposed to reduce the inter-strand circulating current loss. To evaluate the effect of transposition, circulating current analysis is required but full 3D analysis is difficult because of the complicated configuration of the transposed coils. In this paper, magnetic field analysis model using 3D multi-layer finite element method is proposed to calculate the inter-strand circulating current in the stator coil with transposition in the coil end region especially with non-transposed region. Then circulating currents are analyzed considering the magnetic flux in the end region and some transposition patterns are compared.
Mirrormap: augmenting 2d mobile maps with virtual mirrors

In this paper, we describe our MirrorMap system, a 2D mobile map system that is augmented with live videos. In most major modern cities, traffic cameras and publicly accessible webcams are in abundance. These cameras provide live coverage of given city and are often positioned such that they have superior views of the scene. As such, it would be beneficial if a person who is wayfinding could have access to these video feeds, to acquire greater information about the area as they are route planning. Moreover, it would be beneficial if the system could provide the video feeds in a natural and familiar way that maintains the spatial relationships between the position of the corresponding camera and the person. We adopt a method called Virtual Mirroring. For each camera source, we place a virtual mirror in its stead. The mirror reflects the feed from the camera, and what results is the appearance that there are mirrors located in the position of the cameras. Akin to the well placed mirrors in convenience stores that provide shopkeepers with views of aisles he or she would not normally be able to see from the cash register, the user can point her (or his) mobile device in the direction of the source camera and see the virtual mirrors that are displaying the video feed. By so doing, the user can see additional views of the environment she would not normally be able to see from where she is standing. This additional information can inform her route planning.
Objective vestibular tests as outcome measures in head injury patients

Hypothesis: Dynamic visual acuity testing (DVAT) and the Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI) can be used as reliable outcome measures in patients after head injury. Background: Balance disorders are a significant disability after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Assessing when individuals can perform activities of daily living, return to work, and begin to play sports can be difficult to determine. Objective outcome measures that correlate with successful life skills can be useful in managing these patients. Methods: Fifty‐three active duty individuals who suffered mild TBI underwent weekly DVAT testing and were administered a weekly DHI. Results in this group were compared with 46 control subjects who had not experienced TBI. In addition, weekly scores were compared with the patient's functional level, time to return to work, and time to perform all job related activities. Results: Individuals with TBI showed an overall increase of 42% in DVAT function over the first 4 weeks of testing, whereas controls showed an 8% increase. Concurrently, individuals with TBI averaged a 18‐point improvement in DHI function, whereas control subjects showed no significant change in this score. Improvement in DVAT and DHI function correlated closely at the 1‐week time point. Improvement in the patient's cognitive function, ability to return to activities of daily living, and ability to return to work gradually improved continuously. Conclusion: DVAT and the DHI can be used as reliable outcome measures in evaluating the progress of patients with balance disorders associated with TBI. These measures allow providers to make more reliable recommendations regarding such activities as returning to work.
On the Probabilistic Interpretation of Neural Network Classifiers and Discriminative Training Criteria

A probabilistic interpretation is presented for two important issues in neural network based classification, namely the interpretation of discriminative training criteria and the neural network outputs as well as the interpretation of the structure of the neural network. The problem of finding a suitable structure of the neural network can be linked to a number of well established techniques in statistical pattern recognition. Discriminative training of neural network outputs amounts to approximating the class or posterior probabilities of the classical statistical approach. This paper extends these links by introducing and analyzing novel criteria such as maximizing the class probability and minimizing the smoothed error rate. These criteria are defined in the framework of class conditional probability density functions. We show that these criteria can be interpreted in terms of weighted maximum likelihood estimation. In particular, this approach covers widely used techniques such as corrective training, learning vector quantization, and linear discriminant analysis. >
Inhibitory activities on nitric oxide production of stilbenoids from Pholidota yunnanensis

Three new stilbenoids, 1-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-imbricatin (1), (E)-4′-hydroxy-2′,3,3′,5-tetramethoxystilbene (2), and (E)-3,4′-dihydroxy-2,6-bis(4-hydroxybenzyl)-2′,3′,5-trimethoxystilbene (3), together with 15 known stilbene derivatives, were isolated from Pholidota yunnanensis. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds. Furthermore, the inhibitory activities on nitric oxide (NO) production of the isolated compounds were examined in murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) activated by lipopolysaccharide. The cytotoxicity of 18 compounds was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay. Among the tested compounds, eight stilbenoids, including three dihydrophenanthrenes, three stilbenes, and one bibenzyl derivative showed inhibitory effects on NO production without cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 4.07 to 7.77 μM, as compared to MG-132, which was used as a positive control (IC50 of 0.10 μM). One dihydrophenanthrene, phoyunnanin C (5), showed cytotoxic effects at the test concentrations.
Macrocephaly Is Not Always Due to Hydrocephalus

Macrocephaly is a clinical symptom with a heterogeneous cause. Besides enlarged ventricles (hydrocephalus) it can be caused by increased brain volume, expanded extracerebral spaces, intracranial cysts, and dilated vessels. Drawing on the experience of more than 8 years using transfontanellar sonography including Doppler techniques, some typical clinical and sonographic features of several forms of macrocephaly are addressed. Besides isolated familial or sporadic megalencephaly, extracerebral fluid collections are the main explanation of macrocephaly. Subdural effusions with compression of the brain by increased intracranial pressure should be differentiated from craniocerebral disproportion without increased intracranial pressure. Subependymal and subarachnoidal cysts may cause extraordinary displacements and compression of brain structures; nevertheless, the prognosis is rather optimistic, for the brain structure itself is generally not destroyed. In some infants with complex genetic, neurocutaneous, and neurometabolic syndromes, macrocephaly is an early clinical sign. The outcome in these infants is very different and dependent on the dysfunction of the brain by the specific disease (eg, storage of neurotoxic substances, dysplasia, gliosis, vascular disturbances, or brain tumors). In infants with vascular malformations the diagnosis can be established more exactly by using Doppler techniques. I recommend some practical diagnostic procedures in cases of macrocephaly. Nevertheless, in many patients with increased head size an exact statement about the further prognosis cannot be established by one examination; therefore, a developmental evaluation in combination with regular sonographic evaluation is the most valuable method in taking care of all infants with macrocephaly. (J Child Neurol 1989;4:S32-S40).